Naruto: Wooing Tsunade from Day One!-Chapter 338: All Gatherings Must Come to an End

"You'll be leaving tomorrow."

"So today, we'll make an exception and drink a bit."

An unknown barbecue restaurant in Konoha had only one table of guests inside. Without any elders present, Nawaki took on the role of the eldest brother, filling sake glasses one by one.

"Pour less for Konan," Misaki said, stopping Nawaki for a moment and handing Konan the smallest glass.

"Thank you, Sister Misaki," Konan replied, taking the glass, though her face remained expressionless.

The gathering consisted of just the three of them, some of the few acquaintances they had in Konoha. This was a farewell party.

"Sister Misaki, you're so biased," Kushina complained, feeling jealous that her own glass was full.

"Do you usually drink little?" Misaki asked, giving Kushina a pointed look. The fiery girl had been able to drink for ages but still insisted on pretending otherwise. Did she really think Minato, that lovesick fool, didn't know? He just didn't want to blow her cover.

"I don't usually drink!" Kushina pouted, her tone exaggerated and defensive.

"Forget it," Nawaki said bluntly. "You haven picked up evetything worthwhile from my sister—especially the part about holding grudges."

Nawaki's words left no room for Kushina's theatrics. He wouldn't have dared say such things if Tsunade were there, but with her absence, he felt bolder.

"Screw you!" Kushina snapped, flustered, and tossed a pair of chopsticks at Nawaki.

"You're not defending me either," she accused.

Nawaki cheerfully caught the chopsticks, leaving Minato to bear the brunt of her frustration.

"It's my fault," Minato said with a sheepish smile, accepting a couple of harmless punches while looking at Kushina with adoration.

"Hahaha~"

After the brief commotion, the mood at the table lightened considerably.

"Over the years, I've been taken care of by all of you. Let's toast to everyone first," Yahiko said, raising his glass. Nagato, Konan, and the others joined in.

"That's too much, the three of us have received plenty of care from you."

The Shishi Trio, Nawaki's team that Tsunade had transferred to his command, were also present. They and Yahiko's group had formed a bond akin to sworn brothers.

"You don't have to be so polite," Nawaki said, raising his glass again. "The secret's all in the sake." With that, he tilted his head back and downed another glass.

"Nawaki is right," Minato said, wiping at the corner of his eye. "Let's all be happy today. We won't be apart for long."

"You're right. It's not that far," Yahiko added, picking up where Minato left off. Still, he wasn't entirely sure when they would have the chance to meet again.

"Eat more, it's not like you're at home. Take care of yourselves," Misaki said softly as she piled a large serving of grilled meat onto the plates of the trio. Her voice was always gentle, matching her demeanor.

"We know," Nagato replied before gulping down several mouthfuls so quickly he barely registered the taste.

"Brother-in-law, what were you thinking, sending them to such a chaotic place?" Kushina blurted out, her frustration evident. She couldn't understand Kawakaze's decision—why send his own disciples on such a dangerous mission?

"Don't say such things. Sensei must have his reasons," Minato said, defending Kawakaze. He wasn't the ungrateful type and felt compelled to speak up.

"Can't I even talk about it? He's not even here," Kushina retorted, glaring at Minato irritably.

"You can, you can," Minato nodded quickly, eager to smooth things over. But that was the extent of his defense—just one sentence.

"Talking about it now won't change anything," Nawaki said. "The three of them volunteered for this, anyway. Come on, let's drink."

He was well aware of more details than Kushina, given his current standing in Konoha.

"Drink, drink," the group chimed in as they raised their glasses again.

They were all young and carefree, drinking without restraint as the mood lightened. The boisterous atmosphere made the restaurant owner thrilled—he was either serving more sake or bringing out more meat, clearly delighted with the windfall of business this gathering had brought him.

"I heard that Sensei transferred the one you've been thinking about to another class. That's good news for you," Nawaki teased, his cheeks flushed from the alcohol as he winked at Nagato. Always well-informed, Nawaki likely picked up the information from something Minato had let slip.

"Haha..." Nagato chuckled awkwardly, offering no explanation. His mind was elsewhere, already looking forward to meeting Nonō again.

"Then congratulations are in order."

The Shishi trio followed Nawaki's lead, teasing Nagato until his cheeks flushed bright red. Gossip was always a favorite pastime, and the sadness of parting gradually melted away.

"That's enough. Look at how embarrassed he is," Misaki said, stepping in to defend Nagato. She knew the teasing would only escalate—at this rate, they'd be discussing baby names next.

"I haven't even started yet, and you're already talking too much," Nagato muttered, touching his flushed cheeks and throwing in a snarky comment. None of what they said had even crossed his mind.

"Not far off. It's just a matter of time," Nawaki said confidently, as though he could see the future.

"Maybe sooner or later, but it won't be as soon as you guys. You and Sister Misaki go first, and Senior Brother Minato goes after you," Nagato retorted, glancing at Yahiko and Konan, who should also be ahead of him.

"You're right about that," Nawaki replied. "When I get married, you must come back." He put his arm around Misaki's shoulders, pulling her close until she leaned on him.

"What a good match," Konan remarked. Compliments never grew old, and her words made Nawaki beam with pride.

"That's right, we're a perfect match," Nawaki declared with a grin. Emboldened by the alcohol, he kissed Misaki on the cheek without hesitation.

"What are you doing?! Are you that shameless?" Misaki exclaimed, quickly pushing him away. There were too many people around for such a public display.

"What's there to be ashamed of? We're all family," Nawaki laughed heartily, clearly pleased with himself.

"We'll definitely come back," Yahiko said firmly, as if sealing a promise. The agreement was unanimous among the three of them.

"Then you've got to come back when I marry Kushina. You can't play favorites," Minato said, jumping into the playful banter with a grin.

Kushina, however, immediately turned red with embarrassment at his bold remark.

"Who said anything about marrying you?" she shot back, blushing furiously. Her flustered reaction only made Minato's grin widen in delight.

"Don't worry, we'll all be there," Yahiko said with a laugh. The three of them burst out laughing, sealing their promise to always support one another.

"You're all in pairs, and we're the only three singles. Looks like we need to hurry things up," Shishi said to himself, pulling his two teammates into the conversation.

"So, how did your blind date go?" teased the teammate from the Nara Clan, clearly enjoying the opportunity to poke fun.

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"Forget it. I've got my eye on someone else," Shishi replied with a sigh. "But she doesn't fancy me, so what can I do?"

Shishi, true to his name, had a burly build and a full beard. Though only in his early twenties, he looked closer to thirty, which often made it harder for him to win over young girls.

"The next one will be even better—and even more obedient," the other teammate chimed in, his slow-paced remark cutting deep.

Shishi's frustration was plain to see. After having already taken an interest in at least ten girls, the idea of yet another suggestion was almost too much for him.

"Thanks, but enough already," Shishi said, raising his hands in a gesture to halt the conversation. "At this rate, either the matchmaker or I am going to lose it."

"Don't worry. It's just that your time hasn't come yet," Misaki said with a kind smile, thinking of her own relationship with Nawaki. Fate had its own timing for everyone.

"I hope so," Shishi muttered, downing another glass of wine, his face clouded with melancholy.

...

No one knew exactly how long the meal lasted. By the time they left, not a single one of them could walk in a straight line.