The food was completely cleared away. Shizune cleaned up and went to the kitchen to wash the dishes.
"Kid! Your cooking's not bad. I'll allow you to stay!"
If she had not already been stuffed full, Tsunade truly would have wanted another helping.
"Mm! As long as you're happy!"
Time passed day by day like this.
Doichi Hyuga's main job every day was cooking according to Tsunade's tastes.
More importantly, he strengthened and conditioned the child's body once every day.
Tsunade ate at least six meals a day. Sometimes, she would wake up in the middle of the night and pound on the door, driving Doichi Hyuga into the kitchen to make her another meal.
After one month, Tsunade had gained an entire size. Even Shizune's pointed chin had become rounder. Every day, she cried, "I can't eat anymore! I really can't eat anymore!"
Before long, the day of the birth arrived, and Tsunade safely gave birth to a baby girl.
Holding the wrinkled little bundle, Doichi Hyuga's heart trembled. I actually have a child? This is my child?
In his previous life, Doichi Hyuga had been a traditional Chinese doctor. Though his medical skills had not been particularly outstanding, he remained unmarried into his thirties.
As everyone knew, traditional Chinese medicine was notoriously unprofitable. Doichi Hyuga could barely be considered a physician with strong ethics—when poor people could not afford treatment, he often paid out of his own pocket. He had reached his thirties with barely any savings and stayed single until his death.
Doichi Hyuga carefully examined the tiny child in his arms, feeling as if the entire world had suddenly become real and warm.
Tsunade had once told him, "I always feel like you're just an observer, as if you don't really care about anything."
Tsunade was perceptive. Doichi Hyuga truly had felt that this world was unreal, like a dream that might vanish entirely the moment he woke up one day.
But now things were different. Doichi Hyuga had found his anchor: the child in his hands, his own child!
After placing the baby beside Tsunade, Doichi Hyuga began treatment to help Tsunade recover.
"We still haven't thought of a name for the child. What a headache!"
Tsunade held the baby close and muttered to herself.
"Call her Qianyue."
Doichi Hyuga said.
"Eh! That's actually a pretty good name! Why didn't I think of it? The little one was born in Thousand Moon Town, so it's very meaningful!"
Tsunade made the decision. That would be her name!
Neither of them mentioned a surname. Tsunade would never agree if the child took Hyuga, while taking Senju Clan would go against the previous Hokage's final wish.
One year later.
Doichi Hyuga curled up on the sofa reading a book, while a tiny child wriggled about in his lap.
"Daddy! I want to hear you tell a story!"
"Ah! All right! What does Qianyue want to hear?"
Doichi Hyuga smiled brightly. Who could refuse such a soft, adorable little sweetheart?
"I like anything Daddy tells me!"
Qianyue's little mouth seemed coated in honey, sweet-talking Doichi Hyuga into beaming every day.
Happily, Doichi Hyuga took out a storybook and began reading earnestly. His tone rose and fell with the tale, and he occasionally teased the little girl.
Tsunade curled her lip and shot Qianyue a glare. The little girl was not afraid of her at all and stuck her tongue out at her, making Tsunade's fists clench again.
After becoming a stay-at-home dad, Doichi Hyuga had learned quite a few new childcare skills.
Fortunately, he had been a doctor in his previous life. There were always some things in common.
Little Qianyue loved clinging to him the most, so Tsunade often made sour remarks and complained behind their backs more than once: That brat only knows how to suck up to you. She was sent here specifically to collect a debt from me.
"The Third Hokage is looking for me! I'm heading back to the village!"
Doichi Hyuga found Tsunade. News had come from his Shadow Clone Technique in Konoha.
"Kid! You don't need to tell me this!"
Tsunade lay lazily on the sofa and casually waved a hand.
"I'll leave a Shadow Clone Technique behind to keep Qianyue company. If I can't return in time, I'll have to leave her to you!"
"Shut up! Qianyue is my daughter. Since I dared to give birth to her, I can take care of her! Now get lost already, you damn brat!"
Doichi Hyuga said nothing more and turned to leave.
Tsunade's expression darkened as she held her daughter a little tighter.
Using the Flying Thunder God, Doichi Hyuga returned to Konoha and entered the Hokage's Office.
"Lord Hokage!"
He swept his gaze around the office and saw several other people there as well.
There were the familiar Kakashi and Aburame Shikuroo, as well as a woman with face paint.
"Dao Yi! You're finally back! Hehe! How is your study of medical ninjutsu going?"
"It's quite difficult. I'm still working hard at it."
"This time, we received a special mission issued by Genji, an elder of Kirigakure. They need someone with the Byakugan to go to Kirigakure and help confirm whether the Fourth Mizukage is under genjutsu control. Hiashi recommended you to me!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi said with a smile.
"The mission payment is twenty million ryo, and its rank is S-Rank! They demand that every informed party maintain strict confidentiality. Absolutely no information concerning this mission may be leaked!"
It seemed Kirigakure was afraid of losing face. Whether the Mizukage was under control or not, the mere spread of this matter would deal a severe blow to Kirigakure's reputation.
With such a generous payment, it was surely also hush money!
Doichi Hyuga had not expected that after going in a circle, this matter would still land on his head. Hyuga Hiashi was really a shameless old schemer, directly pushing the matter onto him.
"For this mission, Dao Yi will serve as captain! Kakashi, Shikuroo, Tsume, I'm counting on you three to assist him in completing the mission!"
"Yes, Lord Hokage!"
The three answered in unison.
With this lineup, their reconnaissance capabilities were almost pushed to the limit! It was obvious that Hiruzen Sarutobi valued them greatly, and their sense of security was through the roof.
"Go back and prepare! Depart as soon as possible!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi said with a smile.
The four turned and left to make their preparations!
One week later, Doichi Hyuga's group arrived outside Kirigakure.
A beautiful woman with long, wavy orange hair emerged from the mist and stopped before them.
"I am Mei Terumi, a shinobi of the Hidden Mist Village. By Lord Genji's order, I have come to receive you all!"
After both sides exchanged identification, they followed Mei Terumi into Kirigakure.
The five entered a secluded courtyard, which would serve as their temporary residence.
"In three days, Lord Mizukage will pass nearby. I'll be relying on you then, little Byakugan brother!"
"Understood!"
Doichi Hyuga said with a smile.
After making the arrangements, Mei Terumi left with a captivating sway.
"Kirigakure is known as the Village of the Bloody Mist. Assassination attempts could happen at any time! Stay alert and rest in shifts!"
After Doichi Hyuga spoke, the other three nodded.
"It's far too damp here. I feel sticky all over; it's unbearable! I'm going to rest first!"
Tsume complained a few times before turning and entering a room.
"Senior Shikuroo and Senior Tsume, you're in one group. You should rest first as well!"
"All right!"
Aburame Shikuroo answered dully.
Doichi Hyuga sensed the surroundings. Aside from the Hidden Mist Village ANBU watching them, there was also a scheming bastard hiding underground.
It seemed this mission would not go smoothly.
Sure enough, by nightfall, Doichi Hyuga had faced four assassination attempts.
The others were fine. The enemy's primary target seemed to be Doichi Hyuga.
Moreover, even by the fourth day, the Mizukage still had not appeared nearby.
Before you continue