Ryo walked past her without a word, his expression blank, as if the golden-haired lioness's ranting behind him was just meaningless background noise.
Tsunade scowled and chased after him.
"Hey! What's with that attitude?! And that damn girl Kushina! This isn't over!"
Before she could reach the door, it suddenly swung open, and a flash of red darted out.
"Tsunade-nee! You're back!"
Kushina's face lit up with joy as she practically tackled Tsunade, hugging her tightly like an overexcited child, completely ignoring the storm that had been brewing moments earlier.
Tsunade blinked, caught off guard. Kushina's enthusiastic warmth knocked the wind out of her irritation, and whatever lecture she'd prepared died before it reached her lips.
"Hmph." She huffed, quickly regaining her composure. She reached up and pinched Kushina's cheeks hard.
"You little brat. All grown up now, huh? Built a mansion for your little boyfriend, but when your dear big sister asked for a loan…"
Kushina flinched, eyes wide, clearly unprepared.
"Grandma Mito said I shouldn't lend money to Tsunade-nee… or it would end up in gambling dens…"
"Pffft..."
Mikoto, who had followed Kushina out, couldn't hold back and quickly covered her mouth to stifle a laugh.
Tsunade's face turned red.
"That was ages ago! History! Why bring that up now?!"
Ryo didn't say a word. He walked into the courtyard, letting the warmth and light wash over him. The cold of the night faded as he stepped inside.
Nawaki was lounging on a cushion, looking relaxed. Kaori sat quietly beside him. When she saw Ryo, her eyes brightened immediately.
"Yo! You're back!" Nawaki grinned and waved, then shot a hopeful glance toward Tsunade.
"Sis, about my allowance—"
"Shut it."
One glare, and Nawaki shut up instantly.
There were two other guests in the living room. A young woman with tired but gentle features, and in her lap, a toddler around two years old.
Kushina led Tsunade and Ryo over, introducing them with a proud smile.
"Tsunade-nee, Ryo, this is Mrs. Nohara, and her daughter, Rin."
The woman stood and bowed politely.
"Lady Tsunade, Ryo-kun. Thank you for having us."
Ryo gave a short nod.
He vaguely remembered them—neighbors from before. Her husband had likely died in the war. Back then, he had been too focused on training to pay much attention. But with Kushina's cheerful personality, it was no surprise the widow had been brought into the warmth of this home.
"No need for formalities, Mrs. Nohara."
Tsunade's eyes landed on the thin woman and the small child in her arms. She could sense the faint traces of lingering sorrow and exhaustion, even beneath the polite smile.
"Sit down. Relax."
Rin looked up at the tall newcomers with wide, curious eyes, babbling softly.
The introductions didn't last long. Ryo checked the time and spoke plainly.
"It's getting late. Time to make dinner."
"I'll help!"
Kushina stepped forward, but Mikoto gently caught her hand.
"Kushina, stay here with Tsunade-sensei and Mrs. Nohara. I'll help Ryo. I did take bridal training, after all."
"Eh? Oh... okay."
Kushina blinked but nodded. She trusted Mikoto without question.
"Thanks, Mikoto."
She led Tsunade and Mrs. Nohara to the seats and immediately launched into chatter, sharing all the village news from the past few days. Nawaki added his usual exaggerations. Kaori listened quietly. The atmosphere turned warm and lively.
In the kitchen, Ryo and Mikoto moved in sync.
The space was clearly designed by Kushina. Everything was clean, organized, and efficient.
Ryo went straight to prep. Mikoto rolled up her sleeves and began washing vegetables. Her movements were graceful, efficient. Ryo's knife work was fast and practiced, shaped by battlefield necessity. Mikoto worked with refined elegance, knowing exactly what he needed and when. She anticipated his every move.
From the living room came Kushina's laughter, Nawaki's dramatic storytelling, Kaori's soft voice. But the kitchen remained calm.
Only the sounds of chopping, sizzling pans, and boiling soup filled the space.
