7:00 p.m.
Uzumaki Tsubaki Shizuku was in Uchiha Makoto's manor, preparing tonight's dinner.
It was the one meal a day Makoto could eat at home, so she treated it like a battle—down to the second.
Before long, four dishes and one soup were finished.
Just as the steam peaked, Makoto opened the door. Born to a millennia-old bloodline clan, Tsubaki Shizuku understood how crucial "wok heat" is to a meal; every minute, every second was in her calculations.
"Welcome home, anata!
"Do you want dinner, a bath, or… me first?"
It was the classic line. Tsubaki Shizuku felt a bit shy, but she'd heard this welcome would please Makoto…
"Mhm."
Seeing the dishes on the table and the radiant Tsubaki Shizuku—no longer a green girl, hair tied in a dangerously alluring style, all the more captivating—Uchiha Makoto let the day's frustrations slip away and focused on enjoying the "feast" before him.
Meanwhile, in Konoha.
"Mito, did you not get the chance to make dinner again? You're not home either…"
Perhaps his conscience stirred: after being out with Uchiha Madara for two full months without returning, Senju Hashirama had made a point of coming home for dinner four or five days in a row to make it up to Uzumaki Mito.
But things had changed.
Mito no longer stayed home every day waiting with a hot meal. Instead, she left early and returned late. She sent clones to work on the Women Shinobi Mutual Aid Association, calling on Konoha's kunoichi to reclaim their ninja path and return to duty.
And she led by example. In just a few days, she cleared two B-rank missions back-to-back.
Her efficiency was stunning—beyond even many seasoned male jōnin in Konoha.
"Forget it, I'll go crash at Madara's again."
Hashirama sighed. He could tell Mito had changed, but she seemed to be enjoying it, so he didn't dwell on it. Madara, I'm coming over again!
Just as he stepped out to head for the Uchiha compound, an Anbu appeared.
"Lord Hokage, please come to the Hokage Building at once. Lord Tobirama must discuss urgent matters with you."
"Is it really that important?"
The Anbu nearly swallowed a retort. As a squad leader personally promoted by Senju Tobirama, he had never seen Hashirama do office work; Tobirama was always the one in the chair. If Tobirama was calling Hashirama in, it had to concern the village's future. And the Hokage still asked "really important?"
Even so, he bowed and repeated, "Extremely important, and you must come alone."
He emphasized "alone." He'd come to the Senju compound specifically to avoid someone—namely, the "naturally evil" Uchiha Madara.
"Understood."
Hashirama shelved dinner with Madara and followed the Anbu to the Hokage Building.
Upon arrival, the Anbu withdrew, and Hashirama went in alone.
"Tobirama, what's so important you had me come over? Mito, you're here too?"
Finding not only Tobirama but also Uzumaki Mito in the office was rare indeed.
"I've been helping Tobirama handle village affairs."
Mito spoke first, eyes holding a faint hope. She wanted Hashirama to say something—anything—even if it was scolding her for neglecting him or the home.
"Is that so? That's wonderful. Tobirama's swamped every day. With your help, he can relax a bit, and I can feel better about going with—"
"All right, all right, brother, don't."
Tobirama cut him off before he could say Madara's name.
Even as a younger brother, he was speechless. Still with the "Madara, Madara, Madara" at a time like this?
Brother, you that addicted?
Also—can't you see it? Sister-in-law is angry. She's not even cooking for you anymore; I don't get to mooch either and have to sort my own meals!
Spell it out, must I?
That said, Mito's active role in village management truly helped. Tobirama trusted her and had delegated some work. With her assistance, a chunk of pressure lifted—painful and pleasant both.
A storm of feelings moved Tobirama. A glance at Mito's expression showed no change; he quietly exhaled. Sister-in-law was as generous as ever.
"Let's get to business."
Mito gave a soft, cool snort and let it go. She was used to it.
Hashirama scratched his head. The room felt off, but he couldn't place why. Mito seemed colder to him than before.
"A joint Konoha–Akatsuki squad clashed with Kumogakure in the Land of Fields. Konoha lost one chunin, Akatsuki lost two. Cloud's losses are unknown.
"Brother, this is no small matter.
"It involves Akatsuki and Kumogakure. As Hokage, you must state a position.
"What's your view?"
Though the de facto Hokage—Konoha's "Nine-Thousand-Year"—Tobirama was tactful enough to ask for Hashirama's stance on an issue this sensitive.
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