At the entrance of the sweets shop.
Renya carried two large bags full of neatly packed desserts: three-colored dango, matcha daifuku, mung bean cakes, cream cakes — all arranged carefully inside exquisite packaging boxes.
He had already tasted them just now, and the flavor was absolutely delicious. Packing them to take home meant he could enjoy them slowly later, and also bring some to Tsunade.
Kids should eat fewer sweets, otherwise they'll get cavities.
Especially since Tsunade was still young, at a crucial stage of growth. She definitely shouldn't eat too many sweets, otherwise her development might be affected.
When he returned, just giving her a single slice of cream cake would be enough. As for the rest… he would have to take care of them himself.
Yes, that was a perfectly reasonable decision. Hopefully, that girl Tsunade would understand his good intentions.
After all, everything he was doing was for her sake…
As for using Tsunade as a shield?
Impossible, absolutely impossible!
Renya's original intention was simply to bring Tsunade some sweets. It was only after buying them that he remembered kids shouldn't eat too much sugar.
It was indeed his oversight — he hadn't considered Tsunade's age.
And following the principle of not wasting food, he had no choice but to reluctantly destroy… no, finish off all these sweets himself.
...
Koharu saw Renya carrying three full bags of sweets and felt it was too troublesome for one person. Wanting to lighten his burden, she stepped closer with a smile and reached out her hand.
"Renya-kun, let me carry one of the bags for you?"
If she didn't help, then Renya's current state would make strolling around afterward quite inconvenient. Both of his hands were occupied, leaving him no way to free them.
Renya's expression immediately grew guarded. He swiftly pulled the bags behind him.
"No need, I can carry them myself."
He was worried that Koharu would use this as an excuse to sneak a taste of the sweets he had bought.
There weren't that many to begin with, and if Koharu stole some, then what would he have left to eat when he got home?
Damn it, if she wanted sweets, why couldn't she just buy her own!?
"Eh~? Why not?" Koharu looked utterly puzzled.
She was only trying to help out of kindness. Why did Renya-kun seem so tense?
The way he acted, it was as if she had some ulterior motive…
Shimura Danzō glanced at Koharu's confused expression, then looked at the bags Renya was hiding at his side. Finally, he shifted his gaze away, everything clear in his heart.
So, Renya was worried Koharu would target his desserts.
Although he really wanted to say it aloud, under Renya's intimidating presence he could only pretend to know nothing.
Renya cast Koharu a glance and explained,
"I just think… everyone should carry their own belongings."
Of course, he would never admit he was worried about her stealing his sweets.
From behind, Sarutobi Hiruzen hooked an arm around Renya's neck, grinning mischievously.
"Renya, don't tell me you're afraid Koharu will sneak a bite?"
"Yeah, Renya-kun, are you perhaps too reluctant to share your sweets with us?" Uchiha Kagami chimed in with a teasing smile.
Renya's body suddenly stiffened. They had hit the mark — but he would never admit it.
"Don't talk nonsense. They're just some sweets." Renya smiled lightly. "If you guys want some, help yourselves."
Of course, he only said that out of politeness. Hopefully none of them would actually take him up on it…
"Hahaha, really?" Hiruzen chuckled. "In that case, I'll take a piece of cream cake."
He stretched out his hand toward the bag.
Renya quickly pulled away, turning his face aside.
"These are all for that girl Tsunade. If you want some, buy your own."
"Ohh~ so that's how it is." Hiruzen suddenly understood, winking at the others nearby.
Koharu's lips curved faintly upward. So Renya-kun had such a cute side.
Uchiha Kagami smiled knowingly. He had suspected all along that Renya-kun liked sweets.
As expected.
Shimura Danzō turned his face away, sneering inwardly.
What are you looking at me for? I didn't say a word. Those evil Uchiha… don't try to pin this on me!
As long as he stayed silent, Renya had no excuse to pick a fight with him.
Mitokado Homura gently adjusted his glasses, pretending nothing had happened.
He totally didn't know Renya liked sweets. Those desserts were all for Tsunade…
Yes, that was definitely the case!
Renya: "…"
He had the strange feeling these guys knew something, but he had no evidence.
...
Barbecue shop, evening.
The six of them sat around the sizzling grill, the aroma of meat filling the air.
"The last time we had barbecue together was back in the Ninja Academy," Sarutobi Hiruzen recalled with a hint of nostalgia.
Back then, they had also eaten at this very shop. Koharu hadn't joined that time — instead it was Nara Motoha and Hyūga Muki.
"Yeah, time flies so quickly," Uchiha Kagami sighed.
They had all just been kids then. Who would've thought so many years would pass in a blink…
In front of Renya, his plate was piled high with perfectly grilled beef tongue and pork belly. But he ate absentmindedly, occasionally glancing out the window at the darkening sky.
For some reason, he couldn't shake the feeling he had forgotten something.
The unease left him with no appetite.
Just what important thing had he forgotten?
"Renya-kun, why aren't you eating?" Koharu noticed his dazed look and asked curiously.
Shimura Danzō shot him a glance. Since the afternoon, this guy had seemed restless. Just what was going on?
"Is the barbecue not to your taste?" Hiruzen asked.
Feeling their eyes on him, Renya snapped back to his senses and explained,
"I think I forgot something… but I just can't remember what."
Until he recalled it, even eating felt impossible.
The group exchanged looks and one by one set down their chopsticks.
"Forgot something?"
It seemed they all knew what it might be…
"Renya-kun, it's dinner time now," Uchiha Kagami guessed. "Could it be that Tobirama-sensei is still waiting for you to bring him food?"
On the battlefield, they had often seen Renya cooking for their teacher.
If they hadn't gone out today, Renya would probably be at home cooking around this time.
Renya's hand suddenly trembled, his chopsticks nearly slipping from his grasp.
Finally, he remembered what he had forgotten!
He still hadn't brought dinner to that old man Senju Tobirama today.
"You guys go ahead and eat. I have something to do."
Renya abruptly stood up from his chair, grabbed the bag of sweets at his side, and hurried out of the barbecue shop.
Damn it, he had forgotten the most important thing.
Had that old man gone hungry?
Well… if he was hungry, surely he would find something to eat himself… right?
Hiruzen and the others watched Renya's retreating back, smiles spreading across their faces.
"Renya-kun really is so filial."
"Who can deny it?"
...
Hokage's office.
"Grumbleee—"
Senju Tobirama's stomach growled again as he slowly set down the unfinished documents in his hands.
Looking out the window, the sky was already completely dark. Normally by this time, Renya would have long since delivered dinner.
"What's wrong with that kid?"
----------------
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