"Come on, Hinata. Thank your brother Natsume," Rinka Hyuga said, patting Hinata Hyuga on the head and pushing her forward a few steps. "If it weren't for him, something bad might have happened to you on your birthday night."
"Th...thank you," Hinata Hyuga stole a glance at Natsume and then quickly lowered her head, forcing the words out.
"Natsume, don't take it to heart. Hinata's just shy," Rinka Hyuga said with an apologetic smile. "It's a coincidence. Have a taste of my cooking today."
She took out several food containers and opened them, revealing a variety of delicate dishes.
Natsume had suggested a picnic in the wild because he wanted to take Hinata Hyuga out for some fun. Although Rinka Hyuga was a bit puzzled, as he was their benefactor, she readily agreed to his request.
Not only did she agree, but she also cooked the meal herself. Since becoming the wife of the head of the Hyuga clan, she had never cooked for a man other than Hiashi Hyuga.
"Thank you, Auntie," Natsume said with a sincere smile. "I'm sure your cooking is amazing."
"Try it first," Rinka Hyuga said, a smile spreading across her face, clearly in a good mood.
"Sure," Natsume said. He picked up a pair of chopsticks, grabbed a piece of fatty meat, and popped it into his mouth.
"How is it? Does it suit your taste?" Rinka Hyuga asked, looking at him expectantly.
"Fantastic!" Natsume gave her a thumbs up. "Your cooking is the best among those I've tasted."
"You're such a sweet talker," Rinka Hyuga said with a gentle smile. "Help yourself. Make yourself at home."
She was a typical Yamato Nadeshiko - style woman. Hinata Hyuga had clearly inherited her mother's personality.
But as the young miss of the main family, this kind of personality could actually be a disadvantage.
Natsume was having a great time eating. The only drawback was that he didn't get any alone time with Hinata Hyuga.
But it was obvious that she was in a good mood, with a smile on her face from time to time. Natsume often caught her stealing glances at him. But whenever he looked back, she would immediately blush and lower her head in embarrassment, truly embodying the saying "all talk and no action".
It was really funny.
Rinka Hyuga noticed their interaction and just smiled without saying a word. She had always been worried that Hinata Hyuga, because of her shy personality, would have a hard time making friends. But now it seemed that she did have friends. She never even thought about the possibility of a romantic relationship between them.
As members of the main branch of the Hyuga clan, they usually married within the clan to preserve the bloodline. It was extremely difficult for an outsider to marry into the clan. Natsume was no exception.
Unless he became the Hokage, it would be impossible. If that day ever came, Rinka Hyuga wouldn't, and couldn't, stop it.
"Goodbye, Brother Natsume," Hinata Hyuga said reluctantly, waving her hand.
"See you next time," Natsume said, winking meaningfully.
Hinata Hyuga immediately understood the hint. Her face turned bright red, and she clenched the corner of her clothes with her small hands, too shy to look at him.
Judging from her appetite, she surely didn't eat enough. Natsume planned to go and feed her again that evening.
After saying goodbye to the mother - daughter pair, he went home.
He opened the door, but Tsunade wasn't there.
While Natsume was feeling puzzled, he heard thumping sounds coming from the courtyard.
He opened the window.
Tsunade was standing in front of a wooden stake, continuously attacking it with her fists.
Every time she threw a punch, one could see the vibrating air waves.
Only her usually gentle expression had become somewhat fierce.
Natsume squinted his eyes slightly.
There was a problem.
He had been adopted by Tsunade for nearly three years, and he had never seen her exercising.
She was both lazy and thought it was ineffective.
Her strength had temporarily reached a bottleneck.
To improve, this kind of ordinary exercise was useless.
Natsume approached.
Tsunade still didn't stop, as if she hadn't noticed him.
She was exercising without using Ninjutsu or Chakra, but purely relying on her physical strength.
Maybe because she had been at it for a long time, she was sweating a lot, and one could faintly make out her delicate body outline.
But Natsume was attracted by an even more beautiful sight.
Due to the exercise, Tsunade's skin was slightly red, and her cheeks, neck, and collarbone were emitting a faint sheen of sweat, looking like a freshly - washed peach, making one want to take a bite.
Natsume didn't disturb her.
After waiting for about ten minutes, Tsunade stopped punching.
"Sister, are you tired?"
Natsume couldn't wait to step forward. Without minding the sweat, he wiped it off for her with his sleeve.
Tsunade subconsciously curled up the corners of her mouth, and her eyebrows slowly relaxed. The little bit of resentment in her heart also vanished.
"Did you have a good time today?"
"Just so - so."
Natsume answered casually and then asked, "Why didn't you go with me, Sister?"
"I can't be by your side forever. There are some things you have to do on your own."
Tsunade sighed silently, stroked his head, and said.
"Why not? I won't leave you, Sister."
Natsume moved his right hand down, wiped the sweat off her collarbone.
Tsunade hesitated to speak.
It didn't matter now that he was young, but it would be hard to say when he grew up.
