A new day.
Seiryū woke up early.
He steeled himself to leave the warm bed. It was his second home, but today, he had to be a wanderer—he was going to visit Minato at the hospital.
After getting dressed, he headed to the washroom.
To his surprise, Kurenai was already up.
Lately, the young girl had been waking up early to prepare breakfast.
"Morning, Kurenai."
Seiryū greeted her, squeezed past, nudged her slightly with his hip, and grabbed his toothbrush to start brushing his teeth.
"..."
Kurenai, her mouth full of foam, was clearly displeased with Seiryū's move. She spat out the foam with a "peh," then glared at him with her beautiful eyes. "Can't you wait until I'm done brushing?"
Seiryū brushed as he spoke, voice muffled, "Just squeeze in. Don't be so stingy."
Kurenai was so irritated that her teeth itched. "You..."
But the image of Seiryū naked still lingered in her mind. Her annoying brain recalled it once again, and her face flushed. She snorted softly and said no more.
After washing up, Seiryū, now refreshed, asked, "What's for breakfast today?"
Kurenai forced herself to stop thinking about that, thought for a moment, then said, "Let's make ramen. I thought of something yesterday. What do you think about adding soldier pills to ramen?"
"What a genius idea!"
Seiryū was instantly amazed, feeling that Kurenai was a culinary genius for coming up with such a bold concept.
As everyone knew, soldier pills were made from medicinal herbs and had a bitter taste.
So what would bitter ramen taste like?
Just imagining it was exciting!
He imagined that ramen with soldier pills might taste like bitter melon soup, right?
Hmm... he was unexpectedly looking forward to it!
When he opened a shop in the future, he could have Kurenai, this little culinary genius, manage the kitchen. Soldier pill ramen might become a hit!
Soldier pills were like a ninja's little blue pills—they helped you last longer.
If you were low on chakra, a bowl of ramen with soldier pills could help you recover faster.
Tasty and restorative.
Seiryū understood. This was medicinal cuisine!
"Hehe, of course! I'll definitely be a good wife in the future!"
Kurenai giggled, placing her hands on her hips proudly, her expression both happy and smug.
She loved being praised by Seiryū more than anything.
It was recognition that made her very happy.
"???"
Shinku, who was already up and washing, overheard their conversation and was instantly full of questions.
Soldier pill-flavored ramen... should he still eat breakfast today?
Forget it. He'd find an excuse to eat out. He wasn't about to sacrifice his taste buds...
Kurenai was definitely a little culinary genius, but she'd clearly been led astray by that brat Seiryū...
Moments later.
Eating her creation, "soldier pill-flavored ramen," Kurenai scrunched up her face and said to Seiryū, "Seiryū, I think this one's a failure?"
She realized she didn't like bitterness!
It was way too bitter!
Seiryū slurped a mouthful of noodles, drank a sip of the black broth, smacked his lips, savored it for a moment, then commented, "Failure? No way. It's pretty good. The bitterness is invigorating, and there's a sweet aftertaste. Maybe you're just not used to it?"
"Really?" Kurenai thought it was only bitter. Where was the sweet aftertaste?
It didn't taste good at all.
But seeing Seiryū eat so happily, she figured it must be her lack of exposure to such flavors.
Just like talent, taste varied. Seiryū wouldn't lie to her, so it must be that her palate wasn't there yet!
Seiryū's praise was more effective than genjutsu. Kurenai believed him, and happily asked, "So this attempt counts as a success too?"
Seiryū nodded with a smile. "There are no other words to describe your cooking anymore. Only one fits—'genius.' You'll definitely become a special-grade chef in the future!"
She blushed a little and smiled shyly. "Hehe, I'm not that amazing..."
Still, she would definitely be a wonderful wife someday.
Seiryū liked all the food she made. That was enough!
Seiryū spoke with sincerity, completely serious. "No, you really are. Keep it up. I'm really looking forward to your cooking. When I open a shop next to the ramen stand, you'll be the head chef, and the boss lady. I'll give you a share in the business!"
"I'm the boss lady?"
Kurenai heard that term and her thoughts spiraled. Her cheeks turned pink, and she looked a little flustered.
Seiryū would be the boss. She would be the boss lady. That, that... that sounded like a couple!
Oh no. Was this moving too fast? She wasn't ready!
Seiryū, completely unaware of her thoughts, waved generously. "You get a share, so of course you're a boss. And since you're my sister, you're the boss lady!"
Kurenai burst out laughing, cheerful and sweet. "Hehe, okay!"
Seiryū suddenly remembered something. "Oh, right. Kurenai, can you pack two portions of ramen for me? I want to bring them to Senpai and Kushina-nee. Senpai's injured, and ramen with soldier pills can help with recovery."
The ramen had medicinal value and tasted great. He should bring some for Senpai.
After all, Minato's injury had something to do with him.
As the younger one, he had to show some care!
Kurenai nodded. "Mm, I'll get them ready now."
Because Shinku had an urgent matter and left the house early, he didn't get to eat her delicious food, so there was still plenty of ramen left...
Shinku: I dodged a bullet!
...After breakfast.
Around nine o'clock.
Seiryū carried two packed portions of "soldier pill-flavored" ramen and walked toward the Ninja Hospital. His pace was quick.
Kurenai had her own plans today. She was going to train genjutsu with Shinku, so she didn't come along.
Soon, Seiryū arrived at the Ninja Hospital.
Minato had been moved to a private room.
As a disciple of the Sannin and a genius who had mastered the Flying Thunder God Technique, Minato's treatment was naturally far superior to that of ordinary ninja.
Even Hiruzen, the Third Hokage, had come to visit after hearing the news.
It showed how much he valued Minato.
Bang bang...
Seiryū knocked on the door to the ward. After hearing a response, he pushed it open and stepped inside. "Senpai, Kushina-nee, I'm here to visit!"
Upon entering, Seiryū found it wasn't just Minato and Kushina inside.
There were two others.
A blonde older sister type and a black-haired little girl.
The older woman had long golden hair tied into a ponytail, a voluptuous figure, wore a green long coat, had fair and delicate skin, a petite and exquisite face, and a blue-purple mark on her forehead... She was clearly an older sister type—the kind whose greatness needed no explanation!
The little girl wore a black ninja outfit, had short black hair and a slightly round face. She looked a little naive, but very cute...
A pure and innocent little girl, the type that looked easy to trick!
Seiryū wasn't unfamiliar with these two.
They were Tsunade and Shizune.
(To be continued.)