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“I’m done playing!” After losing several more hands, Tsunade threw her cards down.
“I SUSPECT YOU TWO ARE CHEATING!”
Tsunade, furious at not having won a single game, refused to believe it was her bad luck. She suspected Kushina and Mei Terumī were cheating.
“CHEATING? Against you? Please… I only cheat against those who actually pose a challenge. You don’t even qualify, Tsunade!!” Kushina scoffed. She hadn’t forgotten how Shin used to make a fortune by betting against Tsunade in casinos; Tsunade never won.
Tsunade’s face darkened. They were mocking her!
“Alright, Tsunade, calm down. Perhaps you should stick to games that require… skill, not luck,” Shin said, placing a hand on Tsunade’s shoulder.
“HMPH! I’M SO ANGRY!” Tsunade exhaled sharply.
She shouldn’t have played cards with Kushina and the others. Losing continuously and still being mocked—It was frustrating not being able to retort effectively.
“By the way, I’m heading to Kirigakure. Want to come? Nawaki should still be there,” Shin asked Tsunade.
“Yes, I’ll go. It’s been a long time since I last saw Nawaki.”
Tsunade counted on her fingers—she couldn’t even remember how long it had been. She had mostly forgotten about Nawaki.
“Why are you going to Kirigakure?” Kushina asked Shin, puzzled.
“Taking Hinata and Hanabi back for a visit. Hinata told me a few days ago she missed her mother—” Shin replied with a shrug.
“Let’s go tomorrow. It’s almost evening already.” Mikoto put down her watering can and walked over to Shin.
“Alright. No rush. We’ll listen to Mikoto.”
Shin watched Mikoto gracefully approach, then reached out and swept her into his arms, spinning her around.
“Put me down!” Mikoto lightly tapped Shin’s shoulder.
“Do you really want me to put you down?” Shin asked, looking at the expression on Mikoto’s face. She seemed to be enjoying it, yet she asked to be put down.
“Why are you hugging Mikoto?! Hug me too!” Kushina pouted, rushing towards Shin with a jealous look.
“Careful, don’t fall.” Shin held Mikoto with one arm and Kushina with the other.
“Left and right hugs are fine, huh?” Tsunade remarked, watching Shin hold one in each arm. Seeing the slightly smug look on Shin’s face annoyed Tsunade greatly.
“Want to hug me too? If you hug me, it’ll be more comfortable than hugging Kushina and Mikoto.”
Tsunade straightened up, puffing out her chest and looking at Shin, successfully drawing his attention.
“What’s so great about that?” Kushina deliberately glanced at a certain part of Tsunade, then hugged Shin tightly.
Hmph! I won’t give up my spot to you!
Kushina clung to Shin, refusing to let go. Mikoto, on the other side, also held onto Shin tightly.
“Seems like everyone wants a piece of me,” Shin said with deliberate smugness. But he soon realized he’d spoken too soon.
Kushina and Mikoto, unable to stand Shin’s smug expression, reached out and pinched his waist.
Though he didn’t feel any pain, Shin still put on an exaggerated expression, pretending to be in agony.
“Let go. I need to go prepare dinner,” Mikoto said to Shin.
Though she enjoyed being in Shin’s embrace, cooking was more important. If she didn’t cook, wouldn’t they all go hungry tonight? Though skipping a meal wouldn’t kill them, they were used to regular meals; not eating felt strange.
After Mikoto left, Konan instantly appeared in Shin’s arms, leaving the initially eager Mei Terumī and Tsunade momentarily stunned.
“Konan, shouldn’t you be helping Mikoto with dinner?” Tsunade asked irritably.
“No. I don’t think I’d be much help. so I’ll… stay here.” Konan shook her head at Tsunade.
“By the way, do you all want to go to Kirigakure tomorrow?” Shin invited Kushina and the others.
“No thanks. But remember to come back early. Don’t be too late… or else…” Kushina shot Shin a threatening look.
“Threatening me? Tonight, I’ll deal with ‘you’ properly. Don’t beg for mercy,” Shin whispered into Kushina’s ear.
“Who… who would beg for mercy?” Kushina pouted.
“Good. I like seeing you act tough. I hope you can still be that stubborn later. Though, Kushina, you’ve never managed to hold out before.”
Shin chuckled mischievously.
“That laugh is so lewd! Don’t laugh like that anymore, Shin-nii! It’s ruining your image!” Konan said to Shin.
“Fine, fine. I’ll stop.” Hearing Konan say it affected his image, Shin instantly wiped the smile off his face.
After a while, Shin released Kushina and Konan, then said, “I’ll go get Hinata, Hanabi, and Karin for dinner.”
Just as Shin stepped out the door, he saw Hinata, Hanabi, and Karin returning together. Looks like they didn’t forget about dinner either.
“Was just about to call you for dinner. Didn’t expect you to be back already.”
“Shin-nii, what were you doing earlier? You weren’t having fun without me, were you?” Hanabi ran over, jumped onto Shin, and asked.
“That’s right. I was having fun, and I didn’t bring you. Deliberately left you at home,” Shin nodded.
“Hmph!” Hanabi huffed angrily upon hearing this, then turned her head away, ignoring Shin, seemingly genuinely angry.
Shin ignored the pouting Hanabi, put her down, and walked into the room.
Just in time, Mikoto had already prepared a sumptuous dinner. With Shadow Clones, cooking was indeed fast.
Yes, Mikoto had used Shadow Clones to cook so quickly. Otherwise, preparing such a large spread for so many people would have taken Mikoto a very long time alone.
“My favorite fried tempura! Great! I love you, Mikoto-neechan!” Hanabi, seeing her favorite fried tempura, instantly forgot about being angry.
“As long as you like it. I’ll make it for you often in the future.”
Mikoto dotingly patted Hanabi’s small head.
Hanabi was truly spoiled here—she could have whatever she wanted to eat.
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