Naruto: Reborn with the Tenseigan

In the sealed-off living room, Takashi sat quietly on a chair, a scarf covering his eyes.

The second awakening of the Tenseigan had come rather suddenly. Takashi had to send a message to Tsunade, asking her to help request a leave of absence for him, explaining that he needed some time to rest.

How long would it take? Takashi couldn't say for sure. Until the second awakening of the Tenseigan ended, he would remain at home, recuperating.

"Knock knock!"

"Hyuga Takashi!"

The knocking jolted Takashi from his blank state. As his thoughts returned, he stood and opened the door.

Though his eyes were covered, his strong mental strength and sensory perception allowed him to function as if he could see, without much inconvenience.

Tsunade wasn't alone. She had a child with her. This chakra... no, this chakra reserve wasn't something just anyone could have.

A child with enormous life force, unmatched chakra reserves, at this particular moment in time—Takashi immediately knew who it was.

Uzumaki Kushina!

Takashi opened the door himself, and Tsunade eyed his covered face curiously.

"I thought you were completely incapable of taking care of yourself, but it turns out you can get around just fine," Tsunade remarked.

Takashi stepped aside. "Though I can't see, thanks to my sense of smell, hearing, and sensory abilities, I can maintain a relatively normal life. As for my work at Konoha Hospital, I will have to stop for now."

With Kushina in tow, Tsunade entered the house, looking around at the interior. Following behind, Kushina was like a curious kitten, glancing in all directions.

"I'll take care of the hospital; you just focus on resting," Tsunade said dismissively, waving her hand, before leading Kushina to the couch. She looked a bit concerned as she continued, "But your eyes..."

"It's just a minor aftereffect; they'll recover in time."

Takashi smiled reassuringly, nodding to Kushina as well.

"H-hello, I'm Kushina, Uzumaki Kushina."

Kushina instinctively stood up, introducing herself.

"Hyuga Takashi. Nice to meet you."

At this point in time, the village leadership wouldn't have allowed just anyone to approach Kushina. But since Tsunade brought her, it should be fine.

"This is my little sister, Kushina. Isn't she an adorable girl?"

Tsunade raised her eyebrows, deliberately emphasizing the words "adorable girl."

Kushina, who had been staring curiously at Takashi, turned beet red and stomped her foot indignantly. "Sister Tsunade, what are you talking about?"

"..."

Even though he couldn't see, Takashi could tell from her teasing tone that Tsunade was starting to get playful.

"Ahaha."

Kushina's face flushed with embarrassment, which Tsunade found immensely amusing.

But Kushina couldn't handle much teasing—too much and she'd cry. So Tsunade quickly stopped and changed the subject.

"By the way, since you can't see right now, I brought some food for you—rice balls, dango, and..."

All things I don't like. You might as well have brought me some vegetables so I could cook something myself.

Being blindfolded didn't interfere with Takashi's cooking, and he was picky about his food. He had no love for rice balls or dango.

"You keep it for yourself. If you really want to help, just bring me some groceries."

Takashi waved away Tsunade's kindness.

I know you mean well, but I have my standards. So you can take all that food back, Tsunade.

"You can cook for yourself?"

Tsunade's eyes widened in surprise. Remembering the delicious lunchboxes Takashi had made recently, she swallowed involuntarily—this could be good.

"I can manage, and it probably won't affect the flavor. Want to try?"

"Yes!!"

"..."

How embarrassing. Kushina covered her face with her hands, feeling that Tsunade was being a bit much.

This handsome young man clearly couldn't see, yet here Tsunade was asking him to cook, even though she had already eaten and drunk plenty while out.

Half an hour later, when the beef stew with potatoes was served, Kushina couldn't help but cry tears of joy as she polished off three bowls.

It was just too delicious.

"Burp."

Unlike Kushina, who tried to maintain her composure, Tsunade didn't care about such things. She lounged comfortably on the couch, letting out a loud burp, freely admitting she had enjoyed the meal a bit too much.

Takashi is amazing—even without being able to see, he can still cook such delicious food.

Kushina looked at Takashi, her eyes practically sparkling.

After resting for a while, Tsunade straightened up and rubbed her stomach.

"Takashi, can you tell me more about your eyes? If there's anything I can help with, just say the word."

"Everything is under control at the moment. The only real inconvenience is not being able to go out and shop," Takashi shook his head. If he needed help, he would surely ask her. Right now, he was holding onto her support. Someday, it would be the other way around.

"I'll help you buy whatever you need after I get off work," Tsunade declared generously.

"I need a nap. Kushina, wake me up when we're heading home—I'm going to sleep for a while."

The alcohol was kicking in, and Tsunade felt the need to sleep. Luckily, Takashi's couch was large, soft, and comfortable.

Tsunade took over the couch, turning her back to Takashi and Kushina, and fell asleep just like that.

How utterly shameless.

Takashi couldn't help but smile.

Kushina was so embarrassed she almost wanted to sink into the floor.

"Takashi-kun, Sister Tsunade drank quite a bit today. When she got your message, she came straight over, so..." Kushina tried her best to explain on Tsunade's behalf.

What a nice girl—so gentle and considerate.

Takashi suddenly remembered Kushina's nickname: the Red Hot-Blooded Habanero.

That nickname had initially been a taunt from her classmates, but later, Kushina earned it with her fists.

She made sure everyone knew that this Red Hot-Blooded Habanero was not to be trifled with.

Guess I underestimated her.

"How do you find life in Konoha? When do you start at the Ninja Academy?"

Takashi shifted the conversation to Kushina.

"Not good at all."

Perhaps because she felt comfortable around Takashi, Kushina let go of her guardedness and spoke with a pout, "I can only stay by Granny Mito's side, and I can't go anywhere else. There's no one I know here."

As she spoke, Kushina's eyes began to redden, her large eyes welling with tears, ready to spill.

"..."

Facing away from the two, Tsunade's mouth twitched slightly.

Hyuga Takashi, of all the topics to discuss, you chose this? Let's see how you deal with it now.

Takashi listened quietly.

Just as Kushina was about to cry, he gently shook his head and said, "When you come to a strange place and lack a sense of security, it's natural to feel lost."

"Even though I have clan members around me, to me, they feel more like strangers than strangers themselves."

"Huh?"

Kushina blinked, her tears halting, as she looked at Takashi in confusion. Clan members more unfamiliar than strangers?

Takashi pointed to his eyes and smiled wryly. "To them, I have a terrifying bloodline illness. I'm about to lose the clan's precious kekkei genkai, their unique visual prowess, and become… a burden."

"Takashi-kun isn't useless at all. You're amazing!"

Kushina forgot her sadness and spoke up for Takashi, "Sister Tsunade said you have a lot of talent. Techniques that are hard for others to learn, you can pick up in just a few days. You're a genius—your clan just can't see it."

"Perhaps."

Takashi shook his head slightly and said seriously, "Honestly, I don't care about the cold shoulder from the clan, nor the indifferent stares from the members, nor the inequality in the family. If no one accepts me, then I'll start a new life and look forward. One cannot live in the pain of the past."

Look forward. One cannot live in the pain of the past.

This phrase repeated itself in Kushina's mind, over and over again.