Sarutobi Hiruzen ended a day's hard work, put away his crystal ball, and the excitement on his face gradually faded.
He returned home.
His wife, Sarutobi Biwako, had already prepared dinner and was waiting for him.
"Dad!" Sarutobi Asuma greeted him enthusiastically.
"You seem a bit different today."
Sarutobi Hiruzen keenly sensed his hidden nervousness, and this attitude was quite strange. Usually, Asuma would pretend to be mature and cold.
"No, nothing." Asuma quickly shook his head.
Sarutobi Hiruzen narrowed his eyes but didn't ask further.
After dinner, he went to the study.
A moment later, there was a knock on the door.
"Come in."
Sarutobi Hiruzen looked up, already sensing that the person outside was Asuma.
As the door opened, Asuma entered, carrying a basin of water.
"Dad, let me wash your feet."
Sarutobi Hiruzen found it incredible.
Was this really his son?
He knew his rebellious nature, and it was impossible for him to be so obedient.
"What's going on with you today?"
Asuma didn't answer. He set down the foot basin and reached out to take off Sarutobi Hiruzen's shoes.
The only issue was the strong smell.
But remembering what Teacher Haruki said, he endured it and soaked Sarutobi Hiruzen's feet in the warm water.
Asuma breathed a sigh of relief. The frostbitten feet were full of wrinkles and very uncomfortable to look at, but he suddenly had a realization.
"Teacher Haruki asked me to do this."
"Haruki?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen was taken aback, but seeing Asuma's serious expression, he couldn't help but feel a bit sentimental.
As the Hokage, he had done many things that couldn't be seen, but in the face of his son's growth, he still reverted to the role of a father.
"Yeah, the teacher said to ask you to participate in the basketball game in a week. I was afraid you wouldn't go, so the teacher asked me to wash your feet."
"How thoughtful."
Sarutobi Hiruzen patted Asuma's head, enjoying the rare family warmth.
At the same time, he was even more pleased with Haruki.
He regretted that Haruki was not his disciple.
In Sarutobi Hiruzen's mind, Haruki could now almost stand shoulder to shoulder with Tsunade.
He was one of Konoha's most trustworthy protectors.
"What is a basketball game?"
"You don't know?" Asuma wiped the water off his hands and handed "Slam Dunk" to Sarutobi Hiruzen.
"Haruki again?" Seeing the familiar name, Sarutobi Hiruzen couldn't help but laugh, "This guy always comes up with new things."
Without further ado, he started reading.
His speed was very fast.
A short while later, he had already understood the rules of basketball.
"This sport is quite good. It not only trains individual abilities but also enhances team coordination."
Sarutobi Hiruzen pondered, thinking further as the Hokage.
There were group lessons in the ninja academy to increase the cooperation between ninjas.
But the courses were monotonous, mainly team battle drills.
And a basketball game was evidently more interesting and challenging.
According to basketball rules, it meant that the participants must precisely control their chakra.
For genin, large-scale battles were obviously not suitable.
"Right?" Asuma was delighted to hear his father's words and proudly said, "Dad, let me tell you, I was appointed by Teacher Haruki as the basketball team captain!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen smiled.
Haruki is truly my most trusted person.
He's so considerate.
"Then I definitely can't miss it."
"You'll see, I'll definitely dominate the game!" Asuma clenched his small fists and promised.
...
At the same time, Haruki was also talking to Tsunade about basketball.
"Are you interested in playing basketball?"
"Ball?" Tsunade immediately became alert, "Why are you asking?"
"?" Haruki was puzzled but still said, "If you're interested, I can accompany you to play."
"Not interested." Tsunade stepped back and shook her head.
Haruki nodded, not thinking much about it. It was normal for girls not to like basketball.
At this moment, Tsunade realized her misunderstanding.
To ease her embarrassment, she asked, "Anything interesting today?"
"Interesting?" Haruki reached out and pinched her face, "It's not interesting when I can't see you."
"Stop it." Tsunade grabbed his hand and glared at him, "I'm seriously asking you."
"You seem very happy." Haruki shrugged, "You obviously like to hear me talk nonsense."
"Do you want to say a few more words?" Tsunade showed a sweet smile and placed her fist in front of Haruki.
Danger!
A big word "danger" appeared in his mind.
Haruki's eyes rolled, and he asked, "Are you hungry?"
"Don't change the subject... ah, what are you doing?"
Tsunade suddenly exclaimed.
Just now, Haruki had lifted her shirt and reached his hand inside, touching her belly.
She felt a chill.
But then, it was embarrassment.
"Who told you to stop talking? I'm checking if your stomach is empty."
Haruki's expression was serious, but his hands didn't stop, enjoying the delicate touch.
"Haruki!" Tsunade shouted angrily.
"No need to shout, I can hear you."
Haruki quickly withdrew his hand, then held her face gently and affectionately, as if holding the most precious treasure.
Tsunade was stunned by his deep gaze.
And Haruki bit her lightly.
The moisture on her lips reflected the light.
He sniffed his fingertips and said, "Tonight, we'll have strawberry cream cake."
Then he used the Body Flicker Technique to escape.
Leaving Tsunade, who hadn't reacted, standing there.
"This guy..."
She touched her face, feeling it burning.
Although she was a decisive person, she was completely at his mercy.
But she didn't dislike it.
This tenderness and seriousness made her feel deeply in love.
"Ah woo~"
Tsunade covered her face and made a cute sound. At this moment, she was like a girl in love.
Haruki opened the refrigerator.
Making strawberry cream cake wasn't difficult.
The cake was ready-made. He spread the cream and decorated it with strawberries, completing today's dessert.
He thought for a moment and added a line of words.
"Tsunade." Haruki brought out the cake.
"Coming."
Tsunade answered while rubbing her cheeks, trying to calm down. At the table, she saw the words on the cake.
"A love confession?"
She couldn't help but laugh, "Hey, this is the most shameless and cheeky love confession I've ever seen."
"Strawberries are red, cream is white, cake is sweet, and so are you."
Haruki picked up a strawberry with a fork and asked with a smile, "Do you want me to feed you?"
"I'm not a child." Tsunade came back to her senses, glared at him, grabbed the knife and fork, and bit into a strawberry.
"..." Haruki pursed his lips. Doesn't she know what romance is!
In the next moment, Tsunade's small mouth moved closer, and he felt a strawberry being pushed into his mouth.
Tsunade straightened up, licked her lips, and asked, "Is it sweet?"