How Could You Let Yourself Go Like This?

The next day.

Eiji opened his eyes and glanced around.

Fine Tatami, a Pine and Cypress-patterned screen that looked 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 had once streamed to Konoha to see Hashirama. Even the Daimyo had 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 had plummeted. These days, hardly anyone came.

Eiji raised an arm, clenched his hand into a fist, then opened it again. It all felt a little unreal.

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

The stark contrast left him feeling unmoored. Then came a sense of ease, as though there was nothing wrong with relaxing for a while.

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 lose yourself in comfort, when will you ever get stronger?

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

Usually, he met Minato in Konoha Forest for their regular training. But after spending the past two days with Kushina, he had forgotten all about Minato.

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

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

Kushina rubbed her eyes as she entered the living room and found Eiji busy making breakfast. She woke right up, quickly washed her face, and ran over to watch him cook.

She might never surpass Eiji, but that did not stop her from watching him work. He was even more attractive when he concentrated.

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

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

Tsunade had risen unusually early too. Seeing Eiji at work in the kitchen, she could barely suppress her smile. He seemed to be settling into his new role quickly.

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

Once I'm gone, Kushina won't be lonely after all.

Ryuuzaki Eiji was strong and levelheaded. Surely he could protect Kushina in the dangerous Shinobi World.

Eiji was in a hurry that morning, but he had not skimped on breakfast. He finished his meal quickly amid everyone's praise, glanced at the clock on the wall, then told them he was going out and rushed to the entryway.

Seeing Eiji about to leave, Kushina abandoned her food and blocked his path.

"Kushina? Is something wrong?"

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

"Uh, I suppose so."

Oh, so he's off to see another girl when he's only just moved in!

Kushina was already imagining Eiji stringing two girls along. She puffed out her cheeks and spread her arms to stop him.

"Who is she? Tell me!"

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

Eiji scratched his head, baffled. Come on. Has Kushina already forgotten that blond kid she mentioned?

"I've never heard of her! What family is Minato Namikaze from?"

Wow, she can't even remember his name. Poor Minato.

Tsunade heard her from across the room and nearly spat out her breakfast. Her shoulders shook as she fought back a laugh. She did not want to miss this conversation.

"...He's a man."

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

Wait, what!?

"Pfft—!"

Nawaki could not hold it in either. He sprayed breakfast all over Tsunade's face, and she stomped on his toes, making him howl.

"Uh, I think you've misunderstood, Kushina. It's not like that... I just want to train with Minato. We usually meet up in the forest." Only then did Eiji catch on. He had been so eager to leave that he had spoken to Kushina without thinking.

Was she jealous? But how long have I even known Kushina? She's jealous already?

That was a good thing—getting closer to Kushina had been his intention. But did girls fall for someone this easily?

Why, though? In my past life, pursuing a girl took everything I had. How am I the one being pursued now?

"Train? Does everyone else in class do that too?"

Kushina had only recently enrolled and did not 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. I don't know much Ninjutsu, so I've focused on Taijutsu. Daily physical training is essential. Minato's in a similar position, so we're partners."

"I see..."

Kushina folded her arms and tilted her head. She had plenty of money and had never really understood such difficulties. Having spent so much time learning Sealing Jutsu from Grandma Mito, she was only now realizing how hard things were for Civilian Ninja.

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

Kushina thought it was simple. She could just teach Eiji every Ninjutsu she knew. She might even win his heart while she was at it!

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

How else am I supposed to unlock the Eight Gates? Physical conditioning was essential.

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

Eiji saw no problem with that. Besides, he thought Kushina would become a Jinchūriki someday. It would be good for her to grow stronger beforehand.

Then he could have a heart-to-heart with the Nine-Tails. Perhaps Kushina could 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 must have gathered plenty of useful information from the Root Ninja delivered yesterday. What mattered most was evidence of Danzo's crimes. Let's see him deny it now!

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

Mito was done sparing the Third Hokage's feelings. If Tsunade could not get through to him, she would have a word with him herself.

How had the Konoha Hashirama founded come to this? Tobirama, look at the rotten disciples you raised!

Even a talent 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 went too far this time!"

Tsunade wanted to punch him in the face. He had harmed the village's own Ninja while claiming to act in the Hokage's name. The nerve of him!