Chapter 362: Another Spring Arrives
Masahiko's stratagem was half successful.
At least Konan didn't refuse; she just ran out blushing... and fiercely glared at the giggling Nagato on the side on her way out.
"Alright, stop giggling foolishly," Masahiko felt a bit resentful that iron couldn't become steel. "It's been a whole year, how come you two haven't made any progress? Do you still need your teacher's help?"
Nagato scratched his head: "But Sensei... Konan won't let me rap."
Masahiko was helpless: "Then endure it! Is rapping more important than Konan? Then you can only marry Killer Bee."
Nagato thought of the gentle Konan, then thought of the 'greasy' Killer Bee, and shuddered slightly... Fortunately, Nagato's aesthetic sense had no problems.
The topic ended there, and Masahiko changed the subject to ask about the situation in Konoha.
Nagato knew what Masahiko wanted to know, so he took the initiative to speak: "The Senju and the Uchiha are still arguing over Sasuke Uchiha's affiliation. It's strictly limited to verbal disputes; they haven't fought, and there's no result yet."
Masahiko nodded slightly. "I know. The Senju are probably waiting for the situation to change, waiting for Kagami to age, or for Itachi to grow up."
Nagato hesitated before speaking: "Sensei, I feel like you seem to have somewhat ignored the feelings of that child, Sasuke Uchiha..."
Masahiko was startled: "His feelings?"
Nagato nodded: "Think about it, if someone suddenly wanted you to change your surname..."
"Who dares? Great Ancestor will beat them to death." Masahiko blurted out subconsciously, then froze: "Are you saying Sasuke will hate the Uchiha?"
Nagato shook his head: "I'm more worried he will hate you, the one who facilitated this agreement back then."
Masahiko laughed upon hearing this: "Then it doesn't matter. Setting a high goal is beneficial to his growth. 'My foolish junior, if you want to defeat me, then hate me, curse me, and survive in an unsightly way. Run, run, and cling to life. And one day, when you possess the same eyes... ahem, strength as me, come before me.'"
Nagato: ???
Masahiko looked thoughtful: "Say, if I ran up to Sasuke and said all this, would he grow up faster?"
Nagato had nothing to say...
Masahiko smiled; he was just joking around. Sasuke wasn't his 'foolish otouto'; he'd have to be bored out of his mind to actually do that.
"Sasuke's feelings? I understand. I'll pay attention to that the next time I go to Konoha," Masahiko added.
Bidding farewell to Nagato, Masahiko headed straight for Ichiraku Ramen in the Land of Whirlpools. Kimimaro and Haku had already eaten their fill and were recounting their recent experiences to Sara.
"Father, you're here." Sara smiled.
"God (Great Elder)." The two children stood up.
Masahiko returned a smile: "You guys keep chatting for a bit, I'm going to cook some noodles to eat."
Sara was stunned: "You..."
"Don't worry, I can cook them thoroughly." Masahiko waved his hand.
The ingredients were all ready-made. Masahiko quickly whipped up a bowl of Miso Chashu Ramen for himself and carried it out with both hands.
Sara sniffed gently: "It smells very fragrant, Father."
"That is natural." Masahiko smiled. The face he lost while boiling dumplings during the New Year last year was finally recovered in front of his daughter.
"Your experiences this past year have truly been rich and colorful," Sara suddenly sighed softly.
Masahiko paused, putting down the noodles he had just picked up: "Do you want to go out and look around? There's no need to trap yourself in this ramen shop all day."
"In a few years," Sara replied.
"If you don't go crazy now, you'll get old."
Sara smiled and shook her head: "Father, I'm not even 30 yet."
"Almost 30?" Masahiko's movements paused: "My daughter just looks young, you still look like a 23 or 24-year-old little girl."
Sara shook her head and chuckled: "Just eat your noodles."
Masahiko smiled and picked up a chopstick full of noodles. Ever since his Cooking Skill reached Level 9, this was his first time cooking noodles for himself, and he couldn't help but look forward to it. He still vividly remembered the taste of the noodles he ate at Teuchi's place half a year ago.
"Mmm, tastes good." Masahiko took a big bite, smacking his lips: "It's even more fragrant than the noodles Sara makes, but... how come it doesn't seem as good as Teuchi's? Is he a Level 10 Cooking God? What a joke, it must be because my mood while eating is different..."
Life in the Land of Whirlpools was always particularly peaceful, far away from all the hustle and bustle.
Masahiko's days consisted of nothing more than guiding Kimimaro and the others in their training, going to his daughter's place to have a heart-to-heart chat, and then eating and sleeping.
Only one minor interlude occurred during this period—the promotion of the 'Masahiko Divine Skill'.
After a long period of training, Haku and Kimimaro had proficiently mastered his special set of taijutsu, and the results were quite good.
Therefore, Masahiko conducted a pilot teaching program among the first-year children at the Ninja Academy.
Due to certain 'special reasons', Haku was truly not suitable to teach those children, so Masahiko had Kimimaro 'lead the exercises'. From then on, the first-year children had an extra set of 'inter-class exercises' to learn.
This matter also brought about some unexpected gains; Karin unexpectedly gained a bunch of love rivals... Now, all these little girls had eyes only for the 'handsome big brother'.
Masahiko was very happy to see this.
Kushina's family only returned when the end of the year was approaching. Naruto had grown quite a bit, but he was still very naughty in front of Masahiko... practically begging for a beating, and was shot by Masahiko's slingshot several times.
Of course, it wasn't shooting a bird with a slingshot this time.
Toneri also came to the Land of Whirlpools with Kushina and the others. For the past six months, he had been 'fostered' by Masahiko in the Senju clan. Fortunately, he was a quite independent child, and Mikoto treated him well too...
Masahiko curiously asked Toneri about the results of his pursuit of Hinata. Toneri was shy at first, then vowed that he would definitely succeed... Masahiko didn't know who gave him the courage.
Aside from this, Naruto and Toneri didn't seem to get along either. After being beaten up in various fancy ways by Sasuke in Konoha, Naruto returned to the Land of Whirlpools only to be beaten up in fancy ways by Toneri.
Masahiko thought of Toneri and Sasuke, then looked at himself, feeling that Naruto probably just disliked people who were more handsome than him... Unfortunately, all the people handsomer than him were also stronger than him.
"This can't go on. Being endlessly beaten up will deal a blow to Naruto's self-confidence. I have to give Naruto a little cheat, make him feel like he can soon surpass Sasuke, but not actually let him surpass him, giving him a goal to strive for. Speaking of cheats..."
"Little fox, why are you shivering in my stomach?" Kushina's voice drifted over, interrupting Masahiko's thoughts.
"Probably someone is thinking of it," Masahiko said with a smile.
Kushina looked puzzled. She shook her head and continued hanging the decorations in her hands—she was currently decorating the Ichiraku Ramen shop.
The scale of this year's New Year celebration wasn't large. There was no need for Nagato and Minato to personally host it, so Masahiko made the final decision to have a reunion dinner at the ramen shop.
Under Masahiko's direction, Kushina, Konan, and Sara busied themselves for half the day before finally finishing decorating the place.
A few snowflakes drifted leisurely outside the window. Masahiko suddenly felt emotional. He walked to the front door of the ramen shop and stood with his hands behind his back.
"Another spring arrives. I'll be 123 years old soon." Masahiko shook his head and smiled. "123 isn't enough. I have to strive to live to 12,345, then I can still go up the mountain to hunt a tiger..."
☆☆☆
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