"There is!"
In response to Mito Uzumaki's question, Uchiha Ryun gave a firm answer.
His confident reply had a calming effect, visibly easing Kushina's worries.
"Do you really have to go to the battlefield in the Land of Rain? You're still very young. Why must you take such risks?"
Mito Uzumaki asked another question, her voice gentle and soothing, making it hard not to listen attentively.
"You previously used your young age and lack of strength as reasons to persuade me to stop Nawaki."
Just mentioning Nawaki brought a sorrowful expression to Mito Uzumaki's face.
"This shows you understand how dangerous the Land of Rain is and that you know how to avoid danger…"
"So why do you now insist on going there yourself?"
Hearing Mito Uzumaki's question, Kushina also reacted. She shook Ryun's arm forcefully, demanding an explanation.
"…"
Ryun did not answer immediately, instead remaining silent for a long time.
"Speak clearly. Don't think about dodging the question or tricking me!"
Seeing Ryun stay quiet, Kushina suddenly spoke angrily.
Ryun turned his head and quietly looked at her.
He watched her furrowed brows and angry expression, her tearful, worried eyes. His dark pupils reflected her face, and then, inexplicably, he smiled.
"What are you laughing at?"
If Mito Uzumaki hadn't been present, Kushina would have definitely bitten him hard.
"I have reasons I can't avoid…"
As Ryun spoke, he directly covered Kushina's small mouth with his hand, preventing her from asking further.
"Grandma Mito just said it too. I have the awareness to avoid danger and the ability to handle crises…"
"You can trust me. No one values their life more than I do. You don't need to worry about my safety…"
Ryun spoke these words with utmost seriousness, clearly indicating this was a well-considered decision, not a reckless impulse.
He was nothing like the impulsive Nawaki. Moreover, his strength far surpassed Nawaki's!
"But…"
"Kushina…"
Kushina still wanted to argue, but Mito Uzumaki suddenly interrupted her.
"Haven't you always trusted him? This child has always been very independent and clever…"
"Grandma has always thought he's a very reliable person. You should see that too, right?"
Mito Uzumaki's words made Kushina pause. After a long silence, she understood what her grandmother meant.
When it came to major matters, Ryun would never deceive her. If Ryun said something was fine, then it truly was.
This guy was as cautious as a veteran even within the safe confines of the academy, always acting as if someone was out to get him…
Why would someone like him need others to worry?
When he said no one valued their life more than he did, Kushina thought about it carefully and found it very convincing…
In the end, Kushina accepted Ryun's decision to go to the battlefield in the Land of Rain.
Having spent so much time with Ryun, Kushina knew what kind of person he was. Once he made up his mind about certain things, nothing could change it.
"Have you told Aunt Asuka about this?"
On the rooftop, the two sat close together, admiring the full moon in the sky.
"Not yet… I plan to keep it from her. I'll just say I'm leaving the village for a small mission that'll take some time… I have experience leaving the village, so she'll probably be fine with it." Ryun chuckled.
"You liar! How dare you hide something like this from Aunt Asuka!"
Kushina pinched the soft flesh at his waist hard, making him grimace in pain.
"It's mainly to spare her unnecessary worry. My mom… if I tell her the truth, she'll definitely lose sleep over it. She might even tell me to quit being a ninja…"
Ryun wasn't joking. Back when they were poor, becoming a ninja to earn money for Konoha was something Asuka could reluctantly accept.
But now that the family was well-off and her son was successful, Asuka had already started suggesting he quit being a ninja… She even said things like, "It might be better for my son to become a writer or a chef than a ninja."
Her husband had died as a ninja. If she found out her son was heading to the battlefield… she'd definitely make a huge scene.
"Her ability to handle stress is too weak. That's why she never became—or rather, was never suited to become—a ninja in the first place."
"Rather than letting her know the truth and adding to her worries, it's better to keep her in the dark…"
Hearing Ryun's reasoning, Kushina instinctively nodded, finding it logical.
But she quickly realized this guy was full of nonsense and had probably been hiding many things from her too.
"Tell me honestly, how many more things are you hiding from me?" Kushina glared at him fiercely.
Seeing this, Ryun pulled her into his arms and began stroking her hair soothingly.
In his past life, he had owned a cat. He knew that as long as the kitten wasn't bristling, it was safe to pet. Kushina was the same—as long as her red hair wasn't standing on end, it meant no danger. She could be hugged and have her head patted…
"Nothing much. I didn't even hide my plan to go to the Land of Rain battlefield from you. Doesn't that prove how honest I am with you?"
"You know more than even my mom does… Think about it. I hide things from her but not from you."
Ryun's last words inexplicably pleased Kushina…
She buried her face in Ryun's chest, happily rubbing against him, clearly soothed into losing her ability to think…
Seeing the little girl so happy, her fair, delicate face so close, Ryun couldn't help but swallow hard, a sudden urge to kiss her rising in his heart…
Thinking this, he slowly leaned his face closer to Kushina.
"Why are you bringing your face so close?"
Kushina, who had been enjoying the softness of his abdomen, suddenly noticed his odd behavior and frowned.
"Ah… n-nothing. I just thought there was something dirty on your face. I moved closer to see better." Ryun quickly explained.
Last time, because he acted like a rogue and kissed Kushina, he had gotten slapped hard… Now that he realized what he was doing, he felt a little scared…
"There's something on my face? Is it still there?" Kushina wiped her face with her hand and, seeing nothing, motioned for Ryun to look again.
Ryun swallowed hard, quickly calculating the risks and rewards…
'One kiss in exchange for a slap… seems like a fair deal…'
'If she hits me, so be it… Hitting is affection, scolding is love. I'm going for it!'
Ryun steeled himself, making up his mind. He gathered chakra in his face, preparing to endure Kushina's slap!