Chapter 259: Kakashi and Kurenai

Kawakaze had no idea where the two little ones had picked up their endless chatter. They didn't stop talking the whole way, despite being too young to fully articulate their thoughts. Instead, they gestured animatedly with their hands, leaving Kawakaze thoroughly confused while the two burst into laughter.

Too lazy to question them, Kawakaze decided to let it go. If they could explain it clearly, they wouldn't need all the gesturing anyway.

After a while, the group arrived at the entrance of the Academy. Since Kawakaze had gotten up late, classes had already been in session for a while. As they entered the gate, they saw the training grounds on either side filled with students. The sounds of shuriken and kunai hitting targets rang out occasionally.

"Uncle, do Kurenai and I have to come to school in the future?" Kakashi asked. He wasn't particularly interested in the target practice. Having grown up around powerful ninjas, such basic training didn't appeal to him.

"Yes, and if your grades are bad, you'll also get spanked," Kawakaze replied, raising his hand playfully.

Kurenai shrank her neck in fear. "Uncle, you shouldn't scare people," she said nervously.

"Kurenai, don't be afraid," Kakashi said, turning to comfort her. What a thoughtful little boy.

"Uncle, I will study hard," Kurenai said, glancing up at Kawakaze. She let out a sigh of relief when she saw his smile.

"Why are you so cute!" Kawakaze exclaimed, ruffling Kurenai's hair.

As Kakashi carefully fixed her hair, Kawakaze couldn't help but feel that childhood sweethearts were truly something special. He felt quite proud of himself for drawing their "marriage line" early. Asuma, you've got no chance here, he thought with amusement.

"Lord Kawakaze."

"Lord Headmaster."

Teachers and students greeted him respectfully as he walked by, their attention quickly shifting to Kakashi and Kurenai. The sight of the two adorable, well-dressed children drew smiles from everyone nearby.

"You continue practicing," Kawakaze said with a nod as he walked past.

"Yes," the Sensei replied, returning to correcting the children's movements. "Continue, move faster, and keep your eyes focused," the instructor said, demonstrating the proper form. Meanwhile, Kawakaze had already entered the office building.

"Uncle, the principal is the most important person in the Academy, right?" Kakashi asked, his young mind still not fully understanding how things worked.

"Yes, why?" Kawakaze looked back at Kakashi, curious about what the boy was thinking.

"Then when I go to school, can you give me a holiday? Just like Dad gave Brother Minato and the others a holiday." Kakashi's logic was simple but clever. He had noticed that Minato and the others, now working under Sakumo, sometimes got breaks.

"Kakashi, that's not right. My father says going to school makes you smart," Shinku Yūhi, a seasoned instructor, has done an excellent job mentoring Kurenai.

"I'm already very smart. I don't need to go to the Academy," Kakashi said stubbornly. He was perfectly content playing at home every day.

"You'd better get that idea out of your head," Kawakaze said with a laugh, ruffling Kakashi's hair. "I'd be happy just not to have to leave you at the Academy every single day."

He then playfully smacked the back of Kakashi's head. You have to nip these bad ideas in the bud, Kawakaze thought. No matter what, Kakashi was a genius, and Kawakaze couldn't let himself lead the boy astray.

"I don't like you anymore, Uncle," Kakashi pouted, his little mouth trembling as tears welled up and started to fall. Kawakaze's smack had actually hurt quite a bit.

"Are you sure you don't like me? Then I'll just leave you at the Academy."

Kawakaze stopped in his tracks and stared at Kakashi without blinking. The little brat is even pouting. Blood is thicker than water but you want to disown me?

"I was wrong," Kakashi admitted.

He glanced around but saw no one nearby to back him up. It was better to swallow his pride and go back to complain to his aunt later.

"Don't think I don't know what you're thinking."

Kawakaze had him dead to rights, easily seeing through the little scheme in Kakashi's mind.

Kurenai giggled softly, covering her mouth with one hand. Kakashi had only himself to blame for this.

"I didn't think anything, and I really know I was wrong," Kakashi said quickly. "I will definitely study hard from now on."

Kakashi, clever and cunning, had guessed that his little secret had been discovered.

"That's more like it." Kawakaze nodded with satisfaction, clearly pleased with how quickly Kakashi admitted his mistake.

