Hiruzen Sarutobi finished his day of hard work and put away the crystal ball. The flush of excitement on his face gradually subsided.
He headed back home.
His wife, Biwako Sarutobi, had already prepared the meal and was waiting for him.
"Dad!" Asuma Sarutobi greeted him enthusiastically.
"You seem kinda different today."
Hiruzen Sarutobi keenly sensed the hidden nervousness in him. Moreover, this kind of attitude was really odd. Usually, he would surely put on a cold face and pretend to be an adult.
"Nothing's wrong." Asuma quickly shook his head.
Hiruzen Sarutobi squinted his eyes slightly but didn't ask further.
After the meal, he went to the study.
A moment later, there was a knock on the door.
"Come in."
Hiruzen Sarutobi looked up. He had already sensed that the person standing outside the door was Asuma.
As the door opened, Asuma was holding a basin of water.
"Dad, it's time to wash your feet."
Hiruzen Sarutobi was extremely surprised.
Was this really his son?
He knew his rebellious character and couldn't believe he could be so obedient.
"What's going on with you today?"
Asuma didn't answer. He put down the foot basin and reached out his small hands to take off Hiruzen Sarutobi's shoes.
It just had a pretty strong smell.
But thinking of what Teacher Haruki had said, he endured it and immersed Hiruzen Sarutobi's feet in the hot water.
Asuma let out a sigh of relief. The weather - beaten insteps were covered in wrinkles, which made him feel uncomfortable. Suddenly, he had a glimmer of understanding.
"Teacher Haruki told me to do this."
"Haruki?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi was stunned. But seeing his serious expression, he couldn't help feeling a bit emotional.
As the Hokage, he had done a lot of shady things. But when it came to his son's growth, he reverted to the role of a father.
"Yes, the teacher said for you to participate in the basketball game a week later. I was afraid you wouldn't go, so the teacher told me to wash your feet."
"You're thoughtful."
Hiruzen Sarutobi stroked Asuma's head and enjoyed this rare moment of family bliss.
At the same time, he was even more satisfied with Haruki.
He felt a bit sorry that Haruki wasn't his disciple.
In Hiruzen Sarutobi's heart, Haruki was now almost on par with Tsunade.
He was one of Konoha's most trustworthy guardians.
"What's the basketball game?"
"You don't know?" Asuma wiped the water off his hands and took out *Slam Dunk* and handed it to Hiruzen Sarutobi.
"Another thing from Haruki?" Seeing the familiar name, Hiruzen Sarutobi couldn't help laughing. "This guy always comes up with new ideas."
Without further ado, he started flipping through it.
He read extremely fast.
After a while, he already understood the rules of basketball.
"This sport is quite good. It can not only exercise individual abilities but also strengthen teamwork."
Hiruzen Sarutobi looked thoughtful. As the Hokage, he naturally thought more.
There were group classes in the Ninja Academy, which were precisely designed to enhance the cooperation among ninjas.
But the classes were monotonous, just battle drills between teams.
The basketball game was obviously more interesting and challenging.
According to the rules of basketball, it meant that the participants had to precisely control their chakra.
For Genin, large - scale battles were clearly not appropriate.
"Right?"
Hearing his words, Asuma immediately brightened up and said rather proudly, "Dad, let me tell you, I've been personally selected by Teacher Haruki to be the captain of the basketball team!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi showed a smile.
Haruki is truly a great helper to me.
So sensible.
"Then I definitely can't miss it."
"Just watch me! I'll dominate the game!" Asuma clenched his small fist and promised.
...
At the same time, Haruki was also talking to Tsunade about basketball.
"Are you interested in playing basketball?"
"Ball?" Tsunade immediately became alert. "Why are you asking this?"
"?" Haruki thought it was a bit strange, but still said, "If you're interested, I can accompany you to play."
"Not interested." Tsunade took a step back and shook her head.
Haruki nodded. He didn't think much of it. It was normal for girls not to like basketball.
Only then did Tsunade realize she had misunderstood.
To ease her embarrassment, she asked, "Any interesting things happen today?"
"Interesting things?" Haruki reached out and pinched her face. "What interesting things could there be without seeing you?"
"Stop joking." Tsunade grabbed his hand and glared at him. "I'm asking you seriously."
"I think you seem quite happy." Haruki shrugged. "You obviously like listening to my nonsense."
"Do you want to say a few more words?" Tsunade showed a sweet smile and put her fist in front of Haruki.
Danger!
A big "Danger" sign appeared above his head.
Haruki rolled his eyes and asked, "Are you hungry?"
"Don't change the subject... Ah, what are you doing?"
Tsunade suddenly let out a startled cry.
Just then, Haruki lifted her clothes and reached his hand inside, touching her belly.
She felt a cool sensation.
But then, she felt shy.
"Since you wouldn't say, I'll check if your stomach is empty?"
Haruki looked serious, but his hands didn't stop, savoring the delicate touch.
"Ha - ru - ki!" Tsunade said angrily, emphasizing each word.
"No need to shout so loudly. I can hear you."
Haruki quickly withdrew his hand and then held her face gently, tenderly, as if holding the most precious treasure.
Tsunade was caught off guard by his affectionate gaze and couldn't help but be stunned.
And Haruki gently bit her.
The moisture on his lips sparkled.
Oh!
He sniffed the fragrance on his fingertips and said, "We'll have Strawberry Cream Cake for dinner tonight."
Then he used the Shifting Body Technique and ran away.
Leaving Tsunade standing there, still in a daze.
"This guy..."
She touched her face. It was burning hot.
She was usually a decisive person, but he had her completely wrapped around his finger.
But she didn't hate it.
This feeling of tenderness and care made her sink into it.
"Aww~"
Tsunade covered her face and made a cute sound. At this moment, she was just a girl in love.
Haruki opened the fridge.
Making a Strawberry Cream Cake wasn't that difficult.
The cake was ready-made. He spread the cream on it and decorated it with strawberries, and tonight's dinner was done.
He thought for a while and added a line.
"Tsunade.
Haruki came out with a cake.
"Here it is."
Tsunade answered while rubbing her cheeks to try and calm herself. When she reached the table, she saw two words on the cake.
"Sweet talk?"
She couldn't help laughing. "Come on, this is the most outrageous and shameless sweet talk I've ever seen."
"Strawberries are red, cream is white, the cake is sweet, and so are you."
Haruki picked up a strawberry with a fork and asked with a smile, "Do you want me to feed you?"
"I'm not a kid." Tsunade came to her senses, glared at him, snatched the knife and fork, and took a bite of the strawberry.
"..." Haruki pouted. Doesn't she understand what romance is all about!
In the next instant, Tsunade leaned in with her small mouth, and he felt a strawberry being stuffed into his mouth.
Tsunade straightened up, licked the corner of her mouth, and asked, "Is it sweet?"
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