Chapter 121: Rest and Recovery

A few days later, the last of the Konoha troops arrived at the border town in the Land of Fire.

"We've finally arrived."

The moment they entered the town, Kawakaze stretched, looking content. Though they hadn't encountered any pursuers on the way, the constant rain in the Land of Rain had been tiresome. Now, they could finally rest.

"First, let's take care of the wounded, then we'll eat," Tsunade said.

She glanced at Kawakaze, whose disheveled appearance made her wrinkle her nose in disgust. Too annoyed to say anything more, she casually decided on their next steps. Kawakaze, knowing better than to argue, simply nodded.

The two younger members of the group followed quietly, their thoughts focused solely on the prospect of food.

"Yes, Lady Tsunade," Kawakaze said with mock respect, bowing theatrically. His exaggerated demeanor screamed of mischief.

Tsunade, suspicious of his behavior, raised an eyebrow, wary of ulterior motives. Before Kawakaze could act on whatever prank was forming in his mind, he scurried off.

Minato and Nawaki both looked equally unimpressed. Kawakaze's antics didn't worry them—it wasn't as though his behavior could corrupt the younger ones.

After speaking with the reception staff who had arrived earlier, the team was directed to an inn to rest. The wounded were placed in a separate area to ensure they could receive care as needed.

Not long after, the group disappeared from view as Kawakaze returned to Tsunade's side.

"Let's go eat," he said, taking Tsunade's hand as they headed to a familiar barbecue restaurant.

Tsunade didn't resist, and the two of them looked almost like a young couple.

"I miss Kushina," Minato murmured, watching the two and thinking of his fiery red-haired love.

"Do you want me to punch you?" Nawaki snapped, his voice tinged with irritation.

Single and increasingly bitter, he had already resigned himself to enduring his sister's public displays of affection. But now, Minato's wistful comment was too much.

"You just don't understand," Minato said with a disdainful glance.

The smug look on Minato's face cut deeper than any words, leaving Nawaki fuming.

"I'll find a red-haired girl too! What are you so smug about?" Nawaki retorted.

He punctuated his frustration with a swift kick to Minato's backside, only feeling satisfied when the blow landed.

"I'm not going to argue with you," Minato said calmly, brushing off his clothes as he walked ahead.

Nawaki's indignant glare followed him, his teeth gritting in anger.

"Ahhh!" he yelled, venting his frustration in the only way he could.

Beneath his irritation, he silently resolved to set a new goal for himself—master new Ninjutsu and finally escape his single status.

"What are you screaming for? Hurry up."

Tsunade turned at the sound of her brother's voice, noticing Nawaki acting absurdly.

"I'm coming, sis," Nawaki said quickly, falling into step with the group and grinning sheepishly.

They arrived at the familiar barbecue restaurant, its atmosphere unchanged. The owner greeted them with his usual sales pitch.

"Tasty barbecue! If it's not tasty, it's free!"

Tsunade paused, glancing at the restaurant before turning her attention to Kawakaze with a meaningful look.

She squeezed his hand, and Kawakaze's face shifted, the lack of resistance making his discomfort obvious.

"I didn't have any evil intentions! I just want to eat meat," Kawakaze blurted out in defense. Memories of the last time, when he had acted with premeditated mischief and faced severe consequences from Tsunade, flashed through his mind.

"You'd better be," Tsunade replied, her sharp gaze still full of suspicion. She released his hand and walked into the restaurant first.

Nawaki sighed, shaking his head as he eyed Kawakaze. No wonder Minato switched sides and threw himself into my sister's side.

Kawakaze, catching Nawaki's expression, felt a twinge of irritation. "You little brat, what's that supposed to mean?"

Before Nawaki could reply, Kawakaze poked him, leaving him momentarily bewildered.

Nawaki groaned inwardly, realizing no matter how things played out, he always seemed to be at the bottom. Resigned, he rubbed his head and trudged past Kawakaze, silently reflecting that if he kept engaging in pointless conflicts, he'd only make himself dumber in the process.

