"Furniture and such can be used after a little cleaning, but the bedding hasn't been changed for too long. I suggest you go buy a new set later. The village will reimburse all your living expenses, same goes for you, Kushina," After introducing the house, Tsunade said this to Nohara Rin and Uzumaki Kushina.
Both of them were heroes who had sacrificed themselves for the village, this level of treatment was the least they deserved.
"Thank you, Tsunade-sama," Nohara Rin bowed politely in thanks.
"Mm. If there's nothing else, I'll go back to slee–I mean, get back to work," Tsunade nodded.
Aoba couldn't help rolling his eyes. If he wasn't mistaken, Tsunade had almost just blurted out her true thoughts.
As if sensing the ridicule in his heart, Tsunade looked right at him just as Aoba was silently complaining about her in his mind.
Feeling guilty, Aoba quickly averted his gaze. Tsunade narrowed her eyes immediately, gave his shoulder a heavy slap, and said to Rin, "If there's anything you need later, just find this brat."
"Yes, Tsunade-sama."
Seeing Aoba grimace in pain, Rin couldn't help but think that the bond between master and disciple really was good.
Mostly because, when they were together, there wasn't the usual formality between teacher and student, they were more like a teasing older sister and her mischievous little brother.
Even Kushina couldn't help but be amazed. Ever since Nawaki had died on the battlefield, all the way until Tsunade left the village, she hadn't seen her show this kind of lively side again.
But after half a day of observation, Kushina found herself puzzled, 'Are these two really just teacher and student?'
After Tsunade left with Shizune, the others also stepped out of the small house.
"Hey, Aoba, what was the name of that surviving Uzumaki clan member Tsunade mentioned?", As soon as they came out, Kushina couldn't hold back her question any longer.
She'd always thought she was the last surviving member of the Uzumaki clan. Now that she knew there was another clansman living in Konoha, she naturally wanted to know who it was right away.
"Uzumaki Kasui," Aoba replied.
"Kasui? It's really Sister Kasui? That's wonderful!"
Kushina's expression turned bright with excitement, it really was someone she knew.
The Land of Whirlpools was technically a country, but the Uzumaki clan all lived in Uzushiogakure, which was even smaller than Konoha. Most of the people around the same age knew each other.
"Where's Sister Kasui now? I want to see her!", Kushina asked again eagerly.
"Aunt Kasui is working at the hospital right now, might not be convenient to visit. But her daughter should be at home," Aoba didn't hide anything and told her directly.
"Daughter? Sister Kasui already has a daughter? Then can I go meet her daughter at least?", If she couldn't meet Kasui herself, seeing her daughter was good enough.
"Karin just finished lunch and got sleepy, so she went to take a nap earlier. But she's been sleeping a while now, so she should be waking up soon," said Yugao Uzuki.
She was only the jonin team leader and couldn't keep Karin in training nonstop without rest.
"Then I'll go wake her," Aoba said.
He led the group to Uzumaki Kasui's house.
Just like Kasui had a key to his place, he also had one to hers.
After seating everyone in the living room, Aoba went upstairs alone to Karin's bedroom. Yugao returned to her duties.
As soon as he opened the door, he saw Karin curled up under her blanket, only her cute little head peeking out.
It was late autumn now, and the weather had turned chilly.
The whole room was decorated in a soft, cute pink tone, and since Karin liked collecting perfumes, the air carried a faint pleasant fragrance.
Aoba walked closer.
Karin was still sound asleep, breathing evenly.
Her long red hair, usually smooth, was now a bit messy.
"Karin?", Aoba called softly and couldn't help reaching out to pinch her cheek.
When she still didn't react, he pinched her nose shut.
"Mmm~", After a few seconds, she slowly opened her eyes, making a cute little nasal sound.
"Aoba-nii?", Karin mumbled sleepily.
"Still not awake yet?", Aoba pinched her cheek a little harder.
"Ugh! That hurts," Karin reached out and looped her arms around his neck, as if whining, "Aoba-nii, why'd you suddenly come into my room? You're not here to attack me, are you?"
She even made an exaggerated scared face, though her arms around his neck clearly weren't planning to let go.
Aoba couldn't help but laugh at her silly reaction.
"Alright, get dressed first. Someone's here to see you."
"See me?"
Karin blinked, confused, but that dazed expression only made her look even cuter.
Aoba couldn't resist and pecked her cheek.
"Mmm~", Karin let out a soft sound again and clung to his neck, trying to get closer.
But Aoba tapped her forehead with a finger, smiling, "Hurry and get up. Someone's waiting for you outside."
Karin puffed her cheeks in protest, rolled around on the bed, and said, "If you won't let me kiss you, I'm not getting up."
So Aoba simply pinned her down on the bed and started helping her change clothes.
At first she struggled, but soon she stopped, her face turning bright red.
Because this was somehow even more thrilling than kissing.
By the time she was dressed, Karin was curled up in a ball on the bed.
Aoba sighed and just picked her up in his arms.
Sitting in the living room, Kushina looked up when she saw Aoba carrying Karin out, and froze.
Karin also froze, stunned.
Kushina had returned to her original form, her beautiful red hair shining bright, unmistakably marking her Uzumaki heritage.
"This is Karin, Aunt Kasui's daughter."
"And this is Naruto's mother, Uzumaki Kushina."
Seeing both of them just staring at each other in silence, Aoba stepped in to introduce them.
"Eh? But wasn't Naruto's mom already…", Karin came back to her senses.
"I revived her," Aoba's reply was plain and direct.
Karin's eyes immediately lit up. She hugged his neck and kissed his cheek, "As expected of Aoba-nii! You're amazing!"
Kushina's eyes widened again, "Aoba, don't tell me Karin's also your girlfriend?"
Aoba nodded naturally, and Karin straightened her back proudly.
Kushina was struck speechless. After a brief inner struggle, she solemnly patted both their shoulders.
"Aoba, Karin, the great mission of reviving the Uzumaki clan is now in your hands!"
"???"
——
At the same time, on the day Uchiha Obito died, the soon-to-be-infamous Black Zetsu appeared at the mouth of a mountain cave.
After confirming the location, he used the Mayfly Technique to pass through the long, dark tunnel, entering the spacious chamber deep inside.
Then, emerging halfway out of the ground, he looked toward the figure standing at the center of the platform.