As the saying goes, an angry woman is harder to catch than a New Year's pig.
No matter how Hayato Ren reached out, Kushina nimbly dodged with agile movements.
The two chased each other until they quickly left the bustling crowds and arrived at a secluded small grove.
Looking at this familiar small grove, Hayato Ren suddenly stopped, a trace of nostalgia flashing in his eyes.
During their time at the Ninja Academy, he and Kushina would always come to this place to play after school.
This could be said to be Hayato Ren and Kushina's secret base, a place that witnessed their growing affection.
Hearing the footsteps behind her stop, Kushina also halted and turned around to complain.
"You fickle playboy, giving up so quickly. I must have been blind to ever fall for someone like you..."
Before Kushina could finish her sentence, Hayato Ren's figure suddenly appeared before her from ten meters away, using his mouth to silence her words.
One could only wonder what Senju Tobirama, down in the underworld, would think knowing that Hayato Ren was using the Flying Thunder God technique he had worked so hard to develop just to flirt with girls.
After a long while, Hayato Ren finally released Kushina's mouth, though his arms remained wrapped around her waist.
Most of the anger in Kushina's heart had dissipated. She gently rested her head against Hayato Ren's chest and whispered:
"Daring to forget your girlfriend's birthday - anyone else would have kicked you to the curb long ago. Only someone as foolish as me would forgive a bad guy like you so easily."
Hayato Ren lowered his head, gently inhaling the fragrance of Kushina's hair.
"They say fools have fortune on their side, and I didn't forget on purpose. Please be magnanimous, Lady Kushina, and forgive me just this once."
After speaking, Hayato Ren took another deep breath, showing a somewhat intoxicated expression.
Somehow, even though they used the same shampoo, only Kushina's hair carried this fragrance.
Finally, after signing a series of "unequal treaties," Kushina stopped pursuing the matter.
Just then, Kushina suddenly slipped out of Hayato Ren's embrace and ran toward a large rock.
"Ren, Ren, come quick and look at this!"
Kushina waved excitedly toward Hayato Ren.
When Hayato Ren approached, he saw that there was a sentence clumsily carved on the rock:
"Uzumaki Kushina and Ren Hayato want to be best friends forever."
From the handwriting, it was clear this was Kushina's handiwork.
Looking at these words, a nostalgic expression appeared on Kushina's face.
"Time really flies... in the blink of an eye, we've grown so much..."
Hayato Ren stepped forward and touched the carved words, couldn't help but tease:
"So you had designs on me all along, Kushina. How cunning of you."
The originally somewhat melancholic atmosphere was instantly broken by Hayato Ren's words, making Kushina so angry that she immediately jumped onto his back and unleashed a flurry of Turtle Fists on his head.
"If you don't know how to speak properly, then don't speak at all! I originally just wanted to be friends with you for life. Who would have thought you'd be so shameless, even costing me my entire self."
After their playful scuffle, Kushina suddenly covered her stomach and looked at Hayato Ren.
"It's all your fault—I didn't get to eat a single bite of ramen, and now my stomach is completely empty."
Hayato Ren spread his hands and responded somewhat helplessly:
"Alright, alright, it's all my fault. How about we go back to eat? I'm actually a bit hungry too."
Kushina's eyes shifted, and she rejected Hayato Ren's suggestion.
"No, I don't want to. Ren, go catch some fish to grill. Just like when we were kids—I kind of miss that taste."
Since Kushina had spoken, Hayato Ren wouldn't go against her wishes. After all, today was still her birthday.
Gazing at the nameless stream before him, Hayato Ren felt quite nostalgic.
Since graduating from the Ninja Academy, it had been years since he last troubled the fish here.
Back in the day, he was quite the little angler.
As an angler, coming back empty-handed was a common occurrence.
Back then, Hayato Ren and Kushina could only dig up some wild vegetables nearby to grill.
However, times had changed.
Hayato Ren no longer used a fishing rod; he had brought a new energy fishing method.
After a series of crackling electric sounds, Hayato Ren quickly gathered a considerable catch.
By the time he returned with the cleaned fish, Kushina had already started a campfire.
The tacit understanding between them needed no explanation.
After eating and drinking their fill, Kushina didn't bother with any ladylike image, plopping down on the ground and wiping her mouth with the back of her hand.
Seeing this, Hayato Ren immediately showed a look of disdain on his face.
"What's that expression? So gross. Believe me, I'll wipe it on your clothes?"
As she spoke, Kushina smeared her greasy hand on Hayato Ren's clothes.
Moments later, his clean, tidy clothes were utterly ruined.
Seeing this, a bright smile spread across Kushina's face.
Haha, serves you right for looking down on me. Now you're all messy too, aren't you?"
After resting for a while, Kushina stood up, brushed the dust off her pants, and said:
"Alright, let's head back. Konan should be out of school soon—it's time to cook."
Bathed in sunlight, Kushina seemed to glow, exuding a somewhat nurturing, motherly aura.
Mikoto and Konan had probably finished setting up by now, so Hayato Ren hurried home with Kushina.
Kushina tilted her head, looking at Hayato Ren standing motionless in front of the door.
"What are you standing there for? Hurry up and open the door. I'm all dirty—I need to take a bath."
Hearing this, Hayato Ren turned around with a troubled expression.
"I think I forgot the keys."
Kushina pursed her lips and muttered under her breath.
"You good-for-nothing who ruins more than you accomplish."
Then she pulled out a piece of wire from her person and skillfully inserted it into the keyhole.
Watching Kushina's actions, Hayato Ren showed a surprised expression.
"When did you learn this trick? Don't tell me that every night after I fall asleep, you transform into the Leaf Great Thief..."