Naruto: Legend of the Skylark

Hibari saw that Tobirama didn't seem interested in discussing the topic of shinobi training further, so he dropped the subject.

Thus, both of them quietly went back to their own tasks.

A moment later, Hibari suddenly asked, "Tobirama-jiisan, I have a bad feeling. It's like something bad is about to happen to me..."

"Hmm?" Tobirama questioned without looking up, then said, "What kind of feeling?"

"I don't know, my eyelid keeps twitching, but I thought hard and I don't feel like I've provoked anyone or caused any trouble... It's really baffling," Hibari scratched his head, speaking with some confusion.

Tobirama chuckled and said, "That's just a normal bodily reaction. Perhaps you're overusing your eyes and need some rest. Why don't you stop reading those books, open the window, and gaze into the distance for a bit? Maybe you'll feel better."

"Perhaps..." Hibari said, rubbing his eyes.

However, he didn't actually go to open the window and look out. Instead, he continued, "It's probably nothing major. I'll just keep reading..."

"If you encounter any difficulties or have any questions, feel free to ask me," Tobirama didn't object, but said casually.

At this moment, unknown to Hibari, that little brat Tsunade, under the guidance of the 'Hokage,' had already successfully snatched his 'hard-earned money.' She was currently leaving the Senju clan's compound with Hashirama, heading towards the village's gambling den.

Looking at their joyful expressions, one might think they'd won the lottery.

"Hashirama-jiisama, I want takoyaki!" Little Tsunade exclaimed, tugging at Hashirama's head while riding on his shoulders.

"Ah hahahahaha, buy it! We're rich now!" Hashirama declared grandly.

And so, laughing all the way, the two had already begun squandering Hibari's 'hard-earned money' even before reaching the gambling den.

Time flies quickly when immersed in reading and sealing jutsu research. Without Tobirama or Hibari noticing, lunchtime was already approaching.

Hibari, who was reading, suddenly heard a knock at the door. He glanced at Tobirama, who was still engrossed in his calculations, then stood up, walked to the door, and gently opened it.

"Young Master Hibari, Mito-sama sent me to call you and Tobirama-sama for lunch," a middle-aged maid said with a smile, looking at Hibari.

Hibari smiled back, then glanced at the sun in the sky and said, "It's truly troublesome. I didn't realize it was this late already. I understand, we'll pack up and come over with Tobirama-jiisan now..."

After the maid returned to report, Hibari closed the door and said to Tobirama, "Tobirama-jiisan, let's go. It's time for lunch. We can think about these things later when we have time. We can't keep Mito-baasan waiting..."

Tobirama casually wrote a few more things, then put down his brush and said, "Hmm, you're right, let's go..."

Tobirama was busy with official duties, so he was no stranger to such interruptions. His research would often be cut short by some official business, and he had grown accustomed to it. Fortunately, his skills were deep, so he didn't mind such things.

After tidying the room slightly, the two left together and headed to the dining area.

Pushing open the door, Hibari saw a lavish lunch spread, and many clan members were already seated, seemingly waiting for Tobirama's arrival.

Taking a quick look, Hibari walked over to Mito's side, asking curiously, "Huh? Where's Tsunade? And Hashirama-jiisan? Did some official business call him away again?"

Tobirama was also a bit curious, but since Hibari had already asked, he remained silent.

As soon as they were seated, Mito spoke, "Alright, no need to wait for Hashirama and Tsuna. Everyone, let's eat..."

Hibari didn't stand on ceremony at all. He picked up his bowl, helped himself to some dishes, and ate while looking at Mito with a questioning gaze.

Mito chuckled and said, "Those two left happily. I heard from the staff that your Hashirama-ojii seems to have come into some money and took Tsuna to the gambling den..."

Hibari's face instantly darkened upon hearing this. He then said, "It's one thing for Hashirama-jiisan to go by himself, but he just had to take Tsunade too. Doesn't he worry about spoiling her rotten...? By the way, how did he get rich? Isn't the Hokage's salary paid at the end of the month?"

However, just after asking, Hibari seemed to remember something else and spoke again, "Ah, right, was it that mission earlier? I received one million five hundred thousand ryo as reward. Ojiisan must have received at least two million ryo, right? Then he really did get rich..."

Mito wasn't entirely clear on the situation, so she just nodded and said, "Perhaps. I don't concern myself with too much. He's so busy usually; this is his only pleasure, so I just let him be..."

