"Go ahead and set a good example for your little siblings."
"There are so many new students today—you absolutely mustn't let us down."
Kawaki took a sip of milk before he began devouring his food.
"Big brother, you're the best."
"You'll shine bright on that stage."
"I can point at you and tell everyone, 'That's my older brother.'"
"Let them all envy me!"
Ginji popped a shumai into Kakashi's bowl, grinning brightly and speaking dramatically.
"Well… okay then."
Kakashi hesitated briefly before agreeing. Could he really disappoint his little brother?
"That's the spirit!!"
"Have you prepared your speech yet?"
Sakumo's face lit up with another grin, while Natsuki watched beside him, smiling but not interrupting.
"As long as it's what Kakashi decides, I support him," she silently decided to herself.
"Not yet. Maybe later Red can help me work on it."
Kakashi awkwardly rubbed his nose—he really wasn't too keen about going.
"You see? You're always dragging poor Kurenai into things."
This time, Natsuki finally spoke up, her voice laced with slight disapproval.
"How can you keep relying on such a sweet young girl like that?"
"Auntie, you're wrong."
"What do you mean by 'that'? She's going to be my sister-in-law!"
Ginji, though just a child, had everyone laughing in just a couple of sentences.
"Eat your food."
A faint blush crept onto Kakashi's face as he shoved a steamed bun right into Ginji's mouth, silencing him effectively.
"But it's the truth!"
Ginji tugged the bun out and took a big bite.
"It is, it is."
"Eat quickly now, we don't have much time left."
Kawaki finished off the last of his buns in three bites, wiping his mouth with a napkin afterward.
"Wait for me—I'll be right there."
With that, Ginji fell silent, stuffing his little mouth full once more.
"Don't choke, there's still time."
Natsuki stood to pour another glass of milk for Ginji, clearly doting on him.
"Thanks, Auntie."
Ginji tilted his head back to swallow everything, then chugged his milk down in one go—finally done eating.
"Alright, you two treasures."
Kawaki rose from the table, followed closely by the two others behind him—one tall, one short.
"Woof woof~"
They hadn't gone far from the dining room when Little White came bounding over.
White, though only seven years old, had already stopped growing. At over a meter tall, his snowy white body towered over most Ghost Mastiffs, making him look both majestic and handsome.
"White wants to come too! Let's bring him along."
Ginji flipped himself right onto White's back. He and Little White had always been close friends.
"Fine, bring him then."
"Just behave yourself at school and don't scare the kids."
Kawaki glanced at Kakashi for confirmation. He didn't object—just gave White a clear nod.
"Woof woof~"
White barked in agreement and trotted beside Kakashi, with Ginji cheerfully riding atop him.
"That Ghost Mastiff's gotten so fat it looks like a pig—it really needs some exercise."
Kawaki muttered under his breath as he walked. Over the years, Ghost Mastiff had earned a comfortable life thanks to his role in helping raise the children.
"Woof~"
Little White barked once, and Kawaki had no clue why.
"What's he trying to say?"
Kawaki turned toward Kakashi—this was one situation that required translation.
"Haha, Little White said he's afraid of you," Kakashi explained. Kakashi was much better at understanding dog language than Sakumo ever was.
"As if I'd eat him or something."
Kawaki completely forgot how much psychological trauma he'd left on Ghost Mastiff.
"Well, who knows?" Ginji quipped without mercy toward his own dad.
"You little brat..."
Kawaki yanked Ginji off Little White's back like a mischievous puppy in protest.
"Ouch!"
After getting hit, Ginji simply threw himself onto Little White's back, wearing an expression of pure bliss.
"Lazybones! Can't even walk this short distance?"
Shaking his head with helpless amusement, Kawaki chuckled before the three men and their dog continued forward toward the Ninja Academy.
Upon arriving at the school gate, they saw a massive crowd filled with chatty laughter and conversation.
"Huh, seems like there are more people this year," Kakashi noticed. The numbers were clearly higher than last year's, not to mention when he first enrolled.
"That's normal. Without wars, population naturally grows."
"There might be birth limits in the future."
Kawaki spoke casually without considering whether Kakashi could understand.
At the moment, Konoha was nowhere near a population explosion.
"What do you mean by 'birth limits'?"
The comment piqued Ginji's curiosity.
"It means each family can only have one child; having more would result in fines."
Kawaki summarized it concisely. As for forced abortions and such? That might be too advanced for Ginji right now.
"Fines, huh?"
"Then we're fine. We're rich."
"Kakashi-niisan and I can have as many kids as we want."
Ginji sounded every bit like a spoiled heir. Kakashi held back laughter—he knew Ginji was about to get roasted.
"You looking for a punch?"
Kawaki grabbed Ginji off Little White's back like a chick.
"Nope, no itch at all."
"Dad, I'm sorry."
"No more kids. Final decision."
Ginji covered his butt instinctively, apologizing without hesitation.
"Oh no, what am I supposed to do without grandkids?"
Just as Kawaki prepared to punish the cheeky kid for suggesting he should never have descendants, a female voice interrupted from behind.
"This chapter isn't over yet! If you're enjoying Naruto: Starting from Pursuing Tsunade, please consider bookmarking it."
"Pakura Auntie! Help me!"
Ginji threw all dignity aside and started shouting for Pakura.
Luckily, he still had some sense—he didn't dare ask Orochimaru for help, or else he might end up getting scolded by both parents.
"Auntie can't really save you, you know. You know Auntie can't really save you, right?"
"Why don't you try begging Aoi Tsukigami instead?"
Pakura covered her mouth, giggling softly, as Aoi Tsukigami peeked out from behind Orochimaru.
"Uncle Kawaki, could you please let Big Brother Ginji go?"
Aoi's soft tone instantly calmed Kawaki's irritation.
"Of course."
Kawaki flung his son aside like garbage and opened his arms to embrace Aoi.
"My little girl."
Orochimaru didn't even give Kawaki a chance. He turned around and scooped up Aoi Tsukigami first.
"Cheapskate."
Kawaki awkwardly pulled his hand back and rolled his eyes. This daughter-obsessed man was hopeless.
"Everyone's already here."
"Kakashi."
"Ginji, Aoi Tsukigami."
Three green-clad figures—one adult and two kids—had unknowingly wandered near Kawaki.
None other than Matt Dai, accompanied by his two sons, Gai and Kinoto.
"Morning, Dai."
The adults greeted each other while the five kids gathered together.
They hadn't been chatting for long when more familiar faces showed up.
"Lord Kawaki."
Fugaku arrived, bringing a young boy along with him.
"This is...?"
Kawaki didn't remember Fugaku having an older son. Besides, he wasn't even married yet.
"This kid is truly a once-in-a-lifetime genius from my Uchiha clan."
"He just lost his parents too soon. I had some free time today, so I brought him here to enroll."
Fugaku tousled the boy's hair with a wide smile.
It was clear to everyone how pleased he was with this child.
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