Watching from the Shadows

In the original work, Water Release: Who Repairs the Dam?

Akatsuki's Kisame Hoshigaki had used it when facing the Eight-Tails.

And now, Shao Nan had used it in a waterless area.

How should he put this feeling?

It was damn awesome... Anyone who used it would know.

A great amount of moisture appeared above the basin and gathered toward its center.

Boom!

All at once, an enormous mass of water appeared at the center, like a vast ocean suspended in midair.

As Shao Nan continued channeling chakra, the volume of water grew greater and greater.

It eventually formed a sea two kilometers wide.

It was at least thirty meters deep.

The ocean directly covered the giant tree that was five hundred meters thick.

Crash! Crash! Crash!!!

An immense torrent surged rapidly into the basin.

Everyone retreated to higher ground.

Before long, the basin had become a lake.

Shao Nan pressed his palms together and gave a low shout.

"Wood Release: Wood Clone Jutsu."

A Wood Release clone leaped out from Shao Nan's back.

The Wood Release clone was also in Sage Mode.

"Take a bite of my blood yourself. I can't be bothered to hurt myself."

Upon hearing that, the Wood Release clone bit down on Shao Nan's arm.

Its teeth sank into his flesh, and blood seeped out. After taking a drink,

it flew of its own accord toward the two-thousand-meter-tall tree, sank into its trunk, and merged with it.

After finishing all that, Shao Nan looked at the Raikage and smiled faintly.

"Raikage, as my underling, you should act like one.

The next time we meet, you can't shout at me like you did this time."

Golden light flickered in Shao Nan's eyes as his Mangekyō Sharingan emerged.

He then took Yugito Nii's hand and used the ability of his left Mangekyō Sharingan.

A map of the Ninja World appeared in his left eye.

He directly carried out a spatial transfer to the Senju Compound.

The Raikage and Killer B watched as Shao Nan and Yugito vanished from the spot without a sound,

and could not help sighing.

"When did I ever agree to be his underling?!"

"Oh yeah!!! That ability is freaking amazing! I want it so badly."

Meanwhile, in a dense forest somewhere in Kumogakure,

two people watched everything that had happened from afar.

One wore a black cloak with red clouds and a mask,

while the other resembled a pitcher plant stuck in the ground, half black and half white.

They were none other than the Ninja World's scheming old bastards, the masterminds behind the scenes.

Obito Uchiha and Black Zetsu.

"Obito, that guy who looks like Hashirama Senju not only has Wood Release, but also the Sharingan.

Should we try to recruit him?!"

Cold sweat seemed to appear on Obito's body.

Then, a deep and mature voice came from beneath the mask.

"As long as he doesn't interfere with our plans, why should we stir up trouble?!"

Obito was on the verge of collapse inside.

He had come to Kumogakure this time to gather intelligence.

The goal was to locate the Two-Tails and Eight-Tails in preparation for the future Eye of the Moon Plan.

What he had not expected was to see a young man easily defeat two tailed beasts.

It looked effortless.

Obito clenched his fists. Wasn't that guy's power absurdly overpowered?

Wood Release plus Sharingan, Sage Jutsu plus Susanoo.

Even if Madara Uchiha himself returned to life, he might not be able to beat him.

And Black Zetsu actually wanted him to recruit that guy.

Black Zetsu definitely had bad intentions.

Didn't he see that the eye power of that Sharingan was even faster than Flying Thunder God?

One careless mistake, and he might die at that man's hands.

Damn it, even his Kamui did not dare confront him head-on.

Had heaven sent this guy specifically to counter him?!

The moment he became tangible, wouldn't that guy have him completely at his mercy?

Obito muttered to himself.

"That 'Hashirama Senju' must have something to do with Konoha. Then let Uchiha Itachi go back to Konoha and investigate!"

Black Zetsu seemed to see that Obito was afraid.

"Obito, what are you afraid of? He has Wood Release, and so do you! He has the Sharingan, and so do you!

You are the Madara Uchiha of today! Even if it were Hashirama Senju himself, you should try to recruit him!

With the help of his immense power, our plan will surely proceed without obstruction."

After witnessing Shao Nan's strength,

Black Zetsu felt an urge to abandon Obito and go directly to Shao Nan to work with him.

After all, to revive "Mother," Kaguya Otsutsuki, he had no choice but to deceive Madara Uchiha and Obito.

But Obito was still too green.

He had been lurking for so many years without making any progress at all.

Obito turned around, his gaze solemn and lingering fear in his heart.

This man is terrifying.

He cannot be allowed to live!

Then a Kamui vortex appeared before him and slowly sucked him in, making him disappear from the area.

Seeing this, Black Zetsu also crawled into the ground and vanished without a trace.

Land of Fire,

Konoha.

Shao Nan appeared out of thin air in the courtyard of the Senju Compound with Yugito.

Maruboshi Kosuke was still carefully guarding the entrance.

It was already close to midnight!

"Lord Shao Nan!"

"Go get some rest, Kosuke."

Kosuke waved his hand. "No need. I'll stay here as a guard!"

Shao Nan did not force him and used Wood Release to make him a guard booth.

Then he led Yugito toward the front door.

Inside the house,

Shizune lay quietly on the bed, clearly recuperating from her injuries.

