After returning victorious from the Land of Rain, Konoha had settled into a rare period of calm.
Kawakaze and Tsunade frequently engaged in "deep discussions about the sparsely populated Hatake Clan".
This issue weighed heavily on Tsunade, and the two of them maintained a disciplined routine, resting at sunset and rising with the sun.
The well-rested Tsunade made remarkable progress in her research, largely because Kawakaze was no longer allowed unrestricted access to her lab. Once Hashirama's Cells were successfully cultivated, Tsunade set aside time to extract Kawakaze's blood and begin a cell fusion experiment.
Kawakaze was thrilled at the prospect, as if Wood Release were within his grasp. However, progress was slow, as evidenced by Tsunade's daily frustration. Kawakaze began to fear that gaining Wood Release might not happen anytime soon.
He turned his attention to Orochimaru, believing that the combination of Orochimaru's brilliance and Tsunade's expertise could yield extraordinary results. Unfortunately, Orochimaru had already left for Ryūchi Cave to undergo the Senjutsu test.
Meanwhile, the three children under Nagato's care were making remarkable progress, already capable of basic Ninjutsu. Kawakaze encouraged Konan to focus on her origami techniques, providing her with numerous Ninjutsu scrolls for inspiration. Konan, proving her title as Akatsuki's Angel, had already developed the Paper Shuriken and Paper Clone Techniques.
Kawakaze felt ashamed of his own talent, while Minato wondered if something was wrong with him since he still couldn't grasp the Ninjutsu techniques his Sensei had mentioned to him.
Meanwhile, Nawaki, brimming with energy, cheered enthusiastically from the sidelines, focusing solely on how awesome Konan was.
Yahiko, having quickly mastered Water Release, was now learning Kenjutsu under Minato's guidance.
Nagato, the most talented among them, had advanced to using basic Ninjutsu of all five elements and developed a keen interest in Medical Ninjutsu. Tsunade had taken a liking to the shy boy and occasionally brought him along to the hospital. She even considered training him as her assistant.
Since Nagato was Kawakaze's disciple, Tsunade didn't mind his involvement.
That morning, before breakfast, Tsunade hurried back to the Hatake Clan.
There, Kawakaze and Sakumo were playing with Kakashi and Yūhi, while Nayuki and Kurenai Yūhi's mother chatted nearby.
Shinku, accustomed to being a teacher, was instructing the three children in theoretical knowledge and Ninjutsu techniques.
"Tsunade, why are you back so early?"
Kawakaze was surprised to see Tsunade. She usually didn't return from the hospital until dinner, as nothing could pull her away from her research.
"Sunagakure is already on the move," she said.
"The intelligence department has discovered traces of Suna ninja in the Land of Rain. Sensei asked me to go there, and he's already reached an agreement with the Daimyō's mansion. In a few days, we'll break into the Land of Wind."
Tsunade sat down and shared the news she had received—a war between great powers was imminent.
"Even though I was mentally prepared, it's still exhausting now that the time has come," she admitted.
Kawakaze stood up and returned Kurenai to her mother, while Sakumo still held Kakashi in his arms, refusing to let go. This was his own son, after all and if Kakashi hadn't arrived with Kurenai, he wouldn't have had the chance to hold him.
"Are you leading the team this time?" Sakumo asked, glancing at Tsunade, while Kakashi squirmed in his arms, dissatisfied without Kurenai Yūhi.
At such a young age, he already had his uncle's bearing.
"Yes," Tsunade replied with a nod. "A battle meeting will likely be held in a few days."
The Land of Wind was formidable, with Chiyo, a rival to Hanzō, and the Third Kazekage, not to mention the presence of their Jinchūriki. This war promised to be far more challenging than their fight against the Land of Rain.
"We should start making preparations," Kawakaze said, his eyes gleaming with an idea he kept to himself.
"Has the war started again?" Shinku Yūhi asked, stepping forward to join the group.
"Yes, I wonder how many lives will be lost this time."
