"Master actually wants to do this?"
After hearing everything, Tsuchigen Tianjian spoke thoughtfully.
"If Master really plans to accept him like this, then, Second Senior Brother, we can only follow his instructions. We should assist Eldest Senior Brother and teach Naruto well."
Tsuchigen Tianxing said helplessly,
"I really don't understand why you're all so concerned about him."
Tianjian looked at Tianxing and said with a sigh,
"Second Senior Brother, don't you think you're a little hostile toward that outsider, Naruto?"
Tianxing waved his hand immediately.
"Don't talk nonsense. I'm not!"
At this moment, Tianlang turned over, sat up, and looked at Tianxing seriously.
"You, you…"
"Don't you just dislike him for no reason?"
"Treat him the same way you treat us."
Tianjian followed up,
"Second Brother, is that really what you think?"
Seeing that he couldn't hide it anymore, Tianxing finally admitted,
"Fine! I admit it."
"I'm unhappy!"
"Think about it. He's a foreigner. And he has common attributes."
"Why should he get this kind of treatment?"
"Master even asked Eldest Brother to teach him personally!"
"What kind of status is that?"
Tianlang sighed deeply.
"Second Brother, be more open-minded."
Then he stood up and said firmly,
"Master asked me to teach him well."
"So from now on, everyone should treat Naruto as our junior brother."
"Do you understand?"
Tianjian nodded immediately.
"I understand."
Tianlang looked at Tianxing.
After a moment, Tianxing sighed.
"…I understand too."
"Good."
Tianlang nodded.
"Let's go check on him."
So, the three of them walked toward the study together.
When they pushed open the door, Naruto was sitting quietly at the desk, fully absorbed in the Fire Magic Encyclopedia.
He didn't even notice them enter.
Tianxing whispered,
"What's he reading so seriously? Can he even understand it?"
He was about to step forward when Tianlang stopped him.
"Second Brother."
"Didn't you just agree to accept him?"
Tianxing shrugged helplessly and stepped aside.
Tianjian carefully observed Naruto.
At first glance, he noticed that Naruto didn't have horns like them.
But looking closer, he realized—
This guy was actually quite handsome.
"Hmm… good foundation."
"Too bad he has common attributes."
Tianlang stepped forward and smiled.
"Naruto, how is it?"
Naruto was startled and quickly looked up.
"Ah! Senior Brother, Second Brother, you're here!"
"And… who is this?"
Tianlang gestured.
"This is my third junior brother."
"You can call him Third Senior Brother."
Tianjian stepped forward and bowed slightly.
"My name is Tsuchigen Tianjian."
"You must be Naruto."
Naruto smiled politely.
"Yes, Third Senior Brother."
"My name is Uzumaki Naruto."
Tianlang laughed.
"Good. Now everyone knows each other."
"By the way, Naruto, how is the Fire Magic Encyclopedia?"
"Did you understand anything?"
Naruto frowned slightly.
"I understand the theory…"
"But when it comes to actual practice, I'm still confused."
Tianxing couldn't help laughing.
Tianlang glared at him.
Then he looked back at Naruto kindly.
"Don't worry."
"Take it step by step."
"This book requires a strong foundation."
"Let's eat first today."
"I'll treat you."
"Starting tomorrow, I'll personally guide your training."
Naruto nodded.
He was indeed hungry.
"Thank you, Senior Brother."
Night fell.
A bonfire burned brightly in front of the houses.
Several hares were roasting on iron racks.
Tianlang sprinkled seasoning over them, and the aroma instantly spread.
Tianjian's saliva almost dripped.
"As expected of Senior Brother's roasting!"
"It smells amazing!"
"The wine is here!"
Tianxing flew up from below the mountain, carrying two wine jars.
Laughing, he said,
"I took them from the cellar."
"Two hundred years old!"
Tianlang waved.
"Give them to me."
Tianxing threw one over.
"Catch!"
Tianlang caught it easily, opened it, smelled it, and nodded.
"Yes. Two hundred years."
He poured some into a bowl and sprinkled it over the roasted meat.
The wine dripped into the firewood, crackling loudly.
The flames flared up, making the aroma even richer.
Naruto laughed.
"This is amazing!"
"I've eaten grilled fish a lot before, but I've never seen grilled rabbit like this!"
Tianlang smiled.
"You're welcome."
"Come on, let's eat."
"It's finally time!"
Tianjian cheered.
Tianlang stopped him.
"Third Brother, Naruto is our guest."
"Let him go first."
Tianxing looked unhappy but said nothing.
Tianjian realized and apologized.
"Sorry, Naruto. You first."
Naruto waved his hands quickly.
"No, no, please go ahead."
Tianlang directly handed him one.
"Don't be polite."
"From now on, we're family."
Naruto felt deeply moved.
"Thank you."
He accepted it and began eating.
"Be careful, it's hot," Tianlang reminded.
Then he distributed the rest.
They ate and drank happily.
Two large jars of wine were emptied in less than an hour.
All the rabbits were gone.
Naruto burped, feeling dizzy and satisfied.
"Awesome…"
He stood up and shouted toward the sky.
Tianlang frowned.
"What are you doing?"
"You didn't even drink that much."
"You're drunk already?"
Naruto waved his hand.
"What do you know!"
"Do you know who I am?"
"I'm Uzumaki Naruto!"
"The Seventh Hokage!"
"Believe it or not!"
His face was red.
He looked for more wine, but there was none left.
Tianjian laughed and pointed.
"He's drunk!"
Tianxing snorted.
"I told you he couldn't handle two-hundred-year wine."
"Look at him, totally crazy."
Tianlang laughed.
"Being crazy isn't bad."
Naruto suddenly burst out laughing.
"Hahaha… okay… okay…"
Then, suddenly, he started crying.
Looking at the starry sky, his eyes filled with tears.
"…Hinata…"
"Hinata…"
His voice trembled.
His face was flushed, his eyes red.
After calling her name, the world spun.
His body swayed.
Then—
He collapsed directly onto the ground.
The bonfire continued to burn quietly.
Under the vast night sky,
Naruto finally fell asleep—
Drunk,
Homesick,
And missing the woman he loved most.