Nagi shook his head and quickly steadied himself.
He now understood that an even heavier burden awaited him in the future. During the Fourth Great Ninja War, there would be enemies even stronger than Kaguya.
"Nagi, Nagi! How did you get here so fast? You could've at least told me and Pervy Sage first!"
Naruto Uzumaki and Jiraiya arrived at the training grounds behind the mountain.
Nagi turned to them.
"Sorry, sorry. I had something urgent to take care of just now. But it's fine now."
Naruto grinned.
"Really? Then let's go get some Ichira Kū Ramen together! I'm starving!"
"Yeah," Jiraiya added with a laugh. "This great sage is hungry too. I'll treat you both."
"All right! Pervy Sage, you're the best! Nagi, let's go!"
"Yeah, let's."
Nagi nodded in agreement.
But the moment Naruto and Jiraiya turned around, the two exchanged a knowing glance and smiled.
From afar, they had seen Nagi standing there alone, looking somewhat downcast.
It had been Naruto who suggested this idea to Jiraiya.
"Hiruzen Sarutobi: Whew… This incident with the children from the future is finally over."
"Onoki: But… it's left us with plenty of problems."
"Shika Kū Nara: The Fourth Great Ninja War. MadaraUchiha becoming the Ten-Tails' Jinchūriki. The Ōtsutsuki descending from beyond the heavens. And the ultimate future enemy… Shibai Ōtsutsuki."
"Dodai: First is the Fourth Great Ninja War. Judging by those two children's ages, it shouldn't be too far off."
"Mū: But what we need to determine is the purpose of this Fourth Great Ninja War. Will it be like the previous ones?"
"Shika Kū Nara: No. Based on what Nagi said about the Ten-Tails' Jinchūriki and the Eye of the Moon Plan, the enemy in the coming war… may very well be MadaraUchiha."
"Hiruzen Sarutobi: Shika Kū makes sense. Sigh… If Madaratruly becomes the Ten-Tails' Jinchūriki, his power may rival that of Urashiki and the others. When that time comes, our odds won't look good."
"Tobirama Senju: Monkey, don't forget about the Ōtsutsuki descending from beyond the sky. Even if Black Zetsu's plan succeeds and Kaguya Ōtsutsuki is unsealed, the primary enemy at that point will likely still be that Ōtsutsuki."
"Hagoromo Ōtsutsuki: An enemy even stronger than Mother? I truly wonder how Nagi managed to defeat him…"
Everyone in the Shinobi World understood one thing clearly—Nagi must have ultimately defeated that invading Ōtsutsuki. Otherwise, his future children would not have appeared in this era.
"Shika Kū Nara: Perhaps he relied solely on his own strength."
"Hashirama Senju: Hahaha! Very possible! After all, my grand-disciple's children have already reached the Six Paths–level at such a young age. I'm sure my grand-disciple himself will be even stronger."
"Onoki: Lord Hashirama is right. If even Nagi's children are this powerful, then Nagi himself must be stronger still. Otherwise, why would the so-called god of the Ōtsutsuki clan bother negotiating with him?"
"Tobirama Senju: Hmph. That's why I've said before—just cooperate properly with my disciple. If anything happens to him, the entire Shinobi World is finished."
"Rasa: Ahem. The Second Hokage is correct. If something happens to Nagi, we have no way of dealing with Six Paths–level threats."
"Onoki: Exactly. Our top priority now is ensuring Nagi's safety."
Onoki immediately revoked his assassination order against Nagi. Not only him—most of the high-ranking officials across the Shinobi World did the same.
A few extremists, however, still hoped for total destruction.
For the rest, there was only one viable policy left—win him over at all costs. Under no circumstances could they afford to antagonize him.
Otherwise, when the Ōtsutsuki clan invades in the future, if Nagi chooses not to intervene… it would be the end.
"A (Fourth Raikage): Ahem. Brother Nagi, when are you planning to visit Kūmoga Kūre? And when will your engagement ceremony with Samui be held?"
"Samui: Lord Raikage! I haven't even met Nagi yet. And besides, he's still just a child!"
"Mabui: Ara ara, what does that matter? You'll get familiar after spending time together. An engagement isn't marriage, after all. Otherwise, if Kū doesn't appear in the future, that would be troublesome."
"Atsui: Yeah, Sis! I don't want my cool nephew disappearing."
"Samui: I…"
"Karui: Hahaha, exactly, Captain! You wouldn't want your future child to vanish, would you?"
"Omoi: Right, right! If you don't marry Nagi, then Kū won't be born. If Kū isn't born, then past Naruto and Nagi will be in danger. And if they're in danger, then—"
"Cee: You make sense, but that was very… Omoi of you."
Samui found herself completely speechless.
Truthfully, she admired Nagi's calm personality and composed way of handling things. But marriage? At this stage? Please spare her.
It was the first time Karui and Omoi had seen their captain like this. They hid to the side, snickering.
"Hashirama Senju: Hahaha! The Raikage is right! My grand-disciple, this concerns your lifelong happiness. I wholeheartedly support it!"
" Nagi: Uh… Granduncle… I…"
Tobirama noticed his disciple's helpless expression.
"Tobirama Senju: Ah… Big Brother, Nagi is still too young. And this isn't the time for such matters."
"Mito Uzumaki: Now, Tobirama. The future of the Shinobi World is important—but so is Nagi's marriage. If, by some accident, Mai and Kū fail to exist, I won't forgive you!"
"Tobirama Senju: ..."
Nagi… your teacher can only help you this much.
Though truth be told, he was quite fond of those two future grand-disciples.
"Nadeshiko Kagami: By the way, if I'm not mistaken, the child named Mai—her mother is my disciple, Shizuka."
Jiraiya nodded.
"So it is. In that case, I'm relieved."
" Kūshina Uzumaki: Huh? Your name…"
"Nadeshiko Kagami: Indeed. As you've all seen, that other child uses the Nadeshiko Style—both ninjutsu and taijutsu. And she bears a strong resemblance to Shizuka."
"Mei Terumi: Ah? So the other child's mother has been identified as well?"
"Tsunade: It would seem so. But Jiraiya, how did you know?"
Jiraiya coughed awkwardly.
"Ahem. What matters right now is Mai's mother."
Across the Shinobi World, black-haired, green-eyed women collectively felt a twinge of disappointment.
Nadeshiko Kagami merely smiled, choosing not to expose Jiraiya.
"All right, Shizuka. You should speak with Nagi."
"Shizuka: Mm. Nagi, as long as we continue striving forward, our child will surely appear soon."
" Nagi: Pfft—!"
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