Thinking of this, Tsunade couldn't help but reach out and pinch Hayato Ren's waist fiercely.
If it weren't for this guy who already had Kushina yet still came to provoke her, how could she possibly find herself in such a dilemma now?
However, being a ninja was ultimately a high-risk profession where death could come at any moment. Rather than fearing this and that, it was better to enjoy the present.
Thus, Tsunade decided to leave those troublesome matters for her future self to handle.
"You're really getting off easy, you little rascal."
...
"Encountered the super boss Tsunade-hime, fought with all my might but still couldn't win. I'm still too weak, need to continue training in the future."
After letting out these lamentations, Hayato Ren dragged his somewhat exhausted steps toward his tent.
Konan was still waiting for him inside. He wondered if Konan had felt lonely after not seeing him for a whole day.
The moment Hayato Ren entered his tent, Konan's small body tightly embraced him.
Feeling Konan's slightly trembling form, Hayato Ren couldn't help but feel a surge of guilt.
How could he have left Konan alone here just for his own pleasure? He truly deserved to die.
After a long while, Konan's pitiful voice slowly emerged.
"I thought Brother Ren didn't want me anymore..."
Rewind to two hours earlier.
Konan had just opened her eyes when she suddenly discovered that Hayato Ren beside her had disappeared.
Instantly, a wave of immense panic swept through Konan's entire being.
She even began to wonder whether everything from yesterday had just been a dream.
Or perhaps she was truly a born star of misfortune, destined to bring bad luck to anyone who got close to her.
Her father and mother were like this, and now Hayato Ren was the same. Otherwise, why was Hayato Ren here before she went to sleep, but gone when she woke up?
So Konan sat blankly on the bed, reminiscing about yesterday's brief yet lifelong-warming moments.
Fortunately, things didn't develop in the worst direction. After what felt like years of waiting, Hayato Ren finally returned.
Overwhelmed by the extreme emotional swings between despair and joy, Konan made a bold move she would never normally attempt.
Looking at Konan's face that seemed about to shed tiny pearls of tears, Hayato Ren felt his heart melting.
He quickly crouched down, gently wiping away the teardrops at the corner of Konan's eyes with his hand, and softly explained:
"I'm sorry, there was an emergency mission this morning. I left because you were still asleep. I promise this won't happen again."
Konan didn't respond, instead burying her head in Hayato Ren's chest.
After what seemed like an eternity, Hayato Ren finally broke the silence.
"Konan, have you eaten?"
Konan looked up at Hayato Ren and shook her head slightly.
"I've been waiting for you, Brother Ren. But it's okay, I often went entire days without food before. It doesn't matter."
Upon hearing this, Hayato Ren's heart twinged sharply once more.
He quickly asked:
"Konan, is there anything you'd like to eat right now? I'll make it for you."
Konan looked at Hayato Ren with hopeful eyes and softly replied:
"I'd like grilled fish..."
"There happens to be a stream nearby. How about I take you there for grilled fish?"
Hayato Ren reached out to pat Konan's head as he said this.
Hearing this, Konan naturally agreed with great delight.
By the stream, under Konan's expectant gaze, Hayato Ren slowly extended his hand covered with Lightning Release into the water.
After a series of crackling electric flashes, the fish in the stream all fell unconscious, floating to the surface with their bellies turned up.
Seeing this, Konan immediately showed an admiring look, applauding while praising:
"Brother Ren is truly amazing."
In terms of emotional validation, she had Hayato Ren completely satisfied.
Then, Hayato Ren began cleaning the dead fish while Konan gathered firewood nearby.
In no time, a campfire was lit.
Under Konan's expectant gaze, Hayato Ren skewered the marinated fish on sticks and propped them beside the fire.
After a while, under the fire's roasting, a delightful aroma began wafting from the grilling fish.
This caused Konan's stomach to emit a series of rumbling sounds.
After all, Konan hadn't eaten all day, so her stomach growling was quite normal.
Seeing Hayato Ren's concerned gaze, Konan shyly lowered her head and softly defended herself:
"That wasn't my stomach making noise."
Hearing this, Hayato Ren just smiled without exposing her, instead taking the blame upon himself.
"That's right, that was my stomach growling just now."
Only after hearing Hayato Ren say this did Konan raise her head again, though the blush on her face showed no signs of fading.
Just as the fish were nearly done cooking, a sudden "crack" sound of a broken twig echoed through the air.
Konan immediately stood up, pulling out the kunai Hayato Ren had given her, vigilantly scanning their surroundings.
Meanwhile, Hayato Ren maintained his previous posture without any reaction.
Although they were quite close to the Leaf camp, the Rain Country wasn't particularly peaceful.
Therefore, Hayato Ren had already activated a Sensory Ninjutsu while grilling the fish.
He had long been aware of the identity of this uninvited guest.
Tsunade's figure slowly emerged from a small path, praising Konan:
"Good alertness. Keep it up."
Upon seeing Tsunade, Konan returned the kunai to her ninja tool pouch and gave Tsunade a smile.
Although Konan had only met Tsunade once before, in her heart, Tsunade was definitely a good person.
Since Tsunade was Hayato Ren's teacher, anyone familiar with him couldn't possibly be bad.
Tsunade walked behind Hayato Ren, resting her chin on his shoulder before murmuring:
"You little brat, having a private feast without notifying me. What an ungrateful rascal."
Facing Tsunade's "reproach," Hayato Ren simply smiled and explained:
"You said you were going to sleep, so I didn't want to disturb you."
Tsunade didn't reply. Instead, she settled directly into Hayato Ren's lap, gazing at the campfire before them and speaking in a tone that bordered on coquettish:
"How much longer until it's ready? I'm practically starving."
Hayato Ren nuzzled his face gently against Tsunade's neck before answering softly:
"You came at just the right time. It'll be ready soon."
After their relationship had crossed that threshold, Tsunade no longer felt as reserved around Hayato Ren, acting entirely on her whims.
In the past, even when they were alone, she would never have taken the initiative to sit in his lap—let alone with Konan present as a "little third wheel" nearby.