The two of them soon arrived home.
Although he had become the Fifth Hokage, Rengoku hadn't moved into a bigger house.
He was attached to this old place, and after asking Kaori and Ryuri, who also didn't want to move, he decided they'd stay where they were.
"Excuse me for intruding!"
"I'm home."
Karin and Rengoku spoke one after another, making Ryuri put down the fish food in her hands immediately and run over.
"Karin's here too."
"Welcome home, Nii-san."
Rengoku glanced at Karin, "It's this kid's birthday today, so I brought her home for dinner."
Ryuri hadn't expected that it was Karin's birthday, "Happy birthday, Karin."
Karin smiled shyly, "Thank you, Ryuri-nee."
Kaori had already set out several dishes on the table in the courtyard.
Since the weather was warm, they usually ate outside, where it was cooler.
Hearing the commotion, Kaori wiped her hands and said, "Happy birthday, Karin."
"Thank you, Kaori-nee."
Rengoku's gaze swept over the three women. Karin and Kaori had similar builds, both with mature figures.
In contrast, Ryuri looked more like a little sister. Her leg had healed, but her frame and body were still much more slender.
So when Karin called Ryuri "Nee," it sounded a bit off.
"Let's eat first," Rengoku said when he saw the food was ready.
The four of them quickly sat down.
Kaori had always been a skilled cook, and Karin was a good child who wasn't picky with food. Her chopsticks moved like afterimages.
"Mmm… so good… mm…"
"Kaori-nee, it's… so delicious…", Karin's mouth was stuffed full as she chewed quickly, still remembering to praise Kaori.
Kaori smiled happily, and seeing Ryuri's good appetite, her expression also softened into a bright smile.
"If it's good, then eat plenty."
"Mmm… mm…"
Karin had lived a hard life since childhood, so she respected food deeply. She devoured everything on the table like a whirlwind, clearing every dish spotless.
Kaori and Ryuri were both left dumbfounded.
After all, it was their first time seeing a guest finish off all the food.
But remembering she was only eleven, they couldn't help but smile.
Karin's mouth was greasy, and although she wasn't quite full, the table was already empty.
Realizing she'd gone overboard, she put down her chopsticks, a little embarrassed.
Knock! Knock! Knock!
A knocking sound came from outside, "Clan leader, it's Rinjin."
Rengoku estimated the time and nodded slightly, "Come in."
Rinjin walked in carrying a box.
"Clan leader, it's just been finished."
"Thank you," Rengoku said, smiling as he patted Rinjin's shoulder and took the box from him.
Rinjin bowed respectfully and left.
After clearing the table, Rengoku set the box down.
"Open it, Karin."
Karin's eyes sparkled. She already guessed what was inside.
When she opened it, there was a freshly made three-tiered cream cake.
"Happy birthday, Karin," Rengoku said with a smile.
"Wow! Thank you, Shishou!", Karin squealed, hugging Rengoku's face and planting a loud kiss on him.
Rengoku wiped his face helplessly, 'This child still hasn't dropped this habit.'
Beside them, Ryuri and Kaori placed candles on the cake and lit them.
Rengoku gestured toward it, "Make a wish, Karin."
"Mm," Karin gazed at the cake, then snuck a glance at Rengoku, closed her eyes, and began to make her wish.
In the glow of the candlelight, her face flushed faintly red.
After a moment, she exhaled softly, "Hoo!", and blew out all the candles in one breath.
"Yay! Time to cut the cake!"
Opening her eyes, Karin cheered excitedly. She hadn't eaten enough earlier, after all.
Seeing her childish delight, Rengoku couldn't help but chuckle.
Karin picked up the cake knife and began cutting quickly. First a big slice for Rengoku, then for Ryuri, then Kaori, and finally herself.
She dabbed a bit of cream and poked it onto Rengoku's cheek, "Hee~ Hee~"
Rengoku also dabbed a bit and touched it onto Karin's nose.
"Alright, don't waste it."
Cake fights were common enough in celebrations, seen as blessings or playful fun.
But both Rengoku and Karin disliked wasting food, so they stopped there.
The group began chatting as they ate the cake.
Karin's face was full of happiness.
She secretly glanced at Rengoku, hoping her wish would come true.
Cakes were so high in calories that most people were full after just one slice.
But apart from the few slices she'd handed out, the rest went straight into Karin's stomach.
It was a sixteen-inch, three-tiered cake, and she ate all of it.
When she was finally done, she let out a satisfied burp.
After every time she healed someone, her body fell into a deep hunger state, only large amounts of high-calorie food could relieve it.
So today's big cake had filled her completely.
Patting her slightly round belly without any self-consciousness, she said, "Shishou, I'm full!"
"But… I think I've gained weight again," She pinched the flesh on her stomach with a troubled expression.
The series of movements perfectly revealed her true age.
Ryuri and Kaori both burst out laughing.
Rengoku couldn't help smiling too, "Alright, everyone has folds on their stomach when sitting. When you stand up, it's gone."
"Really?", Karin stood up, and sure enough, the folds disappeared, leaving only a faint curve.
"There's still a little, Shishou. I'm still chubby."
Rengoku ruffled her hair, "A healthy girl looks better with a bit of softness."
Karin grinned, "Hehe! As long as Shishou thinks it looks good."
"It's late. I'll walk you home," Rengoku said, planning to discuss an upcoming mission with her.
"Okay, Shishou."
"Ryuri-nee, Kaori-nee, I'm heading off! Thanks for the meal!"
She bowed to them before following behind Rengoku.
Ryuri and Kaori exchanged a smile, both found Karin quite endearing.
———
Rengoku led Karin out of the house.
"Karin, there's a special mission in a few days. We'll need to go together."
Recently, Karin's physical strength and chakra had both been growing rapidly.
She had wanted to test her progress, so hearing about a special mission, she was naturally thrilled.
"Really? Will I be going with Kimimaro and Haku too?"
Rengoku shook his head, "No. This time, for mobility and secrecy, it'll just be the two of us."
Karin's eyes lit up even more, "That's great! I get to go on a mission with Shishou again!"
She clung to Rengoku's arm, bouncing with excitement. Rengoku, a bit helpless, steadied her.
"Alright. Once I have the intel, I'll come find you."
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