Even though Kakashi had already left for quite some time, Tsunade and Natsuhiko were still standing at the gates of the Senju residence, locked in a game of "big eyes staring down small eyes."
At this moment, Natsuhiko was thinking: Why hasn't Tsunade gone in yet?
While Tsunade's thoughts were: Why hasn't this brat Natsuhiko scrammed yet?
Ultimately, it was Tsunade who broke the silence first, forcing a smile and saying:
"Well... Natsuhiko, it's fine to stop here. You've worked hard this time, so you should go home and rest."
"As for the mission and the matter with Kakuzu, I'll report them to Grandma for you..."
Knowing full well that she would soon face Grandma Mito's fury, Tsunade had no intention of giving Natsuhiko the chance to stick around and watch the drama unfold. She wanted to send him away as soon as possible.
However, Natsuhiko, who was just as aware of this, had already prepared his snacks and bench, ready to watch Mito deal with Tsunade, the "prodigal granddaughter." How could he leave at such a critical moment?
Thus, he shook his head vigorously like a rattle drum and replied with a straight face:
"How could I? I promised Teacher Mito to personally deliver Lady Tsunade to her. I can't fail at the final step!"
"Ha! As if! Do you think I'd run away after coming all the way here?" Tsunade saw Natsuhiko's determined expression and realized that soft persuasion wouldn't work. Her eyebrows knitted together as she pretended to be angry, saying:
"Get lost, Natsuhiko! Can't you take a hint?"
"Grandma, Kushina, and I—us girls—haven't seen each other in ages. We have lots of private things to talk about. What are you, a guy, sticking around for?"
"'Girls'…" Natsuhiko's expression turned strange upon hearing this. He muttered under his breath:
"Lady Tsunade, why do I feel like the only one among you who still qualifies as a 'girl' is Kushina?"
But as soon as the words left his mouth, Natsuhiko realized he'd made a mistake.
"What did you just say, Natsuhiko? I didn't quite catch that. Could you repeat it?" Tsunade asked with a sweet smile, one that was even more radiant than usual.
—Though it was hard to ignore the sound of her fists cracking ominously.
Crap!
Seeing Tsunade's cheerful expression as she approached, Natsuhiko instantly understood that he'd fallen into her trap.
Tsunade had deliberately used her age as bait to provoke him into making a snide comment, giving her the perfect excuse to physically eject him!
Had she been preparing for this moment all along, using their frequent banter to set him up?
But why was she so skilled at it? Could it be that she'd used similar tricks on Jiraiya countless times before?
As Tsunade's fists of "prehistoric strength" inched closer, even someone like Natsuhiko—who had held his own against Kakuzu—couldn't help but feel a chill down his spine.
Though his hair was already white, he had no intention of ending up in the hospital after every mission, like Kakashi in the future.
Fortunately, while Tsunade had been plotting her "entrapment scheme," Natsuhiko had been executing his own plan, which was now coming to fruition.
"Tsunade-nee! You're finally back!"
Kushina's delighted voice suddenly rang out from behind Tsunade, halting her steps mid-stride.
As the residence of Mito, a master of sealing techniques, the Senju estate was surrounded by numerous barriers that isolated it from the outside world.
It wasn't until Kushina opened the gate and called out that Tsunade realized she had arrived.
How did Kushina know we were back so quickly?
Tsunade glanced at Natsuhiko's smirking face but found no clues, only that his grin was infuriatingly smug.
She would likely never guess that Natsuhiko had used a communication bracelet—similar in principle to her glasses—to secretly inform Kushina, ensuring her timely arrival.
Hearing footsteps rapidly approaching, Tsunade knew it was no longer the right time to send Natsuhiko away. She could only glare at him fiercely before adjusting her mood and turning to greet Kushina's embrace.
It has been so long since I last saw Kushina. She must have grown a lot by now…
Just as Tsunade was thinking this, she turned around—only to find herself hugged by a chubby, red-haired little girl.
Huh? Who are you?
Looking at the plump red-haired child in her arms, Tsunade was momentarily dumbfounded.
Though she suspected it was Kushina, something felt off. It was as if Kushina hadn't grown older but had instead shrunk!
