Passersby turned to stare.
The Fifth Hokage walked in front, her face thunderous, with the First Hokage and the Asura of the Ninja World trailing behind.
Both men hung their heads and trudged along like middle schoolers their homeroom teacher had just dragged out of an internet café.
Someone recognized them and gaped wide enough to fit an egg in their mouth. Someone else pulled out a camera and pressed the shutter. As the flash went off, Hashirama instinctively raised a hand to shield his face, while Genya ducked his head even lower.
They returned to the Hokage Office.
The door closed. Tsunade sat behind her desk, arms folded, her face expressionless.
Genya and Hashirama stood side by side in front of the desk, their arms hanging at their sides and their heads lowered.
"Talk."
Tsunade's voice held no emotion.
"Whose idea was it?"
Hashirama immediately pointed at Genya.
"His."
Genya stared at Hashirama, wide-eyed. Hashirama avoided his gaze and studied the ceiling as though there were something fascinating up there.
Genya took a deep breath and turned to Tsunade.
"...Mine."
Tsunade nodded, unsurprised.
"Good."
She stood, walked over to them, circled them once, then stopped.
"Starting today, you two are grounded. Without my permission, you are not to leave the village, enter the Gambling Den, visit the Red-Light District, or drink alcohol."
Hashirama's face fell completely.
"Kid, what does that leave us?"
Tsunade glanced at him.
"Processing paperwork."
Hashirama opened his mouth, then closed it again.
"And you."
Tsunade looked at Genya.
"I'll let the matter of the Chunin Ninja Exams slide for now. But if you dare pull any more strings behind the scenes, I'll summon every one of your lady friends to the Hokage Office and ask them, one by one, exactly what their relationship with you