Since Aoyama Ryuyun had already said so, Tsunade couldn't find any excuse to argue further.
Still, before she left, he felt it necessary to remind her.
"Of course—don't drink too much. If you get drunk, don't come back."
"Got it, got it!"
If anyone else had said that, Tsunade would have ignored them without hesitation.
But when it came from Aoyama Ryuyun, even though she found his tone a little helpless, she still waved her hand in acknowledgment.
In truth, the feeling of being cared for warmed her heart—it was rare, and blissful.
"Then, Liu Yun, I'll be off!"
"Mm."
With a nod, Aoyama Ryuyun turned and walked away.
Tsunade and Jiraiya didn't think much of it, but Orochimaru—ever the cautious observer—kept his snake-like eyes narrowed, watching Aoyama Ryuyun's retreating figure.
This was the man whose mere presence had made his instincts scream danger. The one whose aura alone nearly suffocated him.
The more he saw, the more intrigued he became.
Noticing Orochimaru's stare, Jiraiya quipped, "Oi, Orochimaru… you didn't fall for Aoyama Ryuyun at first sight, did you?"
"...Get lost."
After a brief silence, Orochimaru glared sharply at him. Typical Jiraiya—forever the fool.
No wonder Tsunade beat him up so often.
"Drink. Let's just drink," Jiraiya sighed, waving it off.
It was a rare chance for the Sannin to gather—no need to dwell on the rest.
---
Meanwhile, when Aoyama Ryuyun returned home, he found two small figures cleaning the yard.
One of them was Kurenai Yuhi, and the other, her companion for the day—Anko Mitarashi.
"I say, Yuhi, you don't have to come over and clean every single day!"
Anko complained as she lazily waved the broom. She had never been one for quiet chores, and this routine was driving her half mad. If not for Kurenai being one of her few close friends, she would've stayed home.
Kurenai, wiping her hands on a rag, didn't seem tired at all. Her face was bright with a smile.
"Brother Liu Yun's been away fighting at the front. Someone has to take care of things here."
"Tsk, you're not even together yet, and you're already acting like a wife."
"What are you talking about, Anko? I'm ignoring you!"
Kurenai's cheeks flushed as she turned away, embarrassed.
The contrast between them couldn't have been starker—Kurenai calm and reserved, Anko loud and impulsive. Yet, somehow, they got along perfectly.
Aoyama Ryuyun's lips curved into a smile at the sight of the two.
"I'm home."
"Welcome home!"
The words slipped out of Kurenai's mouth instinctively.
But the moment the greeting left her lips, she froze, eyes wide.
Turning sharply, she saw him walking through the gate—calm, tall, and smiling.
"Brother Liu Yun!"
All restraint vanished. She dropped the rag and dashed forward, throwing herself into his arms.
Aoyama Ryuyun caught her effortlessly.
"I missed you so much!"
That familiar scent—his presence—filled her senses, washing away the days of waiting.
"You've worked hard, Yuhi. I can tell you've been keeping everything in order while I was gone."
The yard was spotless, the eaves gleamed. It was clear she had been here every day.
"It's nothing!"
Nestled against him, Kurenai shook her head quickly.
If it meant seeing him like this, she'd clean forever.
The tender sight made Anko blink awkwardly, her expression twisting between curiosity and admiration.
Her gaze traveled up and down Aoyama Ryuyun's figure.
So handsome!
Everyone said it—Konoha's Golden Lion, the man who cut through a Tailed Beast's chakra blast with a single sword stroke, the one who faced Shukaku head-on and lived to tell the tale.
The war hero of Konoha.
"Um… that, uh…" Anko stammered, raising a hesitant hand.
"You're that Golden Lion—Aoyama Ryuyun—the hero everyone's talking about?"
Only now did Aoyama Ryuyun notice her. The little girl's delicate features and bright eyes made him pause.
So this is Anko Mitarashi, huh?
Hard to believe that this energetic little thing would one day turn into the eccentric examiner of the Chūnin Exams.
"Does it not look like me?" he asked lightly, setting Kurenai back on her feet.
"Ah—no, that's not what I meant!" Anko laughed awkwardly, scratching her head. "It's just… I heard you're even stronger than the White Fang! Is that true?"
"Mm. Of course it is."
There was no point in modesty before a child, so he simply nodded.
"Whoa, amazing!"
Her eyes sparkled with admiration.
Beside her, Kurenai puffed out her chest a little, looking rather proud.
See? Her Brother Liu Yun really was the best!
"By the way, Yuhi," Aoyama Ryuyun said, glancing at her curiously, "you've been coming over every day. Doesn't your father, Shinku Yuhi, say anything about that?"
"It's fine," Kurenai replied quickly, waving her hand. "Father doesn't mind!"
Aoyama Ryuyun blinked.
That man wouldn't mind? Somehow, he doubted it.
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