Upon seeing that familiar figure, Tsunade's face first lit up with joy before her entire expression collapsed.
Just as she was about to question Hayato Ren about his complete lack of contact over the past half month, her expression instantly froze. This was because Hayato Ren hadn't returned alone - he was holding an extremely cute little girl in his arms.
After a brief moment of shock, Tsunade quickly stepped forward and said to Hayato Ren with an incredulous look:
"You've actually fallen to such depths after just half a month? Even that perverted glutton Jiraiya wouldn't do something this horrific, would he?"
In response to Tsunade's questioning, Hayato Ren simply reached out and gently patted Konan's head, who was already hiding behind him, then explained:
"This is someone I found outside, her name is Konan. She should become a remarkable ninja in the future."
Hearing this, Tsunade's expression became even more dramatic.
"Don't use that tone like you've picked up some stray! What's going on with this Konan? Why are you casually bringing unrelated people here?"
"Konan isn't unrelated anymore. She'll join the Leaf in the future, she's our companion."
"Do you think the village will casually accept outsiders at a time like this?"
"But I have my brilliant and mighty teacher here. With your status, arranging an identity for Konan should be simple."
"Hmph, I'm not as omnipotent as you think. Clean up your own mess. I don't have the habit of wiping your ass for you."
After saying this, Tsunade turned and stormed off angrily.
Watching Tsunade's retreating figure, Konan lowered her head and said guiltily:
"Maybe I shouldn't have come here... I've caused trouble for Ren-sama."
Hayato Ren took Konan's hand and comforted her:
"It's fine. My teacher is all bark and no bite. She might be arranging your identity right now. Let me first find you a place to stay."
Subsequently, Hayato Ren brought Konan to his own tent.
As a Jonin, Hayato Ren naturally had his own exclusive tent, though it was considerably smaller than Tsunade's.
If not for Konan, Hayato Ren might not have visited this place even once before leaving here.
However, to maintain his shining image in front of Konan, Hayato Ren probably wouldn't have the chance to continue staying at Tsunade's place in the coming days.
After having a Genin from logistics bring a new bed, Hayato Ren helped Konan set up her bedding.
"Alright, this will be your temporary living space for now. But you'll have to put up with staying with me for a while, since we can't arrange a separate tent for you right after you've arrived."
Hearing this, Konan immediately responded:
"It's no hardship... Rather, being able to stay with you, Ren-sama, makes me feel very secure."
Hayato Ren scratched the back of his head, speaking somewhat sheepishly:
"I've told you, just call me Ren. Hearing 'Lord Ren' sounds a bit strange."
Upon hearing this, Konan immediately lowered her head, only raising it after a long moment as if having made some firm resolution. Looking tentatively at Hayato Ren, she ventured:
"Then... could I call you Brother Ren from now on?"
When he heard that soft, sweet "brother," Hayato Ren froze for a moment.
After all, who could refuse such an adorable little girl addressing him that way?
However, his reaction unfortunately made Konan misunderstand.
Seeing that Hayato Ren hadn't responded to her, Konan immediately lowered her head again, saying in a dejected tone:
"I'm sorry, I was being presumptuous. Someone like me... just being brought here by you, Lord Ren, is already the greatest fortune. How shameless of me to want even more."
Watching Konan wallow in self-pity, Hayato Ren had no choice but to step forward and take her small hand, comforting her in a gentle voice:
"Actually, I've always wanted a little sister. I'm really happy that you'd call me that. Just now, I was simply too excited."
Konan looked up at Hayato Ren with slightly reddened eyes and asked softly:
"Really? Then can I really call you brother from now on?"
Hayato Ren patted Konan's head and replied with a smile:
"Of course it's true."
Just then, Tsunade suddenly walked in with a dark expression and threw a document onto the table.
Seeing Tsunade's expression, Hayato Ren stood up awkwardly.
"Teacher, when did you get here?"
"I was here when you were tricking someone into calling you brother."
Before Hayato Ren could explain, Konan stood up and anxiously explained:
"Brother Ren didn't trick me! He's a very, very good person. Please don't misunderstand him. If there's any fault, it's mine alone."
However, Konan's explanation only made Tsunade's gaze at Hayato Ren even more peculiar.
After snorting coldly, Tsunade strode away.
At this point, Hayato Ren picked up the document on the table and skimmed through it.
Just as he had expected, it was Konan's identification papers.
From now on, Konan would be considered a member of the Leaf as well.
Perhaps because the day had been too exhausting, Konan fell asleep quite early.
After watching Konan's peaceful sleeping face for a while, Hayato Ren tiptoed out of his tent and headed in a certain direction.
Before long, Hayato Ren reached his destination and pushed the door open without hesitation.
"What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be keeping your little sister Konan company?"
Seeing Hayato Ren's furtive figure, Tsunade couldn't help but speak with sarcasm.
But Hayato Ren remained completely unaffected. Instead, he walked behind Tsunade and began massaging her shoulders while responding with a smile:
"I just came to report my mission progress to my dear teacher, and my feelings for Konan are purely those of sibling affection. Even if I were truly that perverted, I wouldn't target someone of that age."
Tsunade let out a soft "Hmm" and closed her eyes.
She wasn't actually angry because Hayato Ren brought Konan back—given Konan's age, she wouldn't have cared about that at all.
What angered her was Hayato Ren's complete lack of contact for over half a month. Had a few more days passed without news from him, she would have personally gone searching for him.