The Three-Tails went silent, its massive eye narrowing. It had always believed the tailed beasts' ability to change size was a secret.
"Do you humans know about this?" it rumbled.
"Not exactly," Kaito shrugged. "I can't claim to know everything, but I can figure things out if I think about it."
After securing the Three-Tails in its new territory, Kaito appeared before Kakashi and the other jōnin with a light smile. "Yo! Looks like everyone's here."
"Yeah," Kakashi answered in his usual tired drawl. "I brought Naruto and the others to witness something beyond their generation. Didn't expect the others had the same idea."
"And now?" Kaito asked.
"I still have business to handle. You lot, do whatever you like." Kakashi gave Naruto a glance before disappearing.
One after another, Asuma, Kurenai, and Guy departed as well, leaving their students to digest what they'd just seen.
"Hey, Kaito! That tailed beast was huge! It felt even bigger than the fox sealed inside me!" Naruto exclaimed, eyes shining with excitement.
Kaito resisted the urge to sigh. This kid… only Naruto could react like this in such a moment.
Helplessly, he said, "Actually, you and the Three-Tails share a connection. When you've got some free time, come talk with it. Learn from each other. Strengthening your bond will help you understand the world of tailed beasts."
Naruto nodded vigorously, scratching his chin as if he were making a solemn decision. "Yeah! Training's at a critical point right now, but when I can, I'll definitely come talk with it!"
"…Seriously," Kaito muttered under his breath.
"You're just getting scarier by the day," Shikamaru complained lazily.
"You're wrong," Choji corrected, shaking his head. "He's always been this terrifying."
Neji and Lee silently nodded in agreement.
Kaito's forehead twitched at their stares. Do they think I'm some animal in a zoo?
Turning away from them, he softened his gaze at Ino and Hinata, who were standing quietly beside him. "Let's head home."
Both girls gave a soft "Mm."
Without hesitation, Kaito slipped an arm around each of their waists and, under the astonished eyes of all their friends, vanished in a flash.
The others were left staring, their faces darkening. The blatant display of affection felt like a sickeningly sweet overdose of romance shoved down their throats.
By the time they returned home, it was already mid-afternoon. Sitting around the low table in the living room, Kaito's expression grew solemn. He couldn't hide the truth from them forever.
"I have something to tell you," he began, taking a deep breath.
"What is it?" Ino asked curiously.
"You might be unhappy—or even…" he trailed off, struggling to find the words.
"Just say it," Hinata interrupted softly but firmly. Her pale hand slipped into his arm, her cheeks faintly pink. "No matter what it is, we'll be on your side."
"That's right," Ino added. She moved closer, wrapping her arms around him from behind. "Whatever it is, we'll face it together."
Their tenderness pierced Kaito's heart. Guilt weighed heavily on him, and for a fleeting moment he wished he could undo the past and avoid all of this. But it was too late.
With a long sigh, he told them everything—the journey to Roran, absorbing the Dragon Veins, his accidental trip back to the past, and the relationships he had formed with Tsunade and the others.
By the time his story ended, dusk had fallen. The two girls sat in silence, their faces reflecting shock and disbelief.
"That's… everything," Kaito finished, his voice low. He looked at them with the uneasiness of a boy awaiting punishment, afraid of losing the people he cherished most.
At last, Ino stirred. Resting her chin on her hand, she asked calmly, "So… the Senju Kaito who was rumored to be the new God of the Shinobi World more than ten years ago… was you?"
"Yes. To me, it was only an instant. To them, it was over a decade."
"Really?" Ino's brow furrowed.
"Really," Kaito answered firmly. He braced himself, expecting her to turn away.
Instead, Ino suddenly lunged at him, knocking him flat to the floor. She clung to him like an octopus, her face flushed with excitement.
"Aaaah… I still can't believe it," Ino said, her voice trembling between awe and disbelief. "You're Senju Kaito… the God of the Shinobi World. My boyfriend—my idol."
Kaito froze, caught off guard. "Wait… you're not upset?"
"Upset?" she echoed, almost laughing at the idea. "Why would I be? You're a legend. How could I not be proud to stand beside you?"
He hesitated, guilt edging into his words. "But… Kushina, and the others—"
Ino's smile faltered. She looked away for a moment, steadying her breath. "Alright… it hurts. I won't pretend it doesn't. But men like you… it's different. Great men always draw people to them. Maybe it's unfair, maybe it's inevitable."
Kaito's chest tightened. "So… you're not going to leave me?"
Her eyes softened. "I've known you for more than ten years. My heart's already yours. Even if I tried to walk away, I couldn't."
He exhaled, guilt heavy in his chest. "...I'm sorry." With care, he set her down and turned toward Hinata, waiting for her choice.
Hinata didn't waver. She stepped forward, slipping her arms gently around his waist. Her voice was quiet, but unwavering. "I've made my decision. Whether joy or sorrow, I'll share it with you. I won't leave, You've claimed me, anyways."
The warmth of the two women pressed into him, filling him with both gratitude and a bitter weight he couldn't shake.
"I've wronged you both," Kaito said solemnly. "But I swear, I'll treat you better than anyone else ever could."
Hinata smiled softly. "We know. You always have."
"Let's visit Tsunade-sama and the others together sometime," she added. "They waited more than ten years for you. You shouldn't let that devotion go unanswered."
"Yes," Kaito agreed. "When Terumi Mei arrives, I'll introduce you to them."
"Wait… wait a second!" Ino suddenly exclaimed, pulling back in shock. "Hinata! What did you just say?"
"What?" Hinata blinked, confused.
"You said you're already… with him. Right? You're already—" Ino stared at her in disbelief.
A crimson flush spread across Hinata's face. She nodded shyly. "Yes."
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