After a few days, Jiraiya and Tsunade led the team back to the Leaf.
Just as they reached the village entrance, Hayato Ren spotted a flash of red rushing toward him.
At the sight, a smile instinctively spread across Hayato Ren's face.
In no time, Kushina had run up to Hayato Ren, then leaped into his arms, wrapping her limbs tightly around him like a sloth.
"Ren, you're finally back! Do you know how much I missed you while you were away? Did you miss me? I heard you became a Jonin—as expected of my Ren..."
Kushina's chatter didn't stop for a moment, pouring out her longing for Hayato Ren like a magpie.
The harmonious scene brought knowing smiles to the faces of those present.
Many even found themselves reminiscing about their own youthful romances.
However, two people wore rather unpleasant expressions.
Namikaze Minato had been excitedly telling Jiraiya about his gains, but upon seeing Kushina and Hayato Ren's interaction, the smile quietly faded from his face.
Seeing his disciple like this, Jiraiya could only sigh deeply and pat Namikaze Minato's shoulder.
He, too, had once experienced this kind of pain deeply.
Thus, he felt a sense of camaraderie with Namikaze Minato—in a way, the master and disciple were quite in sync.
The other person with a grim expression was Tsunade. Watching the happy smile on Kushina's face,
Tsunade knew she should be glad for her, as Kushina was not only her disciple but also a cousin.
Moreover, before Uzumaki Mito passed away, she had held Tsunade's hand and earnestly entrusted her with taking good care of Kushina.
But seeing the intimate way Hayato Ren and Kushina were together,
Tsunade felt a tightness in her chest. She clearly knew this emotion was wrong.
She shouldn't feel this way—after all, Kushina was Hayato Ren's girlfriend, and she was just his teacher.
Yet, the restless feeling in her heart didn't fade; instead, it grew stronger.
Especially as she watched Hayato Ren carrying Kushina back into the village, Tsunade's expression twisted almost uncontrollably.
Just then, a voice interrupted her,
"Um, Tsunade, would you like to have lunch later? I know a place that serves really delicious Yakitori—I'm sure you'll love it."
Kato Dan looked at Tsunade with an ingratiating smile as he extended the invitation.
Already in a foul mood and having no particular fondness for Kato Dan,
Tsunade turned and glared at him before replying coldly,
"No need. I'm not in the habit of eating with strangers. And from now on, unless it's work-related, please don't approach me."
After saying this, Tsunade left in a rage.
She left Kato Dan standing alone in place, looking utterly dejected.
Kato Dan couldn't understand what he had done wrong - their relationship had been quite good at the beginning.
How had it come to this? A woman's heart was truly difficult to understand.
At this moment, Jiraiya let out a hearty laugh.
Clearly, he was quite pleased to see Kato Dan being rejected.
Who told that guy Kato Dan to pretend to be such a nice person, always hovering around Tsunade?
"If I can't have her, neither can you."
This was exactly what Jiraiya was thinking in his heart.
...
Hayato Ren directly carried Kushina back to his home.
Although he hadn't returned home for over two months,
his house was completely free of dust, as if someone had been meticulously cleaning it every day.
And all of this was clearly Kushina's handiwork.
Due to her special status, the Leaf wouldn't assign Kushina any missions, especially during this wartime period.
So the bored Kushina could only roll around on Hayato Ren's bed every day, counting on her fingers when Hayato Ren would return.
After arriving home, Kushina finally got down from Hayato Ren and said mysteriously:
"Hayato, to celebrate you becoming a Jonin, I've prepared a special surprise for you."
After saying this, Kushina immediately ran into the house and closed the door behind her.
Being "locked out," Hayato Ren obviously didn't know what Kushina was up to, so he waited outside with curiosity.
Not long after, Kushina's voice came from inside the house.
"Hayato, you can come in now."
So Hayato Ren pushed open his own door.
However, the scene that greeted his eyes made Hayato Ren swallow deeply.
He saw Kushina wearing a White Silk Maid Outfit, kneeling properly before him with a gentle smile on her face.
Upon seeing Hayato Ren, Kushina first bowed respectfully, then came forward to help him change into slippers before saying in a sweet voice:
"Welcome home, Master. Would you like to eat first, take a bath first, or perhaps..."
Hayato Ren looked down at Kushina's slightly flushed cheeks and couldn't help asking:
"Kushina, where did you get these clothes, and who taught you all this?"
Hearing this, Kushina stood up and slowly turned around, showing off her maid outfit.
"This outfit is the surprise I specially prepared for you, and I learned these scenes from those books under your bed. Hayato, you're really something - you already have me, yet you still secretly keep those embarrassing books. How annoying."
Hearing this, the corner of Hayato Ren's mouth twitched several times.
He naturally didn't have the habit of reading those kinds of books - the only reason he had them was for reference in his writing.
After all, the "special books" in this world were vastly different compared to those from his previous world.
At this moment, Kushina reached out and pulled Hayato Ren into the dining room.
The dining table was filled with various dishes, all of Hayato Ren's favorite foods.
"I've made these dishes several times already and even had Mikoto taste test them. Though they're not as delicious as yours, the flavor is definitely not bad."
After saying this, Kushina picked up a pair of chopsticks, picked up a piece of meat, and brought it to Hayato Ren's lips, saying softly:
"Here, say ah~"