"I'll head to the hospital and start preparing antidotes," Tsunade said. "The Puppet Poison from Suna is particularly difficult to handle." She excused herself from the group, though a hint of unease lingered in her expression. This would be her first time as the sole leader of a unit. There was pressure, but Kawakaze's presence gave her some reassurance.
"Go on. I'll tell you something interesting tonight," Kawakaze added with a smirk.
His words caused Tsunade's cheeks to flush as memories of the previous night surfaced. She shot him a reproachful glance before quickly leaving.
"Good boy," Sakumo murmured to Kakashi, leaning down to kiss him on the cheek. "Daddy can't stay with you for long this time."
"Ee-ee-yah!" Kakashi squealed, reaching out to grab Sakumo's face with delight.
"Big Brother," Kawakaze interjected, "you should bring the Clan's Samurai this time."
"Samurai who avoid battle are hard to train, If they can't handle combat now, they won't be of much use in the future."
Kawakaze was no longer concerned about the elite combat power of the Hatake Clan, but the lack of mid-to-low-level fighters remained a pressing issue. He couldn't handle everything on his own—after all, what was the purpose of raising these samurai if he had to shoulder it all himself?
"I understand. How much they can achieve depends on their own efforts," Sakumo said with a sigh. Swords were merciless on the battlefield, and he couldn't afford to expend his energy looking after these samurai.
"This is the way of troubled times. Sakumo, it's pointless to dwell on it," Shinku Yūhi said in a comforting tone, understanding that, despite his stoic exterior, Sakumo was compassionate at heart.
...
In the evening, Tsunade returned, exhausted. She had essentially moved into the Hatake Clan's residence.
Her granddaughter was growing up, and Uzumaki Mito had taken a liking to Kawakaze, so she didn't mind Tsunade staying. Perhaps she might even live to see her great-grandchildren, which would leave her with no regrets.
However, Nawaki was a slow learner and seemed indifferent to Kushina living under the same roof. Mito could only sigh at the unfairness of life while observing Kawakaze's top disciple taking full advantage of the situation.
After exercising, Tsunade leaned against Kawakaze's chest, her face still flushed. Kawakaze's hand roamed beneath the covers, a habit Tsunade had grown accustomed to, though she couldn't fathom why he enjoyed it so much.
"Do you remember the interesting thing I mentioned this morning?" Kawakaze asked.
"Didn't we already do that?" Tsunade replied with a doubtful look. Wasn't I interesting enough?
"Ahem, you've misunderstood," Kawakaze clarified, realizing where her thoughts had gone.
"I meant something to help you improve your strength—simple and effective."
"Really? Tell me more," Tsunade said, intrigued. She had been unable to practice Senjutsu and had resorted to storing chakra in the Yin Seal daily, feeling stuck.
"Do you remember the village of Takigakure?" Kawakaze asked.
"The ninja village that once sent an assassin after my grandfather?" Tsunade vaguely recalled the incident, where the assassin fled in terror after being injured by her grandfather's Wood Clone Technique.
"Yes, that one," Kawakaze said, before posing an unexpected question. "Would you be interested in becoming the Seven-Tails?"
Tsunade was stunned, immediately grasping the implication—he was suggesting she become the Seven-Tails Jinchūriki.
She didn't even question their ability to capture the Tailed Beast. With Kawakaze's Gate of the Great God and her proficiency in sealing techniques, it was only a matter of time.
"The other villages won't stand idly by if Konoha gains another Tailed Beast," Tsunade warned.
"Who cares after we've captured it? Who would dare confront Konoha about it?" Kawakaze replied nonchalantly.
"Iwagakure has two, after all."
Tailed Beasts were undeniably powerful battlefield assets, but they were also volatile. Kawakaze wasn't concerned that Konoha would face a coalition of nations over a single Tailed Beast.
"Are you certain about that?" Tsunade asked, her thoughts turning practical.
After a moment of reflection, she found herself agreeing. As long as the capture remained secret and it was wartime, the risks weren't as significant as they first appeared.