Two More People

"So girls can eat just as much as boys. Man, I really underestimated her appetite!" Akagimaru said as he watched Reika Hyuga, who was still eating.

"Big Brother Ruri, you're still so young. How are you so strong?" Akagimaru asked, looking at Ruri with envy in his eyes.

Ruri turned to Akagimaru and said with a smile, "I trained to get this strong, though I do have a little extraordinary talent. Why, do you want to get stronger too?"

Akagimaru's smile vanished, replaced by a cold expression. He set down his chopsticks and said, "I've admired strong people since I was little. I've always wanted to get stronger!"

"I have no talent for Ninjutsu, and I don't have exceptional physical strength either. My dad died protecting me during a war. Now I want to protect my mom. I want to become strong enough to protect other people too. I also want to prove that even without talent, you can become strong without relying on Ninjutsu."

After Akagimaru finished speaking, Ruri and the two girls were stunned. They could hardly imagine a little child thinking that way.

"Akagimaru, I understand exactly how you feel right now. My parents died in a war too. You need to know that in this era, strength is the only thing that proves anything!" Ruri said, looking at Akagimaru.

"Big Brother Ruri, can I take you as my big brother? I want you to teach me Taijutsu. After seeing your fight with Uchiha Itachi yesterday, I'm sure your Taijutsu must be amazing!" Akagimaru said with conviction as he looked at Ruri.

Ruri stared at the table, lost in thought. Beside him, Momokusa Harukawa and Reika Hyuga watched him too, waiting for his answer.

After a moment, Ruri said, "I can teach you, but it'll depend on how well you learn! You should know that training takes a lot of hard work!"

Akagimaru immediately said happily, "Got it, boss! I'll train hard. Don't worry!"

Reika Hyuga and Momokusa Harukawa smiled happily too.

The four of them stayed at Konoha Barbecue Restaurant, eating until the afternoon. Seeing that it was getting late, and since they had school the next day, they parted ways and went home.

Less than ten minutes after Ruri returned home, Mei Ling Hyuga arrived at his house with Neji Hyuga in her arms.

"Ruri, are you home? I'm here!" Mei Ling Hyuga called after entering his courtyard.

Ruri was tidying up when he heard Meiling's voice. He quickly put down his work and stepped out of his room.

"Aunt Meiling, what brings you here? You've brought little Neji too!" As he spoke, Ruri took Neji Hyuga into his arms to help her.

After handing Neji to Ruri, Mei Ling Hyuga said with a sweet smile, "Your Uncle Hizashi has gone on a mission and won't be back for a few days, so I'd like to stay here with Neji for a while."

"Of course, Aunt Meiling. Make yourself at home! Let's talk inside!" Ruri said as he carried Neji into the room.

Once they entered Ruri's room, Mei Ling Hyuga looked around carefully.

"Ruri, your room is so tidy! Hizashi really doesn't compare to you!" Mei Ling Hyuga said, looking at him.

"I remember when your Uncle Hizashi was young. He was always leaving his things lying around and losing them. Honestly, he was so lazy back then! Even now, I still have to tidy up after him!"

Ruri smiled as he set Neji down on the bed, then said to Mei Ling Hyuga, "Aunt Meiling, I don't think Uncle Hizashi is lazy! Maybe he's just too tired from his missions to bother tidying up!"

"Oh well, that's just how it is! I think he works pretty hard too, so I don't complain when I clean up after him!" With that, Mei Ling Hyuga went to the kitchen to make dinner for the two of them.

Whenever Hizashi Hyuga went on a mission, Ruri's aunt, Mei Ling Hyuga, would often come and stay at Ruri's house. Sometimes, Ruri would also go to Hizashi Hyuga's house to keep her company.

Having a man in the house always made one feel much more at ease, and Mei Ling Hyuga was no different. Although she was a ninja, she was also a woman. She needed someone at home to keep her company. Wasn't every woman like that?

Meals at Ruri's house were more enjoyable now! Before, he had always eaten alone, with no sound except the clinking of bowls and chopsticks.

And so, Ruri's household gained two more people. Ruri slept on the sofa in the living room, while Mei Ling Hyuga and Neji Hyuga slept in his bed.