Disapproval

"You two..."

Kotetsu Hagane saw Hikari holding Tsunade's arm. He got halfway through his sentence before having no idea what to say.

Izumo Kamizuki shamelessly vanished, making Kotetsu Hagane so angry he wanted to curse.

Was that how a good brother acted?

The two of them were supposed to be the gatekeeper duo. How could he just slip away at such a critical moment?

Could they even still call themselves brothers?

Tsunade reacted quickly. Seeing Kotetsu Hagane's strange expression, she calmly withdrew her arm. "Oh, I had a couple of drinks earlier and got a little dizzy, so Hikari helped me back."

"Is there a problem with that?"

A problem?

Could I say there was a problem?

Kotetsu Hagane was no fool. Looking at their perfectly normal expressions, he guessed that if he were not Hikari's older brother, he might have no choice but to guard the gates obediently for the rest of his life after returning.

Forcing a smile, Kotetsu Hagane waved his hand. "Might Guy is still waiting for Lady Hokage. He sent us to welcome you."

"Alright, let's go inside!"

After saying that, Tsunade strode ahead, leaving Kotetsu Hagane to reach out and grab his younger brother.

"What is it?" Hikari looked at his older brother in confusion. He felt that his brother had been acting strangely today.

Kotetsu Hagane opened his mouth, wanting to ask what was going on between Hikari and Tsunade, but considering how close they were, he closed it again.

"Once we get back to the village, you and I are going to have a good talk!"

"Perfect. I wanted to have a talk with you too, big brother!" Hikari had no idea that, in Kotetsu Hagane's mind, he was already a little pretty-boy puppy who had surrendered beneath Tsunade because of his looks.

"Big brother, you're not that young anymore. Tell me what kind of woman you're looking for, and I'll help arrange it for you."

Kotetsu Hagane's old face reddened. Those words should have been spoken by an older brother arranging things for his younger brother. Why had it become the other way around for him?

"I... well..."

"What are you two doing? Hurry up and come in." Tsunade stood at the doorway and called back, swallowing the words Kotetsu Hagane wanted to say.

"Let's go!"

Hikari knew it was annoying to be interrupted while talking, but the woman before them was the direct superior of both brothers—and this was not the kind of job they could easily quit.

"We'll talk after we get back."

"Alright!"

The Kamizuki brothers followed Tsunade inside. The steady look on Might Guy's face greatly surprised Hikari.

"Alright, sit down. Everyone here is someone I trust most, so there's no need to stand on ceremony." Tsunade sat carelessly in the seat of honor and addressed them.

Might Guy sat to Tsunade's left, while Hikari was unanimously pushed into the seat on her right. Seeing everyone waggling their brows at him, Hikari could already guess the filthy thoughts in their minds.

I really am not being kept by Tsunade.

Even if someone were being kept, I'd be the one keeping her, not the other way around. She's such a pauper that she even mooches meals off my money.

Silently adding another mark to Hikari's ledger, Tsunade looked at the group without changing her expression.

"The Daimyo has been dealt with. Tomorrow, we'll pay him another visit and go through the formalities, then we can return to the Hidden Leaf Village. You six haven't had it easy, so split into two teams. One team will stay here on guard, while the other can go out for a stroll and pick up some souvenirs for family and friends."

Tsunade might still have shortcomings when it came to being a leader.

But when it came to treating people well, she was quite decent.

Even during a mission, she considered everyone's feelings. At once, everyone present broke into smiles.

"Since you're all so happy, Hikari, go order a table full of good food and wine and have it delivered here. I'm going to drink to my heart's content today."

Damn woman, she was trying to fleece my money again.

Hikari felt that he could no longer remain silent. As the victim being exploited, he had to boldly voice his opinion.

"Lady Tsunade, if we're buying food and wine, shouldn't you give me the money?"

The moment he said that, the other men looked at Hikari with admiration.

Admiration in every sense of the word.

Hikari, what a real man!

Eating soft rice the hard way—Hikari, you're incredible!

Hikari, you're truly a role model for men like us. When will I ever find a rich older woman like that?

Faced with Hikari's righteous expression, Tsunade smiled.

"Didn't you just make a small fortune, Hikari? Sharing good fortune with everyone means taking out some of that money to buy wine and make everyone happy. Isn't that nice?"

Hikari: When it comes to shamelessness, I'm still no match for you.

He had not expected to get any money out of that pauper Tsunade anyway. He would just consider today's expense payment to avert disaster.

"Fine, I understand. I'll go buy some food and wine in a moment."

"Good. Next matter... hmm, the Kamizuki brothers and Izumo Kamizuki will be one group. Might Guy, Genma Shiranui, and Aoba Yamashiro will be another. The three of you can go shopping. If you go to Takamagahara, remember to disguise yourselves and don't let anyone know you're from the Hidden Leaf Village."

Cough, cough.

Other than Hikari and Might Guy, the rest of the men looked a little embarrassed.

Having such an understanding leader felt somewhat strange.

"Alright, if there's nothing else, get out. The military funding matter exhausted me today." Tsunade got up and headed toward the bedroom. When she reached the door, she suddenly turned back.

"Hikari, remember to call me when you get back with the shopping."

"Make sure to buy plenty of wine. It won't be satisfying if there isn't enough to drink, understand?"

Hikari's mouth twitched. Tsunade was planning to butcher a fat sheep.

"Alright, I got it."

Watching Tsunade leave so freely, Hikari's gaze was filled with resentment.

Today's money was gone again. Tsunade was such a spendthrift woman. Whoever married her would be unlucky for eight generations.

When he turned around, eight eager eyes were fixed on him. Especially his older brother's burning gaze, which made Hikari unconsciously take a step back.

"What do you want?"

"Nothing. Hikari, let's go out shopping together. There's something I want to tell you." Kotetsu Hagane reached out, grabbed him, and prepared to head outside.

Genma Shiranui and Aoba Yamashiro exchanged a look before saying, "Hikari, the two of us also have something to ask you. Is it convenient?"

Faced with these people seeking the enlightenment of knowledge, Hikari shrugged and pointed toward Tsunade's bedroom. "If it has anything to do with her, then don't ask. We can talk privately after we return to the Hidden Leaf Village."

Genma Shiranui and Aoba Yamashiro said at the same time, "Then we'll talk after we return. It's not like we're in that much of a hurry."

Heh heh!

Hikari felt that he had already seen through these men's thoughts.

Honestly, they were all men. Who didn't understand the others?

On the surface, Kakashi Hatake seemed to be the most flirtatious ninja in the Hidden Leaf Village, always holding a copy of The Tale of the Gutsy Ninja and constantly looking like he had kidney deficiency.

But Jiraiya had become a famous novelist in the shinobi world with that very book.

It sold well throughout the five great nations of the shinobi world, which showed just how lonely the men of the shinobi world were in an age without discs.