"Why are you crying again, little Ginji?"
"Did you miss Grandma?"
Mito held Ginji tightly in her arms, rocking him back and forth. The child had just finished feeding but started crying once more.
Crying so hard it felt like his heart was breaking—probably because stored breast milk just isn't the same as fresh.
Even the texture of the nipple makes a difference.
"Maybe he misses Tsunade."
Natsuki stood nearby feeling helpless, worry lingering in her eyes.
She had tried every way she could think of to soothe the baby.
Ginji showed no sign of stopping; instead, he cried even harder now.
"It's already been half the day. Why hasn't she come back yet?"
Mito glanced toward the door, her heart remaining uneasy all this time.
She didn't oppose Tsunade chasing her dreams, but as an elder, concern was inevitable.
"I got my little brother a big pinwheel."
Kakashi came running over from afar, holding a toy he used to play with as a kid.
Though he wasn't that much older now, he had already lost interest in these things.
"Kakashi sure is sweet to his little brother."
"Let's see if little Ginji likes it."
Mito didn't refuse, reaching out to take the toy.
She gently blew on the small pinwheel, making it spin with a soft whirring sound.
"Little Ginji, this toy is from Kakashi-niisan."
"Do you like it?"
Mito placed the pinwheel a short distance in front of Ginji, speaking softly.
"Waaah～waaah～"
Ginji didn't stop crying, but he reached out for the pinwheel anyway.
Looks like he's actually pretty interested in Kakashi's gift.
"Why is he still crying?"
Seeing Ginji still sobbing while holding onto the pinwheel, Kakashi frowned.
Kids are such a pain!!!
"Maybe he'll calm down soon."
Natsuki wasn't very sure herself, murmuring vaguely.
After some time passed, they had tried everything there was to try.
Ginji held the pinwheel tightly in his tiny fists, yet his wailing never ceased.
Thank goodness this is the Naruto world—any normal baby would've cried themselves out cold by now.
Just when everyone seemed completely at a loss, a figure came sprinting toward them.
"Oh no, why is he crying so hard?"
"Let me hold him."
As those two sentences reached their ears, Tsunade had already arrived close by.
Seeing Ginji's face covered in tears, Tsunade's heart clenched with worry.
"Finally, you're back."
"He's given me a headache from all that crying. Here, take your son."
Mito felt a huge weight lift off her chest, and slightly reproachfully, she handed Ginji over to Tsunade.
"Thank goodness."
Natsuki smiled brightly, clearly overjoyed inside.
"I'm sorry to have worried you guys."
Tsunade took Ginji into her arms, her expression full of apology.
She knew well that both Mito and Natsuki had been anxious about her.
Turns out there's nothing like a mother's touch.
Ginji hadn't even been in Tsunade's embrace for several breaths before his crying stopped completely.
Kawaki arrived slowly behind them, taking his time. He wasn't really worried about anything.
He knew perfectly well his son missed Mama, not him.
He had enough self-awareness to know that much.
"Auntie, if you hadn't come back soon..."
"...my little brother would've flooded the place."
Kakashi exaggerated a bit, making everyone laugh.
"Do you really think he's that amazing?"
"How can I not believe it?"
Kawaki bent down and scooped Kakashi into his arms, with the intention of teasing him a little.
"Ah~..."
"Uncle, I was just being dramatic."
"Do you even understand what exaggeration is?"
Kakashi explained as patiently as he could, though his eyes betrayed nothing but disdain.
If it weren't for the simple fact that Kawaki was his most beloved uncle, he wouldn't have bothered to respond at all.
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