Sister, Watanabe Is Here to Propose!

The Senju clan compound was unusually lively today, with horse-drawn carriages lining the streets in a long, unbroken queue.

As Konoha's Little Princess, Tsunade was the center of attention wherever she went. With her or Nawaki almost certainly destined to become the Fourth Hokage, her birthday banquet couldn't possibly be a low-key affair. Every prominent ninja clan and high-ranking official in Konoha had come to celebrate her birthday, uninvited.

"Lady Mito, congratulations to our Little Tsunade on another year. Konoha has heirs!"

An old man with white hair said with a beaming smile, followed by two Hatake Clan members holding gift boxes with respectful expressions.

"Our Hatake Clan has prepared a small token of our appreciation. Please don't find it too meager, Lady Mito."

Mito's expression was a little helpless. "Clan Leader Hatake, you're too generous."

"It's only right, it's only right, hahaha..."

Such exchanges of favors between clans were unavoidable. Mito glanced at Tsunade beside her, who then spoke up of her own accord, "Thank you, Senior Hatake."

A Senju Clan member then stepped forward to accept the gift boxes, briefly registering them before placing them in a corner of the courtyard. The number of gift boxes already piled there resembled a small mountain.

Just as she had finished entertaining the Hatake Clan Leader, the Nara Clan Leader arrived to offer his congratulations.

"Lady Mito, your granddaughter is becoming more adorable with each passing year. She truly has the demeanor of Lord Hashirama..."

Tsunade's gaze drifted towards the door, listening absentmindedly as her grandmother exchanged pleasantries with the various clan leaders. Only when prompted by Mito would she occasionally offer a word of thanks.

"Why hasn't that guy arrived yet!"

Tsunade felt inexplicably agitated. She disliked being the center of attention and felt it would be much more comfortable and enjoyable to simply share a large meal with Watanabe at his home.

However, her status dictated that she could not be low-key.

In the following time, major ninja clans such as the Sarutobi, Hyuga, Inuzuka, and Yūhi took turns offering their congratulations. Even the Uchiha Clan, whose relationship with the Senju Clan had always been sensitive, was present, all presenting generous gifts.

Danzō's arrival slightly focused Tsunade's attention, as he was someone who had previously posed a threat to Watanabe.

Danzō had recently been suppressed by Mito, who not only ordered him to personally apologize to Watanabe but also forcibly disbanded Root, the organization he directly led. Yet, standing before Mito now, Danzō maintained a perfectly respectful demeanor, with no trace of resentment visible on his face.

"Bullies the weak and fears the strong. He's clearly not a good person."

Tsunade instinctively disliked Danzō. Even when prompted by Mito, she maintained a cold demeanor, refusing to utter a single word of "thanks" to him.

This left Mito and Danzō in a somewhat awkward situation. They exchanged a few more pleasantries before Mito casually dismissed him.

"Sister," Nawaki sneakily leaned towards Tsunade's ear and asked, "When is brother-in-law arriving?"

"..."

"He's Watanabe, not your brother-in-law!"

Tsunade, embarrassed, smacked her foolish younger brother on the head.

"Oh, oh..."

Nawaki clutched his forehead in pain, feeling wronged. His sister never used to hit him, but now she was resorting to violence against him for another man. If that wasn't a brother-in-law, what was?

He continued, "Why isn't Watanabe here yet?"

"Why should I care? Whether he comes or not is up to him!"

Although she said that, Tsunade was actually growing impatient. She felt Watanabe wasn't taking her seriously, otherwise, he would have arrived much earlier.

Nawaki's eyes darted around before he darted out the door. "I'll go check outside!"

Just as Tsunade was about to call out to her foolish brother, a familiar voice came from beside her:

"Tsunade, happy birthday."

Tsunade turned her head, and her eyes fell upon a blue-haired youth and a white-haired old woman. The blue-haired youth had a rather sunny and handsome smile, but it still paled in comparison to Watanabe's.

"Clan Leader Katō, this child must be your eldest grandson," Mito said, conversing with the white-haired old woman.

The two were of similar age, but their appearances and figures were worlds apart. Clan Leader Katō was like a candle in the wind, while Mito was as radiant and beautiful as a young maiden.

"Yes," Clan Leader Katō replied with a smile. "His name is Dan Katō. He was in the same class as Tsunade at the Ninja Academy."

"Tsunade, this is a gift I've carefully prepared for you. I hope you like it." Dan Katō handed over the gift box in his hand, trying to make his tone sound as gentle as possible.

Tsunade hesitated for a moment before accepting the gift box and offering a faint "thank you."

Seeing this, Dan Katō's smile grew even brighter.

He had scanned the hall just now and hadn't seen Watanabe.

If Tsunade were truly developing a relationship with Watanabe, he wouldn't possibly miss her birthday, Dan Katō thought to himself.

But Watanabe is indeed not present, which means there's still a chance for me and Tsunade...

"Sister!"

A scream suddenly rang out from outside the courtyard, followed by Nawaki rushing in in a panic, gasping for breath as he shouted, "Watanabe is here to propose to you!"

"..."

The previously lively and boisterous hall instantly fell into dead silence.

Hiruzen Sarutobi, Shimura Danzō, Utatane Koharu, the Uchiha Clan Leader, the Hyuga Clan Leader, the Senju elders... everyone seated there wore expressions of utter shock.

Who was it?

Someone was actually proposing to Tsunade??

Tsunade is only thirteen!

This isn't the Warring States period anymore, where early marriage and early childbirth were common. Are you sure Mito won't hang you by your Adamantine Sealing Chains at the village entrance and whip you?!

Dan Katō, who had just started to feel he had a chance with Tsunade, was now more bewildered than ever, his mind buzzing.

The next moment, the clan leaders all looked sharply behind Nawaki, wanting to see who had dared to be so bold.

In this tense atmosphere, which felt like it could explode at any second, Watanabe, wearing the burgundy suit Tsunade had bought him and carrying a giant gift box larger than himself, cursed internally and made his entrance.

One minute earlier.

Watanabe had arrived at the Senju compound not long ago and quickly noticed something was amiss.

The roadside was lined with carriages bearing the crests of the major ninja clans, squeezing the already narrow street to a standstill.

"Why are there so many carriages from other ninja clans at the Senju compound?"

"Are they also here for Tsunade's birthday?"

Watanabe speculated.

He knew Tsunade was of noble status, but he hadn't realized she was this noble. It was just her birthday, yet almost all of Konoha's ninja clans had flocked here.

The closer he got to Tsunade's house, the denser the parked carriages became. Watanabe's guess was confirmed, and his mood grew uneasy.

The giant cake he had prepared was too big. He could easily imagine the strange looks he'd get from all the clans when he walked through Tsunade's door holding it... Just thinking about it made his scalp tingle with awkwardness!

As Watanabe pondered how he could discreetly hand the cake to Tsunade, he looked up and saw a familiar young boy standing at her doorstep.

He breathed a sigh of relief.