"It seems like it's the weekend."
Aoi Tsukigami's voice wasn't loud, mainly because she wasn't entirely sure herself.
Between the two of them, they couldn't come up with a single good idea.
"Looks like our Aoi Tsukigami is a bit smarter."
Kawaki looked at Aoi with doting eyes. He couldn't let this future daughter-in-law slip away now.
"I don't need your praise, you know?"
Orochimaru gave Kawaki a sharp side-eye. The two seemed to have some unresolved feud.
"I do what I want. What are you gonna do about it?"
Kawaki wasn't showing any fear at all.
"Oh yeah? You think I won't?"
Something faintly moved under Orochimaru's sleeve.
"Will you two cut it out? You're acting like toddlers."
Tsunade saw that Kawaki was still going to argue with Orochimaru and quickly interrupted.
What kind of person was this? Everyone who got close to him ended up worse off.
Even someone as serious as Orochimaru had been dragged down by him.
At least she'd managed to stay true to herself all these years. She definitely deserved some credit.
"Alright, why are you two picking at each other for no reason?"
Pakura stepped forward and linked her arm through Orochimaru's, actually worried those two might start fighting right there.
That was definitely a possibility.
"Not my fault. I don't bother with fools."
Orochimaru smiled slightly at Pakura, but clearly still mocking Kawaki behind his words.
"Aoi Tsukigami, come here and give Uncle Kawaki a hug."
Kawaki knew how to play his cards too. He completely ignored Orochimaru and opened his arms toward Aoi.
"Okay."
Without so much as a glance at Orochimaru's now-darkened face, Aoi happily jumped into Kawaki's embrace.
"My, my, little sweetie's gotten heavier again."
Kawaki lifted Aoi up and bounced her twice, shooting an arrogant look at Orochimaru.
"Hmph!"
A cold snort sounded out, then Orochimaru left first.
Out of sight, out of mind—he feared he might literally die from anger watching Kawaki any longer.
"Hahaha~"
Seeing Orochimaru's retreating back view, Kawaki laughed proudly.
"You... you..."
Tsunade helplessly shook her head, not knowing what to say about Kawaki anymore.
"You guys chat. I'll go keep him company."
Smiling, Pakura greeted the others and quickly followed after Orochimaru.
She also understood this was just their usual teasing between old friends, so she wouldn't take it seriously.
"Ginji, come here."
After Pakura left, Sakumo called out seriously to Ginji.
"Uncle, what's up?"
Ginji still felt somewhat scared around his Uncle Sakumo.
He'd seen firsthand how Sakumo had beaten Kakashi—it had left a small scar on his heart.
"Starting tomorrow, Uncle will begin supervising your training."
Sakumo crouched down, wearing a warm and friendly smile.
Kakashi was stunned; when he was taught cultivation before, Sakumo definitely hadn't worn this expression.
"Umm..."
Ginji, still a child at heart, gave Kawaki a desperate look.
But Kawaki was only focused on playing with Aoi Tsukigami, pretending not to see anything.
If Ginji hadn't awakened the Wood Release, they might've let him play a little longer.
Now that it's come to this, letting him off easy wouldn't be kind—it'd be a waste of his talent.
"Don't even look at your dad; he listens to me too."
Sakumo knew Kawaki wouldn't interfere, showing who was truly in charge.
"Mama~"
Ginji knew his father wouldn't help, so he gave Tsunade a pitiful look.
"Sister-in-law, let's go get some snacks from the kitchen."
"How can we offer guests just tea without any snacks?"
Tsunade took Natsuki by the hand and strode toward the kitchen, completely ignoring Ginji's pleading eyes.
A kind mother spoils a child; she had hardened her heart.
Now that even his last hope was gone, Ginji could do nothing but play the good boy.
"Uncle, I'll work hard on my training."
"I'll follow Kakashi's example."
Ginji looked determined—a sight that pleased Sakumo greatly.
"Good kid."
Sakumo ruffled Ginji's hair. If Kakashi had been half as sensible, he wouldn't have ended up beaten within an inch of his life.
...
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