Tsunade was carrying Kakashi while Natsuki walked beside her.
The three quickly arrived at the shopping district and went straight into a children's clothing store.
"Kakashi, do you like this one?"
Tsunade freed up one hand and pointed to a nice little kimono set.
"It looks good."
Kakashi wasn't particularly fond of that style, but nodded anyway.
Even at such a young age, he already knew how to play along.
"Then go try it on."
Tsunade called over the shopkeeper and then had Natsuki take Kakashi to change.
She resumed browsing through the store, carefully picking out items.
When Kakashi came out, Tsunade immediately praised him.
The shopkeeper instantly knew the sale was locked in and broke into a wide smile.
His shop's clothes were famously expensive in Konoha, but they offered excellent quality.
"Why don't you try these few pieces as well?"
Tsunade was careful not to overwhelm Kakashi and asked gently.
"Yes, Auntie."
Kakashi agreed readily—he knew Tsunade had his back completely.
By the time they left the shop, Natsuki was carrying several shopping bags.
"He's growing so fast. Buying this many clothes isn't really necessary."
Natsuki wasn't upset—she just felt it was slightly wasteful.
"No worries. As long as he looks good."
Tsunade didn't even blink at the cost—she now earned a considerable income from rental properties alone.
"Auntie is the best."
Kakashi timely gave her a compliment and kissed her cheek.
"Our Kakashi is such a good boy."
Tsunade beamed with delight at Kakashi's words.
"You sweet talker—you've got honey on your lips today!"
Natsuki lightly patted Kakashi's head.
"This little rascal must take after Kawaki."
"Sakumo was likely never this cheeky as a kid."
"I'm not! I just speak the truth."
Kakashi pouted cutely as he rubbed his head.
"Haha~"
Tsunade laughed heartily.
They continued shopping and bought a few outfits for both Kawaki and Sakumo.
It was now noon. Tsunade had eaten late and wasn't hungry yet.
But Natsuki and Kakashi still needed lunch.
They found a kid-friendly restaurant, where Tsunade accompanied them and casually had a bit of food.
Kawaki didn't go home either, inviting Shouta for a meal.
Shouta knew Kawaki was wealthy, so he didn't hold back.
He ordered the most expensive dishes available—straight-up revenge shopping.
Watching him, Kawaki couldn't help but feel secretly amused.
"Enough?"
"If it's not enough, we can order more."
Kawaki looked at the fully loaded table—it was obviously too much for just two people.
"That's enough. There's no room left on the table."
Shouta feigned ignorance of Kawaki's teasing.
"Fine, we'll go with this."
"I was wrong before."
"This is my way of apologizing."
Kawaki poured Shouta a cup of sake.
Both ordered small portions since they had work in the afternoon.
"Don't say that."
"I didn't take it seriously anyway."
Shouta hurriedly raised his cup to toast Kawaki.
He hadn't expected Kawaki to be so direct.
"Regardless, you've done me a huge favor."
"Thank you."
What I said came straight from the heart. Without you, Tsunade probably wouldn't have wanted to be Hokage anymore.
"It's my duty. I can't accept your thanks."
Shouta held just a little resentment—he wasn't upset about being busy with work, but rather annoyed by Kawaki's somewhat deceptive way of speaking.
Now that things were cleared up, that small resentment had completely vanished.
"Forget it. It's all in the sake."
Kawaki drank first, finishing his cup in one go. He had meant to apologize all along.
"Alright."
Shouta nodded and then tilted his head back, emptying his cup as well.
They exchanged looks and burst into laughter together.
Men's friendships are like this—simple and straightforward. Shouta wasn't much younger than Kawaki; they were practically peers.
After just one round of drinks, they resumed eating and chatting happily together.
Once they were satisfied and full, Shouta felt slightly awkward while paying the bill.
He wondered if he'd overdone it a bit.
"It's fine. We're almost done anyway."
Kawaki patted Shouta's shoulder—he saw right through him.
After paying the bill, the two walked out toward the Hokage Building.
"Lord Kawaki, next time, let me treat you."
"It might not be as fancy, though."
Shouta scratched his head, still wanting to return the favor somehow.
"It doesn't matter what we eat. I'll definitely come."
Kawaki didn't mind and agreed without hesitation.
