Cemetery of Konoha Village.
Mito had lain beneath the earth for a full year now. The flowers placed before her gravestone had withered beyond recognition.
It seems no one has visited in quite some time.
The entire cemetery was dotted with only a few scattered people paying their respects to old friends or loved ones.
In the distance, six figures were slowly approaching.
"It's been a while since we last visited Grandma."
Clearly, Tsunade had already found peace. Her steps were light and a smile graced her face.
"We're here to surprise Grandma today."
Nawaki held a bouquet of vibrant red roses—the color Mito had always loved most.
"You're both so biased. Grandpa might take offense, you know?"
Kawaki walked beside Tsunade, teasing the pair playfully.
"How could that be?"
"Look what I've brought."
Tsunade pulled a pair of dice cups from her pocket. As she gently rocked them, the clatter of dice inside could clearly be heard.
"You really know how to cater to her tastes."
Kawaki was taken aback—he'd never seen anyone bring dice to a memorial.
"So did Great-Grandpa really enjoy gambling?"
Ginji, holding a baby steadily in his arms, asked curiously.
"Wanna guess who taught Mama her gambling skills?"
Tsunade turned and shot Ginji a bright smile.
"Well then, looks like Great-Grandpa must've lost quite often too."
Ginji had personally witnessed Tsunade's gambling skills before—they were nothing short of disastrous.
"I think you're just asking for a punch."
Hearing this, Tsunade immediately bristled. She simply hadn't had good luck, that's all!
"Auntie, save me!"
Ginji darted straight behind Misaki. He knew perfectly well that as long as he didn't let go of the baby, Misaki would protect him.
"But Auntie won't be able to protect you forever."
Kushina instantly saw through Ginji's little trick, snatching the baby away.
"That's exactly what people mean when they say, 'One careless word can bring disaster.'"
Misaki covered her mouth trying not to laugh aloud—Ginji's smart mouth was just like his brother-in-law's.
"All right, all right, we're almost there."
Just as Ginji seemed about to fall into Kushina's grasp, Kawaki timely came to his rescue.
"Hmph~ Someday I'll show you how Mama dominates the place."
Still , Tsunade refused to admit that her gambling skills were not great.
→
Still not convinced, Tsunade refused to admit that her gambling skills were not great.
"Mama is the best."
This time, Ginji wisely chose not to provoke further. A smart man doesn't bite off more than he can chew.
"Now that the amulet's gone, talking back is just asking for trouble."
Tsunade's expression softened instantly at his compliment.
"I like hearing that."
Tsunade's moods shifted quicker than June skies.
"Go on, clean it up."
Kawaki nudged Ginji gently toward the gravestone as the group finally arrived.
"Got it."
Ginji stepped forward and carefully cleared the dried flowers and fallen leaves from in front of the stone. Under his breath, he murmured softly,
"Great-Gran, Great-Grandma…"
"It's Ginji, coming to visit you."
After speaking, he somehow produced two boxes of Rasengan snacks from somewhere, both flavors Mito had enjoyed sharing with him.
"Grandpa, Grandma, Satsuki brought you both gifts."
Tsunade stepped closer and placed down the dice cup, then pulled out other small presents she'd prepared especially for Mito.
Nawaki neatly arranged the fresh flowers, though he hadn't brought anything for Hashirama.
But that was understandable—he'd never actually met Hashirama, unlike Tsunade, who had deep emotional ties.
Kushina, busy holding the baby, simply observed quietly.
Misaki stepped forward to help arrange the offerings neatly, but Kawaki stood motionless.
Gazing across the vast expanse of the cemetery, a forbidden technique surfaced in his mind—Impure World Reincarnation.
He couldn't help but marvel at how fearless Orochimaru had been in the original timeline, daring to excavate even here.
Hiruzen Sarutobi never killed him despite all these years—truly indulging him beyond reason.
"Daydreaming again? Come over here."
Tsunade's voice pulled his wandering thoughts back. Kawaki hurried over, muttering, "On my way, on my way."
"We've gained a new family member," Tsunade said. "We came today to introduce her to Grandpa and Grandma."
Kawaki lit the short incense stick in his hand. Kushina quickly passed the baby to Nawaki.
"Grandma, this is our daughter, with Misaki and me."
"Look, isn't she adorable?"
"We gave her a lovely name."
"It's Hanami. Senju Hanami."
Nawaki gently turned the baby's face toward the gravestone, his expression filled with affection.
The baby had already been born for several months; her features were gradually developing, bearing traces of Misaki's features.
Most strikingly similar was her bright red hair.
Everything before Hanami fascinated her, even if she didn't understand it.
Perhaps fate had already begun its quiet work, and instinctively, she reached out to touch the name engraved on the gravestone.
"Giggle~giggle~"
When Nawaki moved her closer, and her small hand touched the stone, Hanami laughed.
"Looks like Great-Gran really likes her little sister."
Ginji remembered how, the last time he saw Mito, he had longed to reach out and stroke her cheek one last time.
"Grandma, Minato and I can now partially control the Nine-Tails' power."
"It's safe, so please don't worry."
Over the past year, Kushina and Minato had both worked hard to adapt to the Nine-Tails' power.
Their strength had grown immensely.
"I miss you so much."
Misaki knelt beside Nawaki, her eyes welling up once more.
"Great-Gran, I'm really strong now."
"In the future, I'll definitely become an amazing ninja."
Ginji declared with unusual confidence, uncharacteristically bold for him.
...
Each of them poured out their longing and love as the short incense slowly burned away.
"We'll visit again next time."
Kawaki rose first; the day still stretched ahead.
"Let's go, Grandma."
After composing themselves, they bade farewell one by one and walked away.
Once more, peace returned to the graves of Mito and Hashirama.
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Thanks to Mito, Tobirama's grave also received additional offerings.
It was indeed lonely without descendants; only a handful of disciples ever visited his grave.
A gentle breeze swept through, scattering the incense ashes before the gravestone.
On the way home, no one spoke, and their footsteps felt heavier than usual.
Only when they reached the crossroads and parted ways did they finally say goodbye to each other.
"Should we head to the Hokage Building or skip work?"
The Kawaki trio wandered aimlessly through Konoha's streets.
"Let's go to work. I should also show some understanding toward Shouta."
Tsunade offered an apologetic smile; as Hokage, she knew she hadn't held up her end recently.
"Haha, poor Shouta must be relieved that Hokage-sama still remembers him."
Kawaki pictured Shouta's resentful glare and burst out laughing.
"Dad, Mama."
"I'm heading out to find Aoi."
Since today was a day off from the Ninja Academy, Ginji couldn't bear staying at home after coming back.
"You little rascal~ Off you go."
Kawaki waved Ginji away — that mischievous kid really was his spitting image.
"What about you then?"
"Any plans on where you'll wander today?"
Since the students were off, Kawaki naturally didn't have to go to school.
"I'll just take a walk. You go do your thing."
Kawaki had zero intention of running errands at the Hokage Building.
"Alright then, I'm off."
Tsunade headed toward the Hokage Building while Kawaki wandered through Konoha alone.
As he looked at the villagers strolling down the streets with cheerful smiles and merchants calling out their goods, Kawaki felt a deep sense of peace.
Just being able to protect those smiles was enough to fill his heart.
In the days ahead, he'd give everything he had to keep those smiles lasting forever.
If at all possible, he prayed war would never return.
…
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