"Kakashi! Asuma! Anko…"
Seeing the group in front of him, Nara Shikaku's expression darkened. "Kakashi! What are you doing? Don't just stand there—shouldn't you be separating Hokage-sama and Mizukage-sama?"
Kakashi gave him a look, clearly unimpressed. "Shikaku-sama, I think you'd better see for yourself," he muttered, stepping aside with a sigh.
Separate them? They're not even fighting! And even if they were, would I dare to pull them apart? Kakashi grumbled inwardly, already annoyed at the thought.
When Shikaku entered the courtyard with Chojuro and the Mist-nin elite, the scene before them left their jaws hanging.
Inside the small yard, Tsunade and Terumi Mei had released their chakra pressure, the air thick with tension. But instead of fighting, the two legendary kunoichi were standing face to face, trading insults like common rivals.
"Big-breasted hag! You think you can crush me with that presence of yours?!"
"Little nanny! The only thing you're good at is running your mouth!"
"Hmph! At least I don't waste my time glaring at people. No matter what, I'll always be better than you!"
The tension was so absurd it was almost comical.
Chojuro leaned toward Shikaku, whispering nervously, "Shikaku-sama, what do we do now?"
Shikaku rubbed his forehead. "Cancel the alert, act like nothing's happening, and disperse the crowd quickly. If people see the Mizukage and Hokage bickering like street rivals, word will spread across the entire shinobi world."
Chojuro nodded, completely agreeing. The idea of their Kage's reputation collapsing over a shouting match was unthinkable.
Kakashi turned toward the others, who were standing around enjoying the spectacle. "Kakashi! Asuma, Anko—move the crowd. Tell them the Hokage is simply 'sparring' with the Mizukage. Nothing serious."
"Yeah, yeah, got it," Kakashi replied lazily. Truthfully, he still wanted to stay and watch.
Despite his reluctance, Kakashi and the others worked quickly. Within minutes, the crowd of onlookers had dispersed, leaving behind only a few high-ranking jōnin. Shikaku chose not to press the issue. These were clan leaders and veterans; they understood the situation well enough to keep their mouths shut.
Time dragged on. An hour passed, and yet the two Kage still hadn't stopped. Their heated exchange had long since lost its novelty. Even Kaito, who had originally found it amusing, was now visibly irritated.
"Alright, that's enough! Both of you! It's dinner time, and you've already embarrassed yourselves enough. Is this how Hokage and Mizukage should act?" Kaito snapped, his voice echoing across the courtyard.
"Fine, big-breasted hag! I'll let it go this time. But next time, we'll see who's stronger," Terumi Mei huffed, pulling back her aura. She lowered her head slightly as she walked over to Kaito, like a scolded child bracing for reprimand.
"As if I'm afraid of you," Tsunade muttered back with a smirk, also retreating and heading toward Kaito with no shame on her face.
"Come on, let's go eat," Kaito said curtly, glancing at Shikaku with annoyance. "Alright, it's over. Nothing interesting to see anymore."
He shut the cottage door behind him with a loud boom.
The sound left Shikaku and the others standing there in silence.
"Was that really our Mizukage?" Chojuro murmured, still stunned at how childlike Terumi Mei had just acted.
"It's normal. You'll get used to it," Shikaku replied, patting his shoulder with a weary sigh.
The group escorted Chojuro back to the guest quarters prepared for the Kirigakure delegation. After exchanging farewells, the Leaf shinobi departed.
At a quiet crossroad, Choza went his own way, leaving only Shikaku and Inoichi walking side by side.
The street was lit by lanterns, their glow illuminating the thoughtful expressions on both men's faces.
Shikaku broke the silence first. "I know what you're about to ask. But don't you already know the answer in your heart?"
Inoichi frowned. "But… how is it possible? Kaito… He's the boy we watched grow up. How could he be the same as the Senju Kaito from the past?"
Shikaku inhaled deeply from his cigarette, his eyes narrowing. "At first, I couldn't make sense of it either. But then, I thought of one possibility. The only one that explains everything."
"What possibility?"
"That Kaito… traveled back to the past by accident. The year he vanished from our village—it must have been the exact moment he appeared in that era."
Inoichi's eyes widened. "Time travel? That's… that's absurd."
"Absurd, yes. But impossible? No. This world is filled with mysteries. Space-time ninjutsu, forbidden jutsu, the Sage of Six Paths… why not this?" Shikaku exhaled a trail of smoke, his voice calm yet heavy. "It explains everything. Why Senju Kaito appeared out of nowhere during the Third Shinobi War. Why he always wore a mask to conceal his face. He didn't want anyone realizing who he was and altering history."
Inoichi clenched his fists. The explanation was too strange, yet it fit too perfectly.
Shikaku continued, "But in the end, it doesn't matter. You know Kaito's heart. He's always cherished Ino. That bond hasn't changed, no matter the timeline."
Hearing those words, Inoichi's tension finally eased.
Shikaku smirked slightly. "You should be glad. Ino has the love of a man who's already shaped history. The Yamanaka clan will flourish for decades because of it. Honestly… I'm a little jealous. If only I had a daughter."
Inoichi laughed at that, the weight lifting from his shoulders. "Hah! Who would've thought? That boy Kaito really turned out extraordinary."
"Let's grab a drink," he said, tugging Shikaku toward a nearby tavern.
"You're paying this time," Shikaku replied with a grin.
Their voices faded into the night, leaving only two blurred shadows disappearing into the darkness.