At Charles Base, a Christmas party was in full swing.
A massive Christmas tree stood in the center of the base, created using the Wood Release technique by Yamato. The tree was adorned with lights and decorations, and numerous gift boxes were placed underneath it.
To enhance the festive atmosphere, Kushina Uzumaki led the charge in getting herself and Hinata Hyuga, Shizune, Kurenai Yuhi, Tenten, Sakura Haruno, and Ino Yamanaka to wear special Christmas outfits.
These outfits weren't provided by Charles but were custom-made at a New York mall under Kushina's direction. However, Tsunade refused Kushina's request to wear the costume.
Kushina, leading the group, approached others asking for Christmas blessings.
She came up to Minato Namikaze, extending her hand, "Minato, gift!"
Minato handed her a gift box, saying, "Here, this is for you."
Kushina put the wrapped gift into her Santa-style sack and then told the girls behind her, "Quick, ask Minato for your gifts."
"If you miss today, you'll have to wait until next time."
Kurenai Yuhi didn't hesitate and asked, "Fourth Hokage, where are our gifts?"
In a flash, Minato disappeared and reappeared, his hands full of gift boxes. He smiled warmly, "They're all here. I'll distribute them to everyone."
Charles Doyle, witnessing this scene, asked Tsunade, "Tsunade, why aren't you joining Kushina's group?"
Tsunade huffed, "If I joined, where would that leave Kushina? Then I would be the head of the group."
"I just don't want to steal the spotlight from the younger ones."
She then extended her hand towards Charles, "Where's my gift?"
"Don't say you don't have one!"
Charles laughed, "How could I not have one for you?"
He retrieved a beautifully wrapped gift box from his storage space, containing a pink diamond necklace.
"Here, this is for you."
Tsunade took the gift but didn't open it. Instead, she removed the necklace she always wore around her neck, a gift from her grandfather, the First Hokage.
"This is my most precious possession, a gift from my grandfather."
"Today, I'm giving it to you, hoping it brings you good luck."
The necklace carried a faint scent and warmth. Charles couldn't help but smile wryly as he looked at the necklace Tsunade took off.
The reputation of this item was well known – it was said to bring death to whoever wore it.
However, Tsunade was giving it away for the first time, unaware that in the original Naruto world, she had given it to Nawaki, Dan, and Naruto.
If Naruto hadn't crushed the necklace himself, he might not have escaped the curse either.
But with his own strength, it should be fine.
"Thank you for your gift!"
Tsunade stepped forward, personally putting the necklace around Charles Doyle's neck, and then gave him a kiss on the forehead.
The moment Tsunade kissed his forehead, Charles felt a mix of softness and coolness.
…
Meanwhile-
Kushina Uzumaki, having finished extorting gifts from Minato, led the others to do the same to Jiraiya.
As Jiraiya handed out gifts to them, he noticed the situation with Charles Doyle and Tsunade and chuckled. It seemed Tsunade was finally taking a bold step.
At this point, Jiraiya only has a friendship with Tsunade and didn't fell in love.
Orochimaru, who was handing out gifts alongside Jiraiya, put an arm around Jiraiya's shoulder and said, "It looks like Tsunade is making a brave move, which is good news for us too."
While Jiraiya and Orochimaru were distributing gifts, Shizuka Nadeshiko approached Jiraiya and said, "Lord Jiraiya, you once met my master and had a match, but it ended without a winner."
"You agreed that your apprentices would have a match, and the loser would have to marry into the winner's family."
"Now that your apprentice Minato Namikaze is married, how will this be settled?"
Hearing Shizuka Nadeshiko's words, Jiraiya scratched his head awkwardly, "Uh, I didn't know about this. It must be something from the future."
Standing nearby, Kushina Uzumaki, enraged, shouted, "Jiraiya…"
Seeing Kushina about to explode, Jiraiya quickly said, "Well, Naruto is also my apprentice."
"Yes, Naruto is also your apprentice."
Hearing Jiraiya mention Naruto, Kushina's fiery hair calmed down. She looked at Shizuka Nadeshiko, sizing her up.
"If Shizuka becomes my daughter-in-law, that wouldn't be too bad."
"But Naruto is still too young."
Shizuka Nadeshiko asked, "Naruto Uzumaki?"
"Yes, that's him."
Jiraiya pointed to Naruto, who was holding a gift and about to give it to Sakura Haruno.
Kushina Uzumaki shouted, "Naruto!"
Hearing his mother call him, Naruto quickly handed the gift to Sakura and ran over.
"Mom, what's up?"
Kushina pulled Naruto close and stood in front of Shizuka Nadeshiko, saying, "Naruto, how about having Shizuka as your wife in the future?"
Naruto immediately shook his head vigorously and shouted, "No, I like Sakura-chan the most."
Hearing Naruto's words, Sakura Haruno said, "I don't want that. I like Sasuke."
Meanwhile, Hinata Hyuga, seeing Naruto in his mother's arms, felt a bit sad.
Shizuka Nadeshiko looked at Naruto and also shook her head, "He's too young. When he grows up, I'll have a match with him."
"I just remembered my master's words. It's a tradition of our village."
"Although there's no Nadeshiko Village here, I will fulfill my master's last wish."
Jiraiya laughed and said, "Don't worry about it. Maybe Naruto will grow up quickly, and you two can have your match then."
"We'll talk about it when he grows up."
With that, Jiraiya's issue was settled, and Kushina Uzumaki led her group of women to continue asking the adult ninjas for gifts.
At this moment, Ginny walked over. She was wearing a very sexy and fiery outfit and holding a gift. She approached Charles Doyle.
"Charles, Merry Christmas!"
Seeing Ginny's gift, Charles didn't refuse.
"Merry Christmas, Ginny."
Charles took out a gift from his storage space and exchanged it with Ginny.
Ginny took the gift, hugged Charles Doyle, and buried his head in her chest, rubbing it against him.
Seeing Ginny's actions, Tsunade stomped her foot on the ground, causing the earth to tremble slightly.
Obviously, Tsunade was not happy with Ginny's blatant flirtation with Charles. She then puffed out her chest.
Hers was no smaller than Ginny's, even larger.
Ginny released Charles and showed a smug smile, standing by his side.
Soon, Kushina led the group over to ask for gifts.
Charles, Tsunade, and Ginny were well-prepared and distributed gifts to everyone.
Even Sasuke Uchiha had prepared gifts for everyone.
Obito Uchiha, seeing Kushina and the others' attire, thought to himself, "If only Rin could wear this outfit, she would look so adorable."
The entire base was filled with laughter and joy as everyone exchanged gifts and enjoyed the festive atmosphere.
…
Meanwhile-
Barton sat alone on the sofa in his home, holding a photo frame. The picture inside was of his beloved, Barbara Morse.
That was supposed to be Barbara Morse's last mission. After completing it, she would retire from SHIELD, take the name Laura, and marry him.
But she had died, leaving him forever.
He gently touched Barbara's photo and then picked up his phone to call Eddie.
He wanted to tell Eddie the target's location.
He couldn't spend Christmas with his love, so he didn't want Eddie to have a good time either.
On the other side, Eddie was celebrating Christmas with his girlfriend. They had just come out of a restaurant and were enjoying the festive atmosphere outside.
Suddenly, Eddie's phone rang. Seeing the caller's number, he chose to reject the call instead of answering it.
He wanted to spend the evening with his girlfriend and didn't want to be disturbed.
"Eddie, whose call was it?"
"I don't know, probably a sales call."
###
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