Konoha Hospital
Kyusei paced back and forth outside the operating room, his steps restless and uneven. His fists had been clenched tight ever since Kaoru was pushed inside—so tight that his knuckles had gone pale.
The young nurse standing guard at the door followed his movements with her eyes, her head unconsciously turning left and right along with him.
So even the Hokage's husband is just like every other husband…
she thought quietly.
"Kyusei-sama,"
an ANBU suddenly appeared beside him, dropping to one knee.
"The surrounding barriers are fully deployed. All non-essential personnel have been cleared."
"I know," Kyusei replied curtly. Then he hesitated for a moment before adding,
"Kakashi, stay here with me for a bit."
"…I'm kind of nervous."
The ANBU froze, then sighed helplessly and removed his fox mask, revealing the familiar face of Kakashi Hatake.
"Kyusei-sama, I'm technically still on duty."
Looking at the man before him, Kakashi found it hard to reconcile this anxious figure with the fearless Uzumaki Kyusei he knew.
"Just a little while," Kyusei said, sounding almost childish.
"Just stay."
Kakashi hesitated, then nodded.
"…Alright."
Time crawled by. The night grew heavier, darker than usual. The moon vanished behind thick clouds, and outside the windows, the darkness felt almost tangible.
Then—
A loud, clear cry rang out from within the operating room.
Kyusei's clenched hands finally loosened.
He rushed inside—
—and nearly collided with Biwako Sarutobi, who was holding a swaddled infant.
"Kyusei, congratulations. Mother and daughter are—eh?"
Kyusei ignored her completely, striding straight to the operating table where Kaoru lay, her face pale, golden hair plastered to her cheeks with sweat.
"Kaoru… you did great."
He held her cold hand, his voice trembling.
"Kyusei… where's our baby?"
Kaoru looked at him gently, smiling faintly.
"She's with Biwako—"
Kyusei's pupils shrank.
Without warning, he scooped Kaoru up and leapt backward.
BOOM—!
Flames erupted violently, obliterating the operating room in a single blast.
Amid the wreckage, a tall man stepped forward, cradling a newborn in one arm as he approached the golden barrier formed by Adamantine Chains.
The chains slowly dissolved.
Kyusei looked down at his trembling wife, then back at the man holding his daughter.
Scarlet, beast-like pupils burned with killing intent.
"Interesting," the man said hoarsely.
"No wonder the Golden Flash chose you."
"Uzumaki Kyusei—put her down and come with me."
"Otherwise, I can't guarantee your daughter's safety."
The man wore a black cloak. His face was a mass of scars, darkness spilling endlessly from his eyes.
Kyusei gritted his teeth.
"…Senju Nawaki."
"Oh?"
The man sounded amused.
"This body's already in this state, and you still recognize it?"
The man wearing Senju Nawaki's face looked at Kyusei with mild surprise.
Kyusei didn't answer.
Golden chains exploded outward from his body, shattering walls as they shielded Kaoru and carried her away at top speed.
Nawaki moved to pursue—
—but a black staff slammed down in front of him.
The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, stood between them.
"...Nawaki?!"
Hiruzen stared, disbelief flooding his face.
"How—?!"
"That name again," the man sighed, rolling his wrist casually.
"Why does everyone know who this body belonged to?"
Hiruzen's heart sank.
"Who are you?" he demanded.
"And how did you get Nawaki's body?!"
Hiruzen had personally seen Nawaki buried—his organs shattered beyond recovery. Resurrection should've been impossible.
Yet this man, scarred as he was, still bore Nawaki's features unmistakably.
"So?"
The man shrugged.
"Who knows?"
—
"Our child… our baby…"
Kyusei raced across rooftops, Kaoru clinging tightly to his arm.
"She'll be fine," he said firmly.
"Trust me, Kaoru."
He reached home in an instant, gently placing Kaoru onto the bed.
"Kyusei…"
She grabbed his hand before he could turn away, tears streaming down her face.
"Please…"
"I've got this."
Kyusei slammed his foot into the ground.
Kagura's Mind's Eye spread outward—
In an instant, nearly all of Konoha fell within his perception.
Found you.
Scarlet bled into gray-brown eyes as Kyusei transformed into a raging beast, charging straight toward his enemy.
—
Hiruzen grimaced.
The hostage made things difficult—he couldn't go all out.
"Not attacking?"
The man sneered.
"Then I won't hold back."
He vanished—
—and reappeared before Hiruzen in an instant, delivering a devastating kick.
Too fast!
Hiruzen barely dodged.
The kick struck the ground—
The earth shattered like an earthquake.
"This is—?!"
Hiruzen's eyes widened in shock.
Heavenly Foot of Pain…?!
Not only had this thing stolen Nawaki's body—it had his memories too?!
Before the man could continue, dozens of golden chains shot out from the forest like lightning.
He laughed, weaving effortlessly between them—
—but then froze.
A crimson humanoid beast appeared directly in front of him.
Bad—
The punch landed before he could escape.
CRACK!
He was sent flying.
The infant slipped from his grasp, thrown into the air.
Kyusei's eyes sharpened.
A golden chain caught his daughter midair.
He held her for just a heartbeat—then handed her to Hiruzen.
"Old man. Take my daughter to Kaoru."
"This thing—"
His gaze burned with hatred.
"—is mine."
Hiruzen said nothing. He turned and vanished with the child.
The man wiped blood from his mouth, one crimson eye locking onto Kyusei.
"Heh. Letting Sarutobi leave?"
"That was your biggest mistake."
Kyusei's voice dropped to a growl.
"Beast."
The man's eye spun—
Mangekyō Sharingan.
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