The next day, Kawakaze woke up from sleep and slightly moved his numb arm. His eyes were only half-open, and his consciousness was still hazy.
Perhaps this small movement startled Tsunade, who slowly woke up with a soft "Hmm."
"Good morning!" Kawakaze greeted her. "Time to go to work."
Tsunade rubbed her eyes and glanced at the sunlight streaming through the curtains.
"It's almost time." Kawakaze narrowed his eyes, also looking out the window.
"Honey, but I don't want to get up," Tsunade mumbled as she rolled over, wrapping her arms around Kawakaze and closing her eyes again.
"Then sleep a little longer," Kawakaze said casually. He didn't mind; he had no pressing plans.
"No, it's not good to leave Shōta alone all the time," Tsunade replied, rejecting his suggestion.
"Why don't you go to work for me?" she said, suddenly perking up as if struck by a brilliant idea. She opened her eyes wide and stared at Kawakaze.
"I'm not going," Kawakaze responded firmly. Whoever wanted to handle the Hokage's duties could do so—it certainly wasn't going to be him.
"Honey, my dear husband," Tsunade cooed.
"I'm pregnant now, and poor sleep affects development. Besides, I'm not feeling well. Just one day—you go. Please?"
Tsunade's voice was unusually soft and pleading, a rare sight. She clung to Kawakaze's arm, swaying slightly on the bed. Her light embrace, coupled with her undressed state, made it difficult for Kawakaze to refuse.
"Okay, okay, I'll go," Kawakaze finally agreed, feeling that one day wouldn't hurt.
"You're the best," Tsunade said with a smile, rewarding him with a kiss.
"Ugh…" Kawakaze sighed as he sat up and stretched.
"You've worked hard, my dear. I'll be home waiting for you," Tsunade added, throwing him a playful, flirtatious glance. Kawakaze, still held in her firm grasp.
"Okay, you go back to sleep."
"I'm up." Kawakaze lifted the quilt, got out of bed, and walked to the wardrobe naked to get dressed. In no time, he was fully dressed and returned to the bed.
"Mua~"
"Leaving already?" Tsunade asked as he gave her a light kiss on the forehead.
"Well, goodbye." Tsunade's eyes were wide open now, no longer looking sleepy.
Kawakaze walked out of the room, washed up, and headed to the dining room. Everyone was eating breakfast when he arrived, and their expressions showed mild surprise at his presence. Usually, Tsunade was the first to wake up.
"She didn't get a good night's rest, so I'll take her shift for the day," Kawakaze explained, noticing their reactions.
"Not bad, you know how to take care of people," Nayuki said with a smile, passing Sakumo a bun.
"Be serious, don't make any mistakes," Sakumo remarked. He didn't doubt Kawakaze's abilities but wanted to remind him as a good friend.
"I know." Kawakaze sat down casually and began eating breakfast.
"We're done eating," Minato and the others said as they left first. Their demeanor seemed distinctly different from Sakumo's.
Kawakaze finished his meal at his own pace, and soon the dining hall was empty except for him. Without Tsunade's company, he used the Flying Thunder God Technique to save time and arrived directly at the Hokage's Office.
Shōta was already there, busy with official business.
"Good morning, Shōta," Kawakaze greeted him cheerfully, taking Tsunade's seat without hesitation.
"Good morning, Lord Kawakaze," Shōta replied, slightly puzzled but refraining from asking questions.
"Tsunade has something to do today, so I'll be filling in for her," Kawakaze explained briefly.
"Oh, I see." Shōta nodded, appearing to understand. To him, it didn't make much difference.
Still, he secretly decided how to make Kawakaze feel a bit of the pressure, planning his revenge.
After Kawakaze sat down, he began carefully processing the documents. If something went wrong in just one day, it would be hard to explain to Tsunade.
As time passed, he noticed that Shōta kept coming over far too often. It was simply annoying!
"Shōta, can you save it all for me?" Kawakaze sighed helplessly, his train of thought repeatedly interrupted.
"Oops, sorry. I'll be more careful," Shōta said, looking apologetic, though inwardly he was overjoyed. Serves you right!
"Put it here," Kawakaze said, pointing to an empty space on the table.
"Yes, Lord Kawakaze."
Shōta placed the documents down and cheerfully returned to his seat. His mood had brightened considerably, and it was hard to describe how smug he felt.
After Kawakaze's comment, Shōta calmed down noticeably. He knew he couldn't make his efforts to disrupt too obvious—that wouldn't be befitting of someone as clever as him.
The two buried themselves in their work, the office becoming quiet again. Meanwhile, Tsunade finally got up, feeling refreshed after a good night's sleep.
After washing up, she made her way to the dining room and happened to run into Nayuki, who was picking up snacks for Kakashi.
"Morning, sister-in-law," Tsunade greeted her warmly, casually instructing a servant to prepare some food.
"What morning? You'll be having lunch soon," Nayuki replied with a smile, her tone light and free of any reproach.
"Haha~ It feels so good not going to work," Tsunade said, stretching leisurely, clearly enjoying herself.
"It's not easy, asking Kawakaze to cover for you."
"It's different when you're pregnant," Nayuki teased, adding that no one in the family was lazier than Kawakaze.
"That's for sure."
"I just said a few words, and he went along with everything." Tsunade, of course, would never admit to cajoling Kawakaze into agreeing.
"Then Kawakaze does deserve some praise for that," Nayuki said, completely believing her. When it came to the brothers from the Hatake Clan, there was no fault to find in how they doted on their wives.
"Let's go out and have some fun later, sister-in-law," Tsunade suggested. She had been planning to go gambling but decided it would be nicer to spend time with her family instead.
"Sure, let's go out and buy some clothes for the two of them," Nayuki agreed with a smile, her thoughts drifting to her husband.
"Okay, I'll call you after we eat," Tsunade said, sitting down to eat while Nayuki went out with the snacks.
After Tsunade finished eating, the two women left the house, taking Kakashi with them. Onimaru and Shiromaru stayed behind, lounging in the dojo and enjoying the sunshine—rare moments of parent-child bonding for them.
"It's been a long time since I've been so carefree," Tsunade said with a touch of nostalgia as they strolled down the shopping street. Though she wasn't constantly busy, she rarely found time to enjoy outings like this.
"Then take a few days off and find something for Kawakaze to do," Nayuki suggested without any concern for Kawakaze's feelings, coming up with a mischievous idea.
"My sister-in-law is right," Tsunade said with a smile. "I'll think of how to tell him." She rolled her eyes, already brainstorming strategies. Feeling pleased with her plan, she walked on, unaware that while Kawakaze was hoping to finish the day without trouble, she was already plotting ways to trick him further.
"Mom, I can't walk anymore. Carry me," Kakashi whined, clearly giving in to laziness after walking for a short while.
"You've only walked a few steps. Why should I carry you?" Nayuki scolded him with a stern expression. "If your father were here, he'd give you a good scolding." She wanted him to grow up strong.
"Forget it, sister-in-law. Kakashi is still young," Tsunade intervened. Perhaps because she was pregnant, she felt even more affectionate toward him. "Auntie will carry you, okay?" she offered, holding out her arms.
"Okay," Kakashi said cheerfully, throwing himself into Tsunade's embrace.
"He's gotten heavier," Tsunade noted as she picked him up and gave his cheek a quick kiss.
"You and Kawakaze just spoil him," Nayuki said helplessly. Being a strict mother wasn't easy!