"Today really kept little Hogen busy, with all that meeting relatives."
Torikaze smiled when he heard that. "These are all people he should know. That boy's had a real image to maintain since he was little—he could never relax no matter what he did."
"But after he started dating, he seems to have changed a lot. Chisato and I are both very happy about it."
No one didn't want their child to be lively and cheerful. For a time, Hogen really had a cold expression on his face every single day.
Torikaze asked himself whether he had ever put on that much of an act as a child.
He was even better at putting on airs than his father. How could that be allowed?
"Haha, kids are like that. Maybe he was going through a rebellious phase. Everyone goes through things like that."
Torikaze shook his head. "Not me. I had the same personality from childhood to adulthood. I never changed."
Windcloud Mountain was somewhat surprised. "That really is strange. Perhaps it was because he lacked our companionship growing up."
Torikaze said nothing in response.
In truth, he retained memories from two lifetimes, which was why he had never changed.
His mind had already been relatively mature, after all.
It had little to do with whether or not he was an orphan. Though he had lost his parents at a young age, Torikaze felt that his childhood had still been quite fulfilling.
Studying, making friends, fighting, improving himself—he had not neglected any aspect.
He had even done some earth-shaking things. It had been quite interesting.
"It was actually alright, Father. I didn't have a miserable life. Lord Hashirama was always watching over me, and Shishou's Wife always took care of me too."
"That's good. I've never been able to get