"That's true. Being Hokage isn't easy. Having some special hobbies to relieve stress is certainly understandable," Hibari even nodded sympathetically in agreement.

Just then, Tobirama, who had just swallowed a mouthful of rice, suddenly spoke, "While I don't know where my brother got rich, it's certainly not what you're thinking, Hibari. He didn't receive any reward from that mission, because I know very well that such a large sum wouldn't last the night in his hands before ending up at the gambling den."

"Hahahaha, is that so? Then Hashirama-jiisan is truly pitiful. But who cares where he got his money? Maybe he secretly 'borrowed' it from some unlucky soul..." Hibari initially burst out laughing, then half-way through his sentence, he seemed to feel something was off.

He then recalled his earlier twitching eyelid, and his face turned dark. He said, "Tobirama-jiisan, I know where my ominous premonition came from..."

Tobirama, being incredibly intelligent, seemed to realize something from Hibari's expression and nearly choked on his food trying to suppress a laugh.

"What are you trying to say?" Tobirama asked, holding back his laughter.

Hibari said with a bitter face, "If I'm not mistaken... those shameless two probably went into my room and snatched away my remaining one million plus ryo in reward money!!!"

As Hibari's words fell, all the Senju clan members seated throughout the room burst into laughter.

Even Mito chuckled along, then said, "Look on the bright side, maybe they left you some?"

Upon hearing Mito's words, Hibari said helplessly, "It seems even Mito-baasan thinks this is highly possible? If you ask me, either those two didn't touch the money at all, or..."

"...They didn't leave you a single ryo," Tobirama picked up a fish and put it in his bowl, finishing Hibari's sentence.

"Exactly, Tobirama-jiisan understands them best..." Hibari said with a darkened face, then continued to eat.

Just then, a woman in her thirties among the clan members nearby looked at Hibari with a chuckle and said, "So Hibari, you still have the appetite to eat here? Why don't you hurry back to your room and check?"

Hibari replied weakly, "Toka-basan, what's there to check? If they didn't take it, the money would still be there. If they did, it's probably all lost by now. If I don't check, I can still think positively and have the appetite to eat this meal. But if I actually go and confirm this 'bad news,' I won't even have time to cry, let alone eat..."

Indeed, the woman was Hibari's aunt, and a capable assistant to both Tobirama and Hashirama, Senju Toka.

Toka just chuckled and continued to tease, "I didn't realize you, little one, were so good at comforting yourself..."

"Better than nothing, better than nothing..." Hibari still replied weakly.

His performance made everyone else burst into laughter again.

"Go check quickly, maybe it's still there."

"Yeah, maybe old man Hashirama had a change of heart and sent it back to you, Hibari-kun?"

Watching this harmonious family eating and joking together, Mito's face held a warm smile that lingered for a long time.

After the meal was finished, Hibari turned to Mito, who was sitting beside him, and said, "Mito-baasan, if I really find no money when I get back, please don't let Hashirama-jiisan off the hook for this. Give him a good scolding!"

"Hehehe, I know. If that's truly the case, Obaasan will avenge you," Mito said with a chuckle.

Hibari knew that his money was likely irrecoverable from his Hashirama-ojii. So, his eyes darted around, and he looked at Mito again.

However, before he could speak again, he was interrupted by Tobirama, who had also put down his chopsticks.

"Don't worry, if something like that really happened, I'll make up the money for you from his 'Hokage's' salary this month..." Tobirama said with a smile.

Hearing this, Hibari said with a cheerful smile, "Alright then, with you looking out for me, Tobirama-jiisan, I feel much more at ease. I'll go check right now..."

After saying that, Hibari stood up, greeted the various elders, and rushed towards his room.

Before even entering the room, just a glance from afar made Hibari's heart sink halfway. The door, which Hibari clearly remembered closing securely that morning when he left, was now ajar.

Looking closer, on the clean floor, there was a string of muddy little footprints. It was clear that little Tsunade hadn't changed her shoes and had done something naughty inside in a rush.

"She's really trying to infuriate me! Tsunade, so your grandfather counts as real family, but your so-called big brother is just adopted?!" Hibari muttered angrily, looking at the scene with great frustration.

However, looking at those adorable little footprints, Hibari suddenly smiled helplessly... She truly had been led astray by Hashirama.

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