"It's massive-nya, who would think that granny has an actual job?" Kuroka gasped; the dim sunshine came flashing from behind the top of the mountain range surrounding the village. There, we could see faces sculpted on the stone of the mountain in a way that made me think of Mount Rushmore.
"These are the previous hokages. The first Hokage, Hashimara Senju-sama, Tsunade-sama's grandfather. His brother, the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju. Then there is Tsunade-sama's teacher, the third Hokage, who passed not too long ago, Hiruzen Sarutobi and lastly, the fourth Hokage, the hero of our village, Minato Namizake, my teacher..." Kakashi was kind enough to give me some introductions while adding some depth to his words.
When he mentioned his teacher's name, I felt deep sadness and regret. I looked around. This village was relatively small, perhaps the size of Kyoto, but it had so much history to it. You could see it in every corner.
Construction workers seemed to be in the middle of setting themselves up to make yet another sculpture in the mountain. Tsunade, the Fifth Hokage. In a way, it was like she was fated to be in this position.
Both of the people who were important to her perished while trying to accomplish this dream. Perhaps... it was not their turn, it was hers.
In front of the gigantic mountain, there was a building. Kakashi led us inside. The guards ignored us because we were with him, and we walked across the institute, where there were plenty of workers and people walking all over the place with papers and resources.
They looked at us keenly, one of them was a girl with short black hair who stared at me for a prolonged period, as if analysing me.
"Do I know you from somewhere?" I asked her.
For some reason, the girl harrumphed and walked away without even exchanging one word with me.
Hannah and Kuroka didn't like that, but I just waved my hand dismissively. I am not about to cause a scene in Tsunade's workplace over something so bain.
I told Kuroka and Hannah to be quiet and just wait for Tsunade to finish her work; I didn't want to disturb her in any way. I especially told Kuroka to behave if she didn't want to be punished. And I clarified that the punishment would be no sex for her.
This woman never said a word again after that. The threat was extremely effective.
Kakashi knocked on the door and announced himself. We heard Tsunade shout 'enter' from the inside. We came into the room filled to the brim with paperwork, and there she was, my beautiful blonde wife.
Kuroka, Hannah and I, alongside Kakashi, Sakura and Naruto, entered the room in silence. I don't know why, but there was like a great deal of tension.
She gave us one simple stare. I noticed she was using her rinnegan while reading the documents. The woman didn't say a word and started looking down again to her documents.
Then... silence. Utter awkward silence.
I thought she was going to address Kakashi and the kids first, but instead, when she didn't see any of us making a move, she put down her documents again and looked at me.
"What are you doing, Ray...?"
"Heh?"
Am I supposed to be saying something? The things we're going to talk about are private; obviously, we can't talk about any of these in front of them, so she should address them, then hurry up and send them on their way.
"Come here... I can't believe I have to tell you this".
I walked forward, admittedly confused. When I reached the front of her desk, she stood up, took my yukata and pulled it.
!!!
Tsunade kissed me. In front of everyone, and I didn't expect that. I heard Hannah and Kuroka's giggles, then the gasps of absolute disbelief.
"We haven't seen each other all day. Why are you not kissing me the moment you see me?".
That's when I realised, when she looked at me again... how deep Tsunade had fallen for me.
My eyes warmed up, I took her chin and planted a few pecks, "Sorry, it's because I don't know if you have disclosed it or not".
"I have, to some people... but for those that I didn't, there is always a first time. Isn't it?"
"Hokage-sama...?"
"This is my Husband, Ray Lux. I intend to make it public knowledge this week; there is nothing to hide. Ray is the daimyo from a faraway Dynasty on the continent. I essentially belong to a harem, so don't be surprised to see him get intimate with other women. I have accepted that" Tsunade coughed, splurting some bullshit swift explanation that actually made sense.
She explained herself using the terminology of this world. It was better than saying I was some multidimensional god that came from another world, for sure.
Immediately after that, their eyes that had been staring at me the whole day a certain way, changed.
"N-No wonder he has so much gold", Sakura said first, biting her finger.
"Nii-chan, are you like... filthy rich?! And you still get to have free ramen?!" Naruto followed with his glutinous nonsense. I feel like he and Anna-chan would get along.
"I am so jealous right now", Kakashi whispered, "Congratulations on your marriage, Tsunade-sama" Then he said out loud.
"In any case, Introductions are done, so we can move to actual business. Ray, Kuroka, Hannah-chan, could you move to the side? I will address this bunch first".
Very professionally, Tsunade beckoned us to move to the side and addressed Kakashi and his team. They were Team 7. They reported that they accomplished a mission in a not-so-far-away village in the land of fire, nothing special. Just some bandits. They expressed how surprised they were that they were tasked with such a sudden mission with so much compensation.
I don't know... I thought it all was a bit fishy. Kakashi mentioned that he'd continue training Sasuke while Naruto would continue to train with this Jiraiya, who I remember was Tsunade's friend and another Sannin. Tsunade had assigned this mission to Team 7 the moment we arrived.
