As Hui neared Konoha, his emotions grew increasingly intense.
He was excited, yet nervous.
This must be what they mean when they talk about 'the apprehension to returning home'. After all, it had been over two years since Hui had left Konoha.
Traveling at full speed, Hui quickly entered Konoha's borders.
Instead of entering through the village gates, he moved in a straight line and reached one of Konoha's sides. Forming a hand seal, Hui activated the barrier and slipped inside.
His destination was the Senju Clan's compound.
The Senju grounds were quite peaceful at this time.
Ancient trees swayed under the warm sunlight. A beautiful woman reclining peacefully and a young man lost in thought. It was a series scene, right out of a painting.
The woman was Tsunade, lying on a lounge chair in the courtyard with her eyes closed, seemingly asleep.
In her hand was a piece of paper, which, upon closer inspection, contained information about none other than Hui.
The young man was Nawaki. Over two years had passed, and while he had grown, he still retained his youthful appearance. He leaned against a tree, one leg stretched out and the other bent, his eyes closed.
A breeze played with his hair, and the sunlight filtering through the leaves cast dappled shadows on his face, making him appear strikingly handsome.
It was undeniable, Nawaki had mastered the art of looking cool.
However, inside his mind...
"Damn fox! One more round! This time, I refuse to lose!"
Within Nawaki's mental space, he pounded his fists on the table and shouted furiously at the colossal Nine-Tails opposite him.
"Brat, you think you can beat me? Keep dreaming."
The Nine-Tails scoffed, its eyes filled with disdain as it looked down on Nawaki.
This almost made Nawaki explode with rage.
"Unbelievable! You're definitely cheating—yes, that's the only explanation!"
He yelled, unwilling to accept that after two years, he was still losing to the Nine-Tails in every single game.
"Cheating? Against a little brat like you? Do you even hear yourself? With your intelligence, do you think I need to cheat to win?"
The Nine-Tails sneered, clearly enjoying Nawaki's frustrated and helpless state.
As expected, Nawaki was utterly incensed by this, shouting back, "You're too much! That's just cruel!"
Trembling with rage, he pointed a finger at the Nine-Tails, clutching his chest with the other hand, and lamented dramatically:
"Is there no justice in this world? No fairness? A cheating fox being this righteous…what has the world come to? I'm so young, and yet I've been forced to see so much darkness of the worl. It's unbearable! Fine, I give up. I'm done."
Nawaki's performance ended with him appearing utterly dejected, his figure visibly sagging in despair.
This sight made the Nine-Tails' jaw twitch before it finally snapped.
"Damned brat, you're the one cheating here, aren't you?!"
For the first time, the normally aloof Nine-Tails was roaring in frustration.
The Nine-Tails hated to admit it, but this brat was just too infuriating. Every time he lost a game, he would pull this same act of playing the victim.
It wasn't the Nine-Tails' fault the kid was bad at games!
Before it could vent further, Nawaki exited his mental space, leaving the Nine-Tails to stew in its anger.
Back in reality, Nawaki smirked smugly.
"Hmph! That fox thinks it can mess with me? Does it even know who I am? I'm the future emperor of Konoha—no, the whole ninja world!"
Stretching lazily, Nawaki leapt down from the tree, as carefree as ever.
Over the past two years, he had mastered the ultimate strategy for dealing with the Nine-Tails: shamelessness.
With shamelessness, nothing was impossible.
"So, what kind of person will I become in the future?"
A familiar yet slightly unfamiliar voice spoke from behind him, startling Nawaki. He instinctively spun around, launching an attack, only for his hand to be caught mid-air.
As he tried to cry out and alert the others, he was horrified to find his body immobilized.
A binding jutsu?! Nawaki thought in alarm.
"Well, well, looks like two years away has given you some guts, you even dare to strike at me now."
The voice was calm, and soon the figure behind him stepped into view.
When Nawaki saw the face before him, his eyes widened in disbelief. He wanted to shout but found himself unable to make a sound.
He had recognized Hui, the person he had missed for two long years.
Noticing Nawaki's reaction, Hui smiled knowingly. He pointed at the still-sleeping Tsunade and put a finger to his lips.
Understanding the signal, Nawaki rolled his eyes to show he got the message.
Hui chuckled and released the binding jutsu.
"Brother-in-law!"
The moment he was freed, Nawaki's face lit up with excitement. Though he kept his voice low, it was clear how thrilled he was.
"You're finally back!"
"Yes, I'm back." Hui ruffled Nawaki's hair. It a habit of hism and it was oddly satisfying.
"I know you have a lot to say, but let's catch up tonight. For now, I just want to see your sister."
Hui's words made Nawaki roll his eyes dramatically, yet again.
Seriously, Hui had only just returned and was already shoving this dog food in his face.
"Fine, fine, I get it. I'll go tell Grandpa Tobirama you're back!"
With that, Nawaki bounded off happily, vanishing in a few leaps.
Hui then walked quietly toward Tsunade.
By this stage of his cultivation, his movements were almost soundless due to his extreme control over his strength. But still, he tread carefully, not wanting to disturb her.
Tsunade, now 19, had blossomed into a graceful and beautiful young woman.
Squatting beside her, Hui watched her peaceful face with a gentle smile.
"Damn Hui, bringing another woman to Konoha…"
Her sudden sleep-talking caught Hui off guard before he chuckled helplessly.
A gentle breeze brushed by, making Tsunade curl up slightly as if feeling a chill.
Seeing this, Hui removed his outer robe and draped it over her.
"Who's there?!"
The moment the fabric touched her, Tsunade woke up abruptly.
Unlike Nawaki, she didn't react with an attack. At her level, she could sense malice or killing intent, and this was the Senju Clan's territory after all.
Blinking at the familiar yet unfamiliar face before her, Tsunade seemed momentarily dazed.
Hui reached out and lightly tapped her nose.
"You really are a little fool, it's only been two years and you don't recognize me?"
At his words, Tsunade's eyes lit up. She let out a cry and threw her arms around him.
Feeling the warmth at her embrace, Tsunade knew this was indeed Hui, her Hui.
"Hui, you're finally back!"
Clinging tightly to him, her voice was filled with happiness, yet Hui could hear the resentment in her voice.
"Sorry. I broke my promise this time."
Hui held her just as tightly, his voice apologetic
He had promised to return within a year, but over two years had passed.
He had failed her.
But this would be the last time.
He vowed to himself—never again would he let her down.
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