Her face showed a moment of hesitation, but in the end, she said nothing.
"Will you not want me, Sister?"
Seeing that she didn't answer, Natsume looked up, asking pitifully.
"What are you talking nonsense about?"
Tsunade gave him a glare and said, "That's impossible."
"Okay."
Natsume hugged her tightly, immersed in the warmth, and said nostalgically, "Then we'll never be apart."
Hearing this, Tsunade's body trembled.
A complex expression appeared on her face.
This chapter is not over!
It was possible to be together forever, but her identity was that of an adoptive mother, a sister, or a teacher.
Although Tsunade was informal, there were some boundaries she dared not cross.
Unlike Natsume, who had seen more in his past life, her thinking was more like that of an ancient person.
"Alright."
Tsunade patted his little head and said, "I'm all sweaty, Sister. Let go of me. I'll go take a shower."
"Okay."
Natsume nodded.
Actually, he quite liked the half - hidden and half - revealed look on Tsunade caused by her slightly wet clothes.
Back in the hall, Natsume found that he had nothing to do.
He missed his beloved, the mobile phone.
The sound of rushing water lasted for a while.
As the sound of the door opening rang out, Natsume subconsciously turned his head.
Tsunade, with wet hair, walked out of the bathroom holding a dry towel.
Her usual hairstyle was twin tails, but now her long golden hair hung straight, presenting a different kind of charm.
"Sister, let me help you," Natsume said as he quickly stood up and snatched the towel from her.
Tsunade didn't say a word and just let him dry her hair.
"The Chunin Exams will be held in three months," she said.
"Okay," Natsume replied.
As Natsume rubbed her golden hair, he faintly smelled a delicate fragrance. It could be the fragrance of the shampoo or perhaps her natural body scent.
"Hana Inuzuka will join you and Kabuto. The three of you will be a new team. You can train together in these three months to improve your teamwork," Tsunade said, her beautiful eyes reflecting the TV screen. "With your abilities, passing the exam won't be difficult. There's no need to worry too much."
Even without revealing his [Wood Release], Natsume had the strength of a Jonin. Kabuto Yakushi and Hana Inuzuka were also quite capable and wouldn't be a burden.
If they couldn't pass the exam, Tsunade would wonder if Hiruzen Sarutobi was losing his marbles. She'd go and have a word with him then.
"I'll work hard," Natsume said, patting his chest. "I'll make sure everyone knows you've trained a genius apprentice."
A smile appeared on Tsunade's face. "Sister doesn't need more fame. Just make sure the three of you stay safe," she said.
While the two were enjoying their sibling time, Jiraiya was in a foul mood.
After returning to Konoha, he soaked in the hot springs, had a meal in a brothel, and then spent his time spying on Naruto Uzumaki.
The more he watched, the angrier he got.
He had expected Naruto to be treated like a hero, but instead, Naruto was treated even worse than a stray dog. He lived in a shabby place, had no one to take care of him, and was always looked down upon when he went out.
Jiraiya felt that he had let down Minato Namikaze and Kushina Uzumaki.
He turned around and asked someone about Naruto's life in the past three years. Only then did he fully understand what Naruto had been through.
In the Hokage's office, the door was roughly pushed open.
Hiruzen Sarutobi, who was rubbing a crystal ball, was startled. Who on earth was so bold as to do this?
"Jiraiya?" Hiruzen Sarutobi asked in surprise. "Why have you suddenly come back?"
"Old man, what's going on with Naruto?" Jiraiya asked bluntly, not bothering with niceties. "Why does everyone say he's the Demon Fox?"
"It was Tanzo's doing," Hiruzen Sarutobi said. His smile froze and gradually turned into remorse. "After I found out, I ordered everyone not to mention that Naruto is the Demon Fox."
"Can't you make it public that he's the son of the Fourth Hokage?" Jiraiya frowned. "I don't want to see the villagers misunderstand him like this."
He knew that the identity of the Nine - Tailed Fox Jinchuriki needed to be kept secret, so he didn't mention it.
"Minato had numerous battle achievements, but he also made many enemies," Hiruzen Sarutobi shook his head. "As his son, Naruto would be in danger. If it led to the rampage of the Nine - Tailed Fox, the consequences would be catastrophic."
Jiraiya was silent for a moment. "Let me take care of Naruto," he said.
"No," Hiruzen Sarutobi flatly refused, his attitude extremely firm. "It's not the right time yet."
"I need a reason!"
Jiraiya stared him down fearlessly.
"He's only three. Do you really want to take him roaming around the ninja world?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi countered. "Are you really sure you can take good care of him?"
"..."
Jiraiya was instantly at a loss for words.
Searching for the Child of the Prophecy and the one who will destroy Mount Myoboku is obviously more important.
He really doesn't have the time to take care of Naruto Uzumaki.
"Don't worry. Naruto's situation will soon change,"
Hiruzen Sarutobi said in a softer tone, "I've already enrolled him in school. Teach him after he graduates."
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