Chapter 228. Before a long journey

Ryu returned home. His family was surprised to see him return so quickly, nevertheless they were overjoyed that he came. His children like always sticked to him like glue and giggled merrily.

Hancock and Mei sort of understood why he came back so quickly, he did mention something like this in the past but they weren't bothered. They trusted him, he would never leave them and that is something they were sure of.

After the kids went to sleep he explained

" I don't know how long this time would be. It may be one year or maybe two but it won't be longer than three. Unlike mortal worlds I can't travel willfully there."

Akane was quite upset hearing him speak about leaving for such long time, her mentality hasn't changed even after becoming a Cultivator. To a Cultivator three years were nothing, Akane looked at her daughter in law's and saw them smile.

She shook her head

" Do what you want, but you better get your a** back here in three years or see how I am gonna deal with you! "

Ryu raised his hand in defeat. Hancock and Mei chuckled seeing Ryu's helplessness, they fully supported him in his dreams also the stronger he is the safer they would feel. Which woman didn't want that?

Ryu spent his coming days leisurely. He played with his kids, visited Naruto, Sasuke, Itachi, Shisui and when he visited Tsunade he was shocked.

" Jiraiya... what the!?! "

He saw Jiraiya sitting calmly inside Tsunade's home and drinking tea, Tsunade was also sitting near him doing the same.

" Oh Ryu!! You are back early, that's a surprise."

" Surprise? Shouldn't I be one to be surprised, when did you guys get together? "

Jiraiya smirked, his face showed a prideful expression which annoyed Ryu.

" Ha! Did you think I would be single for life!? No, the Great Toad Sage Jiraiya gathered his courage and asked out the love of my life and she couldn't resist my charm and agreed."

Ryu watched his fanatics and looked at Tsunade who was now blushing quite hard, due to shame and not shyness.

" SIT.... DOWN! "

Tsunade pressed her hand on the floor and spoke lightly. Cracks spread out like spider webs, this made Jiraiya shiver and sat down obediently.

Ryu laughed out loud, they talked for some time and Ryu left. He looked around, he could sense people's emotions and all of them shined brightly, witnessing this he felt satisfied.

Like always good days must come to an end. Ryu bid his family goodbye and set off. He turned around to watch his kids for one last time after all it would take three years before he see them again. His eyes softened seeing them, he waved them goodbye and disappeared along with the light.

...

Back in Hunter World....

Ryu silently appeared inside the house he bought. Faint aroma spread towards his nose as soon as he appeared, he looked around and saw Esdeath wearing an apron and cooking. His eyes almost popped out witnessing this scene.

Madara, Merlin and Escanor seems to be the only ones inside.

' Hmm..... Stark, Hisoka and Law should be strolling around somewhere. As for Zoro and Kenpachi, no doubt they should be lost. Ahhh! I will get them when we leave.

Anyway when did Esdeath learn how to cook? '

Esdeath saw Ryu and nodded before resuming her work. Merlin and the rest sensed Ryu and came down.

" How was it Merlin, Interesting? "

" Far more than that! This ability called Nen is quite intriguing, according to my analysis the abilities that each individual hold corresponds to their deepest character."

She went on about her analysis of various abilities and this made Ryu praise her.

' What a Genius! '

Esdeath was done with cooking. She brought out a big plate, several exquisite dishes were placed on it. She walked gracefully and placed it infront of Madara, then she told Merlin

" Foods in there."

Merlin smiled and took something to eat, Escanor did the same. He looked at Esdeath serving Madara every item she cooked with extreme care, he was stunned again to witness Madara eat without complaint.

Seeing his stunned expression Merlin explained

" Have some of it and you will understand."

Ryu took some meat and bit on it, he felt as if he was in heaven. His taste buds exploded with flavour, very quickly he finished his portion and snapped back to reality. Merlin smiled and said again

" She pestered Madara endlessly but he just ignore her. Seeing such a tactic useless she switched her game."

Saying that Merlin brought out a book titled ' How to win a Man's heart.'

Ryu almost choked seeing the book, he flipped it open and in there he saw

' Good food made with love can always capture a man's heart.'

He looked up at Madara and sighed

' Good luck My friend.'

Merlin chipped in

" All matters aside, when do we leave? "

" As soon as those idiots come back. Argh.... now I have to fetch them one by one."

" Oh, about that."

Merlin snapped her fingers and several portals appeared inside the hall and from within these portals emerged rest of Titans.

Ryu looked at Merlin in shock.

" Haha, don't be stumped. I just made a teleportation circle and placed it on them, it's a consumable spell so I have to place another one if this needs to be done again."

Ryu gave a thumps up to her.

" Prepare everyone. We will leave tonight."