It wasn't a long walk, but Kawakaze insisted on taking his time with Tsunade. By the time they reached the entrance to the Senju residence, he still felt unsatisfied.
"We're here already?" Kawakaze said, staring at the gate and letting out a sigh.
"Why didn't you just take a trumpet and announce it from the street?" Tsunade said, giving him a sharp glare.
Her tone dripped with sarcasm, but Kawakaze didn't seem to notice.
"You're right. I'll do that next time," Kawakaze said, his eyes lighting up as though he had genuinely considered it a great idea.
"Next time, my ass! You might not feel embarrassed, but I do," Tsunade retorted, giving him a light kick to hurry him along.
When they entered the residence, they had only walked a few steps before spotting Nawaki and Misaki, who looked like they were about to leave.
"Sister, brother-in-law," Nawaki greeted, quickly letting go of Misaki's hand.
Although it was no secret, the two still looked a little embarrassed.
"Getting ready to go out?" Tsunade asked, her gaze lingering on Misaki with satisfaction. She looked so much like she did as a child. Tsunade couldn't help but marvel at how lucky her bratty brother Nawaki had been.
"The Anbu are free today, so I'm taking Misaki out for a stroll," Nawaki replied. He had planned to treat her to some new clothes.
"Oh, go ahead then. I'm going to find Grandma," Tsunade said. She didn't intend to stop them—Nawaki would find out the news sooner or later.
"Sister Tsunade, we're in no hurry," Misaki said with a smile. "Grandma is in the bedroom. I'll go get her." She set aside what she was doing and left to fetch Mito.
"Misaki is really good," Kawakaze remarked.
"You bet," Nawaki said, lifting his head slightly, looking as proud as could be. This is my future wife!
"It's a waste for her to end up with you."
Tsunade couldn't stand the smug look on Nawaki's face and reached out to poke his forehead.
"Sister, you are really..." Nawaki muttered under his breath, daring to say only that. Kawakaze laughed heartily.
The three of them walked toward the living room. They had barely taken their seats when Mito, supported by Misaki, walked out.
She really is getting old, although she still looks young, her health worsens every day, and she knows it herself.
"Why are you here today? What do you want with Grandma?"
Mito sat in the seat of honor, her face glowing with a smile.
"I have some good news for you, Grandma!" Kawakaze said, stepping forward before Tsunade could respond. He walked up to Mito and held her hand, a gesture no one found unusual.
"What good news? Hurry and tell me," Mito said warmly. "Let an old woman like me share in the happiness."
She glanced at Kawakaze and then at Tsunade, as though she had guessed something.
"Tsunade is pregnant. You're going to be a great-grandmother!"
Tsunade stayed quiet, watching as Kawakaze's tone grew more animated.
"Sister, is it true?" Nawaki exclaimed, realization dawning that he would be an uncle.
"Of course it's true. Would I joke about something like this?" Kawakaze shot him a sharp look. This kid's mouth works, but his brain sure doesn't.
"That's great!" Nawaki said, his excitement palpable. He stood there dumbfounded, too thrilled to form more words.
Misaki's smile grew wider, her composure intact but full of joy.
"Really? This is wonderful news," she said.
"Here, let Grandma take a look," Mito added, slightly slow to react at first. Then she hurriedly shook off Kawakaze's hand and walked over to Tsunade.
She gently held Tsunade's wrist, and a warm current coursed through her hand and into Tsunade's body.
"It's still weak, but I'm not wrong."
"I've been waiting for this day for a long time."
"Grandma is happy today. Come over for dinner tonight," Mito said, taking her hand away. It was clear she was truly happy.
At her age, isn't she just hoping for a house full of grandchildren?
She had seen what others could not, and she would share it when she found Hashirama Senju.
"Yes, no problem," Kawakaze immediately agreed. Thinking about it, he realized he hadn't eaten at the Senju's very often.
"Tsunade, you need to be careful during your pregnancy," Mito began, her tone serious.
"Not only will the seal on the Tailed Beast gradually weaken, but you shouldn't work too hard either. If you can't manage, get some assistants."
Mito sat down, offering her advice with the care of someone who had been through it before, combined with deep love for her granddaughter.
"I know, Grandma," Tsunade replied. "You don't need to worry about Chōmei—he's a good boy." She laughed lightly, unconcerned about the Seven-Tails.
"Still, be careful, or Grandma will add another seal."
"I promise to be absolutely safe," Tsunade assured her.
Mito was fortunate she was only asking for Tsunade's opinion. If she'd acted on her own, Chōmei would have been in tears.
The Eight Trigrams Seal was already strict enough, and if Mito added another seal, life would have been unbearable for him.
"No need, Grandma," Tsunade said. "Chōmei is screaming again. I'll go and deal with him."
With that, she left, and silence followed. Kawakaze thought he could faintly hear Chōmei's screams from afar.
After a while, Tsunade clapped her hands, looking very satisfied. It seems that Chōmei has been beaten up again.
"Forget it, then," Mito said, shaking her head with a smile. She had overheard the Nine-Tails commiserating with Chōmei.
The Nine-Tails was already miserable enough—what must Chōmei have done to earn its sympathy?
"Sister, I'll go buy what you want to eat tonight," Nawaki offered as he prepared to leave the house. Picking up some groceries was just a short detour.
"Hehe, that's not easy. My little Nawaki knows how to care for his sister," Tsunade teased, enjoying the rare moment when Nawaki would willingly spend a little money.
"I've always been concerned about my sister," Nawaki replied defensively, though he resigned himself to being bossed around by Tsunade today.
"I appreciate it. You know what I like to eat," Tsunade said. Then, with a glance at Misaki, she added, "Don't spend money recklessly. You'll need it for a lot of things in the future."
Misaki blushed, remaining silent under Tsunade's knowing gaze.
"Got it, sis," Nawaki replied enthusiastically, winking smugly at Misaki. He knew exactly what Tsunade liked, and it wasn't anything extravagant.
"Grandma, Kawakaze and I will come back tonight," Tsunade said. She still had work to do in the afternoon, so she didn't plan to stay long. Dinner in the evening would give them plenty of time to catch up.
"Okay, you two go ahead," Mito replied. "Don't work too hard. Kawakaze, this is a special period, so keep an eye on her."
Even though she knew Tsunade's constitution was strong enough to work until she gave birth, Mito couldn't help but feel uneasy.
"I know, Grandma. I'll take care of her," Kawakaze assured her solemnly.
"I'm relieved then. Come early in the evening if you're not busy," Mito said, watching the two of them gradually walk away.
"Got it, Grandma," Tsunade called back, waving with an outstretched arm without turning around.
"Brother-in-law, wait for me. We're going out too," Nawaki said, planning to wait for Misaki to help Mito back to her room.
"Don't worry about me. I'll just sit here for a while," Mito said. She wasn't in a condition where she couldn't move, so she urged Nawaki to take Misaki and catch up with Kawakaze and Tsunade.
As she watched the four of them go, Mito smiled with relief.