Chapter 211: Reputation at Risk
The trip to Roran was officially declared over.
Setting foot on the return journey, Masahiko now had a daughter following closely behind him. Masahiko still hadn't figured out if his future self and he counted as the same person, giving him a feeling of being a "sudden father."
"The future me went back to the current past, then married and had a child with someone... completely skipping over the present me. I missed out on the marriage and the birth, and am just left with the child?" Masahiko shook his head with a bitter smile as he walked, glancing at Sara.
After repeated consoling, Sara finally regained her calm, but she remained silent for a while.
Masahiko didn't feel any hatred for having his wife stolen. On one hand, he didn't know if this counted as stealing a wife—stealing from himself? On the other hand...
"I didn't even get to see what the person who might have become my wife looked like..."
"Forget it, I won't dwell on it." Masahiko sighed deeply. "I'll just wish my future self happiness."
"No matter how I say it, it sounds awkward!"
Masahiko turned his head. Behind him, Sara was stumbling along. Masahiko's wild thoughts had lasted for half a day, and Sara, being an ordinary person, was physically exhausted.
"Sit down and rest a while, My Queen." Masahiko infused Earth Release chakra into his feet, causing two stone stools to rise up in front of him.
He addressed Sara as "My Queen." Having never had children, he really didn't know how to interact with Sara.
"You..." Sara sat down, also unsure of how to address Masahiko for a moment.
"Forget it, just call me Father. No matter what, the blood in your body is exactly the same as mine, that can't be wrong." Masahiko smiled.
Back in Roran, Sara had desperately hoped Masahiko was really her father, but now that it was happening, she was somewhat at a loss.
"It's fine. I've been a lonely old man for a long time anyway; having a daughter is just right. You don't have any family either... Hey, hey, stop crying all the time." Masahiko had black lines on his face. He should be the one wanting to cry right now; the closest chance to ending his bachelorhood in his entire life had just been missed.
"Father." After a good while, Sara spoke softly.
"Mm." Masahiko responded, feeling something different.
Ever since Gensuke died, Masahiko had to admit he felt some fear in his heart. He had already calculated it: the next one to be sent off should be Mito, followed by Nanako, Izuko, Kento...
Suddenly having a fifteen or sixteen-year-old daughter really soothed his soul.
Having officially established the "father-daughter relationship," Masahiko realized some other troubles.
He intended to take Sara back to the Land of Whirlpools, where she would have a good life. But the identity of Masahiko Uzumaki's daughter...
Sara was only fifteen or sixteen, while Masahiko was already 110 years old. Having such a daughter, people would really have to call the police (dial 110).
"Then I'll take her back to Konoha." Masahiko sighed and used the Transformation Jutsu, changing into the appearance of the Taobao Shop Owner.
"You should know this appearance, right? Don't mention to anyone that I am Masahiko Uzumaki. My name in this form is Hagoromo. Just call me Father when we're outside. And if we meet acquaintances, act according to my signals..."
Sara nodded, seemingly understanding but not quite.
"Then there's one last problem. Minato and the others have seen Sara... Hmm?" Just as he thought of this, he discovered the chakras of Minato's group of four approaching rapidly.
"In this direction... they must be going to investigate the battle from half a day ago."
Shibi Aburame spotted someone in this direction from afar and guided the other three to rush over.
"Are you Uncle Hagoromo from the Taobao Shop?" Choza Akimichi recognized him at a glance and paused. "Who is that behind you?"
This time it was Masahiko's turn to be stunned. Sensing slightly, he realized there were traces of sealing jutsu left on them.
"Did they seal away their experiences in Roran? Minato must have done it, to keep a little mystery about his future son's appearance?" Masahiko snickered inwardly; this saved him a lot of trouble.
He turned to look at Sara, only to find she was also staring straight at him.
"Father, your signal?"
Masahiko's face darkened, remembering he had told her to act according to his signals when meeting acquaintances. "What signal!"
Only then did he turn to Minato's group. "She is my daughter. She lived in the Land of Wind before. I came this time to bring her to Konoha."
"So that's it." Choza responded, nodding in understanding.
"You are also a ninja?" Minato's gaze fell on the stone stools beneath the two of them.
"That's right, I heard from Inoichi that the owner of the Taobao Shop is a very strong ninja!" Choza spoke loudly.
Masahiko smiled but didn't speak.
"Then did you notice the battle earlier?"
Masahiko played dumb. "Battle? What battle? Wasn't there a sandstorm earlier?"
Minato: "..."
Such a clumsy lie could be seen through at a glance, but he really had no way to force an answer.
"Then, Uncle Hagoromo, shall we return to Konoha together?" Minato wanted to observe more on the way.
Masahiko shook his head. "No need. My daughter is just an ordinary person and can't keep up with your speed. We'll walk slowly."
Seeing Minato's group off, Masahiko smiled at Sara. She had almost lost her composure just now.
"The events that happened before might affect the future, so they sealed their memories. Logically, I should seal your memory too, but since those are the final memories of the Kingdom of Roran, just treat it as a dream and don't mention it to anyone else."
Sara nodded hesitantly.
Afterwards, the two embarked on the return journey again.
Masahiko didn't fly with Sara. They walked and stopped intermittently, taking five days to return to Konoha.
He wanted to get familiar with each other on the road so that getting along wouldn't be so awkward. Actually, he was the only one feeling awkward; Sara was already comfortably calling him Father. But Masahiko had forgotten what it felt like to interact with close relatives and always felt a bit uneasy.
Fortunately, they had plenty of time to get along. By the time they arrived in Konoha, Masahiko could already calmly call Sara "Daughter," a term with a strong rustic flavor...
"Come on, Daughter, let me take you to see our shop. When we get there, you can choose to learn either carving or pharmacy, and I'll teach you some basic ninja knowledge."
Although Sara was past the prime age for learning ninjutsu, she had Masahiko's bloodline after all, so training now should still give her some ability to protect herself.
On the other side, Hiruzen also received the news of his return to the Taobao Shop. The Dust Release was clearly visible in that battle, yet there had been no news of "Masahiko Uzumaki," making Hiruzen anxious.
Upon learning of his return, he immediately rushed to the Taobao Shop personally.
"Father, someone is looking for you outside."
Before Hiruzen could speak, Sara's words froze both of them on the spot.
"Your... daughter?" Hiruzen looked incredulous.
Masahiko's face darkened. How could he forget that Hiruzen knew his true identity? This time, his "reputation in old age" was probably at risk...
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