Inside the barrier, Natsuki watched with great interest. Although Madara did not share Natsuki's hobby, he did not spoil the fun.
After all, if Natsuki had not had this hobby, Izuna would still be dead.
In the hospital room, Tenten and Neji gradually calmed down.
"Neji... how did you come back to life?"
"It feels so unreal. This time, I really got to wait for you."
Their fingers were interlocked as they held hands.
Tenten was afraid Neji would disappear, while Neji responded to that worry.
"Lord Natsuki said this was the payment he received for selling the Six Paths Tools."
Tenten froze for a moment, recalling Uchiha Natsuki, whom Naruto had brought that day.
"No wonder Naruto kept desperately signaling to me."
Tenten wiped the tears from her face and complained a little, "Naruto actually didn't tell me."
Neji looked up at the doorway. Lord Natsuki had just vanished there.
Had Lord Natsuki left?
"Not letting Naruto tell you was my idea."
A sudden voice rang out, startling Tenten.
The scene at the doorway rippled like the surface of water, and two people slowly appeared there.
"Lord... Lord Natsuki... why are you here?"
Tenten had clearly been informed of Natsuki's identity, and she now spoke with a slight stammer.
Natsuki lowered his eyes slightly. "Neji had been dead for sixteen years. If he did not know how long you had waited for him, wouldn't that be terribly unfair to you?"
"I specifically told Neji about the longing you had felt for him all these years."
"As for me, so as not to disturb your reunion, I could only reluctantly—eagerly—hide off to the side."
Tenten shifted behind Neji. Though she was normally quite open by nature, the thought that Natsuki had witnessed her reunion with Neji—and even Neji forcibly kissing