Naruto: Wooing Tsunade from Day One!

"We're almost there," Kawakaze said, leading the group. He could already see the faint outline of Konohagakure's gates in the distance.

Tsunade folded her wings and landed gracefully beside him.

"Sensei and the others are here," she said.

"Hm," Kawakaze replied softly. It would have been surprising if Hiruzen Sarutobi hadn't shown up.

"I just want to go home," Sakumo and Duy said in unison, their thoughts perfectly aligned.

"Just make up an excuse," Kawakaze said nonchalantly. In his mind, Hiruzen was likely doing this more for show, to impress the villagers, than anything else.

"Keep your voice down," Tsunade snapped, glaring at him. She wasn't offended on behalf of her Sensei but was more concerned about the crowd around them overhearing.

"I'm done talking. We'll be there soon," Kawakaze said, raising an eyebrow. Tsunade caught the meaning behind his words and shook her head. This guy is never serious.

Before long, they arrived at the gates of Konohagakure. The gates stood wide open, and a banner hung above them, declaring:

"Welcome back, heroes who stood on the frontlines."

Hiruzen certainly knew how to keep things fresh. This wasn't the same reception as last time.

Tsunade entered the gates first, with Kawakaze following close behind.

As they passed through, they saw Hiruzen waiting nearby, a warm smile on his face. The villagers had gathered on their own accord, lining the streets to welcome the returning ninjas.

"Welcome home~"

Cheers filled the air, and flower petals rained down like confetti. It was the recognition they deserved. Some of the ninjas spotted their loved ones in the crowd. Tears flowed freely as families reunited, sharing hugs filled with relief and joy.

"Sensei, Sensei, we'll be going first," Minato said, sneaking up behind the group with Nawaki. He greeted Kawakaze quickly, clearly eager to leave.

"Off to where?" Kawakaze asked with a playful smile. "In such a hurry?"

"Not in a hurry," Minato replied smoothly. "Nawaki just misses his grandma."

His lie came out effortlessly, and Nawaki nodded vigorously in agreement.

"That's all you've got? Go," Tsunade said, letting them off easily. She could see through their little ploy but decided not to press them.

"Bye!" the two kids said in unison, dashing off and disappearing around the corner moments later.

Kawakaze and the rest continued walking. Hiruzen began making his way toward them, stopping in front of Tsunade with a deliberate pace.

"Sensei."

Tsunade greeted the Third Hokage with an expressionless face, unable to suppress a trace of resentment. He could fight on the frontlines, yet he stayed back as if he were more precious than the rest.

"You did well this time," Hiruzen said with a smile, assuming Tsunade's mood was just due to exhaustion.

"It was a narrow victory," Tsunade replied with a wry smile. She understood the reality of the losses far better than him. She had seen it firsthand on the frontlines—vibrant lives snuffed out. To her, they were irreplaceable; to Hiruzen, perhaps, they were just cold numbers.

"It's all for the village—" Hiruzen began, but before he could finish, a black ninken darted over and interrupted him.

The interruption was almost welcome—nobody seemed eager to hear one of Hiruzen's long speeches.

Onimaru pounced on Kawakaze, completely ignoring the Hokage.

"It's you, stupid dog!" Kawakaze laughed as he stepped forward, catching Onimaru's two front paws while the dog licked his hands enthusiastically.

"You're really disgusting!" Kawakaze said, quickly pushing the dog away.

Nayuki approached slowly, holding Kakashi in her arms.

"Woof~"

Onimaru whimpered softly, looking pitiful as if lamenting that this unfaithful man had already forgotten the days they spent together.

Sakumo's face lit up with an incredibly bright smile. Without even greeting Hiruzen, he moved straight toward his family.

"I'm home," Sakumo said, embracing Nayuki and Kakashi warmly.

Soon after, Duy's wife and Shinku Yūhi's wife appeared, each carrying their children.

In an instant, the crowd in front of Hiruzen thinned, leaving only Kawakaze, Tsunade, and the ever-loyal Onimaru, who clung to Kawakaze's leg like a cheap suit. The ninken frantically rubbed against Kawakaze's trousers, expressing its longing.

"Well, Lord Third, we'll be going back first," Kawakaze said, bending down to ruffle Onimaru's head roughly.

He had nothing more to say to Hiruzen Sarutobi—other than a wish for him to step down.

"Haha, you guys go ahead," Hiruzen Sarutobi said with a smile, waving them off. However, as Tsunade and Kawakaze walked away, his expression darkened noticeably.

"Go back and hug them however you want," Kawakaze said thoughtlessly, standing behind Sakumo and patting him on the shoulder.

"Go back too. All three kids are waiting for you at home."

Nayuki, keeping Kawakaze's instructions in mind, had ensured the three children from Amegakure stayed safely within the Hatake household.

Reluctantly, Sakumo let go of his wife and son, turning to glare at Kawakaze. This little brat has no tact. Can't he see the bond between a husband and wife?

"Let's go," Tsunade said with a laugh, enjoying the warmth of the moment.

The group, along with the dog, began walking toward home. Tsunade couldn't help but think Kawakaze was a bit like a husband who forgot about his own responsibilities—he hadn't even mentioned going back to see Mito first.

"Sister-in-law, let me give him a hug," Kawakaze said suddenly, extending his arms to take Kakashi from Nayuki.

"I haven't hugged him yet, though," Sakumo grumbled, his irritation rising. Does he think I can't handle my own child?

"You should see if he even wants to hug you," Kawakaze retorted with a roll of his eyes before cradling Kakashi in his arms.

Kakashi had grown noticeably since the last time. His features were fully developed, and he bore a striking resemblance to Kawakaze—much handsomer than Sakumo, Kawakaze thought smugly.

"Does Kakashi not know how to speak yet?" Kawakaze asked as they walked, holding the baby close. Sakumo, still glaring, was clearly envious.

"Right now, he only knows how to say 'mama,'" Nayuki said, her face glowing with motherly pride.

"Say 'uncle,' say 'uncle,'" Kawakaze cooed, reaching out to pinch Kakashi's small, round cheeks.

"Say Daddy," Sakumo interjected, unable to hold back any longer. Who wanted their child to say "uncle" before calling their father?

"Uncle…" Kakashi stuttered out the word, and Kawakaze's face lit up with pride.

"Haha, did you hear that? He can call me 'uncle,'" Kawakaze said triumphantly.

"I'll take him," Sakumo said angrily, snatching Kakashi out of Kawakaze's arms.

The sudden movement startled Kakashi, and as he looked at Sakumo's stiff smile, he burst into tears.

"Oww~"

"Be gentle," Nayuki said as she approached, hearing Kakashi cry. She slapped Sakumo twice and gently took Kakashi back into her arms.

Within seconds, Kakashi stopped crying, leaving Sakumo standing there, staring at his son in Nayuki's arms, completely at a loss.

"Sooner or later, he'll call you Daddy. Don't take it so seriously," Tsunade said lightly, but she underestimated the competitive streak between the two brothers.

"Within three days, I'll make him call me Daddy," Sakumo said firmly, looking at Kawakaze with absolute determination.

"So what? He already knows how to call me uncle," Kawakaze replied smugly, brushing off Sakumo's challenge. He'd already won, hadn't he?

"Just you wait," Sakumo muttered through gritted teeth, silently vowing revenge. Someday, Kawakaze would have a child of his own…

"Cut it out, you two. So childish," Tsunade said, shaking her head.

Nayuki glanced between the two of them, then she and Tsunade both burst into laughter.