Bab 11: This is not a Playdate!

After Kushina arrived in a boisterous manner, she also placed an order and started chatting with Mikoto and Asuka. After laughing and poking at other two kids, Kushina also set her gaze at Ayame's cheek as she came out of the other side of the counter to play with Sasuke.

"Stop it you moster~!"

Ayame shouted as her face was flushed and her cheeks stood out. They were completely red!

Meanwhile, she looked at Kushina with tears in her eyes and also showed a fearful expression for the Red-haired Demon.

Ayame could see Kushina's eyes shining even brighter as Mikoto and Asuka heard Kushina whispering to herself.

"So.... cute~"

Knowing that Kushina could scar Ayame for life, Mikoto held her back as the group finally left the Ichiraku Ramen while practically dragging Kushina away from the shop under Teuchi's loud laugh.

The group then went to a newly constructed park with various entertainment facilities. In Konohagakure, this was the only park constructed for the relaxation of the Shinobis after the Third Shinobi War. The park was divided into two areas, first being open to all irrespective of their status while second is available to only the Clan Members of the Village.

Even though the village promoted equality between the Shinobis of Prestigious Clans and Shinobis with no backing, the inner construction of the park was thoroughly funded by the Various Clans of the village to make it more peaceful and provide a better service to the stressed out Shinobis.

Since the inner park actually belonged to the Clans indirectly, The Fourth Hokage did not oppose their demands for making this area clan exclusive. After all, even though the Fourth Hokage was the strongest Shinobi of the village and protected it from any external harm, he also had to take various diplomatic decisions to keep the village from falling into Chaos from inside.

The Park didn't look like ordinary parks from Eio's memory. The Entertainment Park was constructed as a way to integrate within a certain part of the village without any boundaries.

Since this park was closer to Ichiraku Ramen, Eio was quickly able to see the glorious park praised by all the Shinobis of the village.

As the group chatted and walked, the scenery around them started to change subtly. The buildings and shops started to become scarcer while there were many huge trees that started to line up neatly in between. Even the air started to become fresh and the heat from the afternoon sun started to subside gradually.

The sidewalk they were walking on had also changed as it was purely earth without any rock or wood on it.

Feeling the pleasant environment, Asuka breathed deeply and a relaxed smiled touched her face. Kushina and Mikoto were the same.

Even though the Park was relatively nearer to their residence, the world of Shinobis is quite busy and they actually don't have enough time to relax.

They have to train continuously to get stronger and learn more Jutsus, they need to take care of various missions assigned to their teams to generate income for the village and increase the economy, they also had to take some time off to take care of their families as personal matters always arise in their lives.

Just like Ryu, he was barely free and always had to leave early in the morning and arrive late at night. He also had to leave for another location to complete his mission and wouldn't be home for two to three days.

Just like Shinobis, the retired housewives like Mikota, Kushina and Asuka weren't all that free either. They needed to take care of their house and their children while keeping up with their training.

These women were smart and already well-versed with the way of the Shinobi World. If you don't get strong, someone stronger may defeat you one day.

It is not just Asuka and the duo, there were a lot of female shinobis retired to become a full-fledged mother, but they also trained even more intensely as they did not have to go to the missions and had extra time in their hands.

Eio still remembers how Asuka trained. She usually didn't bring him with her and would leave a clone to tend him, but one day, she wanted to bring Eio to change his surroundings and give him a nice change of pace.

The training was very intense... no, it was almost self-harming! Asuka would actually create more clones and have a battle royale for two consecutive hours and then she would meditate as her breathing calmed down. Then she would perform a complicated hand sign and her eyes actually turned from her regular black to bright purple.

Meanwhile, slivers of gloomy energy would emerge from the ground and enter her body.

Even though Eio couldn't see this type of energy, he was sure that he could feel it clearly. From then on, he had started to respect this loving woman. After all, in his previous life, meeting such hardworking woman was extremely rare and here, it seemed that it was extremely normal in this place.

Slowly, the scenery had completely changed as the started to walk into a forest-like location with many people already wandering around the place.

There were many stone benches and beautiful fountains. The whole park had different levels and at the top level, Eio could see a cluster of Sakura Trees.

As they continued their trekking, they stopped near a Bamboo forest right below the area with a lot of Sakura Trees.

Mikoto quickly spread a big sheet as the group settled down in a peaceful environment.

Looking at the tall Bamboos, Asuka couldn't help but lay down as she placed Eio above her.

Her eyes were dazed as she looked at the scenery.

"Sigh, they really made this Park a big project."

Mikoto also sighed in relief and closed her eyes as she listened to the surroundings. She could hear the light cricketing of some insects and looked towards Kushina.

She also looked relatively relaxed as she cradled Naruto gently. He was already sleeping soundly and looked completely oblivious of the surroundings, same was Sasuke.

Out of the three kids that the playdate was truly intended for, only Eio remained awake and looked at the calming scenery.

Unknowingly, a playdate was converted into a picnic for the three women as they enjoyed the peace.

"I say, we should just stay here today. We will go to the inner park some day later."

Mikoto also laid on the sheet and placed both of her hands beneath her breasts, and looked up with a smile.

"You're right!"

Kushina smiled, too.

"What do you say, Asuka?" Kushina asked as she looked up.

...

There was no reply.

Seeing this, Kushina looked at Asuka and found out that she was already asleep.

"She is a good mother." Mikoto commented out of nowhere.

Kushina, unlike her brazen self, had a thoughtful look.

"Princess of Rabbit Clan and the Successor of the Priestess Clan fled together and destroyed almost both of their clans just by their own strength. The two of them have a strength greater than S-Rank Shinobis in a certain sense."

Kushina looked at Asuka, as if wanting to convey something to the sleeping mother.

"But being a parent can change many things. It is rumoured that both of these geniuses went into hiding and had a child together. Maybe, one day, they will be willing to show themselves and finally regain their glory."

Mikoto smiled listening to her words.

Meanwhile, Eio had been wide awake and his small body felt tense when he heard Kushina's light words. From Asuka's breathing, Eio was sure that she was fast asleep.

After all, she has been quite stressed as she completed her chores and trained all day while taking care of him with a kind and gentle smile.

But now, she still didn't know that she has been under the supervision of the village while Ryu went out to missions.

But such sensitive information was given to Eio unconsciously while Kushina shook her head.

"Well, it isn't bad to have more allies... stronger ones are even better. But...."

Kushina couldn't help but sigh.

"The old tradition of the village would still want to get their hands on them." Mikoto finished her words.

"Yeah, those old bastards are everything that the new generation will be repulsed with."

Kushina laid down with a huff.

"Don't worry, Minato has already saved Asuka and Ryu once as they tried to escape during their pregnancy. This means that he has some of his own consideration and wouldn't let the darkness of the village craw near the villagers he wants to protect."

Mikoto laid back once again and comforted Kushina.