Before Tsunade could make sense of this, her confusion deepened as four identical red-haired girls came running out from the gate.
Moments later, in the courtyard of the Senju estate, the five little Kushinas were happily playing and laughing under the shade of a large pomegranate tree.
Tsunade sat at a stone table nearby, watching them with interest while listening to the original Kushina—who had arrived shortly after—excitedly explain the origins of these little ones and recount her experiences since they'd last met.
"Becoming a teaching assistant, opening a bar, learning this bizarre infant clone technique, and even getting kidnapped once… I never imagined you'd go through so much while I was away," Tsunade said after hearing the summary.
She looked at Kushina, who was now nearly as tall as herself, with a mix of relief and guilt in her voice—relief at Kushina's growth and guilt for not being there when she was needed.
Indeed, while I was hesitating because of my past, others never stopped moving forward.
Even Tsunade, known for her youthful appearance, felt the passage of time more acutely in that moment.
But she didn't dwell on melancholy for long, as she soon noticed something intriguing.
"By the way, Kushina, it seems like all your interesting stories are tied to that brat Natsuhiko. It seems the two of you are quite close, huh?"
Tsunade's curiosity got the better of her, and she teased Kushina with a mischievous grin.
However, contrary to her expectations, Kushina didn't blush or act shy. Instead, her expression turned oddly complicated, and her previously lively mood dampened. She lowered her head without saying a word.
Did I say something wrong?
Tsunade was puzzled.
In truth, even Natsuhiko, standing nearby, shared her confusion.
Since Kushina's arrival, she had only greeted him coldly once before ignoring him entirely. Even when their eyes accidentally met, she quickly looked away.
As for the little Kushinas, who were usually very attached to him, they now kept their distance, occasionally making faces at him.
Clearly, something was amiss.
If he connected this behavior to the way the villagers had acted earlier, Natsuhiko could only assume that something related to him had happened in Konoha while he was away.
But for now, he had to set this matter aside, as a teasing female voice rang out from the courtyard entrance:
"So, our little princess of the Senju Clan has finally decided to come home?"
A graceful red-haired woman in a white cheongsam entered. It was Mito.
Tsunade, who had been enthusiastically trying to uncover any romantic tension between Kushina and Natsuhiko, froze instantly.
Though Mito's tone was light and humorous, Tsunade knew her grandmother well enough to recognize that this was her "dangerous" voice, reserved for moments of true anger.
It wasn't at full intensity yet, but it was close enough to make Tsunade tread carefully.
After mentally reminding herself to speak and act with caution, Tsunade turned stiffly, her body creaking like a rusty machine, to face Mito.
But as soon as she saw her grandmother's familiar face, a flood of emotions surged through her: the joy of reunion, guilt and regret over Nawaki's death, grievances from being manipulated by Kakuzu, and the sorrow of knowing her grandmother's time was limited.
These powerful and complex feelings overwhelmed the fear of being scolded.
Before she could think, Tsunade's body moved on its own. She ran forward and threw herself into Mito's arms, hugging her tightly.
Mito, slightly taken aback by Tsunade's reaction, softened when she saw the tears glistening in her granddaughter's eyes. She swallowed the scolding words she'd prepared and gently patted Tsunade's head.
"It's good that you're back," Mito said warmly.
Standing nearby, Natsuhiko couldn't help but feel touched by the heartfelt reunion between the grandmother and granddaughter.
If it weren't for me, this moment might not have happened until Mito sealed the Nine-Tails into Kushina and passed away.
It seemed his little "butterfly effect" had produced a positive outcome this time.
Additionally, the sight of two stunning beauties sharing an emotional moment beneath the pomegranate tree captivated even someone as well-versed as Natsuhiko.
It took him a while to snap out of it and activate his photographic technique to capture the touching and picturesque scene.
—Wait, Kushina, why are you butting in?
Just as Natsuhiko was about to take the photo, Kushina joined the duo to chat.
The perfect composition of two beautiful women now included Kushina as well.
Sigh, never mind. I'll just edit her out later.
Muttering to himself, Natsuhiko's eyes flickered with blue light as he recorded the scene—a photo of the three women who, in various ways, had significantly influenced his life.
(End of Chapter)