"Alright, hurry up and clean up the battlefield before returning to the village."
Minato stepped in to break things up—otherwise, he didn't know how long this group would keep chatting.
"Fine."
"Pain, you take care of her."
"Everyone else, move quickly. We leave in half a ke (about fifteen minutes)."
Nawaki finally turned serious and issued his orders.
"Yes sir!"
Everyone acknowledged and got moving.
They finished cleaning the battlefield well before half an hour had passed.
Bloodstains on the ground were washed away using [Water Release] techniques.
"You saved her, so you might as well finish what you started."
"Let's move out."
Nawaki didn't give Nagato a chance to refuse and took the lead in departing.
Everyone moved in perfect sync—no one even considered offering help.
In no time, only Nagato and Nonou were left at the scene, exchanging awkward glances.
"Uh... should I carry you?"
Breaking the silence, Nagato was the first to speak.
"I guess… I'm fine with that."
Nonou sounded hesitant, but inwardly she felt secretly delighted.
Truthfully, she wouldn't mind either way—it was fine if he carried her.
"Come here."
Nagato slightly bent his knees and squatted in front of Nonou.
"I'm ready."
Nonou reached out, wrapping her arms around Nagato's neck while tightly squeezing her legs around his waist.
"Mm, then I'll get going now."
Gripping his fists tightly, Nagato placed both hands under Nonou's thighs for support,
then started chasing after the others.
"Why aren't they here yet?"
"That dumb kid probably helped her walk, right?"
As he ran, Dai couldn't resist turning his head back, commenting to Minato beside him.
"You're just bored."
Unable to hold back any longer, Minato burst into laughter. Dai really was taking this seriously.
"I'm just thinking about Nagato's lifelong happiness."
"You, on the other hand, act like nothing matters at all, senior apprentice brother."
Dai puffed himself up with self-importance, then began teasing Minato.
"Please, don't flatter yourself too much."
Minato and Dai resumed their playful banter.
They traded lines back and forth—it was quite lively.
"They're coming."
Before long, Dai saw someone running toward them from behind.
It was exactly Nagato carrying Nonou on his back.
Seeing this scene, a satisfied smile finally appeared on his face.
...
Several days later, the group of twelve finally returned to Konoha.
Nonou's injuries had already healed completely, and she walked the final leg by herself.
After completing their mission report with Anbu, everyone prepared to return home and rest.
Whenever Sakumo sent them off on major missions, he always granted the team several days off afterward.
These were some of the positive changes he had introduced since taking over Anbu.
Such humane management was truly a blessing.
In the past, Anbu members were on standby around the clock.
Leave days had been nothing more than a distant dream.
Once outside the Anbu headquarters, everyone said their goodbyes.
Nagato's group heading home was the largest.
Nonou needed to go in the opposite direction.
After watching Nagato and the others leave, Nonou hesitated repeatedly, finally gathering enough courage to run after them.
"Nagato... do you have time tonight?"
With no outsiders around, she no longer used Pain as his code name.
She lowered her head slightly, fidgeting with her fingers—clearly nervous.
This was the first time she'd ever asked a guy out.
Being under the scrutiny of so many eyes, it was only natural she felt nervous.
"He's got time—he's just loafing around at home all day."
Before Nagato could respond, Nawaki answered on his behalf.
But nothing could be further from the truth.
Even during his time off, Nagato stayed busy.
He had to study in the lab, and Lady Tsunade sometimes even assigned him research topics.
There was absolutely no way Nagato had as much free time as Nawaki made it seem.
"Did you have something specific in mind?"
Instead of confirming whether he had time or not, Nagato asked Nonou directly.
"Um... I'd like to treat you to dinner."
"Thank you for saving me."
Nonou lifted her head slightly to glance at Nagato before ducking it again.
If he turned her down, she'd probably wish the earth would swallow her up whole.
"So it's just the two of you then?"
Nawaki, always eager to stir things up, couldn't resist chiming in with a cheeky remark.
"No, no! Not at all!"
"If everyone is free, we can all go together."
Taken aback by Nawaki's question, Nonou stammered nervously, clearly flustered.
"Don't pay attention to him—just invite Nagato."
Minato finally stepped in to help ease Nonou's awkwardness.
"Haha, don't take it seriously. I was just messing around."
Realizing he might've gone too far, Nawaki let out an awkward chuckle while apologizing.
"It's fine, really. Everyone's welcome to come along if they're free."
Nonou gradually regained her composure and spoke with heartfelt sincerity.
"There's no need for that."
"You brat, what are you hesitating for? Just say yes already!"
Nawaki slapped Nagato heartily on the back.
"Where should we meet then?"
After thinking it over, Nagato decided not to refuse—surely he could spare time for a meal.
"Six o'clock, at that dango shop with the longest line on the business street."
"Is that okay?"
