In the world he originally lived in, because of his work, Rengoku often encountered innocent, naive ch!ldren who would express their fondness for him and even declare that they wanted to marry him after they grew up.
However, Rengoku had never taken such ch!ldish words to heart, nor had he ever given them any response.
After all, young ch!ldren's minds were not yet fully developed, and they often mistook vague feelings of liking for love.
And as time passed, when those ch!ldren gradually grew up and their minds matured, that initial, hazy emotion would usually fade away naturally, or might even be completely forgotten.
After coming to this brand new world, when faced with similar situations, Rengoku still maintained the same attitude.
But it was only at this moment that he suddenly realized that Karin's liking for him seemed to have already gone beyond normal bounds.
Even though people in this world matured relatively early, Rengoku still firmly held to his own principles and bottom line, never getting into a r0mantic relati0nship with a ch!ld.
So, Rengoku slowly turned around to face Karin directly and said with a serious expression, "No matter what messy nonsense is going on in that little head of yours, you have to wait until you grow up before you say it to me."
Hearing this, Karin could not help but feel a wave of grievance. She pouted her little mouth and asked pitifully:
"Shishou, can't I become your bride?"
Seeing this, Rengoku helplessly shook his head, then reached out and gently flicked Karin on the forehead, explaining softly, "Silly girl, at your current age, you simply can't understand the true meaning of marriage."
"So about this matter, before you turn eighteen, I won't give you an answer."
At this moment, a trace of dejection appeared on Karin's face, yet she still hugged Rengoku tightly, as if trying to convey all of her feelings to him.
She softly said, "Shishou, I'll grow up very soon."
Looking at the stubborn little girl in front of him, Rengoku could not help but feel helpless and could only respond gently, "Alright, alright. Then when our Karin grows up, come ask me again, okay?"
Just as the two were talking, the tent flap was suddenly lifted gently, and a figure walked in.
It was Kurama Yakumo. When she caught sight of Karin tightly hugging Rengoku on the bed, she hurriedly lowered her head and stammered an apology:
"Lord Rengoku, uh, s-sorry…"
After speaking, she turned around in a fluster and was about to leave the room.
"Wait! Come back here!", Seeing this, Rengoku quickly called out to stop Kurama Yakumo.
He gently patted Karin on the back, signaling her to let go.
Although Karin was unwilling, she ultimately released Rengoku reluctantly.
After Kurama Yakumo reentered the room, she cautiously raised her eyes to observe Rengoku's expression and found that his face was as calm and gentle as ever.
She could not help but mutter inwardly, 'Could it be that I imagined things just now?'
After steadying herself, Kurama Yakumo finally spoke, "Lord Rengoku, Lady Tsunade instructed me to invite you to come over."
Hearing this, Rengoku nodded slightly to indicate he understood, then stood up and walked toward the door, instructing as he went, "Karin is still a bit weak right now, so please help look after her."
Kurama Yakumo quickly replied respectfully, "Yes, Lord Rengoku. Please rest assured."
After Rengoku turned and left, Kurama Yakumo hurried over to Karin's side with small, quick steps.
Karin sat there looking utterly dazed, her right hand unconsciously rubbing her heated cheek.
"Karin, are you alright? Do you feel uncomfortable anywhere?", Kurama Yakumo asked with concern all over her face.
Hearing her friend's question, Karin snapped back to her senses as if waking from a dream. She forced herself to smile and said, "I'm fine, Yakumo."
However, her drifting, unfocused gaze betrayed her true feelings.
Kurama Yakumo first turned her head to glance toward the tent entrance, then shifted her gaze back to Karin.
She hesitated, stopping and starting, her heart full of curiosity, yet unsure how to ask.
After all, she had clearly seen that look in Karin's eyes when she looked at Lord Rengoku just now.
It was an expression she was all too familiar with.
Just like Hinata's every gaze toward Naruto.
After hesitating again and again, Kurama Yakumo ultimately could not suppress her curiosity. She carefully asked in a soft voice, "Karin, what exactly did you say to Lord Rengoku just now?"
Hearing this, Karin froze slightly. Then she propped her chin with her left hand, her eyes gazing somewhat blankly into the distance, as if she were still immersed in her conversation with Rengoku.
After quite a while, she finally spoke slowly, "It's… nothing special. I just told him that when I grow up, I want to become his bride."
"Ah?"
Kurama Yakumo's mouth fell open in shock. She froze on the spot, unable to move, as if struck by lightning.
At most, she had only guessed that Karin might admire Lord Rengoku.
But she had never imagined that Karin would be so bold and straightforward, completely skipping all the middle steps and directly wanting to marry Lord Rengoku.
"Then… then how did Lord Rengoku respond?"
Yakumo's gossiping spirit flared up fiercely as she asked with full curiosity.
You had to know that her way of thinking was vastly different from Rengoku's.
Yakumo was born into the Kurama clan, an ancient family with a long history.
And such old-established families often had extremely stubborn and traditional views.
Within this clan, free love was something as rare as phoenix feathers and dragon horns.
Most clan members' marriages were chosen within an extremely limited pool of people.
Thus, arranged ch!ldhood betr0thals, having a fiance or fiancee at just a few years 0ld, or even entering marr!age in one's teens were all very common.
Just like Yakumo's own parents, who had their engagement settled at the age of se At this moment, a faint sense of anticipation for Rengoku's response to Karin even rose in Yakumo's heart.
However, she only heard Karin say somewhat dejectedly, "Shishou just told me that I'm still a ch!ld, and that this matter has to wait until I grow up."
As she spoke, Karin's expression looked a little downcast, and she could not help murmuring to herself, "Could it be that Shishou doesn't like me?"
Yakumo subconsciously looked at Karin. Karin was actually much taller than her.
And because she never lacked food or drink and had abundant life energy, Karin had already grown into a graceful, slender figure, her posture elegant.
Her curves were full and mature, clearly that of an adult.
Such a figure formed a sharp contrast with Karin's own words about still being a ch!ld, making Yakumo feel that there was a kind of disconnect in what was being said.
But she also knew very clearly in her heart that what Karin said was indeed the truth.
Karin was actually the same age as her, just that she had developed early for special reasons.
Yakumo felt curious, wondering why, with such a figure, Lord Rengoku still considered Karin a ch!ld.
What she did not know was that in Rengoku's world, early development was extremely common.
People the same age with figures like Karin's were not many, but they certainly were not unheard of.
Rengoku had long since stopped finding it strange.
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