“Boss, for this fish, please remove the scales and guts.”
The Konoha Village market was bustling in the morning. Renye squatted in front of the seafood stall, his fingertips gently picking up a plump salmon.
The ingredients Senju Tobirama bought last night had all been devoured by those two foodies, Senju Hashirama and Uchiha Madara.
To prevent him from noticing anything unusual, Renye had to buy a fresh one from the market.
He would prepare it and send it to him at noon.
This feeling of secretly cooking for Madara and Hashirama behind that Old Man's back was truly exhilarating!
...It was just like having a secret affair.
Renye worried that Tobirama might suddenly return and see this scene, but fortunately, the Old Man was busy with political affairs in his office and had no time to come back.
From now on, he wouldn't have to worry about things being exposed. Before Madara left, he had him sign a summoning contract, which would allow him to personally deliver the food, and he would no longer fear the Old Man discovering it.
The only trouble was how to find an excuse to leave the Village.
However, Renye had already thought of a solution; he could simply accept a mission and leave openly.
As Konoha Village's mission fanatic, wasn't it normal for him to take on a few missions from time to time?
That Old Man would definitely not detect any problems.
He hadn't expected his encounter with Madara to be like this; not only did he fail to punch Uchiha Madara, but he was also forced to become a personal chef who delivered food.
As expected of the Shura of the Shinobi World. He felt so awkward that he kept pouring tea into Madara's cup, and the other party drank a whole teapot of tea without once getting up to use the restroom.
In terms of bladder capacity, Renye was thoroughly impressed.
The key was that cooking for Madara and Hashirama was one thing, but having to do it sneakily, like a secret affair...
Renye was terrified of being discovered by that Old Man, otherwise, he wouldn't know how to explain.
He had already changed his surname to Senju, yet he had an unclear relationship with the former clan head of the Uchiha.
Given his understanding of Senju Tobirama, who knew what crazy things he would do if he knew the truth?
The bond they had painstakingly built might very likely fall apart because of this.
Actually, Renye didn't want this... but who made him promise Uncle Hashirama?
For Senju Hashirama, he could only inconvenience Senju Tobirama.
He wondered if Hashirama, spending all his time with Madara, could persuade him to abandon the Eye of the Moon plan?
Renye felt that the chances of success were low. Uchiha Madara's will was extremely firm; he would never choose to abandon his ideals because of a few words from others.
He was the type of stubborn person who wouldn't give up until hitting a wall.
This matter was not for him to manage; it should be left to the future protagonist group.
To put it bluntly, whether he could even survive until the Fourth Great Ninja War was an unknown.
After all, who knew whether tomorrow or an accident would come first?
Renye was a little curious, if he died, would he be Edo Tensei'd?
If he really was Edo Tensei'd, wouldn't he be able to live for another period of time?
Just as Renye was lost in thought, a slightly teasing female voice came from behind him—
“Renye-kun, are you already buying lunch ingredients for Tobirama-sensei so early in the morning?”
Renye turned around and saw Utatane Koharu standing behind him with a shopping basket, smiling at him.
She wasn't wearing her Ninja attire today, but a simple, elegant brown kimono, which made her look refreshing—
If one ignored the hint of gossip in her eyes.
Utatane Koharu had always liked the way Renye and Tobirama-sensei interacted. Although they were in a foster father-son relationship, it was more enviable than typical father-son relationships.
She often discussed this matter with Uchiha Kagami and others in private.
“Koharu.” Renye nodded, greeting her.
Utatane Koharu leaned closer and lowered her voice: “Renye-kun, you forgot to cook for Tobirama-sensei yesterday...”
She winked mischievously, “Did you get scolded?”
Renye snorted lightly, a proud expression flashing across his face.
“That Old Man wouldn't dare scold me.”
Utatane Koharu froze, then burst into laughter, unsure if she was amused by Renye's appearance or by what he said.
“What are you laughing at?” Renye said unhappily, “What I said is true.”
“Mhm, mhm.” Utatane Koharu nodded, still covering her mouth and chuckling.
In all of Konoha, besides Lady Uzumaki Mito, only Renye dared to address Tobirama-sensei like that.
If she hadn't personally seen Renye hurriedly leave yesterday, she almost would have believed him.
Renye-kun was too proud, wasn't he?
She imagined Renye pitifully apologizing to Tobirama-sensei.
“Hey, what I said is true.” Renye, not giving up, repeated it again.
He felt that Koharu wasn't thinking about anything clean...
Girls this age just liked to think about all sorts of messy things.
Renye took the fish handed by the boss and put it into his basket: “You keep laughing, I'm heading back first.”
Explaining this once was enough; continuously explaining felt like a guilty conscience.
He wasn't bragging; Senju Tobirama, that Old Man, really didn't dare scold him.
If he ever really got scolded, he would simply go on strike and let the Old Man cook for himself.
Having been a chef for so many years, even without merit, he had put in hard work.
Moreover, that Old Man wouldn't dare to scold the chef after eating his fill.
“Renye-kun, don't leave!” Utatane Koharu tried to stop him, but Renye had already left.
She still wanted to pry some gossip out of Renye.
It seemed she would have to wait until next time.
“Young man, you haven't paid yet!” The stall owner only then remembered that the young man who bought the fish earlier hadn't paid.
He was about to go after him but found that the other person had already blended into the crowd and disappeared.
The boss sighed in annoyance, then turned his gaze to the young girl who had been talking to the youth earlier.
“Miss, you see?”
Utatane Koharu: “...”
This was probably the price of loving gossip.
In the end, Utatane Koharu paid for Renye's salmon.
...
Senju Tobirama Residence.
As soon as Renye returned home, he saw Uzumaki Mito already waiting in the yard.
“Aunt Mito, why are you here?”
He vaguely guessed that she was here because of Hashirama's matter. He wondered what Uncle Hashirama had told her?
“Renye, you know about Hashirama's return to the Village, don't you?” Uzumaki Mito showed a happy smile.
Her husband, who had faked his death and left the Village for two years, had finally returned to see her today.
“I know.” Renye nodded.
He had expected Uzumaki Mito to press him about Hashirama, but instead, she didn't ask about it again and proactively changed the subject—
“Renye, Little Tsunade is almost old enough for school. Please tell Tobirama.”
“No problem, Aunt Mito.” Renye didn't hesitate and immediately agreed.
As the principal of the Ninja School, Senju Tobirama arranging Tsunade into the best class was a matter of a single word.
Moreover, with Tsunade's talent, she could get into the best class even without special treatment.
Since he had the authority, why not use it?
Time really flew; in the blink of an eye, that girl Tsunade was going to Ninja School.
At that time, Renye planned to personally take Tsunade to school and, while he was at it, see if he could meet the future Orochimaru and Jiraiya.
Both of them were talented.