Even though the Fifth Hokage Tsunade had prepared herself, she still froze for a moment when she saw the young man before her who looked strikingly similar to Kushina in her youth.
So similar.
Far too similar.
He looked like Kushina's biological younger brother.
Even so, Tsunade maintained her composure. She extended her hand with a polite smile.
"Kushina from another world, welcome."
"I hope our future shines as brightly as the morning sun."
She deliberately avoided mentioning the previous conflict caused by Uzumaki Menma.
Kyusei glanced at the flat-chested Tsunade in front of him, her black-rimmed glasses adding a scholarly air, and casually shook her hand before letting go. He smiled faintly.
"That's only natural, Tsunade-nee."
Tsunade paused slightly at the form of address before recalling what Minato had mentioned earlier. Kyusei had once been raised within the Senju clan, so it made sense that he was close to her counterpart.
Everyone present watched the interaction closely.
This wasn't just a greeting.
It marked the first official diplomatic contact between two worlds.
Uchiha Hikari didn't count.
Minato let out a quiet breath of relief. At last, everything was settling into place. The future would likely be both stable and full of possibility.
"It's getting late. Let's sign the alliance tomorrow morning," Tsunade suggested after some brief exchanges.
"Sounds good."
Kyusei didn't mind. With Mitokado Homura present, he was essentially just here to go through the motions—and maybe explore this version of Konoha a bit.
Konoha's efficiency was impressive. After Tobirama's visit, Tsunade had already arranged everything for Kyusei's group.
As she watched them leave, her gaze lingered on a silver-haired figure among them.
She sighed softly.
That person… belonged to another version of herself.
The one in her heart had already disappeared twenty years ago in the flames of war.
"So?"
"How does it feel seeing another Tsunade?"
Kyusei nudged Kato Dan with a teasing grin as Minato led them onward.
Dan smiled helplessly.
"Stop teasing me. I still don't understand why I was suddenly assigned to this mission."
As the ANBU commander, he had been doing just fine—until Kaoru abruptly placed him in the delegation.
Only after meeting this Tsunade did he understand.
In this world, she had become Hokage.
That… was good.
His wish had been fulfilled—just not in his own world.
Seeing Dan remain calm, Kyusei felt like he had punched cotton. This guy really did have something in common with Minato.
"This is your temporary lodging."
Minato led them into a well-equipped inn.
The facilities were excellent, though as shinobi, none of them really cared about such things.
They could sleep in trees if needed.
As night fell, Konoha's streets became lively.
Kyusei walked alongside Mei through the bustling streets—familiar, yet different.
Compared to his own world's Konoha before reconstruction, this one was far more prosperous.
"Well… makes sense."
There was nearly a thirty-year difference between the two timelines.
"Kyusei-sama, it's so lively here…"
Mei's green eyes sparkled as she looked around.
"Our village will surpass this."
Kyusei said confidently.
With the Dragon Vein, Hyakuzoku's construction ability, and Otsutsuki puppet technology—
Their future Konoha could rival a modern city.
Mei's expression dimmed slightly.
She thought of her homeland.
But she had already been sent away—to become the Hokage's disciple.
Kyusei noticed but said nothing.
Soon, all nations would be absorbed into Konoha.
She was just the first.
"Hey! You!"
"Uzumaki Kyusei! Stop right there!"
A voice suddenly called out from behind.
Kyusei turned, confused.
Who here knew him?
Then he saw her—and his expression twitched.
Right.
He had forgotten about her.
Hyuga Hinata.
The girl who had wrecked his house upon first meeting him.
And then spent half a month in Konoha's prison.
She wore a sporty white-and-purple jacket over a revealing crop top, paired with outrageously short shorts that showed off her long legs.
Mei's face turned red.
This big sister… dressed very boldly.
"Yo. Haven't seen you in years, and you don't even greet me?"
Hinata crossed her arms, trying to look down at him like before—only to realize he was now a full head taller.
"…Hello. Goodbye."
Kyusei replied flatly and immediately tried to leave with Mei.
"Hey!"
"Stop right there!"
Hinata grabbed his collar, annoyed.
"You don't even call me 'big sis' anymore?"
Kyusei sighed.
"You're twenty-three. Isn't it a bit inappropriate to be grabbing me like this in public?"
That did it.
"You damn brat! You know I'm twenty-three?!"
"Then hurry up and bring my Menma back to me!"
Her face flushed with anger.
She had tried everything.
First, asking her father to get Menma out of prison.
Then Menma escaped—only to get captured again in another world.
She had been waiting for a romantic reunion.
Instead—
Nothing.
So she came straight to the only person she knew here.
Kyusei.
And he tried to run.
Kyusei studied her carefully.
Even after everything Menma had done—
She still loved him.
That was… real love.
Hot-tempered Menma paired with equally hot-tempered Hinata…
Oddly fitting.
"What are you staring at?"
Hinata snapped.
Kyusei resisted the urge to reply sarcastically and shrugged.
"He's doing fine where he is."
"And he didn't say anything about coming back."
Hinata relaxed slightly.
"…When are you going back?"
"Take me with you."
Kyusei stared at her, speechless.
"That's something you discuss with your Hokage."
"Not me."
"Bye."
He tried to leave again.
She missed grabbing him—
So she grabbed Mei instead, lifting her like a chicken.
"…What do you want?"
Kyusei gave up.
Mei looked at him with teary eyes.
This big sister is scary…
Hinata set her down and leaned closer to Kyusei with a grin.
"So… how are things with that… Kaoru girl?"
Kyusei replied flatly.
"We're getting married when we're of age."
Hinata broke into a grin and slapped his shoulder.
"Nice! I knew I had good judgment."
Kyusei smirked mischievously.
"And Nao too. She's marrying me as well."
"…Who?"
"Nao. Hyuga Nao."
"If I remember correctly… she's your mother in this world."
His grin widened.
"You brat!"
"Say that again!"
Hinata exploded, grabbing his collar.
"We're in love."
"You'll bless us, right?"
Kyusei pushed her away lightly.
"If you even exist in my world…"
"You'd probably end up as Menma's half-sibling."
Hinata snapped.
"Gentle Step Twin Lion Fists!"
"I'm killing you!"
Blue chakra roared from her hands.
But before she could strike—
Golden chains burst forth, binding her arms instantly.
The chakra lions shattered.
She was strong—but nowhere near Kyusei.
"Behave."
"You're not my opponent."
"And attacking me? Want to end up in prison?"
Kyusei said calmly.
"You pervert! Scumbag! Degenerate!"
Hinata raged.
People nearby began whispering.
Even Mei looked at Kyusei differently.
Kyusei shrugged.
"What's wrong with a man being a little lustful?"
The crowd fell silent.
Hinata laughed in disbelief.
"You shameless bastard!"
"I'll—"
"Wake up."
Kyusei's tone turned cold.
"If you hadn't acted arrogantly back then, Nao wouldn't have disliked you."
"If you behaved better, things might've been different."
"In the end—it's your fault."
Hinata froze.
Kyusei walked away with Mei.
He knew it was sophistry.
He didn't deny being called a scumbag.
But her persistence had annoyed him.
As they walked, Mei hesitated before asking softly:
"Kyusei-sama… are you really a scumbag?"
Kyusei paused.
"…Yeah."
"I am."
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