"Eh?"
"I'm not in a hurry. It's fine if it happens a few more years later."
Kushina reacted strongly, immediately blushing.
She and Minato still needed a bit of time before reaching adulthood, but if Grandma really insisted, getting married earlier wasn't out of the question.
"I wasn't talking about you."
Mito chuckled at Kushina. This child was indeed very impatient.
"I'm not in a hurry either."
With just a few people present, Nawaki naturally knew Mito was targeting him.
Living under the same roof as Misaki, he didn't feel any urgency at all.
If marriage was concerned, for him, it was just a formality.
Looking around Konoha, who didn't know that Misaki was Nawaki's woman?
Furthermore, he hadn't prepared himself to become a husband yet and felt he wasn't mature enough.
"I already..."
Before Misaki could finish her sentence, she was abruptly cut off by Mito.
"What do you mean, not in a hurry?"
"Haven't you considered Misaki's feelings at all?"
"She's already grown up. Do you expect her to wait until you're old and gray?"
Mito was slightly excited, speaking quickly. Just a few sentences left Nawaki reeling inside.
What kind of situation was this?
He had simply attended a wedding. How come upon returning, Grandma suddenly seemed like a completely different person?
She hadn't mentioned anything like this before!
"Grandma, I didn't say I don't want to get married."
"I just want to wait a few more years until I become more mature."
Nawaki carefully watched Mito's expression, his words sounding somewhat timid.
As for Kushina, she had long since shut up, face still flushed red with embarrassment. Misaki simply stood aside watching without daring to interject.
"You sure speak lightly."
"Just how many years is 'a few more years' anyway?"
Seeing Nawaki open his mouth yet unable to respond properly, Mito decided not to press further.
"Fine, do whatever you like."
"You've all had quite a lot to drink. Time for bed, early wash-up first."
After speaking, Mito rose alone and left, leaving the three of them completely stunned in their places.
"What's wrong with Grandma today?"
Scratching his head, Nawaki asked Misaki, his face full of confusion.
At this point, he'd completely forgotten about Tsunade asking him to tell Grandma something.
"Maybe she saw other people getting married and got worked up about us."
Misaki thought for a moment before sharing her guess.
"Grandma probably just said it offhandedly."
"You two keep chatting. I need to go wash up. I'm reeking of sake."
Kushina, being easygoing, didn't dwell on things. After rising, she simply walked away.
Anyway, Grandma wasn't targeting her. Let them sort out their own mess.
"I think Grandma might be a little angry. Should we apologize to her?"
"If she truly wants us to get married early, then maybe we should just go ahead."
"What do you think?"
Nawaki, after all, was still a respectful and caring child. He sat beside Misaki, asking her opinion gently.
"Either way is fine with me."
"I'll follow Grandma's suggestion."
Misaki readily agreed, then realizing she seemed too forward, promptly blamed Grandma for her eagerness.
"Alright, tomorrow let's both have a serious talk with Grandma together."
"She probably doesn't expect us to rush into marriage right away."
Nawaki still assumed that Mito might just be slightly envious seeing others getting married.
All of them completely overlooked the fact that beneath Mito's youthful exterior hid a weary soul.
After they had all fallen asleep, the light in Mito's room remained on.
She sat before her dressing table, gazing at her still-beautiful reflection in the mirror, though her eyes were unfocused.
After a long while, she gently brushed her cheek with her hand, murmuring softly to herself.
"Hashirama... wait for me a little longer..."
At some point, the light in Mito's room went out, plunging the Senju estate into darkness.
The night passed quietly.
The next morning, Misaki got up early and prepared breakfast.
Though she wasn't used to cooking, an apology had to come from the heart.
Asking Nawaki to cook was clearly out of the question, so it had to be her instead.
When Nawaki and Kushina finally sat down, Mito arrived fashionably late.
Taking the main seat, she showed no signs of tiredness despite little sleep.
"Trying to butter up Grandma?"
Mito only needed one bite to figure out who had made this breakfast.
"How could that be? Isn't it only natural for me to cook something for Grandma?"
Misaki wore a bright smile, eagerly ladling Mito another bowl of porridge.
"It truly warms Grandma's heart to see you care so much."
Mito accepted the porridge from Misaki with visible delight.
Meanwhile, Kushina simply focused on eating—still hungry from drinking on an empty stomach the whole night.
Nawaki didn't bring up yesterday's topic either—timing was still off.
"As long as Grandma likes it, I wouldn't mind cooking every single day."
Misaki showered Mito with flattery that made her beam.
Just as they were nearly finished eating, Mito seemed especially cheerful.
Nawaki set his bowl down, wiped his mouth, and spoke.
"Grandma, I was wrong yesterday."
"My wedding date with Misaki is entirely up to you."
"Just overlook our childish behavior, okay?"
Nawaki scooted closer to Mito, his face plastered with flattery.
"Finally listening to Grandma now?"
"If you want to delay the wedding a few years, that's fine too. Yesterday I was just venting."
How could Mito truly stay angry? Knowing Tsunade was happily settled with children of her own was already enough.
Last night, she'd come to realize she shouldn't be greedy.
What she had now was better than Hashirama's fate.
That short-lived fool didn't even live long enough to meet his granddaughter's husband or his great-grandchild.
As for Nawaki and Misaki, she'd let them follow their hearts.
This chapter isn't over yet!
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"You're the best, Grandma!"
"See? I told you Grandma was just being sentimental."
When he heard Mito speak like this, Nawaki immediately let out a sigh of relief.
One, because Mito wasn't really upset, and two, because he wouldn't have to tie the knot so soon.
"You little brat, Grandma can't even feel sentimental for a moment?"
Mito pretended to scold him, tapping Nawaki lightly on the head.
"Sure, whatever Grandma wants."
Nawaki flinched slightly, grinning innocently with no care in the world.
They chatted a bit longer when Ginji's voice drawing near was heard.
"Great-Gran, Ginji came to see you."
With hurried footsteps, Ginji was the first to appear before the group.
As soon as he threw himself into Mito's arms, Kawaki and Tsunade emerged from behind.
"My sweet girl, Great-Gran missed you so much," Mito said, showering Ginji with kisses on the face while completely ignoring Kawaki and Tsunade.
"Uncle, Auntie, Kushina Sister."
Once Ginji had finished showering Mito with affection, he greeted Nawaki and the other three.
The family hierarchy was a mess anyway, so no one really cared how he addressed them.
Misaki didn't mind being called "Auntie" either.
"You only miss your Great-Gran and not your Uncle?" Nawaki yanked Ginji over, though he really did dote on his little nephew.
"I missed you too... just not as much."
Ginji shot Mito a mischievous look, leaving Nawaki utterly helpless.
"Haha, serves you right!" Kushina cackled, nearly doubling over with laughter.
Some people just don't know their limits.
...
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