News of Tsunade

Seeing that the Katsuyu Sage had recognized him, Tokiju greeted her at once. "It's me. Long time no see, Katsuyu Sage."

The Katsuyu Sage swayed her head. "It hasn't been that long—only a little over twenty years. I just didn't expect you to still be alive."

"Judging by your current condition, your Summoning Technique must have been disrupted, and you were reverse-summoned to a place where time doesn't flow, right?"

Though she phrased it as a question, her tone was certain.

Hearing this, Tokiju marveled inwardly. As expected of a great sage who had lived for who knew how many years—she had immediately seen through the heart of the matter.

Tokiju nodded. "You're right. I really was reverse-summoned to a strange space, where time doesn't flow."

"That's why I still look like a child."

The Katsuyu Sage swayed her feelers. She didn't doubt Tokiju's words.

As one of the Three Great Sages, she knew many of the Ninja World's secrets. And the bloodline connection on the Shikkotsu Forest contract scroll was proof enough.

"Then, little Tokiju, what did you summon me here for?"

"First, I should apologize. I searched all of Shikkotsu Forest for any sign of what caused you to be reverse-summoned, but I couldn't find anything unusual."

Tokiju nodded. He wasn't bothered by that.

What had happened had happened. There was no point dwelling on it now; all that mattered was that it didn't happen again.

He paid no mind to the Katsuyu Sage's apology and replied, "I'll investigate it myself. The main reason I summoned you was to ask where my big sister is now. And how's that kid Nawaki doing?"

At that, the Katsuyu Sage fell silent for a moment, then said, "Lady Tsunade should be somewhere near the Land of Hot Water."

"As for Nawaki..."

The Katsuyu Sage fell silent again.

Tokiju understood at once. That kid Nawaki must have died in battle, just like in the original story.

At the thought, Tokiju clenched his hands without realizing it, his fingernails digging into his palms.

Seeing how poorly Tokiju was taking the news, Uchiha Hikari stepped forward and took his hand.

Feeling his hand trembling slightly, Uchiha Hikari's heart ached for him. She knew what it felt like to lose a loved one.

If Tokiju had been an Uchiha, this might have been enough to awaken the three-tomoe Sharingan.

Tokiju looked up and felt the warmth in his palm. He took several deep breaths, finally calming himself.

Turning back to the Katsuyu Sage, he said, "Thank you for telling me, Katsuyu Sage. I'm going to find my sister now. She must be in a lot of pain."

"I can use the Reverse Summoning Technique to bring you and Lady Tsunade together at Shikkotsu Forest," the Katsuyu Sage suggested.

Tokiju shook his head. "No need. I want to see more of the Ninja World as I search for my sister."

The Katsuyu Sage swayed her feelers. "Understood. I'll keep your return a secret from Lady Tsunade for now."

Tokiju gave the Katsuyu Sage a thumbs-up. "Sorry for the trouble. You can go back now."

The Katsuyu Sage dipped her feelers, then vanished in a puff of smoke.

Only after the Katsuyu Sage had left did Uchiha Hikari speak. "Tokiju, are you all right?"

Tokiju managed a faint smile, then looked toward the bandit camp.

He drew a deep breath, then used the Body Flicker Technique to dash toward the camp's entrance.

Uchiha Hikari didn't try to stop him. She knew Tokiju needed to let it all out.

Tokiju smashed through the camp gate, and the tremendous crash immediately alerted the bandits inside.

"An enemy attack! We're under attack!"

"Go tell the boss!"

"Damn it, was the lookout blind?"

Tokiju stared coldly at the bandits gathering before him, waiting until most of them had assembled.

He clapped his hands, and countless points of light appeared around him.

"Light Release: Yasakani Magatama!"

He had developed this jutsu in the Sealing Space by imitating Kizaru from the One Piece world. It was an excellent technique for clearing out weaklings.

As Tokiju's words fell, the points of light around him shot toward the bandits.

Most of the bandits were wandering samurai or ordinary people.

They stood no chance against an attack from Tokiju, who had the strength of an elite jonin. In an instant, countless light bullets riddled them with holes.

After taking care of the bandits before him, Tokiju stood there silently.

They had all deserved their fate, but taking a life for the first time still left his face slightly pale.

Uchiha Hikari walked up behind Tokiju. She said nothing, simply wrapping her arms around him from behind.

They stood that way for a long while before Tokiju finally said, "Thank you. I'm all right now."

"Mm." Uchiha Hikari nodded, but she still didn't let go.

Tokiju looked up at the sunlight again. Feeling its warmth made him feel a little better.

As he looked at the bandits' bodies, his gaze grew firm.

This was the Ninja World, not the peaceful world of his previous life. No matter how much he hated it, killing was unavoidable.

Once he had composed himself, Tokiju patted Uchiha Hikari's hand, signaling for her to let go.

Only after seeing that Tokiju had truly recovered did Uchiha Hikari release him.

Tokiju smiled at Uchiha Hikari. "All right, I really am fine now. Let's go see if there's anything good inside."

With that, Tokiju headed into the camp.

Uchiha Hikari followed him without hesitation.

After searching around, they found some supplies and more than a hundred thousand ryo in banknotes.

They also found several captive girls in the camp's basement.

After setting them free, Tokiju asked them to take him to their village.

As for the four Konoha Ninja, they were fine.

Tokiju had hidden them somewhere reasonably safe and scattered powder around them to drive off snakes and ants.

Of course, he had taken all those supplies from the squad's leading jonin.

After traveling for a while, Tokiju finally arrived with the girls near a village.

Using a genjutsu, Uchiha Hikari erased all their memories of herself and Tokiju, then let them go their separate ways.

Once they entered the village, Tokiju saw that it was quite large, with a fairly complete range of businesses.

After casually selling the supplies they had on hand, their funds rose to more than two hundred thousand ryo.

With that money, Tokiju first bought new clothes for himself and Uchiha Hikari.

The outfit he picked for Uchiha Hikari was basically the same as the one she wore in the game.

Looking at Uchiha Hikari, now completely transformed, Tokiju immediately gave her a thumbs-up.

His gesture made her blush a little.