On this day, Natsuro unusually stayed home all day, helping Shinai with some household chores.
"If there's something you want to say, just say it," Shinai said, wiping the sweat from her forehead after finishing up, turning to look at Natsuro.
"That obvious, huh?" Natsuro scratched his head.
"If there weren't something going on, you wouldn't be home at this time of day," Shinai replied.
He had no way to refute that. After all, he was the emperor of a nation, and there were no holidays for an emperor. Normally, he'd be sitting in the palace at this time of day.
Of course, even today, his clone was already seated on the throne.
This Natsuro was the real one, but as the original, he spent even less time at home. He usually isolated himself, training alone atop a high mountain.
After hesitating for a moment, Natsuro finally said, "Mom, I think I'm going to leave."
Shinai's hand suddenly froze. If it was just an ordinary trip, he wouldn't be saying goodbye this seriously. Which meant…
"How long will you be gone?" Shinai's voice trembled slightly.
"I'm not sure... maybe a few years, maybe longer," Natsuro said softly.
After he finished speaking, the house fell into silence.
After a long pause, Natsuro finally spoke again, feeling a bit uncomfortable in the quiet, "Actually, during that time, I'll still be with you."
Shinai looked puzzled and turned to Natsuro.
Natsuro began to explain that he possessed two souls. This time, it was only the stronger soul that would be leaving, in pursuit of a higher path. The weaker soul would remain behind to be with Shinai and Ino.
She looked a bit lost, then asked, "So... it's like a clone?"
Natsuro shook his head. "It's not a clone. We are the same person, just two bodies. Our thoughts, feelings, and everything else are shared. We're completely in sync."
Though she still didn't fully understand, Shinai got the gist: one part of her son would leave, but the other would remain. That… she could accept.
Looking at the thoughtful Shinai, Natsuro firmed his resolve.
Until now, his two souls had always been split such that the stronger one resided in the true body, while the slightly weaker one inhabited the shadow clone.
But this time, he planned to switch it, the weaker soul would now remain in the true body, and the stronger soul would leave. Inhabiting a new physical body created using Yang Release to seek a higher realm.
In truth, Natsuro's soul was strong enough to split into three distinct souls, not just two. And the two he had already could merge at will since they were originally one and the same, there was no resistance at all.
But he had simply gotten used to having two, so he never bothered to change it.
"So… even if I don't really get it, I'll still be able to see you again? Just like now?" Shinai asked.
Natsuro nodded. "Life will go on exactly as it has. Honestly, I've always been out training, and the one coming home from the palace is the other soul. If we use normal people's understanding, we're like a person's left and right hand, we're still the same person."
"Well then, I guess it's not a problem." Shinai let out a breath of relief, then shot Natsuro a glare. "You brat, why didn't you just say that all at once? You scared me half to death."
"Ehehe..." Natsuro scratched his head and chuckled sheepishly.
"By the way, have you told Ino yet?" Shinai suddenly asked.
"Not yet. She's still at work. But she already knows about the two souls, so it'll be easier to explain," Natsuro replied.
Truthfully, as his wife, Ino didn't have to work. But she didn't want to be a full-time housewife, she wanted to contribute in her own way.
She had fully inherited the mental transmission abilities of Inoichi, and in terms of communication, she might even surpass him. In peaceful times like these, support skills like hers were more valuable than combat prowess.
So Ino could indeed be helpful, and Natsuro never stopped her.
"Alright then. Just don't let this delay me getting a grandchild," Shinai said suddenly.
Natsuro looked a little exasperated but could only reply, "It won't."
After all, his main body was still here. But even with that, it would still depend on luck for Ino to get pregnant quickly, their life-force difference was just too massive.
"Good. Now go tell Ino, don't make her worry," Shinai said.
"Okay, I'm going now," Natsuro nodded, and his figure disappeared from sight.
Shinai looked at the spot where Natsuro had vanished, sighed, and then shook her head.
Maybe it would've been better if he hadn't told me at all. That way, I could've kept enjoying our peaceful days without worry…
But now that she knew, how could she not worry?
