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After finishing a bowl of ramen, Yuhi Kurenai rubbed her slightly bulging belly.
"So delicious!" she said with a contented sigh.
She looked at Uzumaki Kushina and said, "Sister Kushina, thank you for your hospitality~" Her voice was soft and endearing, making one feel protective of her.
Uzumaki Kushina, hearing this, put down her chopsticks with a smile. "Kurenai is so cute. I would love to have a child like you," she said sincerely. She had felt this way since she first saw Yuhi Kurenai.
"It would be wonderful if my future child were as adorable as Kurenai."
"Naruko!" Uzumaki Kushina said suddenly, which startled Yuichi Yuuki. He realized she was referring to the name of her future child.
"If she's as cute as Kurenai, I think naming her Naruko would be perfect!"
Yuhi Kurenai's cheeks turned red as she shyly lowered her head, feeling embarrassed by the praise.
Yuichi Yuuki also put down his chopsticks, rubbed his belly, and said, "But I think even a boy could be named Naruko."
"How interesting," Yuichi Yuuki continued, "Maybe he could even turn into a cute girl."
Uzumaki Kushina's eyelids drooped, and she stared at Yuichi Yuuki. Sensing the potential malice in her gaze, Yuichi Yuuki coughed lightly and said, "I was just joking."
"Hmph!" Uzumaki Kushina snorted.
"But if he wants to learn, I can teach him."
Uzumaki Kushina's mood shifted suddenly. "What do you mean, 'teach him'?" she asked, clearly unsettled.
"I mean, as a brave, upright, friendly, and powerful senior with the will of fire, I could teach him about courage."
Uzumaki Kushina looked at him skeptically. "Is that the best you can come up with?"
"The anthem of mankind is the anthem of courage! As Konoha's bravest, it's only fitting!" Yuichi Yuuki declared confidently.
Uzumaki Kushina raised her head, squinting her eyes, and asked, "So, you consider yourself brave?"
"Of course! I'm extremely brave!" Yuichi Yuuki asserted.
"Then I'll take you to the training ground to see just how brave you are."
Uzumaki Kushina chuckled and cracked her knuckles ominously.
Yuichi Yuuki smiled, "I just remembered that Uncle shinku is still waiting for us at home."
"Let's head back first. Thanks for the hospitality, sister!" Yuichi Yuuki said, taking Yuhi Kurenai's hand and heading for the door.
As they left, Uzumaki Kushina watched them go and snorted, "Young man, you still want to challenge me."
"Haha, it seems the guests really like children," the owner, Shouda, remarked as he cleared away their finished bowls, speaking to Uzumaki Kushina with a smile.
"Children are adorable," Uzumaki Kushina said with a smile, her eyes narrowing into crescents. "I envy their energy."
Shouda nodded in agreement, "Yes, I truly admire their enthusiasm."
He looked out the covered curtain, as if trying to catch a glimpse of the departing guests.
"It's time to go after eating," Uzumaki Kushina said, placing the payment on the table and leaving.
After she departed, Hatake Sakumo and Kakashi walked in. Sakumo was still talking, "Kakashi, Yuichi and Kurenai ran out just now. Why didn't you greet them?"
"I didn't want to," Kakashi replied with a hint of arrogance, showing some bruises.
They took the seats where Yuichi Yuuki and Yuhi Kurenai had been.
People came and went, and nothing changed.
From this point on, Ichiraku Ramen would witness the lives of many of Konoha's strongest figures.
After leaving Ichiraku Ramen, Yuichi Yuuki and Yuhi Kurenai walked home at a leisurely pace. Yuichi Yuuki soon realized that Uzumaki Kushina had only been trying to scare him and wasn't actually pursuing them.
"We're back~" Yuhi Kurenai announced as they entered their home.
Yuhi shinku was sitting in the living room watching TV. Seeing them, he immediately smiled and said, "Are you hungry? I made some food and left it out."
He pointed to the food on another table and continued, "I have something to discuss with you two after dinner."
"Dad, we're already full~" Yuhi Kurenai said, pointing to her red lips which were covered in oil and water.
"Huh? You've already eaten?" Yuhi shinku was surprised and scratched his head in confusion.
"Yes!" Yuhi Kurenai nodded enthusiastically. "Sister Kushina treated us to ramen! It was delicious!"
Yuichi Yuuki nodded beside her and added quietly, "Yes, I found out today that I actually have Uzumaki blood."
"Oh? Did you find out?" Yuhi shinku was not surprised. He was aware that Yuichi Yuuki's bloodline was known among the senior officials.
He knew it was only a matter of time before Yuichi Yuuki would learn about it.
"Since you've finished eating, let's start," Yuhi Shinku said, turning off the TV and sitting up straight. He motioned for Yuichi Yuuki and Yuhi Kurenai to sit down.
Looking at Yuichi Yuuki with a serious expression, he said, "Yes, you have the Uzumaki bloodline."
"I was going to tell you today, but I didn't expect Kushina to bring it up first. It's not too late to explain now."
"Your hair color and your exceptional recovery abilities are indicators of the Uzumaki clan's bloodline limit."
Yuichi Yuuki was surprised by this revelation. He had been growing stronger every day since acquiring the Uzumaki bloodline through the achievement task.
He had thought Yuhi Shinku was observing him, but now he realized that was not the case. The changes in his hair color and abilities made sense with the Uzumaki bloodline.
As he pondered this, Yuhi Shinku continued, "With the Uzumaki bloodline, your talents will surpass those of ordinary people."
"But did Kushina tell you that you have more than just the Uzumaki bloodline?"
Yuichi Yuuki was taken aback again and pointed at himself in disbelief. "What do you mean, more than just the Uzumaki bloodline?"
"It means exactly that," Yuhi shinku said with a slight smile. "Your father's name was Yuki Aomizu, but it was previously Uzumaki Aomizu. And your mother's name is Yuki Haru, but her previous name was Uchiha Haru."
"Do you understand now?"
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