Turning on his heel, Kawakaze continued walking toward his office. When he arrived, he went straight to his desk and sat down.

There were still no documents for him to process. He had only come to punch the time card and make it look good. If something important came up, Ei Onoda would naturally find him.

After all, no one in Konoha didn't know where the Hatake Clan was.

"Let me help you."

Kakashi jumped down from Shiromaru's back first and took Kurenai's small hand to help her down.

"Thanks."

Kurenai smiled, her expression radiating a cute charm. Paired with her red eyes, she looked absolutely adorable.

"You're so pretty."

Ignoring the shocked look of his close relative, Kakashi cupped Kurenai's rosy little face in his hands and kissed her.

"Hehe~"

Kurenai didn't seem to mind at all, perhaps not yet understanding the difference between the sexes.

"At such a young age, where did you learn that?" Kawakaze muttered, marveling at how Kakashi, with skills like this, could still be single in the original story.

Knock, knock~

A knock came from the door.

"Come in." Kawakaze quickly took his feet off the table and sat up straight, adopting the proper appearance of a principal.

"Lord Kawakaze, sorry to disturb you."

Ei Onoda pushed open the door, a polite smile on his face. Since the Ninja Academy's reform, he had been incredibly busy. However, his hard work had paid off, and he carried himself with greater confidence at meetings.

This confidence would only grow over time. By the time he retired, he would have taught countless students.

"Vice Principal Onoda, is there something I can help you with?"

Kawakaze didn't put on airs as a leader. After all, it was this little old man who managed the day-to-day affairs of the Academy. If someone like him were to quit, things would be far less comfortable.

"Nothing much, it's just that you haven't been to the Academy for a while," Ei Onoda said. "I wanted to give you an update on the Academy's recent situation."

His actions were understandable. Kawakaze had indeed been away for quite some time, visiting Kirigakure.

"No need to report back. I trust your abilities."

Kawakaze dismissed the idea of listening further. What could possibly be so important about such a small Academy? He didn't want to say outright that he wasn't interested, so he started by offering a bit of praise to the little old man.

"I thank Lord Kawakaze for your trust."

"Whose children are these?"

Only then did Ei Onoda turn his attention to Kakashi and Kurenai. Kakashi's hair color matched Kawakaze's, making it easy to recognize him as a relative. Ei guessed this must be the child of Sakumo. As for Kurenai, he was less certain.

"The son of my Big Brother and the daughter of Shinku Yūhi," Kawakaze explained briefly. "You two, greet him."

Following the instructions, Kakashi and Kurenai obediently stepped forward.

"Hello, Grandpa."

Their greetings were polite, and Ei Onoda was indeed old enough to be their grandfather.

"Good children, you both look very nice."

Ei Onoda smiled kindly at them. His own grandchildren were a little older than these two.

"I've just bought some food; I'll go get it for you."

Without waiting for a response from Kawakaze, he left the room. Moments later, Ei Onoda returned with snacks, all of which had been intended for his eldest grandson.

"Thank you, Grandpa."

Kakashi and Kurenai expressed their gratitude after accepting the snacks, with Kawakaze making no effort to stop them. They remained polite and well-mannered in front of outsiders.

"You're welcome," Ei Onoda replied, patting their heads. The more he looked at them, the more he liked them.

"I have some things to do, so I'll be going now," Ei Onoda said, bidding farewell to Kawakaze before leaving the room.

By the time the door closed, Kakashi and Kurenai were already eating their snacks. They seemed delighted, taking turns feeding each other. Occasionally, Kakashi would offer some to Shiromaru, who wagged his tail and spun in happy circles in response.

"Two gluttonous kids," Kawakaze chuckled, shaking his head.

Children always loved snacks, no matter where they were. He let them enjoy themselves without worry. Relaxing, he put his feet up on the desk and closed his eyes to rest.

In this way, noon finally arrived, and Kawakaze took the two children home. He returned them to their respective mothers, feeling an immense sense of relief.

As the days passed, Kawakaze's life returned to its usual rhythm. His greatest joy was working alongside Tsunade to strengthen the Hatake Clan numbers. Together, they also dreamed of having a child of their own in the near future.