Though Shinai didn't understand what it meant to seek "higher realms," she knew one thing... Natsuro was already the strongest in the world. To become even stronger… that must come with immense, unknowable danger.
But as a mother, how could she stop her son after he had made up his mind?
Especially when she had long sensed Natsuro's loneliness. She had always known, her son was not someone who could settle down in one place.
This life, while like a dream to her, likely held little joy for Natsuro.
She hadn't said anything before because she didn't want to shatter the sense of happiness and peace she got from their time together.
But she also worried, what about Ino?
Ino was only nineteen. If Natsuro left for years, would she just be left to wait alone?
Even knowing he wasn't truly happy, Shinai had felt powerless.
But she hadn't expected that he had found a win-win solution. Had she known sooner, she might've encouraged him to go.
Of course, she was worried. But more than that, she believed in her son. After all, he had gone from nothing to become the strongest in the world.
No matter what he faced out there, she believed he would overcome it, and return safe and sound.
...
Outside the Intelligence Department's office...
Natsuro suddenly appeared, startling everyone nearby. They were just about to raise an alarm when they recognized who he was.
Then they were even more shocked, immediately wanting to salute.
But Natsuro stopped them and waved them off.
Soon, everyone dispersed, but after leaving, they couldn't stop whispering excitedly among themselves.
He ignored them and knocked on the office door.
"Come in," came Ino's cool and professional voice from inside.
Natsuro opened the door and saw her hard at work, dressed in her uniform, head buried in a stack of documents.
Without even looking up, Ino said crisply, "If you have files, just leave them on the desk. I'll get to them later. And please close the door when you leave."
Natsuro looked at the stack of paperwork, it was not too much, but not exactly light either. He could've finished it all in no time, but for Ino, it would take longer.
Ino assumed the visitor would leave after dropping off the files, but after a while, she didn't hear anything being placed on the desk, nor any footsteps toward the door.
Puzzled, she looked up, only to see Natsuro standing there with a bright smile.
Surprise lit up her eyes. "What are you doing here?"
"Just wanted to see you. Busy?" Natsuro asked.
"It's alright. Just the usual workload," Ino replied.
Natsuro walked over, sat down in her chair, then gently pulled her back to sit on his lap, wrapping his arms around her from behind and resting his forehead on her shoulder.
"Natsuro, there are people outside…" Ino's cheeks flushed, though she didn't resist.
"I had them leave when I came in," Natsuro said.
"Mmm…" Ino's face turned completely red. She'd definitely be teased for this later. But she didn't say anything more, just leaned into his arms and closed her eyes with a smile.
After spending some intimate time together, Natsuro finally spoke, sharing his plans with In, including the part about leaving his main body behind.
"I knew it... You wouldn't have thought to come here if nothing serious was going on," Ino sighed.
"Er... I'll be more mindful in the future," Natsuro said, scratching his head.
Ino nodded. She had already known about his special condition and understood that whether it was the spiritual clone sitting on the palace throne or the "original" body in front of her, both could be considered real.
The only difference was whether or not it was a physical body.
So Ino had come to terms with this long ago. In fact...
She had already prepared herself for the possibility that Natsuro might leave entirely, in his peak state, to pursue a higher path.
Although his soul was unique, capable of splitting in two without side effects, only when both souls were together could he be considered in his full, optimal state.
So now that Natsuro had decided to leave the weaker soul behind while the stronger one went on a journey... it was more than Ino had ever hoped for. How could she possibly be dissatisfied?
And yet, a trace of longing showed on her face.
She had a secret, unspoken desire: she wanted to go with Natsuro, to accompany him on his pursuit. Not for strength, but just to be with him.
But Ino knew her own strength, even after being refined with natural energy by Natsuro, was still far too weak. She wasn't qualified to follow him.
"I understand," Ino suddenly said, her face emotionless.
"Uh..." Natsuro blinked, taken aback by her expression.
