Bathhouse

Namikaze Minato, however, was deliberately asked to stay behind by Hyuga Shinichi. Shinichi wanted to take him to the village's newly built bathhouse and enjoy a relaxing soak together.

After all, everyone was usually busy with all sorts of things, so it was rare to get a chance to unwind. Shinichi also planned to have Minato stay the night at the Senju Clan Compound after their bath.

For Minato, this was a rare experience, too. As for the clothes he would need to change into, Shinichi said he could borrow some of his old clothes.

Most of Shinichi's clothes were loose-fitting blue robes. Even though he had grown much taller, some of the smaller ones still fit him. Minato was only two years younger than Shinichi, so they would definitely fit him.

Tsunade and Uzumaki Mito heard that a grand, beautifully decorated bathhouse had just been built in the village! On top of that, it was said to have every facility imaginable, letting people enjoy a comfortable, relaxing bath to their hearts' content.

They were quite interested, too, so they prepared a change of clothes and their bathing supplies, and the whole family set off together to give it a try.

When they arrived at the bathhouse, full of anticipation, the enormous crowd before them left them dumbfounded. Tsunade, standing beside Uzumaki Mito, was the first to speak.

"This new bathhouse sure is popular. There are so many customers."

Shinichi, however, hadn't noticed any of that. His eyes were drawn to the conspicuous sign above the entrance.

"Shanxi Bathhouse."

Shinichi couldn't help but pause, a strange sense of incongruity welling up inside him. He had never expected to see a name like that here. It was as if he had suddenly returned to his previous life.

Seeing the word "Shanxi," he understood. Maybe it was because, the first time he took on a bodyguard job for Big Brother Shanxi, they had chatted about how everyone in the village was busy with so many things every day, and how they all came to the bathhouse to relax once they were done.

If they added more services, like scrubbing people's backs and washing their feet, plus fruit platters and drinks, they would surely attract a lot of customers.

They could offer bath tickets based on how much people spent, and once they had more customers, they could even introduce membership cards, where you paid a certain amount and got that much extra credit.

He'd been shooting the breeze with Big Brother Shanxi, a rich man, about things from his previous life. He hadn't expected him to actually go and do it.

Could Big Brother Shanxi have been thinking about the department store idea they'd discussed last time, too? In the days after that conversation, and even on the way back, Big Brother Shanxi had seemed lost in thought.

Never mind. I won't think about it.

That odd feeling didn't dampen Shinichi's anticipation or enthusiasm for the bathhouse. Actually, it should be called a bath and leisure center now.

He led Nawaki and Minato through the entrance first. Tsunade and Uzumaki Mito exchanged a smile before following them in, and the group stepped into the mysterious bath and leisure center.

The moment they entered, a warm, humid breeze washed over them, making them feel instantly refreshed.

The spacious, brightly lit lobby was neatly arranged, with all sorts of facilities in their proper places. There was an area where people could rest, as well as the latest cooling machines, stocked with all kinds of chilled drinks and fruit.

A price list hung on the wall behind the reception desk, making everything easy to understand. A few employees in bathhouse uniforms were also in the lobby, patiently explaining how things worked to some confused customers, all with smiles on their faces.

The whole lobby had a warm, welcoming atmosphere. Children played excitedly while the adults took in their surroundings and shared their impressions.

But everyone was eager to try the bath and leisure center's bathing services.

"Ah! Isn't that Big Brother Shinichi?"

A delighted shout suddenly came from beside Shinichi. His family all turned to look at the person calling out as he walked over.

"Shinichi, do you know him?"

Tsunade moved closer. Judging by the clothes, the person approaching was clearly no ordinary man. The bath and leisure center had left her a little bewildered, and everyone else was even more confused. Without realizing it, they had all started looking to Shinichi for guidance. Even Grandma Mito stayed quiet, silently observing everything around her.

"Yeah. I've taken on several bodyguard jobs for Big Brother Shanxi. We get along well, and I've known him for a long time."

When Shanxi reached them, he warmly embraced Shinichi, then let go and placed both hands on Shinichi's shoulders, his eyes shining as he spoke.

"Hey, Big Brother Shinichi! Your suggestion really was brilliant. I've been swamped ever since we opened a few days ago. Just look at the lobby—it's a complete mess. I was planning to wait until things settled down before inviting you over, but you showed up on your own!"

"I never expected you'd really go through with it, either, Big Brother Shanxi. It surprised me, too."

"Hahahaha! Your idea really was a good one, Big Brother Shinichi..."

Shanxi paused after speaking, then looked at the people behind Shinichi and asked quietly,

"Big Brother Shinichi, who are these people? Is that esteemed lady the person I think she is?"

"Yeah, they're all my family. This is my grandmother, and she's also my teacher."

"Oh, I see. My respects, Lady Uzumaki Mito."

Shanxi immediately greeted Uzumaki Mito with great respect.

"Mm, there's no need for that. You just said this bath and leisure center was Shinichi's idea?"

"Yes, Lady Uzumaki Mito. You really have taken on a genius as your disciple. Not only is he so strong, he also has such a unique understanding of business. I ought to learn from Big Brother Shinichi myself."

Shanxi soon struck up a pleasant conversation with Uzumaki Mito and Tsunade, and everyone got to know him.

Afterward, Shanxi covered everyone's expenses for the night and called over two employees to look after them. Then he said goodbye and went back to his work.

Tsunade led Uzumaki Mito to the women's baths with a female attendant, while Shinichi, Nawaki, and Minato followed a male attendant toward the men's baths.

The first thing they saw was the spacious, brightly lit changing room, bustling with people. Adults and children chatted excitedly, their laughter rising and falling all around them.

Everyone took off their clothes in an orderly fashion, carefully folded them, placed them in the lockers corresponding to their numbers, and locked them away.

After completing all that, Shinichi and the others each picked up one of the clean white towels provided in the changing room and wrapped it around their waists.

They followed the attendant to the bathing area. Warm steam washed over them, making them feel incredibly comfortable. The baths were divided into several sections. First, they had to wash off in the shower area before going into the cold pool, hot pool, or hot spring pool.

After washing themselves, the three eagerly headed for the hot pool. Many adults were soaking in it, their faces relaxed. Add a little sake, and it was about as comfortable as could be.

Shinichi and the other two exchanged a glance, then leaped straight into the hot pool with a splash. But the moment they got in, they sprang right back out, shouting "It's too hot!" in unison. Then they plunged into the nearby cold pool with another splash.

The adults soaking in the hot pool burst into laughter, teasing them.

"You're still too young for the hot pool!"

After soaking in the cold pool for a while, the burning sensation in their bodies eased somewhat. Without looking back, the three left the hot-and-cold pool area and asked the male attendant to take them to the hot spring pools.