Inside the Desire Hot Springs.
Gento leaned against the edge of the pool, Kushina held in his arms.
Kushina had her eyes closed, her cheek pressed against his chest. Her red hair spread wetly across the water's surface, gently drifting with the ripples.
Her breathing gradually steadied, though a faint blush still lingered on her face.
After quite a while, she finally recovered, opened her eyes, and lightly punched his chest:
"You bastard… all you do is bully me."
The blow was soft; rather than hitting him, it felt more like coquettishness.
Gento smiled and caught her hand:
"That's only because you're too tempting."
Kushina's face flushed red, and she turned her head away:
"Hmph, smooth talker."
The two leaned quietly against each other for a while, the warm water enveloping their bodies.
Gento suddenly spoke:
"Kushina."
"Mm?"
"You and Naruto should move into the Uchiha clan compound."
Kushina froze for a moment and lifted her head to look at him.
Meeting her gaze, Gento spoke seriously:
"I've recently taken a liking to a property. It's very close to the Academy, so it'll be convenient for Naruto to go to and from school. It'll also save you the trouble of running back and forth every day."
Kushina parted her lips, wanting to say something, yet no words came out.
This feeling–of being cared for, of having everything arranged for her–made her nose sting a bit.
Gento raised his hand to support her chin, turning her face toward him as he looked into her eyes:
"I'm courting you."
Kushina's face turned even redder as she slapped his hand away:
"Who wants you to court me!"
She paused, then asked softly:
"Th-then… how big is the house?"
Gento smiled:
"Three bedrooms and a living room. Enough for you and Naruto. There's also an open space in the yard where you can plant some flowers or herbs."
Kushina's eyes lit up slightly.
She had always wanted a house with a yard where she could grow things.
"Th-then… how much is the rent?"
Gento pinched her cheek:
"No charge."
Kushina glared at him:
"No charge? What do you take me for?"
Gento smiled:
"Giving the woman I love a home, isn't that only natural?"
Kushina froze for a moment, her lips parting, not knowing what to say.
Seeing her like that, Gento lowered his head and kissed her on the forehead:
"It's settled. You start moving tomorrow."
Blushing, Kushina softly responded with an "Mm."
The two stayed in the hot spring for a while longer before getting up to leave.
After changing into clean clothes, they walked out of the Desire Hot Springs.
…
Evening.
At the entrance of the Ninja Academy.
As soon as the dismissal bell rang, a group of children chattered noisily as they poured out of the school building.
Kushina stood at the entrance, her gaze searching through the crowd for Naruto.
"Mom!"
Naruto's voice came from within the crowd.
With his small backpack on, he ran over, his face bright with a radiant smile.
Kushina crouched down and reached out to ruffle his hair:
"How was school today?"
"It was super fun!"
Naruto's eyes sparkled:
"Sensei taught us about ninja tools! And took us to the playground to play! I climbed the horizontal bar faster than anyone!"
He tilted his little face up, full of pride:
"Sensei even said I have great stamina!"
Kushina couldn't help but smile:
"Is that so? Naruto is amazing."
"Mm-hmm!"
Naruto nodded vigorously, then continued:
"I also made new friends! There's one named Kenta, he said he'll play with me tomorrow! And there's a girl named Reiko, she gave me a piece of candy!"
Listening to him, the weight in Kushina's heart gradually lifted.
After hesitating for a moment, she still asked:
"Then… did anyone bully you?"
Naruto shook his head:
"No! Everyone's pretty nice."
He paused, then pouted:
"It's just that Sasuke Uchiha always has a cold face. I told him 'let's play together,' but he didn't even look at me. Hmph!"
Kushina froze for a moment.
She hadn't expected Naruto to end up in the same class as Mikoto's child!
She couldn't help but smile:
"That's probably just his personality. You'll get along once you get to know him."
Naruto nodded, then seemed to remember something:
"Mom, can I still come to this school tomorrow?"
"Of course you can."
"Awesome!"
Kushina smiled, about to speak, when she suddenly heard a gentle voice from nearby:
"Sasuke, over here."
Following the sound, she looked over and saw a boy standing not far away.
The boy looked about twelve or thirteen, with short black hair and delicate features, dressed in the Uchiha clan's dark blue high-collared shirt.
What stood out most were his eyes; deep black pupils carrying a calmness far beyond his years.
It was Itachi Uchiha.
