The Use of the Tenseigan

As Hinata recounted how Naruto had saved her all those years ago, and how she had come to like Naruto, Karin and Haku finally learned that Hinata had liked Naruto for so many years.

Fortunately, Hinata and Naruto had later been assigned to the same class.

That gave them the chance to develop their feelings and get together.

"Hinata, was it hard when you had a crush on Naruto?"

Karin had never had a secret crush herself, so she was quite curious about Hinata's experience.

Hinata shook her head, a trace of shyness on her face. "The outcome was good, so I don't remember any of the hardships from before."

"What about you, Haku? When did you start liking Lord Shamu?"

Karin could not hold back her curiosity.

Haku thought for a moment, then shook her head.

"I don't remember. I don't know when it started, either."

Hinata and Karin found that rather strange. "Do you not remember anything at all?"

Haku thought about it. "I like being with Lord Shamu. I like it when Lord Shamu pats my head. The feeling of being needed by Lord Shamu is wonderful."

Hinata and Karin exchanged a glance. They both felt that something was a little strange, but neither could put it into words.

After thinking it over, Hinata realized that Haku's state was somewhat like hers when she had first started liking Naruto.

A confession did not seem quite appropriate at a time like this, so Hinata asked, "Then... Haku, why do you want to confess?"

At that, Haku remembered what Kyoko had told her that day.

"Big Sister Kyoko told me that she fought for her own happiness."

"So I want to try and fight for it too. If I can be with Lord Shamu, then Lord Shamu will always need me."

Then Haku told them about how Kyoko and Kisame had met, leaving Karin and Hinata somewhat stunned.

So that was how they had come to know each other. Kyoko had even died once.

Indeed, if Kyoko had not bravely taken that first step, then even if Lord Shamu had saved her, she and Kisame would never have made it to where they were now.

"What are you talking about?"

At that moment, Shamu walked over and rubbed Haku's head, just as he always had.

"We were talking about Big Sister Kyoko and Big Brother Kisame."

Karin and Hinata felt that Lord Shamu did not seem to dislike Haku.

It was just that this affection was different from the kind of love they knew.

Shamu did not know what Hinata and Karin were thinking. He simply told Hinata that he needed to borrow her eyes.

When Hinata heard that the Hyuga clan's Byakugan could begin to evolve, she eagerly agreed.

"It's all right, Lord Shamu. I don't need those eyes right now."

"They can be put to better use somewhere more suitable."

Shamu nodded slightly. "All right. Go back and tell Hiashi the good news. Have him send Neji and Hanabi to Orochimaru first."

"Understood. Thank you, Lord Shamu."

Hinata politely thanked Shamu.

Sasuke was over at Itachi's place, playing with the two children beside Izumi.

His eyes were full of affection. He was extremely fond of his two nephews.

The little ones were only about ten months old, yet they had already learned to walk.

They still could not speak clearly, though. Aside from calling out "Daddy" and "Mommy," Sasuke was also trying to teach them to call him "Uncle."

Though he had yet to succeed, Sasuke never grew tired of trying.

Itachi smiled beside him. "If you like children that much, you can find yourself a girlfriend."

Sasuke handed the two children back to Izumi, then stood up. "I haven't met anyone I like."

Itachi smiled and shook his head, but he did not blame Sasuke.

Unlike the future Sasuke, who had no choice, this Sasuke had plenty of people to shelter him from the wind and rain.

Whatever kind of life he wanted to live, it did not really matter.

Letting this Sasuke enjoy the happiness that future Sasuke had never experienced was a good thing too.

Meanwhile, Naruto had pulled Kimimaro aside and was whispering to him.

As he spoke, he kept secretly glancing at Shamu and Haku.

"Is Haku all right? Master rejected her. Is she very upset?"

Kimimaro shook his head.

"Haku's confession failed, but Lord Shamu didn't directly reject him."

Naruto's eyes lit up. There was more to the story!?

"What does that mean?"

"Lord Shamu thought Haku was too young to properly distinguish his feelings and didn't know whether he truly liked him."

"He said they could consider it again once Haku had grown up a little."

Naruto was somewhat bewildered. That was actually the reason?

Come to think of it, though, Haku... really didn't give him the impression of being grown up.

Naruto understood a little.

Everyone present was in a relaxed mood. After all, according to Shamu, once this batch of the Otsutsuki Clan had been eliminated—

the ninja world would have a fairly long period of development.

With Shamu around, the entire ninja world's development would certainly improve.

Orochimaru was in a hurry to return, so Shamu opened a portal and sent him off first. Karin left with him as well.

Minato found Shamu. "Shamu, how are you planning to announce your resurrection to the public?"

A person's reputation was like a tree's shadow. In the ninja world, the name Uchiha Shamu was practically synonymous with a savior.

Since he had been revived, they could make an announcement to the outside world.

Shamu answered without hesitation.

"Say that we captured members of the Otsutsuki Clan and developed a method of resurrection through research."

"However, it only works if a member of the Otsutsuki Clan is converted into energy."

"From now on, every Otsutsuki Clan member we capture can revive one person."

"This time, Konoha gets two slots, and we Uchiha get one."

"The Otsutsuki are a clan. In the future, it's even possible that a large number of them may invade this planet together."

"Though the Otsutsuki Clan won't come in the short term, we still need to plan for the long run."

"Set a date for the Ninja Career Tournament, and we also need to establish a date for the Otsutsuki invasion."

"Even if the Otsutsuki don't descend for now, everyone must remain vigilant."

Minato nodded in deep agreement. Shamu's approach was quite good.

Only desire could drive people forward. Using resurrection as a bargaining chip would indeed attract quite a few people.

And as Shamu had said, the Ninja Career Tournament could offer enormous rewards.

Based on the strength of the six great nations, there would be money, resources, secret techniques—everything one could want.

It was the fastest shortcut for improving oneself, or rather, the strength of one's own ninja village.

Moreover, in terms of this planet's development, the population was far too sparse. Everywhere was vast land with few people; it was nowhere near its limit.

If they worked hard to develop now, they could fully expand outward in the future—but that was a matter for later.

Shamu thought for a moment. "First, have the other ninja villages issue a joint statement."

"Three days from now, convene a Celestial Organization meeting. I'll talk to everyone about our future direction of development."

"Got it, Shamu. Then I'll take Naruto and the others back first."

"Alright. If anything comes up, call... or just fly over to find me."

Shamu was quite pleased to see the six great nations communicating by phone.

Minato glanced at Haku behind Shamu, but said nothing.

The others had also run out of things to discuss, and everyone dispersed.

After all, with Minato's Flying Thunder God, they could come over whenever they wanted.

Naruto was somewhat reluctant to leave. He truly enjoyed happily spending time with everyone.

After Shamu's death, Naruto had been on edge every single day. Now, he could finally relax a little.

Naruto made plans with Sasuke to come back later and have Shamu assess their strength before leaving with Minato.

Everyone else from Konoha was taken away directly by Minato's Flying Thunder God.