Naruto: Wooing Tsunade from Day One!-Chapter 401: Karin Senju

The Konoha Cemetery.

Mito had been resting here for a full year now. The flowers before her gravestone had long since withered, their once-vibrant petals reduced to brittle remnants. It seemed that no one had visited for some time.

The cemetery was mostly quiet, with only a few scattered visitors paying respects to old friends and loved ones.

In the distance, six figures slowly approached.

"It's been a while since we last visited Grandma," Tsunade said. Her tone was light, her steps unburdened—she had come to terms with her loss, and her face now carried a gentle smile.

"Well, we're here today to give her a little surprise," Nawaki said, holding a bouquet of vivid red roses—Mito's favorite color.

"You two are playing favorites. Be careful, or your Grandpa might get jealous," Kawakaze teased from beside Tsunade, nudging the siblings.

"As if," Tsunade smirked. "Look what I brought."

Reaching into her pocket, she pulled out a pair of paper dice cups, giving them a light shake. The distinct rattling of dice could still be heard inside.

"You really know how to cater to someone's tastes," Kawakaze muttered, momentarily stunned. He had never seen anyone bring that to a grave offering before.

"Great-Grandpa really loved gambling, huh?"

Ginji, carrying a baby in his arms, walked with steady steps.

"Who do you think taught your mother how to gamble?" Tsunade glanced back at him, grinning.

"Well, in that case, Great-Grandpa must have been a big loser, too," Ginji remarked, having personally witnessed just how abysmal Tsunade's gambling luck was.

You brat, you're asking for a beating!" Tsunade fumed. It's not that my skills are bad—just my luck!

"Aunt, save me!" Ginji darted behind Misaki, knowing that as long as he held onto the baby, she would protect him.

"Your aunt can't save you," Kushina saw through his ploy instantly and swiftly snatched the baby from his arms.

"You brought this on yourself," Misaki chuckled behind her hand. Ginji's sharp tongue really was just like brother-in-law's.

"Alright, alright, we're almost there," Kawakaze cut in, rescuing Ginji just in time.

"Hmph~ One of these days, I'll show you all how I dominate the gambling world," Tsunade huffed, still unwilling to admit defeat.

"Of course, Mom is the best," Ginji quickly backtracked, having learned his lesson. With my good luck charm gone, I'm not about to take another risk.

"Now that is something I like to hear." Tsunade's mood flipped instantly, as fast as the changing skies of summer.

"Go on, clean up," Kawakaze said, giving Ginji a light kick as they arrived at the gravestone.

"Got it," Ginji stepped forward, clearing away the wilted flowers and fallen leaves. As he worked, he spoke softly.

"Great-Grandpa, Great-Grandma, Ginji is here to see you."

Then, from somewhere unseen, he pulled out two small boxes of dango and set them before the gravestone—both were flavors Mito had enjoyed sharing with him.

"Grandpa, Grandma, I brought gifts for you," Tsunade said as she placed the dice cups down before also setting aside a small offering for Mito.

Nawaki laid the fresh roses in place but suddenly realized he hadn't prepared anything for Hashirama. Then again, he had never met his grandfather, so his feelings weren't as deeply rooted as Tsunade's.

Kushina, holding the baby, simply watched from the side.

Misaki stepped forward, helping to arrange the offerings properly. Only Kawakaze remained still, his gaze sweeping across the cemetery.

A certain forbidden jutsu came to mind—Edo Tensei.

Orochimaru had truly been audacious in the original timeline, even daring to disturb places like this.

And Hiruzen hadn't killed him back then? That man had spoiled his student far too much.

"What are you spacing out for? Get over here," Tsunade's voice snapped him out of his thoughts. freёnovelkiss.com

"Coming, coming," Kawakaze called, jogging forward.

"Our family has a new member now. We came today to introduce her to the two of you."

Kawakaze lit the short incense in his hand, while Kushina quickly passed the baby to Nawaki.

"Grandma, this is my and Misaki's daughter," Nawaki said softly. "Isn't she adorable?"

"We gave her a beautiful name—Karin. Karin Senju."

He turned his daughter toward the gravestone, his face overflowing with love.

The baby had been born for a few months now, and her features were becoming more distinct—she clearly resembled Misaki. But the most striking similarity was her vibrant red hair.

Karin, unaware of what she was looking at, stared curiously at the scene before her.

Then, as if drawn by some unseen force, she reached out her tiny hands toward the engraved names on the stone.

"Gurgle~ gurgle~"

When Nawaki leaned her a little closer and her fingertips brushed against the cold surface, she giggled happily.

"Looks like Great-Grandma approves of our little sister," Ginji mused, recalling how, during his last visit, he had wished for just one more chance to touch Mito's face.

"Grandma, Minato and I have both learned to control the Nine-Tails' chakra now," Kushina added, her voice steady. "It's safe. You don't have to worry about us anymore."

Over the past year, both she and Minato had worked hard to master the tailed beast's power, their strength growing immensely.

"I miss you so much," Misaki whispered, kneeling beside Nawaki, eyes misty.

"Great-Grandma, I'm really strong now!" Ginji declared proudly, completely abandoning his usual humility. "I'll definitely become an amazing shinobi in the future!"

...

Everyone took turns speaking, their words filled with remembrance and longing.

As the incense slowly burned down, their time together drew to an end.

"We'll come visit again soon," Kawakaze said, rising to his feet. Life went on.

"Goodbye, Grandma."

With their emotions settled, one by one, they bid their farewells and turned to leave.

Before long, the Senju graves returned to their quiet solitude.

Thanks to Mito, even Tobirama's gravestone had received a few extra offerings. With no direct descendants, his resting place was often left cold and forgotten. Too few of his students remained to pay their respects.

A gentle breeze passed through, scattering the ashes of the burnt incense.

As they walked back, no one spoke, their steps weighted with quiet reflection.

Only when they reached the crossroads did someone finally break the silence.

"Back to the Hokage office, or are you skipping work?"

Kawakaze, strolling aimlessly through Konoha's streets with his wife and son, threw the question at Tsunade.

"I should show some consideration for Shōta," Tsunade admitted with a sheepish chuckle. She wasn't exactly the most diligent Hokage.

"Haha! The great Lady Hokage finally remembers poor Shōta!" Kawakaze laughed, picturing Shōta's perpetually exasperated face.

"Mom, Dad," Ginji suddenly called. "I'm gonna go find Satsuki."

With the ninja academy on break today, he had no intention of staying home.

"You brat—go on, then," Kawakaze waved him off. Just like me.

"And you?" Tsunade turned to him. "Where are you planning to wander?"

"Just gonna take a stroll. You go do your thing."

He had no plans to help out at the Hokage office.

"Fine, see you later."

Tsunade headed off toward the Hokage Building while Kawakaze wandered the streets of Konoha alone.

As he watched the villagers go about their daily lives—smiling, calling out to customers, enjoying their simple happiness—he felt content.

To protect these smiles, to keep this peace... that was enough for him.

If possible, he wished that war would never come again.