Tano Motoyo stared in the direction Kai had disappeared, reluctant to look away.
Senju Mei naturally noticed her daughter’s expression.
Smiling gently, she asked, “It seems this teammate of yours is a little different.
What kind of person is he?” Hearing her mother’s words, Tano Motoyo immediately blushed.
“A-A different how?
Mom, what are you talking about?” Senju Mei chuckled softly.
“Oh?
Then why were your eyes glued to that boy just now?
I’ve never seen you look at Itsuki that way.” Tano Motoyo turned toward the road, now illuminated only by the streetlights.
Quietly, she said, “I don’t really understand him either.
We only got to know each other today.” Senju Mei looked surprised.
“You only met today?
Wasn’t he your classmate?” She had originally assumed Kai was a transfer student.
After all, it was not uncommon for students from smaller ninja villages within the Land of Fire to transfer into Konoha.
The Land of Fire did not only have Konoha.
Konoha was simply the largest and strongest hidden village in the country.
There were still many smaller ninja villages scattered throughout the nation.
Tano Motoyo shook her head.
“He’s been in our class the entire time.” “But for the past six years, I never really noticed him… and we never actually spoke.” “How is that possible?” Senju Mei found it difficult to believe.
“You spent six years in the same class and never even got to know each other?
You never spoke even once?” “Was that child extremely withdrawn?” Even if classmates were not close, six years together should at least result in a few conversations.
Tano Motoyo looked at her mother and smiled.
“No.
Kai just… barely had any presence in class.” “Honestly, his presence was even lower than mine.” Senju Mei was stunned.
If her own daughter had not said it personally, she would never have believed someone could have such little presence.
After thinking for a moment, Senju Mei frowned slightly.
“Could it be that child is difficult to get along with?” She could not help worrying about her daughter.
In her understanding, students with such little presence were usually lonely, antisocial, or difficult to approach.
She was worried Tano Motoyo might get hurt.
But Tano shook her head seriously.
“No, Kai is actually very easy to get along with.” “I don’t know why he was so unnoticed before, but his personality is really good.” Watching the way her daughter’s eyes noticeably brightened whenever she mentioned Kai, Senju Mei suddenly developed a headache.
Her silly daughter was not seriously developing feelings already, was she?
Children in the ninja world matured fairly early.
Even though they had only just graduated from the Ninja Academy, they already understood what romance was.
And Tano Motoyo ‘s circumstances were simply too exceptional.
Her father was a wealthy magnate from the Land of Fire.
Her mother was from the Senju Clan.
And Tano herself was extremely beautiful.
Even at her current young age, she already possessed striking looks.
Naturally, plenty of boys would develop feelings for her.
That was perfectly normal.
Senju Mei carefully asked, “Then how do you feel about him?” “Is it the same as with Itsuki?” Unlike Naruto, Tano Motoyo immediately understood what her mother was truly asking.
But she found herself conflicted.
She had only known Kai for a single day.
Although she did have a favorable impression of him, it was nowhere near enough to clearly define.
It was simply a good impression.
After remaining silent for a while, she finally raised her head and answered thoughtfully.
“It’s… probably different.” “I see Itsuki as a good friend.” “But the feeling I get from Kai is a little different.” “Still, I’ve only known him for one day.
I don’t even understand why he feels different to me.” Senju Mei frowned.
The thing she had worried about most seemed to be happening already.
“Maybe it’s just curiosity.” “After all, you barely knew him before.
That mystery probably just makes you curious about him, nothing more.” She still did not want her daughter falling for a boy too easily.
From Senju Mei’s perspective, such concerns were completely natural.
Their family was not ordinary.
Although they were not technically a ninja clan, they were still a wealthy and influential family.
Combined with her own background as a member of the Senju Clan, their status was no weaker than many of Konoha’s prominent ninja clans.
In fact, they were already considered part of Konoha’s upper class.
If Tano Motoyo merely wanted to make friends, then whether it was Yamada Itsuki or anyone else, Senju Mei would support it wholeheartedly.
But if genuine feelings became involved— Then the other party’s background and motives became matters worthy of serious consideration.
Tano Motoyo looked at her mother’s nervous expression and suddenly smiled.
“Mom… are you worried your daughter might fall for Kai?” Having her thoughts exposed so directly, Senju Mei became slightly embarrassed.
Still, she nodded honestly.
“You know our family situation is different from most others.” “You’re the only child in the Motoyo family.” “One day, you’ll inherit everything.” “So whoever becomes your partner must be chosen very carefully.
We have to prevent certain… complications.” After listening to her mother, Tano Motoyo let out a deep sigh.
“Mom… how about you and Dad just give me a little brother instead?” “I want life to be easier.” “You child, what kind of thing is that to say?” Senju Mei’s face reddened slightly.
Truthfully, she genuinely loved Tano’s father.
Back then, the two of them had married for love.
Their relationship had always remained very close.
Tano Motoyo smiled softly.
“Even though I’m not sure whether I truly like Kai yet…” “He definitely feels different from ordinary classmates.” “He’s mysterious.” “But whenever I’m with him… I feel really safe.” Senju Mei immediately noticed the issue.
“Mysterious?” “You mean because he’s withdrawn?” “No.” Tano Motoyo shook her head.
“Kai always gives me the feeling that he’s far more than what he appears to be on the surface.” Senju Mei frowned deeply.
That was the part she cared about most.
“You think he has ulterior motives toward you?” Tano Motoyo blinked, then laughed softly.
“Hehe… Mom, if that were true, do you think I’d still have a good impression of him?” Although Tano Motoyo was gentle and quiet—somewhat similar to Hinata Hyūga—she was not someone who blindly treated everyone with kindness.
She had her own thoughts and judgment.
If someone approached her solely because of her family background, she would absolutely hate it.
Senju Mei nodded.
That much, she trusted.
Though her daughter seemed soft and introverted on the outside, she still possessed her own opinions and the ability to think independently.
“Then what is it exactly?” “Why does he feel so mysterious to you?” “He’s only a newly graduated genin from the Ninja Academy.” Tano Motoyo shook her head.
“Mom… I think he’s already much stronger than me and the rest of my classmates.” “Oh?” Senju Mei raised an eyebrow in surprise.
“Is he really that outstanding?” “Then why haven’t I heard the Third Hokage mention him before?” “I remember all the top students from this graduating class.” “But I don’t recall anyone named Kai.” As part of one of Konoha’s most influential families, Senju Mei naturally had access to information like this.
Especially since her precious daughter belonged to the same graduating class.