After finishing dinner at Tsunade's house, Hayato Ren hurried back toward his own home.
Having been apart for so long, he was starting to miss Kushina and Konan.
When Hayato Ren pushed open his door, two figures—one large, one small—suddenly rushed toward him.
However, when she saw Kushina leap onto Hayato Ren, Konan could only stop in her tracks with a disappointed look.
"Ren, you're finally back! I missed you so much," Kushina said while rubbing her face against Hayato Ren's neck.
Hayato Ren supported Kushina's bottom with both hands and replied in a gentle voice, "I missed you too."
Just then, Kushina suddenly sniffed and showed a puzzled expression.
"Ren, why does it seem like you have another woman's scent on you? You weren't sneaking around behind my back, were you?"
Kushina jumped down from Hayato Ren and questioned him with a suspicious look.
That particular fragrance on Hayato Ren felt strangely familiar, as if she'd smelled it somewhere before.
Wait, wasn't this the same scent Tsunade carried?
Could it be that this guy's first stop back in the Leaf was to fool around with Tsunade, only coming home to her after having his fun?
As this thought occurred to her, Kushina's gaze grew increasingly fierce.
"Uh, it's probably from when I went to submit my mission earlier and happened to run into Teacher. It must have gotten on me accidentally then," Hayato Ren replied with a half-truth, realizing from Kushina's expression that she likely recognized whose scent it was.
Rather than deny it and leave room for suspicion, it was better to gloss over the matter.
Just as Kushina was caught between belief and doubt, Hayato Ren suddenly changed the subject:
"I met someone in the Hidden Mist Village who shares your aspirations."
"What kind of person?" Kushina's attention was immediately captured.
"There's a young girl named Mei Terumi in the Hidden Mist Village whose dream is exactly the same as yours."
"She wants to become Hokage too? But a ninja can't become the shadow of another village, right?"
Hearing this response, Hayato Ren couldn't help but make a strange expression. He tapped Kushina's head a few times and replied with mild exasperation:
"Are you an idiot? I mean she shares your dream of becoming Water Shadow."
"Hehe, so that's what you meant. By the way Ren, have you eaten? Should I cook you some noodles?"
Before Hayato Ren could even answer, Kushina had already bustled off toward the kitchen at a trot.
After Kushina left, Hayato Ren looked toward Konan not far away and showed a gentle smile.
"Konan, did you miss me?"
Konan nodded, then stepped forward to hug Hayato Ren's long legs, responding quietly:
"I thought about Brother Ren every night when I went to sleep."
Hayato Ren reached out to stroke Konan's sky-blue silky hair and said softly:
"Konan is such a good child."
However, he failed to notice.
Hearing this, Konan's face revealed an obscure expression.
Clearly, she didn't want to remain just a child. But if she became too greedy, she might lose everything she had now.
After this bitter thought flashed through her mind, Konan's face brightened with a cheerful smile.
While listening to Konan talk about her recent experiences at the Ninja Academy, Kushina's energetic voice suddenly rang out from the dining area.
"Ren! Dinner's ready!"
Hayato Ren looked at Konan before him and asked:
"Konan, would you like to join me for some food?"
Konan shook her head softly and replied:
"No need, I just had dinner with Sister Kushina. I'm going to take a bath first."
Hayato Ren reached out and patted Konan's head gently:
"Go ahead."
....
Hayato Ren was eating large mouthfuls of noodles from his bowl while Kushina sat across from him, chin resting in her hands, staring at him motionlessly.
Soon, Hayato Ren couldn't take it anymore and put down his chopsticks to look at Kushina.
"Kushina? Why are you staring at me? Do you want some too?"
Kushina shook her head, revealing a meaningful smile.
"Eat well and get your strength up. You'll need energy to hand in your 'homework' later."
As she spoke, Kushina lightly licked her lips, showing an extremely seductive expression.
Judging by this situation, Hayato Ren was likely in for another fierce battle later.
Fortunately, his recovery ability was exceptional - otherwise, he would have had to raise the white flag tonight.
Just as Hayato Ren had anticipated, the moment he put down his chopsticks,
Kushina's eyes lit up as she lifted him up, threw him over her shoulder, and strode purposefully toward the bedroom.
The night had its stories.
Hayato Ren slowly opened his eyes and gently moved aside Kushina's limbs that were tightly wrapped around him.
From the position of the sun outside, he could tell it was still morning.
Last night, Kushina hadn't let him go until daybreak, only satisfied when the sky was beginning to lighten.
Given her current state, she'd probably sleep until afternoon before getting up.
So, after leaving a light kiss on Kushina's cheek, Hayato Ren got up to wash up.
After brushing his teeth, Hayato Ren looked around but didn't see any sign of Konan.
She had probably gone to school.
The Leaf's Ninja Academy seemed to have much more coursework than the Hidden Mist Village's - at least Hayato Ren had never seen Mei Terumi and Ameyuri Ringo attending school.
Unlike Konan, who had to be at school by nine every morning and couldn't leave until four in the afternoon.
In that sense, the Hidden Mist Village's Ninja Academy could be considered a more relaxed education.
After throwing together a quick breakfast, Hayato Ren decided to take a stroll through the streets.
Everything on the streets was unchanged from before, still bustling with activity.
However, it seemed like some new gossip had emerged in the village, as he occasionally saw groups of villagers huddled together, whispering among themselves.
Just as Hayato Ren was considering whether to approach and inquire, a voice called out to him from behind.
"Ren! Over here!"
Hayato Ren turned toward the voice and saw Nawaki waving at him from not far away. Standing beside him was a woman with a gentle demeanor.
If I remember correctly, that woman should be the teacher I encountered earlier at the Ninja Academy.
Hayato Ren thought to himself as he walked over to Nawaki's side, then spoke:
"Nawaki, long time no see. Who is this?"
Nawaki's face immediately revealed a proud expression.
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