As the years passed and the Sand Village grew increasingly powerful and affluent, the memory of Rasa, the Fourth Kazekage, began to fade from the public consciousness.
His former followers had dwindled to almost none; even Baki, once his right-hand man, had gradually grown distant.
The contrast between the fading shadow of the Fourth and the brilliant radiance of the Fifth was stark.
Rasa had transitioned from his initial indignation and resentment to a hollowed-out apathy.
The death of his wife, Karura, during childbirth had been the final blow. Now, the former leader spent his days drowned in alcohol, a ghost of the ambitious man he once was.
Shiraishi knew his own rise was inextricably linked to Rasa's downfall. This awkward dynamic made direct communication between them impossible, leaving Yashamaru as the only bridge, hoping he could eventually guide his brother-in-law out of the darkness.
"Uncle Shiraishi! Temari wants ice cream today! The chocolate one you made last time was sooooo yummy!"
Shiraishi snapped out of his thoughts by the golden-haired toddler tugging at his robes, found himself completely defenseless against her puppy-dog eyes. "I'll go prepare it right now."
In the entire Hidden Sand, Temari was likely the only "customer" brave enough to treat the Kazekage like a personal pastry chef.
As Shiraishi headed to the kitchen, Temari occupied herself with Fat Orange. Despite being a haughty, pampered feline, the orange cat was surprisingly patient with the little girl, even allowing himself to be rolled around like a giant ball of fur while Temari giggled uncontrollably.
Inside the kitchen, Shiraishi's movements were precise. He wasn't just a ninja; he was arguably the finest patissier in the shinobi world.
He decomposed high-grade chocolate, infusing it with tart berry juices and melting them into a smooth, aromatic blend.
He boiled down specialized fruit sugars until they reached a vivid crimson syrup stage—the "soft ball" thread—before whisking in egg yolks and mousse-like mixtures.
Using his delicate heat-control and ice-release techniques, he flash-froze the mixture. The scent alone made Fat Orange and Temari perk up their ears in anticipation.
When the "Super Chocolate Ice Cream" was finally placed before her, Temari squealed with delight, making sure to give a small spoonful to the cat before digging in herself.
"Control the sugar intake, don't spoil her too much," Yashamaru sighed. He hadn't intended to visit, but as they passed the Kazekage's estate, Temari had started a one-girl protest until she was allowed inside for treats.
Just then, Pakura, who had been inside keeping Maki company, stepped out. "Yashamaru, you really haven't improved over the years. You're practically a full-time nanny now."
Yashamaru broke into a nervous sweat. He had a bit of a crush on Pakura—she had been a classmate of his sister, Karura—but Pakura had never given him the time of day.
She found him a bit too soft; she preferred men who could at least match her in strength.
"Pakura, you're here too..."
"Hmph. Maki just had her baby, I came to check on her."
Yashamaru eagerly offered her the second portion of ice cream Shiraishi had prepared. "Here, a Kazekage special. You might like it."
"Tch." Though she maintained her cold facade, Pakura couldn't resist the decadent aroma and began to eat. Between bites, she narrowed her eyes. "I heard you're letting Maki help look after those Uzumaki twins?"
She shot a sideways glance toward the kitchen. This kid, Shiraishi, is something else—popular everywhere he goes. And Maki is a saint for agreeing to raise those two orphans.
"Master, those children really have nothing to do with Shiraishi's 'bloodline,'" Maki called out from the inner room, sensing her teacher's suspicion while she rocked little Shigeru.
Pakura felt a twinge of envy. Every time she tried to grill Shiraishi, Maki was there to defend her husband, giving her own teacher no face at all. And Shiraishi? He seemed so used to it that he didn't even react, which annoyed Pakura even more.
"Huggy!~"
Temari, having finished her dessert, toddled over with chocolate-smeared hands and wiped them directly onto Pakura's face before erupting into giggles.
Seeing the golden-haired cherub teasing her, Pakura's icy mask finally cracked. She couldn't stay mad at Karura's daughter. She knelt down, sighing. "You little brat, that's very rude."
Temari wasn't afraid of the "Hero of the Sand" at all. She smeared more ice cream on Pakura's cheek and doubled over laughing.
"Is it that funny?" Pakura made a silly face and stuck out her tongue. Temari laughed even harder.
Maki walked over and gently wiped the smudge from Pakura's face with a handkerchief. "Master, it seems Temari really likes you."
Caught in the act of being soft, Pakura immediately reverted to her tsundere ways. "I don't even like kids."
Maki just giggled and gave her teacher a quick peck on the cheek. "Master, you're being 'tsun' again!"
"Maki, you...!"
"Uncle Shiraishi."
After playing with Pakura for a while, Temari walked over and tugged on Shiraishi's sleeve, her expression turning uncharacteristically solemn.
"What is it, Temari? Still hungry?"
"No." Temari shook her head, her eyes suddenly brimming with tears. "Father... he's unhappy every single day. It makes Temari sad. Everyone says Uncle Shiraishi is the greatest person in the village. Do you have a way to make him smile again?"
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