Three days had passed since Rinjin had confronted Danzo.
As the evening fell, Rinjin stepped out of his house with Rii, heading to a high-end barbecue restaurant.
They were planning to enjoy a meal and bid farewell to Fugaku Uchiha and Teuchi, as Rinjin would be leaving for at least three years.
At the restaurant entrance, Teuchi was whispering something to Fugaku, his tone full of mischief.
"Fugaku, let me give you a piece of advice. If you ever have students in the future, and one of them happens to be from the Akimichi clan, never bring them here."
"Why?" Fugaku asked seriously, tilting his head in curiosity.
"Because this restaurant is owned by the Akimichi clan! They'll find all sorts of excuses to make others treat them here, emptying their wallets while they eat for free!"
Upon hearing this, Fugaku nodded vigorously, like a pecking chick, and exclaimed, "The Akimichi clan is quite formidable!
They look round and adorable, but who knew they had such cunning minds?"
Teuchi nodded in agreement and added, "If you have students, just bring them to my ramen shop. I'll give you a 10% discount!"
Behind them, Rinjin glanced at Teuchi with a speechless expression.
You little rascal, you're clearly trying to sabotage their business!
Clearing his throat, Rinjin startled the two chatterboxes and casually snapped his fingers before stepping into the barbecue restaurant.
Behind him, Rii and the other three followed with anticipation.
To be honest, dining at a barbecue restaurant was quite an extravagant affair.
Even Asuma Sarutobi, the teacher of the second generation of Ino-Shika-Cho, had completely emptied his wallet to treat his students to a meal.
Of course, this was also largely due to Choji's appetite.
After finding a private booth, Tsunade soon entered the restaurant, glancing around.
The three students immediately stood up and enthusiastically waved at Tsunade.
"Big sis Tsunade, over here, over here!"
Seeing this, Tsunade smiled warmly and quickly walked over.
After sitting down and exchanging greetings, the four of them happily chatted away, leaving Rinjin somewhat sidelined.
But it was understandable; without Tsunade, the three of them might have died countless times already.
Soon, the barbecue was served.
The sizzling sound of meat on the grill and the aroma of the food quickly captured everyone's attention.
Pouring herself a glass of sake, Tsunade looked at Rinjin with a smile and asked softly, "What made you decide to treat me and Rii to barbecue all of a sudden?"
"Nothing much. I'm planning to leave soon, so I thought I'd treat everyone to a meal and have some fun."
"Leave? Where to?" Tsunade asked curiously.
"The Land of Water."
Not wanting to hide anything from Tsunade, Rinjin decided to reveal part of his plan.
"Remember how I crippled the Third Mizukage's legs before?
Not only that, but I also left a Flying Thunder God mark on him.
Just a few days ago, I noticed that guy was alive and kicking, showing no signs of injury.
Moreover, he even went to the Land of Iron.
So, I want to go and see what's going on."
"Oh~" Tsunade nodded, staring at her sake cup without saying a word.
After a long silence, Tsunade finally spoke again.
"How long will you be gone?"
With a sigh, Rinjin replied, "Three to nine years. No more than nine years at most, and at least three or four years."
"Nine years..." Tsunade murmured softly, sipping her sake.
By then, I'll be twenty-seven...
The atmosphere grew quiet, with only the sizzling sound of grease dripping onto the charcoal and the sound of the three students gulping down their saliva.
At that moment, Teuchi, sitting nearby, suddenly raised his head and looked at Rinjin.
"Sensei, will you return during that time?"
"I will." Rinjin nodded.
Upon hearing this, Teuchi immediately smiled.
"That's great! I've been working on a new ramen flavor recently. You have to try it when you come back!"
Hearing this, Rinjin patted Teuchi's shoulder with a gratified expression and nodded heavily, casually asking, "What flavor?"
"Hehe~" Teuchi confidently gave a thumbs-up, "Scarlet Spicy Fire Release Great Fireball Pork Bone Ramen!"
Just hearing the name made Rinjin feel uneasy.
Are you sure you're not sent by the heavens to torment me?!
With a helpless expression, Rinjin finally nodded in response to Teuchi's anticipation.
Joyful moments always seemed fleeting.
Soon, the three students, their bellies full, left the barbecue restaurant first. Behind them, Rinjin supported Tsunade, who was drunk and wobbly.
At this moment, Tsunade, with her long legs swaying unsteadily, her eyes half-closed, and a silly smile on her face, looked radiant and beautiful.
"Hic! Rinjin, let's... let's have another round!"
With her arm around Rinjin's neck, Tsunade waved her fist and laughed heartily.
"You're drunk!" Rinjin gestured for the three students to head home while supporting Tsunade on her way to her house.
"Bull... bullshit, I'm not drunk. I... I remember every single thing you've done to piss me off!
And I won't say what can't be said, not even if I die!"
Hearing this, Rinjin smiled bitterly and nodded, "Right! Right! Little Tsunade is the best! Be good and go home to sleep!"
"I won't!"
"I want to drink more! I... I'm not happy!"
Supporting Tsunade as they walked home, Rinjin gently asked, "Who's made you unhappy?"
"You!" Tsunade said firmly, her blurry eyes glaring at Rinjin.
"You made me... made me un... unhappy!
Even though... even though I agreed to monitor you for Second Grandpa, you... you still didn't obediently let me monitor you.
You you you... you're not obedient!"
Looking at the drunken and rambling Tsunade, Rinjin sighed helplessly.
Well, no wonder Tobirama asked you to monitor me! I always wondered why your gaze was so strange when we were kids!
It's been over ten years since we've known each other!
Time flies so quickly!
As they walked, Tsunade grew increasingly disoriented, her steps becoming more unsteady.
Seeing this, Rinjin grabbed her arm and swiftly carried her on his back.
Feeling the sensation on his back, Rinjin's eyes lit up.
Whoa! Well, well, I underestimated you before!
Soon, they arrived at the Senju residence.
Carrying the sleeping Tsunade, who was as motionless as a log, Rinjin knocked on the door.
Before long, an elderly woman opened the door. Seeing Rinjin carrying Tsunade, she was momentarily stunned before smiling knowingly.
"Oh my, isn't this Rinjin-kun? So late at night, you've gone out of your way to bring Tsunade-sama back."
Hearing this, Rinjin smiled and nodded, preparing to set Tsunade down. Seeing this, the elderly woman quickly stopped him.
"Rinjin-kun, you'd better carry Tsunade-sama to her room. I'm old and can't manage this young lady!"
Without giving him a chance to refuse, she pulled Rinjin into the house and shut the door tightly with a loud "bang."
"Rinjin-kun, you know where Tsunade-sama's bedroom is, right? I won't lead the way; Mito-sama just called for me!"
With that, she briskly ran off down the corridor.
Watching the elderly woman run away so quickly, Rinjin's mouth twitched in disbelief.
What the heck is this situation?!
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