The noon time quickly passed.
Although Naruto, who was paying the bill, felt a bit pained in his wallet, what he gained even more was happiness.
In the afternoon, when they went to class, since they had eaten too much, Uchiha Kyuji gave them a theory class.
He explained to them the Clone Technique and the Shadow Clone Technique.
This was a class Rengoku instructed Kyuji to teach, because it would be used later.
Rengoku did not come to the classroom; instead, he shoved Suiren and the others into a regular class.
For him, all of these people would be joining the elite class in the future, so for now this was just a temporary phase.
Shion had also started following Miroku to learn the sealing techniques of the priestess system.
After some time, she would also be shoved into the Ninja Academy.
Right now, Rengoku was preparing to turn the Ninja Academy into a cradle to foster his own talents.
As for the others in the academy, that was up to them.
Anyway, there was a chance to get into the elite class, if they didn't compete for it themselves, that would be their own problem.
Everything Rengoku was doing now was laying the groundwork for the future.
After shearing all the wool from all the Uchiha clan members, it would take who knows how many years to condense the stars again.
Moreover, people with low strength would have at most two stars.
But the ones in the elite class were different. Once they grew, they generally would have more than three stars.
So Rengoku also gladly spent the time to become a good teacher and friend to this group.
When Rengoku arrived at the school gate, Sasuke and the others were just saying goodbye to Naruto.
Naruto's home was in a different direction, he was probably trying to go back earlier.
After greeting Sasuke and the others, he dashed away like a gust of wind.
Today Naruto seemed especially happy. Sasuke could clearly feel that today's Naruto was different from usual.
Not just because it was his birthday.
At this moment, a pair of hands waved in front of Sasuke's eyes, "We'll see each other again tomorrow, what are you still looking at."
Karin liked teasing Sasuke. Because Sasuke only rarely stopped acting cool when facing Naruto.
Sasuke shoved both hands in his pockets and rolled his eyes at Karin.
Karin acted like she didn't see it, giggling as she ran toward the side, because Rengoku had arrived.
"Shishou!", Karin pounced, almost knocking Rengoku over.
Rengoku caught her with one hand, "Alright, what is it?"
Karin's eyes rolled and she pointed at Sasuke, "Sasuke bullied me."
Sasuke was shocked, 'I was clearly the one being bullied, wasn't I?'
This kind of thing, Sasuke had never seen before, and hurriedly said, "When did I bully you?"
"Shishou, don't listen to her nonsense."
Sure enough, Karin laughed and said, "Just now you rolled your eyes at me."
Sasuke huffed, "That counts?"
"It does, it does."
Karin had recently liked to mess with Sasuke. Rengoku knew that. He just quietly watched the two kids play around.
Others kids were also watching them play around.
Gaara liked the atmosphere in the school more and more.
And this group of people didn't treat him differently because he was a jinchuriki, they treated him as an ordinary classmate.
Kurama Yakumo had been frail since childhood, rarely went out, and had no friends.
Recently, spending time with everyone made Yakumo feel happy and at ease.
Although her body couldn't train for now, she still stayed with these classmates every day.
The classmates liked her drawings, and everyone got along well.
When Hotaru came to the Uchiha, her heart had been uneasy. After all, her only family had already passed away.
But recently, with Karin always taking care of her, Hotaru gradually got used to her current life, and there were a lot more smiles on her face.
Kimimaro and Haku were the oldest among the group of kids and were also the most diligent.
Both had a strong sense of crisis, so they never slacked off.
But hard training didn't mean a harsh life.
After coming to the Uchiha, food and clothing were no problem, and Rengoku even took them to buy clothes and regularly gave them some pocket money.
The friendly and loving environment at school also made the two unfortunate children feel warmth.
Even though they didn't like to mess around, watching their friends play around was also a kind of joy.
"Alright, go home, stop messing around, Sasuke," Rengoku said when he saw that it was getting late.
At this moment, Karin ran behind Rengoku, stuck her head out, and made a face at Sasuke.
Sasuke's face puffed up like a bun from anger and he immediately chased after Karin.
Without the trauma of the clan massacre, Sasuke wasn't that cold, he was much more cheerful.
Rengoku flicked Sasuke's forehead with precision.
"Ow, that hurts!", Sasuke rubbed his forehead and complained, "Shishou, you're siding with her again!"
Rengoku smiled and lifted Karin onto his shoulder, "Then how about Karin being the senior disciple and you being the junior disciple, and then I'll side with you?"
Sasuke snorted, "No, I'm the senior disciple, I'm the big brother!"
From Rengoku's shoulder, Karin made a face at Sasuke, "So as the big brother, you shouldn't fight with me~"
Kids' moods change quickly and their expressions can't hide anything. Just now, Sasuke was fuming. But when he heard Karin call him big brother, the corners of his mouth immediately lifted and couldn't be pressed down.
"Hmph, I'll let it go this time," Sasuke turned his head coolly, ending today's playful quarrel.
Rengoku couldn't help laughing, Sasuke had been outplayed by Karin again.
———
At the door of Naruto's house.
After arriving at the door, Naruto made a lot of mental preparation before opening the door.
"I'm back."
Naruto habitually called out, but today there was a response.
"Welcome home, Naruto," Uzumaki's voice came, and Naruto's smile bloomed across his face.
The table was already set with dishes.
A figure of shadow stood beside the table.
Naruto happily ran over to the table. Although the dishes were all simple home-cooked dishes, Naruto felt incomparably happy.
He immediately hugged Uzumaki, "Thank you for preparing the present for me, Uzumaki."
Uzumaki, however, broke free from Naruto's hands, "This isn't your birthday present."
Naruto asked curiously, "Eh? It's not?"
Uzumaki said, "Weren't you curious about my identity before? Now, look at me."
Naruto opened his eyes wide and watched as the shadow on Uzumaki's body slowly disappeared.
Wine-red long hair, a hairpin clipped to the left side of her bangs, a wrist guard on her left wrist, and a green dress over a short-sleeved shirt.
Naruto looked at Kushina in disbelief, his voice trembling, "Y-you're… Mom?"
This time Kushina didn't disguise her voice anymore; she spoke in her own voice, "I am your mother. Happy birthday, Naruto."
Naruto suddenly hugged Kushina tightly and burst into tears.
"Mom, you're my mom."
"I have a mom, I have a mom—"
"Waaah… waaah…"
Naruto cried loudly, as if releasing all the grievances he had been holding in his heart for so many years.
Kushina hugged Naruto and gently patted his back.
Her eyes were full of love.
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