Chapter 88 – Folding the Clothes
"Not at all, Hokage-sama trusts me," Nara Shikaku said humbly.
The Uchiha guard at the door frowned as he watched that bothersome woman—Tsunade—chatting happily with the Hokage's assistant. With a displeased snort, he deactivated his Sharingan and turned his gaze away.
Even if you know the assistant, it doesn't excuse you from disrespecting Hokage-sama, he thought.
What a pity. If only this woman dared to make a move, then he could rightfully subdue her and throw her into prison to show her the consequences of disrespecting the Hokage. But she didn't have the guts.
The guard sighed with regret.
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"What? Uchiha Fugaku really left work already?" Tsunade asked in shock.
She had assumed the guard earlier was lying to keep her from entering, but it turned out he hadn't been lying at all.
Since Shikaku wouldn't deceive her, it meant Uchiha Fugaku truly did leave work early.
Tsunade clicked her tongue, looking annoyed. What's Fugaku doing? He's Hokage now, and yet he doesn't even work overtime? It's only a little past eight!
When Shikaku quietly explained that Hokage-sama consistently left work at six in the evening, Tsunade was dumbfounded.
Good heavens… you leave work at six? Are you really treating the Hokage's position like a desk job?
Shikaku didn't elaborate further. He was the Hokage's assistant, personally chosen by the Fifth Hokage, and couldn't afford to say too much. This was harmless information anyway—anyone could find out Hokage-sama's off-duty time if they asked around.
"Lady Tsunade, have you eaten yet? Shall I treat you to something casual?" Shikaku offered with a smile.
For a moment, Tsunade almost agreed out of instinct, but remembering how full she was, she quickly shook her head. "Next time. I'm leaving now."
With that, she hurried off—better to escape quickly than risk being dragged into another meal she couldn't stomach.
Since Fugaku wasn't around, there was no point in lingering.
On her way back, she passed the Uchiha compound. Pausing briefly, she decided against entering. If she couldn't get into the Hokage Building, there was no chance she'd be allowed into the clan compound. No need to invite unnecessary frustration.
Besides, the Uchiha already had tricks that exploited her hemophobia. She couldn't handle another round of blood-bag intimidation.
Time to go. Better to just leave.
She hurried back to the inn.
---
From the window, Shizune spotted her and rushed downstairs to greet her. "Lady Tsunade, how did it go? Do we have a place to stay now?"
She had been ready to buy cleaning supplies and prepare a new house, but Tsunade's reply disappointed her.
"Not yet. That Uchiha Fugaku left work at six. Honestly, he's a disgrace to the Hokage's title."
Tsunade scowled, thinking of her great-grandfather, her granduncle, and her teacher—all of whom had been Hokage. None of them left work so early; they stayed late into the night for the sake of the village.
And then there was Fugaku, who clocked out like some lazy office worker.
"It's alright. We can go tomorrow during the day," Shizune comforted, hiding her own disappointment.
"Hmm, I'll have to," Tsunade muttered. "The Uchiha these days are really insufferable. I tried to enter the Hokage Building and they blocked me outside—how hateful! If I told them who I was, they'd be so scared they couldn't sleep!"
Shizune's face twitched. They're the Uchiha clan, and their clan head is the Hokage… I doubt revealing your identity would scare them at all.
But she was far too tactful to voice that thought. Better to stay silent than risk angering Tsunade.
"Then let's just get some rest. It's already late," Shizune suggested after checking the time.
"Mm. A bath sounds good right now," Tsunade agreed, rubbing her shoulders. Carrying her "two burdens" every day left her sore and weary. She even found herself wondering whether she should have them reduced—it was exhausting to keep them up all the time.
Thankfully, Shizune didn't hear her internal grumbling. Otherwise, she'd probably remind Tsunade that countless women would envy what she had.
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Uchiha Compound – Clan Head's House
"Wife, is it my turn to bathe?" Fugaku asked as he got up, tugging slightly at his clothes and grinning.
"Yes, husband, your bathwater is ready. I was just about to call you," Mikoto replied, holding his folded clothes in her hands.
Fugaku leaned in and kissed her cheek. "Mwah. My wife is the best."
Blushing faintly, Mikoto pushed him away, glancing at their two sons who were still watching TV. "The children are here…" she muttered softly.
"So what? I'm only kissing my own wife." Fugaku grinned and kissed her again on the other cheek, making it even.
"You're so undignified," Mikoto sighed, though her eyes held warmth. Handing him his clothes, she said, "Go take your bath."
When Fugaku came back, Sasuke and Naruto were no longer in the living room. Mikoto sat on the tatami mat, folding laundry.
"They went to bed?" he asked.
She nodded. "Yes."
"Then should we go too?" he asked with a playful smile.
Mikoto blushed when she noticed his expression and whispered, "Let me finish folding these first."
Seeing there weren't many left, Fugaku agreed, laying down with a pillow behind his head as he flipped on the TV.
The programs weren't much—comedy skits and some dull reports about the Land of Fire. Nothing of real interest.
His mind wandered instead. When Kurenai and the others return, if they fail to secure subsidies from the Fire Daimyō's court, then I'll move to eliminate the current royal family. If they cooperate, they'll live a little longer. If not… they'll have to be replaced.
Soon Mikoto finished her work. Rising, she glanced at him shyly. "I'm going upstairs first."
Fugaku watched her retreat, her figure graceful even as she hurried like an embarrassed maiden. Warmth stirred in his chest, and he smiled faintly.
Even after becoming the mother of two, Mikoto still carried the charm of a young girl.
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