The sun rested on the western mountain, leaving only streaks of golden afterglow.
"Caw——"
Kairen, like a crow riding an airplane, fell from the sky and crashed into a pit over a meter wide.
Nearby, Kurenai who was practicing Genjutsu was so startled that she ran over in a hurry, only to see Kairen patting the dust off his body.
Kurenai asked with some concern: "Falling from such a height, Kairen, are you alright?"
Kairen waved his hand: "I'm fine! I've mastered the technique. Mainly the unity of waist and legs!"
Hearing this, Kurenai had little question marks popping above her head: "But Kairen, you're still kneeling in the pit."
Kairen continued comforting her: "It's nothing, my legs are just a bit numb. Once I reset a bone, I'll be fine."
Falling from more than 200 meters in the sky, one of Kairen's bones got pulled out of place. He twisted it back into position, and after correcting the bone, he easily stood up.
Then Kairen asked Kurenai: "Has Tsunade-sama come home?"
Kurenai shook her head: "Not yet?"
Kairen looked at the brightly lit Senju residence. Shizune was surely inside cooking dinner!
He smiled, took a deep breath, and with his vast chakra circulating, the entire courtyard echoed with "bang bang bang" sounds.
A cloud of white smoke spread, and in the blink of an eye, more than a hundred Shadow Clones walked out, all wearing chef uniforms, pots and pans having transformed as well, a whole New East Culinary style.
Kairen waved his hand toward the sky and ordered: "Begin the feast!"
"Got it, boss!" The clones responded with high morale, and in an instant, the entire Senju residence began filling with the smell of cooking.
Kairen also sent out more than ten Shadow Clones to invite guests.
Shige and other loyal supporters of Tsunade-sama, Jiraiya, Orochimaru, and all the major ninja clans — except the Sarutobi family — were all invited.
If Tsunade wanted to establish herself firmly in this village, she couldn't do without dealing with them.
Kairen looked down on them, but appearances still needed to be kept — especially the Uchiha clan — a potential ally. He also invited the children from the Konoha Orphanage.
He sent two Wood Clones to the Hokage building. Tsunade was working in an office independent of the Hokage.
The two Wood Clones grabbed Tsunade and brought her back to the Senju residence. As soon as Tsunade entered the door, she saw a banquet atmosphere.
Hands on her hips, she walked over to Kairen: "What are you doing?"
Kairen smiled and replied: "After working hard for three days, Tsunade-sama finally became Hokage Assistant. Shouldn't we celebrate?!"
"I still have a lot of work to do!"
Kairen curled his lips: "Can't you split a Shadow Clone to let them handle it!"
Kairen suddenly realized something, smiled at Tsunade, and asked: "Can you give me two Shadow Clones? I have urgent matters!"
"Bang!"
As expected, a heavy punch from Tsunade greeted him.
Tsunade scolded: "You brat, if you want my Shadow Clones, it's definitely no good intention!"
Though Tsunade said this with her mouth, in her heart a joy rose — this perverted little guy was greedy for her; surely he wouldn't run off to others.
Kairen stood up and asked Tsunade: "What did the old man assign you?"
Hearing this, Tsunade's face carried a bit of pride: "Sensei initially wanted to dump me in some idle department, but I smashed his desk with my monstrous strength, so I ended up receiving the job to handle mission requests."
Kairen nodded. Handling ninja mission commissions — that was indeed an important job.
Tsunade rubbed Kairen's head and continued: "And now the Chūnin Exams are under my management, and the Forest of Death is also entrusted to me."
"Since you are now under me, I assign you a task — restore the Forest of Death."
"Genin Senju Kairen receives the mission, will definitely complete it! Will never let Tsunade-sama's nurturing go to waste, in the future I will repay with gratitude as great as the sea!"
Kairen raised his hand to his temple, like a soldier reporting to a superior.
Then he walked behind Tsunade and massaged her shoulders.
"Tsunade-sama, since you treat me so well, how about tonight we have a candlelit conversation, enhancing the bonds."
Tsunade turned around, locked Kairen's neck with her arm, and scolded lightly: "You up to no good again!"
Don't talk nonsense, I am still soft, how could I be up to no good?
After the two fussed around for a while, the Senju family's banquet was gradually completed.
The delicious aroma made passersby stop for a long time, and more and more people began arriving.
"Benefactor, Tsunade-sama!"
"Good, find a seat and have some drinks!"
"Okay!"
Shige brought several Special Jōnin to the Senju residence. After greeting Kairen and Tsunade, they found a table to drink a little.
Kairen stood at the courtyard gate, welcoming guests. From afar, he saw four people approaching — and among them was his adorable little Hongdou.
Leading them was Jiraiya, followed by Orochimaru.
Jiraiya greeted Kairen: "Enough alcohol today?!"
Kairen patted his chest: "Enough! Of course enough?!"
The alcohol was sprayed by him personally, of course enough!
Orochimaru's dark-gold pupils secretly glanced at Kairen's figure, his attention fixed on the back of Kairen's neck, but it was blocked by the collar, so he couldn't see.
He was puzzled — the Curse Mark of Heaven contained his cells and chakra, but now his connection with that chakra was gone. What was going on?
Orochimaru shook his head, thinking he was overthinking.
Kairen's talent was unparalleled through the ages, but he had never touched Sage Arts, how could he remove his Curse Mark?!
He pulled forward the little girl with dark-purple hair behind him: "Hongdou, come meet the Senju family!"
Kairen of course saw Hongdou coming along, his expectant gaze immediately turning to her.
Loli might need five or six years to grow into a proper cabbage, but patiently raising her and harvesting like a farmer — his heart was full of satisfaction.
Hongdou raised her head and carefully examined Kairen — he had changed a lot, fully in youth-boost mode, anyone familiar would be shocked.
But Hongdou recognized this villain who fed her snake meat instantly, and shouted: "Moku Kairen, you little thief, don't think being tall makes you amazing, I'll definitely be taller than you in the future."
Even if you're taller, so what? Once we lie down, we can still reach each other… Kairen thought secretly.
Jiraiya laughed: "Let's not talk too much — we're here to eat!"
He said and stepped inside with Orochimaru and Hongdou.
As Hongdou passed Kairen, she mischievously stepped on his foot.
Kairen turned his head.
"Bleh bleh bleh…"
Hongdou stuck out her tongue at him, lifted her little nose proudly, and followed Orochimaru to sit at a table.
Kairen didn't notice the tsundere expression on the young girl's face — his attention was completely caught by her tongue.
If Hongdou learned Orochimaru's long-tongue technique, wouldn't that be incredible?
"Gah gah…"
A soft, fragrant arm suddenly hooked around Kairen's neck — he instantly recognized it as Kushina, that seductive little fox.
"What are you laughing about? So evil."
Kairen shook his head: "A little girl was speaking with a slight lisp, I'm a bit concerned."
"Liar!"