Left out

The difficulty of the Multiple Shadow Clone technique had never lain in learning it.

It lay in its enormous chakra consumption.

Qianye Lan successfully performed it after just a quick look.

The Third Hokage watched Qianye Lan perform Multiple Shadow Clone so easily.

Something stirred in him, and a bold idea came to mind.

After learning Multiple Shadow Clone, Qianye Lan bowed slightly and said, "Lord Third Hokage, I'll take my leave now."

The Third Hokage nodded. "Qianye Lan, go on ahead. Sakumo and I still have something to discuss."

Qianye Lan nodded, then left, remembering to close the door behind him.

As the office door clicked shut, the Third Hokage withdrew his gaze and turned it toward Hatake Sakumo.

He asked, "Sakumo, what do you think of this child, Qianye Lan?"

Hatake Sakumo was somewhat surprised. He knew the Third Hokage had specifically kept him behind to ask him something.

But he hadn't expected the Third Hokage to ask this question.

Uncertain of the Third Hokage's intentions, he could only give a stock answer.

"Qianye Lan is a fine child. He gets along with his companions and has a gentle temperament..."

Hearing his answer, the Third Hokage shook his head. "Sakumo, you should know that isn't what I want to hear about."

Hatake Sakumo paused, a little confused.

If you want to know something, just ask.

Looking at the puzzled Hatake Sakumo, the Third Hokage sighed softly and said nothing more on the subject. "Sakumo, go home and get some rest."

Hatake Sakumo nodded and withdrew as well.

Only the Third Hokage remained in the office.

He took a deep draw on his pipe, his shifting gaze suggesting he was pondering something.

Qianye Lan returned home and saw Kushina chatting with Mito Uzumaki in the courtyard.

He walked over to greet them, and Mito Uzumaki responded with a slight nod.

Qianye Lan had only just returned to his room to rest for a while when Kushina pushed the door open and walked in.

He looked at Kushina curiously and asked, "What's wrong?"

Kushina grabbed his wrist. "Help me figure out how to care for the flowers I bought yesterday."

With that, she dragged Qianye Lan toward her room.

And so Qianye Lan was pulled along into Kushina's bedroom.

As he entered, a faint fragrance drifted around him.

Qianye Lan couldn't quite identify the scent himself, but it smelled pleasant.

Qianye Lan looked around again. Kushina's room was very clean and tidy.

The flowers she had bought yesterday sat by the window.

Kushina pointed at the pot of flowers. "Lan, it's this one. Tell me how I should water it."

Qianye Lan smiled. "You were in such a hurry, I thought something urgent had happened."

Then he began instructing Kushina.

"Watering is actually very simple. Just look at the leaves."

Qianye Lan reached out and lifted a leaf.

"If the leaves turn yellow and fall off, there might be too much water."

"If the leaves shrivel and curl, there isn't enough water."

Then Qianye Lan pointed at the leaf and said, "For example, this leaf is just right."

Kushina looked at the leaf in his hand, committed its condition to memory, and nodded.

After sorting out the matter of the flowers, Qianye Lan sat in a chair and asked, "Was there anything else?" As he spoke, he took a careful look around Kushina's bedroom.

A group photo of Qianye Lan and the others sat on the desk.

Inside a wardrobe with its door open were the clothes Kushina usually wore.

There was a book on Kushina's bed.

Seeing it, Qianye Lan teased, "I didn't know you read books."

He moved closer to see exactly what Kushina was reading.

But Kushina put the book away, her pretty face slightly flushed, and muttered, "You're not allowed to look."

Qianye Lan could only draw his hand back. After sitting a little longer, he said, "If there's nothing else, I'll be going."

Kushina nodded. "There's nothing else."

Qianye Lan nodded, then left.

Only after confirming Qianye Lan had left did Kushina take out the book she had just put away.

Blushing, she muttered to herself, "He probably didn't see what was inside, right? Honestly, Big Sister Tsunade... I'd die of embarrassment if Lan found out."

Qianye Lan found Kushina's behavior a little strange, but he simply took it as a private matter and wasn't particularly interested.

He headed straight for the courtyard and began using Multiple Shadow Clone to speed up his training further.

Still, Qianye Lan wasn't overly reckless at first. He began by cautiously testing his limits.

But he clearly didn't have much time. He had only tried the first round before evening arrived.

He could only try again tomorrow.

One afternoon a month later, Qianye Lan sat quietly in the courtyard.

His gaze rested on Mito Uzumaki, who was listening to Kushina talk, and his eyes were filled with worry.

Kushina was still happily telling Mito Uzumaki about something.

Mito Uzumaki coughed softly twice and said, "Little Kushina, Grandma is a little sleepy. I'll go back to my room and rest for a while."

Kushina pouted. "Grandma, why have you been so fond of resting lately?"

But she still gently supported Mito Uzumaki and helped her back to her room.

Kushina returned to the courtyard, sat beside Qianye Lan, and said, "Grandma has been sleeping more and more lately."

Suddenly, she turned her gaze to Qianye Lan and said, "Do you think Grandma might..."

As a member of the Uzumaki Clan, she could clearly sense Mito Uzumaki's body slowly declining.

Qianye Lan forced a smile. "Don't worry, she won't. We still have Big Sister Tsunade, don't we? She's the best medical ninja there is."

Then he reached out and stroked Kushina's long red hair, trying to soothe her.

But his slightly trembling fingertips betrayed the unease in his heart.

Kushina nodded, only half convinced.

People were contradictory like that sometimes. Faced with certain cruel realities, they would choose to numb themselves with self-deception.

Qianye Lan abruptly changed the subject. "The Chunin Ninja Exams are coming up. Are you planning to take them?"

Hearing his question, Kushina hesitated.

"We only graduated recently. Wouldn't it be a little unwise to take them already?"

Qianye Lan deliberately provoked her. "All this hesitation doesn't seem like the future first female Hokage's style."

Sure enough, Kushina took the bait. Planting her hands on her hips and tossing her long hair, she declared, "Fine, I'll take them!"

Seeing this, Qianye Lan held out a finger. "No going back on your word."

Kushina looked disdainful. "Childish."

But her body was honest, and she reached out her own finger.

After they hooked fingers, Kushina asked worriedly, "Will Mikoto and Teacher Sakumo be all right with it?"

Hearing her concern, Qianye Lan smiled. "Don't worry. Mikoto and Uncle Sakumo have both agreed. You're the only one left."

Kushina's eyes widened, and she said with feigned hurt, "You all left me out."