"Uncle, Auntie."
The three children didn't wait for Kawakaze to introduce them and called out enthusiastically.
"Hello! No need to be formal. Treat this as your own home from now on."
The sparsely populated Hatake Clan was now bustling with activity, and Nayuki's maternal warmth overflowed. Tears of tenderness filled her eyes.
"Yes." The three children looked at the beautiful and kind Nayuki, their hearts moved as tears glistened in their eyes.
"Butler, arrange them near the water gate," Kawakaze instructed without even glancing up.
Meanwhile, Kakashi flailed his arms and legs in Kawakaze's embrace, his face glowing with joy. If he knew how extraordinary his four older siblings would become in the future, he'd probably jump for joy.
Without exaggeration, they were all Kage-level in strength. In time, he would be able to walk proudly across the ninja world and tell people: "This is my brother Minato." and "This is my other brother Nagato."
...
The butler always appeared promptly whenever the master family needed assistance.
"Yes, Second Young Master."
"The three young masters and I will go," he replied with a polite nod.
The creepy butler wore a kind smile as he led the three young masters to their accommodations.
"I heard from your Big Brother that there will be more battles?" Nayuki asked, her tone tinged with concern. She trusted Sakumo, but asking Kawakaze for confirmation always brought her peace of mind.
"The ultimate goal of the Daimyō's martial arts faction isn't the small Land of Rain," Kawakaze explained calmly.
"So the next clash between the great powers will be the real event."
Kawakaze nodded thoughtfully. Perhaps the Third Hokage was already discussing the next war with the Daimyō.
"Sigh, I wonder how long this will last," Nayuki said with a soft sigh. She worried Kakashi wouldn't get to spend much time with his father. Still, with Kawakaze's disciples around, the house wouldn't be too quiet.
"I'll be back after the war," Sakumo said firmly, taking a sip of tea. It was clear he intended to fight on the front lines.
"Let's not dwell on that now. It's better to focus on happy moments when you return," Kawakaze interjected. "Just look at how happy Kakashi is."
"I'll invite everyone over tonight for a party," Kawakaze added, pinching Kakashi's cheeks and making him giggle.
Nayuki and Sakumo couldn't help but smile, their son's laughter infectious. For a while, the family basked in happiness, leaving the heavy topics unspoken.
...
In the evening, Kawakaze invited many friends to gather at his home for a lively celebration.
Tsunade, having completed her analysis of the antidote's composition, had delegated its preparation to the hospital staff. Soon, the poisoned Konoha ninja would receive the treatment, thanks to the Third Hokage's generous funding. Tsunade's earlier worry gave way to joy as she accepted the large sum of money allocated for her work.
This time, the Hatake Clan's banquet was much larger, with nearly twenty attendees, both adults and children. Among them were the Yūhi family, Duy family, Jiraiya, Orochimaru, Nawaki and even Kushina.
Sakumo, hosting the event, sat at the head of the table with a warm smile.
"Welcome, everyone. Please make yourselves at home. There's plenty of food and sake," he said, raising a toast to the group.
Shinku Yūhi, unaccustomed to such strong alcohol, felt a bit unwell after his first drink. Meanwhile, the three women gathered together, chatting about parenting tips while holding their children.
Kakashi and Kurenai clapped their hands happily, but Guy, unable to join in, looked a bit anxious and eager to fit in.
"I plan to go to the Ryūchi Cave," Orochimaru declared after a few rounds of sake, revealing his plans.
"I'm heading to Mount Myōboku again," Jiraiya chimed in. He had yet to find the Child of the Prophecy and hoped to learn more from the Toad Sage. Both men had been inspired by Kawakaze's mastery of Senjutsu, prompting them to pursue their own paths.
"So, you won't be joining us on our next mission?" Kawakaze asked, noting how events were still unfolding much like the original story. Orochimaru had distanced himself from battles following Nawaki's death, and Jiraiya had remained in Amegakure.
