Chapter 59

Well, what can I say — it's good that this time it wasn't me.

"Alright, now that everyone's gathered, let's sit at the table," Linli clapped her hands, drawing everyone's attention and slipping into the role of a hospitable hostess.

There were no objections to such an offer, and we all eagerly headed to the table. Kushina was seated next to me on one side of the table, Senju found herself at the head of the table, while Ma and Mito sat across from each other.

At the Uzumaki table, silence is not customary, so soon a meaningless conversation about various female things started, in which I did not participate because I was playing for the wrong team, and Kushina—due to her young age.

So we mostly talked among ourselves, enjoying various delicacies that I put on both plates. Despite her small size, my new acquaintance had a decent appetite, like any clan member. It seemed that the plan was for me to take care of her without distracting the adults.

However, I didn't mind much—despite her young age, Kushina had already started studying fuinjutsu and had made good progress in a few months under Mito's patronage, so after giving a few sound pieces of advice and small tricks, I completely captured her attention.

Besides seals, I talked about the Nara, greatly amusing them with descriptions of the sloths in the clan and the ways in which women preferred to deal with laziness in their significant others and offspring. Rolling pins and cast-iron pans played a significant role in boosting enthusiasm.

In general, after the initial embarrassment, a very lively girl emerged, not feeling very comfortable in an unfamiliar environment and missing home.

But all good things must come to an end, and so did this evening, reminding me of the merry feasts in Uzushiogakure. At least, I convinced myself that Mito was a true Uzumaki, despite her formidable reputation in the village.

Around ten o'clock, Kushina began to yawn, cutely rubbing her fists over her eyes in an attempt to ward off sleep. In the end, she ended up in my lap, burying her nose in my chest and sweetly snoring in the circle of my arms. She reminds me so much of my niece in her childhood! She also loved to sleep in my arms.

And only after half an hour of quietly observing the women engrossed in conversation about women's things, they noticed sleeping Kushina in my arms.

"Oh-ho! Looks like little Kushi-chan caught someone's fancy?" Mito teased with a teasing tone, smiling broadly.

"Hmm? You never showed a desire to interact with those much younger than you before, and here you've been chattering away for so long…" Saya raised an eyebrow questioningly, but judging by the playful sparks in her eyes, I understood that she, too, decided to tease me.

Well, they succeeded—slowly but surely, my cheeks began to burn from the rush of extra blood.

"St-stop making up nonsense here!" I protested.

"Ara, maybe Kushina likes you?" Linli added her contribution. "Before, she never fell asleep in anyone's arms…"

And all three of them quietly chuckled, watching my flushed face. Damn… women! It's not my fault she's so adorable!

"Hah, " the drowsy girl suddenly stirred and lifted her head, blinking her eyes open, "ba-chan?"

There, they woke the child up! I shot an angry look at the kunoichi.

"It's time for you to sleep, Kushi-chan, and our guests need to head home," Mito smiled, "so let go of Ryu's lap."

I released her and helped the sleepy little one get down to the floor, holding her hand so she wouldn't accidentally fall.

"Mito-sama, I have spare rooms, so Kushina can stay here for the night," Senju suddenly suggested, "and there's no need to go anywhere."

Looking at the swaying little girl with half-closed eyes, Mito sighed.

"Alright, Kushi-chan will stay with you for the night."

"Great, I'll show where you can settle in," the hostess clapped her hands happily, "Ryu, will you help tuck in Kushina-chan?"

"Of course," I replied, throwing a quick questioning glance at Saya and receiving a confirming nod.

Scooping up the surprised little girl, I hurried after Linli, casting a cautious glance back and noticing the serious expression on the elderly Uzumaki's face.