Konoha Restaurant.
Uchiha Ren sat in his seat, quietly observing.
Most of the Uzumaki children were eight or nine years old. Some were around twelve, and a few were only three or four.
They were clearly overwhelmed.
Sitting stiffly, glancing around, unsure where to look.
Even walking through Konoha's commercial district had already dazzled them. Like village kids seeing a great city for the first time, everything felt unreal.
Back in the clan, they had heard countless stories—
Across the sea lay Konoha.
The most prosperous.
The most free.
Ever since Uzumaki Ashina returned with fifty billion ryō, he had practically become Konoha's loudest advocate.
Wide roads.
Electric infrastructure.
New ninja tools.
He praised everything to the heavens.
And then—
Proposed sending the children here.
There had been no opposition.
Fifty billion ryō crushed all doubts.
Now, seeing it with their own eyes—
Money handed out like paper.
Luxury beyond imagination.
Their expectations shattered and rebuilt.
Ren scanned the room and nodded slightly.
Good.
This was exactly the reaction he wanted.
Break their worldview.
Then rebuild it.
Konoha and the Uzumaki—
Close enough that the boundary could blur.
Learn here.
Bond here.
Fall in love here.
Stay here.
And if the Uzumaki clan objected?
He would personally step in.
He gave the manager a look.
Dishes began arriving.
The food was exquisite.
Also—
Absurdly expensive.
Back then, Kakuzu had nearly drawn a weapon over the bill.
Not a scam.
Just…
A place where price didn't matter.
The meal ended smoothly.
Ren arranged accommodations for all the Uzumaki children.
Housing had already been built in advance—fast, efficient, well-funded.
They wouldn't start classes yet.
First—
Let them experience Konoha.
Spend money.
Enjoy life.
Only then—
Would they truly want to stay.
"Yōgetsu, do you want to stay with them?"
Ren casually asked.
Uzumaki Yōgetsu had been staring after the departing children.
Before she could answer—
Mito Uzumaki stepped in immediately.
"She's doing just fine living with the Senju. I personally teach her sealing every day."
Her tone emphasized certain words.
A clear warning.
Ren ignored it.
"You're not her. Let her decide."
Yōgetsu looked up—surprised.
Then hesitated.
"…I… want to go."
Her voice was quiet.
"I miss them."
"But I'll still visit you every day, Grandma… and I won't fall behind in my training."
Mito paused.
She could feel it.
The girl's emotions were genuine.
And she understood.
A child—
Shouldn't be confined to an old courtyard.
"…Go, then."
Her voice softened.
Yōgetsu's face lit up.
She ran off immediately.
Mito watched her leave.
Smiling.
But—
A faint loneliness lingered.
"Then I'll visit you instead," Mito muttered, glancing at Ren.
No openings.
None at all.
"Ren-sama… can you train with me this afternoon?"
Tsunade tugged at his sleeve, her tone almost pleading.
Ever since Ren began training in Sage Mode—
He had stopped their group sessions.
Jiraiya went to Mount Myōboku.
Orochimaru was stuck "studying."
Tsunade—
Was left alone.
"I want to train with you."
Before Ren could answer—
Mito cut in sharply.
"You can train with me."
"No."
Tsunade shook her head immediately.
"I want Ren-sama."
Silence.
Mito's expression darkened.
Ren smirked slightly.
He wasn't interested in Tsunade like that.
But—
Provoking Mito?
That was entertaining.
"Sure. I'm free this afternoon."
He ruffled Tsunade's hair again.
"NO!"
Mito snapped.
"Go home! Right now!"
"And gambling too? I'll cut your allowance!"
She grabbed Tsunade's ear.
Tsunade winced—
Then slipped free and bolted.
"Ren-sama! I'll come find you later!"
"Alright!"
Ren replied cheerfully—
And immediately left as well.
No reason to stay and argue.
His time was valuable.
Mito stood frozen.
For a moment—
She didn't know what to do.
Chase Tsunade?
Or confront Ren?
Her expression darkened.
Unforgivable.
Absolutely unforgivable.
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