In the summer of Konoha Year 26, one mid-July day dawned with clear skies and warm sunshine.
It was the kind of perfect weather that Clan Head Nara Shikahiro would normally enjoy with his usual leisure.
But today, he had no time for that, he needed to be on high alert and busier than ever.
Today was a momentous occasion in his life. His son, Shikaku, had been born not long ago, and today marked his one-month celebration.
Shikahiro had been bustling about since early morning.
His two close friends, Yamanaka Inomura and Akimichi Choshin, were also busy, greeting the steady stream of arriving guests.
The Nara residence was filled with laughter, noise, and excitement.
By noon, most of the guests had arrived and were seated in their designated spots.
However, two prominent seats at the head of the banquet remained empty, reserved for the Third Hokage and the Third Raikage.
As the guests chatted and exchanged pleasantries, a wave of cheers came from the front entrance. A voice called out into the courtyard.
"The Third Hokage and the Third Raikage have arrived."
Everyone stood up from their seats and turned their attention to the entrance.
Footsteps approached, and soon the tall, striking figure of the Third Hokage, Arima, stepped into view.
His confident and composed smile made people want to trust him, to rely on him.
Though he was one of the most powerful shinobi in the world, he carried himself with no arrogance, always approachable and respectful.
Beside him stood the Third Raikage, A, whose physique was even more imposing. His golden hair had clearly been neatly styled for the occasion.
The crowd broke into applause at the sight of the two leaders, their respect and admiration evident in every face.
Arima raised his hand with a light chuckle and said, "We appreciate the warm welcome. Alright, let's all take our seats.
Any more applause and we'll be stealing the spotlight. Today is Shikahiro's big day, we should be clapping for him."
Laughter rippled through the crowd as they shifted their applause toward Shikahiro, who felt a rare surge of pride warm his usually laid-back heart. He looked gratefully at the Hokage.
Arima smiled faintly, gave Shikahiro a reassuring pat on the shoulder, and gestured for the three of them to take their seats together.
Whenever a child was born to a major shinobi clan, Arima and A would attend the celebration together.
It was their way of encouraging the great clans to grow and strengthen the future of both Konoha and Kumogakure.
The banquet was a joyful one. Only after the two leaders departed did the other guests gradually begin to take their leave.
By late into the night, the Nara household finally settled into quiet.
Shikahiro stretched and groaned.
"After a whole day, my back's about to snap. Having kids is such a hassle. One is enough."
His wife, hearing this, quietly walked over. Without warning, she twisted his ear and said sarcastically, "You gave birth, did you? Here, Shikaku, call him 'Mommy'."
The newborn, of course, couldn't speak, he simply blew lazy bubbles from his mouth.
Shikahiro immediately surrendered. "Okay, okay, honey, I get it. I was wrong. I've been running around all day for this. Cut me a little slack, will you?"
But his plea didn't seem to ease her irritation. So he quickly changed the subject.
"Right, almost forgot, there were some unusual visitors in the village today.
As the Jonin squad captain, I have to meet them tomorrow with the Hokage and the Raikage. So... could you help me get breakfast ready early?"
Sure enough, her attention shifted. She got up and headed for the kitchen, already thinking about what to make. She didn't want her husband heading out hungry.
Shikahiro wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and muttered, "Women are terrifying..."
Then he added, "The Daimyo of the Land of Bears and the Land of Demons both sent envoys asking for aid. I wonder what kind of mess they've gotten themselves into?"
While a domestic comedy was unfolding in the Nara household, ripples stirred elsewhere, inside Arima's home.
After a long, busy day, Arima finally returned home, only to sense that Tsunade was already there, chatting with his mother in the front courtyard.
Entering quietly, Arima found the two of them deep in conversation. He joined them silently, sitting by their side, listening to their small talk while enjoying the gentle night breeze.
Tsunade, who hadn't seen her beloved "Arima-nii" in months, suddenly felt her heart pound like a deer caught in headlights. Her cheeks flushed red as she caught sight of him.
She sneaked a glance at him, seeing him lost in the calm of the evening air, seemingly unaware of her turmoil. That helped ease her nerves a little.
Arima's mother noticed Tsunade's distracted responses and followed the girl's gaze, only then realizing her son had come home.
As she turned back, the light revealed something curious, this normally bold, boisterous girl was blushing like a shy maiden.
Amused, Naomi rose and quietly slipped back into the house, leaving the two young people alone.
Watching them, she couldn't help but feel the air was thick with budding sweetness.
Arima noticed his mother leaving and got up to walk her back. Then he returned and sat directly across from Tsunade.
But something felt... off. This wasn't the same Tsunade he knew. Why was she acting so bashful?
Tsunade panicked the moment he sat down across from her. Her heart raced, her nerves scrambled. She could barely handle being alone with him like this.
Before she knew what she was doing, she jumped up, stumbled slightly, and bolted, rushing out without a word.
Arima watched her flee, completely bewildered.
Just moments ago she was laughing with his mother. What had suddenly made her so flustered?
Still, he decided to put it aside for now. Tomorrow, when Tsunade came to report alongside Jiraiya and Orochimaru, he'd ask her what was going on.
Later, Arima lay on a summer mat beside the corridor, gazing up at the starry night sky, his thoughts gradually emptying.
Reflecting on years of hard work, he realized he had finally accumulated over 380,000 virtue points.
Back then, when he single-handedly ended the war between Konoha and Kumogakure, the system had rewarded his great act of peace by canceling his remaining 500,000-point debt.
However, the feature that allowed him to detect others' "sin values" had also been removed, a loss he still regretted.
Now, ten years later, the Kumo-Konoha Confederation had flourished, but that success came with its own risks.
Other nations now saw them as a threat, and the alliance was surrounded by enemies.
Yet suddenly, the Land of Bears and the Land of Demons had both sent envoys, not only requesting help, but even proposing to join the Confederation.
Their condition was that Arima and his allies ensure domestic stability and grant their Daimyo seats in the political council.
Tomorrow, Arima planned to meet with the leadership and find out just what kind of crisis had driven those nations to seek help so desperately.
While Arima was still planning the next day, Tsunade had already run home.
After a quick greeting to her grandmother, she shut herself in her room.
Mito had caught the glimpse of her granddaughter returning with a flushed face, stumbling at the doorstep, nearly falling. She was puzzled, what had gotten into Tsunade?
Then, hearing her mumbling Arima's name in her room, Mito found the situation unexpectedly entertaining.
'So Tsunade and Arima are both grown up now,' Mito mused.
'I guess I can't tease them like I used to. Ah, youth... If Hashirama were still around, he'd probably already be making wedding plans.
That big idiot would've rushed it for sure. I'll have to talk to Tobirama about this sometime soon.'
Tsunade had no idea her grandmother was already scheming. If she ever found out, her reaction would surely be explosive.
Right now, she was buried in her pillow, mortified.
"I embarrassed myself so badly." she groaned.
"He must think I'm weird. What if he asks me about it tomorrow? What do I even say? And if that idiot Jiraiya finds out, he'll blab to the entire world. Ughhh… So annoying."
But then, a soft smile crept onto her lips.
"At least I got to see him again. He's even more handsome than before…"
Then she frowned a little.
"Did he miss me at all during those ninety-something days? I shouldn't have just run away like that. I should've asked him… something, anything."
She rolled around, clutching her pillow, kicking at the blankets.
A girl with a heart full of tangled thoughts, twisting and turning through the night.
Eventually, the whirlwind in her head slowed, and sleep finally came.
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