The Bounty of an Old Friend

"What do you mean, 'don't worry'? What are you teachers talking about? I don't understand," Morino Kei asked blankly, swallowing the rice ball in his hand.

"It's nothing, just eat your food," Uchiha Kai replied softly, patting his shoulder.

"Oh—so mysterious." Morino Kei shrugged.

After walking for another two to three minutes, Aburame Keiichi led the group and stopped in front of a hot spring bathhouse.

"We're here, this is it," Aburame Keiichi said after looking up to confirm.

"Yay! Hot springs! Here I come!" Morino Kei shouted, his hot-blooded idiot persona drawing the attention of the surrounding villagers, who couldn't help but laugh.

"Sigh—I really don't want to admit I know this guy," Hyuga Rei sighed, patting her forehead.

"It really is novel. I've never experienced what it's like to soak in a hot spring before," Uchiha Kai mused.

After all, neither now nor in the past was he someone who liked, or would proactively seek out, enjoyment.

Soaking in a hot spring in the renowned hot spring village of the Ninja World was quite a new experience.

The group crossed the grand main entrance. As soon as they entered, they felt much more comfortable. The unique aromatherapy and warm colored decorations gave them a sense of ease, and they subconsciously relaxed.

"Welcome~ How many in your party?" a sweet female voice came from the front desk.

Their eyes fell upon a beautiful woman with a well-proportioned figure and graceful curves. Her voice was clear and sweet, and she didn't look very old.

"Four! Whoa?!" Morino Kei, who had been goofing around and looking at everything in the shop, suddenly's eyes widened, his gaze locked onto the woman, unable to move away.

"Greetings, beautiful lady~ We have four people."

Morino Kei strode forward, tidied his hair, and said smugly.

"Are you trying to die... You're embarrassing us to death," Hyuga Rei said, seeing Morino Kei's mind clouded by beauty. Without hesitation, she threw a punch, making stars appear before Morino Kei's eyes.

"What the hell?! Stop hitting me on the head!" Morino Kei protested loudly.

"I was just saying hello to this pretty lady, why are you reacting so strongly?"

"You're practically drooling! Can you act like a human? You're completely disgracing us..."

Faced with the defiant Morino Kei, Hyuga Rei was completely at a loss.

"Hehehe... It's alright, this young man is lively and cute."

The beautiful woman at the front desk giggled, covering her mouth. Her smile was so sweet that it completely broke Morino Kei's defenses, revealing a lovesick face.

"Exactly! The lady didn't say anything, so why are you so anxious?" Morino Kei said, pretending to pick his nose in a provocative tone.

"What did you say?!" Hyuga Rei's voice rose several octaves, and she raised her fist as if to strike.

"Alright, stop messing around," Aburame Keiichi said at the crucial moment, stopping the two of them.

His gaze towards the woman at the front desk was somewhat strange, a sense of familiar unfamiliarity.

Sensing Aburame Keiichi's gaze, the woman turned her head and looked at him. Her eyes flickered, and she quickly spoke.

"Is that you, Mr. Keiichi?"

Aburame Keiichi paused for a moment before replying:

"You know me? But..." The man raised his hand, looking puzzled.

"Hello, Mr. Keiichi, I am Chishima Tsurume," the woman replied softly with a sweet smile.

"Chishima... Tsurume, is Hanako yours?" Aburame Keiichi's voice trembled slightly.

"Chishima Hanako is my mother. I often heard my mother mention you. Mother said you are a VIP guest at our establishment and should always be treated to the highest standard whenever you visit."

Chishima Tsurume bowed slightly and smiled. "I've seen your portrait at home."

"I feel like the atmosphere is a bit off..." Uchiha Kai took two steps back, standing with Hyuga Rei, and said in a low voice.

Hyuga Rei's gaze shifted between Aburame Keiichi and Chishima Tsurume, her eyes flashing with a strange light.

"I smell something unusual too..." the girl said with a mischievous smile.

"The scent of gossip..." the two said in unison, while Morino Kei in front of the counter was completely clueless.

"But... but? Didn't Hanako not have any children?" Aburame Keiichi clenched his wide sleeves, his tone full of confusion.

Hearing this, Chishima Tsurume adjusted a strand of hair by her eye and explained softly:

"Ah, it's because I was adopted by Mama Hanako... Mama used to visit us at the orphanage often. In the past few years, all my friends from the same period were adopted." The girl smiled.

"Only I, being clumsy, was left until the end. Only Mama Hanako was willing to take me in..."

As she spoke, Chishima Tsurume seemed to remember something. She fumbled through the back of the counter and found a letter, handing it to Aburame Keiichi.

The envelope was crumpled and yellowed, clearly having been kept for a long time.

"My mother instructed me to give this letter to you if you came, Mr. Keiichi," Chishima Tsurume explained.

Aburame Keiichi took the letter and looked at the dried ink on the envelope.

"To my friend Aburame Keiichi."

The characters on the withered surface were forceful and clear, indicating the writer had good calligraphy skills.

It's her handwriting, Aburame Keiichi thought to himself.

He paused, sensing something from Chishima Tsurume's words.

"What about Hanako?" the man's pupils contracted violently. He looked at the beautiful young girl before him, hoping she would speak, yet fearing the answer wouldn't be what he wanted to hear.

"...Mother, Mother she..." Chishima Tsurume's eyes dimmed, her tone laced with sadness.

"She passed away from illness three months ago."

The cold facts were delivered in words from Chishima Tsurume's mouth, striking Aburame Keiichi. The man stumbled.

But Aburame Keiichi was a Ninja after all. A Ninja capable of being an Anbu Squad Leader wouldn't be so fragile.

"Is that so... I understand." Aburame Keiichi's face remained as calm as ever, as if nothing could stir him.

"I understand how you feel, Mr. Keiichi. Mother said you were the most important friend in her life. If she were still here, she definitely wouldn't want you to be sad for her," Chishima Tsurume said softly, her tone sincere.

"Now I have taken over Mother's responsibilities, taken over the bathhouse, and Mother's other businesses."

As she spoke, Chishima Tsurume's gaze shifted to Morino Kei. Her tone grew heavier when she mentioned "businesses," and she subtly made a special hand gesture.

"Everything is now fully transferred to my care."

Hearing this, Aburame Keiichi's gaze faltered. He confirmed he wasn't mistaken.

"You, alone, at your age, can you really handle all of this?" Aburame Keiichi's tone was heavy, implying something.

"Don't underestimate me, Mr. Keiichi. Mother passed on all her life's learning to me before she passed. I am her continuation. This bathhouse and the other businesses are her life's work."

The girl's gaze was firm, unwavering.

"Even if I have to fight until I'm battered and bruised, I will protect it..."