"Shinobi World, I am back!"
Izuna stretches his arms and stares at the vast land of the shinobi world. He closes his eyes and feels the wind brushing past his body.
Seiryū also walks out of the portal and glances at the shinobi world.
"Hmm… interesting!"
He turns in the direction of the allied shinobi headquarters.
"So, is this the reason why you want to return so badly to this place?"
"Mmm…" Izuna nods at him.
"The Fourth Shinobi War is a destiny event of this world. The series of events following this event will influence the fate of the entire universe. So, this destiny event is the starting point of everything.
All these years, my actions had a significant influence on the history of this world. Knowingly or unknowingly, my actions were also influenced by some sort of divine techniques."
"Hmm…"
Seiryū activates his Reigan. A kaleidoscopic pattern appears in his eyes. The colors in the world around him fade away as he peers at the very nature of reality itself.
In Seiryū's vision, the entire Shinobi world is covered in a mix of blue and red energy.
"Huh! I can see the traces of two very powerful Shinjutsu techniques in this world. One of them is quite a strong technique and the other technique is quite peculiar. It doesn't target the people of this world, but something else. Wait… this energy signature, I recognize it. Could it be?"
"Yes, you are right! However, there are not just once, but three cases of use of a divine technique and one of them is her." Izuna confirms Seiryū's doubt.
"No wonder this sensation was so familiar! So, could she be…"
"Yes, she spent her last moments in this world. I will take you to her resting place." Izuna nods at him.
"It's fine!" Seiryū sighs in self-condemnation.
"For now, let's take a look at the Destiny event."
"Unfortunately, we can't do that yet." Izuna shakes his head.
"This war has yet to reach a turning point since one of the major characters is still missing. Until then, we can't directly intervene in this war. The effect of the Shinjutsu has yet to wear off. So, even if we take action, it will only benefit our enemies."
"Alright! I will leave it to you." Seiryū shrugs his shoulders.
"Just like back then!" Izuna smirks at him.
"Hey, that was the only time. Also, don't let that moment get to your head." Seiryū retorts.
"Tch… you can't let me have my moment, can't you? You and your useless pride!" Izuna clicks his tongue.
Whoosh…
Izuna flies towards Konoha and Seiryū silently follows him.
Swoosh…
He appears in the airspace of Konoha and glances at the sea of Fuinjutsu seals forming a protective net around Konoha.
"This must be the work of Kushina Nee-san!" He smiles at the intricate net of seals. Though to the current him, such a barrier isn't even worth mentioning, but that's because he has almost a thousand years of experience.
Izuna and Seiryū easily breach the barrier without alerting the security team of Konoha. Both of them arrive in front of the Uchiha clan entrance.
Haah…
Izuna takes a deep breath as his eyes slightly tear up from reminiscing.
'I missed this place a lot!' He stares at the familiar arc entrance of the Uchiha clan.
Izuna and Seiryū walk through the deserted streets of the Uchiha clan. Most of the shops are closed as a result of the war. Only a few shops with daily necessities are open. Even then, there are almost no customers in these shops.
While Izuna is reminiscing, Seiryū is looking around in amusement. As the prince of the astral demon clan, he never got to experience a carefree life. Since birth, he was caught in the power struggle of various factions within his clan. Later, he was forced to participate in a racial war between Otsutsuki, Abyss, and the astral demon clan.
While fighting in the war, he heard the news of the birth of his younger sister. For the first time, a feeling of delight erupted in his heart. He was eager to meet his younger sister.
However, he never got an opportunity to meet her due to the ongoing war. The war ended after a few centuries and he returned to the clan only to see his younger sibling grow into a beautiful lady. He regretted the fact that he was unable to pamper his younger sibling when she was still a child.
"Those Otsutsuki bastards, it was them!" Seiryū clenches his fists.
"…"
Izuna is surprised by Seiryū's sudden outburst. However, he soon recognizes the expression on Seiryū's face.
"Sis-con!" Izuna curls his lips in a mocking smile.
"Huh!" Seiryū also turns towards Izuna.
"Hmph… Look who is speaking! The pot is calling the kettle black!"
Pfft… Haha… haha…
Both of them burst out in laughter as Izuna reaches in front of his parent's house.
