He's just a child; he won't learn his lesson without a beating. Nawaki eventually managed to hold his tongue and refrained from saying another word, though it was clear he was struggling to stay silent.
Still, his chatter seemed unstoppable at times. When they went out, his appetite made him stand out; he always ended up with the largest stomach, eating far more than anyone else. Determined not to starve, even if he risked saying the wrong thing and earning a beating, Nawaki pressed on.
"Burp~ Brother-in-law, where are we going?" he asked, patting his full stomach.
Nawaki knew better than to ask Tsunade for money—she was never generous unless it involved gambling. Instead, he turned to Kawakaze, who he thought was a better bet.
"Let's go to the hot springs," Kawakaze said, his cheeks flushed from drinking. He felt a little dizzy, but the evening had been enjoyable, something he hadn't experienced in a long time. This time, the roles were reversed—Tsunade was in a rare good mood, supporting Kawakaze as they walked.
"Where are you planning to take me to the hot springs?" she asked teasingly, leaning in close. If Kawakaze hadn't been leaning on her, her words might not have reached his ears.
Her hand supported his waist, and she briefly recalled a moment from the last time this had happened—a scene that had left her blushing.
"Sigh, just a bath," Kawakaze muttered, wincing in pain. He swore to himself that his intentions were entirely innocent this time, though the long night ahead seemed daunting.
"Really?" Tsunade asked, skeptical.
"Really, really," Kawakaze replied, nodding earnestly. The motion seemed to clear his head a little.
Satisfied, Tsunade released her grip on his waist, and the group of four soon arrived at the same luxurious bathhouse they had visited previously.
As they stepped inside, a pretty girl approached them with a warm smile, her demeanor attentive and respectful. She noticed their Konoha forehead protectors and made sure to treat them with care.
"Would you like to take a bath or stay the night?" she asked sweetly.
"Two hot spring rooms. Do you have rooms with private courtyards available?" Tsunade inquired without hesitation. When it came to Kawakaze, she saw no need to cut corners—they might as well be as comfortable as possible.
Neither Minato nor Nawaki voiced any objections. The two of them had been through enough together to feel at ease in any situation. As buddies, there was nothing they couldn't share, not even a bathhouse.
"Yes, I'll arrange the closest one for you."
The clerk quickly escorted the group to the hot spring room, conveniently located near the entrance to the housing.
"Good, you can go now," Tsunade said once they arrived. The clerk bowed respectfully and left without delay.
Kawakaze, silent throughout, looked ready to doze off.
"What are you two looking at? Go in and wash," Tsunade said, noticing Nawaki and Minato staring at her. She waved them off dismissively.
Children shouldn't pry into adults' affairs.
"Yes, sister / Sensei's wife," they responded in unison before hurrying off to their hot spring. Neither dared to look back, fearing the consequences of any delay.
"Hey, we're here. Wake up," Tsunade said as she helped Kawakaze into the hot spring. The steam was light, and the water temperature seemed just right.
"Ah, we're here," Kawakaze murmured, raising his head with effort. He glanced at Tsunade, then at the hot spring.
"I'll go in first, then," he said, attempting to free himself from her hold and stumbling toward the water.
"What's the point of soaking in a hot spring if you don't even take your clothes off?" Tsunade grabbed his hand, stopping him in his tracks. If he continued like this, she wouldn't be able to bathe herself properly.
"Oh, haha, I almost forgot," Kawakaze replied, chuckling awkwardly as he began removing his clothes.
In no time, he stood completely naked, his unusual weapons fully exposed to Tsunade's view.
"Shameless."
Tsunade covered her eyes with her hands but left small slits to peek through, then kicked him into the air.
"Plop~"
"Gurgle~"
Kawakaze splashed into the water and nearly choked. He surfaced, coughing, and managed to climb to the edge of the pool, leaning against it. His head cleared a bit as he spat out water.
Unlike the last time, Tsunade, who had only drunk a little, was less bold. It took her quite some time to undress. She eventually picked up a bathrobe, slipped it on, and stepped into the hot spring, easing herself into a seat beside Kawakaze.
