Looking at the expressions of longing on Yahiko and Nagato's faces, Jiraiya's mouth twitched a few times.
"Actually, ninjas don't need all those flashy things. Practicality is what matters most. It's not that Flying Dragons are unaffordable, but Toads offer better value for money."
...
After bidding farewell to Jiraiya, Hayato Ren and the other two returned to the Leaf with the ninjas from the camp.
Upon learning that Jiraiya would be staying in the Rain Country, Sarutobi Hiruzen could only offer a helpless smile.
He understood the minds of his three problematic disciples better than anyone.
Finally, under Tsunade's gaze that seemed fierce enough to devour someone, Hayato Ren carried Kushina and walked back to his home.
Of course, there was a little tail following behind them.
Although Konan was now a legitimate resident of the Leaf Village, she didn't have her own house there.
If Hayato Ren didn't take her in, Konan would probably have to return to her old ways of sleeping on the streets.
However, Konan's mind was filled with big questions at the moment.
Wasn't Brother Ren's girlfriend Lady Tsunade? Why was there now a red-haired big sister too... The adult world was truly perplexing.
After returning home, Kushina looked at Konan curiously and extended her hand.
"Hello, Konan. Ren mentioned you in his letters. My name is Kushina. Please take care of me from now on."
Konan placed her hand on Kushina's and showed a somewhat shy smile.
"Sister Kushina, please take care of me from now on."
Hearing Konan call her "sister," Kushina's face immediately lit up with joy.
This was the first time she felt like she had become an "adult."
Then, she excitedly dragged Konan around to show her the place, even leaving Hayato Ren behind in her enthusiasm.
...
Late at night, in Hayato Ren's room.
Kushina looked at Hayato Ren, who had closed his eyes, and suddenly spoke in a quiet voice:
"Ren, don't you have anything you want to say to me?"
Hayato Ren opened his eyes, looked at Kushina's expressionless face, and replied in a somewhat uncertain tone:
"I... I love you?"
Kushina reached her hand under the blanket and pinched Hayato Ren's waist hard.
"Don't you have anything you want to confess to me?"
Hayato Ren's eyes immediately became evasive. Although he had mentally prepared himself to confess to Kushina, he hadn't expected this day to come so soon.
After a brief moment of thought, Hayato Ren leaped up from the bed.
Under Kushina's surprised gaze, he immediately performed a dogeza on the floor.
After all, in Japan, there's no problem that can't be solved with a dogeza. If one doesn't work, then just do another.
"I'm sorry, Kushina. I've done something wrong. Please forgive me."
Looking at Hayato Ren under the bed, Kushina snorted coldly and said irritably:
"I never expected you to be so charming that you even managed to get involved with Lady Tsunade. If I hadn't said anything, were you planning to keep hiding it from me forever?"
Hayato Ren quickly walked up to Kushina, putting on an ingratiating expression.
"Actually, I was planning to confess to you tomorrow. Who knew our Kushina would be so sharp-witted, figuring it out immediately."
"Hmph, don't underestimate a woman's intuition in that area. And when you carried me today, Lady Tsunade's expression looked like she wanted to devour me. Only an idiot wouldn't notice something going on between you two."
After that, Hayato Ren spent a long time whispering sweet nothings before finally regaining his privilege to return to the bed.
Just as the two were about to sleep, Kushina suddenly asked out of the blue:
"How far have you gone with Lady Tsunade?"
Hayato Ren immediately responded without hesitation:
"Just kissing. My first time is definitely reserved for you. Let's sleep now, tomorrow we need to help Konan with her Ninja Academy enrollment procedures."
Kushina looked at Hayato Ren suspiciously. After staring for a long time without finding any flaws, she slowly closed her eyes.
The next morning, after breakfast, Hayato Ren's "family of three" headed toward the Ninja Academy.
Walking down the street, Konan held Hayato Ren's hand with her left and Kushina's with her right, truly looking like a family.
Of course, it would be even more convincing if Hayato Ren and Kushina looked a bit more mature.
Upon arriving at the Ninja Academy, Hayato Ren unexpectedly saw someone he didn't anticipate.
"Nawaki? What are you doing here?"
Looking at Nawaki before him, Hayato Ren couldn't help showing a curious expression.
Nawaki clearly didn't expect to encounter Hayato Ren here either, immediately showing an excited expression on his face.
"Ren! I was planning to visit you after class, never thought you'd come here. I haven't thanked you for saving me yet. If it weren't for you, I might have become..."
"No need for formalities between us. After all, you're practically my brother-in-law."
Hayato Ren glanced at Kushina and Konan in the distance, then whispered.
Hearing this, Nawaki immediately showed a confused expression.
"Not to be rude, but what's so good about that old hag? Bad temper aside, she's lazy, greedy, loves drinking and gambling. Isn't she just a perfect example of a spendthrift woman? Ren, you're so handsome and powerful, how could you fall for her? Did she take advantage of you? Don't worry, I'll help you get justice."
Looking at Nawaki's somewhat indignant expression, Hayato Ren's face immediately took on a strange look.
He never expected that Tsunade would be seen this way by her own brother.
He wondered how many months Nawaki would have to spend in the Hidden Leaf Hospital if Tsunade ever found out about these comments.
"Alright, enough of that. Why are you here? And it seems like you've become a teacher?"
When Hayato Ren asked this, Nawaki's expression immediately became distant.
"After that near-death experience, I realized I'm different from geniuses like you and Minato. My chances of becoming Hokage are smaller than my sister quitting gambling. Since that's the case, I might as well devote myself to Leaf's education system - teaching a future Hokage would still be quite an achievement."
Seeing the somewhat dejected expression on Nawaki's face, Hayato Ren remained silent for a moment before reaching out to pat his shoulder.