"Hana, aren't you going to invite us in?"
Seeing Ajisai lost in thought, Konan smiled and spoke.
Ajisai snapped back to her senses and hurriedly opened the door. "S-sorry, Lord Yuzuru, Sister Konan—please come in."
The small one-bedroom apartment wasn't large, but it was spotless and neatly kept.
Ajisai poured water for the two of them, her head lowered, clearly too nervous to speak.
Seeing her like this, Konan laughed. "Hana, there's no need to be so tense. Yuzuru and I came today specifically to celebrate your birthday."
At that, Ajisai looked up and saw the gentle smile on Yuzuru's face as well.
For some reason, her vision suddenly blurred.
She dropped to her knees and bowed deeply. "Lord Yuzuru, thank you for what you did back then. Without you, I would have died long ago—left to rot in the bellies of wild dogs."
Yuzuru waved his hand lightly. "There's no need to bring up the past. Even if I hadn't saved you back then, Konan wouldn't have ignored you."
Ajisai spoke softly, "Even so… you were the one who saved me."
Seeing her insistence, Yuzuru didn't press the matter further and instead changed the subject. "I haven't visited you in all these years. I heard you're classmates with Sasuke, Naruto, and Gaara now?"
Ajisai nodded. "Yes, Lord Yuzuru."
Yuzuru chuckled. "Those brats didn't bully you, did they?"
"Of course not," Ajisai said quickly. "Because of Sister Konan, they often look after me at the Ninja Academy."
Konan added, "Yuzuru, Hana's talent is quite good. She can already use some basic Paper Release techniques."
"She often says that even if it costs her life, she'll repay your lifesaving kindness."
Ajisai's face flushed red at that. Embarrassed, she said, "Sister Konan, you don't need to say things like that…"
Konan laughed heartily, her mature charm on full display. "There's nothing shameful about it. Some things need to be said out loud."
Ajisai stuck out her tongue and said to Yuzuru, "Lord Yuzuru, I'll definitely work hard and grow stronger. One day, I'll become someone useful to you!"
After everything he had been through, Yuzuru could already see clearly into people's hearts.
Feeling Ajisai's sincerity, he smiled. "I came in a hurry this time and didn't prepare a birthday gift for you."
"How about this…"
Yuzuru took out a scroll and placed it into Ajisai's hands.
"This scroll records a forbidden technique called the Flying Thunder God Technique. You can try master it."
In the original storyline, during a joint Chunin Exam, most of the techniques Ajisai used were related to space-time.
After returning to the Hidden Rain Village, Konan sent her on an S-rank mission.
And after that… Nagato turned her corpse into the 'Animal Path' among the Six Paths of Pain, granting her summoning-related abilities.
From this, it was clear that Ajisai possessed considerable talent in space-time techniques.
Letting her practice the Flying Thunder God Technique was the perfect fit.
Ajisai stared at Yuzuru in disbelief, murmuring, "The Flying Thunder God Technique… isn't that an S-rank forbidden technique?"
"Lord Yuzuru actually… actually gave something so precious to me…"
Every S-rank forbidden technique was an invaluable treasure, yet Lord Yuzuru had handed it to her just like that.
She already didn't know how to repay his lifesaving grace—now she was even more at a loss.
All Ajisai could do was press her forehead to the ground and shout, "Lord Yuzuru, I will never disappoint your expectations!"
Konan quickly pulled her up. "Alright, alright. Today is your birthday. Come on—make a wish and blow out the candles!"
Watching the two of them bustle about again, Yuzuru leaned back into the sofa, his mood pleasantly light.
Nothing special.
Just one mature beauty and one adorable girl—simply watching them was enough to lift his spirits.
————
————
Several months later, the temperature steadily dropped, and in the blink of an eye, winter arrived in full force.
Under the care of Orochimaru and Tsunade, Kurama Yakumo's condition stabilized, and the transplantation of White Zetsu cells was a success.
At Yuzuru's instruction, Yakumo also became a student at the Ninja Academy. Even using her bloodline limit would no longer cause any aftereffects.
For this, Kurenai Yuhi even treated him to a barbecue, and through Rin Nohara's connection, the two gradually became acquainted.
However, the joint gathering between the Kurama clan and the Uchiha clan didn't go very well.
Many from the Kurama clan hoped to form marriage ties with the Uchiha, but not a single Uchiha showed any interest.
Yuzuru sighed inwardly, feeling that if he wanted to obtain the Kurama clan's bloodline limit, he might have to step in personally someday.
Uzuki Yugao, Mitarashi Anko, Samui, and Yugito Nii had all fully adapted to their roles as close bodyguards—no longer getting flustered, flushed, or restless at night from various indecent noises…
The reconstruction of the Land of Fire also progressed smoothly. The main roads were completed, forming an extensive transportation network.
Bandits and thieves within the borders were completely wiped out, leaving peace and stability everywhere.
As for the Land of Lightning… there hadn't been any major changes recently. Following Yuzuru's instructions, several forward outposts were established along the border.
With neither the Land of Fire nor the Land of Lightning making big moves, the other villages naturally didn't dare stir up trouble.
For a time, the ninja world entered an unprecedented period of stability.
————
————
Konoha.
Tsunade's belly grew larger by the day, and moving around gradually became inconvenient.
Though with her physique and the current level of medical care there was little cause for concern, Yuzuru still made time every day to accompany her on walks outside.
Passing by a tavern in Konoha, Tsunade couldn't help swallowing. "Yuzuru, I really want to drink… I want sweets, barbecue, and to play cards all night…"
Yuzuru shook his head with a smile. "Sweets and barbecue are fine, but don't even think about drinking."
Hearing that, Tsunade shot him a glare. "This is all your fault!"
Yuzuru snorted softly. "Now you blame me? Back then, I don't recall who was the one who—"
"Oh, shut up!"
Blushing with embarrassment, Tsunade punched him lightly and didn't dare say another word.
Yuzuru smiled and promised, "Once the baby is born, I'll drink with you as much as you want."
As they chatted casually, an Anbu suddenly appeared in front of them.
"Lord Yuzuru, the Hokage requests your presence at the Hokage Building. Envoys from the Mist Village have arrived."