For the past two days, Lin Yu had been staying at Mikoto's place, completing system tasks and learning to cook from her. His life had been incredibly pleasant.
Mikoto, true to her wife material status, had been taking care of him throughout, with the exception of a slight temper tantrum on the first day. Lin Yu felt like he was experiencing "royal" treatment.
Comparing this to his past life, Lin Yu suddenly didn't want to go home. At home, he was just Kushina's errand boy. Although Kushina had her good points, he needed a couple more days to figure out what they were!
*Click.*
Mikoto, clad in her ninja attire, pushed the door open. Her eyes fell on Lin Yu, who was leisurely enjoying iced tea and desserts. Her gaze was filled with a hint of resentment. Why was she out on missions while he got to laze around and enjoy himself at her place!
It wasn't fair!
Mikoto's footsteps grew heavier as she approached Lin Yu. "Lin Yu," she said, displeased, "you didn't accompany me on a mission today either."
Lin Yu paused with the dessert in his hand and turned, looking somewhat embarrassed. "Oh, Mikoto. I was actually planning to join you for your mission today, but as soon as I stepped out, I felt a stomachache. I think I ate too much cake yesterday and it upset my stomach. So, I'm trying to finish it all off before you get sick too!"
"Is that so~"
Mikoto's face showed her disbelief. He was just being lazy and came up with such a flimsy excuse. She wasn't Kushina, so easily fooled!
Kushina: ??? Was I that easy to fool!?
"Ahem, Mikoto, how did your mission go today?"
Seeing that Mikoto was not as easily swayed as Kushina, Lin Yu quickly cleared his throat and changed the subject.
"It was the same as usual. At first, it felt quite interesting, but after doing so many, I can complete some tasks with my eyes closed," Mikoto said, still looking at Lin Yu with lingering resentment. It was all because he hadn't accompanied her.
"Mikoto, this is the time for you to accumulate experience. When a ninja goes on missions, patience is the most important thing. If you're already impatient with D-rank missions, how can I trust you with B-rank or A-rank missions later on!" Lin Yu lectured her earnestly.
"But yesterday you said the most important thing for a ninja on a mission was strength, and the time before that you said it was teamwork. Are you messing with me?" Mikoto pouted speechlessly, feeling that everything Lin Yu said was unreliable.
Lin Yu chuckled awkwardly. He couldn't recall saying so many "most important" things, nor had he been a tutor. His memory shouldn't be deteriorating!
"Ahem, well, all of these are important for a ninja! Mikoto, I hope you understand. I don't want anything to happen to you!"
Lin Yu looked at Mikoto seriously. The last sentence was genuine. He didn't want to use Samsara of Heavenly Life on Mikoto, nor did he want to use it on an Edo Tensei Mikoto. He preferred the original Mikoto.
Hearing Lin Yu's concern for her, Mikoto's heart warmed. She bashfully said, "I understand. I'll do my missions properly."
Mikoto tidied the table and pondered for a moment. "When I was reporting today, I overheard Uncle Gekko Hayate mentioning that a Cloud Village envoy has arrived and we need to pause our missions for a few days. Lin Yu, should we invite Kushina to go out and relax for a few days?"
The Cloud Village is here?
So soon?
Lin Yu's eyes narrowed. Although he was prepared, their target was Kushina, and it was impossible not to worry.
Just be a stepping stone, and don't cause any trouble, otherwise...
A hint of blue flashed in the depths of Lin Yu's pupils. He had been wanting to test the power of the Tenseigan, to see how it compared to the Rinnegan.
Of course, using the Tenseigan against a few Jonin from the Cloud Village would be overkill. If they dared to harm Kushina, Lin Yu wouldn't mind taking a trip to the Cloud Village and facing the Third Raikage, known as the "Strongest Spear" and "Strongest Shield."
Lin Yu suppressed the sharpness in his eyes and sighed faintly. "Let's not. Kushina is still angry with me. I think I should go back and appease her first, and then we can discuss it."
Mikoto covered her mouth and chuckled. "That's fine. Do you need my help, Lin Yu? Kushina isn't that easy to appease."
"No problem! Just wait for my good news!" Lin Yu gave Mikoto a thumbs-up.
"Then when are you going back? How about after dinner? I'm planning to make beef brisket with char siu and juicy tofu today. Do you want to learn?"
*Slurp.*
"Ahem, alright then, I'll reluctantly taste your cooking."
...
"So, you've been staying at Mikoto's place these past few days?" Kushina stared at Lin Yu with a calm tone and gaze.
Lin Yu, feeling a little full from eating, rubbed his small belly. As if he hadn't noticed Kushina's expression, he said contentedly, "Yes, Mikoto's cooking is truly amazing! You haven't tried it, have you, Kushina? Don't worry! I'll bring you along to try it sometime."
A vein throbbed on Kushina's forehead. She had planned to use the "silent treatment" she read about to punish Lin Yu, but his words had completely disarmed her. "I'll try it sometime"? As if she was desperate for it!
Kushina gnashed her small teeth fiercely. "Eat it yourself! I'll find Mikoto myself, I don't need you to take me! You should worry about whether you'll be able to eat anything yourself later, I... *chomp*!"
Kushina lunged forward, her small hands flailing, and bit down on Lin Yu's shoulder. After a while, seeing that Lin Yu didn't react, she loosened her grip slightly and looked up at him. "Why aren't you resisting?"
Kushina's beautiful eyes were misty, making her look pitiful. Lin Yu gently stroked her long hair, his expression softening, his eyes filled with apology.
Kushina's face flushed red, anticipating Lin Yu's "sweet nothings." She had already decided that no matter what he said, she wouldn't forgive him easily!
She wanted him to coax her more!
Lin Yu, tracing the long hair by Kushina's ear, whispered softly, "Good girl~ Stop being naughty. Bark for me."
Silence.
Kushina stared blankly at Lin Yu. It took her a long time to comprehend what he meant. The "bloody chili pepper" transformation was complete!
"Lin Yu! You die!"
*BOOM BOOM BOOM!*
Lin Yu's house shook thrice, as if it had been renovated...
...
Konoha Inn, Room 308.
A figure stood by the window, observing the surroundings. After a moment of sensing, he turned back to two other figures and said, "Boss, no sign of Konoha's ANBU yet."
"Hmm, don't let your guard down. That old fox Hiruzen is cunning and treacherous. This mission absolutely cannot fail!"
"Boss, don't worry. It's just a student who isn't even a Genin yet. Do we need to be this serious? Even if Konoha finds out, what can they do? Are they going to declare war on our Hidden Cloud Village for a mere student?"
"Hahaha, Is is right. Even if Konoha finds out, so what? Perhaps they'll even obediently hand over that little girl to us!"
"Bunta, don't underestimate Konoha. Although, that possibility isn't entirely out of the question." Troda looked towards the Hokage office building from the window with a sneer. Their Cloud Village wasn't afraid of Konoha.
Kushina being the Nine-Tails jinchuriki was a village secret. Besides a few high-ranking officials, very few in Konoha knew. Lin Yu was privy to this information because he was Kushina's closest confidant. Moreover, even Lin Yu was being monitored by Orochimaru, as arranged by Hiruzen Sarutobi.
The intentions of these Cloud Village ninja were destined to be in vain, and their fate would be dire.