As Ginji fell asleep, the people in the house gradually dispersed. Kawakaze and Tsunade stayed behind, chatting about their child and imagining their future together.
After an unknown amount of time, Nayuki's voice rang out ahead of her, calling to Tsunade, "Dinner's ready."
"I'm coming, sister-in-law," Tsunade replied. "Keep an eye on things while I eat. I'll take over for you later."
Tsunade stood up and reminded Kawakaze, "Watch carefully."
"Go ahead, and eat plenty," Kawakaze said with a suggestive lift of his brow, leaving no doubt about his meaning.
"You're not worth the effort," Tsunade said with a glare before stepping out to follow Nayuki to the dining room.
Kawakaze watched her disappear from view, then walked over to his son and crouched down beside him. Just looking at the little one made him want to laugh.
"You're pretty lucky, aren't you?" he said softly. "Joining our family means a life full of blessings."
...
Kawakaze muttered to himself while looking at the sleeping Ginji. He didn't know why he was talking so much to himself. Luckily, there was no one else around, or they might have thought he was crazy.
Meanwhile, Tsunade arrived at the dining hall, where everyone was already seated. Today, the entire family was unusually present, with Mito sitting at the head of the table after being repeatedly invited by Sakumo.
"Serve the food, please," Nayuki instructed the servant as soon as Tsunade took her seat.
Almost immediately, a variety of soups were brought to the table. Tsunade glanced at the selection: carp soup, chicken soup with vegetables, pig's trotters and peanuts soup…
"Is this really necessary?" Tsunade asked, looking at Mito. She didn't even need to guess—it was obvious this was her grandmother's doing. Nayuki's meals were never this elaborate.
"Why not? Don't let little Ginji go hungry," Mito said matter-of-factly, leaving Tsunade momentarily at a loss for words.
"If you can handle it, have more. If not, just take it easy!" Nayuki added with a smile. Resigned, Tsunade served herself a hearty bowl of chicken soup and started eating.
As the other dishes were served, everyone started their meal. Tsunade eyed the spicy and delicious-looking plates, reaching for her chopsticks, when Mito stopped her.
"You can't eat that. Eat something light," Mito said, not even looking up, yet somehow noticing Tsunade's every move.
"Grandma, I'll just have a little bite," Tsunade protested, gesturing to emphasize her request.
"No way, no discussion," Mito replied firmly, leaving no room for compromise.
Tsunade huffed in frustration, withdrawing her hand and downing the soup in her bowl in one go to vent her irritation.
"Not bad. Drink some more," Mito commented, her tone laced with subtle mockery, only fueling Tsunade's anger.
But what could she do? It was her grandmother, after all.
"I know," Tsunade said, recalling what it was like to be on the receiving end of such treatment.
Nawaki, sitting on the other side, struggled to hold back his laughter, inwardly praising Mito's sharp wit.
"Sister, aren't you awesome? If you're so capable, why don't you try it with Grandma?" he teased.
Just as Nawaki was getting carried away, he felt a pat on his leg. He looked up to see Misaki's subtle warning and then noticed Tsunade's murderous glare.
"Go ahead and laugh if you want, but you look like you're holding it in really hard," Tsunade said with a tone that was far from kind, though her words suggested understanding.
"Sister, you've got it all wrong," Nawaki replied quickly, his expression turning serious. "I was just thinking of something funny."
His sudden shift in demeanor was born of experience—if he really laughed, a beating was inevitable.
"Hmph, I hope so," Tsunade said, withdrawing her gaze. The deterrent effect was already in place.
She took a long sip of water, resigning herself to the situation. Even the main dish she managed was just a simple bowl of porridge.
"I'm full. I'm going to switch with Kawakaze," Tsunade announced irritably as she stood up. This meal had been anything but enjoyable.
"Go ahead," Mito said, dismissively waving her hand, as if swatting away a fly.
"Puff…" Nawaki finally couldn't hold back and let out a laugh.
"Nawaki, you just wait," Tsunade threatened as she stormed off.
"Couldn't you just put up with it a little longer?" Misaki looked at him with a disappointed expression. He didn't seem to feel the slightest regret about getting beaten up.
"Haha, I can't hold back anymore," Nawaki said, finally letting out a laugh since he was already resigned to the beating he would receive.
"Quite brave," Minato remarked, his tone carrying a deep respect for Nawaki's boldness.
"You're welcome," Nawaki replied with a grin.
The two jokers quickly fell into an animated conversation. Everyone watching was amused—after all, who didn't have a couple of clowns in their family?
When Tsunade returned, she complained to Kawakaze, "Just soup and congee. It's so sad."
"It's all for your own good, and it'll only last a while. You can eat whatever you want then," Kawakaze reassured her. "And I'll even join you for a few drinks."
Kawakaze's words were meant to comfort her, but he dared not actually offer anything. He knew Mito would make him regret it if he tried feeding Tsunade something unsuitable.
"Forget it, that's just nice talk," Tsunade replied, clearly unconvinced. She understood her situation well—breastfeeding meant keeping a strict diet for at least ten months to a year. The thought made her feel utterly miserable.
"God, that's so pitiful!" she muttered.
Kawakaze started to respond but was interrupted by Ginji's crying.
"Pee again?" Tsunade guessed immediately.
Kawakaze walked over to pick Ginji up, feeling the cotton cloth to check if it was wet. Finding it dry, he lifted it up to be sure, confirming there was no urine.
"Probably hungry," he concluded.
"You see?" Kawakaze said, glancing at Tsunade's wide eyes.
"Give me the baby and close the door," Tsunade instructed, showing no embarrassment as she loosened her clothes, ready to feed Ginji.
"Okay." Kawakaze handed Ginji over and quickly closed the door. Staying inside was definitely his plan; he wasn't going anywhere.
"Do you have any milk?" Kawakaze asked, though it was a rather pointless question.
"How would I know? Let Ginji try and see," Tsunade replied as she prepared to breastfeed, bringing Ginji closer.
Breastfeeding came instinctively to children, and Ginji began suckling as soon as he got close. Kawakaze watched for a moment before commenting, "Tell him to suckle more."
Tsunade gave him a look but said nothing—what would a man like him know?
"I read some parenting books beforehand!" Kawakaze added defensively, motioning to a stack of books in the room.
Tsunade gently pushed Ginji's head closer to help him latch properly.
"Do you feel it?" Kawakaze asked when he noticed Tsunade frown. He couldn't tell what the result was.
"It seems to be coming out," Tsunade said vaguely, feeling a warm flow and noting Ginji's swallowing movements. She realized this marked the start of her food restrictions for a long time.
"I knew you'd be fine," Kawakaze said with a grin. "After all, they didn't grow this big for nothing."
Tsunade rolled her eyes at his shameless joke. "There's never a kind word coming out of your mouth."
After about ten minutes, Ginji seemed full, releasing his latch and looking drowsy.
"Give him to me," Kawakaze said, taking Ginji and placing him back in the cradle. Meanwhile, Tsunade adjusted her clothes.
"Go eat," she said, feeling a slight swelling on her other side. This child had such a small appetite—what would she do until his appetite grew?
"Okay, I'll be back after I eat," Kawakaze replied, opening the door and leaving. Little did he know he might have another meal when he returned.
When the moment finally came, Kawakaze reluctantly stepped up, only to realize just how unpleasant it truly was.
He nearly gagged, feeling like the meal he'd just eaten was about to come back up.
His reaction earned him both ridicule and disapproval from Tsunade.
This is bad. If I complain about this today, who knows—she might actually beat me up tomorrow!