As soon as I opened my eyes, I saw Ino and Hinata watching me with worried expressions. The moment they noticed I was awake, their faces brightened with relief.
"Kaito, you're finally awake! Are you okay?" Ino asked, her voice trembling slightly with concern.
"I'm fine," Kaito replied as he sat up, realizing that his body had already recovered to its usual state. The resilience of his Sage Body was truly remarkable.
"That's a relief!" Ino pressed her hand against her chest, letting out a long breath of relief.
"Since you're awake, get up and eat!" Kushina called from the kitchen with her usual blunt tone.
"Kushina? Why are you here?" Kaito blinked in surprise.
"It was me and Ino who asked Sister Kushina to come over," Hinata admitted softly.
Kaito's gaze shifted to the two girls, a hint of tenderness flashing in his eyes. "Then I guess I should thank my two cuties."
"No need! We're family—you don't have to thank us," Ino said with a proud little wave of her hand.
At the table, Hinata, Ino, and Kushina chatted and laughed as they shared stories, leaving Kaito quietly listening in. Though he felt slightly left out, seeing them so happy together filled him with warmth. Deep down, he knew these were the people who would be by his side for the rest of his life.
"Husband, your house is too small," Kushina suddenly commented. "It's fine if you live here alone, but with me, Tsunade, and the others around, it's going to get crowded. Why don't you move into my place? You're also part of the Senju clan now—acknowledged by Tsunade-sama herself. If you move back, no one will dare gossip."
Kaito nodded thoughtfully. "You're right."
He had lived alone for years, and it hadn't bothered him. But now, with Kushina, Ino, Hinata, Tsunade, and even Terumi Mei in his life, the house truly felt too small.
"What about you two?" Kaito asked, glancing at Hinata and Ino.
"Of course we'll live with you!" Ino rolled her eyes, as if the question were ridiculous.
"I'll go wherever you go, Kaito," Hinata said softly, her cheeks tinged pink.
"Then it's settled. In a couple of days, we'll move into Kushina's place. The courtyard is large enough for all of us."
After finishing their meal, Kushina excused herself, claiming she was tired from the night before and needed rest. Once she left, Kaito embraced Hinata and Ino, the three of them heading out for a walk around the Mountain before returning home to sleep.
A week passed in the blink of an eye. Days were spent accompanying Ino and Hinata, even joining Kushina on shopping trips to distant towns in the Land of Fire. Nights were filled with training. At his current level, ordinary exercises no longer sufficed. Kaito devoted himself to mastering Yin and Yang Release and refining his control over the five elemental natures.
He also continued pushing his body toward unlocking the last Gate. Yet despite all his efforts, progress eluded him. The longer he tried, the more convinced he became that his approach was wrong.
The sun rose high, casting its light over the village. At Konoha's gates, Shikaku Nara and several other high-ranking shinobi stood waiting, their expressions sharp with expectation.
Before long, figures appeared in the distance. Leading them was a striking woman with a slender figure, long blue dress flowing elegantly around her, and a Mizukage's hat glimmering in the sunlight. Her presence radiated effortless charm. This was none other than Terumi Mei, the Fifth Mizukage of Kirigakure.
Following her were several elite Mist shinobi, among them her loyal guard, Chojuro.
"Mizukage-sama! Welcome to Konoha for your diplomatic visit," Shikaku said respectfully as he stepped forward. "I am Nara Shikaku, advisor to the Hokage."
"I've heard of you," Terumi Mei replied with a smile. "They say your intellect is unmatched in Konoha."
"You flatter me, Mizukage-sama," Shikaku said, bowing slightly.
"I only speak the truth," Terumi Mei replied, before arching an eyebrow. "But tell me, where is that big-breasted Tsunade? Shouldn't she be the one to greet me?"
Shikaku's forehead dampened with sweat. The tension in the air rose instantly—many of the younger shinobi frowned, considering her words a slight against their Hokage.
"Tsunade-sama had urgent matters to attend to," Shikaku explained quickly, forcing a smile.
As they entered the village, Shikaku offered, "Would you like to meet Hokage-sama now, or would you prefer a tour of Konoha first?"
"Let's tour Konoha first," Terumi Mei replied casually.
But then her expression brightened. Looking past the group, she suddenly rushed forward, a delighted smile on her face. "Husband! You came to pick me up?"
Kaito appeared before her, his gaze softening as he gently touched her cheek. "You and Shikaku still have matters to discuss. I'll take you home after."
Shikaku and the others froze, eyes wide with shock. None of them could believe what they were witnessing—the Mizukage, acting like a lovestruck woman before Kaito.
Even Chojuro remained calm, bowing slightly. "Kaito-sama."
Kaito waved him off with a faint smile.
"Chojuro, handle the rest," Terumi Mei instructed, passing her Mizukage hat into his hands. Then, without hesitation, she wrapped her arm around Kaito's and walked away, her demeanor that of a woman completely smitten.
The stunned silence left behind was deafening. Slowly, the reality sank in for Shikaku and the others.
So that was why the Mizukage of the Mist had come all this way—because of Kaito.
And if the rumors were true… if Kaito was really the long-lost Senju Kaito… then everything finally made sense.
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I do my best to rewrite the cringey romance parts, some might still slip through, but if you point them out, I'll edit them.
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Damn, y'all are stingy with power stones
Anyway, if you want early access to chapters, check out my Patreon: Patreon.com/Zphyr"