Konoha Year 41
November 5th
Today was a special day.
Tsunade got married.
The flower of the Legendary Sannin had wed Konoha's elite jōnin—Katō Dan.
The news shook the entire village.
As the strongest medical ninja in the world, combined with her contributions in two great wars and her status as the First Hokage's granddaughter, Tsunade's every move drew attention.
Her wedding became a grand event.
Almost every ninja clan in Konoha attended.
Each brought gifts.
Countless shinobi who had once been saved by her also came to offer their blessings.
This wedding—
Was the most significant event in Konoha since the Third Great Ninja War.
Almost as important as war itself.
Because Tsunade—
Was that important.
—
Senju Clan Grounds
Kushina carefully applied Tsunade's makeup.
Looking at the stunning woman before her, she couldn't help but recall her own wedding day.
A trace of nostalgia appeared in her eyes.
The once-quiet Senju compound was now filled with laughter and celebration.
Tsunade and Dan weren't fond of complicated rituals.
So they simply arranged dozens of large tables, filled them with food, and let everyone serve themselves.
Almost like a banquet buffet.
Inside the bridal room—
Kushina was doing Tsunade's makeup.
Kaoru stood nearby, watching with sparkling eyes full of admiration and longing.
At that moment—
The door opened.
Kyūsei stepped in.
Kushina immediately frowned.
"Hey! This is the bride's room!"
"What are you doing here? Get out!"
Kyūsei scratched his cheek awkwardly.
"Uh… actually, there's someone who wants to see Tsunade…"
"Who?"
"No one sees the bride before she appears."
Kushina tried to push him out—
But Kyūsei grabbed her wrist, his expression serious.
"This person is important."
"Tsunade will definitely want to see him."
Kaoru seemed to understand immediately.
She smiled and gently pulled Kushina away.
"Come on, Kyūsei wouldn't mess around at a time like this."
"This is Tsunade's most important day."
She winked at Kyūsei —
Then dragged the confused Kushina out and closed the door.
—
Tsunade narrowed her eyes.
"If you don't give me a good explanation, I won't forgive you."
Kyūsei tapped the necklace under his shirt.
"Hashirama-sensei… come out."
Tsunade froze.
A tall figure appeared before her.
Familiar black hair.
Familiar face.
Familiar armor.
Familiar smile.
The First Hokage—
Senju Hashirama.
He looked at her with warmth.
"Tsunade… it's been a long time. I didn't expect you to grow up so much… and now you're getting mar—"
Before he could finish—
Tsunade rushed forward and threw herself into his arms.
"Grandpa…"
Her voice broke.
At that moment—
She was no longer a legendary kunoichi.
Just a granddaughter.
Kyūsei quietly left the room.
—
Outside—
Kushina stared blankly.
"T-that was…?"
Kyūsei made a quiet gesture.
"Shh."
"That's just residual chakra from Hashirama-sensei."
"…Though it's basically the same."
Kushina nodded quickly.
Then looked at the closed door with a hint of envy.
When she got married—
She had no family left.
But today—
Tsunade had her grandfather's blessing.
At the most important moment of her life.
How could that not be enviable?
—
Twenty minutes later—
The chakra returned to the necklace.
The door opened.
Tsunade stepped out, eyes red.
"Kyūsei … thank you."
"I'm really happy today."
—
Soon after—
Kushina and Kaoru dragged Tsunade away to fix her makeup.
Kyūsei stepped into the courtyard.
The lively atmosphere instantly surrounded him.
Everyone was smiling.
Even the most serious matters were set aside today.
Except one person.
Jiraiya sat alone in a corner, drinking heavily.
Cup after cup.
Trying to drown something.
Everyone knew—
He had chased Tsunade for twenty years.
But no one said anything.
Because… well.
It was Jiraiya.
Orochimaru walked over and sat beside him.
He poured himself a drink and downed it in one go.
"Jiraiya."
"Today is Tsunade's most important day."
"You should smile."
Jiraiya swayed slightly.
"You idiot… you don't understand."
"I don't understand love."
Orochimaru replied calmly.
"But I do know one thing."
"You could have been with her."
"You were the one who destroyed that path."
"No woman would like a peeping pervert like you."
Jiraiya fell silent.
He just kept drinking.
—
Kyūsei ignored them.
A small hand tugged his sleeve.
He looked down.
Anko.
Behind her—
Kurenai, Asuma, Kakashi, Rin, Obito, Hayate…
All of them.
"Kyūsei -nii, where were you?"
"We've been looking for you!"
Kyūsei crouched and pinched Anko's cheek.
"What do you kids need me for?"
Anko looked around sneakily—
Then whispered:
"Can you get us some alcohol?"
Kyūsei 's mouth twitched.
He himself was banned from drinking.
And these kids wanted alcohol?
Looking at their hopeful faces—
Even Kurenai's eyes were shining.
Even Kakashi glanced over.
"…Nope."
He pulled Anko's cheek.
"Ow ow ow!"
Then he called out loudly:
"Shibi-san! Kurenai's dad!"
"Your kids want alcohol!"
"…!!!"
Anko froze.
Kurenai tried to run—
But Kyūsei grabbed her instantly.
The others fled.
Cowards.
Soon—
Both girls were dragged away by their fathers.
Kyūsei smirked.
Anko glared at him like he had betrayed her.
He glared back.
She got smacked again.
"…Heh."
—
"Having fun bullying kids?"
A voice sounded behind him.
"Yeah."
Kyūsei answered instinctively.
Then turned around—
And paused.
Hyūga Nao.
Dressed in pure white formal wear.
Elegant.
Refined.
Her pale eyes seemed to glow faintly.
"Why so formal today?"
"Senju princess wedding."
"Of course I'd dress properly."
She rolled her eyes—
Then casually hooked his arm.
"Oh right—what I told you before."
"I've made progress."
Kyūsei 's expression sharpened.
"I searched the entire Hyūga archive."
"And asked the elders."
Nao lowered her voice.
"I got a location… from my father."
Kyūsei 's expression changed.
If this was real—
Then the path to the moon…
And the Tenseigan—
Were real too.
Nao continued:
"It's a secret passed down through every Hyūga head."
"I only got it because I'm the next heir."
"And…"
"There's something else."
"That man who slaughtered most of our clan…"
"He didn't die."
"He escaped."
"No one could stop him."
"He could reshape the terrain with a gesture."
"The strongest in the world."
Kyūsei narrowed his eyes.
Escaped?
No.
He simply didn't need to kill anymore.
Or—
The Hyūga still had value.
After all—
Why leave survivors otherwise?
There was only one answer.
They were still useful.
"…Then?"
"What do you need from me?"
Kyūsei asked seriously.
This was it.
The Tenseigan.
Power capable of reshaping the land.
In the current shinobi world—
Only a few things matched that level.
Tailed Beast Bombs.
Nagato's Shinra Tensei and Chibaku Tensei.
Even Susanoo wasn't enough—
Unless it was Madara's Perfect Susanoo.
And the Tenseigan…
Was beyond even that.
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