After parting ways with Otsutsuki Momoshiki, Hanabi and Mie headed toward the Land of Fire. They stopped to rest at a hot spring inn in the Land of Hot Water. Just as they were about to take a bath, the space before them rippled, and Naruto, Sasuke, Hinata, Shizuka Uchiha, and Itachi Uchiha appeared before them.
Hanabi and Mie froze for a moment. They had never expected Naruto and the others to find them so soon after their return to the shinobi world. But while the two stood stunned, Hinata and Shizuka Uchiha did not hesitate. Overcome with emotion, each tightly embraced her younger sister, as though afraid they would disappear again.
Hinata and Shizuka Uchiha kept murmuring things like, "You're safe. You're safe. You scared me to death."
Watching this heartwarming scene, Naruto, Sasuke, and Itachi Uchiha could not help smiling. Hinata and Shizuka Uchiha had been gloomy all these days. As the men at their sides, Naruto and Itachi Uchiha had seen it all and understood that they were worried about Hanabi and Mie.
When Hanabi and Mie first disappeared, both women had nearly fallen apart. Fortunately, they later learned that the two were safe, and the constant demands around them had helped them keep their feelings bottled up. Still, as their older sisters, Hinata and Shizuka Uchiha had never stopped worrying. Only now, seeing them safe and sound, could they finally let go of the weight in their hearts.
Hanabi pulled free of Hinata's embrace. "All right, Sis, nothing happened to me. Stop making this so embarrassing, okay?"
Beside them, Uchiha Mie likewise pulled free of Shizuka Uchiha's embrace.
Hinata said happily, "Hanabi, I was so worried about you. Where have you been all this time? We received information saying you went to the Otsutsuki's settlement. Is