Nonou immediately answered without hesitation, clearly having thought about the time and place countless times already.
"Six o'clock works."
Nagato nodded and agreed straightforwardly.
"Great, see you then."
"I'll be going first."
Nonou's voice suddenly brightened as she waved and skipped off cheerfully.
"A date with a beautiful lady—how does it feel, huh?"
Hooking an arm over Nagato's shoulder, Nawaki resumed teasing him.
The group walked home together, chatting and laughing.
"It's just dinner."
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"Nawaki, if you're really that bored, why don't you challenge Teacher to a fight?"
At his wit's end, Nagato offered Nawaki a rather poor suggestion.
"You little punk, expecting pearls from a dog's mouth."
Offended, Nawaki shoved Nagato aside immediately.
Looking for your brother-in-law to pick a fight? That's like lighting a candle in the dark—completely pointless.
The earlier joke about Samehada was already a distant memory to him.
"Hahaha, see how annoying you are?"
Minato never missed a chance to mock Nawaki.
"You call that kindness? More like horse sense."
"Ungrateful bunch. I'm heading home to wait for Misaki."
Saying that, Nawaki separated from the others at the crossroads.
Compared to visiting his sister and brother-in-law, Misaki was far more important.
He couldn't wait another second.
"Hey, wait for me!"
Minato saw Nawaki sprinting and quickly gave chase.
He was no different either—his own fiery girl was still waiting for him back at the Senju residence.
"These two..."
Yahiko seemed about to say something but stopped himself, letting out a sigh that sounded oddly mature.
"That's Konan beside you."
Nagato had already figured it out, looking at Yahiko with nothing but contempt.
"[Birds of a feather!]"
"Aww, what nonsense are you talking?"
"Let's go home."
Startled by the sudden attention, Konan blushed slightly and darted ahead on her own.
Yahiko hesitated for a moment, realizing he had absolutely nothing to counter with.
He could only shoot Nagato a deep glance before chasing forward.
The three returned home, but Kawaki and the others hadn't come back yet.
Only Natsuki and Kakashi were in the martial arts training hall, playing together.
Natsuki wasn't interested in their mission as long as they came back safely.
She asked a few casual questions, then fell silent.
It wasn't unusual to her that Minato had gone to the Senju family's place.
After greeting Natsuki, Nagato and the others freshened up, changed into casual clothes, and joined Kakashi in playing games.
With them involved, Kakashi played even more happily.
He acted like he'd had honey smeared on his lips, constantly chirping "big brother" and "big sister."
No one could tell how long had passed before the setting sun bathed all of Konoha in golden light.
Kawaki finally walked through the door at a relaxed pace.
"Teacher."
Nagato and the others greeted immediately. Kakashi rushed over directly and clung onto Kawaki's leg.
"Welcome back."
"How did the mission go this time?"
Kawaki smiled at them, lifting Kakashi into his arms.
"Very smoothly."
"Nagato saved Nonou again."
Konan revealed the news like it was a precious secret, knowing how much their teacher loved gossip.
Just a kid, yet already so good at currying favor—no wonder she's the favorite.
"Is that right? Tell me about it."
Indeed, Kawaki's curiosity was instantly aroused.
He walked toward the stone table and sat down, where servants promptly brought tea.
"..."
"Nonou even invited Nagato to have dinner later."
Konan exaggerated enthusiastically while adding some imagination, portraying Nagato as a divine figure descending from heavens who rescued Nonou from dire straits.
Well, the facts were indeed so. If not for Nagato, Nonou would've been long gone.
But Nagato stood there listening uncomfortably, almost developing stage fright.
If it weren't because both teacher and auntie were listening with great interest, he definitely would've interrupted.
When Konan finally finished, he let out a heavy sigh.
It felt like he'd survived a trial.
"That girl has good taste. Our little Nagato is the greatest."
Natsuki always believed all her children were the best.
She gazed at Nagato with a warm, affectionate smile.
"A date huh? Not bad, not bad."
"Do well."
"Teacher, I'll give you some money. Don't make the girl spend her own."
"Treat her to something nice. Be a gentleman."
"Don't worry about coming back late."
One arm holding Kakashi, Kawaki reached into his robe with the other and pulled out some money.
There was genuine joy from a father who realized his son was starting to take interest in girls.
"Teacher, it's not a date."
"Just having a meal together."
Nagato looked at the stack of bills Kawaki handed him and repeated the same words he had told Nawaki before.
"It doesn't matter. Either way is fine."
"Just take it."
Kawaki shrugged indifferently, but in his mind, this was definitely a date.
"Fine."
Resignedly, Nagato took the money. He knew no matter how much he argued, he wouldn't change his teacher's mind.
Besides, he wasn't eloquent anyway. Better to just obediently obey.
"What time are you meeting?"
"Don't be late."
Surprisingly, Kawaki seemed even more excited than Nagato.