Their eyes met from time to time, brief glances through the rising steam. They looked away quickly each time, but the unspoken rhythm between them was unmistakable.
At one point, Mikoto handed him a clean towel without being asked—just as he reached for one.
Kushina, pouring tea for Tsunade, habitually glanced toward the kitchen. Through the frosted glass, she could make out the silhouettes of two figures working closely together.
She paused, a strange feeling rising in her chest.
Fleeting. Hard to name.
Suspicion? Maybe. But faint.
She tilted her head, trying to place the sensation, but Tsunade's voice pulled her back into the conversation.
"And then what happened?"
The odd feeling drifted away like mist.
It's Mikoto, she told herself. Her best friend. Of course she'd help. They just happened to work well together.
At the table, Tsunade sipped her tea in silence. Her eyes shifted toward the kitchen for just a moment. The coordination between Ryo and Mikoto hadn't gone unnoticed.
The smirk tugging at her lips deepened slightly.
She didn't speak. Just listened, letting the amusement bubble quietly under the surface.
Soon, the scent of food drifted in, rich and inviting, pushing aside the subtle aroma of tea.
"Dinner's ready!"
Nawaki leapt up, sniffing the air like a hound.
"Ryo! You're wasting your talent not opening a restaurant!"
Dish after dish was placed on the table.
Golden-fried fish. Crisp greens. Fragrant soup. Fluffy white rice. The food was vibrant, colorful, and steaming.
Everyone gathered under the warm light.
Tsunade took the head seat. Kushina sat between her and Ryo. Mikoto sat at Ryo's other side. Nawaki, Kaori, and Mrs. Nohara with Rin filled out the rest.
"Wow! Looks amazing!"
Kushina's eyes sparkled.
"Let's dig in!"
Tsunade raised her chopsticks and dove in without hesitation.
The room filled with warmth and chatter. Nawaki bragged about his latest "glory" on the battlefield. Kushina laughed. Kaori smiled quietly. Mikoto served everyone with care. Mrs. Nohara finally relaxed. The tension faded from her shoulders.
Rin babbled excitedly, her small hands waving.
"Oh? That's rare." Mrs. Nohara glanced down in surprise. "She usually doesn't warm up to strangers this fast…"
Ryo looked over. Rin's black eyes sparkled as they met his.
Kushina leaned in with a grin.
"Aw, Rin likes you! Good taste!"
Ryo gave the child a passing glance. Her life force was bright and warm. He didn't think much of it.
Mrs. Nohara smiled, but there was a flicker of sorrow beneath it. The weight of raising a child alone during wartime pressed on her still.
Kushina, oblivious to that, piled food onto Tsunade's plate.
"Here! Try this! It's his best dish."
Tsunade grinned and washed it down with a gulp of sake.
Her gaze flicked between Kushina's cheerful face, Mikoto's quiet attentiveness, and Ryo's usual calm.
Her smirk stretched wider.
This dinner was turning out to be very interesting.
Nawaki, his cheeks stuffed with food, spoke through a mouthful of rice.
"Ryo… when we get paid on the next mission, maybe, uh, help your dear brother a little… My allowance is… with Sis…"
Tsunade narrowed her eyes slowly.
Nawaki choked and quickly swallowed.
"She's… keeping it safe for me…"
Ryo didn't respond. He set his chopsticks down and scanned the table.
Nawaki and Kushina's laughter.
Kaori's quiet smile.
Mrs. Nohara and her daughter's peace.
Mikoto's soft gaze beside him.
Tsunade's sharp, knowing smirk.
The food, the light, the voices. It all seemed to press back the cold of war. Just for a moment.
This warmth, fleeting as it was felt like sunlight breaking through clouds.
(To be continued.)
◇◇◇
◇ One bonus chapter will be released for every 200 Power Stones.
◇ You can read the ahead chapter on Pat if you're interested: p-atreon.c-om/Blownleaves (Just remove the hyphen to access normally.)