Little Saki, Do You Remember How You Crossed Over?

Hollow Special Operations Section 6 headquarters, third underground floor, training grounds.

Lin Shuo stood in the center of the circular area, watching the black-haired girl earnestly taking her stance before him.

Twelve-year-old Hoshimi Saki was practicing fine chakra control, following the movements he had just demonstrated.

Orange-red energy condensed into a tiny sphere in her palm, its surface smooth as a mirror, though small tongues of flame occasionally spurted uncontrollably from its edges.

"Focus," Lin Shuo said.

"The Nine-Tails' chakra is like a flood. Your job isn't to dam it up, but to guide it-imagine it's a river, and your consciousness is the riverbed."

"...Okay." Saki bit her lip, fine beads of sweat forming on her forehead.

The sphere steadied for an instant, but soon began fluctuating again.

Training had been going on for three days.

Over those three days, Lin Shuo had roughly figured out Saki's situation: her fundamentals were solid-clearly, his other self had taught her carefully-but her practical execution always fell just short. It wasn't a problem with controlling her power, but a psychological barrier.

She was afraid.

Afraid of the enormous presence inside her, afraid of losing control, afraid of hurting others.

Lin Shuo knew that kind of fear all too well.

"Take a five-minute break," he said.

Saki let out a breath of relief, and the chakra sphere in her hand dispersed. She wiped away her sweat and sat on a bench at the edge of the training grounds.

Lin Shuo walked over and handed her a bottle of water.

"Thanks, Dad," Saki said softly, unscrewing the cap and taking a sip.

Father and daughter sat in silence for a while.

The training grounds were quiet, save for the faint hum of the Ether emitters on the ceiling.

"Little Saki," Lin Shuo suddenly said.

"Hm?"

"Do you remember how you crossed over?"

Saki went still.

She lowered her head and stared at the water bottle in her hands, her eyelashes casting small shadows on her face.

"...I don't really remember," she said quietly.

"I only remember that night... I was doing homework at home, Mom was sorting out mission reports in the study, and Dad was making a late-night snack in the kitchen..."

Her voice was very soft, as though she feared disturbing something.

"Then... the sky outside the window suddenly cracked open."

Lin Shuo's pupils contracted slightly. "Cracked open?"

"Yes." Saki nodded.

"It wasn't like the way a Hollow opens. It was... like glass being smashed, with lots of black cracks.

"Something was pouring out of those cracks. Not Ether, but something more... chaotic."

She tightened her grip on the water bottle. "Dad and Mom rushed to my room right away. Mom shielded me behind her, and Dad stood in front of the window... then I saw Dad's eyes..."

Saki raised her head and looked at Lin Shuo.

"Dad's eyes turned into something I'd never seen before-not Three Tomoe, and not Mangekyō, but... rings upon rings, like the growth rings of a tree."

Rinnegan.

Lin Shuo silently repeated the word.

"Dad did something with those eyes... I couldn't see clearly. I only felt an enormous power. Then Mom drew her sword too, and her blade was glowing... and then..."

Saki's voice began to tremble.

"Then I didn't know anything anymore. When I woke up, I was already in this world, outside Hollow Zero... Mom-the Mom from this world-found me."

When she finished, she curled into a ball like a frightened little animal.

Lin Shuo remained silent for a few seconds, then reached out and gently stroked her head.

"It's all right now," he said.

"It's safe here."

"...Okay." Saki buried her face in her knees.

After another while, Lin Shuo asked, "What was I like... in that world?"

Saki looked up, a trace of confusion flashing through her red eyes. "Dad was just Dad..."

"Be more specific," Lin Shuo said.

"His personality, his work... his relationship with your mom."

Saki thought for a moment, then began describing him.

"Dad worked at H.A.N.D. as a special consultant for Hollow Special Operations Section 6-not an official field officer, more like... technical support? Mom was the section chief, so Dad was technically her subordinate."

