Inoichi pushed open the front door with a slight creak.
A warm yellow glow spilled from the hallway, welcoming him in. He slipped off his shoes, relaxing at the familiar feel of the wooden floor against his feet.
"I'm home," he called out.
Footsteps padded out of the kitchen. His wife leaned into the hall, her eyes crinkling into a bright smile.
"Just in time," she said, before turning to call into the house. "Ino! Your dad's back!"
"Really?!" Rapid footsteps thudded down the stairs.
Ino poked her head around the corner, her blonde ponytail swinging. Her eyes instantly lit up. "Dad!"
She skipped down the last few steps and grabbed his arm. "Come on, come on! You're finally back. Mom made miso soup and your favorite grilled fish!"
Inoichi let his daughter pull him along, unable to hide his smile. "Alright, alright."
The dining table was already set. After a quick Itadakimasu, the family served the rice and dug in. Famished from the long day, Inoichi practically devoured his meal.
Across the table, Ino rested her chin in her hands, watching him intently.
"Dad, you've been so busy lately," she pointed out. "You haven't even had time to come home for dinner!"
Inoichi swallowed his mouthful. "Yeah. There've been some urgent matters to handle at work the past few days."
Ino blinked. She leaned forward, lowering her voice to a whisper. "...Does it have something to do with Shinichi?"
Inoichi's chopsticks paused mid-air. Beside him, his wife stopped serving the soup and looked up.
The warm dining room fell completely silent. Shikaku's half-smiling expression from earlier outside the Hokage Building flashed through Inoichi's mind.
He let out a low chuckle. "Why do you ask?"
Ino sat up straight, a knowing look crossing her face.
"Because Shikamaru said Shinichi is at the Hokage Building every single day now, processing documents," she rushed out. "He also said... his position is super high now."
She paused, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "And... people in the village are saying he's the future Hokage!"
Inoichi looked at the sheer admiration shining in his daughter's eyes and felt a wave of utter, fatherly helplessness.
"Ino," he began.
"Yeah?"
"Are you... really interested in Shinichi?"
The direct question made Ino stiffen. Her gaze darted away, and her grip on her chopsticks tightened.
"I-it's not like I'm especially interested..." Her voice trailed off. "It's just... I think he's amazing. We graduated the exact same year, but now he's out there doing so many big things..."
Inoichi simply looked at her. Across the table, her mother covered her mouth and let out a soft giggle.
The quiet laughter made Ino's shoulders slump in defeat. "...Fine," she groaned, giving up. "I am a little interested!"
"Oh my," her mother teased, eyes crinkling. "It seems our little Ino has really grown up!"
Ino's face flushed bright cherry-red. She ducked her head, furiously poking at her bowl of rice.
Inoichi glanced between his amused wife and his blushing daughter, letting out a warm chuckle. "Ino."
She looked up.
Meeting her gaze, Inoichi spoke in a calm, steady voice. "If you really have those kinds of feelings... Dad supports you."
"Eh?!" Ino's jaw dropped, her eyes widening in sheer disbelief.
Meanwhile, at the Tejima household...
Several plates of half-eaten appetizers sat on the living room table, surrounded by a haphazard cluster of empty sake bottles.
Tsunade sat at the table, a deep flush on her cheeks as she gripped her cup. Across from her, Tejima Kazuto looked equally tipsy, while Mori Chie simply smiled and poured another round to refill their drinks.
The joy of their long-awaited reunion filled the room.
"Another cup!" Tsunade demanded with a grin, holding out her empty cup. "Chie, your cooking is seriously getting better and better!"
Technically, based on clan seniority, Tsunade should have called Chie "Auntie." But since Tsunade was several years older—and had a notoriously bold disregard for stuffy formalities—they stuck to first names. It felt way more natural anyway.
Chie smiled as she poured the sake. "I'm glad you like it. It's a pity I'm pregnant, otherwise I'd definitely join you..."
"Really?" Tsunade blinked in surprise. Her gaze dropped to Chie's flat stomach before a massive grin spread across her flushed face.
"That's great news! Honestly, seeing how amazing Shinichi turned out... Chie, you should have a few more!"
Hearing Tsunade's joke, Kazuto threw his head back in a laugh and took another deep sip of his sake.
Chie just shook her head, resting a gentle hand on her lower abdomen.
"Don't say that," she murmured softly. "Shinichi growing into the man he is today is already our greatest blessing. Kazuto and I only hope for this little one to be peaceful and healthy. We don't care if the child turns out 'amazing' or not."
Shinichi, who had been sitting quietly on the sidelines the entire time, finally spoke up.
"Mother is right," he said evenly. "Talent and power can't be forced. A peaceful, healthy life is much harder to come by."
Tsunade turned to look at him. Staring at his serious expression, she suddenly let out a loud laugh, shaking her head remembering some past joke.
"Shinichi..." She raised her cup and took a large gulp. "You always sound like such an old man." Grinning helplessly, she looked between them....
"Fine, fine. If your whole family thinks that way, who am I to argue?" She grabbed the bottle and refilled her cup.
"Come on, Chie, Kazuto. To peace and health—let's have another toast!"
"Cheers!"
The atmosphere swelled with warmth. Kazuto raised his cup cheerfully while Chie toasted with tea, the comfortable atmosphere lasting long into the night.
Eventually, Tsunade let out a satisfied sigh and stood up.
"I've hit my limit." She stretched, her joints popping slightly. "Chie, Kazuto, thank you for the hospitality. This really hit the spot."
Chie stood up with a warm smile. "I'm glad you liked it. Please come back often."
"Oh, definitely." Tsunade nodded, then shifted her gaze to Shinichi. "Walk me out?"
Already expecting this, Shinichi stood up. "Sure."
The two stepped out into the night. A brisk evening breeze blew past, cutting through the scent of alcohol and causing Tsunade to squint slightly.
"I'm back, and I've taken the title of Hokage," Tsunade said, cutting straight to the point...
"So, Shinichi... what do you plan to do next?"
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