It was Natsuka's second day in Konoha.
She still hadn't adjusted to her new life here. The older sister who brought her, Tsunade, had left on a sudden urgent mission, so Naomi had been the one accompanying her all day yesterday.
Last night, Natsuka had even shared a bed with Naomi.
As soon as she opened her eyes that morning, Natsuka stared at the unfamiliar surroundings and couldn't help but feel a little lonely.
She missed her mom and dad dearly… and her little friends from back home. But deep down, she knew, none of them were coming back.
Tsunade had told Naomi about the little girl's tragic past. Hearing it made Naomi feel a deep, natural sympathy for the child.
Natsuka had been so sweet and considerate the entire day yesterday, it was heartbreaking.
She never cried or complained, and she was always eager to help Naomi with whatever tasks she could manage. That only made Naomi adore and cherish the little girl even more.
As Natsuka lay in bed, staring off blankly, Naomi entered the room.
She was carrying a wooden basin of warm water. Placing it on the tatami mat, she walked over and began helping Natsuka get dressed.
Natsuka was about to say she could do it herself, but Naomi quickly stopped her, gently stroking her hair.
"You always keep everything bottled up, don't you, sweetheart? It's okay to talk to me if something's bothering you.
You're only four years old, Natsuka. Your big brother was just as heartbreakingly obedient at your age."
Natsuka blinked and asked in confusion, "Is that… bad?"
Naomi smiled gently. "Do you think it's bad, Natsuka?"
"Of course not!" Natsuka replied without hesitation. "There used to be a boy my age living near my house. He was so naughty, everyone ended up disliking him!"
But after she said that, her mind suddenly drifted to her parents… and her old home.
Ever since those strange people destroyed her village, Natsuka had gone through far more than a child her age ever should, struggling to survive, drifting from place to place. She had gotten used to that kind of life.
At first, she had placed all her hopes and affections on that kind older brother, Arima. But ever since he left that day, he hadn't returned. It was like he'd forgotten about her.
Later, Tsunade came to the Land of Demons to take her to Konoha.
Over the days they spent together, Natsuka began to grow attached to that warm, gentle older sister. But ever since arriving in this unfamiliar village, she hadn't seen Tsunade once.
That thought made her feel even more unwanted, and the memories of her recent hardships began to weigh on her again.
Her little lips trembled, and tears welled up in her big, round eyes.
Naomi saw the shift in her expression the moment she mentioned her mother and her old home.
When Natsuka suddenly burst into tears, Naomi understood, this child had been trying so hard to stay strong, refusing to cry until now.
Naomi gently pulled her into her arms and softly comforted her.
"It's okay, sweet girl. Let it out. Crying is okay. From now on, this is your home. I'll be your mama. And you'll have a gentle older brother who'll love and protect you. You're our precious little treasure now."
Naomi's tenderness cracked open Natsuka's tightly sealed heart. She clung tightly to this kind woman, sobbing quietly as she whispered, "Can I… really call you Mama?"
Naomi lowered her head to look into the child's eyes. While wiping the tears from the corners of Natsuka's eyes, she said warmly, "Of course you can. I've always wanted a daughter."
She looked at Natsuka with genuine hope shining in her eyes.
Natsuka hesitated. A long moment passed before she softly murmured, "Mama… Naomi Mama…"
Naomi's smile lit up the room. "That's it, Natsuka! Can you say it again?"
Looking at the gentle woman in front of her, Natsuka felt her warmth and patience. She finally found the courage to call out sincerely, "Naomi Mama!"
Naomi hugged her tight, laughing joyfully. "Today is such a beautiful day, my son and daughter are both home!"
Hearing that, Natsuka's eyes widened. "Mama, does that mean big brother is back too?"
Naomi nodded with a smile. "He came home late last night. You were already fast asleep by then. And guess what? Tsunade's back too!"
Natsuka quickly sat up, ready to run off to find her big brother.
Naomi gently pulled her back and tapped her nose. "You haven't even washed up yet! This is his home now, he's not going anywhere. He'll be in the village for a good while."
Hearing that, Natsuka finally relaxed.
Now that the people she loved were all together under one roof, her little heart brimmed with happiness. She couldn't wait another moment to see her brother.
Naomi led her over to the basin, ready to help her wash up and get dressed.
But when she dipped her hand in the water, she found it had gone cold. With no other choice, she went to boil another pot.
After some fussing, nearly an hour passed before Naomi finally had Natsuka dressed up like a little princess.
Admiring her beautiful new daughter, Naomi beamed.
"I used to want to dress your brother up like a girl when he was little, he was so adorable! But that boy grew up too fast.
Before I knew it, I couldn't manage him anymore. But now, I have my sweet Natsuka, my precious little girl."
She pressed her forehead to Natsuka's, laughing gently.
Natsuka felt her heart glowing. She finally had a family.
After finishing her morning routine, she walked up to her brother's room and gave a light knock.
No answer.
She wasn't sure if he was awake, so she knocked again, this time a little harder.
Still no sound.
Now she was confused. Was he really in there? But Naomi had clearly said he was.
She turned back and looked at Naomi, who was out in the yard sweeping up fallen leaves.
Naomi looked up, made a knocking gesture, and signaled Natsuka to try again.
Since officially adopting Natsuka as her daughter, Naomi felt more youthful than ever.
She was even curious to see what kind of reaction her son, and perhaps future daughter-in-law, would have when the little girl came knocking!
Just as Natsuka raised her hand to knock a third time, the door slowly creaked open.
A figure crouched down, smiled at her, and said, "Morning, Natsuka."