'Could it be...'
Tsunade dismissed the group and told Naruto he could go home to rest, just not to slack on his training. Surprisingly, Naruto asked about Azrael.
"She came back from her mission, but she's going to go out again soon. If you're lucky, you might catch her," She said with a smile. The boy burst out of the room; it seems he likes Azrael quite a bit. She's not far away; he may actually catch her.
"Thanks, Granny!" His gratitude diluted Tsunade's smile.
"Hannah-chan, can we play together later!" Sakura took both of Hannah's hands.
"Sure, Sakura-chan!~"
After some farewells, it was only us in the room once more. I waved my hand and put a cup of hot ramen on the table.
"I got you dinner, wifey~".
Tsunade looked at it, surprised and smiled, "Thank you... I haven't had a rest all day. I have accumulated paperwork from the last few days".
She sent me a furtive glance, the last few days that we have been making love like animals. Okay, I understand... my fault.
"You said your nephew was the Jinchuriki of the Kyūbi", I started.
She began eating her ramen and frowned, "Yes, did you feel something odd?"
"No, just I don't know why, but I can actually hear that creature's voice too when it tries to talk with Naruto" I remarked, having heard the eerie voice.
"Somehow, I am not surprised. What does it say...?" She asked, a bit apprehensive. This fox or whatever has ingrained his fear in everyone in this village.
"You might be surprised, it is actually a quite rational beast. Do you want me to deal with it?"
"C-Can you?"
"I could pull him out of Naruto's body. Yes," I said confidently. These beings are sentient spiritual bodies that carry enormous amounts of energy. I could easily get rid of it, but... I don't think that's beneficial for Naruto.
She gasped, about to tell me to carry on, but I broke it up to her.
"But I don't think I should, Tsunade".
"Why? That beast nearly destroyed this village, Ray!"
"I understand what you say, but I met B, the Raikage's brother, he's the Jinchuriki of the Hachibi. You know, those two actually work quite well together, and the Hachibi makes B stronger; they're friends. I don't see why Naruto couldn't do the same".
The way I saw it, Naruto could become very strong and eventually be one of the pillars of this village. The Hachibi's energy may be trivial for my standards. But I felt the Kyūbi was quite a strong beast.
It is supposed to be a Nine-Tailed Fox like Yasaka. But I don't think Yasaka was that strong when she was still a nine-tailed fox. Its energy levels are off the chart, and I am even surprised Naruto can so nonchalantly contain that beast within himself. The seal created is top-notch indeed.
"They're not the same. The Kyūbi is a terrifying beast that destroys everything. If you remember when we met, the first time... when I saw Yasaka... you remember what my reaction was, don't you?" She brought us back to the past. She had been terrified of Yasaka back then.
"I know, but... I don't see why I can't convince this fellow to turn his ways," I smirked.
"How are you going to do it?"
"Is that even a question?" I stretched my hands for her to see, and she sighed.
"Of course, a massage... but you don't need to worry yourself, Ray–".
"It is your last family member, Tsunade. I think it is worth it. Let alone, if he does become friends with the Kyubi, wouldn't that be a valuable asset for you? I want to help you as much as I can".
She blushed and looked away, eating her ramen, "Do whatever you want. I won't stop you".
"Alright~".
"Hannah-chan, come here".
"Huh?"
Tsunade patted her lap for the cute bunny to sit.
"How are you feeling?"
"Uhm, I feel wonderful~".
Tsunade took a few sniffs from Hannah that made Kuroka chuckle. She shot a glare at me, "I imagine you're feeling great. You two had a little date, didn't you?"
"Yes, it was the best date ever!"
I gulped, feeling utmost pride in myself.
"We brought you some souvenirs. Here~"
Hannah gave Tsunade a bouquet of roses out of all the flowers we had gotten from the villagers.
"You're so cute, Hannah-chan~"
While they talked, I decided to touch on another topic I had been holding for a while. I took a seat on the chair in front of Tsunade's desk and beckoned to Kuroka to sit. Rather than sitting, she straight out straddled me lewdly.
"You can talk now~ I am proud of you, Kuroka".
"I can do it well if I get serious-nya!~"
I started teasing her lightly, nibbling on her ears, but Kuroka had other plans; she kissed me. Not a sloppy or naughty kiss, more like a tender greeting. From the moment we saw each other, I kept my distance from her because I wanted to keep up appearances. In hindsight, it was not fair for her.
"Sorry, I just don't know how people will react".
"It's okay-nya, remember, master... I am just a pet~".
"You know you're not", I hovered over her lips.
"But whenever we mate, you fuck me like a pet~" Her lips hovered even closer until we kissed again.
"Have you both forgotten you're at my office?" I heard Tsunade's jealous hiss like it was coming from a mile away.
"Fufu, no need to be jealous-nya, are you still going to keep on with that?"
"I never said you couldn't kiss him. Just... don't go too far, because if you start, I will start... and it won't be ending soon... I have work to do".
