After exiting the gates of the Senju mansion, Mito came to a stop and tilted her head up to glance at the sky.
Today's sunlight was just right, and the breeze was gentle.
It felt like she hadn't stepped out in quite a while.
"Great-Gran, which way are we going?" Ginji shook the hand he held with Mito's, his face full of innocent joy.
"This way."
Mito snapped out of her daze, regaining focus before leading Ginji down the right path.
Passing through the alleyways, the two reached the bustling main street, just like any other day among the common folk.
The streets were packed with people, parents with children everywhere.
Thanks to Konoha's current era of peace and stability, the villagers wore happy smiles.
Strolling leisurely along the street, Mito and Ginji—a pair of stunning good looks—naturally drew many eyes.
They also looked somewhat alike.
Strangers could easily mistake Mito for Ginji's mother.
"Lady, your son is absolutely adorable!" A plump woman dressed lavishly in gold and silver approached Mito, holding the hand of her chubby little girl.
At first glance, it was clear she was from a wealthy Konoha family.
"That's my..."
Before Ginji could jump in to explain, Mito quickly interrupted.
"Thank you for the compliment. Your daughter is lovely too."
With no intention of clarifying anything, Mito smiled warmly as she spoke, even reaching out to pinch the young girl's round cheek gently.
"Oh, not at all! She just loves to eat!"
"I do worry about how chubby she's gotten," the heavyset woman said without mentioning her own figure but clearly aware of her daughter's appearance.
Despite what she said, the wide grin on her face showed exactly how pleased she was with Mito's praise.
The little girl glanced at Ginji then looked up at Mito again, finally hiding shyly behind her mother under Ginji's curious gaze.
She seemed quite shy.
"Hi, I'm Ginji," he greeted confidently.
He didn't feel the need to correct anyone anymore—as long as Great-Gran was happy.
"Um... Hello," the girl stammered, avoiding eye contact and not daring to state her name.
"She's a bit shy—it's nothing personal," the lady apologized while patting her daughter's head.
"It's fine. It's sweet for a girl to be this way," Mito replied with understanding, perhaps thinking of Tsunade and Kushina.
"Haha, I feel the exact same way!" The lady immediately felt like she'd found a kindred spirit in Mito. Every word struck a chord with her.
Smiling broadly, she looked even more prosperous.
"Well then, maybe next time we can chat longer. We've got things to do."
After all, they were total strangers, so Mito didn't intend to linger further. Still, calculating an auspicious date for Nawaki and Misaki felt more important.
"All right, don't let us keep you then. Hope we meet again someday."
The lady knew how to read the situation well. Seeing Mito wasn't interested in making friends, she politely stepped aside.
"Goodbye."
Ginji waved goodbye to the little girl as he walked away hand in hand with Mito.
"What? Do you think Great-Gran is getting old?"
They had walked a considerable distance and were already far away from the fat lady and her daughter when Mito spoke again.
"No way, how could that be possible!"
"You're the youngest and most beautiful one among them all, Great-Grandmother."
Ginji got it immediately, knowing exactly what Mito was referring to.
"You sly flatterer, always trying to make me happy."
"Then why did you even try to explain earlier?"
Mito gave him a half-smirk, watching to see how he'd respond.
"I just thought it might confuse family seniority."
"And besides, how could such a young and beautiful Great-Grandmother not shock them? They'll probably drop their jaws."
Ginji first offered a reasonable excuse before throwing in another compliment.
But truthfully, this was exactly how he truly felt.
To Ginji, his always-gentle Great-Grandmother really was even more beautiful than Mama.
"What a silver tongue you've got."
Mito couldn't help but smile widely, clearly delighted by Ginji.
"Great-Grandmother, I want to eat red bean dango."
As they passed a dango shop and saw the long queue outside, Ginji's eyes lit up.
It wasn't even that he particularly wanted to eat; he simply loved the feeling of being pampered.
"Alright then."
Already forgetting Tsunade's previous instructions, Mito took Ginji's hand and headed straight toward the dango shop.
Despite the long wait, Mito didn't show a hint of impatience, her face always carrying a gentle smile.
