"Even food can't shut your mouth!"
Tsunade snapped, grabbing a piece of meat with her chopsticks and jamming it straight into Wen Lan's throat.
"Ghk—!"
His throat tightened instantly.
Wen Lan doubled over, tears springing to his eyes.
The piece of meat lodged in his throat—
neither going down nor coming back up.
He clawed frantically at his neck, his face turning purple.
"Oh crap, oh crap, oh crap!"
Tsunade panicked, throwing down her chopsticks and pounding hard on his back.
Suddenly, Wen Lan spun around and slammed his head into hers.
Tsunade was knocked flat onto her back, clutching her forehead and crying out in pain.
"Got you scared, huh?"
Wen Lan straightened up—no sign of choking at all.
A mischievous smile curled at the corner of his lips, his eyes sharp and perfectly clear.
"Wen Lan, you bastard!"
Tsunade roared, swinging her fist.
He dodged instantly.
Her punch was about to smash into the table full of dishes—
but she slammed on the brakes at the last second.
"Heh."
Wen Lan grinned.
"See? Calling you a dog wasn't wrong. A gambling addict is still a dog."
Tsunade grabbed a rice bowl and hurled it at his face.
The bowl traced an arc through the air.
Wen Lan sidestepped and caught it smoothly in one hand.
"Alright, alright. Let's just eat," Pakura said helplessly.
Only then did Tsunade stop, though she continued glaring daggers at him.
She wasn't afraid of Wen Lan.
She was afraid of Pakura.
Because Pakura would absolutely refuse to cook for her.
Everyone chatted while eating.
Wen Lan leisurely picked up a bite of vegetables and placed it in his mouth, raising an eyebrow at Tsunade.
"What? Want another round?"
Tsunade snorted and focused on her food, ignoring him.
Pakura lightly tapped the edge of her bowl.
"Keep causing trouble and tomorrow's breakfast is canceled."
Wen Lan immediately dropped the teasing and ate quietly.
The atmosphere at the table finally settled.
Kurenai, Hana, and Shizune exchanged amused looks.
Pakura really did act like everyone's mother.
After dinner, Wen Lan leaned back in his chair and yawned, neatly stacking his dishes.
Tsunade glanced at him and muttered under her breath,
"Show-off."
Pakura said nothing, calmly clearing the table with efficient, gentle movements.
"Wen Lan," Kurenai asked softly,
"What are your plans for New Year's this year?"
"Same as always," he replied lazily, lounging in his chair while staring out at the snowy scenery.
Then he asked:
"By the way—how's Haku been doing lately?"
He had been away for more than half a month.
Of all the people he had brought back to the village, Haku was the one he worried about most.
Nagato, Konan, and Yahiko had officially become a jonin team and now only handled S-rank missions.
Kisame Hoshigaki and his partner—now a couple—were practically inseparable, rarely seen unless they needed money.
But Haku was different.
He wanted to prove his worth.
So he volunteered for every mission he could get—
even taking night patrol shifts for the Konoha Military Police on his own initiative.
Pakura paused her work and looked at Wen Lan.
"Haku finished a border patrol mission yesterday. This morning he came by asking if you'd returned.
When he found out you weren't home, he went out to take another mission."
Wen Lan's brows shifted slightly, his tone turning serious.
"That guy… he's going to work himself sick."
Pakura sighed softly.
"He's stubborn. Just like you. He won't listen."
Wen Lan shrugged, then turned to Tsunade.
"When you get the chance, give him a full medical check."
"Alright."
Tsunade nodded without hesitation.
She knew Haku had been running nonstop missions. His body wouldn't hold up forever.
"How is Yakumo doing?" Wen Lan asked Kurenai.
"Her genjutsu talent is extraordinary," Kurenai replied gently.
"Honestly, it might even surpass mine. She studies seriously—maybe a little too seriously."
Wen Lan shook his head slightly but didn't comment.
Days passed quickly.
Before long, New Year's Day arrived.
That morning, snow settled softly on the rooftops, covering Konoha in a blanket of white.
But the streets were lively.
Colorful decorations hung everywhere.
People moved through the village in steady streams.
Families visited one another to exchange greetings.
Children in new clothes ran through alleyways, laughing and chasing each other.
Occasional firecrackers popped in the distance.
Wen Lan stood by the window in the Hokage's office, watching the children playing outside.
A faint smile touched his lips.
Behind him, Minato Namikaze and Nara Shikaku were distributing money and holiday gifts.
A long line of shinobi stretched out the door.
Each one who received their envelope left with a broad grin, repeatedly thanking the three men.
After all—
this year they were receiving cash bonuses.
By the afternoon, Minato and Shikaku collapsed into their chairs with exhausted sighs.
Wen Lan looked at them helplessly.
"I told you to let the staff handle it. You insisted on doing it yourselves."
"It helps the shinobi feel more grateful to the Hokage," Shikaku replied, rubbing his sore shoulders.
Wen Lan shook his head.
That kind of symbolic gesture only created temporary gratitude.
Real strength came from systems and capability.
But Minato had become Hokage because he wanted the village to thrive.
Give the shinobi support, and they would protect Konoha more fiercely.
Minato gazed out the window at the falling snow, smoke rising from household chimneys across the village.
"I should head home," he said quietly.
"It's New Year's. I want to spend time with my family."
"Go ahead," Wen Lan replied.
"Shikaku, you should go too. I'll stay here."
Every year, Minato returned home to celebrate.
But the Hokage Tower couldn't be left completely unattended—too many classified documents were stored inside.
So Wen Lan stayed behind voluntarily.
He even gave the ANBU and guards the day off to be with their families.
"Alright," Shikaku said, nodding.
"I imagine Pakura will be here soon anyway."
Footsteps sounded outside the door.
Moments later, Pakura entered, bringing a swirl of cold air with her.
She removed her scarf—snowflakes still clinging to her hair—and placed a steaming meal on the table.
"Hokage-sama. Shikaku-sama," she greeted politely.
Since Pakura had no family of her own, she spent every New Year with Wen Lan.
Hana and Kurenai celebrated with their families.
Tsunade usually stopped by briefly—ate, then left.
Nagato and his group would come later.
"Good afternoon," Minato and Shikaku replied.
"Alright, go on now," Wen Lan waved them off.
"We're heading out!"
The two men left smiling.
Pakura arranged the dishes neatly.
"I made your favorite stew today. Eat while it's hot."
Wen Lan nodded and sat down at the table.
"We'll wait and eat together once everyone arrives."
Just as he finished speaking—
the door opened.
Nagato, Yahiko, Konan, Tsunade, Shizune, and Haku walked in.
"Happy New Year!"
Konan stepped forward and handed him a bouquet of red paper flowers.
Wen Lan accepted the handmade gift and smiled softly.
"Happy New Year."
—------------------------------
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