In the Senju territory, Tatsuma sneaked around and cautiously made his way towards Mito's house.
Although he had considered making a run for it to save his own life. Disappearing completely, not returning home on New Year's Eve, or rather, the last day of the year, might not just bring the pursuit teams of ANBU after Tatsuma. It might also bring about Mito's Adamantine Chains.
Mito, usually gentle and kind, was terrifying when angry. Tatsuma still vividly remembered the scene where Tsunade was defeated by her.
Compared to being beaten up by Tsunade, Mito's method of punishment, which involved her Adamantine Chains, aimed to kill, was obviously more frightening. Therefore, after much thought, Tatsuma decided to come back.
Even if he was caught by Tsunade before finding Mito, he could bear the consequences. But if he was lucky enough to find Mito first and hide by her side, then even Tsunade wouldn't dare to lay a hand on Tatsuma.
Tatsuma didn't sense Mito's chakra, which made him somewhat worried. Although Mito didn't often leave her home, what if there was some activity on New Year's Eve?
For this kind of common knowledge that is known to many people, Tatsuma was actually quite ignorant. If Mito needed to leave on New Year's Eve, then he would not only have to sneak in but also continue to hide.
Fortunately, his experience in ANBU over the past few months had improved Tatsuma's stealth abilities. He hadn't been seen by anyone all the way to his own home. Slowly, he found a wall and quietly climbed over.
"Back already?"
Before he even landed, Tatsuma heard the voice, which startled him so much that he almost sprained his foot when he landed. Looking around in alarm, he saw Mito dressed in formal attire, smiling at him.
"Grandma Mito? How come I didn't sense your chakra?"
Tatsuma was puzzled. He had been sensing all along, and Mito's chakra, bright as the sun, was something he couldn't have missed.
Mito shook her head with a smile and said, "This is the talent of my Uzumaki Clan."
Upon hearing this, Tatsuma suddenly remembered that during the original Five Kage Summit, Karin, also a descendant of the Uzumaki Clan, had demonstrated a similar ability, hiding her chakra so that sensory ninja couldn't detect her presence.
But then Tatsuma became puzzled again. After all, Mito didn't usually hide her chakra.
Seeing Tatsuma's confusion, Mito explained, "Your sensei has already been caught by me. I just wanted to see if you would dare to come back if I wasn't here. It seems you're quite brave."
Tatsuma smiled awkwardly but still spoke up for Tsunade, saying, "Grandma Mito, sensei was just upset because she felt deceived by me. There's no need to use such harsh words like 'caught,' right?"
"Hmph!"
Mito's face showed displeasure as she said, "Every gathering and release of Yin Seal requires a lot of time and energy to prepare. Yet she abuses it like this, it's really childish."
Tatsuma scratched his head, feeling somewhat worried for his sensei after Mito attributed all blame to Tsunade. He knew Tsunade had a hot temper, though he himself had a gentler approach. However, Shadow Clones weren't always obedient.
When in action, Shadow Clones had their own subjective consciousness. This was one reason why they were less controllable compared to Wood Clones, and also why they were rarely used for administrative tasks. After all, if a Shadow Clone made decisions conflicting with the original's intentions, who would take responsibility?
Even though such occurrences were rare because Shadow Clones were manifestations of the caster's chakra and usually aligned with the original's mindset, no one dared to take chances.
Mito noticed Tatsuma's concern and smiled, saying, "Before the New Year's Day, there won't be any conflicts at home. Your sensei will be fine."
Tatsuma nodded. There were still eleven days until New Year's Day. As long as Tsunade managed to placate Mito within that time, she probably wouldn't face any punishment.
In typical households, they wouldn't wait until New Year's Day to resume cooking, as relying on takeout for ten days, even with special New Year's cuisine, would be quite costly. So, usually, families could start cooking again by the third day of the new year.
However, Mito had no shortage of money. While she might not have a lot of cash on hand, if she requested it, the village would make proper arrangements for her. If she wanted ten days of New Year's cuisine, the village would provide it for ten days.
Mito waved to Tatsuma and said, "Let's go. Minato and the others will be coming later. You should go and hang up the door curtain first."
"Alright, Grandma Mito."
Tatsuma quickly went to Mito's side, recalling some palace dramas he had seen in his past life. He reached out to help Mito, who was momentarily surprised but then placed her hand on Tatsuma's arm.
As they stood up, she said, "I'm not so old that I need assistance to stand up. Don't do this in the future. It's improper."
Although Mito told Tatsuma not to do it again, her smile only grew richer. She could sense that Tatsuma's respect for her far surpassed that of her own unruly grandchildren. Her grandson was out training even on New Year's Eve, and her granddaughter had her eyes set on the meager rewards their disciples earned with their lives on the battlefield. It was simply unacceptable!
If it weren't New Year's Eve, a time when seeing blood was considered unlucky, Mito would have been tempted to give Tsunade a scolding. A mere time out was too lenient!
Helping Mito back to the hall, Tatsuma noticed Tsunade standing in the corner, facing the wall in reflection. Upon hearing movement, Tsunade turned her head, about to glare at Tatsuma, only to be met with a quicker, stern gaze from Mito.
In an instant, Tsunade became like a startled ostrich, quickly facing the wall again, deeply burying her head.
Once Mito returned, she began preparing essential New Year's items like mirror cakes and paper garlands. Tatsuma picked up the door curtain, hanging it on the room's door and the main entrance, while also tidying up the newly fallen scattered leaves.
"Alright, Tsunade, you can stop standing for now. Minato and Kushina should be here soon."
