"Bang!"
The sound of the door closing brought them back to their senses, and they instinctively looked up to see Ren stepping out.
"Ren!"
Upon seeing him, the few people who had been waiting in the hallway for a long time quickly crowded around, and Might Guy even rushed up to Ren, asking anxiously,
"How is Kakashi?!"
"Might Guy, mind your manners."
Ren took two steps back, then raised a hand to point at the "No Loud Noises" sign on the wall beside them, saying helplessly,
"My apologies."
Might Guy scratched his head sheepishly; he was too anxious and momentarily forgot they were in a hospital.
"There's no problem anymore," Ren said casually, touching his nose under their expectant gazes.
"After my guidance, he should be able to cheer up very quickly, so everyone, you can go home."
Ren's somewhat perfunctory tone immediately caused dissatisfaction among the others, and Asuma even stepped forward, gritting his teeth as he looked at him.
"Ren, can't you be serious? Kakashi needs our help now!"
Hearing this, Ren rolled his eyes directly and spread his hands, saying,
"I did help; I said everything that needed to be said. Whether he can get through this primarily depends on himself; we can only play a supporting role.
Besides, what other methods do you have besides anxiously gathering here?"
"You!"
Ren's words immediately left Asuma speechless. He wanted to retort but couldn't find any reason, so he could only remain silent.
"If you're not leaving, then I am."
Seeing that the people around him had no intention of moving, Ren didn't pay them any mind. He pulled Kurenai along and walked straight out.
"Huh?"
Kurenai was stunned for a moment. By the time she reacted, she had already been pulled around the corner by Ren, disappearing from their sight.
"Damn it!"
Seeing this, Asuma's face immediately flushed red. After a furious roar, he turned and walked towards the stairs on the other side, leaving the others standing in place, looking at each other.
Meanwhile, Ren had already pulled Kurenai out of the hospital and was walking on the main road. A gentle breeze blew, and the cool sensation immediately brought Kurenai back to her senses.
"Ren, Kakashi…" Kurenai looked back with some concern, saying.
"Don't worry, he's a Jonin after all; he'll adjust himself."
Ren wasn't worried about Kakashi; he would definitely get through it, it was just a matter of time. His words had merely accelerated the process.
Ren squeezed her hand and smiled.
"Tell me, Kurenai, anything new happen these past two days I was gone?"
"Anything new?"
Kurenai tilted her head, a thoughtful expression appearing in her red eyes before she said hesitantly,
"Hmm, does Chouza-senpai's child being born yesterday count?"
"…I guess so."
As they conversed, a hint of emotion appeared in Ren's eyes.
Speaking of Chouza-senpai's son, that should be Akimichi Choji, right? It's really lively this year; the Konoha rookies are all starting to be born. It's going to be fun later.
"One-one-two, small, hahaha, you lost again!"
"Again!"
Just then, a noisy sound came, and Ren and Kurenai stopped, looking forward.
Not far ahead, beside the street, there was an izakaya. The specific situation couldn't be seen due to the curtain, but the noise was coming from there.
"That sound…"
Kurenai blinked, pondered for a moment, and then a look of understanding appeared in her eyes. Just as she was about to turn to say something to Ren, she was pulled by Ren directly towards the izakaya.
As the two got closer, the sounds from inside grew louder and clearer.
"Jiraiya, you bastard, did you cheat?!"
"Hey, don't talk nonsense. Orochimaru has been watching the whole time. Ask him if I cheated?!"
"Heh heh."
"…"
Hearing the voices from inside, both fell silent. After exchanging a glance, they turned to leave, but before they had taken a few steps, they were called out to.
"Ren-nii!"
"…"
Ren glanced at Kurenai, then slowly turned around and saw Shizune standing at the izakaya entrance, waving happily towards them. It seemed she had just come out.
And with Shizune's shout, the noisy izakaya instantly fell silent, only to become noisy again the next moment.
"Where's that kid Ren? Why isn't he coming over?!"
"Exactly, exactly, make him come over!"
After hearing this, Ren was about to seize the opportunity to sneak away, but the next hoarse voice that sounded completely shattered his plan.
"It seems he's outside."
Before he could make any move, the izakaya's door curtain was pulled open, and two figures, arm in arm, walked out. After a quick scan of their surroundings, their gaze locked onto Ren, who was standing still not far away, and they shouted,
"Hey, you brat, hurry up and get over here."
"That's right, hurry up, or I'll beat you up!"
Noticing the strange looks from passersby, Ren's mouth twitched twice. He walked up to the two and sighed.
"Good afternoon, Tsunade-sensei, Lord Jiraiya, and…"
Looking at the thin figure that came out behind them, Ren gritted his teeth.
"Lord Orochimaru!"
"Heh heh."
Orochimaru licked the corner of his mouth with his tongue, chuckling as he looked at Ren.
"Good afternoon, Ren-kun."
Tsunade and Jiraiya, however, were not as polite as Orochimaru.
Tsunade shook off Jiraiya, immediately pinned Ren under her armpit, her face flushed as she lowered her head and clicked her tongue.
"You brat, you don't even greet your teacher. You've gotten bolder, haven't you?"
"Uh, Teacher, please let me go first."
Ren tried to struggle but was afraid of hurting her, so he could only say with a bitter face, in a low voice,
"Kurenai is here too!"
"Hmm?"
Hearing this, Tsunade looked up and searched around. Upon seeing Kurenai standing not far away, she decisively released Ren and turned to walk towards Kurenai.
"Lady Tsunade!"
Seeing her approach, Kurenai bowed slightly in greeting.
But the next moment, before Kurenai could react, she was enveloped in a warm embrace. The full figure held her tightly, swaying constantly, and a lazy voice came,
"You're so cute, Kurenai. It's such a shame you're Ren's girlfriend."
"…"
Hearing this, Ren's face immediately darkened. Just as he was about to say something, Jiraiya next to him leaned over, hooked his arm around Ren's shoulder, and said with a drunken breath,
"Hey, kid Ren, want to have a drink too?"
The strong smell of alcohol was truly intoxicating. Ren covered his mouth and nose, mumbling,
"No, thank you, Lord Jiraiya, you're too kind."
Looking at the hazy Tsunade not far away and the constantly burping Jiraiya beside him, Ren couldn't help but secretly groan.
What's wrong today? Just solved one case of depression, and now I've run into three—no, two drunkards. I should have prayed to the Six Paths Sage when I came back.