The sun was high, at the Senju Tobirama's residence.
Renya slept until naturally waking, as usual. Normally at this time, Senju Tobirama would already be in the laboratory.
Sometimes he might spend the entire day in the lab and wouldn't come back at night to rest.
Ever since he decided to take it easy and lie flat, he was even too lazy to make breakfast.
He only needed to prepare lunch and dinner every day.
Senju Tobirama didn't enforce it; if Renya didn't get up, then breakfast wasn't necessary.
After all, he could just eat ration pills with Orochimaru.
Of course, sometimes, because Renya would sleep too long in the afternoon, he would wake up early the next day, full of energy, and prepare breakfast for the two of them.
But that didn't happen very often.
This morning, Renya woke up, thinking Senju Tobirama was in the laboratory doing research as usual.
He glanced at the time—it was only 8:30 a.m.
"Tch, I'm really waking up earlier and earlier!"
Renya was clearly very pleased that he got up earlier than yesterday.
As the saying goes, the key to a successful day is in the morning. Getting up now, he could go to the courtyard for a bit of training.
To prevent his body from rusting and losing combat strength.
Although he felt that no one in the ninja world could threaten him now, regular exercise to maintain health was still necessary.
Otherwise, if he fell ill one day and died, wouldn't that be regrettable?
In the blink of an eye, he was almost thirty-seven.
At middle age, minor physical issues were bound to appear; refusing to admit weakness was pointless.
For example, a few days ago, skipping breakfast didn't seem to matter.
But now he realized that if he didn't eat breakfast, he could easily wake up hungry during sleep.
"The body is the real capital."
Muttering to himself, Renya finished washing up and went to the living room.
He saw Senju Tobirama leaning by the window, holding a newspaper in his left hand and a cup of hot tea in his right, blowing lightly on the left side.
Hearing the noise, Tobirama looked up and saw someone standing in the living room.
"Kid, up so early today?"
Renya usually considered getting up before noon as early, otherwise he wouldn't deliver breakfast to them.
Over time, it was always Orochimaru who prepared breakfast at home before heading to the lab.
Otherwise, eating ration pills every day would be unbearable.
Fortunately, Orochimaru had mastered Renya's techniques, so the food he prepared was reasonably tasty.
On days when Renya wasn't in the village, all three meals were handled by Orochimaru.
But most of the time, they were busy with experiments, and Orochimaru couldn't find time to cook personally, so he used shadow clones to help with meals.
"Uncle, why aren't you going to the lab?"
Renya found it very unusual that Senju Tobirama stayed at home.
Ever since retiring, this old guy almost spent every day in the lab.
Originally, Orochimaru was only interested in science, but under Tobirama's influence, he became obsessed and even crazy.
You could say, except for sleeping, everything else was done in the laboratory.
Of course, the old man was the same.
"The data you brought back last time, Orochimaru and I have studied it thoroughly," Tobirama sipped his hot tea. "So I gave him a few days off to rest properly."
Orochimaru's scientific talent was not inferior to his own and, like him, he worked very hard.
Honestly, he even showed signs of surpassing him.
One could truly say, the pupil surpasses the master.
"He should rest properly," Renya nodded in agreement.
That kid Orochimaru hadn't researched immortality, so he didn't have the undead reincarnation from the original story.
Otherwise, if he died suddenly in the lab due to overwork, it would be a huge problem.
Renya only had three disciples; losing even one would be a shame.
Tobirama put the newspaper and teacup on the table and looked at Renya, asking softly:
"Are you hungry? I just bought some buns."
By now, Konoha's technology had advanced, thanks to planning by Renya and Danzo.
Delivery workers and similar services existed.
You just needed to order by phone, and a delivery person would bring the food.
If Tobirama knew Renya got up so early, he definitely wouldn't have ordered delivery.
What a wasted breakfast.
Soon, the delivery arrived.
Although Senju Tobirama was the former Second Hokage of the village and had Renya, a wealthy adopted son, he didn't care much about meals.
Probably because he was used to eating ration pills.
Compared to ration pills, normal food could be said to satisfy color, aroma, and taste.
The breakfast was pitifully small: only a basket of buns, a cup of soy milk, and a small plate of pickles.
Renya sat across from Tobirama, looking at the meager food on the table, his mouth twitching.
I finally got up early, and you're giving me this?!
Anyone who didn't know would think we couldn't afford breakfast.
"Kid, eat first. If it's not enough, I'll have you make me some."
Tobirama had no intention of touching the chopsticks.
Since there was only one breakfast, let the kid eat it.
After he finished, he'd go to the kitchen to make Tobirama a proper breakfast!
Humph, he was truly a genius!
Not only did he avoid wasting food, but he also got to eat breakfast made by the kid.
It was truly killing two birds with one stone!
Renya: "..."
He realized why the old man was so kind to let him eat the delivered breakfast.
Turns out he was waiting here all along!
Oh well, bad luck to have woken up early today.
Besides, he was going to prepare breakfast anyway; it was just a matter of making a bit more.
One basket of buns wasn't enough for Renya.
He finished them in no time.
"Wait here. I'll make breakfast right now."
Renya stood up to head to the kitchen. Tobirama's calm voice sounded behind him.
"I want noodles."
"Got it."
Watching Renya leave, Tobirama smiled slightly, picking up the unfinished newspaper and occasionally sipping hot tea.
He had been busy with research all these years and truly needed a proper rest.
The reason he gave Orochimaru a break wasn't just because they finished studying Kabuto's experimental data.
It was because the older brother told him yesterday that in a couple of days they would prepare to travel out of the village.
Tobirama thought it wasn't possible to go alone and leave Orochimaru to do experiments in the lab.
So he made an excuse, letting him rest properly for a few days.
"The noodles are ready."
Renya had just pushed the door open and saw Tobirama sitting at the table, leisurely drinking tea and reading the newspaper.
He was somewhat surprised.
He didn't expect the busy man to have such a relaxed moment.
Suddenly, he seemed to remember something.
Hashirama had told him to invite this old man to go on a trip.
Seeing Tobirama so relaxed, Renya's eyes widened in disbelief.
He couldn't have agreed, right?!
What a joke!
How could this old man possibly agree to go traveling with Lord Madara?!
He definitely hadn't fully woken up yet.
"What are you doing standing at the door?"
Seeing Renya hesitate, Tobirama frowned.