A knowing smile curled at the corners of Tsunade's mouth.
"I mean Chinatsu, Akari, Akane, Ino, Hinata, Nami, Kurenai... Oh, right, and today there was that National Flower, too."
She counted them off on her fingers. By the seventh, the corner of Genya's mouth had begun to twitch.
"Can you keep up with them all?"
Genya lifted his cup and drained it.
"I'll cross that bridge when I come to it."
Tsunade laughed, a rare laugh without a trace of mockery.
"All right. You've got guts."
Hashirama muttered quietly beside them.
"If I'd had that kind of talent back in my day..."
Tsunade immediately shot him a glare. "What are you trying to say?"
Hashirama shook his head frantically.
"Nothing, nothing! I didn't say a thing!"
Beside them, the Third Hokage's shoulders shook as he tried to suppress his laughter.
The night grew late.
The sake pots on the table were emptied again and again. All four were a little drunk, but none of them suggested calling it a night.
In the end, Tsunade stood up first.
"All right, that's enough. We still have to clean up the mess from the celebration tomorrow."
She looked at Genya.
"You've got nothing to do tomorrow. Go clean up the square."
Genya's face darkened.
"Why should I?"
Tsunade answered as though it were perfectly obvious.
"Because you stole the show tonight."
Genya was speechless, while Hashirama burst out laughing.
The four of them left the Tavern.
The night breeze met them with winter's unmistakable chill, but warmth filled all their hearts.
Occasional cheers drifted from farther down the street, where villagers who had yet to leave were still celebrating.
Hashirama stretched.
"Ah, tonight was so much fun! Hiruzen, let's do it again next year!"
The Third Hokage smiled and nodded.
"All right."
Tsunade