After lunch, Mito didn't make Tsunade stand again. Tsunade breathed a sigh of relief. Being made to stand in front of her own disciple was embarrassing enough, but it had its limits.
If Minato and Kushina found out, it would be too shameful. Fortunately, her grandmother still cared for her.
Mito continued to stay in the hall, doing some simple tasks. Tsunade, on the other hand, lay resting on the chair. After finishing cleaning up the dishes, Tatsuma went to the veranda and gestured to Tsunade inside the house.
Tsunade frowned. She hadn't even settled the score with Tatsuma yet, and he was already approaching her? He had some nerve!
But she still glanced nervously at Mito. Seeing that Mito was still pondering whether to throw away some old teacups, Tsunade stealthily tiptoed out.
"Here, sensei, this is for you."
Tatsuma pulled out several white envelopes and handed them to Tsunade. Tsunade took them, feeling the texture, immediately realizing what they were. She raised an eyebrow and said, "Is this all? It's not enough."
"These aren't for you. You won't be getting New Year's money this year, and you're the one who's supposed to give it out since you're the head of the clan now."
Shaking his head, Tatsuma explained. Tsunade paused for a moment, then suddenly remembered that she was indeed the head of the clan now. But she had only submitted a proposal! No one told her that being the head of the clan meant giving out New Year's money to others! How unfair!
Before Tsunade could recover from the shock, Tatsuma continued, "Me, Minato, and Kushina each get five hundred. Nawaki gets six hundred. I'm not sure about the amount for Grandma Mito, but I prepared three thousand, give or take. Be careful not to mix them up. Oh, and I also prepared some New Year gifts. Take them and give them to everyone."
With that, Tatsuma pulled out another scroll and handed it to Tsunade. Tsunade looked at the item in her arms and said, "Did you prepare a gift for me too?"
Although her disciple had prepared gifts for others, which made Tsunade feel relieved, the thought that everyone else had New Year's money and gifts while she had nothing made her heart ache.
"What do you want then, sensei?"
"Money!"
Without hesitation, Tsunade said, but Tatsuma shook his head and replied, "I don't have money, but I got you this."
"'Taking the First Step in Quitting Gambling' by Sakamoto Tatsuma!!!"
As Tsunade looked at the "gift" Tatsuma handed her, black lines appeared on her forehead. Tatsuma flashed a contagious smile and said, "Sensei, I think Grandma Mito's calling me. Goodbye!"
With that said, Tatsuma dashed away. Mito hadn't actually called him; Tatsuma just wanted to avoid Tsunade potentially losing her temper again. Returning home, he took a thorough shower.
Tomorrow, I can't take a bath all day, and I can't even change clothes because both bathing and changing clothes involve taking off one's clothes, which is considered unlucky.
In previous years, Tatsuma didn't adhere to these customs, but since moving into the Senju compound and with Mito attaching importance to these matters, he had no choice.
After bathing, making an effort to blow his hair smooth, Tatsuma reluctantly changed into a fitting but somewhat restrictive kimono. It was only his second time wearing such formal attire, so he still felt uncomfortable, but it was just for a day or two, so he could endure.
When he returned to Mito's home, Nawaki had also returned, having similarly bathed, though he hadn't bothered to dry his hair and instead changed into clothes to join Mito in the hall for a chat.
Minato and Kushina had also arrived. Minato was also dressed in a kimono, exactly the same style as Tatsuma and Nawaki's, all custom-made by Mito, except Minato's clothes lacked the emblem of the Senju clan.
Kushina looked somewhat uncomfortable, occasionally adjusting her clothes and flicking her red hair, trying to cover the Uzumaki emblem on her clothes, which was identical to the Konoha Ninja forehead protector symbol.
The New Year's Eve dinner was very simple, just buckwheat noodles. Even the chopsticks were different from usual, with thick middles and thin rounded ends. Nobody ate their fill at this meal, but that was the tradition.
After dinner, everyone didn't disperse but silently watched Tsunade, even Mito, who usually distributed the New Year's money, had a gentle smile on her face.
Tsunade didn't have the joy of the New Year on her face. Her hands tightly clenched the envelopes Tatsuma had given her under the table.
She really wanted to pretend not to know, take this money and leave directly, to go to the casino and win big! Then she could use the money she won to give everyone New Year's money.
The envelopes in her hands were all wrinkled from her tight grip. Finally, she gritted her teeth, stood up, and presented the envelopes, showing the battle-worn versions.
Handing the most generous one to Mito, Tsunade said, "Happy New Year, Grandma."
"Hmm."
Mito smiled as she accepted it, gently smoothing the envelope with her hand. She handed out the largest one and the remaining 2100 Ryo, Tsunade gave to Nawaki and the others without feeling so reluctant.
There were also New Year gifts prepared by Tatsuma: tea leaves for Mito, a weighted ring for Nawaki, a hair accessory for Kushina, and custom-made Kunai for Tatsuma and Minato.
Once again penniless, Tsunade sat back in her seat feeling lost. Just when she thought it was all over, Mito suddenly said in a soft voice, "Over the past two years, the village has lost many people, some of whom were once your clan members. Some of them have young children or elderly parents. You need to visit them."
Upon hearing this, Tsunade's face turned pale. Today's New Year's money and gifts were all contributed by Tatsuma, her disciple. And now she was being told to go and give New Year's money to others as well?!
She stiffly turned her head to look at Tatsuma. Tatsuma's facial muscles were twitching, but eventually, he nodded at Tsunade.
Who is really in charge of the Senju clan's affairs after all?!
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