Shigeru ignored Tsunade, cut a piece of meat himself, sat next to Kushina, and ate together.

In addition to meat, he also prepared fruit salad and juice. There were also some vegetables, though they were rather greasy. Despite being forced to get up early in the morning to buy groceries, the cold weather and the warmth of the fire created a cozy atmosphere as they gathered to enjoy the barbecue.

To ensure that the "bandit" Tsunade, who always asked for three servings, wouldn't go hungry, Shigeru had bought extra meat. After finishing a plate of meat and some fruit salad, Shigeru felt full. Kushina was in a similar state, while Naoki and Tsunade were still going strong, devouring the food with enthusiasm.

Watching the siblings devour the meat, Shigeru could only shake his head. Truly, they were alike.

"Kushina, have you made any new friends at school recently?" he asked.

"No, just one, sort of."

After knocking out all her classmates' teeth on her first day of school, Kushina had earned a reputation, and few dared to provoke her. The other students were mostly afraid to approach her.

"Sort of? How can someone be half a friend?" Shigeru was puzzled and couldn't help but laugh. It was strange to hear someone talk about having "half" a friend.

"Yeah, sort of. His name is Namikaze Minato. I mentioned him last time—the little blond boy. He's the only one in class who's not scared of me and willing to be my friend," Kushina explained.

"Tsk," Shigeru mused. He really is something, that little blond boy. "So, Kushina, do you like Minato as a friend?"

"No, not really," she pouted. "He's only halfway my friend, and he looks silly, always giggling like Naoki."

"Ahem!!" Naoki, who was eating, nearly choked.

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"Kushina, who are you calling silly? I'm not silly!" Naoki protested.

"Hmph, Mikoto-sister also says you're silly," Kushina delivered a critical blow.

Instantly, Naoki felt as though the barbecue in his hand had lost its flavor.

Shigeru laughed so hard his stomach hurt. Even Tsunade found the situation funny. Her brother, the "silly one," was finally coming to terms with the truth—even Kushina thought he was dense.

Uchiha Mikoto was well-known at school as a talented and beautiful girl with a gentle demeanor, admired by many of her classmates. Although Naoki didn't obsess over her like others did, he certainly harbored a crush. That's why Kushina's comment hit him so hard. If the girl he liked thought he was silly, it wasn't an easy pill to swallow.

"Cheer up. You're still young, and you'll have plenty of opportunities," Shigeru said, patting Naoki on the shoulder.

"Why?" Naoki asked, still not convinced. Why can't I like Uchiha Mikoto?

Shigeru sighed and gave Tsunade a look as if to say, "Are you sure you don't want to help your brother?" Tsunade simply pretended not to notice.

"Shigeru, can I bring my friend over sometime?" Kushina asked eagerly, tugging on his arm.

"Of course, Kushina. Any friend of yours is welcome," Shigeru replied with a smile. "But not until my mission is over."

"Yay, you're the best, Shigeru! I like you the most!" Kushina jumped for joy.

Tsunade couldn't resist teasing, "Kushina, do you even know what 'like' means?"

"Of course I know!" Kushina said confidently. "It means I like you!"

In the ninja world, children mature quickly, both physically and emotionally. However, expressing those feelings was another matter. Kushina's face scrunched up in frustration as she tried to explain but couldn't find the right words.

"You know, like how Naoki loves Mikoto-sister!" she blurted out.

"Pfft!" Naoki spat out his meat in shock.

"Don't listen to her, Kushina," Shigeru said, patting her head. "You'll understand what 'liking' someone means when you're older. Your sister Tsunade doesn't even know yet."

"And why is that?" Kushina asked, tilting her head in confusion.

This time, Naoki took the opportunity to declare loudly, "Because no one dares to like her! Right, Shigeru?"

Uh oh. Shigeru glanced at Tsunade, who was no longer laughing. He quickly picked up Kushina and made a swift retreat toward the house, leaving Naoki to face the consequences.

"Sister, I was wrong! It hurts!" Naoki's cries echoed from outside as Shigeru and Kushina settled on the sofa inside.

"Shigeru, is it true that no one likes Tsunade-san?" Kushina whispered, glancing toward the door.

"Not really," Shigeru replied softly. "Some people do like her, but they're too scared to say it."

"Oh, I see," Kushina nodded, her expression thoughtful. "Does that mean Tsunade-san has someone she likes?"

"..."

Shigeru sighed. Where do kids get so many questions?

"Shigeru, do *you* like Tsunade-san? Are you too scared to say it?" she asked, eyes wide with curiosity.

"..."

After everyone had eaten and Tsunade had taken Kushina and a battered Naoki home, Shigeru finally had some quiet time to himself.

Meanwhile, in a dimly lit tavern near the Shimura clan's compound, the Third Hokage sat across from Shimura Danzo, sipping a cup of sake.

"I need you to do something for me," Danzo said, his tone low and determined.

The Third Hokage frowned and immediately refused, "Sorry, I made a promise to Mito-sama. Your position..."

"That doesn't matter anymore," Danzo interrupted, gripping his glass tightly. "Send the Hyuga clan out of the village. As for the position of Hokage's advisor, I'll get that back soon enough."

The Third Hokage's eyes narrowed. What is this man plotting?