Naruto: Wooing Tsunade from Day One!-Chapter 416: Just the Thought Brings Joy

"Haha, we're both busy people. I'll go back and spend time with my wife and kids."

Shinku wasn't worried about the future of the Ninja World in the slightest. His confidence came from Konoha's overwhelming strength.

Besides, he was no longer in the spotlight, so he naturally had the time to relax.

"Remember to call me if there's a mission. I'm leaving."

Duy finally spoke after listening to the conversation, fully aware of his own position.

As he turned and walked away, only three people remained.

"You two chat. I still have things to do."

It wasn't even close to quitting time, but Sakumo still remembered his work after the meeting.

"Okay, I'll go with Orochimaru to the lab and take a look."

Kawakaze didn't care whether Orochimaru was happy about it or not. He casually placed a hand on his shoulder, acting like they were best friends.

The next second, the Hatake brothers disappeared from the spot almost simultaneously.

"It's been a while since I was here."

Kawakaze let go of Orochimaru, who looked visibly annoyed, and pushed the door open.

"Brother-in-law."

Misaki, who was in the middle of an experiment, glanced up and saw Kawakaze's grinning face.

"You do your thing. I'll just look around."

Kawakaze waved dismissively, signaling that Misaki didn't need to pay him any attention.

"What could you possibly understand?"

"Just take a look and go."

Orochimaru wasn't mocking him—he genuinely didn't expect Kawakaze to grasp anything.

"I'm standing right here. If you've got the guts, tell me to leave."

Kawakaze suddenly slipped into a theatrical act, dramatically poking the lab table with his finger, producing a dood sound. His expression was smug and overbearing.

"Damn, you're retarded."

Orochimaru was instantly amused. The last time he had been this speechless was... well, the last time.

"You're the retard."

"Haven't you got any new projects recently?"

Since Orochimaru clearly didn't get the joke, Kawakaze decided to drop it.

"I do have an innovative idea, though."

As the teasing subsided, their conversation gradually returned to a more serious tone—something Misaki was long accustomed to.

Kawakaze remained silent, staring at Orochimaru intently, his eyes filled with a strong desire to learn.

"Through my research, I discovered that there is a high possibility that the Tailed Beasts share a common origin."

Kawakaze was momentarily stunned by Orochimaru's words.

In the entire Ninja World, apart from Madara and himself, no one else knew about the legend of the Ten-Tails. Even Fugaku probably couldn't decipher that part of the Stone Monument at Naka Shrine.

"Cough cough", Kawakaze cleared his throat. "You really are a lunatic."

For a brief moment, he couldn't find the right words to describe his shock. Orochimaru's intellect was truly terrifying.

"Haha, just a little theory of mine."

"Recently, I've been experimenting with fusing existing cells of the Tailed Beasts. I don't know what the results will be yet."

Orochimaru spoke casually, as if he were merely discussing an idle pastime.

"I hope you fail."

"You're so full of it. Just get out of here."

Kawakaze finally left after being driven away by Orochimaru's constant nagging.

Back home, his mind was still occupied with a lingering question: If Orochimaru really managed to fuse the cells of the nine Tailed Beasts, would he create the cells of the Ten-Tails? freewēbnoveℓ.com

Could it result in an artificial Jinchūriki, like the Impure World Blue B?

If that were possible, the implications would be unimaginable. The power of the Ten-Tails was on an entirely different level from the other Tailed Beasts.

Kawakaze couldn't tell if he was excited or uneasy, but he found himself in an unusual emotional state. He didn't know how much time had passed before he finally pulled himself out of his thoughts.

Orochimaru only had the cells of four Tailed Beasts in his possession. Even if he somehow gathered them all, the likelihood of successfully fusing them was slim.

Kawakaze sighed and decided not to dwell on it any further.

"Dad, dinner's ready."

After a while of daydreaming, Ginji trotted over.

"Okay."

Kawakaze got up, ruffled Ginji's hair, and the father and son walked to the dining room together.

