Haruki nodded in satisfaction upon hearing Mikoto's answer.
Based on his apprentice's current performance, she was ready to graduate.
"Has Minato been in touch with you guys?"
Haruki picked up his teacup, took a sip, and asked about Minato's situation.
He hadn't received any news from Minato since he went on the social survey.
It was also possible that Minato couldn't reach him.
Mikoto sat down next to Kushina.
However, Kushina was busy chatting with Fuling and didn't pay attention to her.
She smiled and said, "Yes, he has. But he talks to Kushina more often. As for me, he just sends a few greetings along the way."
Haruki snorted lightly. "This guy is really a ladies' man at heart."
"Teacher, what are you talking about!"
Kushina suddenly turned her head and protested loudly. "I can hear you, you know."
Haruki exchanged a look with Mikoto and couldn't help saying, "Just keep chatting and don't butt in randomly."
Kushina made a face and then pulled Fuling to learn more about her.
But when she heard about Fuling's experience in Kusagakure, she immediately flew into a rage.
If they weren't at Haruki's place, another tea table would probably be broken.
It wasn't until Fuling said that Haruki had killed those people that her anger subsided a little.
Haruki checked the time. It was already evening.
"Mikoto, Nonou was originally a member of Root. She can be a witness to add fuel to the fire for Tanzo. To keep her safe, she'll stay at your place for now. Tanzo wouldn't dare to go to the Uchiha Clan's territory."
"Okay."
Mikoto naturally had no objections.
Since she took over the Uchiha Clan, she had basically managed to avoid overt discrimination against ninjas from other clans.
But after all, it had only been a short time, so it was almost impossible to achieve complete equality overnight.
Mikoto wasn't in a hurry.
"You guys keep chatting here. I'll go make dinner."
Haruki stood up and headed to the kitchen.
"Hey, can the Teacher cook?"
Fuling looked at Kushina in surprise. Since she always ate at the inn when she was with Haruki, she didn't know.
"Yeah, and it's really delicious."
Kushina perked up when talking about this. Then, feeling it might not be appropriate, she added, "It's the best in the ninja world."
Haruki opened the fridge.
It was filled with ingredients.
They were probably bought by Tsunade.
He stroked his chin. It seemed he was going to cook a big meal tonight.
A few minutes later, Haruki suddenly turned around and saw Tsunade.
"What are you up to, sneaking around like that?"
"Guess?"
Tsunade pouted. Sure enough, he was too powerful. There was no chance of fooling him.
Haruki's hands were full. Otherwise, hearing those two words "Guess", he would have given her a good scolding.
They had been intimate with each other, and she was still playing this "guess" game?
Tsunade walked up to him, put her arms around his waist, and rubbed against him a few times.
Haruki was suddenly taken aback.
It felt like his back was being hit by a basketball.
"Hey, I'm cooking here."
"Hehe."
Tsunade lay on his back and said with a smile, "How does it feel to look but not be able to touch?"
"??"
Haruki stared at her. "Why have you become so naughty after a few days? It seems I've been too nice to you."
Tsunade let out a snort of laughter, sensing his veiled threat.
But she wasn't the least bit intimidated. She pinched his waist and said, "I'm not a scaredy - cat."
Haruki glanced sideways. All he could see was her shapely hips; he couldn't see her face.
But he could easily imagine the smug look on Tsunade's face as she said that.
"You may not be scared easily, but aren't you afraid when you see something big?"
Tsunade was taken aback for a moment, then spat in disgust.
"You can't get a good word out of a dog's mouth!"
"You've learned how to curse now."
"Isn't that because I've got you as a teacher?"
Tsunade let go of his waist and stepped back a few paces, not wanting to disturb him while he was cooking.
The tantalizing aroma filled the air.
She sniffed the air, eyes half - closed without even looking at the wok. After a brief moment of thought, she said, "It's Mapo Tofu, right?"
"Correct! As a reward, you get an extra round tonight."
"..."
Tsunade was instantly rendered speechless, and her movements froze.
After waiting for a while and seeing that she didn't dare to guess the dish again, Haruki couldn't help but laugh. "Why are you scared now?"
"Humph, I'm not scared at all."
Tsunade put her hands on her hips and argued, "I'm just too lazy to guess. This kind of boring game is for kids, not me."
Haruki chuckled.
Her proud and charming personality showed up.
But he liked it.
The two of them bickered a bit more, and then tonight's dinner was finally ready.
"Fuling, call her your teacher - wife."
Haruki pointed at Tsunade.
"Hello, teacher - wife."
Fuling immediately obediently called out.
Tsunade reached out and stroked her head.
Due to Mito Uzumaki's influence, she had an innate fondness for the Uzumaki clan.
"You've got so many apprentices. Why don't you give Fuling to me?"
Tsunade thought for a moment and said, "I only have Shizune as my apprentice right now. I can't form a three - person squad."
"How can a squad consist of only Medical Ninjas?"
Haruki couldn't help but complain, but he didn't reject Tsunade's request.
"Although Fuling has the talent to be a Medical Ninja, her foundation is rather weak. You'll need to train her first."
"That's no problem." Tsunade readily agreed.
"What do you think, Fuling?" Haruki asked.
"I'm okay with it."
Although Fuling was a bit reluctant, she was gentle and understanding, so she didn't object.
Moreover, it didn't really matter to her whether Haruki or Tsunade was her teacher.
"Great!"
Kushina immediately smiled and said, "From now on, I can call you sister!"
"Even if Fuling isn't Tsunade's apprentice, Fuling calls you senior sister, and you call her sister. It's all about personal relationships. What's the problem?"
Hearing what she said, Haruki joked.
This made Kushina roll her eyes at him.
What kind of crazy logic was that?
"Let's eat."
Haruki picked up the chopsticks and said, "Fuling, it's your first time. Have a taste."
"Okay."
Fuling stared at the rich and unfamiliar dishes for a long time, then finally picked up a piece of chicken.
"Mmm, why is it so delicious?"
She let out an exclamation.
"You didn't believe me earlier."
Kushina helped her pick up a piece of Mapo Tofu and said, "Now you believe it, don't you?"
Fuling smiled sheepishly.
A dinner went by amidst laughter and conversation.
Mikoto took Nonou away.
Kushina asked Fuling to go to her place, sleep with her, and by the way, meet Mito Uzumaki.
Haruki didn't stop her.
As soon as they entered Konoha today, they were noticed by the Anbu and Root. By now, Hiruzen Sarutobi already knew Fuling's background.
"What should I do today?"
After seeing Kushina off, Haruki headed to the kitchen and embraced Tsunade, who was doing the dishes.
He rested his chin on Tsunade's shoulder and inhaled her delicate scent.
"Don't bother me while I'm doing the dishes!" Tsunade said seriously, "Can't you see I'm busy?"
Haruki kissed her cheek and said softly with a smile, "You're getting cold feet."
"I'm not!" Tsunade butted his face with her head.
"If you're so brave, I'm looking forward to your performance tonight." Haruki stroked her golden hair and said with a smile.
"..."
Tsunade suddenly felt like she was caught in her own web.
Night fell.
The moon, upon hearing the muffled moans of the man and woman, bashfully slipped behind the clouds.