Dawn in the Land of Hot Water always carried the faint salt of the sea breeze and the warmth of the hot springs.
In the courtyard of the Cherry Blossom Bathhouse, the last pink blossoms of the early cherry trees clung stubbornly to their branches. Now and then, a petal drifted down onto the stone paving or brushed past the slightly open collar of Tsunade's bathrobe.
Holding a cup of hot tea, Tsunade watched Minato, Nawaki, and Kushina, who had already begun their morning training in the courtyard, with a hint of satisfaction in her eyes.
Minato moved swiftly, his kunai seeming to come alive in his hands; Nawaki's fists whipped through the air, every move powerful and vigorous; Kushina practiced precise chakra control, red chakra chains weaving nimbly around her.
"Tsk. Young people really do have energy to spare."
Yawning, Shinichi shuffled out of his room in a loose bathrobe, his hair sticking up in every direction. He still held a half-eaten hot spring bun.
He walked over to Tsunade and sat right beside her without ceremony, then picked up the teacup in front of her and took a gulp.
Tsunade shot him a sidelong glance. "You have some nerve saying that. The sun's practically overhead already. Look at Minato and the others. They don't need anyone telling them to train."
"They're motivated, sure. Their training is just a little... hmm, too rigid."
Shinichi smacked his lips and looked toward the courtyard. "We're on our honeymoon. We ought to leave the students a few 'local souvenirs,' right?"
Tsunade raised an eyebrow. "Oh? So you're finally going to give them some pointers, you lazy bum?"
"Of course."
Shinichi stretched, his bones cracking. "Can't let them think their teacher only knows how to flirt and enjoy himself, can I? I'd lose