"Thump!"
A dull splash sounded, accompanied by a spray of water.
"Isobu Bro."
Ren picked up a nearby towel to wipe his face, looking at Isobu floating not far away, and said helplessly.
"Slow down, you splashed my face."
"My apologies."
Isobu surfaced his head, saying apologetically.
"Just kidding, don't mind it."
Ren waved his hand casually, then looked towards the edge of the pool and said.
"Brother Chomei, are you really not coming down for a soak? It's very comfortable."
Following Ren's gaze, a green caterpillar was seen lie on a rock, its seven small tails resting quietly on the ground behind it.
"No need."
Chomei shook his head. Unlike the water-loving Isobu, while he didn't particularly dislike water, he couldn't say he liked it either. He preferred to lie here for a while rather than soak in a hot spring.
"Tsk."
Upon receiving the reply, Ren's expression became a bit strange. Looking at Chomei lying there, the corners of his mouth couldn't help but curl upwards.
There was no helping it; the sight of him combined with his mature and steady voice was just too incongruous.
Meanwhile, Isobu kept swimming back and forth in the pool. The last time he came out was in an oasis in the Land of Wind, and by his reckoning, several months had passed.
It was a rare chance to be out, so he had to swim to his heart's content.
Ren, on the other hand, leaned against the rocks, feeling the constant warmth spreading through his body, and comfortably closed his eyes.
Isobu floated motionless on the water, while Chomei spread himself out on the warm rock. Both beasts simultaneously showed a human-like expression of comfort.
Just like that, one person and two beasts fell silent in this comfortable atmosphere.
Amidst the rising steam, faint breathing sounds could be heard…
"Mmm…"
After an unknown amount of time, a soft hum sounded. Ren, soaking in the pool, blinked and then slowly opened his eyes.
As soon as he opened his eyes, he saw Isobu floating on the water and Chomei lying on the rock, both with their eyes closed, seemingly fast asleep.
After a moment of confusion, Ren came to his senses. Rubbing his eyes, he stood up from the pool, muttering.
"Damn, how did I fall asleep here?"
As soon as Ren got out of the pool, he instantly shivered. He quickly grabbed a clean bathrobe and put it on, then looked at the clock on the wall.
"It's already this late."
As Ren spoke, he took two steps forward, gently picked up both beasts, one in each hand, and slowly walked out.
Walking out of the room, the empty corridor was silent.
Ren didn't walk far before returning to his room. He gently held the two beasts in one hand and used the key with the other to open the door.
After entering, Ren didn't turn on the light. Guided by the Gekko moonlight streaming through the window, he walked to the bed, carefully placed the two beasts on either side, and then lay down in the middle.
"Phew."
Pulling up the covers, Ren let out a long breath. Looking at the unfamiliar ceiling, sleepiness returned.
"Good night, you two."
After a greeting, the room returned to quiet.
The two beasts lying on either side of Ren simultaneously opened their eyes, sat up, looked at each other for a moment, then successively leaned closer to Ren before lying down again, closing their eyes once more, their small bodies beginning to rise and fall…
The next day.
As the sun rose, the town's nightlife came to an end, replaced by the opening of the morning market. The town, which had only been quiet for a short while, once again plunged into noise.
The clamor penetrated the walls, and Ren, affected by it, slowly opened his eyes, staring at the ceiling in a brief daze.
But fortunately, he quickly came to his senses. Throwing off the covers and sitting up, Ren suddenly realized that Isobu and Chomei, who had been sleeping on either side of him, were gone?!
But soon, he found the two beasts on a nearby sofa. They were sitting opposite each other, doing something he couldn't discern.
"Ren, you're awake."
Noticing the movement, the two beasts turned their heads. Chomei wagged his tail, and Isobu greeted him.
"Yeah, just woke up."
Ren rubbed his eyes as he walked and sat down on the sofa, looking at the two beasts and tilting his head.
"So, what are you two doing sitting here?"
"Saiken sent a message just now."
Chomei spoke in a steady voice that didn't match his size.
"They'll be here soon."
"That fast?"
Upon hearing this, Ren quickly got up and walked to the bathroom. As he turned on the water, he picked up his toothbrush and began to wash up.
Not long after, Ren paused while drying his face and looked up ahead.
In his perception, a familiar Chakra had entered the town and was slowly approaching.
"They're here…"
Ren put down the towel and shouted out of the bathroom.
"Isobu Bro, Brother Chomei, tell Saiken to bring some breakfast when they come over!"
"…"
Soon after, a knock on the door slowly sounded.
"Knock, knock, knock!"
"The door's unlocked, come in."
As soon as the words fell, the knocking stopped abruptly, and the door opened. A figure draped in a white robe entered the room, looking at Ren, who was leisurely sitting on the sofa, and couldn't help but smile.
"It looks like you've been doing well, Ren."
"You too."
Ren stood up and raised his hand in greeting.
"It seems you're doing well in Kumogakure, Rin."
Her hood was taken down, her long red hair tied high, and a cold face constantly exuded an aura of 'do not approach'.
"Uh."
Seeing her like that, Ren was momentarily surprised, but quickly came to terms with it, rubbing his forehead.
"Suddenly changing your appearance, it really takes some getting used to."
"It's alright."
Rin walked to the sofa and sat down, handing over the items she was carrying, nodding.
"Here, I just bought it downstairs."
"Thank you."
Ren took it and opened it, and a fragrant aroma filled the air. Looking closely, it was a bowl of ramen, perfect in color, aroma, and taste.
"Then I won't be polite."
Ren picked up his chopsticks, ready to eat, but suddenly seemed to remember something. He turned his head to look at the two beasts beside him, gesturing with his chopsticks.
"Brothers, would you like some?"
The two beasts directly shook their heads, refusing. They had no interest in human food.
"Oh?"
It wasn't until then that Rin noticed the two beasts. She leaned closer, her face full of curiosity.
"Is this Isobu and Chomei?"
"It's them, alright."
After seeing the two beasts refuse, Ren no longer held back. He turned and picked up the bowl, beginning to eat heartily.
After a whirlwind of eating, with all the soup and water consumed, Ren put down the empty bowl and leaned back into the soft sofa, a look of satisfaction on his face.
Occasionally having a bowl of ramen in the morning isn't bad.