"Ahem..." Minato coughed, trying and failing to stifle his laughter as he walked into the restaurant ahead of them.

Kawakaze, eager to dispel any lingering suspicion, skipped ordering sake altogether and focused on the food. "Meat," he said decisively.

"Got it," the owner replied, recognizing Tsunade immediately. Her striking looks and commanding presence weren't easily forgotten. Without delay, he began grilling their order.

Inside, Kawakaze settled into a seat beside Tsunade, where tea had already been poured. Across from them, Nawaki sat quietly, his head bowed in thought, likely mulling over his next steps in life. Minato, meanwhile, appeared lost in his own musings—probably about Kushina.

Before long, the aroma of freshly grilled meat filled the air, and a steaming plate was served at their table.

"No sake?"

Tsunade glanced at Kawakaze, puzzled. It had been a while since they last had the chance to drink together. Now that they finally could, was he pretending to be noble?

"Yes, yes, boss, did you forget to pour it?" Kawakaze asked, winking wildly at the owner.

The sharp-eyed owner caught on immediately. "Oh, I'm sorry, I forgot," he said, hurrying back to fetch the sake.

"That's more like it."

Tsunade smiled as the sake was placed on the table. Eating meat without sake would have been a real waste.

"Don't drink too much, or someone will have to carry you away," Nawaki remarked as he ate, glancing warily at Kawakaze, who was watching him with an unsettling hunger.

Pat!

He earned himself a light slap on the head; his mouth always ran faster than his brain.

"Eat your meat. You're just too talkative," Tsunade snapped, glaring at him. Her brother had many talents, but his big mouth overshadowed them all.

"Nawaki, if you can't talk properly, just shut up, okay?" Minato muttered, leaning over to Nawaki, more concerned about avoiding the fallout than anything else. He was perfectly happy in his current, unbothered state.

"…!"

Nawaki stuffed two pieces of meat into his mouth, deliberately ignoring Minato. As if anyone could control him!

"Drink."

Tsunade poured herself and Kawakaze some sake, lifting her cup to toast. Without hesitation, she downed it in one go, then wiped her mouth with a gesture that exuded confidence and strength.

"That felt good," she said, satisfied.

For a brief moment, Kawakaze couldn't help but think that Tsunade seemed more of a man than he was.

"Sister, we still need to maintain our image. This isn't home," Nawaki blurted out, his mouth seemingly acting on its own whims.

Kawakaze shot him a look that clearly said, "You're very brave."

The moment the words left his mouth, Nawaki regretted them deeply. Why do I even have a mouth? he thought as he squeezed his eyes shut, bracing himself for the inevitable wrath of his sister.

But nothing came. After a long silence, he cautiously opened his eyes—and froze. His jaw dropped, and his mouth hung open in disbelief.

Tsunade's face was flushed with embarrassment. Instead of lashing out, she sat up straight, clinking glasses with Kawakaze in a controlled, refined manner. She sipped her sake with ladylike poise, exuding a grace that seemed completely out of character. In that moment, anything seemed possible—especially in the face of love.

Minato, watching this display, chuckled to himself as he imagined Kushina with a similarly coy demeanor.

"Are you possessed?" Nawaki muttered, leaning over to bump him.

"Don't you think your Sensei's wife is very pretty?" Minato replied, quickly suppressing his goofy grin and speaking with seriousness.

Tsunade, clearly pleased by the attention, doubled down on her act, her every movement oozing charm. Each smile and glance seemed to ensnare Kawakaze further, leaving him utterly captivated.

Kawakaze, overwhelmed, thought to himself, What kind of demon is this? From what mountain did she descend?

"Pretty? I feel sick," Nawaki said loudly, unable to hold back.

Tsunade's gaze snapped to her brother, now blazing with fury. "Nawaki, if you want to die, just say so," she hissed.

Her facade shattered, and her long-awaited punch finally landed.

"Ah~"