During dinner, the impending war inevitably became the topic of discussion.

"That short old man Ōnoki is going to suffer this time."

"Heh heh, just thinking about it makes me happy."

Tsunade, unconcerned about hiding her emotions at home, genuinely looked pleased. She had never been the type to forgive and forget.

"If Nagato goes all out, geez..."

Kawakaze shook his head, leaving the sentence unfinished. Just imagining Ōnoki's fate made him feel a little sorry for the man.

It was a good thing Nagato was on his side. Ōnoki would owe him a serious thank you when he realized just how bad it could have been.

During dinner, the impending war inevitably became the topic of discussion.

"That short old man Ōnoki is going to suffer this time."

"Heh heh, just thinking about it makes me happy."

Tsunade, unconcerned about hiding her emotions at home, genuinely looked pleased. She had never been the type to forgive and forget.

"If Nagato goes all out, geez..."

Kawakaze shook his head, leaving the sentence unfinished. Just imagining Ōnoki's fate made him feel a little sorry for the man.

It was a good thing Nagato was on his side. Ōnoki would owe him a serious thank you when he realized just how bad it could have been.

"They deserve a good lesson."

Minato agreed, though he was more focused on clearing his plate.

"Auntie, I want to go to war to gain experience."

Kakashi gathered his courage and looked at Tsunade. He knew she had considerable influence in these matters.

Sakumo glanced up, a faint smile flashing across his lips.

You really are my son.

"Isn't it a bit early?"

Before Tsunade could answer, Nayuki interjected.

She knew how talented Kakashi was and understood the responsibilities of a ninja, but that didn't stop her from worrying.

"Senior Brother Minato went to war when he was my age."

Kakashi used Minato as an example, shutting his mother down. Nayuki was at a loss for words.

If she continued to argue, it would sound like she was implying Kakashi wasn't as good as Minato had been at ten.

"It's good to have this kind of courage. I won't interfere—just listen to your aunt."

Sakumo, unusually magnanimous, made his stance clear. His confidence in his son was evident.

"We're not at the point where we need children to go to war."

Tsunade frowned, pretending to be conflicted.

After years of growth, Konoha had no shortage of skilled warriors.

"I'm not a child anymore."

"I already have the strength of a Jōnin."

Kakashi puffed out his chest, proudly declaring his worth.

"That doesn't change the fact that you're only ten."

Tsunade had long since stopped being surprised by Kakashi's talent, though she had acknowledged more than once that he was a true genius.

From Kawakaze's perspective, however, with the White Fang still alive and multiple Kage-level instructors guiding him, Kakashi being a ten-year-old Jōnin was completely normal.

"Ninjas speak with their actions. What does age matter?"

Kakashi remained steadfast, refusing to touch his food.

"Alright, alright, I get it—you're impressive."

"I'll let you go with your Senior Brother Minato."

Kawakaze had no interest in watching Tsunade drag this out. With Kakashi's current strength, he had no problem letting him join Minato in battle.

"Yes~ I love you, Uncle!"

Kakashi leaped into the air, three feet high in celebration.

"Then~ Daddy, I want to go too!"

Ginji saw the opportunity and immediately made his request. Even with all his strength, Kakashi wouldn't dare claim he could beat him.

"Let's all go."

"You'll follow your uncle."

Kawakaze didn't hesitate for even a second before agreeing.

He knew full well—you don't grow a pine tree in a greenhouse, nor raise a racehorse in a garden.

"Yay! Long live Daddy!!!"

Ginji high-fived Kakashi, the two grinning mischievously. It was obvious they had already planned this.

The war might have been a secret to others before today, but to these two, it had been understood from the start.

"You're really something."

"This time, let's see how you perform. Don't embarrass Konoha."

Tsunade shot Kawakaze a cold glance. Her words were directed at Minato, though her real message was clear.

A veiled threat.

And when she said you all, she naturally meant Nawaki as well.

"Got it, Sensei's wife."

Minato nodded solemnly. He had never forgotten his dream.