Meanwhile, Hanabi, Karin Uzumaki, and Ayame were whispering to one another.

Karin's sensory ability was powerful, and she immediately noticed Shao Nan's presence.

She rushed over without delay to open the door, with Hanabi right behind her.

Karin threw herself into Shao Nan's arms. "Brother Shao Nan, you're back!"

Hanabi saw that her exclusive spot in Shao Nan's arms had been taken, so she could only helplessly circle behind him and jump onto his back.

"Master, Hanabi missed you."

Shao Nan stroked Karin's soft red hair with his right hand while supporting Hanabi's butt with his left.

"Karin, Hanabi, I kept you waiting for too long!"

"Why don't I see my precious daughter?"

"Little Chino got tired of waiting, so Little Mistress Ayame put her to sleep first."

Shao Nan then looked inside at his little wife, Ayame.

"Wifey, did you miss me? Hehe!"

"Hubby, you're holding little Karin in your arms, yet you're saying you missed me...

You really have no sense of propriety...

And after going out this time, you brought another little sister home for us!"

"Ahem, well, wifey, it's time for a late-night snack! Oh, right, her name is Yugito Nii."

Shao Nan looked at Yugito and introduced her.

Karin raised her head from Shao Nan's arms.

"Brother Shao Nan, if you ask me, she's definitely another woman you picked up!

Sister Ayame just told me lots of things about you, hehe."

Ayame stood up resentfully. "Hubby, wait a moment. I'll go heat up the late-night snack."

Shao Nan set Karin and Hanabi down from his front and back.

Then he walked over and gave Ayame a hard kiss on the cheek.

"Thanks for your hard work, wifey. I'll go check on our precious daughter."

Shao Nan headed toward Chino's bedroom with Karin and Hanabi.

"Yugito, don't feel restrained. This will be your home from now on too!"

Yugito nodded. "I understand. Then I'll go help Sister."

After saying that, Yugito followed after Ayame.

Looking at the women and girls filling the house, Shao Nan shook his head.

Looks like I need to get a bigger house. Otherwise, there might not be enough rooms in the future!!!

Upon entering the room, Shao Nan saw Chino lying on her side, hugging her blanket and sleeping soundly.

Drool ran from the corner of her mouth.

Karin said softly, "Little Chino is so adorable."

Hanabi looked lovestruck as she added, "Of course she's adorable. She's my master's daughter!"

"You two little girls, keep it down. Don't wake my daughter!"

Shao Nan gently kissed Chino's chubby little cheek.

"Good girl, Daddy will protect you. I won't let you suffer harm again!"

Chino unconsciously raised her little paw to her cheek and rubbed the spot Shao Nan had kissed.

She mumbled indistinctly, "Daddy, Chino doesn't want to be alone anymore!"

Shao Nan leaned close to Chino's cheek and sighed softly. "My precious Chino, of course you're not alone.

You have Daddy, and Mommy too—and more than one of them!!!"

Shao Nan looked at Chino, his mind filled with thoughts.

After meeting Chino and Tsunade and the others, he had found the warmth of a home.

After spending this time together, Shao Nan firmly believed that the Chino before him was no longer the Chino from Sasuke Shinden: Star's Radiance.

Before meeting him, she had wandered everywhere alone, surviving by stealing food.

Perhaps she had sensed his great strength, which was why she chose to stay by his side.

No matter what, Chino was now his daughter.

The innocent, lively, and adorable little Chino.

After finishing their late-night snack, it was already late at night.

Everyone had gone back to rest.

Only Shao Nan, Ayame, and Yugito remained in the living room.

"Wifey, we should get some rest too!"

Upon hearing that, Ayame quickly stood up and smiled. "Hubby, go take a bath first!"

After saying that, she took Yugito's hand and headed toward the bathroom.

Yugito's cheeks flushed crimson.

But she suddenly glanced back and gave Shao Nan a seductive look with her big eyes.

It was as though the two had planned it all beforehand.

Holy shit!!!

Ayame and Yugito joined forces?

My wife Ayame really understood me.

When she fought Yugito Nii, she...

Seemed to like the feeling of being tied up!

Should I follow them!?

Forget it. There would be plenty of chances later.

Shao Nan chuckled:

"There seems to be something useful in Tsunade's room."

Then Shao Nan ran to Tsunade's room and began searching through it.

After some effort, he finally found what he needed in a drawer.

"That's you, Thunder Vine Rope!!!

Tsunade seemed to enjoy using this Thunder Vine Rope!!!

Yugito Nii probably wouldn't be an exception either!!!"

Everyone knew what the Thunder Vine Rope was, right!

The main thing was... it could discharge electricity!!!

Those who knew, knew!!!

After tidying himself up a little, Shao Nan went to the bedroom.

"Ayame had inherited Tsunade's true teachings—the Force Control Technique was impossible to guard against.

And Yugito Nii's Jinchuriki physique was even more valiant.

How many rounds would I have to battle them for?

Looks like tonight was destined to be sleepless!!!"

Before long, Ayame and Yugito Nii appeared there.

Both of them arrived wearing bathrobes!

They looked like a lovely pair of sisters.

"Honey, sorry to keep you waiting. Let's rest."

After saying that, Ayame linked arms with Yugito Nii and walked over to Shao Nan.