After leaving Asuka's room, Hoshiyomi and the others chatted casually as they walked—eventually arriving at Shinku's house. Shinku happened to be off-duty and relaxing at home, and when he saw that Hoshiyomi had returned, he was absolutely thrilled.
However, when he heard that Tsunade and the others were planning to go out for fried chicken to celebrate Hoshiyomi's return, he looked visibly torn. After a bit of questioning, they learned the reason—Shinku had recently started dating someone.
They had already made plans to go on a date, and now that Hoshiyomi had come back, he was caught between two important commitments.
On one hand, it was a long-awaited reunion with close friends. On the other, a pre-arranged date. Neither could easily be brushed off.
Jiraiya and Hoshiyomi exchanged a glance and immediately said,
"What's the problem? Just bring your girlfriend along! Sooner or later, we're going to meet her anyway."
Shinku was still hesitant at first, but under their persistent encouragement, he finally agreed to bring his girlfriend to dinner.
They'd thought about inviting Sakumo too, but unfortunately, he was still out on a mission, so they had to leave him out this time.
That's when Tsunade suddenly said,
"Hey, Hoshiyomi—I just realized there's someone I should introduce you to."
Just as Hoshiyomi tilted his head in confusion, Jiraiya clapped a hand on his shoulder and added,
"She's talking about her little brother—this kid named Nawaki. Total brat. Super clingy. Idolizes me and Orochimaru like you wouldn't believe."
Hearing the name Nawaki, Hoshiyomi's heart stirred. He instinctively turned to look at Tsunade, and sure enough, she was glaring at Jiraiya with irritation, clearly annoyed that he'd spoiled the surprise.
Tsunade sighed and explained,
"Actually, you've kind of met him before—during the Chūnin Exams. Though, back then, he was still in my mother's womb."
At that, Hoshiyomi's memory clicked. He had once worried whether Tsunade's mother, Moka, would survive childbirth after delivering Nawaki.
He couldn't help but ask cautiously,
"Didn't she give birth at the Daimyō's estate? Usually, a male heir born there would be expected to remain, wouldn't he?"
Tsunade's smile widened.
"Well, that's where you come in. Remember what you said to me before you left? You told me I should make sure to be there when my little brother was born. I didn't think much of it at the time.
But the day before my mom went into labor, I won a huge bet, which made me feel like something strange was about to happen.
I remembered what you said and rushed home to the Land of Fire's capital. It turns out my mom had a difficult labor—Nawaki's umbilical cord was wrapped around his neck, and none of the midwives or doctors at the Daimyō's estate knew what to do.
Thankfully, I got there just in time. I used a chakra scalpel and saved him. If I'd been even a little later, things could've gone very wrong.
My mom still says you're her lifesaver, and she made me promise to bring you to visit if I ever had the chance."
She continued,
"Nawaki coming to Konoha is also because of that. He grew up hearing that I saved him using medical ninjutsu, so he became obsessed with becoming a great ninja. The moment he could talk, he wouldn't stop going on about wanting to be one."
My parents didn't know how to handle him, and since my father has other sons as well, even the Daimyō agreed to let Nawaki live with me and Grandma Mito in Konoha."
Hearing all this, Hoshiyomi couldn't help but feel happy. He never would have guessed that a single passing comment would end up saving Tsunade's mother's life.
And of course, after that kind of story, there was no reason not to bring Nawaki along.
So the group split up—some went to pick up Nawaki, others to pick up Shinku's girlfriend. They all met again at the fried chicken restaurant in Konoha.
Just as Jiraiya said, Nawaki was an especially clingy kid. When he found out Hoshiyomi was the Gekkō Hoshiyomi—his sister's legendary friend—his little face turned beet red with excitement.
He followed Hoshiyomi and Tsunade around like a tail, constantly calling out "Big Brother Hoshiyomi" this and "Big Brother Hoshiyomi" that, making everyone burst out laughing.
At the fried chicken shop, they finally met Shinku's girlfriend—a beautiful young woman with curly hair. Seeing how affectionate the two were, Jiraiya looked visibly jealous. He looked like he was one step away from demanding to know how Shinku had managed to land such a stunning girlfriend.
Hoshiyomi, seeing her distinctive curls, immediately thought of Kurenai Yuhi from the original timeline. He suddenly had a feeling this couple was solid—he just didn't know when the wedding would be.
...
After the dinner, elsewhere in a quiet corner of the Hidden Leaf Village, a ninja stood inside a secluded compound, reporting to the man seated above him.
"Lord Danzo, Gekkō Hoshiyomi has returned after five years of wandering in the Land of Iron. Just now, one of our informants spotted him at a fried chicken shop in Konoha with Tsunade and the others.
He overheard their conversation—apparently, they're celebrating Hoshiyomi's full chakra recovery."
Danzo, seated in silence, took a sip of tea before slowly setting his cup down. A vague smile curled at the edge of his lips.
"…I see. That'll be all."
After the subordinate left, Danzo murmured to himself,
"Gekkō Hoshiyomi… this may be the last chance."
Yes—he had long given up hope, but the news of Hoshiyomi's return reignited an old ambition.
Six years ago, Sarutobi Hiruzen had told him about the remarkable talent shown by five young shinobi—including Hoshiyomi. Danzo had kept an eye on all of them, but since Hiruzen personally kept a close watch over Jiraiya, Tsunade, and Orochimaru, Danzo had instead targeted Hoshiyomi and Sakumo.
He had once tried to approach them with offers, but nothing came of it. He had then planned to act after the Chūnin Exams—but just as those ended, Sakumo joined the ANBU and became one of Hiruzen's most trusted subordinates.
As for Hoshiyomi, rumors had spread that he'd been crippled by a forbidden jutsu that sealed away his chakra.
At the time, Danzo had shelved all plans.
But now, with Hoshiyomi's return and chakra restored, his mind was at work again.
To Danzo, Hoshiyomi was no longer the rising star who stood equal to Jiraiya and the others. He had lost time—five full years. In that time, he had surely fallen behind in strength, influence, and status.
A man like that must be full of hidden frustration.
This was a window of opportunity.
To Danzo, Hoshiyomi was just like himself—gifted, ambitious, yet constrained by systems and setbacks.
But it didn't matter. All it took was a single opportunity to change everything.
And he—Danzo—would be that opportunity.
Helping someone in their moment of need was worth far more than celebrating someone already on top. If he extended a hand now, how could Hoshiyomi not repay the favor?
If he helped Hoshiyomi once… he'd have his loyalty for life.
PS: Read Advance Chapters at https://www.patreon.com/c/ReadJin