After leaving the hospital, the group attracted considerable attention as they walked through the streets.
Many villagers spontaneously came forward to offer their congratulations, and the news that Lady Hokage was celebrating the birth of a precious son quickly spread throughout Konoha.
From the very beginning, Ginji Hatake had captured the attention of the villagers.
Kawakaze and Tsunade beamed with smiles, warmly greeting every villager. By the time they reached home, their voices were nearly hoarse. Even so, they had no complaints—if anything, they were happy to do it all over again.
Their joy came from the heart, a feeling that wouldn't fade anytime soon.
"Tsunade, you must be hungry. I'll tell the kitchen to prepare something," Nayuki said, handing Kakashi over to Sakumo before heading toward the kitchen.
"Make some bream soup or something. Actually, forget it—I'll go with you," Mito interjected before Tsunade could respond.
Although Tsunade was well-endowed, Mito was still determined to have the kitchen prepare foods that might promote milk production. She understood that size didn't always correlate with supply.
"Oh, I'm so done," Tsunade muttered, rubbing her forehead. She already knew the effects of bream soup all too well.
"Grandma's just looking out for you," Kawakaze said. "Let's head back to the room."
Kawakaze actually thought it was a good idea. If there was too much, he could always drink some himself.
Tsunade nodded, holding Ginji close as she walked toward the bedroom. It wasn't ideal to expose a newborn to too much wind.
"We'll come too," Nawaki said, leading his group after her. They hadn't had a proper chance to look at the baby yet.
Sakumo, on the other hand, didn't join in. He intended to visit the family shrine to inform their ancestors of the good news: both of their sons had produced heirs.
Kakashi, after being let go by his father, toddled along behind him, his short legs taking their time.
Back in the room, Tsunade gently placed Ginji into the new baby cradle. Kawakaze had crafted it himself, lining it with soft bedding. The craftsmanship was exquisite, reflecting the care and thought he had put into it.
"You can look, but don't make Ginji cry," Tsunade said, stepping aside graciously to let the others approach.
Kawakaze stayed back with her, the two of them quietly sitting down by the bed.
"Got it," the group responded in unison, then surrounded little Ginji.
Kakashi, too small to squeeze in, cried out from behind the panicking crowd, "I want to see too, I want to see too!"
"I'll carry you." Misaki turned around, scooped Kakashi into her arms, and instantly brought him closer to his brother.
"Brother, I'm your brother," Kakashi said softly, still reserved and not reaching out. His baby voice was endearing.
"Ginji is still young, but when he grows up, he will call you brother," Misaki coaxed gently. Nawaki, observing the scene, was mesmerized, convinced Misaki would make a wonderful mother someday.
"Ginji, I'm your big sister, Konan," she introduced herself in a cheerful tone. "If anyone bullies you in the future, just call Senior Brother Minato."
Konan, knowing she wasn't well-known, acknowledged Minato's greater reputation. Despite her awareness, her childlike nature shone through as she stuck out a finger and gently flicked Ginji's tiny hand. Ginji looked up at the purple-haired girl with wide eyes, seemingly captivated by her appearance. His little hand gripped her finger, making Konan beam with joy.
"Ginji, I'm your uncle," Nawaki announced, crouching down and leaning in. However, Ginji didn't even glance at him, offering a cold shoulder to his warm approach.
"Haha~ You're not a popular uncle!" Minato mocked mercilessly, standing off to the side, clearly amused.
"You're just full of it," Nawaki retorted, glaring at Minato before turning back to Ginji. "Little brat, sooner or later, you'll learn your place."
Perhaps sensing danger, Ginji let out a wail of "Wah!"
"Didn't I already warn you?" Tsunade snapped, standing up abruptly to scold them.
"Sister, it wasn't me!" Nawaki protested quickly, his guilty tone betraying him. The rest of the group, full of innocence, stayed quiet, not daring to utter a word.
"I knew it was you. This is your own nephew. What are you doing?" Tsunade scolded, delivering two slaps to Nawaki without hesitation or investigation.
"Hahaha~" Everyone laughed gleefully as Nawaki clutched his head in pain.
"If there's a next time, I'll show you what I'm capable of!" Tsunade warned fiercely before taking Ginji out of the way. She cooed softly to her baby, "Be a good boy, mommy's here."
Suddenly, she paused. "Why does it feel a little damp?" she wondered aloud, noticing a wet sensation on her hand.
"It's Ginji's pee, I think."
"Someone, go and get a basin of warm water," Kawakaze ordered calmly.
"Yes, Sensei," Nagato replied promptly. Without hesitation, he headed toward the door.
"Really," Tsunade muttered, untying the cotton cloth around Ginji. Inside, she found a large wet patch.
"Sister, you're accusing me wrongly," Nawaki protested, emboldened by his innocence.
"What's wrong with accusing you?" Tsunade retorted. "You want me to apologize?"
Nawaki's brief surge of confidence vanished under Tsunade's sharp gaze. "No, I'm just telling you," he muttered, shrinking his neck and lowering his voice.
With a resigned air, he reflected that his natural submission to Tsunade meant he'd likely never gain the upper hand.
"It's so tiny," Konan remarked absentmindedly, speaking to Kushina and Misaki nearby.
"You little girl, what are you saying?" Kushina scolded lightly, slapping Konan gently as the comment slipped out.
Misaki glanced over but chose to remain silent.
"Sister Konan, what's so tiny?" Kakashi asked innocently from Misaki's arms.
"Nothing, don't listen to her nonsense," Misaki interjected quickly, worried Konan might say something inappropriate. She shot Konan a warning look, silently urging her to keep quiet.
"Oh." Kakashi accepted the answer without further question, much to Misaki's relief. She let out a sigh, grateful he didn't press the issue further—she wouldn't have known how to explain it.
"Where should I put it?" Nagato asked as he returned to the room with a basin of water.
"Just put it on the table," Tsunade replied casually, holding Ginji as she prepared to clean him.
"Ouch~" Konan yelped suddenly, clutching her head. Turning around, she saw Kawakaze standing behind her with a mischievous grin.
"Don't think I didn't hear that," Kawakaze said, smirking. "Little girl, you don't know what you can and can't say, so watch your mouth."
"I know, Sensei," Konan replied, pouting and looking pitiful.
"I'm not buying it. Go play somewhere else," Kawakaze said firmly, seeing through her act.
"I'm telling the truth! It's really tiny," Konan retorted, clearly annoyed.
"Huh?" Kawakaze raised his hand in mock threat, and Konan instinctively stepped back, a hint of fear in her eyes.
"If you don't have anything to say, then stay quiet!" Kawakaze snapped.
Konan seized the moment to dart behind Yahiko, using him as a shield.
"Control her," Kawakaze instructed Yahiko impatiently.
"Yes, Sensei," Yahiko agreed, though he was clearly being overrun by Konan's antics.
"Hurry up and wrap it up; don't let him catch a cold," Kawakaze said, handing Tsunade a fresh cotton cloth.
"If you keep peeing, Mommy's going to spank you," Tsunade teased, giving Ginji's plump little bottom a couple of light taps. She quickly wrapped him up snugly, then placed him back in the cradle.
Before long, Ginji dozed off peacefully.