Rikusei had already grown accustomed to the mind-rending sensation brought by the second spatial transfer. Once his vision cleared, he looked at the all-too-familiar furnishings and layout before him.
It was the Hokage's Office. Not far away, Sage Shima leaned against a pile of scrolls, breathing out foul air without the slightest hint of sage-like dignity.
?!
Rikusei could clearly see the change in Tobirama's expression—from initial delight to inexplicable panic—as he hurried over to look at them.
"Where are the First and Second?"
After sweeping his gaze back and forth several times, Tobirama still failed to spot those two familiar figures. He placed a hand on Rikusei's shoulder and asked in disbelief.
"They..."
Gulp!
The boy's hesitant expression made a terrible premonition suddenly rise in Tobirama's heart. He swallowed hard and stared at him.
"They're not coming back. They said they were going to fulfill the promise made at the founding of the alliance, and visit the other two sacred lands while they were at it."
"They're not coming back!?"
Tobirama was so agitated that he lost his composure, his arms hanging limply at his sides. During the few days they had been gone, his life truly had been like paradise.
But...
With work and family both weighing on his shoulders, that paradise had abruptly become hell, tormenting him to no end. He had struggled to hold on for so long, only to receive the answer that they were not coming back.
Feeling deeply dejected, Tobirama turned to look at the untreated documents piled as high as his desk and let out a pained sigh.
It seemed...
He would have to use the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique.
"Mm, Tobirama, if there's nothing else, I'll be leaving first."
"The father of my children doesn't even know how to haggle when