"What? That's right, and stop calling me 'kid.'" Reiji was unflinching, even responding with a playful smile, although he knew very well that Jiraiya was getting annoyed.
"Do you have business with the Clan Head?" Orochimaru finally decided to ignore Jiraiya, who was starting to get emotional, and looked at Reiji with sharp yet calm eyes.
"Yes, I have a little business." Reiji nodded firmly, not wanting to prolong a conversation that was of no benefit.
"But the Clan Head is currently busy, so you should wait a little longer." Orochimaru advised in a nonchalant tone, as if assessing Reiji's slightly impatient demeanor.
"Really? Uncle Keito! I'm coming!" Reiji ignored Orochimaru's words and casually called out to Keito, his voice loud enough to be heard clearly from inside the house.
Hearing this, Jiraiya and Orochimaru exchanged bewildered glances.
They did not expect Reiji to be so bold as to call the Clan Head in such a manner.
"Come in, Reiji!" A familiar voice from inside responded to Reiji's call.
Jiraiya and Orochimaru were even more confused, their eyes meeting, filled with bewilderment about who Reiji really was and what his relationship with Keito was.
"See? I told you I had business." Reiji smiled slightly, a bit teasing yet still calm, as if unaffected by their reactions.
"Is that so? Then please, come in," Orochimaru replied in a flat tone, although confusion was still clearly visible on his face.
Then Reiji stepped inside the house, heading straight to the living room without hesitation.
When the living room door opened, several people were seen sitting inside: Keito, who was smiling, Kasumi, who looked calm, and Kushina, who was sitting next to Karina.
Next to them was a woman with long blonde hair and brown eyes, wearing gray ninja combat attire, who seemed to be monitoring the situation.
"Reiji, you finally came." Keito smiled widely and looked at Reiji, nodding as a sign of welcome.
"Uhm? Did you just call me Uncle Keito?" Reiji asked with a confused expression, slightly surprised by the address.
"Of course. Didn't Karina tell you that I called you to come?" Keito asked with a puzzled look, yet still showing a warm smile.
"No..." Reiji replied calmly, then his gaze shifted to Karina, who looked a bit anxious.
"Uh... I... I forgot!" Karina responded with a flushed face, slightly bowing her head in embarrassment, trying to avoid Reiji's attentive gaze.
"So... Uncle, what was the reason you called me?" Reiji asked, looking at Keito with a curious expression.
Keito paused for a moment before finally speaking. "... Do you know who the two people outside are, and who this woman standing in front of you is?" Keito suddenly asked.
Reiji glanced in the indicated direction and shrugged. "Of course, they are Konoha ninjas," Reiji replied casually, as if it were not surprising.
Keito then sighed, his expression suddenly turning grim. "Yes... They came to take Kushina to Konoha."
Hearing this, Reiji was momentarily taken aback.
This was the first time Reiji had seen such an angry expression on Keito, even though the man was trying to hide it.
"So, did you refuse their request, Uncle?" Reiji asked calmly, but his eyes were sharply fixed on Keito.
Keito paused for a moment before answering. "... No. I can't refuse. It is our duty as allies of Konoha."
Keito's voice sounded flat, but there was a hint of sarcasm in it, something that made Reiji pay even more serious attention to Keito.
"So... what does all this have to do with me?" Reiji finally asked the most important question.
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