- But I still have a lot to do..., - Ma tried to refuse.
- I don't know anything, let's all go!
I only had to pretend not to notice it - despite all the efforts, there is no special warmth in their relationship. Of course, the women try to behave perfectly in front of the baby, but they are not averse to jabbing each other in small ways. Given their rather small age difference, I even understand it, especially from Sai's side, but in this climate, there is nothing to dream of settling in the clan quarter and Keiko. I've had such thoughts at times, especially when she's allowed to carry a child. Yeah...
- Linley, why don't you make some snacks for me, and we'll do your hair," I nodded to my wife and headed towards the bathroom, taking off my shirt as I went.
Ma helped me rinse it out, untangling the braid and cutting it down to the middle of my back - she thought it was sacrilege to cut such luxurious and beautiful hair shorter than that. Well, shinobi don't have bad hair because of Rikudo's gift, and regular chakra infusion makes it even better. I don't pay much attention to it, but it seems important to women, so I didn't argue about such a trivial matter.
After wiping her head properly, Saya grabbed a comb and began to make her hair look comfortable for the walk. Enjoying the gentle touch, I was almost falling into slumber, only humming in the right places as the kunoichi began to share clan gossip and the like, when the last phrase made me stir.
- ...And Kushina-chan came by yesterday to get a textbook, you were teaching the kids just then.
- Did you give back one of the books I showed you? - I interjected, wanting to clarify.
- Yeah, I took it from the top shelf in the study," Ma nodded, even stopping the comb, "just like you asked.
- Okay, thanks, so what were you saying about the elders? - I brought Saya back on topic.
- The recent audit showed that the clan income had dropped by a few percent, and naturally, that led to an investigation....
As I let the gossip slip past my ears, I wondered if the last book I'd borrowed from Hime had been found in the root dungeons, not in the blond's house, judging by the signal from the hidden fuin I'd placed on the cover. I didn't care about those children's textbooks - I'd already passed that threshold, but the fact that Danzo and his men were using Kushina's friendship to gain new knowledge of fuinjutsu through the blond...
It looked like Mito and I were going to have to have an educational conversation with one overly cunning tomato, because she was aware of the situation and offered to wait to check it out. And Minato is not technically involved, because small Uzumaki himself brought a friend textbooks, and what to do with them further - remains only on his conscience and friendly feelings for the benefactress. Not very deep, as you can see.
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