"Never serious."
Tsunade stared at him for three seconds, then looked away.
"You're her man. You decide."
She turned and walked back into the examination room, waving without looking back.
"Stay safe."
Bang.
The door closed.
Uchiha Lei scooped Mikoto into his arms and strode toward the stairs.
Mikoto nestled in his arms, tracing circles on his chest with a finger.
"Lei, where are we going?"
"Where do you want to go?"
"I'm a little hungry."
"How about sushi?"
Mikoto's eyes lit up.
"Konoha Sushi Shop!"
"Let's go!"
Konoha Sushi Shop, on Konoha's Shopping Street.
The shop was small but clean and tidy, and it was the village's longest-established sushi shop.
Uchiha Lei lifted the entrance curtain and carried Mikoto inside.
"A private room, please."
"Coming right up!"
Just as the two entered their private room, the curtain over the neighboring room lifted too.
A golden-haired figure stepped out.
Minato Namikaze.
He wore a green Jonin Vest, his short blond hair gleaming in the sunlight. Holding a bill, he was about to go and pay.
He paused at the sight of Uchiha Lei, then smiled.
"Lei? You're here for sushi too?"
"Minato, what a coincidence!" Uchiha Lei nodded. "I brought Mikoto here for something to eat."
Minato's gaze fell on Mikoto in his arms, then returned to Uchiha Lei, a flicker of understanding passing through his eyes.
"Good morning."
"Good morning, Minato."
Just then, another figure emerged from the private room.
Nami Uzumaki.
Her long red hair was tied in a low ponytail, and she wore a pale purple dress. Her lower abdomen swelled slightly, her pregnancy already quite apparent.
She held a handbag, ready to leave with Minato.
She smiled faintly when she saw Uchiha Lei.
"Lei, it's been a while."
"It has, Nami."
Uchiha Lei's gaze fell on