In the courtyard.
Moonlight spilled down, shimmering across the small pond as koi swam leisurely through the water.
Izumi pulled Konan over to sit beneath the eaves and began chatting enthusiastically.
"You're a ninja from Amegakure, Konan? Oh, doesn't it rain there all year round? Have you settled into life in Konoha?"
"It's been fine."
Konan answered, her tone much gentler than usual.
"Konoha is lively."
"It certainly is!"
Izumi laughed.
"Whatever else you might say about Konoha, it's full of life. Stay a few more days, Konan, and let Xiao Ye show you around properly. He's usually very busy, but he still has time for a guest."
"Mom..."
Genya spoke up helplessly from beside them.
Izumi ignored him and continued chatting with Konan.
"How old are you, Konan? Do you have any family? What kind of work do you do in Amegakure?"
Konan answered each question in turn. She didn't say much, but she was very cooperative.
Listening beside them, Genya gradually relaxed.
Good, Mom hasn't asked anything too outrageous.
Just then, Izumi suddenly changed the subject, saying with a cheerful smile,
"Xiao Ye has always been popular with girls, ever since he was little. His father was the same when he was young—he had more lady friends than you could count. But Xiao Ye is even better at it than his father..."
Genya's eyelid twitched.
"So many girls came looking for you while you were away."
Izumi smiled at her son.
"Hinata, that little girl from the Hyuga Clan, blushes every time she visits. She's adorable. And Nami from the Konoha Police Force comes by every few days to ask about you."
"Kurenai Yuhi has visited a few times, too. She said she was just stopping by on her way past. And Chinatsu from your Girl Group comes