"Great, then it's settled."
Shouta was already planning to invite Tsunade another day so he could treat them both.
Back at the office, they got back to their dull paperwork.
Meanwhile, Tsunade and Natsuki were shopping for clothes at a women's boutique.
Kakashi sat alone in the store, occasionally cornered by noblewomen pinching his cute face.
Being good-looking could feel like a curse sometimes.
When Tsunade and Natsuki returned from shopping, Kakashi already had several lipstick marks on his face.
"Our Kakashi's certainly popular."
Tsunade teased him playfully, her eyes twinkling with amusement.
"A boy should learn to say no."
Natsuki wiped Kakashi's face while lecturing him.
"I don't want to either!"
Some aunties just jumped on me and kissed. I couldn't stop them."
Kakashi looked a bit pouty. He tolerated being called cute because he looked good.
But then came an auntie who must've weighed over two hundred pounds and kissed him repeatedly.
Her thick makeup scared him—it made him worry he'd have nightmares tonight.
Only by thinking of Kurenai Yūhi did he manage to push that fear aside.
Oh…
Please collect Naruto: Starting from Pursuing Tsunade:
"Alright, alright. Mama's sorry."
Seeing Kakashi pouting, Natsuki couldn't bring herself to scold him any longer.
"Come on, let's go home."
With a wave of her hand, the three of them headed back home.
It had been a worthwhile day—Even Kakashi was carrying two small shopping bags.
And all the way home, he didn't complain or ask to be carried—strangely obedient.
"Little White! Little White!"
Before they even got home, Kakashi started shouting loudly.
"Woof~"
A large white dog came running over. That was its nickname—or maybe even its real name.
Once Kakashi grew up, he'd probably be too lazy to change it anyway.
"I'm going ahead."
Kakashi climbed onto Little White's back and vanished in an instant.
Ghost Mastiff finally approached, picking up Natsuki's bag with his mouth, standing by the two of them.
"Little White is really great."
Tsunade casually praised.
"It's all thanks to Kawaki's decision," Natsuki attributed the credit to Kawaki. Ghost Mastiff beside her rolled his eyes in a very human-like way.
If it hadn't been for that man threatening him, Little White would never have ended up in Kakashi's hands—a mere outsider of the Hatake clan.
After all, he had broken through layers of blockade back at the Inuzuka household.
Now, all the credit went to others instead.
He was just a dog—where could he go to seek justice?
A day passed quietly. Tsunade rested at home for a while before she couldn't resist gambling a little again.
Still, she chose an upscale casino this time—at least the environment wouldn't affect the fetus.
Before dinner, Kawaki returned home and enjoyed a satisfying meal.
Thinking this boring fake-Hokage life was finally over, only to realize it was just the beginning.
The next day, a tired Kawaki woke from his dream.
Only to find Tsunade already wide awake, glaring at him.
"Honey, cover for me one more day."
"My stomach doesn't feel right."
Tsunade faked a pained expression, rubbing her hand over Kawaki's belly.
"Yeah, right."
"You're not fooling me with stomach pain."
Kawaki looked suspicious, noticing how things were slipping out of control.
"I'm really not feeling well—you don't believe me?"
"After everything we've been through..."
Tears already welling up in her eyes, Tsunade gave her best performance yet.
"I believe you, I believe you."
Kawaki covered his forehead, wondering who he'd wronged to end up like this.
Pulling the emotional card? That was way too much to handle!
"Fine then, I'll stay home and wait for you."
"At night, I can try some new positions with you."
Knowing how to play men well, Tsunade always gave orders while offering rewards.
"No need. This will be the last time, okay?"
Looking Tsunade straight in the eye, Kawaki spoke solemnly.
"Okay, I promise."
Tsunade raised her fingers as if taking an oath, responding without hesitation.
"So we're agreed then."
Though clearly reluctant, Kawaki got up, dressed himself, and confirmed everything once again with Tsunade.
Only after receiving definite approval did he slowly leave.
"The last time, huh?"
"I'm just such a pitiful woman."
Hearing the door click shut, Tsunade pulled the blanket over her shoulders and smirked.
Another amazing day ahead!!
...
Naruto: Starting from Pursuing Tsunade. Please bookmark this site: (m.