Chapter 287: Family Feast

Nawaki parted ways with Kawakaze at the intersection, and Kawakaze followed Tsunade to the Hokage Building. He still hadn't had enough of sharing the good news.

As soon as they entered the building, Kawakaze was ready to show off. Tsunade smiled softly, watching him act so goofy and wrapped in a deep sense of happiness.

After receiving a full share of blessings, the two arrived at the office. Poor Shōta was hopelessly buried under a mountain of documents.

"Lady Hokage, you've come at last," Shōta said hurriedly, standing up and bringing a few documents over to Tsunade. "Take a look at these documents quickly."

Before Tsunade could respond, Kawakaze stepped in and quickly took over.

"Be careful in the future," Kawakaze said, patting Shōta on the shoulder. "Tsunade's pregnant."

Then he glanced at the documents, realizing they were about important matters that required the Hokage's decision.

"Really? Congratulations to the both of you," Shōta said, his face lighting up with joy before his expression quickly fell.

I am already exhausted—and now I have to step it up even more? Perfect. Just perfect.

"The capable work more," Kawakaze said, noticing Shōta's expression and trying to reassure him. "The worst that can happen is I help out more in the future."

If this assistant quit, he'd be completely doomed.

Shōta could only sigh and agree. "Lord Kawakaze, you're the one who said that," he replied, though he trusted Kawakaze's abilities.

"I heard what he said," Tsunade finally chimed in, her voice light with amusement. She could almost see herself escaping the endless piles of work.

If I had known this would happen, I would've gotten pregnant sooner.

"With Tsunade's promise, you should feel at ease," Kawakaze said casually, unaware of the kind of life he would soon face.

"That's fine then," Shōta nodded with satisfaction and turned back to his seat.

"Grandma said you should rest today," Kawakaze said as he helped Tsunade sit down at the desk, clearly showing off to Shōta, the bachelor.

"She just got pregnant. Is that really necessary?" Shōta muttered under his breath, but Kawakaze still heard him.

"You're not married, so you wouldn't understand," Kawakaze retorted, delivering another jab at Shōta.

"Fine, forget it," Shōta quickly said, fearing Kawakaze would continue.

"You'll understand when you experience it yourself," Kawakaze said earnestly, speaking like someone who had been through it all. His smug expression was infuriating.

Shōta chose to ignore him, leaving Kawakaze no choice but to give up.

"I'll handle these documents. You just watch," Kawakaze said, pulling a chair over and sitting next to Tsunade with an air of self-importance.

"Good," Tsunade replied, happy that it didn't matter whether Kawakaze attended the Academy or not.

Time passed slowly, and Kawakaze seemed like a different person today. He worked diligently on the documents, leaving Tsunade with nothing to worry about. As the sun set in the west, he stretched, signaling the end of a productive day.

"What do you think? I'm still pretty good, right?" Kawakaze asked smugly as he organized the processed documents, clearly fishing for praise from Tsunade.

"Not bad. You deserve a reward," Tsunade replied without holding back her approval.

"That's right! You should know who I am," Kawakaze said with a wide, self-satisfied grin.

It's only been half a day. What's there to be smug about? Shōta thought to himself, silently cursing Kawakaze but keeping his mouth shut this time.

"Shōta," Kawakaze called out, startling him.

"What is it, Lord Kawakaze?" Shōta asked, stopping his writing and replying calmly.

"We're almost done here, so we'll be heading back first," Kawakaze said as he and Tsunade began tidying up the desk.

"Okay, I'll be going back later too," Shōta replied, relieved it was just a false alarm and letting out a small sigh.

"Don't stay up too late. Your health is important," Tsunade said kindly before leaving.

Shōta had always been conscientious and responsible at work, and Tsunade had noticed. Yet, she wondered how long "just a little while" would stretch on for him.

"I know, Lady Hokage," Shōta said with a smile, waving them off. He didn't mind the work—in fact, he enjoyed it a little.

As Kawakaze and Tsunade left the house, Shōta found himself musing that it might be time to find a wife.

After all, I can't stay single forever—not with that couple constantly flirting around me!

By the time Kawakaze and Tsunade returned to the Senju house, it was just before dinner. Kushina was already back and chatting with Misaki in the living room.

"Sister Tsunade, I heard you're pregnant!" Kushina exclaimed recklessly, rushing over without a second thought.

Just like Kakashi, she placed her hand directly on Tsunade's stomach. Feeling it curiously, she lowered her head, planning to press her ear against it to listen.

"Okay, are you stupid?"

"I've only been pregnant a few days; you wouldn't hear anything yet," Tsunade replied with a laugh, gently placing her hand on Kushina's crimson hair.

"Fine," Kushina shrugged and gave up.

"Where's Nawaki?" Kawakaze asked, a little surprised not to see him. The boy usually followed Misaki around the house unless he was sleeping.

"Nawaki ordered the cake and went to pick it up," Misaki explained. "He said he wanted to celebrate today."

"That boy..." Tsunade trailed off, but the growing smile on her face said everything.

Perhaps hearing the voices, Mito emerged from the dining room.

"You're here," she greeted. "It's been years since I cooked. I don't know if it still suits your appetite."

Mito had personally cooked today and made a few special dishes for Tsunade.

"I'm so jealous. Grandma has never cooked for me," Kushina teased, standing to the side.

She didn't seem to consider how old Mito had been when she first arrived or how uninterested the elder had been in cooking at that time. Besides, these dishes might not really be for Tsunade. They might be for the great-grandson in her belly.

"Grandma, you're too good to me," Tsunade exclaimed, throwing Kawakaze aside and running up to hug Mito.

When she was little, her favorite meals were the ones Mito cooked, though she hadn't inherited her grandmother's culinary skills.

"That's enough. You'll be happy when you taste how delicious it is," Mito said, gently pushing Tsunade away. Despite her words, her expression showed clear confidence in her cooking.

"My grandmother's cooking is definitely delicious," Tsunade said, holding Mito's hand like a child.

"I haven't even had grandma's cooking that many times," Nawaki chimed in as he entered the living room, carrying a cake.

"Don't make it sound like grandma is biased," Mito interjected. "I loved making snacks when you were little, but later I got lazy and stopped cooking for you."

She reminisced about Nawaki's childhood, and the room filled with laughter.

"I was ignorant back then. It's on me for not appreciating it," Nawaki admitted with a sheepish smirk.

"It must have been your fault! And then you complained that my cooking was bad," Tsunade said indignantly.

"Sister, let's be reasonable here," Nawaki retorted. "Your cooking is terrible, and you expect me not to dislike it?"

He clearly recalled being young and vomiting after Tsunade forced him to eat her cooking. Ironically, she had also vomited afterward.

"Say that again?" Tsunade snapped, pointing a finger at Nawaki, her temper flaring as an old grudge resurfaced.

"Haha!" Everyone watching the sibling quarrel burst into laughter.

The atmosphere was warm and lively even before the family banquet had begun.