Chapter 224 — The Warmth of Everyday Life
Jiraiya took Naruto with him to Ichiraku Ramen, while Yusuke stayed behind with Tsunade.
"What is it? Is there something on my face?" Yusuke asked, noticing the way Tsunade was staring at him.
"Nothing," she replied softly, her golden eyes calm yet thoughtful. "I just didn't expect you'd actually manage to bring Jiraiya back. But when I think about it… there really isn't anyone else who could've done it besides you."
"There's no need to overthink it," Yusuke said casually, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "Jiraiya-nii and I have always been close. Doing something like this is only natural."
"That's true," Tsunade murmured, her tone gentle.
Yusuke turned to leave.
If Jiraiya-nii had truly died, you'd be heartbroken… he thought silently, his smile faint but warm. So how could I ever let that happen?
He didn't say it aloud. His body shimmered—and disappeared.
Tsunade let out a small sigh, her expression softening. "Hatake Yusuke… you really are the biggest tsundere in the world," she said under her breath, smiling faintly. "You did it all for me, didn't you?"
Her heart felt oddly warm.
— — —
Yusuke strolled aimlessly through the bustling streets of Konoha, sucking on a lollipop as he went. His expression was lazy, but his eyes carried a depth that pierced through the crowd.
"This world," he murmured, watching the stream of villagers passing by, "no matter how you look at it… it's fragile."
"Oh? Is that what you think?"
A woman's voice came from behind him.
"It is. And honestly, it's boring," Yusuke replied without turning around.
"Even if you say that," the voice continued calmly, "I can guarantee—there's never been, and never will be, anyone quite like you."
"Maybe," Yusuke answered flatly. "But that doesn't really matter to me."
He finally turned around. The woman standing there was Samui from Kumogakure—calm, composed, and visibly wary.
"So, what brings you to Konoha?" Yusuke asked. "Is the Cloud Village planning to start another war?"
Samui's expression stiffened. Of course not. Facing this man was something even the Raikage himself would think twice about.
"No. Darui was severely injured. We came to ask Lady Tsunade for medical assistance," Samui said politely.
"I see," Yusuke nodded lazily. "Then go find Tsunade."
"There's no need," Samui countered quickly. "Now that I've met you, I don't have to. Your medical techniques far surpass Lady Tsunade's, don't they?"
Yusuke yawned. "And what of it? I don't feel like helping that guy. Too troublesome. And besides… you're enemies."
"Kumogakure is willing to offer compensation," Samui insisted.
"Compensation, huh?" Yusuke smirked slightly. "Then tell me—what could possibly be worth the life of an elite jōnin? Go ahead, name your price."
Samui fell silent.
"See?" Yusuke said quietly. "You can't. A doctor can save a life and receive payment, but in the end… there's nothing in this world that truly equals a person's life."
With that, he shook his head slightly and walked away, the crowd swallowing his silhouette.
— — —
By the time he got home, the evening sun had already painted the sky in soft orange hues. He opened the door and stepped inside.
"You're back," Kurenai greeted him with a gentle smile.
"Yeah, I'm home," Yusuke said, sitting down beside her and wrapping an arm around her shoulders. "How have you been feeling lately?"
"I'm fine," Kurenai said softly, her hand resting over her rounded belly. "But… it's almost time. I wonder whether it'll be a boy or a girl."
"Do you want to know?" Yusuke asked with a small grin.
"Don't you?" she teased back.
"No," he said, chuckling quietly. "Let's wait and see when the baby's born. Boy or girl—it doesn't matter. They'll still be our child."
Kurenai smiled warmly, her heart filled with happiness. "You're right. Let's just wait until then."
Of course, Yusuke already knew the answer—he could see the future if he wished. But he refused to spoil it. To him, the mystery was part of the joy—the nervous anticipation and the quiet happiness of waiting together.
"Have you thought of any names yet?" Kurenai asked.
Yusuke scratched his cheek, looking a little sheepish. "You know I'm terrible at that kind of thing. Maybe we should let Father decide?"
Kurenai laughed softly. "Those two old men already tried—and the names they came up with were ridiculous."
Yusuke smirked. "Then how about this? If it's a boy, we'll name him Hikaru."
"Hikaru… Hatake Hikaru?" she repeated, smiling. "That sounds nice. And if it's a girl?"
"Then… Shina. Hatake Shina."
"I love it," Kurenai said, her eyes gleaming with affection. She liked how simple it sounded—just one character, like her own name.
— — —
Not long after, Hatake Sakumo and Yūhi Shinku arrived, followed by Kakashi, fresh back from a mission. Tsunade showed up last, stretching and yawning as she walked in.
"Whoa! There's so much food!" Tsunade exclaimed, eyes sparkling.
"Hands off. Go wash up first, then we'll eat," Yusuke said, placing the last dish on the table.
"Fine, fine," Tsunade grumbled, trudging off to the sink.
Soon, everyone gathered around the table. The room was filled with laughter and warmth, the kind that only family could create.
"Hey, what's that? Why do you have a whole plate to yourself?!" Tsunade suddenly noticed Yusuke's dish—a perfectly glazed dessert—and frowned suspiciously.
"You sure you want to try it?" Yusuke asked with a sly grin.
"Of course! With your cooking, it's bound to be amazing."
Yusuke's smirk deepened. He picked up a spoonful and, under everyone's watchful eyes, fed it directly to Tsunade.
The taste hit her instantly—soft, silky, and impossibly sweet. For a moment, her eyes widened in delight. But the expression didn't last.
Her face twisted.
"What's wrong, Tsunade-neechan?" Kurenai asked, puzzled. "It can't taste bad—Yusuke's cooking never fails."
"W-water… give me water!" Tsunade gasped.
Kurenai quickly handed her a glass, and Tsunade gulped it down in desperation. Kakashi, ever the curious one, decided to try a bite for himself.
A second later, his face went pale.
"It's too sweet! How much sugar did you use?!" Tsunade snapped, glaring daggers at Yusuke.
"Yeah, Nii-san, tone it down next time," Kakashi coughed. "I almost died from the sugar rush."
"You people just don't understand," Yusuke said dramatically, pointing at his dessert with pride. "Sweetness is the romance of a man! A dish like this must be savored with passion!"
He took another bite, utterly unfazed.
"This is a special recipe from the owner of the Kikufuku shop. She gave it to me personally—said she was inspired by my handsome face," Yusuke added proudly.
It wasn't a lie. One day, when his mask and eye cover had slipped off at the shop, he'd just gone about paying normally. But the owner, upon seeing his face, had begged him to become a model for her sweets and even her apprentice.
To be fair, the dessert really was delicious—if you ignored the fact that he'd dumped in far too much sugar. For an ordinary palate, it was overwhelmingly sweet.
But for Yusuke… it was perfect.
After all—without sweetness, a dessert had no soul.
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