How Could You Let Yourself Go Like This?

The next day.

Eiji opened his eyes and looked around.

Fine Tatami, a Pine and Cypress-patterned folding screen that was clearly expensive, and an exquisite vase on the dressing table.

Mito Uzumaki had put Eiji up in a guest room the night before. According to her, visitors once streamed into Konoha to see Hashirama, and even the Daimyo would come by.

Guests often stayed overnight, so when Hashirama built the Senju Ancestral Home, he had included several extra rooms for them.

But after Madara Uchiha left and Hashirama Senju died, the number of visitors to the Senju Ancestral Home plummeted. These days, hardly anyone came.

He held out his arm, clenched his fist, then opened his hand. It all felt a little surreal.

Just days ago, he had been worrying about how to get by, wondering whether he should go fishing or Hunting Game next. How had he ended up living in a mansion?

The stark contrast felt unreal. Then came a sense of ease, as if letting himself relax for a while would be fine.

No!

He shot upright on the Tatami.

Eiji, Eiji, how could you let yourself go like this?

Have you forgotten your dream of becoming the strongest in the Shinobi World? If you keep basking in comfort, when will you ever get stronger?

Konoha Academy had days off too, and today was one of them.

Normally, he met Minato in Konoha Forest for their regular training. But he had been so busy spending the past two days with Kushina that he had forgotten all about him.

He needed to rekindle his friendship with Minato! More importantly, how could he forget his promise to teach him the Rasengan?

Eiji got up early, brushed his teeth, washed his face, and hurried to the kitchen.

When Kushina came into the living room rubbing her eyes, she saw Eiji preparing breakfast. Her sleepiness vanished, and she quickly washed her face before rushing over to watch him cook.

She might never surpass Eiji, but she could still watch him work. He was even more attractive when he concentrated.

He heated oil in a pan, added chopped scallions and garlic, then put in the main ingredients.

As the sizzling aroma drifted out of the kitchen, Nawaki was the first to charge in. He pulled out a chair and sat down at the dining table.

Tsunade was up unusually early too. When she saw Eiji busy in the kitchen, she could barely suppress her smile. It looked like he was settling into his new role quickly.

Mito appeared last. Seeing Kushina and Eiji together, she smiled with relief.

Once I'm gone, Kushina won't be lonely, will she?

Ryuuzaki Eiji was strong and levelheaded. He would surely be able to protect Kushina in the dangerous Shinobi World.

Eiji was in a hurry that morning, but he still took care with breakfast. He finished his food quickly amid everyone's praise, glanced at the clock on the wall, and told them he was going out. Then he rushed to the entryway.

Seeing him about to leave, Kushina abandoned her meal and blocked his path.

"Kushina? Is something wrong?"

"Yes! You're in such a hurry. Are you going to meet someone?"

"Uh, I guess so."

Oh, so he's looking for another girl right after moving in!

Kushina had already imagined Eiji two-timing her. She puffed out her cheeks and spread her arms, refusing to let him pass.

"Who is she? Tell me!"

"Huh? It's Minato Namikaze. You've met him."

Eiji scratched his head in confusion. Surely Kushina hadn't already forgotten the little blond she'd mentioned?

"I've never heard of her! What kind of woman is this Minato Namikaze?"

Wow. She couldn't even remember his name. Poor Minato.

Tsunade heard that from across the room and nearly spat out her breakfast. Her shoulders shook as she fought back laughter. She didn't want to miss a word of this conversation.

"...He's a man."

"What? You'd rather go find a man than spend time with me!?"

Wait, what!?

"Pfft—!"

Nawaki couldn't hold back either. He sprayed Tsunade in the face, and she stomped on his toes, making him howl.

"Uh, I think you've misunderstood, Kushina. I'm not... I just want to train with Minato. We usually meet in the forest." Only then did Eiji catch on. He had been so eager to leave that he hadn't thought through their conversation.

Was she jealous? But how long had he even known Kushina? Was she already... jealous?

That was good news. Growing closer to Kushina had been his goal. But did girls really fall for someone so easily?

Why, though? In my last life, pursuing a girl was an uphill battle. How am I the one being chased now?

"Training? Does everyone else in your class do that too?"

Kushina had only recently enrolled and didn't know what the others did. Was the Ninja Academy so demanding that students couldn't even rest on their days off?

"Well, I'm a Civilian Ninja and don't know much Ninjutsu, so I've focused on Taijutsu. Daily physical training is essential. Minato's in a similar situation, so we train together."

"I see..."

Kushina understood. She folded her arms and tilted her head. She had plenty of money, so she had never really thought about it. Even though she often studied Sealing Jutsu with Grandma Mito, this was her first glimpse of the difficulties Civilian Ninja faced.

"Then stop hanging out with Minato and learn Ninjutsu with me instead!"

To Kushina, the solution was simple. She could teach Eiji everything she had learned. She might even win him over in the process!

"Actually, I don't think that's a good idea. Taijutsu suits me, so I need to keep training."

How could I open the Eight Gates without training my body? Conditioning is essential.

"In that case, I'll go with you!"

Eiji saw no problem with that. Besides, he figured Kushina would become a Jinchūriki someday. It wouldn't hurt for her to get stronger beforehand.

Then I could have a heart-to-heart with the Nine-Tails. Kushina might become the second-strongest person in the Shinobi World overnight.

Tsunade figured Kushina would be fine with Eiji looking after her, so she told Mito she was heading to the Hokage Building.

The Yamanaka Clan had probably extracted plenty of useful information from the Root Ninja delivered yesterday. What mattered most was evidence of Danzo's crimes. Let's see him deny them now!

"Tsunade, don't hold back on my account. If Monkey tries to stop you, knock some sense into him."

Mito had no intention of sparing the Third Hokage's feelings. If Tsunade couldn't get through to him, she didn't mind going to have a word with him herself.

How did the Konoha Hashirama founded end up like this? Tobirama, look at the awful disciples you raised!

Even a genius like Ryuuzaki Eiji had been afraid to reveal his true strength for so long. If everyone had to hide what they could do, what future did the village have?

"I will. That bastard Danzo has gone too far this time!"

Tsunade wanted to punch him in the face. Harming the village's Ninja while claiming the Hokage's authority—he had some nerve!