Tsunade arrived at the hospital and went straight to the underground research lab, alone. She retrieved the data and Hashirama's Cells from a storage scroll, meticulously sorting the documents into categories and returning the cells to the freezer. With no one she could fully trust to assist her, she handled everything herself. By the time she finished organizing the materials, it was nearly lunchtime.
She left the hospital and headed to the Hatake Clan's residence.
At the house, the table was already laden with an impressive spread of food. Kawakaze, thinking about the lack of luxuries on the battlefield, felt the urge to set up another table just to indulge one last time.
When Tsunade arrived, the meal began.
"I'm bringing Nawaki with me tomorrow," Kawakaze informed her casually.
"Then I'll leave him in your hands," Tsunade replied, her expression calm. Nawaki had long wanted to join the war, and with Kawakaze watching over him, she felt less worried.
"Don't worry, I'll take care of him," Kawakaze assured her, placing his hand over hers.
With no one else around to witness the gesture, Nawaki kept his head down, focusing on his food, while Minato silently observed with a knowing look. His thoughts drifted to the red-haired girl he had been neglecting due to his training, and he silently blamed Kawakaze for the distraction.
"If you have any news, pass it on through Katsuyu," Tsunade said, planning to use her summoning as a messenger.
"Understood," Kawakaze replied. "Now, let's drink!"
He raised his sake cup, and the group shared a toast. Nayuki, due to her pregnancy, sipped on milk instead. As the sake flowed, the atmosphere grew lighter, lifting the weight of the impending war.
By the end of the meal, Tsunade had drunk far too much—whether intentionally or not. Minato, meanwhile, awkwardly left with Nawaki to the Senju residence, using the excuse of saying goodbye to Kushina before their departure.
With one less person around, Kawakaze felt like he'd won the evening.
Under Sakumo's incredulous gaze, Kawakaze, still steady on his feet, carried the passed-out Tsunade to the room. Sakumo's mind churned with words like disgraceful and family values, but none came out. Instead, he silently lamented how times had changed—back when he and Nayuki were courting, just holding hands had been enough to make them blush.
In the room, Kawakaze laid Tsunade gently on the bed and removed her trench coat. She murmured in her sleep, "Come back safely."
Her pale, innocent face struck a chord in Kawakaze's heart. He leaned down, kissed her forehead softly, and lay beside her, holding her close as he drifted off to sleep.
At the Senju residence, Minato was trying to appease an irate Kushina. Her arms were crossed, and she pouted, clearly displeased.
"It was Sensei who asked me to develop Ninjutsu!" Minato said, offering an explanation. "I didn't mean to neglect you."
Kushina wasn't convinced, turning her back to him in protest.
"I'm leaving tomorrow," he added, his tone softening. "That's why I came—to say goodbye."
"I'm leaving in the morning, and you won't even look at me one last time?"
Her resolve wavered as Minato used his ultimate move: a helpless, almost pleading look. Kushina sighed and finally turned to face him.
"I'll see you off."
...
The next morning, Tsunade woke up nestled in Kawakaze's arms. Feeling his large hand resting on her, she carefully moved it aside.
"You're not being honest even in your sleep," she muttered.
Turning to face him, she brushed her light yellow hair under his nose. Kawakaze instinctively reached for it in his sleep, only for her to pull it away. Suddenly, his eyes snapped open, and he pulled her back into his arms.
"It's early, and I'm not in the mood to be provoked," Kawakaze said with a mischievous smirk, tightening his hold.
Her ample curves were pressed and flattened.
Tsunade's cheeks flushed as she felt something firm against her abdomen. Blushing furiously, she quickly wriggled free. "Oops, I need to get up," she said before making a hasty retreat out of the room.
"Coward," Kawakaze muttered with a chuckle, stretching before getting up himself.
At breakfast, Nawaki and Minato arrived carrying their bags, with Kushina trailing behind them. The group prepared to leave after their meal, and Nayuki handed a carefully packed bag to Sakumo as they exchanged heartfelt goodbyes.
"I'll be waiting for you to come back," Nayuki said softly, her eyes filled with concern.
The battlefield was unpredictable, and all Nayuki could hope for was his safe return.
"Wait for me," Sakumo replied, kissing her forehead—a rare public display of affection.
Kawakaze, meanwhile, handed Minato a scroll. "You carry this," he said casually. The young disciple accepted it without complaint, though Kushina shot Kawakaze a look of disdain.
"You don't look like a responsible elder at all," she muttered.
"Minato, be careful," Kushina said softly.
Minato nodded firmly.
"I'll miss you," she added shyly before turning away, her emotions barely concealed. Minato, equally moved, replied, "I'll miss you too."
Kawakaze, meanwhile, didn't speak but gave Tsunade a big hug. "If you really miss me, let's meet in Shikkotsu Forest," she suggested.
Goodness, the art of Reverse Summoning had somehow turned into a dating tool. Neither of them showed proper respect to Lady Katsuyu.
In front of the Hatake Clan House, the two groups parted ways. Nawaki finally earned a pat from his sister and a single instruction: "Listen to your Big Brother." Without that, he would have been the one feeling lonely.
When they reached the village entrance, a large group of Jōnin, along with Chūnin and Genin, had already gathered.
"Kawakaze, Sakumo," a loud, familiar voice called out. It was Might Duy, his shiny center-part hairstyle unmistakable. As Kawakaze expected, his brother had brought along his new friend.
"Duy, let's go."
By then, Orochimaru had already given the signal to advance. A large number of Konoha's ninja began marching toward the border of the Land of Rain. Kawakaze, glancing at a map of the ninja world, estimated that while Jōnin could cover the distance between Konoha and the Land of Rain in about two days at full speed, the slower pace of this large group—including Genin and supply caravans—meant it would take at least half a month.
The Land of Rain was situated at the border where the Lands of Fire, Wind, and Earth converged. It also bordered the Land of Grass and was separated from the Land of Iron by the Lands of Water and Grass. Kawakaze couldn't fathom why Hanzō of the Salamander insisted on stirring up so much conflict.
Rain fell incessantly in the Land of Rain, accumulating in valleys overflowing with water. Though Amegakure Ninjas were few in number, Hanzō's strict, authoritarian leadership had forged them into a skilled force, adept at assassinations and intelligence gathering.
Studying the map, Kawakaze sifted through information he had gleaned from the original work and decided to act on his own initiative. The main force's pace was too slow. Leading it was Orochimaru's responsibility, not Kawakaze's.
He gathered Sakumo and Duy, took two young ninja under his wing, and informed Orochimaru of his plan to break away from the main group. Along the way, they traveled self-sufficiently, hunting game for food. Kawakaze's storage scroll even contained a set of kitchen utensils, earning an approving nod from Sakumo, who usually handled the cooking.
This little brother of mine is a natural, Sakumo thought. He couldn't help but grumble internally. Why is the big brother the one cooking for the little brother? Where's the justice in that?
After a week of forced marches, the group finally crossed the border into the Land of Rain. Using the coordinates provided by Orochimaru, they located Konoha's advance negotiation team.