Yakushi Nono approached, placing her hand on Akikawa's shoulder as she said indulgently:
"Sil·ly child, Mother doesn't need you worrying about her!"
"But Mother, if you go on like this… nobody will want you!"
"If nobody wants me, then nobody wants me!"
Kairen placed one hand on Yakushi Nono's shoulder and smiled at her:
"So? Nono, do you want to be my girlfriend? I'll take care of you for a lifetime."
Yakushi Nono fell silent. They had known each other for less than three days, and he was already asking her to be his girlfriend—this was a bit too fast.
Kairen quietly sent a child Shadow Clone into the group of kids. It shouted loudly, stirring up the rhythm:
"Mother! Kairen is so handsome—just say yes! This is everyone's wish!"
The children nodded along.
"Yeah! Mother, hurry and say yes!"
"Right! Mother, Kairen has helped us so much. We're too young to repay him with our bodies, so Mother can do it for us."
The two staff members nearby also smiled softly and chimed in:
"Say yes, Mother. A man this good is hard to find."
Yakushi Nono shyly lowered her head. She had never thought about matters between men and women. She had already prepared to devote her whole life to the orphanage.
Now, faced with everyone's matchmaking, she suddenly felt a little embarrassed.
"Be together!"
A somewhat unfamiliar voice shouted. Nobody paid attention, and soon everyone echoed:
"Be together!"
"Be together!"
"Be together!!"
Yakushi Nono buried her head, wishing she could crawl into a hole. But inside her, a bold voice urged:
Say yes—or you'll regret it for the rest of your life.
Kairen slowly took Yakushi Nono's hand, a faint poetic aura rising off him:
"You are the purest tremor in the margins of the Poetry Classics I've read for thousands of years, the dream even a boat full of starlight cannot press down. Let me watch over this small orphanage together with you."
Moved… yearning… affection…
Yakushi Nono couldn't describe the surge in her heart, but right now a powerful sense of reliance awakened within her—warm feelings flowed from the spring of her heart.
"Ding!"
"Yakushi Nono displays mild affection toward you!"
Under everyone's expectant gaze, Yakushi Nono nodded.
"Great! Amazing!"
The children jumped with joy, happy that their mother finally had someone who wanted her.
Kairen pulled her into his arms, letting his body memorize this gentle scent.
He had given so much—how could she not respond with overflowing gratitude?
After a long while, Kairen released Yakushi Nono, then turned his gaze toward Akikawa—this was the great benefactor who delivered the perfect assist. How could he not help him?
Kairen extended his hand and placed it on Akikawa's forehead. Slowly, green light flowed into Akikawa's body.
In an instant, the pallor faded from Akikawa's face, replaced by a rosy flush of life.
The healing complete, Kairen withdrew his hand.
Akikawa felt strength returning to his limbs. He slowly stood, taking one step, two steps, three steps…
Tears of excitement welled in his eyes.
Akikawa clung to Kairen's waist, sobbing:
"Uuuu… thank you. From now on, this life of mine belongs to you."
"Ding!"
"Akikawa displays high loyalty toward you!"
Kairen ruffled his hair. Why would he need a child's loyalty? If he really let a child risk his life for him, he'd be worse than a dog.
"Kids, come eat melon!"
Kairen's white horse trotted forward and began dividing the watermelon, letting the children be happy little eat-melon spectators.
Kairen led Yakushi Nono toward a swing.
He had her sit on it while he stood behind, gently pushing her, controlling the direction.
Now that the relationship was confirmed, Yakushi Nono felt a surge of reliance. Swaying in the air, she softly asked:
"Kairen… our age difference is so big. Aren't you getting the short end of the stick?"
Kairen controlled his strength as she swung.
He chuckled lightly:
"Age isn't the issue. Love doesn't understand relativity."
Getting the short end of the stick? In front of him, only women ever got the short end!
Yakushi Nono laughed. After all, she wasn't the one at a loss. Besides, Kairen had such a deep foundation—being able to have him as her lover was her honor.
Kairen pushed her lightly again. She swayed quietly in the air.
A mountain forest breeze drifted over, lifting her dark-golden hair, carrying a faint scent of carnation.
Kairen gathered her long hair in his hand and spoke gently:
"Don't go to the ANBU anymore. I can't let my woman take risks."
Yakushi Nono shook her head:
"No. I want to help you. My ANBU identity is a convenience—I can do many things for you."
Kairen tried persuading again. He had buried who-knows-how-many Pangolins around the village—why would he send his wife into danger?
But Yakushi Nono was adamant. She felt she had already taken so much from Kairen. If she obediently stayed as the orphanage mother, then she really would be a woman Kairen was just keeping.
Kairen gently smoothed her hair, reluctantly agreeing to Yakushi Nono's stubbornness—but only for the mission of collecting ninjutsu at the Root base.
Once she finished collecting, she must obediently return to be the orphanage mother.
Yakushi Nono smiled, agreeing to Kairen's terms.
She looked toward the children playing their games. Many kids who previously could only watch now joined in. Everyone was laughing happily.
Yakushi Nono's smile deepened. Light grew in her heart. She was grateful she met Kairen—and grateful she chose Kairen.
Kairen leaned softly toward Yakushi Nono's shoulder. His teeth slowly elongated, and he bit into the back of her neck.
Three golden tomoe appeared on Yakushi Nono's neck.
She felt a gentle power flow through her body. Her dark-green irises looked toward Kairen:
"What is this?!"
Kairen hugged her from behind, whispering gently into her ear:
"A keepsake of our bond."
Yakushi Nono shook her head:
"Don't lie. I can sense a very high-level energy flowing inside me."
"Fine, no lies. It's a Curse Mark. It can increase your power several times. It's my protection for you."
Yakushi Nono curled her fingers into a fist. With the power of the Curse Mark Sage Art flowing through her, she felt her body brimming with strength.
Deep gratitude shone in her eyes:
"Kairen… thank you!"
Kairen tapped his cheek:
"Between lovers, gratitude isn't just spoken with words."
Yakushi Nono smiled softly, then leaned in and planted a kiss on his cheek.
The two continued talking, a quiet serenity rising between their hearts.
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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