At the entrance of the dessert shop.
Renye was carrying two large bags full of packaged sweets: three-color dango, matcha daifuku, mung bean cakes, and cream cakes, all neatly arranged in exquisite takeout boxes.
He had tasted all these sweets just now, and they were incredibly delicious. He packed them to take home and eat slowly, and also to give some to Tsunade.
Children should eat fewer sweets, otherwise, they are prone to cavities.
Especially since Tsunade is still young and in a critical period of growth, she shouldn't eat too many sweets, lest it affect her development.
When he gets back, he'll just give Tsunade one slice of cream cake; the rest will have to be dealt with by him.
It was decided happily. He hoped that Tsunade, that girl, would understand his painstaking efforts.
He was doing this for her own good...
As for using Tsunade as a shield?
Impossible, absolutely impossible!
Renye's initial intention was just to bring some sweets back for Tsunade, but after buying them, he remembered that children should eat fewer sweets.
It was indeed his oversight; he hadn't considered Tsunade's age.
Adhering to the principle of not wasting food, he could only be forced to finish all these sweets.
Utatane Koharu saw Renye carrying three large bags of sweets and thought it was too troublesome for him to carry alone, so she wanted to help lighten his burden.
She leaned over, smiling, and reached out: "Renye-kun, shall I help you carry a bag?"
If she didn't help, Renye's current state would greatly affect their upcoming shopping trip.
Both his hands were carrying things, so he couldn't free them up at all.
Upon hearing this, Renye immediately hid the bags behind him cautiously: "No need, I can carry them myself."
Renye was worried that Koharu would use this as an excuse to secretly eat the sweets he bought.
There weren't many of these sweets to begin with, and if Koharu secretly ate them too, what would he eat when he got back?
Darn it, if she wanted to eat, she should go buy them herself!
"Huh? Why?" Utatane Koharu looked bewildered.
She was clearly being kind, so why was Renye-kun so nervous?
He looked as if she had some ulterior motive...
Danzo Shimura looked at Koharu's bewildered expression, then at the bags Renye held by his side, and finally retracted his gaze, already understanding everything in his heart.
This Renye fellow was worried that Koharu would try to get his sweets.
Although he really wanted to say something, pressured by Renye's oppressive aura, he could only pretend not to know anything.
Renye glanced at Koharu and explained: "I just think... one's own things should be carried by oneself."
He would never say he was worried Koharu would secretly eat the sweets.
Hiruzen Sarutobi hooked Renye's neck from behind and said with a mischievous smile: "Renye, you're not afraid Koharu will secretly eat them, are you?"
"That's right, Renye-kun, you're not unwilling to share the sweets with us, are you?" Uchiha Kagami joined in the fun.
Renye's body suddenly stiffened, having been hit spot-on, but he absolutely wouldn't admit it.
"Don't talk nonsense, it's just some sweets," Renye said with a smile. "If you want to eat, feel free to take some."
His words were merely polite formalities; he hoped these guys wouldn't actually take any...
"Hahaha, really?" Hiruzen Sarutobi said gleefully, "Give me a piece of cream cake."
As he spoke, he prepared to reach into the bag.
Renye quickly pulled away from him, turned his face, and said, "These are all for Tsunade, that girl. If you want to eat, go buy your own."
"Oh~ So that's how it is," Hiruzen Sarutobi suddenly understood, winking at the others nearby.
Utatane Koharu's lips curved slightly upward; Renye-kun actually had such a cute side.
Uchiha Kagami smiled slightly, knowing that Renye-kun also liked sweets.
Indeed, it was just as he had expected.
Danzo Shimura turned his face away, scoffing inwardly, 'Why are you looking at me?'
I haven't said a word, you naturally evil Uchiha, don't even think about causing me trouble!
As long as he didn't speak, Renye would have no opportunity to pick a fight!
Homura Mitokado gently pushed his glasses, pretending nothing had happened.
He didn't know that Renye liked sweets; these sweets were all bought for Tsunade...
Hmm, yes, that's right!
Renye: "..."
He had a feeling these guys knew something, but he had no evidence to prove it.
...
At the barbecue restaurant, in the evening.
Six people sat around the sizzling grill, and the aroma of meat filled the air.
"The last time we gathered to eat barbecue was when we were at the Ninja School," Hiruzen Sarutobi said with some nostalgia.
Back then, they had eaten at this very barbecue restaurant, but Utatane Koharu wasn't there; Nara Hon'ya and Hyuga Yushu had come instead.
"Yes, time really flies," Uchiha Kagami sighed.
Back then, they were still just children, and in the blink of an eye, many years had passed...
Renye's plate was piled high with perfectly grilled beef tongue and pork belly, but he ate distractedly, occasionally glancing at the sky outside the window, which was gradually darkening.
For some reason, he felt like he had forgotten something.
It made him lose his appetite for eating now.
What important thing had he forgotten?
"Renye-kun, why aren't you eating?" Utatane Koharu noticed Renye zoning out and asked curiously.
Danzo Shimura glanced at him; ever since the afternoon, this guy had been restless, and he didn't know what had happened.
"Is the barbecue not to your liking?" Hiruzen Sarutobi asked.
Feeling the gazes of everyone, Renye came back to his senses and explained: "I seem to have forgotten something, but I can't remember what it is."
Until he remembered what it was, he didn't even have the appetite to eat.
The others exchanged glances and put down their chopsticks.
"Forgotten something?"
They seemed to know what Renye had forgotten...
"Renye-kun, it's dinner time now," Uchiha Kagami guessed. "Is Tobirama-sensei still waiting for you to bring him food?"
When they were on the battlefield, they often saw Renye cook for his sensei.
If he hadn't gone out to play, Renye should be cooking at home at this time, right?
Renye's hand trembled violently, and his chopsticks almost fell to the ground.
He finally knew what he had forgotten!
He hadn't brought dinner to Senju Tobirama, that Old Man, today.
"You guys eat first, I have something to do, so I'm leaving," Renye abruptly stood up from his chair, picked up the sweets next to him, and left the barbecue restaurant.
Damn it, he actually forgot the most important thing.
He wondered if that Old Man was hungry?
If he was hungry, he should find something to eat himself... right?
Hiruzen Sarutobi and the others watched Renye's hurried departure, smiling in unison.
"Renye-kun is so filial."
"Indeed."
...
Hokage Office.
"Grrr—"
Senju Tobirama's stomach rumbled, he didn't know for the umpteenth time, and he slowly put down the unfinished documents in his hand.
He looked at the sky outside the window, which had completely darkened. Usually, Renye would have brought dinner by now.
"What's wrong with this kid?"
