Chapter 19

Tsunade, who was on her way to her room, halted mid-step and turned back, eyes wide with disbelief. "Grandma, what nonsense are you saying?!"

"..."

Shinki found himself at a loss for words. He glanced at Tsunade, silently pleading for her to step in and defuse the situation. He felt out of his depth with Uzumaki Mito.

To prevent her grandmother from saying anything else outrageous, Tsunade hurried back.

"Grandma, I brought him here like you asked. If you have something to say to him, please do so directly. He's part of the Hyuga clan, and with him here, the Hokage's office will surely be restless."

If you didn't keep visiting other people's homes, would I, an old woman, need to do this?

Uzumaki Mito didn't spare a thought for the Hokage's office.

Others might waver, but the Third Hokage was different. Even if he were anxious, he'd wait it out.

"Miko isn't feeling well today. Tsunade, make something for the guests."

"Me?"

Are you joking?

I can't even eat my own cooking.

Tsunade's eyes widened as she pointed at herself.

"Do you want me, an old lady, to cook for you?" Uzumaki Mito tapped her cane on the ground twice in irritation. "Nawaki and Kushina will be home from school soon. Prepare dinner for when they arrive."

I'd rather you hit me. I should have known better than to come home early.

Wait a minute.

I can't cook, but there's a perfect helper right here.

Tsunade turned to Shinki, grabbed his hand, and started dragging him to the kitchen.

"No, you want me to help?"

Who makes a guest cook?

"Yes, you!" Without further discussion, Tsunade pulled Shinki into the kitchen.

"This really isn't appropriate."

"It's perfectly appropriate. I, Tsunade, say so, and that's final."

"..."

This feels like conscription.

Did Uzumaki Mito really call me here just to make me cook? That can't be right.

Confused, Shinki glanced around at the neatly prepared ingredients on the counter.

It looks like they were just waiting for someone to start cooking.

He sighed and got to work in the kitchen, and Tsunade found an excuse to slip away.

---

"Grandma, he's here. Now tell me what this is all about."

"Do you think I, an old lady, would harm a child?" Uzumaki Mito settled into her chair, feigning innocence.

"Grandma!!" Tsunade's tone was anxious. "Your position is sensitive. Even the smallest gesture can set off the Hokage's office. Shinki may be close to us, but he's still a Hyuga. Bringing him here will make people overthink."

"Monkey won't," Mito said with confidence.

The Third Hokage had once been a formidable leader—strong, skilled, patient, and tolerant.

"Don't worry, I just want to make the house lively. An old person fears an empty home. Monkey won't target him over something so trivial."

"..."

That's it? Just to make the house livelier?

Tsunade was stunned.

The old man might not make a fuss, but what about the others? She knew very well that the F4 group—Shimura Danzo, with his boundless ambition, and Utatane Koharu, with her narrow-mindedness—would undoubtedly react.

Even if the Third Hokage stayed calm, those people would become suspicious.

And focusing on Shinki would bring trouble to him.

"Tsunade," Uzumaki Mito said, taking her granddaughter's hand. "He's already by your side. He's close to Kushina, too. It's only a matter of time before he draws attention."

"While I'm still here, I can keep things stable. Better now than later, when it could be more dangerous."

"Grandma, aren't you worried? After all, he's from the Hyuga clan…"

Tsunade faltered. She knew Uzumaki Mito's reasoning made sense. If it was unavoidable, it was better to face it now while Mito was around to help manage the situation.

Mito believed she still had a few more years left. Those years would be crucial for Shinki's growth.

If Shinki needed protection after that, then perhaps she and Tsunade had misjudged him.

"Hyuga Tennin?"

A flicker of disdain crossed Uzumaki Mito's eyes.

He wouldn't dare. The Hyuga clan is all talk.

"..."

Even the formidable head of the Hyuga clan didn't escape Mito's blunt assessment.

---

"Grandma, we're back!" Nawaki and Kushina burst in, school bags bouncing as they rushed inside. The conversation came to an abrupt halt.

"You're back? Let Grandma see you."

Mito raised her arms, and Nawaki rushed forward—only for Tsunade to catch him by the ear.

"Ouch! Sis, what are you doing?!"

"Back off!" Tsunade scolded. "Aren't you too old to be throwing yourself into Grandma's arms like a little kid? Have some shame!"

With Nawaki pulled back, Kushina took the opportunity to jump into Mito's arms.

"Were you happy at school today? Did anyone bother you?" Mito asked, beaming.

Kushina grinned and lifted her chin. "No way, Grandma Mito! I'm strong. If anyone dares to mess with me, I'll show them who's boss!"

Shinki's influence had clearly left its mark.

Tsunade sighed, covering her face as she watched Kushina boldly embrace the path of violence.