I Missed You

The two of them walked slowly into the Hokage Building. Senju Genma was still an Anbu squad leader, so he knew how tight security was here. Anbu guards were posted both inside and out.

Tsunade kicked open the door to the Hokage Office and swaggered in.

It was a bad habit she had picked up back in the time of the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju.

As the granddaughter of the First, Senju Hashirama, she had been the village's little tyrant ever since she was a child.

"Sensei, we're back."

They entered the office and found that Orochimaru had already arrived.

Hiruzen Sarutobi couldn't be bothered to scold Tsunade. He waved a hand and said, "I know. Go sit quietly over there!"

"Okay!" Tsunade replied, taking a seat nearby.

Then Hiruzen turned his gaze to Senju Genma, a kind, benevolent smile on his face. "Genma, you did very well this time. Go sit down too."

"Yes, Lord Hokage!" Senju Genma nodded slightly and sat down nearby.

Watching Senju Genma's well-behaved manner, Hiruzen grinned from ear to ear.

What a good kid. He'd accomplished so much and still wasn't conceited. In both character and talent, he was far better than those three useless students of his!

Especially Jiraiya. The war was over, and the man had vanished without a trace. He couldn't even be bothered to come see his sensei!

"You were all heroes of the village in this war. The village won't forget what you've done."

"I'll convene a meeting of the senior leadership as soon as possible to decide on your rewards."

"In the meantime, you can take a break."

"For now?" Tsunade was taken aback. She'd wanted to spend a few carefree years with Genma! How had a break become temporary?

Hiruzen sighed. "According to the latest intelligence, the Land of Rain has also surrendered to the Land of Wind, and the Land of Wind has accepted."

"Moreover, according to information gathered by Anbu, the Land of Wind is massing troops along the border with the Land of River. Another war may break out before long."

War wasn't something he wanted either.

He wasn't afraid of war, but that didn't mean he liked it.

He had always supported the ideals of the First and Second Hokage, devoting himself to developing the village. His governing philosophy was to maintain peace and stability in the village.

But the decision to go to war wasn't his alone to make.

Hiruzen pressed his lips together and thought for a moment before saying, "Tsunade, Genma, spend as much time with Lady Mito as you can. I'll go visit her myself before long."

At those words, Tsunade and Senju Genma both felt their hearts sink.

They knew Uzumaki Mito would soon be leaving them.

They exchanged a glance and nodded.

Senju Genma stood and said, "Lord Hokage, Tsunade and I would like to take some time off. We won't be involved in the village's affairs for a while."

Orochimaru didn't understand. He looked puzzled.

They were just going to spend time with family. Why were they reacting like this?

Was Lady Mito so old that she was near the end, and that was why Genma and Tsunade were so sad?

Why was life so fragile?!!

At the thought, Orochimaru clenched his fists and sighed.

Just then, Hiruzen's expression turned sorrowful too. "I understand. Go and spend time with Lady Mito. Don't worry about anything else."

As he spoke, Hiruzen's eyes grew a little red.

Uzumaki Mito was his elder too. They had known each other for at least thirty years.

She had always been kind to everyone, and they all remembered her affection. Now, in the blink of an eye, she was about to pass away. There was no way he could feel nothing.

Orochimaru's mood grew even heavier. His teacher's reaction hit him like a devastating blow.

That night, at the Senju Clan Grounds.

Senju Genma lay in bed, his mind in turmoil. Tsunade had cried herself to sleep.

They had returned to the village, left the war behind, and become heroes, yet they couldn't feel happy at all.

What they had suspected that afternoon had been confirmed by Uzumaki Mito. She could feel that her time was near, and her health was deteriorating by the day.

At the thought, Senju Genma sighed softly. "Isn't there a perfect way to live forever?"

"Orochimaru's Living Corpse Reincarnation can grant immortality, but afterward, the body wouldn't even be your own."

"The Impure World Reincarnation is the same."

"As for the others..."

"How many years did Kaguya Otsutsuki live? A thousand years passed between planting the God Tree on Earth and eating its fruit. Then another thousand years passed after she was sealed before she appeared again."

"That means the Otsutsuki Clan can live for at least a thousand years without consuming the God Tree Fruit."

"Hm?"

Suddenly, Senju Genma paused. A smile touched his lips as he lightly touched the corner of his eye.

"The Sage's Eye. The Outer Path: Samsara of Heavenly Life Technique."

"Though the Rinnegan can make someone immune to illusions, it can't make them immune to illusions cast with Senjutsu Chakra."

"I just don't know how much Senjutsu Chakra it would take to make it work."

"What would happen if I used Sage Art: Illusion to control someone with the Rinnegan and make them perform the Samsara of Heavenly Life Technique?"

"Could I use someone else's life to bring back someone I cherish?"

"What state would their body be in afterward? Young? Or old?"

"Forget it. I'll only know once I try."

Senju Genma suddenly sprang out of bed, spread his arms, and addressed the window. "Nagato, offer your life to me!"

"Cough, cough!"

Just then, Uzumaki Kushina, who had appeared in the room at some point, coughed.

Senju Genma immediately used the Body Flicker Technique to carry Uzumaki Kushina out of the room.

They were the same age, but Senju Genma had already grown bigger than Uzumaki Kushina. He was nearly a head taller than her.

"Little cutie, why aren't you asleep?"

Uzumaki Kushina rubbed her eyes and yawned. "I was thirsty, so I came out for a drink. I heard a noise in your room, so I went in to check."

Senju Genma swallowed, his expression awkward. "Then what did you hear just now?"

Uzumaki Kushina rubbed her face against his chest and shook her head. "Nothing. I just heard you telling someone to offer their life. Were you talking to Big Sister Tsunade?"

"No, I was talking in my sleep just now." Senju Genma breathed a sigh of relief.

This kid was wandering around in the middle of the night instead of sleeping. She'd scared him half to death.

"Big Brother Genma, if you asked me to offer my life, I would, too!"

After saying that, Uzumaki Kushina felt embarrassed and blushed.

"Why would you suddenly say something like that? I'd never want you to give your life for me." Senju Genma held her tighter.

Uzumaki Kushina blinked. "Big Brother Genma, I missed you. Can we sleep together tonight?"

Looking into Uzumaki Kushina's eyes, Senju Genma finally understood that this was what she'd really come for tonight.

He glanced toward Tsunade's room.

"Well..."

This was so hard!

One was a mature beauty, the other a little girl. Which one should he choose?

Suddenly, Kushina leaned close to Genma's ear and whispered, "Mikoto and Konan are thinking about you too, Big Brother!"

No need to struggle over it anymore!