He was unusually quiet and still, which felt a little odd.
Tsunade found herself studying Kawakaze's handsome profile and reached out to poke his face lightly.
"Stop it. You're making me sleepy," Kawakaze muttered with a pout, his voice drowsy.
The soothing warmth of the water seemed to cradle him, and sleep was all he could think about. Soaking in the hot spring was undeniably comfortable.
"Hehe~"
Tsunade's face lit up with a mischievous grin. She was usually the one on the receiving end of teasing, but tonight, she had decided it was her turn to take the upper hand.
"Kawakaze, Kawakaze," she called softly, but he gave no response.
Taking advantage of his unawareness, Tsunade reached her hand down into the water, her movements quiet and deliberate. They were old enough to be married, after all, so there was nothing to feel shy about. The alcohol in her system added a layer of boldness and excitement she couldn't quite explain.
Kawakaze, caught in a dreamlike haze, felt an odd sensation ripple through him. His dazed mind attributed it to the alcohol, and he remained unresponsive, lulled by its effects. Unable to resist, he lay motionless, leaving Tsunade to grow slightly impatient.
With her free hand, she channeled a soft glow of chakra onto his forehead, skillfully working to alleviate the effects of the sake. The cooling sensation spread through his head, growing sharper with each passing moment. Naturally, it prompted a reaction.
"This is how you should be," Tsunade muttered under her breath. She had never quite indulged in teasing him this way before.
When it became clear that Kawakaze wouldn't fully wake up yet, she decided to take her time. The bathrobe clinging to her shoulders began to slide down, leaving her bare as she settled closer to him.
"Kawakaze, wake up," she whispered directly into his ear, her voice tinged with playfulness. "It's time for your favorite part."
Her words seemed to have a strange, almost magical effect. Kawakaze's heavy eyelids fluttered as though breaking free from a spell, slowly bringing him back to consciousness.
"I'll let you off the hook today," Tsunade teased with a sly smile, standing up and giving him a flirtatious glance.
"Ssshh…" Kawakaze stirred at the warmth surrounding him, his eyes snapping open. This wasn't a dream—it was real.
Realizing he was fully awake, Tsunade moved closer, her arms opening to wrap around his neck.
"I thought you were going to sleep the day away?"
"If you do that, then I won't be sleepy."
Kawakaze wrapped his arms around Tsunade, his entire demeanor instantly transformed. The drowsiness and drunkenness evaporated, replaced by an energized liveliness. For him, Tsunade was the perfect antidote to the effects of alcohol.
The water in the hot spring rippled and churned as the two became the center of attention, their movements stirring the tranquil pool.
Before long, Kawakaze shifted from being passive to active, a change that felt oddly familiar to him. He refrained from asking Tsunade to show her wings again, knowing that today's unexpected events were more than enough. The memory of the beating he had taken the last time still lingered vividly in his mind. There was no rush—life was long, and there would be plenty of chances in the future.
As Kawakaze poured his efforts into the moment, Tsunade seemed to catch on to his mischievous thoughts. She rolled her eyes at him knowingly.
Before long, dark Cursed Seals began to spread across Tsunade's fair skin.
The Strength of a Hundred Technique.
This was Kawakaze's first time seeing the technique in its full form. The intricate Cursed Seals contrasted against her pale complexion, creating an otherworldly allure that captivated him.
Kawakaze's hand moved slowly along Tsunade's back, tracing the seals with reverence. To him, they looked like the most exquisite tattoos he had ever seen.
"I love you," Kawakaze murmured, leaning closer. There was no better way to express his feelings than with those simple words.
Tsunade's love for Kawakaze was just as profound, her devotion so deep that she was willing to sacrifice her life for him if needed.
"I love you too," she replied softly.
Their love for each other was undeniable, and as if in response to their emotions, Tsunade's wings quietly unfurled.
The crimson glow of the wings added an enchanting radiance, embodying the depth of their bond.
The hot spring eventually settled, returning to its peaceful state after a long while.
Tsunade lay lazily in Kawakaze's arms, her posture relaxed and feline-like, radiating contentment.