By midnight, Konoha's bustle had long faded into silence. Only a breeze brushed the treetops, stirring a few scattered leaves with a faint rustle.
In the courtyard of the Uchiha Residence, clear moonlight shone beneath a scattering of stars, as though their brilliant glow had spread across the entire night sky.
Shinichi and Tsunade sat side by side, quietly gazing up at the sky. For a while, neither spoke. The night was gentle, and even their breathing sounded unusually clear.
After a long silence, Tsunade suddenly turned her head and said with feigned casualness, "Hey, Shinichi, you'd better teach Nawaki properly."
Her tone carried some of her usual forcefulness and familiar menace, but an unmistakable trace of softness slipped into her voice.
"If you dare slack off, don't blame me when I let you taste my Thunder God Fist!" She folded her arms, a slightly smug smile curling her lips.
Shinichi glanced at her, the corners of his mouth lifting as he replied playfully, "Of course. After all... Nawaki is my future brother-in-law."
Tsunade had looked composed until she heard "future brother-in-law." The tips of her ears instantly flushed, as though something had flicked them. Even her gaze grew flustered, though she stubbornly tried to hide it.
She turned away and stared at the night sky, pretending not to care, but her heart sped up beyond her control.
Shinichi laughed inwardly at the sight, yet acted as though nothing had happened. He looked up at the bright stars, his tone as gentle as if he were discussing something utterly trivial.
"Don't worry. He's your brother, and someone I care about too. I wouldn't dare neglect his training."
A breeze stirred the loose strands across Tsunade's forehead. She instinctively raised a hand to smooth them, but dared not look at Shinichi