Chapter 141

Having gotten used to taking her son to the shinobi academy, Saya retrieved letters from the mailbox and returned home. There was still a little over an hour before the shop opened, allowing her some time to relax before the start of the workday and think. If someone had told her earlier that she would own her own business in the future, she definitely wouldn't have believed it!

Sighing, Nara sat down, pushed the letters aside, and eagerly began to finish the leftover tea, lost in thoughts about the past and the determined red-haired child who had slowly but inevitably changed her life, showing no signs of stopping. The former kunoichi's chest filled with warm pride at the thought of her son's successes.

And although there were moments in his life that she didn't approve of, considering Ryo's sometimes excessive caution and seriousness, Saya preferred not to interfere. The past two years had allowed the mother to get to know her son more fully, and if the future genin thought that nobody suspected his little and big secrets, he was in for a big surprise!

Nara was well aware that all children eventually grow up and emerge from parental care, but with Ryo, it took on a completely new meaning. She couldn't even remember a time when the red-haired genius was just a regular child, not a little independent adult. At least she could admit to herself that she was absolutely unprepared for the burdens of parenthood by the time Ryo was born, despite trying to live up to it, despite some dislike for the role of a model wife and mother.

No, the love for her family hadn't disappeared anywhere, but at that age, she didn't want to be trapped in the cage of emerging responsibilities. It was precisely for this reason that Saya was so delighted with her perfect child who didn't cause unnecessary worry. The attempt to return to service was just a whim to free herself... And where did it lead her?!

Over time, the situation changed, but the time was missed — the charming red-haired child unexpectedly grew up and matured. She couldn't sing lullabies to him anymore or rock him to sleep. Such thoughts always stabbed her heart unexpectedly.

Finishing the almost cold tea, Saya shook her head. Although Ryo no longer needed her help as a mother, taking care of her since that terrible incident, she had firmly taken on the role of training partner and teacher, witnessing firsthand the rapid growth of the future shinobi.

And what's more, before the injury, she was only a jonin on paper, but in reality, she had come close to the strength of a normal jonin, but now, after intensive recovery training with Ryo, the kunoichi not only regained her lost abilities but also surpassed the previous level, continuing to grow and improve slowly.

This opportunity to always be close to her son allowed her to peek behind the label "genius" imposed by the clan, to understand a little the thoughts and aspirations wandering in his mind. Just a little, because who can say they know all sides of even the closest people, even after living together for many years?

Well, except for the Yamanaka, and they can only dig into memories. However, what mother would refuse to check on her son's affairs? A few quick glances at the scattered notes in his room only confirmed her firm belief that the Rasengan was not the only technique personally invented by Ryo.

A small note on the Raikiri technique and the inscription "suitable for ma" gave it away. Understanding perfectly well how any shinobi cherishes personally created techniques, the kunoichi did not allow her curiosity to overcome her sincere respect for her son's abilities. Eventually, just like with the Rasengan, he would tell her and show her everything, as long as she had patience.

Chuckling, Saya glanced at the still unopened letters on the table and grimaced — there was no point in guessing their contents. Invitations to various clan celebrations or events for her and, of course, her son. After Ryo enrolled in the shinobi academy and the shop officially opened, about three months had passed, and suddenly such invitations began to arrive.

First from the Hyuga, then from some village council members, making up the second half responsible for the civilian population, not hereditary killers, but clan merchants. Then gradually invitations came from other clans. Uchiha, Inuzuka, Sarutobi, and even Aburame. The small clans didn't even need to be mentioned. Old allies were not so insistent, but there were rare but quite unequivocal hints of strengthening relationships.

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