Uchiha Madara and Senju Hashirama hid behind a tree, watching Senju Tobirama carry Renye into his Residence.
"Madara, Tobirama is finally back." Senju Hashirama breathed a sigh of relief. "Once Tobirama leaves, we can go in."
Although he knew Tobirama wouldn't do anything to harm Renye, he was worried that if the two didn't return soon, Madara would get impatient.
Now that he was back, he could finally relax.
At least Madara wouldn't clamor to leave the Village.
They just needed to wait for Tobirama to leave home, and then they could sneak in to find Renye.
Then Renye could make a lavish meal, and he believed Madara would fall in love with his cooking after tasting it.
Tobirama's sensory abilities were very strong, so Hashirama and Madara didn't dare to get too close.
After all, they had no intention of revealing their identities yet…
Especially since Madara was very resistant to revealing his identity, Hashirama could only go along with his wishes.
Otherwise, Hashirama would have already pulled Madara back to the Village openly.
At this distance, as long as they concealed their presence, they were confident they wouldn't be discovered, even if Tobirama's sensory abilities were strong!
This was the confidence of the strong.
Uchiha Madara's tightly closed eyes had already opened. He slowly spoke while looking at the main entrance of the Residence.
"When will he leave?"
"Soon, I guess?" Senju Hashirama said with some uncertainty, "Tobirama has to go handle work after dawn."
He remembered that when Tobirama served as the acting Hokage, his schedule was exactly like this.
He hoped his schedule hadn't changed over the years.
Uchiha Madara nodded slightly and closed his eyes again.
If Hashirama hadn't insisted on eating Renye's cooking, he would have left Konoha long ago and wouldn't have wasted a whole night here.
He didn't understand how good that kid's cooking could possibly be to make Hashirama so fixated on it?
Perhaps it was just an excuse to trick him into returning to the Village.
Hashirama, on the other hand, eagerly stared at the main entrance, hoping Tobirama would leave home soon.
...
Senju Tobirama Residence.
Senju Tobirama carefully placed Renye on the bed, then returned to his room as if nothing had happened.
The effects of the medicine were wearing off, so he didn't dare to make too much noise, fearing that Renye would wake up.
He was already very skilled at this kind of thing. When Renye woke up, he would follow him out of the room, pretending to have just woken up himself.
By his calculations, that kid was about to wake up.
Sure enough, in Tobirama's perception, Renye in the room stirred.
...
Renye woke up feeling refreshed.
It had been a long time since he had slept so soundly. On the battlefield, he never dared to sleep deeply, often being startled awake by the slightest rustle.
This sleep was arguably the most comfortable he had had in two years.
Indeed, staying at home felt much more comfortable; he could sleep straight until dawn.
He could wake up naturally, completely undisturbed.
Renye got up, stretched, and walked out of his room, just as he saw Senju Tobirama opening his own door.
"Uncle, good morning."
It was just dawn; this Old Man was up quite early...
Senju Tobirama nodded in acknowledgment and said softly, "You're up. Then make me some breakfast."
After eating, he still had to go to the office to handle documents.
He hadn't finished processing the documents yesterday because of dinner.
"Got it, Uncle."
Renye entered the kitchen, first rinsing some brown rice and pouring it into a clay pot, adding water, and simmering it on low heat.
He planned to make porridge; breakfast should be light.
He turned to take out the eggs Senju Tobirama bought last night, fried them golden brown on both sides in a skillet, then grabbed a handful of shredded nori and mixed it in.
By the time the eggs were cooked, the porridge was almost ready.
He arranged the breakfast items one by one on a tray. Looking at the clock on the wall, it only took him about ten minutes to prepare.
Renye carried the tray to the dining table. The brown rice porridge in the clay pot was still steaming, with a thin layer of rice oil floating on the surface. Next to it, on a ceramic plate, were the crispy fried eggs, their edges slightly curled.
"Uncle, breakfast is ready."
He gently placed the tray on the table and called out to Senju Tobirama, who was leaning against the doorway.
This Old Man was in a hurry to handle documents, so a simple meal would suffice.
As for his own breakfast, he would wait until this Old Man left. If it weren't for the time crunch, he would have made other food.
Who eats this kind of thing first thing in the morning?
Only nine-to-five Hokage workers were so busy they didn't even have time for breakfast, only able to eat quick and convenient food.
Unlike him, who had plenty of time to make breakfast.
Anyone who wanted to become Hokage was a fool, just looking for trouble for themselves.
"Uncle, drink it while it's hot."
Renye picked up a bowl and ladled about half a bowl of brown rice porridge from the clay pot. The aroma of rice mixed with steam wafted out.
Senju Tobirama nodded slightly. When he took the bowl, his fingertips touched the warm ceramic.
Hmm, a little hot.
He didn't speak, first spooning some porridge into his mouth. The soft stickiness of the brown rice mixed with the rice aroma burst on his tongue.
After swallowing, he picked up his chopsticks and picked up a piece of fried egg. The crispy edge made a slight sound when he bit into it.
His gaze fell on Renye; he was curious why that kid wasn't eating?
Renye seemed to sense his confusion and explained, "Uncle, I'm not hungry yet."
He had just woken up and had no appetite. He planned to wait for this Old Man to leave, then make a lavish breakfast to treat himself.
During his two years on the battlefield, he hadn't had a proper breakfast, mostly relying on soldier pills to fill his stomach.
Now that the war was finally over, of course he had to have a good meal.
He could let anyone suffer but not his own stomach...
Senju Tobirama continued to eat bite by bite upon hearing this.
He had been researching all night, and he was indeed hungry, quickly finishing the entire pot of porridge.
He put down his chopsticks and wiped his mouth with a tissue.
"Remember to bring me lunch at noon."
Senju Tobirama stood up, adjusted his collar, looked at Renye, and said in a steady voice.
He didn't want that kid to forget to bring him food again like yesterday.
"Got it, Uncle."
Yesterday was a special situation; normally, he wouldn't forget.
Senju Tobirama felt relieved and turned to leave his home.
As long as that kid didn't forget to bring him food, he was counting on these three meals every day.
...
In front of Senju Tobirama Residence.
"Madara, Tobirama's gone!"
Senju Hashirama saw Tobirama leave and excitedly elbowed Uchiha Madara beside him, almost unable to resist jumping out.
He stared at Tobirama's receding back, lowering his voice but unable to hide his excitement: "Madara, look, look! He's gone!"
After squatting here all night, he could finally go in and find Renye openly.
Just thinking about the delicious food Renye made, his mouth was practically watering.
"Madara, let's go in quickly!"
He was already impatient to taste Renye's cooking.
Uchiha Madara shook his head helplessly at his best friend's appearance.
Hashirama was really still a child at heart.
As soon as Tobirama's figure disappeared from sight, Hashirama immediately pulled Madara and snuck into the Residence.
Senju Tobirama Residence.
Renye was currently washing dishes in the kitchen, completely unaware that his home had two uninvited guests.
...
...
PS: Writer's block. It usually takes me an hour to write a chapter, but now it's taking two hours. Waaah...