Beside him stood a small boy, about five years old, with short black hair and delicate features. There was a hint of pride on his little face–Sasuke Uchiha.
Upon seeing Itachi, the cold expression on Sasuke's face immediately melted into a smile as he ran over and threw himself at him:
"Brother!"
Itachi gently tapped his forehead with a finger, a faint smile curving at the corners of his lips:
"Were you well-behaved today?"
"I was!"
Sasuke nodded vigorously, then lifted his little face, his eyes sparkling as he looked at Itachi:
"Brother! Teach me shurikenjutsu, okay! Teach me ninjutsu!"
Itachi smiled lightly:
"I'll teach you when you're a bit older."
"I don't want to! I want to learn now!"
Sasuke tugged at Itachi's sleeve, his small face full of unwillingness.
Watching this scene, Kushina couldn't help but smile.
She walked over and greeted Itachi:
"You are… Mikoto's child, right?"
Itachi turned around. Seeing Kushina, he was momentarily startled, then politely nodded:
"Hello, Kushina-san. I am Itachi Uchiha."
Kushina looked at him, a trace of emotion in her eyes:
"It's been a long time. In the blink of an eye, you've grown this much."
"The last time I saw you, you were only this tall."
She gestured to her waist.
Itachi smiled faintly.
Kushina lowered her gaze to Sasuke:
"This must be Sasuke, right? He's really adorable."
Sasuke looked up at her.
"Who are you?"
Kushina smiled:
"I'm your mother's friend and Naruto's mom."
Sasuke froze for a moment, then looked toward Naruto beside her.
Naruto waved at him:
"Sasuke! Let's play together tomorrow!"
Sasuke hmphed and turned his face away:
"Who would play with you."
Though he said that, his eyes secretly glanced at Naruto.
Kushina watched the two children, smiled, and then left with Naruto.
…
The next day, Gento really did purchase the property he had picked out earlier.
He had originally considered letting Kushina and Naruto move directly into his home.
But after thinking it over, his house already had Pakura and Anko living there.
Kurenai also often came by to see him.
If Kushina were added into the mix and they happened to run into each other at an inappropriate time…
Especially Kurenai and Kushina… things would probably explode.
Just imagining that scene gave Gento a headache.
Better to let Kushina live separately for now.
As a result, a standalone courtyard house not far from the Academy was purchased.
As for the move, Gento directly sent several Uchiha Anbu to help.
Moving belongings, cleaning, arranging furniture; Kushina didn't need to lift a finger.
Standing in the courtyard, watching them go in and out, Kushina felt a little embarrassed:
"Th-this is too much trouble for you all."
A young Uchiha clan member smiled and waved his hand:
"Kushina-sensei, please don't be polite. The clan head instructed us to make sure you're properly settled."
"If you feel bad about it, just take extra care of our kids at the Academy in the future."
Another clan member chimed in:
"Yeah, yeah, we heard you're going to be a teacher? That brat in our family is always jumping around, he'll need your attention."
Hearing this, Kushina felt warmth in her heart, a smile appearing on her face:
"Don't worry, I'll teach them well."
The new home was indeed nice.
Three bedrooms, spacious and bright.
The living room was also large, enough for Naruto to run around freely.
The kitchen was clean and tidy, the stove, sink, and cabinets all new.
What Kushina liked most was the small courtyard.
It wasn't big, but it was enough.
She had already planned it out; in that corner by the wall, she'd plant a row of flowers; roses, morning glories, anything would do.
The open space in the middle could be turned into a vegetable patch. Naruto liked tomatoes, so she could plant a few extra.
A rack could be set up in the corner to grow some cucumbers.
Standing in the courtyard, looking at that small patch of land, a sense of indescribable anticipation welled up in her heart.
From now on, this would be the home for her and Naruto.
…
A few days later.
The new home was all arranged.
The furniture was neatly placed, the curtains hung, and the pots and pans all set in their proper places.
Standing in the bedroom, looking at the made bed, Kushina nodded in satisfaction.
"Phew, just a few things left to move."
She stretched, about to turn and tidy another room, when someone suddenly hugged her from behind.
"Ah!"
Kushina let out a startled cry as she was pushed onto the bed.
Gento pressed down on top of her, his face close to her ear as he whispered:
"Did you miss me?"
Blushing, Kushina struggled:
"What are you doing! It's broad daylight!"
Gento chuckled:
"Kushina, give Naruto a little brother."
...
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