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Chapter 43
Ling Yu used Space Power to bring Mikoto and Kushina to a small alley near the ramen shop.
"Mmm! Today I want tonkotsu chashu ramen—hurry up and treat me, Ling Yu!"
Kushina stepped through the portal first, turned around, and looked at Ling Yu with eager, sparkling eyes.
Ever since she discovered the immense wealth of Ling Yu's family, Kushina had treated him like a top-tier rich kid. Almost all her pocket money and outside expenses came from Ling Yu's wallet.
When Tsunade found out, she deliberately multiplied Ling Yu's monthly allowance several times and even told him:
"Consider the money you spend on Kushina an investment. The more you spend on her, the better. When she grows up, make her pay it back. If she can't, she'll have to repay with herself."
"Then you won't just have two wives? This way, the chances of reviving the Senju clan will only grow bigger."
When Ling Yu first heard those words, he was genuinely shocked. He never expected Tsunade, whom Kushina treated like a big sister, to already be planning to package her off to her little brother as a future wife.
In terms of scheming, Tsunade's experience clearly gave her the upper hand over Kushina.
"No problem. Order whatever you want for lunch today—I'm paying."
With a grand wave of his hand, Ling Yu promised the two girls with full confidence.
He secretly hoped Kushina would eat a lot. Just like Tsunade said—if she couldn't pay it back, she could repay with her body.
"Yay! Then this lady is going to bankrupt you today!"
Overjoyed, Kushina hopped and skipped toward the ramen shop.
As she walked, she counted on her fingers, already planning what delicious things she'd order today—clearly determined to drain Ling Yu's wallet completely.
"Ling Yu! You're spoiling Kushina way too much."
Mikoto tugged on Ling Yu's sleeve, pouting as she scolded him.
In her eyes, Kushina always spent lavishly, and in the end, Ling Yu was the one footing the bill.
She knew Kushina was the type who couldn't resist temptation—she'd often buy piles of useless things on impulse. That kind of wastefulness was unacceptable.
As someone who aspired to become the perfect wife and mother in the future, Mikoto firmly disapproved of such behavior. She didn't want any future children she might have with Ling Yu picking up those "bad habits."
"Hehe, it's fine. This little bit of money doesn't mean anything to me."
"But…" Mikoto frowned, wanting to say more.
"Alright, stop worrying. Kushina's already waiting for us. If we take any longer, she'll start complaining."
Ling Yu interrupted her, pointed at Kushina—who was already standing at the ramen shop entrance waving at them—and quickly pulled Mikoto along by the hand.
"Ugh, you two are so slow! What were you even talking about? I'm starving to death!"
Sure enough, as soon as they reached the shop, Kushina immediately started complaining.
"Sorry, sorry. Let's go in."
Without much sincerity, Ling Yu apologized and pulled Kushina inside.
Passing through the bustling crowd, the three took seats in a quiet corner of the ramen shop.
"Boss! Three bowls of tonkotsu chashu ramen, three glasses of orange juice, and three orders of takoyaki!"
The moment they sat down, Kushina confidently shouted the order to the boss, casually ordering for Ling Yu and Mikoto too.
"Hehe, this is just the start. After this, we're hitting the street stalls for snacks!"
"Coming right up! Just a moment!"
The boss first brought out three glasses of juice and placed them in front of the kids, then headed back to the kitchen to prepare the food.
"Ah! It really is you three. I spotted you from far away."
Right after the boss spoke, a familiar, lecherous voice came from behind them.
Turning around, Ling Yu's first sight was Jiraiya's unmistakable white hair and sleazy face. Standing behind him with his usual cold expression was Orochimaru.
After three years of growth, both men had changed significantly—at least Jiraiya now looked noticeably more mature and steady.
"Yo, Pervy Uncle and Orochimaru-jii. Long time no see."
Though surprised to see them, Ling Yu still greeted them politely.
"What have you two been up to lately? I haven't seen you around Konoha much."
Quickly motioning for them to sit, Ling Yu asked first.
Jiraiya, Orochimaru, and Tsunade had all reached elite jonin level or higher by now. They rarely took missions together anymore—each usually led their own separate teams.
The last time Ling Yu saw Jiraiya was two months ago. Back then, Jiraiya was still his usual unreliable self, peeping at women's bathhouses from rooftops.
But now, seeing him again, Jiraiya looked worn and exhausted, with heavy dark circles under his eyes—like he hadn't rested properly in a long time.
As for Orochimaru, Ling Yu saw him even less frequently. The last meeting was half a year ago. Now, his complexion looked quite good—he probably hadn't been going on many missions lately.
"Sigh… the ninja world outside is getting more and more chaotic. I've been sent on missions every so often—barely any rest time. Look at these dark circles getting worse by the day."
Jiraiya plopped down next to Ling Yu, took a big gulp from Ling Yu's juice without asking, then explained with a bitter face.
"Unlike Orochimaru—he basically stays in Konoha every day, researching this and that. He's clearly stronger than me, yet he hides away in the village. What a waste."
"If I hadn't come back today and personally dragged him out, he probably still wouldn't have left that dark little lab of his!"
After saying this, Jiraiya shot Orochimaru a jealous glance.
But Orochimaru ignored him completely, maintaining his usual cold demeanor—which only made Jiraiya grind his teeth in frustration.
"Where did you go on your mission?"
Catching the mention of chaos in the ninja world, Ling Yu asked tentatively.
"It was Suna—"
"Jiraiya."
Just as Jiraiya was about to answer, Orochimaru shot him a sharp look, cutting him off.
Ninja mission details were not to be discussed openly. You never knew if spies were listening. One careless word could land you in a dark cell.
"Why am I even telling you this? You're just a kid—you wouldn't understand anyway."
Realizing his mistake, Jiraiya immediately tried to brush it off and reached to ruffle Ling Yu's hair, but Ling Yu dodged nimbly.
"Tch. If you won't tell me, I'll just ask Tsunade-nee when she gets back. She's been on missions a lot lately too—she must know something."
Ling Yu curled his lip. If Jiraiya wouldn't say, he'd just ask Tsunade. She'd been going out frequently—she definitely knew.
But the mention of Orochimaru building a lab caught his attention. Has he already started working with Danzo? That old bastard really never does anything decent.
Good thing I left a contingency. With Kyōka Suigetsu still active, Orochimaru shouldn't pose too much threat to me yet.
Thinking this, Ling Yu subtly glanced at Orochimaru.
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