"It's like this."
"Danzo just warned me that it would be best if I didn't stay in Konoha for the time being."
"Since I was already planning to go find your mother, Tsunade, there's no reason to delay."
"I'll leave tomorrow."
"I'd also like to take Itachi with me."
"What do you think?"
Isamu wanted to keep his eldest grandson by his side.
However, he couldn't simply take the child away.
After all, Itachi was Mikoto's son.
As his grandfather, it wouldn't be appropriate to force the matter.
He had to obtain the parents' consent first.
"Leaving tomorrow?"
"Father, you've only just come back."
"There's no need to leave so soon."
"And if it's because of Danzo, then that's even less of a reason."
"No matter how influential he is, he has no right to drive you out of Konoha."
"Mikoto."
"Don't get so worked up."
"This really has nothing to do with Danzo."
"My presence makes quite a few people uncomfortable."
"And honestly…"
"I don't like Konoha's atmosphere."
"I much prefer the freedom of the outside world."
"So there's no need to worry about it."
"I see…"
"If you want to take Itachi, I have no objection."
"As long as he's willing."
"But we still need to tell Senba."
"He's Itachi's father."
"Let's wait until we've asked him."
"Of course."
With the matter mostly settled, Karura stretched comfortably.
"Oh…"
"I've only just arrived."
"I haven't even had the chance to enjoy everything Konoha has to offer…"
"And we're already leaving."
"I'll admit…"
"I'm a little reluctant."
Mikoto smiled.
"That's easy."
"Mother Karura, you can stay here."
"I'll show you around Konoha properly."
Karura chuckled.
"Thank you, Mikoto."
"But no matter how wonderful this place is…"
"It can't compare to Isamu."
"In this lifetime…"
"I'll only follow him."
"Wherever he goes…"
"I'll go."
While they chatted happily, Senba finished work and headed home.
On the way, he crossed paths with Danzo, who was just leaving.
The two simply nodded before continuing in opposite directions.
Looking back at Danzo, then toward his own house, Senba frowned.
What's that old fox doing here this late?
Judging by where he came from…
Did he visit Father?
Carrying those questions, Senba walked into the house.
The moment he entered, he heard cheerful laughter echoing through the hall.
"Hm?"
"Why's it so lively?"
"Do we have guests?"
Stepping inside, the first thing he noticed was a beautiful young woman chatting happily with Mikoto.
…Holy crap.
Who is she?
I've never seen her before.
"Oh, Senba!"
"You're back!"
"Hurry!"
"Mother Karura is here."
"Come meet her."
Mikoto quickly pulled him over.
"Mother Karura, this is my husband, Senba."
"He's Father Isamu's son."
"Senba."
"This is Mother Karura."
"She's Father's wife."
"…His wife?"
Senba's eyes widened.
No way.
The old man came back… and somehow brought home someone this beautiful?
He's incredible.
His body's getting old, but his heart certainly isn't.
Is he seriously planning to give me a little brother?
Karura smiled warmly and extended her hand.
"You're Isamu's son, right?"
"I'm Karura."
"Ōtsutsuki Karura."
"And yes…"
"I'm your father's wife."
"It's nice to meet you."
"I hope we get along."
Rather than shaking her hand, Senba respectfully bowed.
"I'm Uchiha Senba."
"It's an honor to meet you."
"Please take care of me."
It wasn't that he disliked her.
It was simply that shaking hands with an elder felt disrespectful.
Besides…
He had no particular objection to polygamy.
He simply thought his father was… remarkably impressive.
Seeing him bow instead of shaking hands, Karura awkwardly withdrew her hand.
"Senba…"
"You don't happen to dislike me, do you?"
"You think I stole your father's affection from your mother?"
Senba smiled wryly.
"Heh…"
"You're overthinking it."
"I have no objection whatsoever to Father finding another partner."
"I'm not someone who's against polygamy."
"And I trust the bond between Father and Mother."
"So…"
"You really don't need to worry."
"Do you truly mean that?"
"Absolutely."
"Hahaha!"
"You're just like him."
"The way you speak is exactly like Isamu."
"You're definitely his son."
"No doubt about it."
Seeing that Senba resembled Isamu by more than half, Karura couldn't help laughing.
"Alright."
"We can chat later."
"Mikoto."
"Have dinner prepared."
"Senba's worked hard all day."
"He should eat while the food is hot."
"Okay."
"I'll have it served right away."
After Mikoto left, Senba quietly sat beside Isamu.
The moment he sat down, he leaned over and whispered,
"Father…"
"You're already this old…"
"…and now you've brought me a stepmother?"
"Aren't you afraid Mother will get angry?"
"You little brat."
"Mind your own business."
"I'll explain everything to your mother."
"Besides…"
"Karura is your mother as well."
"And if we're talking about age…"
"She's actually older than I am."
"So behave yourself."
"And stop making sarcastic comments."
"Alright, alright."
"I understand."
After hearing that, Senba immediately figured it out.
He assumed this youthful-looking stepmother must have used the same secret technique Tsunade had used to preserve her appearance.
Thinking that way, he no longer found it strange.
While the father and son whispered among themselves, Karura quietly watched Senba.
Seeing him reminded her of her own children.
A trace of sadness appeared in her eyes.
Time had already taken them away.
It was a genuine regret.
An even greater regret…
…was that Isamu had never been able to meet those two children.
Isamu noticed the change in her expression and gently asked,
"Karura."
"What's wrong?"
"You seem troubled."
She shook her head.
"It's nothing."
"Looking at Senba…"
"…I suddenly remembered the children you and I had."
"What a pity."
"Such a pity…"
Hearing that, Senba looked up in surprise.
"Mother Karura…"
"You and Father had children too?"
"Yes."
"A boy and a girl."
"Twins."
"Our son was named Ōtsutsuki Ganesha."
"Our daughter was named Ōtsutsuki Aditi."
"They were wonderful children."
"Very much like you."
"A son and a daughter…"
Senba's eyes lit up.
"So where are they now?"
"Why didn't you bring them with you?"
"Our whole family could have finally been reunited."
The thought of having siblings genuinely excited him.
With Father's bloodline…
Those two would undoubtedly have been extraordinary.
If they were here now…
Their family would truly flourish.
After all…
No one could ever be more trustworthy than one's own brother and sister.
----------------_-_-_------------------
Read 50 advanced chapter on
👉 patreon.com/Master_fic