As he spoke, Sarutobi Hiruzen took a token from the drawer of his desk and handed it to Nohara Haruto.
“This is your department head token.
If you show this token to others in Konoha, they’ll understand your position.”
“With this token, you’ll receive excellent treatment throughout the village.
Even when purchasing weapons from weapon shops, you’ll get a discount.
There are quite a few benefits.
You’ll learn them slowly.”
“Also, remember to attend next Wednesday’s meeting.
At that time, I’ll formally introduce your appointment to Konoha’s higher-ups and the elders of the major clans.”
“All right.”
Nohara Haruto took the token and slipped it into his coat.
“If there’s nothing else, I’ll leave first.”
“Mm.”
By the time Nohara Haruto left Sarutobi Hiruzen’s office, it was already getting late.
Evening had arrived.
The sun withdrew its dazzling glare and became a golden disk hanging low in the sky.
The afterglow of sunset spilled across the earth.
In the distance, the towering mountains seemed to be coated in a layer of gold beneath the fading light, making them appear especially magnificent.
On Konoha’s streets, smiling faces could be seen everywhere.
Wisps of cooking smoke rose from different parts of the village, and the whole place was wrapped in a peaceful, harmonious atmosphere.
Before long, Nohara Haruto arrived at his front door.
Even before entering, he could already smell the rich aroma of food.
A heartfelt smile rose to his lips.
He opened the door and stepped inside.
“I’m back!”
“Brother!
You’re back!”
A sweet, lively cry rang out.
A soft body suddenly threw itself into his arms and hugged him tightly, her voice filled with undisguised joy.
“Mm.”
Nohara Haruto smiled.
“Everything is finally done, so I can come home tonight.”
The instant Nohara Rin rushed into his arms, Haruto felt as if his heart was about to melt.
This younger sister of his was simply too adorable.
Even if she wanted the stars in the sky, he would want to pluck them down for her.
Nohara Rin wriggled out of Nohara Haruto’s embrace.
She was still holding a rice paddle in her hand.
A smug little smile appeared on her fair, jade-like face.
“Good thing I’m smart enough to predict that you’d come home tonight.
That’s why I made your share too.
Looks like your luck isn’t bad!”
“Heh.”
Nohara Haruto smiled dotingly and reached out to gently tap the tip of her delicate nose.
“You worked hard.
You’ve been alone at home these past few days.”
“It’s fine.
During the day, I followed Teacher Minato around Konoha and did some D-rank missions like catching cats and pulling weeds.
They were simple.
So even though I was alone at home, I wasn’t too lonely.”
Nohara Rin was still wearing an apron.
As she spoke, she had already brought the fragrant dishes out from the kitchen.
The two of them sat down, picked up their chopsticks, and said together,
“Let’s eat!”
Nohara Haruto eagerly picked up a piece of golden tamagoyaki and put it into his mouth.
The moment he bit down, the rich fragrance of egg spread through his mouth.
It was soft, tender, delicious, and carried a light, delicate aroma.
“Wow, this is so good!”
Nohara Haruto’s eyes lit up.
He had not even finished swallowing before he impatiently began praising her.
As expected, Nohara Rin’s cooking was his favorite flavor.
“As long as Brother likes it.”
A sweet smile appeared on Nohara Rin’s face.
Being praised by her brother for her cooking made her happy from the bottom of her heart.
After dinner, Nohara Haruto pulled Nohara Rin over to his side.
From inside his coat, he took out a small white porcelain bottle.
It looked delicate and refined.
“Rin, this is a gift for you.”
Seeing that familiar white porcelain bottle, Nohara Rin did not even need to open it.
She had already completely guessed what her brother was giving her.
She frowned and could not help complaining silently in her heart.
This stupid brother.
Why does he understand romance so little?
I’m a girl, you know.
When you come back from a mission, aren’t you supposed to bring your little sister flowers, pretty clothes, or maybe some jewelry?
Why does he give me medicine pills every single time?
“What’s wrong?”
Nohara Haruto noticed that Rin’s expression was a little off.
It was nothing like the surprised, delighted look he had imagined.
“Broooother…”
Nohara Rin sighed helplessly.
“Why is it pills again?
I already have quite a few pills you gave me before, and I still haven’t had a chance to take them.”
“This one is different!”
Nohara Haruto’s eyes widened at once, as if he had just suffered some enormous misunderstanding.
Then he began explaining the principles behind the pill to Nohara Rin in a rapid, endless stream.
“You don’t understand.
This kind of pill requires at least several dozen medicinal herbs mixed together in fixed proportions, then slowly decocted over a gentle flame for forty-nine days before it can be successfully refined.”
“After you take it, the medicine will flow through your blood and circulate through your meridians.
Most importantly, it can protect your Central Zen Point.
To prevent… certain accidents from happening, I put in no small amount of effort to obtain this medicine…”
In Nohara Rin’s eyes, her brother had once again begun rambling.
He was saying a whole pile of things she did not know and could not understand.
Emmmm…
She was about to fall asleep.
Looking at the drowsy Nohara Rin in front of him, Nohara Haruto could only sigh helplessly.
Although he usually taught Rin some of his own medical taijutsu, it was still far too different from this world’s system.
Rin was still young.
Unless she had medical talent like his, these things would be impossible to fully understand without decades of painstaking study.
“Forget it.
Just take it first.”
Nohara Haruto handed her a cup of water.
“Oh.”
Nohara Rin obediently took the cup and swallowed the pill.
Her cherry-like lips were fresh and delicate as she sipped the water in small mouthfuls.