After both of them finally emerged with several sticks of dango, about half an hour had passed.
"Great-Grandmother, have a bite too."
Ginji held out his skewer—with a bite already taken out—and offered it to Mito. They had chosen different flavors.
"Okay."
A woman who normally wouldn't even touch Hashirama's leftovers accepted without hesitation.
If Hashirama saw this scene, he would probably turn absolutely green with envy.
"Is it sweet enough?"
Seeing Mito take a bite, Ginji quickly asked.
"Sweet. My Ginji is the sweetest."
Mito chewed slowly, closing her eyes as if savoring it.
"Hehe!"
Praised by Mito, Ginji's steps became even lighter.
Walking through the main street and then weaving through several alleys, they finally arrived at a modest residence.
"Is this it?"
Looking at the rather humble entrance, Ginji briefly thought Mito had taken a wrong turn.
From what little he knew, someone like this should be quite wealthy.
"Yes."
Mito nodded, gently letting go of Ginji's hand and stepping forward to knock on the gate.
Knock knock knock.
"Who is it?"
Oh...
Naruto: Starting from Pursuing Tsunade - Please bookmark this: (m.
A hoarse, aged voice came from inside, followed shortly by the gate creaking open.
"It's me again. Sorry to bother you."
Mito gave a slight bow to the elderly man at the door.
"Oh! It's you, Lady Mito."
"Please come in."
Recognizing Mito and Ginji, the old man immediately opened the gate wide to let them pass.
"Hello Grandpa. My name is Hatake Ginji."
Ginji glanced briefly at the plain and somewhat unappealing-looking old man before quickly looking away.
"Nice to meet you."
"This must be the Hokage-sama's son. Indeed clever-looking and well-mannered."
The old man gave an unpleasant smile as he gestured for them to enter.
"Naughty child—bringing him along for some fun."
"Excuse me."
Mito took Ginji's hand without hesitation, and the two walked through the door one after the other.
The old man sprang into action, shut the door, then hurried ahead of them to lead the way.
Nawaki's generous payment from their last visit was still vivid in his memory. Based on their current demeanor, it seemed like another profitable day was coming his way.
He led the pair to a quiet room—the surroundings were passable enough.
After the two were seated, the old man exited momentarily and returned carrying tea before sitting across from them.
"I've come today to ask you to pick an auspicious wedding date for my grandson."
"These are their birth details."
Without small talk, Mito pulled a slip of paper from her pocket and placed it on the table, cutting straight to the chase.
Ginji obediently sat beside Mito, glancing around curiously but remaining quiet.
"First off, congratulations to you."
The old man began by offering his congratulations, then picked up the slip of paper containing Nawaki and Misaki's birth details.
He didn't bother with any elaborate tools or make dramatic gestures, simply focusing intently as he calculated using his fingers.
"Tsk tsk," he muttered. "A heavenly pairing indeed."
"A two-month wait… doesn't seem favorable."
Seeing Mito's slight frown, the old man immediately adjusted his tone.
"Twenty-three days from now will be the perfect auspicious day."
Upon hearing this, Mito allowed herself a satisfied smile. The old man truly had a talent for reading people.
"Thanks for your trouble."
Mito said, placing a few thick bundles of bills onto the table from her pouch, shocking Ginji visibly.
Is making money really that easy for him?
"All part of my duty."
Remaining calm, the old man neatly wrote down the date and returned the slip of paper to Mito.
Despite only writing a few characters, his handwriting was remarkably elegant, forming a stark contrast from his rugged appearance.
"Well then, I won't overstay my welcome. We'll take our leave."
Having received the satisfactory answer, Mito had no intention of lingering.
"Allow me to see you out."
The old man stood and guided them out, feigning indifference to the money without even glancing at the cash on the table.
"Thank you for your hospitality."
Mito took Ginji's hand again, and under the old man's guidance, they exited the quiet room.
It wasn't far at all, and soon they had passed through the main gate of the compound.
Only after seeing the pair disappear into the distance did the old man shut the door wearing a delighted grin.
What a great day this turned out to be!