Land of Fire.
Inside the mountain cave where the two who once faked their deaths had lived for a long time.
"Renya, go first and see how Mito feels about it."
Senju Hashirama reminded Renya, "Make sure to tell her the reason—say you forgot to tell me, not that I didn't want to go!"
Before knowing Mito's attitude, he didn't dare go home.
If she was still angry, wouldn't he be beaten to death by his furious wife the moment he set foot in the house?
He could only let Renya explain everything first. Once things were clear, he would go home to see her. This really wasn't his fault—Renya was the one who forgot to pass on the message!
Hopefully, Renya could explain the whole situation to Mito. Otherwise, he was doomed.
"How pathetic, Hashirama."
Uchiha Madara sneered at just the right moment.
Back when he still hadn't left Konoha, Hashirama would always hang around him, and every time he went home, he'd get scolded by Uzumaki Mito.
But that idiot never learned his lesson—by the next day, he was back sticking to Madara again.
Even Madara couldn't stand watching it anymore and told him, "Go home when you have time, stop following me all day!"
The result?
Hashirama immediately looked as wronged as a bullied little wife, disgusting Madara so much he nearly gagged. After that, Madara stopped interfering in Hashirama's family affairs altogether...
"Madara, don't add fuel to the fire."
Hashirama sighed helplessly. He didn't have the energy to argue with his best friend—his mind was completely occupied with worrying about what awaited him next.
"Tch." Madara snorted disdainfully but said nothing more.
"Renya, go on ahead," Hashirama urged again, unable to hide his anxiety. "Be sure to tell Mito the truth!"
"Got it, Hashirama-san." Renya nodded seriously.
Honestly? What a joke!
How could he possibly admit to forgetting something that important?
At this point, he could only let Hashirama take the blame.
Alright, time to start lying.
...
"Kid, you're back?!"
In the Hokage's office, Senju Tobirama jumped up the moment he saw Renya appear before him.
He subconsciously glanced at the calendar on the wall—only a few pages left—then revealed a satisfied smile.
Not bad, not bad.
The kid knew to come back a few days early!
Starting today, he wouldn't have to eat those awful soldier pills or those so-called "nutritious" stomach-care meals that were anything but.
From now on, every meal would be one of Renya's delicious dishes!
This was what real life should taste like!
He hadn't even eaten yet, but Tobirama already felt his body brimming with energy—enough to clear the entire pile of paperwork on his desk in one go.
"What happened to you? You look so worn out."
Renya frowned at Tobirama's sunken cheeks.
"You're not young anymore. If you don't learn to take care of yourself, you'll run into serious problems sooner or later!"
Tobirama felt a wave of emotion at the first part—this kid really had grown up!
But the next words froze his expression completely.
What did he just say... not know how to take care of himself?!
"Kid, what's that supposed to mean?"
A vein bulged on Tobirama's forehead. He spent every day buried in the office, busy beyond belief, and now this brat was accusing him of neglecting his health?!
Slander—pure slander!
"Tsk, tsk. Look at you, so weak and still trying to argue."
Renya shook his head helplessly.
"Forget it, I'll make you some medicinal food for lunch to replenish your strength."
This old man was almost fifty and still didn't know how to look after himself. One day he'd probably die in some woman's bed.
Shocking headlines: The Second Hokage of Konoha dies in a woman's embrace!
If that really happened, even if Tobirama was later revived with Edo Tensei, he'd still be mocked for eternity...
Tobirama: "..."
He wanted to retort, but at the mention of "replenishing medicinal food," all arguments died in his throat.
Fair enough—his stomach had been acting up lately. A bit of restorative food wouldn't hurt.
"Kid, make it soft. My appetite's been poor lately," Tobirama added.
"Got it," Renya said, waving his hand. "And lay off the soldier pills."
That stomach of his was clearly messed up from overusing them!
Sure, soldier pills could replenish energy—but they weren't meant to replace real food.
They only sustained basic bodily functions and contained almost no real nutrition.
Eating that stuff every day, combined with overwork... he'd be lucky to make it past fifty.
With that, Renya left the Hokage's office.
He still had to report to Mito-san—with some artistic embellishment—so he didn't have time to chat with Tobirama.
"This kid..." Tobirama murmured, watching Renya's back disappear. "Who told you to leave the village for so long anyway?"
If that brat hadn't gone off wandering, Tobirama wouldn't have had to live off soldier pills all this time!
...
Senju Hashirama's residence.
"Mito-san, I'm back!"
Renya began his performance the moment he entered the courtyard.
"Renya, you're here."
Uzumaki Mito greeted him with a gentle smile.
"Did you run into that man on your way? It's been half a year now—why haven't I seen him yet?"
Though her expression was warm, her tone carried a distinct hint of reproach.
Before Renya left, she had reminded him. Yet after half a year, still no sign of Hashirama.
After making her wait this long, how could she not be resentful?
Renya thought to himself that Hashirama-sama was doomed.
If Mito-san's attitude toward him was already this stern, then what awaited Hashirama would be far worse...
Fortunately, he'd already prepared his excuse.
"Mito-san, actually, I met Hashirama-sama long ago," Renya explained. "But... I didn't relay your message to him right away."
"Why not?" Mito asked, puzzled.
"I wanted to see if Hashirama-sama would bring up visiting you on his own," Renya said, putting on a pained expression.
"But even after months of traveling with him, he never once mentioned you."
He sighed dramatically. "Hashirama-sama spent every day gambling in the casinos, never once speaking of you!"
"I couldn't stand it anymore, so just a few days before returning to the village, I finally told him your message."
"So that's how it is..."
Mito's expression darkened, her teeth gritting.
"That man really has gone too far!"
"Renya, where is he now?"
"If he won't come to see me, then I'll go find him myself!"
Now Mito was truly angry.
Hashirama had completely neglected his duties as a husband, spending all his time with Uchiha Madara instead.
Renya knew he was safe now—but Hashirama-sama? Absolutely doomed.
As they say, better the other guy dies than me...
Even if he had forgotten Mito-san's message, Hashirama-sama still shared the blame.
"Mito-san, please calm down. I'll bring Hashirama-sama here in two days," Renya said quickly.
And why two days?
Because Mito-san was furious right now—if Hashirama showed up immediately, he'd definitely be beaten to death.
"Hmph. I understand, Renya."
Mito finally calmed down a little.
Just then, the sound of a baby's cry came from inside the house.
Renya: "???"