"I've already informed Sensei," Orochimaru replied, his tone cold. "Besides, you and Tsunade are still here." A faint smirk crossed his lips—he was not someone the Third Hokage could easily control.
"Kawakaze, you'll guide Nawaki's next steps, won't you?" Orochimaru added.
"Of course," Kawakaze replied. As Nawaki's brother-in-law, he fully intended to train him well.
"I've also told Sensei that further improving my Senjutsu will take time," Jiraiya remarked. Though he had spent the past three years training hard, he was still working on his proficiency.
"Then I wish you both success," Kawakaze said, raising his glass.
Tsunade, listening intently, had no intention of hindering their pursuits. She understood that strength was the foundation of a ninja's survival. Still, a part of her yearned to grow stronger herself—though she hadn't yet figured out how.
"Let's drink together," Kawakaze said, raising his cup. The four clinked their cups and drained them in unison.
The sake pouring team had expanded from two to four, bustling around the table with such energy that it made eating peacefully nearly impossible.
Nagato's eyes remained hidden behind his hair. Occasionally, he had the urge to lift it, but his Sensei's advice echoed in his mind—it was better to conceal them until he had sufficient strength.
Wherever sake ran low, the pouring team rushed in to refill. Yahiko, ever sincere, filled Kawakaze's cup to the brim, earning a sharp glare in return.
Meanwhile, Konan and Kushina laughed and ate together. Close in age, the two had quickly become friends, just like the six children at the table who already shared a bond.
As more sake flowed, the meal grew livelier. The atmosphere at the table was festive, with jars of sake emptied one after another.
However, the cheerful chaos was a stark contrast to the quiet tension in the Hokage building.
The Third Hokage remained hard at work, listening as an Anbu reported.
"A group of Jōnin are gathering at the Hatake Clan. Do you still want them monitored?"
The Anbu ninja asked with a stoic expression and tone uneasy, knowing full well this was far from a safe task.
"No need," the Third Hokage replied with a calm smile, dismissing him with a wave. After the Anbu disappeared, he took a long puff from his pipe, releasing the smoke with a quiet mutter.
"Tsunade, don't let Sensei down."
He now pinned his hopes on Tsunade. Orochimaru, however, remained under scrutiny. Yet, in his mind, all of this was about the future—the transition of Hokage only comes after one's passing.
The Third Hokage glanced out the window. The sky had long turned dark, yet his work was far from over. Shaking his head with a resigned smile, he returned to his papers.
Back at the Hatake Clan, the sake party wound down. The table was left in disarray, and the servants quietly began cleaning up.
At the front gate, Kawakaze and Sakumo stood to see off the guests.
"Let's get together again sometime."
"Sure."
...
As they watched the others leave, in the blink of an eye, only Tsunade and Kushina remained.
"Sister, you stay a little longer. I'll go back with Kushina first," Nawaki said, ever the ideal brother-in-law. After bidding farewell to Kushina and Minato, he walked ahead with her.
Kawakaze couldn't help but smile to himself, feeling impressed by Nawaki's good judgment.
"Sensei, Sensei, we're heading back now," Minato said as he gathered the three children. Recognizing the shift in the atmosphere, they knew it was no longer a place for them. Sakumo had already made a hasty retreat, further proving the point.
"Go ahead," Kawakaze replied with a wave, silently praising his disciples for their tact.
"Tsunade, let's sit a while longer," Kawakaze said, glancing at her. "I think I may still have some aftereffects from my fight with Hanzō."
He lied effortlessly, without a flicker of guilt. That fight was ages ago—what aftereffects?
Tsunade saw through him immediately, rolling her eyes in exasperation. "Get me some dessert," she said with a sigh, heading first toward the Hatake Clan's main house.
"Okay."
Kawakaze felt a rush of excitement. Today was an excellent opportunity—one he couldn't let slip by.
"Butler, bring dessert," he called, hastily catching up to Tsunade as they made their way toward the meditation room.
"Yes, young master," the butler's voice rang out, though he was nowhere to be seen. Still, his tone carried unwavering assurance, reaching Kawakaze's ears clearly.