Senju Nawaki emerged from who knew which Training Ground, still carrying his Ninja Tool Bag.
Fresh from training, he was dusty and disheveled, his eyes wide and his mouth hanging open wide enough to fit an egg.
One trembling finger pointed at the two walking almost shoulder to shoulder, his face filled with the shock of someone whose world had just come crashing down!
His gaze swept repeatedly over Namikaze Yoru, filled with immense confusion. That figure, that bearing, those features that vaguely revealed a familiar outline—but...
"Nawaki, just finished training?"
Namikaze Yoru's voice carried a hint of helpless amusement as it broke the awkward silence.
The familiar voice and form of address made Nawaki jolt. Only then did he fully confirm that the man standing more than a head taller than him was actually the Brother Yoru he knew.
"Y-Yoru? Brother Yoru? It's really you? How did you... get so tall?"
Nawaki looked up at his face, stretched out an arm to measure the difference, and even his voice had changed pitch.
Before he could process that shock, the back of his head took a solid, affectionate slap that sent him stumbling.
"You brat! What nonsense are you spouting? Your hide itching again?"
Lord Tsunade withdrew her hand and glared at him. A faint, barely noticeable blush colored her face, while her tone was full of genuine embarrassed irritation.
Nawaki shrank his neck after that slap. Then he looked at his sister's ferocious expression, as well as Namikaze Yoru's innocent look that plainly said, You're on your own.
In an instant, he decided he must have been overthinking things. Training must have muddled his brain.
He hurriedly waved his hands and explained with a dry laugh, "Misunderstanding! It's definitely a misunderstanding. Haha, how could Brother Yoru possibly be with