After months apart, Natsuka finally saw the brother she had longed for day and night. She couldn't hold back anymore, she dove into his arms.
To Natsuka, he wasn't just the one who had pulled her from the darkness when she was barely clinging to life. He was now her one and only big brother.
All her sorrow, joy, frustration, and happiness came pouring out as she cried in Arima's arms.
Arima gently picked her up and stepped outside, softly saying, "You've had a hard time, haven't you, Natsuka? I should've been there to get you, I'm sorry."
Natsuka quietly rested her head on his shoulder and shook her head.
Arima affectionately rubbed her head. "I'm really sorry, Natsuka. Will you forgive me?"
The little girl gave a small nod.
He gently stroked her back. "Good girl. No more tears, okay?"
Hearing his comforting words, Natsuka obediently tried to stop crying, then casually wiped her face on his shirt.
She had cried twice that morning, letting out all the bottled-up emotions in her heart.
Arima could only helplessly let her soak his freshly changed clothes with tears and snot.
Tsunade, watching from the side, chuckled at his indulgent yet resigned expression.
Just then, Naomi came walking over and cheerfully declared, "I've adopted Natsuka as my daughter. Arima, she's your little sister now. You better take good care of her and never let her feel hurt again!"
Arima nodded seriously. "From today on, Natsuka is my sister, Senju Natsuka!"
Natsuka didn't really understand what he meant, but she eagerly nodded anyway. To her, everything her big brother said was right!
Tsunade smiled brightly. "I want a cute little sister too, one who can help keep Nawaki in check!"
Arima turned to her, grinning. "What're you saying? My sister is your sister too, isn't that right, Natsuka?"
The little girl nodded firmly in his arms.
Tsunade laughed. "You're such a sweet girl, Natsuka! I'll leave Nawaki to you!"
Natsuka didn't know who Nawaki was, but after hesitating briefly, she nodded again. She trusted Tsunade, this kind and gentle big sister.
Arima chuckled. "She doesn't even know who Nawaki is yet."
He turned to Natsuka and explained, "Nawaki is Tsunade-nee's little brother. He's three years old."
Natsuka leaned slightly out of Arima's arms, looked at Tsunade, and solemnly promised, "I'll take good care of little Nawaki!"
Tsunade clapped her hands. "Perfect! That brat finally has someone to keep him in line."
Arima reached out and tapped her head. "Just leave it to me. Herding one sheep or two, it's all the same."
Tsunade certainly didn't object, she was more than happy to have Arima personally train Nawaki.
In another year or two, her little brother would be able to use chakra. Learning more ninjutsu would give him better chances of survival.
Arima smiled. "The shinobi world is about to unite. A golden era is coming. Natsuka and Nawaki will shine in this new age."
Looking down at the obedient girl in his arms, he said, "My little sister will become an outstanding kunoichi, right?"
Natsuka nodded firmly. "I'll train hard and protect my family!"
The three adults all understood the deeper meaning behind her words. The trauma caused by the Sky Ninja would take time to heal, there was no rushing it.
Not wanting to dwell on the heavy topic, Naomi quickly interjected, "Alright, let's eat! Natsuka must be hungry.
After that, we'll go visit Lady Mito and enter Natsuka's name into the clan registry!"
And so, the four of them went to the dining room.
After breakfast, Arima brought his little sister to Lady Mito and officially added her name to the Senju family records.
Arima turned to Natsuka. "From now on, you're Senju Natsuka, my little sister."
Natsuka nodded. "Got it, big brother!"
Arima pinched her little nose. "Such a good girl."
He then had Tsunade take Natsuka outside to play while he stayed behind to discuss important matters with Grandma Mito.
Seated beside her, Arima asked, "Grandma, do you know anything about the Otsutsuki Clan?"
Mito shook her head. "Is there something special about them?"
Arima nodded. "The Sage of Six Paths, his real name was Otsutsuki Hagoromo. I ran into a powerful enemy recently. I suspect he might also be from the Otsutsuki Clan.
He had a beast locked away, something called the Ten-Tails. I wonder if the Nine-Tails inside you knows anything about it."
Mito knew Arima wasn't one to exaggerate. If he found someone troublesome, that meant the enemy was truly terrifying.
The fact that this might involve the Sage of Six Paths piqued her interest. At her age, few things could still intrigue her.
She entered her mental space and appeared before the cage of the Nine-Tails.
"Kurama," she asked directly, "do you know of the Sage of Six Paths?"
Kurama opened one eye, gave her a sidelong glance, then shut it again without responding.
"What about the Ten-Tails?" she continued.
This time, the fox's eyes flew wide open, unmistakable fear flashing across his expression.
Kurama glared at her. "Where did you hear that name?!"
"What exactly do you know, Kurama?" Mito asked calmly.
The Nine-Tails growled nervously, pacing in his cage. "Did that brat tell you about the Ten-Tails?!"
Mito didn't deny it and simply nodded.
Kurama growled in frustration. "I knew you humans were greedy. Once your power grows beyond a certain point, you always set your sights on us Tailed Beasts!"
Mito said bluntly, "Arima recently saw the Ten-Tails imprisoned inside an enemy."
Kurama jumped up, charging toward her. "Impossible! We nine were all split from the Ten-Tails. There was only one! How could there be another?!"
At that moment, a deep voice rang out nearby.
"There is another."
Kurama whipped around, sensing an immense threat. "Third Hokage?! Is that true?!"
Arima stepped forward and revealed a thread of chakra. "This is a sample of the Ten-Tails' chakra. Take a look. Do you recognize it?"
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