"Six o'clock. We still have some time."
Nagato had already calculated the timing perfectly—leaving in about half an hour would be just right.
The Hatake household wasn't too far from the commercial district.
"Six o'clock for what?"
Tsunade's voice came as she returned from work.
Sakumo was not far behind her; they walked in one after another.
"Little Nagato has a date."
Natsuki smiled toward Tsunade.
"Well, look at that—haven't seen you in three days, and now I've got to rethink everything."
"Our Nagato's started dating now."
Tsunade was slightly surprised. She knew very well how introverted Nagato was.
"Teacher's wife, we're just… going out for dinner."
"That's not a date at all."
Put on the spot like this, Nagato started doubting himself, his explanation sounding less and less convincing.
"So who's the one who invited you?"
Tsunade approached slowly, a teasing smile on her face.
"Yakushi Nonou."
"The Anbu kunoichi I mentioned before."
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"This time during the mission, Nagato saved her life again."
"I think she's probably developed feelings for him."
Konan said confidently, stroking her chin with a thoughtful look, like some relationship expert.
"And how do you know that?"
"You little trickster."
Tsunade playfully tapped Konan on the forehead. Of course she would be the most mischievous one.
"When you go on the date, you've got to toughen up your skin a bit."
"Learn from your teacher here."
Sakumo joined in teasing Nagato, very different from his usual serious demeanor in the Anbu.
For a moment, Kawaki couldn't tell if it was praise or teasing.
"Your uncle speaks the truth."
"A thicker skin never hurt anyone."
Natsuki agreed with her husband, backing him up.
"Why don't you bring her over someday?"
"I heard she's quite skilled in Medical Ninjutsu."
"Then your teacher can properly take a look at her."
Tsunade had heard from others about the selection incident at the Anbu training grounds.
"Does it have to be so soon?"
Kawaki felt uneasy; meeting parents officially was too early.
"Wait until you two hold hands, maybe kiss a little."
"Then come back home."
Nagato thought his teacher might say something decent, but Kawaki immediately changed the tone.
It caught Nagato completely off guard.
"You're not worried about corrupting the child?"
Tsunade shot him a glare. This guy truly had no shame.
Meanwhile, Yahiko grumbled silently to himself—he hadn't even kissed Konan yet!!
"Don't take your teacher's advice too seriously."
"Take things one step at a time."
"You can't just go up and kiss someone like that; it's too impolite."
Sakumo said sternly, afraid Nagato might be corrupted by what Kawaki had just said.
What kind of nonsense was Kawaki spouting?
"Fine, I understand."
"It's getting late. I should head out now."
Not daring to stay any longer, Nagato quickly made his way toward the door as if fleeing.
If he stayed any longer, he couldn't imagine what suggestive remarks those shameless elders might make next.
"He's still blushing?"
"This kid needs more training."
Kawaki lifted his teacup with practiced ease and sipped it slowly, completely unbothered by what he'd said.
"Do you think everyone's like you?" Tsunade muttered, recalling something and letting out a quiet snort.
"What's wrong with being like me?"
"Good-looking, strong, and rich—not to mention my wife is beautiful."
Kawaki shamelessly praised himself like a fisherman exaggerating the size of his catch.
He cleverly flattered Tsunade at the same time, making it hard for her to scold him.
"Can we at least pretend to have some dignity?"
Sakumo grabbed Kakashi from Kawaki's arms—he felt more secure raising him himself.
One brother like this was enough. If he had a son too, he feared he'd go insane.
"How am I undignified?"
"I'm just stating facts."
"Right, sister-in-law?"
Kawaki appealed to outsiders for support.
"Haha, don't drag me into your mess," Natsuki refused to fall for it, clearly uninterested in interfering.
As long as they didn't come to blows, she and Tsunade were quite content to watch the show unfold.
"Except for that last part, you're definitely undignified."
Sakumo gave Tsunade face by rejecting all of Kawaki's self-praise except that one part.
"Kakashi, do you think Uncle is handsome?"
Rather than arguing further with Sakumo, Kawaki shifted his attention to Kakashi.
"Very handsome! Uncle is the handsomest!"
Kakashi grovelingly flattered Kawaki, greatly irritating Sakumo.
This child was practically wasted on him—maybe he should roll a new character—aka, have another kid?
"You heard that. Kids always tell the truth."
"As for my strength and wealth, well, no need to talk about them too much. If you get it, you get it."
Kawaki was confident—he was the new God of the Ninja World after all.
As for his fortune, he ranked top three in Konoha, maybe even richer now.
After all, the hospital was a money-guzzling beast, far outearning even the weapon workshops.
"So what? Not interested in arguing with you."
Finding no words to counter, Sakumo feigned indifference and left, holding Kakashi tightly.
If I can't argue him down, I can still dodge him.
Naruto: Starting from Pursuing Tsunade
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