Kaito shook his head and changed the subject. "I came to see you today to say goodbye."

"Goodbye? Where are you going? Heaven?" Tsunade smirked dryly, arms crossed.

"To a place far away. It'll be at least ten years before I come back," Kaito said earnestly.

"Ten years? Don't joke. You could walk through the entire ninja world in less time." Tsunade's expression darkened, her brow furrowing.

Another Senju with potential had finally emerged—only for him to suddenly disappear again. Of course she was upset.

"I'm taking you somewhere first," Kaito said, reaching out and grabbing her wrist. In a flash of movement, both of them vanished from view.

Moments later, they reappeared at a quiet, forested crossroad within the Land of Fire.

"Why bring me here?" Tsunade asked, puzzled.

"I need you to promise me something," Kaito said seriously. "Ten years from now, a boy will appear—one with a Lightning Release bloodline, just like mine. He's family. I need you to take him as your student."

(Guess I was right afterall....)

"Ten years?" Tsunade raised an eyebrow. "You're expecting a child to randomly show up here? You think this is fate or something?"

"In the 60th year of Konoha's founding, he'll arrive. When you say the words 'Lightning Flash' to him, he'll understand."

"Wait—he's your relative? So he's a Senju? Don't tell me you actually know all this will happen," Tsunade said, still clearly skeptical.

"Just remember. And don't tell anyone—not even Hiruzen," Kaito said with a rare seriousness.

Tsunade studied his face and eventually nodded. "Fine. If what you're saying is true, and he's part of the Senju clan, I'll remember."

Kaito smiled in relief. "Thank you. Now, do you want me to take you back to the front lines—or to Konoha?"

"Konoha," Tsunade said. "Let's grab a meal before you leave. My treat."

"Alright."

…

They reappeared at the gates of Konoha Village.

Thanks to months of rebuilding, the village had mostly regained its former appearance. Kaito and Tsunade walked in side by side, drawing more than a few stares.

The guards at the gate froze the moment they saw Kaito. Sweat beaded on their foreheads. Not even Tsunade's presence could ease their nerves. They didn't even manage a greeting before Kaito passed by.

After he was gone, the guards slumped in place, drenched in sweat as if pulled from a river.

"I'm going to inform Lord Hokage!" one of them said before darting off toward the Hokage's office.

Kaito, of course, paid no mind. He and Tsunade strolled through Konoha's streets. The war had left the village quieter than usual, and businesses were struggling.

"This place will do," Tsunade said, pointing to a nearly empty skewer shop.

"Alright," Kaito replied.

"Kaito? Is that you?" came a sharp voice behind them.

Kaito and Tsunade turned around and found Kushina walking toward them, accompanied by a quiet girl with soft red hair—another redhead, just like Kushina.

Kaito's eyes narrowed slightly. That girl... She wasn't supposed to exist. In the original timeline, there was no second Uzumaki in Konoha. Clearly, his presence had altered the course of events.

"Hey! Why are you staring at Reiko like that?" Kushina snapped. "You've seen me already. Now you're ogling her too?"

Uzumaki Reiko flushed, her short red hair swaying slightly as she quickly pulled at Kushina's sleeve. "Kushina, don't be rude to Kaito-sama!" she whispered in panic. Her expression turned anxious as she bowed to Kaito. "Please forgive her. She means no harm. I'm sorry."

The weight of Kaito's name clearly lingered in the village. Even if some didn't know who the Hokage was, everyone knew him.

"No need for that," Kaito said with a wave of his hand. "Kushina and I go way back."

"Well then," he continued, "since we ran into each other, how about joining us for a meal? Consider it a farewell banquet."

"You're leaving?" Kushina asked, frowning.

Kaito nodded.

"Then we're not eating here," Kushina declared. "You're coming to my place. You can taste Reiko's cooking—and mine!"

Tsunade glanced at the shop owner inside, who looked visibly pale. "Probably for the best," she said. "Looks like we scared off their business."

With that decided, the group headed toward Kushina's home, while Tsunade ducked into a liquor store. "This is a send-off," she said with a grin. "If I'm going to see you off, I'm going to do it drunk."

…

In the Hokage's office, Hiruzen Sarutobi looked tired, older than ever. The war had aged him quickly.

"Hokage! Urgent news! Kaito has returned!" a guard shouted, barging into the office.

Hiruzen's eyes widened. The guard—Izumo—was one of the regular shinobi stationed at the gates.

"You're sure?" Hiruzen asked, his tone sharp.

"Yes, sir," Izumo confirmed.

"What's he doing here?" the Hokage pressed.

"He and Lady Tsunade entered the village together. I overheard them. Sounds like Kaito is preparing to leave. Lady Tsunade is treating him to a meal before he goes."

Hiruzen let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. "Good. That's fine. You're dismissed."

As Izumo left, Hiruzen gave one final instruction to his ANBU.

"Pass the word. No panic. Be respectful if you see him—but no need to interfere. As long as he isn't attacking the village, let him be."

Hiruzen himself wouldn't make an appearance. The bad blood between him and Kaito ran too deep. His presence would only cause more tension.

…

Night fell over Konoha. Stars glittered across the sky like scattered gemstones, casting silver light across the rooftops.

Inside Kushina's home, she and Kaito sat across from each other at the dinner table.

"So... What's the deal with Uzumaki Reiko?" Kaito asked, eyes narrowing. "I've never heard of her before."

She wasn't in the original timeline. And the Uzumaki clan's presence in Konoha had always been limited. Something was different. Something was changing.

And he had to know what it meant—before the future changed any further.

___

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