"Yo! Kushina!" Reiji greeted cheerfully, his wide smile showing genuine joy.
Kushina's eyes immediately lit up upon seeing Reiji, who was already awake.
Without hesitation, Kushina ran towards Reiji and wrapped her arms tightly around him.
"Brother... Reiji!" Kushina exclaimed, her voice trembling with emotion.
Reiji chuckled lightly, gently stroking the girl's back.
"Hahaha! Were you worried? Don't worry, I'm fine," Reiji said, his voice soft and soothing.
"... Who's worried?!" Kushina quickly denied, but her voice trembled, revealing the opposite.
Reiji smiled understandingly, his hand now moving to Kushina's hair, gently caressing her.
The girl leaned against Reiji's shoulder, her body slightly shaking before she finally let out a long sigh as if releasing all her worries.
"Heh... I'm sorry for making you worry," Reiji said softly, his eyes filled with affection.
Kushina only responded with a slight nod, not wanting to acknowledge her worries any further.
After a moment of silence, Reiji finally asked in a more cheerful tone.
"I heard you went to the Ninja Academy in Konoha."
"How was it? Did you meet a boy who caught your interest?"
"Is he a good boy?"
"By the way, how far along is your relationship?"
Reiji asked quickly, his tone full of teasing.
Kushina, who had been calm, suddenly froze.
Her face instantly turned bright red, her eyes widened, and her expression changed to one of shock.
"How... how did Brother Reiji know I met a boy?" Kushina asked, her voice confused, glancing at Tsunade and Nawaki as if seeking answers.
Seeing her reaction, Reiji grinned widely.
"Heh... So you really did meet a boy, huh?" Reiji teased playfully.
"Is he a good boy? Well, he must be good, right? Otherwise, your uncle and aunt wouldn't let you be together."
Kushina's face turned even redder.
In an instant, without hesitation, Kushina raised her hand and slap! hit Reiji's right cheek.
"Ouch!" Reiji immediately rubbed his cheek, his face a mix of shock and amusement.
"Come on, you didn't have to slap me, did you?" Reiji complained with a wry smile.
"Hemph!" Kushina turned her face away with a pout, her cheeks still slightly red from embarrassment.
On the other side, Mito smiled faintly, enjoying the moment.
Meanwhile, Tsunade chuckled softly, clearly enjoying watching Reiji being teased by Kushina.
Nawaki, on the other hand, seemed to be trying to hold back laughter, but his wide smile clearly showed that he was struggling not to burst out laughing.
Reiji glanced at Nawaki, who looked like he wanted to laugh but was trying to hold it in.
Feeling a bit annoyed, Reiji almost wanted to retaliate but ultimately just sighed deeply and ignored the boy.
"Well then, I think it's time for me to go," Reiji suddenly said, his expression turning more serious as he looked at Mito.
"Eh? Brother Reiji is going back to the Village?" Kushina asked, her voice sounding a bit disappointed.
"Yes," Reiji replied, looking gently at Kushina.
"There are still many things I need to take care of."
"Besides, now I don't have to worry about you anymore."
"You can live peacefully in Konoha."
"But if someday you feel uncomfortable or unhappy being here, I can bring you back to Uzushio."
"However, as long as you're happy here, stay."
Kushina stared at Reiji in silence.
Slowly, her lips formed a small smile, and her eyes glistened slightly.
"Uhm... Thank you... Brother Reiji," Kushina said softly.
Reiji smiled warmly, stroking Kushina's head once again with affection.
------------------------------
[Announcement: A New Novel Has Been Added!
The Puppet Maker in the World of Naruto
A man who is a scientist, researcher, and expert mechanic in robotics dies in a massive explosion that occurs in his laboratory while developing an advanced robot project. However, instead of experiencing death as he thought, the man awakens in another world—a strange place with vast stretches of desert.
There, the man is surrounded by people who can jump high, calling themselves ninjas. The confusion he initially felt grows as he realizes that this world is not unfamiliar to him. This is the world of Naruto! However, there is one thing that surprises him.
"Isn't this Sunagakure? Why am I not in Konoha? This poorest village... Oh my God, this is serious!"
Now, in the midst of a new life filled with danger and uncertainty, the scientist must find a way to survive in Sunagakure, a harsh place full of limitations. With his robotic knowledge, can the man change his fate in this ninja world, or will he fall along with the village?]
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