In Konoha: Three Choices at the Start

Kushina squealed and hurried over to scoop Izumi into her arms, hugging and kissing her so much that even Liuyun felt jealous.

"Kushina! Stop that, it tickles!"

Seeing much of Kushina's sadness fade, Izumi's little face immediately blossomed into a beautiful smile.

Then Konan, Kurenai, Pakura... all hurried over too.

As a little girl, Izumi had lived and eaten at Liuyun's house. It was no exaggeration to say that Kushina and the other women had raised her themselves.

The women all had a deep affection for Izumi.

Izumi had only been taken home from Kushina's house when she turned four. Even so, she had practically grown up in Liuyun's home.

To her, Kushina and the others were both mothers and caring older sisters. She was far closer to them than to her own parents.

When Liuyun brought the women here, Kushina and the others had even complained that he hadn't brought Izumi and Mieko along.

Now that she saw Izumi, Kushina had completely forgotten about Liuyun.

Watching Izumi receive an even warmer welcome than he had, Liuyun smiled wryly. "People usually forget their mothers once they have children. You lot have forgotten your husband!"

Miroku, on the other hand, looked a little lost. She had joined them later and didn't know Izumi at all.

"It's all right! Don't be nervous. Izumi was fostered in our home, and Kushina raised her from infancy!"

"Kushina has long considered Izumi her own daughter. It's no surprise she's acting like this!"

Walking over to Miroku, Liuyun smiled gently.

"So that's it!" Understanding dawned on Miroku's face.

"By the way, why were you all sitting here?"

Liuyun asked curiously. It was already dusk, yet they were still sitting by the table. Had they been waiting for him?

"Kushina said she was worried about you. At