Chapter 179 - Water Style – Flying Rain Waterfall Technique
From Minato's point of view, the moment Kazane placed his hand on Kushina's belly, his entire body froze, as if his soul had left his body. Not long after, an eerie smile crept across his face.
Then, after a brief shudder, he suddenly returned to normal.
Seeing Kazane finally back to his senses, Minato anxiously asked,
"Kazane, how did it go?"
After venting in the seal space, Kazane was in a great mood. Flashing a cheerful "OK" sign to Minato, he replied with that same unsettling grin,
"If he really tries to mess with Nine-Fuzz… he's in for a surprise."
That eerie smile made both Minato and Kushina shiver involuntarily. For a brief moment, they actually pitied Uchiha Makoto.
Kushina also silently committed the name "Nine-Fuzz" to memory.
~
After reassuring Minato, Kazane left with Shizune. Since revenge never ends well, and Kazane was in high spirits, he decided to spare her—for now.
Still, as a high-ranking officer of the village, he figured it wouldn't hurt to give a talented ninja a bit more "responsibility."
After dropping Shizune off at the janitorial department, he went off to find Kurenai.
…
On Konoha's Main Street
Inside a familiar sweets shop, Kurenai was sitting near the window with her usual little sidekick, Anko. A shop staff member stood nearby, waiting for their order.
Time flew by.
Since Kazane had helped promote the shop, it had rapidly expanded and now boasted a charming second floor—making it a landmark in the village.
The shop owner, being savvy, had proudly attached the store to the Hatake Clan's name, and even kept a VIP list that highlighted everyone close to Kazane.
"Anko, we're only getting a little treat today. Don't order too much."
Kurenai looked helplessly at the increasingly adorable face of little Anko. Ever since Kazane introduced her to the world of sweets, the girl found every excuse to sneak over with friends for a sugar binge.
"Mmhm, okay, Kurenai-nee! Then I'll just get these—rainbow dango, mango tapioca, and strawberry shortcake! I'm done! You want anything else?"
Little Anko's head bobbed as she spoke, nodding obediently, but her ordering was anything but modest—she was lightning fast and all business.
Smack!
Kurenai palmed her face and leaned back in her chair, clearly exasperated.
I knew I couldn't trust her restraint.
"No. You can have the mango tapioca, but you'll have to pick either the rainbow dango or the shortcake."
Hearing this, Anko looked up at Kurenai with her big puppy-dog eyes and whimpered,
"But whyyy? Kurenai-nee~ I wanna eat this… and that too~"
Even the shop assistant nearby nearly gave in.
(=^▽^=)
"Nope!"
Kurenai, now seasoned from experience, responded with a sweet but dangerous smile, shaking her head gently.
The shop girl opened her mouth to speak but froze when Kurenai shot her a sharp glance.
(>﹏<)
"Why not, Kurenai-nee? Anko really wants it~"
Realizing her usual tricks weren't working, Anko jumped off her chair and scurried into Kurenai's arms, turning up the cuteness another level.
"Nope!"
(≧≦)
"Pleeease~ Sis, I want it!"
Just as Kurenai was starting to falter, she spotted a familiar figure outside the window. She immediately waved and called out,
"Kazane! Over here!"
Hearing his name, Anko turned in the same direction.
)~⊙_⊙)
She instantly hopped off Kurenai's lap, scampered back to her seat, and said sweetly to the waitress,
"Sis, I'll just have the mango tapioca. Kurenai-nee, what do you want?"
She was so well-behaved it made the waitress laugh aloud.
Kazane, who had come looking for Kurenai, heard her call and walked into the shop, heading upstairs.
As soon as he reached the second floor, his mood dimmed. He'd spotted the tiny third wheel.
"Kurenai… why is she here?"
Kazane walked straight over to Anko, pointing at the mischievous girl grinning up at him and asked Kurenai.
"Kazane-nii~ Kurenai-nee was teaching me ninjutsu today!"
Anko jumped off her chair and hugged his leg, staring up at him with her big watery eyes as she tugged at his sleeve.
Kazane: →_→
Teaching ninjutsu? Who are you trying to fool?
Ever since Orochimaru brought her back to Konoha a year ago, Anko had done nothing but eat, drink, and bug Kazane's friends to take her out to play.
Forget ninjutsu—Kazane wasn't even sure she'd ever molded chakra.
Still, she was just a kid. With both him and Orochimaru around, she'd have a carefree life whether she became a shinobi or not. So he hadn't pushed her.
But today, after choking on so much lovey-dovey fluff, he wasn't in the mood for extra company.
"You finished learning? Then let's get you home."
He ruffled her hair and crouched to smile gently.
First things first—get rid of the tiny troublemaker.
He winked at Kurenai, signaling her to help him escort Anko out.
"Kazane-nii, hug!"
Anko both feared and adored Kazane. He was the only one who ever scolded her when she misbehaved.
But he was also handsome—and the only one who spoiled her with toys.
Kazane picked her up and turned to the waitress.
"One order of rainbow dango, mango tapioca, and strawberry shortcake. That's all."
He'd heard her wish list from downstairs and figured he might as well treat her before sending her off.
"Kazane-nii~ I don't want dango or cake anymore. I want barbecue! Jiriku-nii said it's delicious~"
With Kazane around, Anko didn't want sweets taking up space in her tummy.
She clung to him, swinging from his neck.
"Come on, sweetie. Kurenai and I have some errands. Be good. I'll take you for barbecue tomorrow."
Kazane didn't want to lose his entire day to this little tagalong. He gently shook her in his arms, trying to console her.
Drip. Drip.
"Kazane-nii doesn't want me anymore… sob sob sob…"
"Kazane-nii hates Anko now… waaahhh!"
No sooner had he finished speaking than Anko burst into tears—huge, wet sobs cascading down her cheeks.
No matter what he said, she just kept crying, covering her face and wailing.
Helpless, Kazane looked to the side and gave Kurenai a pleading look.
But even with Kurenai's help, the crying only intensified. Patrons around them began turning their heads, murmuring and pointing.
Finally, utterly defeated, Kazane agreed to take her to the barbecue.
The instant he agreed, Anko's tears vanished—like someone had turned off a faucet.
She lowered her hands and beamed like sunshine.
Her smug little face clearly said:
I've got you now. Today, I'm not going anywhere.
Kazane could only sigh inwardly.
So much for my one free day…