"I never imagined the Hokage Robe was made by an old lady like you..." Nawaki murmured, astonished.
He couldn't believe that such an unassuming middle-aged woman was actually the creator of the Hokage Robe.
"Nawaki, that's disrespectful!" Tsunade scolded, patting his head. "How dare you call her an old lady?"
"Haha... I suppose I am an old lady now," the shopkeeper chuckled, covering her mouth with a hand. Her voice softened as she reminisced, "Time really does fly. When I first sewed a hakama for the First Hokage, I was still a young girl."
"Back then, my craftsmanship was the finest in the village. The Second Hokage personally commissioned me, and later, he also came here for his robes. By the time of the Third Hokage, it had become tradition."
"Thanks to the Hokage's patronage, my reputation as a craftsman has grown considerably. Now, many noble families come to me for custom orders."
"Right... and this place looks like it's falling apart," Nawaki scoffed, clearly unconvinced.
"Hahaha, every shop needs a good signboard, doesn't it?" the shopkeeper laughed heartily. "This started as a simple sewing shop, later expanded into a clothing store run by my son and daughter-in-law. They're visiting relatives today, so I just pop in occasionally to help out."
"I never realized there was such a connection," Tsunade said, her voice filled with surprise.
"Even you didn't know, Teacher Tsunade?" Minato asked.
Tsunade shook her head. "I only knew this was an old shop with a wide variety of styles and reasonable prices."
"I designed them all myself," the shopkeeper said with a proud smile. She pointed to the hakama Minato was wearing. "The hakama you're wearing is actually an improved version of the Hokage robe."
"Huh? Really?"
Nawaki's face lit up with envy.
"It's true," the shopkeeper explained, her voice cheerful. "It all started with the Third Hokage. He was quite small, and the Hokage robe made him look hunched over. That's when I realized that while the traditional hakama worn by Hokage are dignified, they're not practical for combat."
"Even though the Hokage hold a prestigious position, their primary role is still that of a ninja. So, I drew inspiration from the shinobeori—the ceremonial robes worn during Shinto rituals—and modified them. I raised the collar to give them a more solemn appearance, and I designed several variations based on this concept."
"The one you're wearing is a specially designed children's model—shorter and with a higher collar. Doesn't it look stylish?"
"Wow, I love it!" Minato said with a smile, nodding. As someone with a discerning eye for style, he believed Nagato's Hokage Robe design was the most stylish among all past Hokage.
"Wait, there are other designs? I want one too!" Nawaki turned to Tsunade, his eyes pleading. "Sis—"
"Sigh..." Tsunade pointed at Nawaki. "Get him one too."
The shopkeeper sized up Nawaki, nodded silently, and retrieved a robe in his size.
Nawaki eagerly changed and stood before the full-length mirror.
He glanced at Minato's reflection, then at his own. Suddenly, he fell silent.
For some reason, the same robe that accentuated Minato's handsome features perfectly made Nawaki look somewhat silly, as if he were trying too hard to look cool.
As the saying goes: "Clashing outfits isn't scary; only the uglier one feels embarrassed."
The atmosphere in the shop suddenly turned tense.
The shopkeeper observed the scene. "As expected, round faces don't suit high-collared clothing..."
"I can see it too!"
Nawaki's face darkened. "I'll never wear the same clothes as Minato again."
Minato looked a little embarrassed. "Sorry..."
Nawaki pursed his lips. "It's not your fault..."
Children are incredibly perceptive. Just then, Nawaki had vaguely sensed that the shopkeeper's gaze toward Minato carried a kind of fatalistic quality, as if she were looking at the future Hokage.
This made him feel a little disheartened and set off a chain of thoughts.
For example, this outfit was designed inspired by the Hokage robe. Since it fit Minato so perfectly, did that mean some kind of summons? Did it mean Minato was destined to become Hokage?
Then he thought about Minato's formidable strength and his terrifyingly gifted double Bloodline Limit, which instantly made him feel even more frustrated.
Sensing Nawaki's dejection, Tsunade ruffled his hair.
She didn't try to comfort him with words, telling him he would definitely become Hokage.
If Minato hadn't existed, she might have done that.
But from the day Minato appeared, the succession to the Hokage position had become utterly indisputable.
Minato will definitely become Hokage!
Even if he doesn't want to, if he grows as strong as her grandfather, a group of people will push him into that position.
While the Hokage doesn't have to be the strongest ninja in the village, they can't be too far behind the strongest.
By comparison, personal morality and public approval are secondary factors.
If Minato isn't made Hokage, then if the Hokage's orders ever conflict with his will, who would be able to command the village's strongest warrior?
As an adult, Tsunade knew that the greater the expectation, the greater the disappointment, so she didn't try to comfort Nawaki.
Rather than blindly immersing himself in dreams and waiting for them to shatter, she hoped Nawaki would face reality sooner, regain his spirit, and continue striving for his dreams. She believed her younger brother could definitely achieve them.
Sure enough, after a brief moment of dejection, Nawaki rallied.
"One day, I'll definitely have a Hokage robe that fits me perfectly too!" He looked at Minato with burning eyes. "For now, you win, Minato!"
"Huh?"
Minato was bewildered, unsure what had gotten into him.
Tsunade smiled faintly, while the shopkeeper watched the scene with amusement.
"Is that all you're getting?"
"Let's get a few more pairs of pants too."
Before long, the morning had passed, and the trio had bought quite a haul: clothes, pants, ninja shoes, brand-new ninja tool pouches, kunai and shuriken sets—everything they needed for the upcoming school year.
Minato also purchased a variety of plant seeds, planning to try growing vegetables and fruits later.
After delivering their purchases home, they headed to the delicious sukiyaki restaurant Tsunade had recommended.
Just as she'd promised, the sukiyaki was exquisite. The restaurant also offered sushi and sashimi, though at a steep price—the three of them spent a staggering 6,000 ryō on the meal.
Fortunately, ninja salaries were generous, and this sum was nothing to Tsunade. Though she loved gambling, her household funds remained plentiful, unlike her future self, who would be hounded by debt collectors across the Shinobi World.
After lunch, they strolled through the streets, returned home to grab toiletries, and made their way to Hot Spring Street.
As they passed through a narrow alley, they stumbled upon a white-haired man pressed against the wooden lattice of a women's bath, peering inside...
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