The tension was still high, but now for different reasons. It is incredible how, despite how much love we make every day, even the slightest spark and stimulation can still set us up really quickly, like we're flammable materials waiting for a reaction.
Gone were the days when the girls' presences would make them awkward with one another. Now, the more of us there were in one room, the more likely it was we would end up engaging in our 'sessions'.
Tsunade merely knew that she was not in a position to resist temptation. So she'd rather not be tempted in her office.
We understood, and I gave Kuroka one last peck; we could continue this at home. Having apologised, I touched on the topic at hand.
"Kuroka, where were you yesterday evening?" I asked.
Kuroka was momentarily stumbled by such a question, "Uhm, not only yesterday evening-nya. I had been spending all day with Shirone and the girls-nya. They then went to their pyjama and whatever while Shirone and I went to hunt rogue devils-nya".
Tsunade was caressing Hannah's hair as the latter purred, but she didn't react.
"... that can't be... yesterday you were with me. Don't you remember? Tsunade, Kuroka was with us yesterday, right?".
"... what are you talking about, Ray?".
"She... we made love together yesterday evening, then we went to sleep. Hannah appeared in our room..." I realised that the more I told the tale, the more shadows there were.
"Uhm...? If you had filled me to the brim as usual, I wouldn't be able to forget that-nya~".
I tried to remember yesterday when we received Hannah and got contacted by Rias. Amaterasu and Yasaka said they'd return.
!!!
'Amaterasu and Yasaka said they'd return... to contact the Onmyouji... where was Kuroka then?'
I desperately tried to recall. I soothed Hannah, then we went to sleep. Kuroka was not in the room at that moment!
"Are you saying you were in Japan the entire time...?"
"Yes-nya. Master, what's going on? You're scaring me~" Kuroka smiled, but I could tell her smile wasn't quite reaching her eyes.
"Ray, just explain what's on your mind", Tsunade mumbled, serious.
All I could do was look at that cute and cuddly lewd creature that was rubbing herself against Tsunade's bosom. Nearly terrified.
[Incredible. Utterly amazing. It was not spatial control from the start. It is no wonder... even I was shocked, you know? It doesn't matter how ridiculous her reality manipulation power is; travelling across universes is still too difficult for the likes of her. No, she did something different] Aether said, just as terrified as I, [It is funny though... what she did is almost as terrifying, if not more than, travelling across universes].
'She exchanged places with Kuroka' I completed the sentence, not even believing my own words, trying to understand how she even did it. How can this bunny continue to make such impossible miracles without even realising she's doing it!?
[It is more accurate to say that she exchanged fates with Kuroka. Altering the timeline into one where Kuroka stayed at Draconic Deus, and she came to this world instead... let alone her power even indirectly tampering with everyone's memories. The memories of deities stronger than her. It is possible because what she tampered with from the start was not their memories but fate instead. The memory alteration is just a byproduct, and the only reason you and I can retain our memories...]
'It is because we are both connected to the Star Crafter'
[Correct...]
I couldn't help but ask her, perhaps because my knowledge of the laws is shallow. But before I even did, Aether answered.
[What she did is not easy at all... she tiptoed around her limitations of power and still managed to achieve her objective by manipulating a different law. Hehehe, just what kind of monster have you created, Ray~, compared to her, Tokisaki Kurumi and Albedo are mere infants... with what she just did, none of your women can match her. We're lucky she's a sweet and pure cute bunny, if she were an evil demoness, hehehe... suffice to say I'd be glad I am dead]
'You mean WE created! Don't dump this only on me!'
[No, you created. I am just a remnant spirit, don't make me responsible for this~]
'You bitch!'
[You are witnessing by yourself, with Hannah as the medium, how ridiculous a treasure the Star Crafter is. It is incredible what it can achieve with the amount of energy that you can provide to it~ even when I was its owner, I didn't dare dream it could achieve something this outrageous. Rejoice, it means you have way higher chances now of defeating Elysir... I can guarantee you she has no clue you have a weapon capable of manipulating fate. All you have to do now is figure out how to control it].
I felt very overwhelmed. What she did by herself didn't terrify me.
What terrified me was that she managed to tamper with everyone's memories except mine. Even Kuroka herself believed she wasn't here yesterday. Perhaps she actually wasn't. This Kuroka is from a different timeline, for God's sake.
Or wait? Am I the one who's from a different timeline? I am so confused.
[Do not be discouraged, Daddy~ this girl created a time space paradox just because she wanted to be with you. If that's not the maximum expression of love, then I don't know what it is~].
'You're not helping!'.
****
A/N: Yeah, Hannah is quite broken. But she's literally Ray's weapon that feeds on his energy, so what do you expect? If you all noticed, I haven't given Ray any weapon, and that's because Ray's weapon is not a sword or a spear... it is an artefact capable of manipulating reality and giving away powers.
For those of you who read Against the Gods, you could see it this way: The Star Crafter is a Heavenly Profound Treasure, and Hannah is the spirit.