Ino slipped out of his embrace, walked to the door, and under Natsuro 's curious gaze locked it from the inside.
Then she slowly walked back, face flushed, and this time sat facing him on his lap, wrapping her arms around his neck.
They looked into each other's eyes. Natsuro had already guessed what would happen the moment she locked the door. Seeing Ino in her professional work attire gave her an entirely different charm.
Gradually, his gaze grew fiery, while Ino's cheeks flushed even redder.
Happy moments always pass quickly.
By the time everything ended, Ino's office was a complete mess, traces of battle scattered everywhere. Ino, soaked in sweat, lay draped over Natsuro and whispered: "You must stay safe."
"With my strength, you still worry?" Natsuro said with a smile, though even now, his hands were being rather unrestrained. Perhaps the legendary "Sage Mode cooldown" didn't apply to someone like him anymore.
Ino nodded. She knew Natsuro had always achieved the impossible. No matter where he ended up, he would return safely.
Suddenly, Natsuro said, "By the way, Ino... it's still early. Want to go another round?"
And before she could respond, he was already on top of her again.
....
Night fell without them noticing.
Now, Natsuro stood alone atop a high mountain. He was ready.
He hadn't told anyone else, not because he didn't care, but because for everyone else, nothing was really changing.
He simply didn't want to hide anything from the two people closest to him.
He had already switched bodies. The one standing now was made entirely from Yang Release, a physical vessel far inferior to his original body, but still at Six Paths level, more than sufficient.
Shinai and Ino had wanted to see him off, but he refused. There was no need for a farewell, not when their two souls were completely connected.
He had already tested it. With their current strength, even existing in different dimensions, their souls could stay in full communication.
So even though he was "leaving," it was also true that he wasn't.
With his abilities, multitasking was trivial. Even in different timelines, Natsuro could focus the entirety of his consciousness on one soul.
He would still accompany Shinai and Ino, and continue ruling the country. The only real difference was that he'd no longer have a convenient spiritual clone to use.
Natsuro closed his eyes and reached out, grabbing Umbreon in his hand. He chuckled, "You sneaky little thing, don't try to follow me without permission."
"Gurā~" Umbreon cooed affectionately, pleading to go with him.
Under those pitiful eyes, Natsuro sighed and relented. As a beast of time and space, Umbreon wouldn't get lost, even if it couldn't fight, its escape skills were maxed out.
Hearing his approval, Umbreon excitedly jumped onto Natsuro's shoulder and licked his cheek.
"Alright, alright, enough licking, now I'm all drool," Natsuro said, slightly annoyed.
"Gurā~" Umbreon stared at him with slight disapproval.
"Alright then... let's begin." Natsuro smiled.
When he followed Sasuke into the past, his spatiotemporal abilities had taken a huge leap forward.
Back then, he had discovered that he could not only tear through the space of this world, but also open rifts into entirely different worlds, a true multiversal traversal.
But the problem was, those rifts were random. He had no idea what kind of world lay on the other side.
That's why he didn't want to take anyone with him.
If the other world was dangerous, he himself would be fine, at worst, he'd take a huge hit and return, since half his soul was still safe.
But anyone else… they'd truly die.
He hadn't planned on taking Umbreon either, but as a spatial-temporal creature it could at least survive anything.
"Gurā!" Umbreon stood proudly on his shoulder, waving its tiny fist like it was ready to conquer anything.
Natsuro chuckled, then pressed two fingers together and gently sliced through the space in front of him.
A rift opened, chaotic space-time currents swirling before them.
Even with his current strength, Natsuro narrowed his eyes, he could feel the danger emanating from the rift.
But...
He smiled.
He was never the kind of man who could settle down.
Danger? He'd faced worse before. All he hoped was that the world on the other side would truly offer him a stronger path to walk, otherwise... It would just be too boring.
So without hesitation, Natsuro stepped forward, and vanished into the rift.
Life becomes truly brilliant... because of endless exploration.
If you want to read more...
Check out the patreon and get 55 chapters in advance -> SaintXI