Kaito used his power to slightly adjust Rin's physical age, making her look less awkward when standing next to Obito and Kakashi.
After growing up, Rin's top instantly became a crop shirt, and her original shorts… well, no need to say more. Obito's nose burst into a fountain of blood at the sight, and even Kakashi's eyes went wide. Rin gave him a swift kick before he finally snapped back to reality.
Kaito, ever thoughtful, pulled out the green vest Kaguya had bought earlier and handed it to Rin.
He really had no intention of letting Kaguya wear that ugly thing.
But for Rin, it was a lifesaver. She was a very conservative girl.
Once she slipped into the turtle-shell-like vest, Rin finally felt a bit more secure.
Having done all this, Kaito left the three of them some private time and returned home.
...
Kaguya had already woken up and was now sitting absentmindedly on the sofa in the main hall.
As soon as Kaito walked through the door, she immediately came forward to greet him. Compared to before, she was much warmer now—almost as if she wanted to stay glued to his side every second.
After spending some time with her, Kaito suddenly placed his hand gently on her belly and asked,
"How are you feeling? Anything uncomfortable?"
A blissful smile appeared on Kaguya's face. She held his hand in place and whispered softly,
"Master..."
Kaito chuckled. Kaguya no longer seemed so cold and aloof, now she radiated a faint maternal glow.
With this child, Kaito now had a bond tying him to the world of Naruto. He decided to stay and wait for the birth.
But after more than a year passed, Kaguya's belly had only slightly rounded—there was no sign of her giving birth at all.
Kaito was dumbfounded. Don't tell me this kid, planning to stay in the womb for three and a half years?
By now, Kaito had been back in the Naruto world for nearly two years, and he was starting to miss the Pirate world.
Shalria and the others must be anxious by now.
Since he'd already lifted the restrictions on dimensional travel, Kaito explained the situation to Kaguya and asked if she wanted to join him on a trip to the Pirate world.
But Kaguya wanted to wait until after the child was born. Kaito didn't push her. By his estimate, it might take another two or three years anyway—plenty of time for him to go visit his other "family."
After saying goodbye to Minato and the others, Kaito opened a dimensional gate and stepped back into the Pirate world.
...
Holy Land Mary Geoise.
Hancock and Shalria were strolling through a sea of flowers.
This was the place where Kaito had departed two years ago. Now, it had been designated as a forbidden zone. Aside from a handful of Marine high-ranking officers and Shalria's group, no one was allowed near.
Shalria absentmindedly plucked a small red flower, then tossed it away without a glance.
Seeing this, Hancock couldn't help but ask,
"Shalria, what's wrong with you today? You seem so distracted."
Shalria pouted and muttered gloomily,
"I miss Kaito! It's been so long without a word. Did he abandon me?"
At the mention of Kaito, Hancock's own heart stirred with longing. She let out a quiet sigh and gently stroked the little ahoge on Shalria's head.
"Don't talk nonsense. How could Kaito-sama ever abandon you? Honestly, I think you're the one he likes most."
Hearing this, Shalria's ahoge instantly perked up. Her face lit up in delight as she asked,
"Eh? Really?!"
But before Hancock could answer, Shalria's expression dimmed again. She mumbled,
"No way... Hancock, you're way prettier than me. I bet Kaito likes you more."
Then she started counting on her fingers, whispering to herself,
"Kalifa's already some big secretary-general... and then there's Gion, Ain, Robin... ahhh! They're all so amazing! I can't do anything!"
The more Shalria went on, the more miserable she became, until tears started streaming down her face.
Hancock sighed helplessly. How had the girl managed to talk herself into a breakdown?
She pulled Shalria gently into her arms to comfort her, but before she could say anything, a familiar voice rang out,
"I never expected an idiot like you to learn anything anyway."
Both Hancock and Shalria froze, their eyes snapping toward the source of the voice.
At the far end of the flower field stood Kaito, arms crossed, smiling as he watched them.
The two women rubbed their eyes in disbelief. Shalria's voice trembled as she asked,
"Kaito? Is that really you?"
"What, you don't recognize me now? Sounds like someone needs a good lesson."
Kaito shook his fist playfully. Shalria stared for a moment, then suddenly burst into tears.
That startled Hancock, who quickly patted Shalria's back like she was comforting a child—but it only made her cry louder.
Seeing no other choice, Hancock cast a pleading look at Kaito.
In a flash, Kaito appeared beside her. First, he smoothed out Hancock's long hair that Shalria had mussed up, then he pulled Shalria into his own arms.
As soon as he held her, Shalria's sobbing quieted down. She curled up against him like a kitten, sniffling hard.
Kaito pinched her nose and teased,
"What, planning to wipe all your snot on my clothes?"
"Hmph! Serves you right for disappearing so long... Do you know how much I missed—"
Shalria stopped mid-sentence, then buried her face deeper in Kaito's chest, refusing to continue.
But Kaito wasn't about to let her off that easily. He flicked her forehead and pressed,
"What did you miss? Say it."
Hancock covered her mouth to stifle a laugh. Shalria winced from the flick, rubbed her forehead against Kaito's chest, and mumbled,
"I missed you..."
A smile tugged at Kaito's lips. He gently cupped Shalria's face, gazing into her eyes.
Shalria stared blankly back at him and blurted,
"Kaito, why are your eyes golden now?"
"These are the Tenseigan. What, you prefer the Rinnegan?"
"No! As long as they're your eyes, they're beautiful... But these... these are even prettier!"
Hancock nodded in agreement. From an aesthetic standpoint, the golden Tenseigan were indeed more dazzling than the Rinnegan—like two tiny suns.
If merchants saw them, they'd surely start scheming again... though who knows how they'd manage to replicate the golden glow.