Time passed quickly, and in the blink of an eye, several months had gone by.
During that time, Akira hadn’t seen Mikoto even once.
She was probably still away on missions.
Meanwhile, he had developed several new applications for the String-String Fruit.
One was the String Clone.
Another was Parasite String.
His String Clone had now become nearly indistinguishable from the real thing.
Better yet, it no longer required a physical string connecting it to him in order to function.
It could move and act independently, just like a Shadow Clone.
Even Akira found that rather incredible.
As for Parasite String…
Against opponents of equal strength, he could easily manipulate their bodies with his invisible strings.
Unless someone from the HAkiraga Clan cut the nearly invisible threads with their Byakugan, or the target possessed an absurdly powerful physique, escaping his control would be virtually impossible.
Thinking about it, a thoughtful look crossed Akira’s face.
“I wonder…
in the future, will I be able to control a Tailed Beast as well?” If he could manipulate a Tailed Beast…
That would be interesting.
“Hm?” Sitting beside him, Kushina looked over in confusion.
“What are you talking about?” “Nothing.” Akira shook his head and casually flicked a tiny object onto Kushina’s clothes.
It was something he’d obtained earlier.
A small tracking device.
He couldn’t guarantee he’d know exactly when the Hidden Cloud would make their move.
If he missed it…
He would regret it for the rest of his life.
“You’re acting weird.” Kushina pouted.
“Oh, right.
Grandma asked me to bring you home sometime.
She wants to meet you.” “Meet me?” Akira looked surprised.
“Already meeting the family?” Sure, they’d gotten along extremely well these past few months.
But weren’t they moving a little too fast?
“What are you talking about?!” Kushina punched him lightly.
“Grandma’s just curious about you.” “Alright.” Akira smiled.
“I’ll go with you after school today.” “Good.” Kushina happily swung her legs beneath her desk.
Perhaps even she hadn’t realized it herself.
Over the past few months, Akira had quietly come to occupy a very important place in her heart.
Waiting for school to end felt unbearably slow.
Kushina couldn’t concentrate on a single word the teacher was saying.
Finally…
The dismissal bell rang.
She immediately grabbed Akira’s hand and dragged him toward the exit.
“Hurry, hurry!” Akira couldn’t help laughing.
“Why are you in such a rush?
It’s not like I’m going to run away.” “Hmph.
Who knows?” She shot him a suspicious look.
“What if you’re another String Clone like last time and suddenly disappear?” She had accidentally discovered that little secret before.
As one of the few people who knew about it, she’d actually felt rather happy.
“Of course I’m not.” Akira rolled his eyes.
“I can’t stay away forever.” After all…
There was a certain little chili pepper here who needed his…
ahem…
care and attention.
Still unconvinced, Kushina reached out and pinched his cheek.
Only after confirming it felt warm and real did she nod in satisfaction.
“That’s more like it.” Akira was left speechless.
This girl really didn’t trust him at all.
“Let’s go.” The two walked through the village streets before arriving at the Senju Clan compound.
There…
Akira finally met the legendary Tsunade.
“Oh?” Tsunade grinned teasingly as she looked at Kushina.
“So, little Kushina brought her boyfriend home?” “N-No!” Kushina’s face instantly turned crimson.
“He’s just my classmate!” That only made Tsunade laugh even harder.
Turning toward Akira, she smiled.
“I’m this little troublemaker’s big sister.” “You can call me Sister Tsunade, just like she does.” Akira obediently nodded.
“Hello, Sister Tsunade.” “What a polite kid.” She smiled approvingly.
“This girl must cause you plenty of trouble at school, doesn’t she?” “Trouble?” Akira glanced at Kushina before shaking his head.
“Not at all.” “Kushina is actually pretty adorable.” “Hmph!” Kushina proudly lifted her chin and looked triumphantly at Tsunade.
See that?
My…
friend is standing up for me!
Tsunade could only shake her head helplessly.
“Alright, stop showing off.” “Grandma’s already waiting inside.” “Go on.” Only then did Kushina remember the real reason they had come.
She immediately grabbed Akira’s hand again and ran toward the house.
“Grandma Mito!
I’m back!” Watching the two disappear into the house, a trace of sadness surfaced in Tsunade’s eyes.
If Nawaki were still alive…
He probably wouldn’t be much older than they are.
In the end…
She still hadn’t escaped the shadow left by losing the people she loved.
Shaking her head, she vanished with a Body Flicker Technique.
“War really is a hateful thing.” Inside the house, Kushina was already chatting happily with Mito.
She enthusiastically introduced Akira, praising him so much that even he began to feel embarrassed.
At the same time…
The Hidden Cloud delegation was rapidly approaching Konohagakure.
They had only one objective.
Kidnap Konoha’s surviving Uzumaki.
To accomplish that mission…
They were prepared to sacrifice every last one of themselves.
“Listen carefully.” The squad leader swept a solemn gaze across his subordinates.
“The moment we locate the Uzumaki survivor, we’ll make our move tonight.” “Our only objective…” “Bring back a complete vessel for the Tailed Beast.” “If anything goes wrong, I’ll stay behind to hold them off.” “The rest of you will take the target and return to the village at full speed.” “There will be people waiting to receive you at the border.” “Yes, sir!” Under the cover of night, the group sped toward Konoha.
“Hmph…” The squad leader sneered.
“Konoha…” Once we obtain the perfect Jinchūriki…
This rich and fertile land…
…will belong to the Land of Lightning.