Chapter 57

So, until we found ourselves in front of the gates guarded by the Senju, I repelled all the lustful bastards with a considerable wave of chakra, much to Sai's huge surprise, who seemed to enjoy the effect and apparently took great pleasure in my reaction. Damn women!

"Good evening, Senju-san," my mom bowed in greeting, followed by me.

"Welcome," the senior chuunin replied. "Saya and Ryu Nara, I presume?"

"Yes."

"You are expected, my partner will escort you," the guard bowed again.

Passing through the opened gates, I chuckled in surprise - quick, easy, and no arrogance! It seems the Senju really don't stick their noses up in the air in general, not just with certain encountered individuals...

Following our guide, I looked around with curiosity. In principle, the territory of the founders didn't differ much from ours - a huge piece of land, with the "palace" in the center where the ruling family and the head with relatives reside, and around it are the houses of other clan members who prefer to live among their own.

Naturally, considering who their leaders were, the entire area looked like a huge park with hidden buildings and picturesque ponds connected by a common system of canals. They say the brothers created all this beauty literally in a matter of days, using their abilities.

Given their Wood Release, I have no slightest desire to doubt it. By the way, except for the building in the center, all the structures turned out to be single-story, just like ours. It seems all clans are grounded, and the upper floors are a way to show the significance of the people living there.

Otherwise, the Hokage Tower wouldn't be the tallest building in Konoha. Of course, this only applied to traditional buildings, as ordinary people built themselves multi-story houses, and the same went for hotels, apartments, the academy, hospital, and other such structures.

There was a clear merging of old and modern architectural styles. I wonder, did this trend start after the construction of the Leaf, or was it Hashirama's intention? Anyway, I got a bit distracted.

The guide led us to a small neat single-story house, strikingly similar to our own, at least they had the same architect. And as soon as we approached within a dozen steps, the front door slid open and Linli appeared on the threshold.

"Ryu-kun!"

With such a cry, the longtime acquaintance disappeared from view, turning into a blurry silhouette, and I found myself in bone-crushing embraces, squeezing out almost all the air from my lungs.

"Hey!" I weakly protested, trying to free myself.

Of course, it's nice to be pressed into such a chest, but my health is somehow more precious to me.

"Aren't you glad to see me, Ryu-kun?!" the redhead exclaimed dramatically, barely releasing me.

"Of course I am, just without bone crushing, please!" I chuckled. "Hi, Lin-chan! Long time no see!"

"Hi, Ryu-kun, Saya-chan," Linli smiled, gesturing for us to come inside, "how's life treating you?"

"Training, training, and more training for both of us," Mom smiled, following the hostess into the house after taking off her shoes.

"But you're not on duty, unlike your son?" Linli raised her eyebrows in surprise.

"I'm planning to return, so I have to get back in shape," Saya shrugged, "and Ryu doesn't know the meaning of the word 'rest,' working practically from morning till night with hardly any days off."

"Actually, I meditate for two hours before bed," I defended myself.

"Actually, I meant normal rest, not its substitute," Mom threw me a reproachful look, mocking.

To which I just snorted but didn't say anything, catching a mocking smile from the redhead out of the corner of my eye. She led us into the living room, where a small table was already set for five people, but judging by the amount of various food and sweets, it would be enough for ten people.

"Linli-chan, will anyone else come besides Kushina?" I asked, noting the extra plate.

"Yes, Mito-sama also wants to meet you - after all, relatives," the kunoichi smiled, inviting us inside, "they should be coming now."

And as if on cue, a doorbell rang from the entrance, and the hostess rushed to open the door.

"Ryu!"