"You're finally back, Onee-san Misaki."
"I'm practically starving."
Kushina rubbed her stomach and complained.
She'd spent the entire day chasing dogs—massive physical exertion.
It had been a male dog from the Inuzuka household, apparently having run away because it couldn't take it anymore.
When she caught it, she actually saw despair in the dog's eyes.
"If you're hungry, just eat first. No need to wait for me."
Misaki sat down, and only then did the servants begin serving food.
"Nawaki won't let us."
Kushina gave a cute pout, though secretly she agreed.
After all, how could Nawaki stand a chance against this fiery girl?
"Next time, just eat first."
Misaki scolded lightly but felt secretly pleased inside.
"She'll be fine skipping a bit; consider it dieting."
Nawaki gave Kushina a silent thumbs-up—such a good younger sister.
"Where am I even fat? You're just making that up."
"Minato said yesterday I've got a great figure."
Bringing up body shape, Kushina wouldn't stand for it.
"You're right. I shouldn't have said that."
Nawaki glanced at Kushina then at Misaki—Minato had seriously lied through his teeth.
"What kind of look was that? Want to get beaten up?"
Kushina slammed the table and shot to her feet, totally dropping the pitiful look she'd worn moments ago.
"Okay okay, okay okay."
"Eat first."
Misaki hadn't even finished being happy before clutching her forehead.
These two really clashed—how they managed to coexist for so many years was beyond her.
"Hmph~ Today I'll let it slide for Onee-san Misaki's sake."
Kushina sat back down, deciding not to pursue it further.
"Oh, thank you so much."
Nawaki rolled his eyes and retracted his earlier "good younger sister" remark mid-conversation.
With Misaki mediating, the meal passed without major incident.
She could only sigh—life was so much harder without Grandma Mito around!
Long after they'd finished eating, Mito finally put Ginji down and prepared to leave.
"Grandma, take care on your way home."
Kawaki escorted Mito out the door.
It wasn't that he didn't want to use the Flying Thunder God technique to send her home—it was just that Mito wanted to walk a little more herself.
"Mm, I'll come again tomorrow."
The same repeated conversation as always, Mito gradually disappeared into the distance.
Back in the room, Tsunade had already put Ginji to sleep.
"Heard Orochimaru's experiments are moving forward, huh?"
Kawaki learned about the live subjects from Sakumo first.
"Yeah. I wasn't planning to hide it from you."
"Just worried you'd be anxious."
After hesitating briefly, Tsunade decided to tell him everything—this wasn't something she could keep hidden forever.
"It's fine. Back then you stayed with me."
"This time, I'll stay with you."
Tsunade expected Kawaki to be worried, but he wasn't—this day had long been expected.
Nobody could resist the temptation of Hashirama's cells.
Even Madara lusted after them desperately.
"Maybe you shouldn't come."
Tsunade wasn't afraid her experiment would fail—she simply didn't want Kawaki seeing her ugly side.
From Kawaki's previous experience, she doubted her own fusion process would be a pleasant sight.
"Don't worry, there's not a single part of you I haven't seen."
Kawaki guessed Tsunade's thoughts.
"That's not the same thing, is it?"
Tsunade was about to refuse again, but thought better of it.
"Fine, I'll go."
"I'll let you know when the time comes."
She actually felt a bit uneasy knowing Kawaki wouldn't be there for such a major event.
"Now you're talking!!"
Kawaki wrapped his arm around Tsunade's shoulders, pulling her gently against him.
"Just remember this—no matter what happens, no matter who you become, I'll always be there for you."
Kawaki's heartfelt words ignited a spark deep within Tsunade.
She tilted her face toward his, leaning in slightly.
And just like that, a silent battle—without swords or bloodshed—had begun.
...
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