"Lord Third Hokage, even if Kurenai Yuhi is unavailable, surely you could have sent a chunin proficient in genjutsu to instruct him," said an ANBU squad leader, puzzled as he approached the Third Hokage after Shishou left.
The Third Hokage sighed, waving his hand dismissively. "These are minor matters, not worth fretting over."
Watching his leader's retreating figure, the squad leader still couldn't understand why the Hokage had lowered himself so much. However, the Third Hokage's mind was on larger issues—Akatsuki lurking outside, Danzo causing trouble within, and with Tsunade and Jiraiya absent for years, the village's stability rested heavily on his shoulders. In such times, offending an ally like Lurigan was the last thing he wanted to do, especially after already crossing him once.
"Is that Tsunade?" The Third Hokage's eyes widened in disbelief as he saw her familiar figure approaching the village gate.
"Tsunade-sama..."
"It really is Tsunade-sama!"
"Tsunade-sama has returned?"
"And Shizune is with her..."
The ninjas behind the Third Hokage were buzzing with excitement.
"Tsunade-sama, it's Lord Third Hokage," Shizune whispered, pulling at Tsunade's sleeve and pointing toward the forest's edge near the village gate.
Tsunade paused, seeing her old mentor, and felt a pang of nostalgia. He looked much older now. With a mixture of emotions, she stepped forward and greeted him with a smile, "Sensei, I'm back."
Tears welled up in the Third Hokage's eyes, and he whispered, "It's good to have you back, it's good to have you back..."
The next day, at the Yamanaka household, Ino was buzzing with excitement.
"Shishou-nii, did you hear? Tsunade-sama returned to the village last night!" she exclaimed, her eyes shining.
The legendary Sannin, Tsunade, was an idol to many young kunoichi in Konoha, including Ino.
"Really?" Shishou feigned surprise, although he had already seen her.
He was there at Ino's invitation, enjoying a meal with her family and their friends—Hinata Hyuga, Shikamaru Nara, Choji Akimichi, Naruto Uzumaki, Kiba Inuzuka, and Shino Aburame. This was their close-knit circle, all children of notable shinobi.
Outside in the yard, Naruto, Choji, and Kiba were playing with Akamaru while Shino studied the insects in the garden. Shishou, Ino, and Hinata were chatting in the living room, with Shikamaru sprawled on the couch.
"Of course, it's true!" Ino said, her excitement growing with Shishou's reaction.
"Yeah, I heard too," Hinata added. Thanks to Shishou's guidance, she was no longer as shy and withdrawn, though she still blushed around him.
"Pfft, I saw her last night," Naruto called from the yard, sounding unimpressed. "She's nothing special, just like any other woman."
Ino shot up, glaring at Naruto. "Naruto, how dare you insult Tsunade-sama! Apologize!"
Naruto, recalling the pain from Tsunade's forehead flick the night before, quickly backed down. "S-sorry..."
Shikamaru, always quick to avoid conflict, sighed and suggested, "Come on, Naruto, apologize properly."
"Fine, sorry," Naruto muttered, sensing that arguing further would only get him into more trouble.
Satisfied, Ino sat back down, continuing her conversation with Shishou and Hinata. Naruto, now freed from confrontation, lay next to Shikamaru, grumbling about his strict living conditions at the Third Hokage's residence.
Neither Shishou nor Shikamaru responded, knowing Naruto's unique situation was not something they could easily discuss. After all, an ANBU squad was always stationed nearby to keep an eye on him.
"Time to eat!" called Ino's mother, Yamanaka Naho, as she emerged from the kitchen. Her golden hair and graceful figure mirrored Ino's.
"Yay! Food!" Naruto cheered, scrambling to his feet.
"Quiet down, Naruto!" Kiba scolded, walking in with Akamaru on his head.
"Woof!" Akamaru barked in agreement.
"Everyone to the table," Shikamaru prompted, pointing to Shishou who was already seated next to Naho. "See, Shishou is ready."
"Hurry up, or we'll start without you," Ino added from the kitchen.
Half an hour later, their meal finished, the group moved on to their next activity—shopping. Shikamaru was the first to bail out, finding it too troublesome.
In no time, Kiba, Naruto, and Shishou followed suit. Shishou didn't mind accompanying Ino and Hinata, but the group had grown too large for his liking.
"Fine, Hinata and I will go by ourselves!" Ino declared, dragging Hinata away without waiting for her consent.
"Shino, Choji, let's go," Shikamaru said, leading them to Naruto's old apartment where they found Shishou, Naruto, and Kiba playing cards in the warmth. Naruto's face was already plastered with losing cards.
"Yawn..." Naruto was the first to succumb to drowsiness from the warm heater, quickly followed by the others. Soon, the entire group was asleep on the wooden floor, even Shishou, who leaned against Naruto and closed his eyes.
The ANBU squad outside glanced in and, seeing nothing amiss, left them alone.
In the quiet, Shishou activated his Sharingan and slipped into Naruto's subconscious, entering the sealed Nine-Tails' chamber.