Chapter 44: Household

The rest of the day was relatively simple for the students after passing the exam ande getting their forehead protectors, with them talking and playing around with one another while Yoma looked on with a smile.

'I pray that these brats will be safe. They are the future leaves that Lord Tobirama has been waiting for.'

'Especially her' he thought as he turned and looked at Tsunade.

The school bell rang loudly and announced to the kids the end of the school day.

"Are we going to train today?" Jiraiya asked while their group walked out of the school building.

"Does it look like I can train today bastard! Yoma-sensei needs to learn how to pull his punches." Kenta said angrily while remembering the knee he took to the face.

"We'll take a break today. That way everyone can rest before we have to meet our Jonin sensei tomorrow. You can come with me Jiraiya." Tsunade said.

The group then went in their separate directions while Tsunade and Jiraiya headed towards the Senju Clan Compound.

After a few minutes of walking, they arrived at Tsunade's home and entered.

Upon entering, both were immediately saw Mito standing quietly in the kitchen while cooking, while Ayako sat on Hashirama's chair playing solitaire against herself, with her gazing up at Hashirama's chair every now and again as if waiting for someone to respond to her.

While Jiraiya couldn't understand the somber mood, Tsunade knew exactly why Mito and Ayako were behaving like that.

After Hashirama died, everyone coped with his death in different ways.

Mito began to become more reclusive and stopped leaving the house as much as before, with her only going out for grocery shopping and household items.

Ayako began to play card games more and could be seen at least once a day near Hashirama's chair playing some form of a gambling game.

Both Haru and Tobirama occupied themselves by only focusing on their jobs, with Haru taking any missions that he could on his ANBU duties while Tobiarama focused primarily on the village and the war.

Jiraiya didn't seem to notice this as he tried to lift the mood by saying "Hi Aunt Ayako, Granny Mito."

Both looked up to see Tsunade and Jiraiya in the doorway, although the more shocking sight was the forehead protectors they both wore around their heads.

Mito was the first to smile as she ran and gave them both a hug while she said "I didn't know the graduation exam was today! Congradulations Tsuna, Jiraiya. I'm proud of you both." Mito told them both while Ayako agreed.

Mito and Ayako then began to talk to them about the risks and responsibilities that they would have as ninja, though the conversation didn't seem to be going far as Jiraiya didn't understand what was going on.

"Are you listening Jiraiya!" Ayako said with a stern expression and her arms crossed.

"Leave him alone Ayako, he will understand when he gets his sensei tomorrow." Mito said while going back to the kitchen to finish dinner.

"Wanna play cards?" Ayako asked Tsunade and Jiraiya.

"Sure mom, but I won't lose!!" Tsunade said full of confidence.

~

Tsunade smashed down her hand while saying "You two are completely cheating!"

Jiraiya and Ayako simply laughed at Tsunade's misery while Mito finished cooking and prepared everyones plates.

The front door was then opened by Tobirama, wearing his Hokage robe as he lightly said "I'm home."

He then saw Tsunade pouting on the ground while Jiraiya and Ayako were laughing at her, causing him to smack Jiriaya over the head as he said

"Don't laugh at my granddaughter brat! Give grandpa a hug Tsuna." he said while opening his arms to give him a hug, which Tsunade happily obliged.

Haru then finally came home right after Tobirama, with the group of 6 going to the dinner table to enjoy their meal.

They talked happily about many topics, from the Graduation Exam that Jiraiya and Tsunade took earlier, to old stories that they had about Hashirama.

They talked until after dinner, where Tobirama sent Jiraiya home after saying something to him.

Tsunade prepared to go to her room for bed, but she was stopped by the rest of her entire family who gave her a hug.

"We're proud of you Tsuna. Now go and rest, since you'll have a busy day tomorrow." Tobirama told her.

"Good night Tsuna." Mito said while rubbing her hair.

"We love you." Ayako said while Haru nodded with an affectionate look in his eyes.

"I love you too." Tsunade said while returning the hug.

The family stood together in silence while hugging, showcasing that their family still stood together even without Hashirama.

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