"Did you say something?" Reiji asked with a feigned look of confusion, but his eyes sparkled with challenge.
"No! But..." Karina paused for a moment, looking at Reiji with a serious expression. "Is it true? That you can bring Kushina back to the Village of Uzushio every day?"
Reiji looked at Karina with a confident gaze. "Of course."
Reiji's voice was filled with unwavering confidence, as if he could do anything he wanted, without limits.
"Then, Karina, let's go to your house." Reiji smiled confidently, his casual tone sounding as usual.
"... Uhm, okay." Karina nodded slowly, though she still appeared stressed by the earlier events.
...
...
...
They then walked together towards Karina's house.
However, when they arrived in front of the door, they found two people standing there, seemingly waiting for something.
When Reiji saw the two individuals, he paused for a moment, quickly assessing their figures.
From their features alone, Reiji already knew who they were.
Yes, it was none other than Jiraiya and Orochimaru.
Seeing the two, Reiji felt a strange sensation.
Not knowing what to say.
"What's wrong, Reiji?" Karina, noticing Reiji's sudden silence, asked with a confused expression.
"Nothing, just a small issue," Reiji replied with a slight smile, trying to hide the confusion he felt.
"Then what are you waiting for? Let's go!" Karina unhesitatingly pulled Reiji's hand to continue their steps.
"Oh... Hey there, kid!" Jiraiya greeted with a slight smile, as if nothing was unusual.
"Hmph!" Karina merely turned her face away, pouting, and walked into the house without saying anything.
Jiraiya looked confused by Karina's reaction, not understanding what had just happened. "Uh..."
"I told you, Jiraiya, you shouldn't have come. Look, you've upset the girl," Orochimaru said in a flat voice, remaining calm as usual.
"What do you mean? I didn't mean to! I accidentally stepped on that sandal! And I didn't know the girl liked her sandals so much!" Jiraiya tried to defend himself with a sulky expression.
"That's your fault," Reiji replied calmly, without mercy.
"Huh? Kid, who are you?" Jiraiya looked at Reiji with sudden curiosity.
"Kid?" Reiji chuckled, his face frowning as if he disagreed with that title. "Hey, we're only a few years apart."
"I know my face doesn't look as old as yours, but I don't want to be called a kid by someone who isn't even twenty yet!" Reiji said this with a slightly annoyed tone, though still sounding relaxed.
"Oh my, kid! You really..." Jiraiya huffed in annoyance, glaring at Reiji with a flushed face, clearly displeased with that remark.
"What? Besides, it's true. Hey, how old are you really? I've already turned eleven!" Reiji casually explained.
"Eleven? Uh... Really? I thought you would be much younger?" Jiraiya was surprised, his eyes widening upon hearing Reiji's answer.
"Jiraiya, did you forget? The Uzumaki clan is known for having long lifespans." Orochimaru's voice was heard.
"So, looking much younger than their actual age is not unusual." Orochimaru explained slowly, as if realizing Jiraiya's still confused reaction.
"Ah! You're right..." Jiraiya nodded, slightly surprised by Orochimaru's explanation.
"I'm eighteen, just like Jiraiya," Orochimaru explained in a calm tone, remaining unaffected by the developing situation.
"Heh... Just a few years apart, and you're acting like you're a fifty-year-old man." Reiji smirked with a slight smile, though he felt the tension beginning to rise in the air.
"Kid! You're really asking for trouble!" Jiraiya gritted his teeth, clearly glaring sharply at Reiji, slightly letting out the anger he had.
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