He slightly hesitates and focuses his senses on the house.
"Grandma!"
"Grandma!"
A childish voice echoes in Izuna's ears.
"Tatsuya, Kanna!" Tears overflow from Izuna's eyes as he hears the voices of his kids.
"Grandma, please tell us another story of Dad!" Tatsuya and Kanna gently tug Aiko's sleeves with shining eyes.
"Hoho!" Aiko chuckles at their antics.
With these two little fellows, every day is interesting. Every day after eating breakfast, both of them will pester her non-stop to hear a story about their dad.
"Grandma, everyone says that my dad is the most powerful shinobi! When I grow up, I also want to become as strong as him." Tatsuya clenches his fists.
"Hoh! And why do you want to become strong?" Aiko gently pulls his cheeks.
"Because I want to beat the bad guys, just like Dad!" Tatsuya crosses his arms in front of his chest and raises his head in pride.
A smile appears on Izuna and Aiko's faces as they hear Tatsuya's response.
"I also want to become as strong as Mom and help Onii-chan." Kanna also reveals her dream.
"Oh… my two cute little dumplings! You will melt my heart." Aiko hugs them in an embrace.
"Alright! Today Grandma will tell you a story of how your dad met your mom." Aiko ruffles their hair and narrates the story of Izuna's adventure into Kirigakure.
"Woah!"
"Amazing!"
During the entire story, Tatsuya's and Kanna's eyes shine with a brilliant glow.
"Dad is so amazing!" Tatsuya pumps his fists.
"Dad is so cool!" A cute smile appears on Kanna's face.
"When will Dad return home?" Kanna innocently blinks at Aiko.
"Ah! That!" Aiko's heart stings from her innocent smile. A stifling feeling encroaches her heart as she glances outside the window and recalls the memories of her son.
"Grandma!" Tatsuya notices the sad expression of Aiko and hugs her to comfort her.
"Soon! Your dad will return soon!" She pats Kanna and Tatsuya's heads.
"Mom!"
Izuna's heart lurches in pain at the sad expression of his mother.
Hmm…
Izuna's voice echoes in the surrounding. Aiko frowns as a familiar voice lingers in the surroundings.
"Did I hear wrong?"
She slowly stands up and walks towards the front yard. Kanna and Tatsuya slowly follow her.
"Hmm… I am sure I heard his voice. Perhaps I am thinking too much!" She shakes her head and turns around.
"Mom!"
Izuna mumbles as he slowly pushes open the entrance gate.
Whoosh…
A strong gust of wind blows and covers Aiko's vision with her hair. Aiko swipes away her hair and narrows her eyes to glance at the visitor.
"Mom!"
Izuna takes a gentle step and slowly walks toward his mother.
"I-Izuna!"
Aiko's eyes tear up as the memory of Izuna's childhood overlaps with her vision. Aiko recalls Izuna's first step as he struggled to crawl towards her while giggling.
"Izuna!"
Tears flow from Aiko's eyes as she slowly extends her arms.
"Mom!"
Aiko tightly hugs Izuna in her embrace.
"I am back!"
Mm…
Izuna enjoys the warmth of his mother's embrace. For her, it has been three years, but for him, it has been a thousand years since he last felt any familial warmth.
Aiko raises her head and glances into Izuna's eyes. Just with a single glance, she can feel the flood of emotions buried deep within Izuna's heart. His sadness, his anger, his helplessness, his guilt, his remorse, his loneliness, all of them flow into Aiko as she shed tears for her son.
A mother's heart is as deep as the ocean, able to drown all sorrow and loneliness in it. Aiko ruffles Izuna's hair and separates from him.
Ah!
Two little critters peek from Aiko's back and cast curious glances at Izuna.
A smile appears on Izuna's face as he lowers his body in front of the two kids. The appearance of the little boy reminds him of his childhood. Tatsuya has the same appearance as him when he was a little kid. While Kanna's figure reminds me of a childhood photo of Mei.
Izuna gently pinches their cheeks and laughs. Kanna and Tatsuya shiver and retreat behind Aiko's back.
They peek at Izuna from her back as Izuna opens his arm towards them.
Tatsuya and Kanna glance at each other and then dash toward Izuna.
"DAD!"
"My kids are cute!"