"As for his personality..." Saki tilted her head. "Dad was usually very gentle. He always spoke with a smile and was polite to everyone. But when he got serious, he became really stern, and his eyes were scary..."

"At work, Dad mainly handled tactical analysis and field support.

"He didn't use guns or swords, just those eyes and his strange techniques... Mom called him 'Section 6's secret weapon.' Whenever there was a particularly difficult mission, she'd take Dad along."

"His relationship with Mom..."

Saki's face reddened slightly.

"It was really good. They argued at work-Mom thought Dad was too cautious, and Dad thought Mom was too reckless-but once they got home, Dad would make tea for Mom, and Mom would massage Dad's shoulders... yes, it was very stable."

She paused, then added, "Dad once said Mom was his most important 'anchor.' Because Mom was always so straightforward and so steadfast, and never lost her way... Dad could go and do those dangerous things without worrying."

Lin Shuo listened quietly.

An image gradually took shape in his mind.

Gentle but serious, a tactical talent who complemented Miyabi perfectly-Miyabi was the "spear" charging at the front, while he was the "shield" overseeing the whole situation.

The two might have had friction at work, but their relationship was deep and stable...

They were practically another version of Minato Namikaze and Kushina.

No, more precisely, he was the "Hollow Special Operations Section 6 version of Minato Namikaze."

"How did he... I mean, that version of me, join H.A.N.D.?"

Lin Shuo asked.

"Dad said he was extremely weak when he escaped from the laboratory," Saki said.

"A H.A.N.D. search team saved him. Later, they detected unusual Ether aptitude in him, so they took him in. After some training, they assigned him to Hollow Special Operations Section 6."

She thought for a moment, then added, "But when Dad first arrived at Section 6, he apparently had a hard time adjusting... Mom said Dad always kept to himself back then. He didn't like talking or interacting with anyone else. Mom practically dragged him into the team and taught him, little by little, how to get along with people..."

Lin Shuo could imagine that scene.

His other self, fresh out of the laboratory, wary of the world and shutting away his heart-just as he had been when he first joined the Obsidian Camp.

And Miyabi... that fox-eared section chief, so straightforward she was a little oblivious, would probably have used the clumsiest yet most direct approach to "drag" that version of him into the sunlight.

"What happened after that?" Lin Shuo asked.

"After that, Dad slowly changed." Saki smiled.

"He still wasn't very good at expressing himself, but at least he'd eat with Soukaku, discuss tactics with Harumasa, and help Auntie Yanagi with paperwork... Mom said Dad was 'a block of ice warmed through by Section 6.'"

A block of ice warmed through by Section 6.

That description stirred something faintly inside Lin Shuo.

"So..." he said softly.

"The me in that world was very happy."

"Yes!" Saki nodded emphatically.

"His work was dangerous, and he often had to face Hollows and Ethereals, but Dad had Mom, me, and everyone in Section 6... he said it was an 'everyday life' he'd never imagined."

An everyday life he'd never imagined.

Lin Shuo closed his eyes.

Yes, that version of him who had escaped the laboratory had probably been just like him, wanting nothing more than a "peaceful life" at first.

But fate had given them different answers-that version of him had been "picked up" by Miyabi and Section 6, and found somewhere new to belong;

Different paths, yet seemingly... the same destination.

Both were fighting to protect the people important to them, and that hard-won "everyday life."

"Dad?" Saki called softly.

"What... are you thinking about?"

Lin Shuo opened his eyes and shook his head at his daughter's worried expression.

"Nothing," he said.

"I was just thinking that the other me... did pretty well."

Saki froze for a moment, then smiled.

"Yes! Dad is the best dad in the world!"

Outside the training grounds, in the monitoring room.

Hoshimi Miyabi stood before the screen, watching the father and daughter inside the training grounds.

Behind her, Tsukishiro Yanagi adjusted her glasses. "Chief, you've been standing here for twenty minutes. Are you worried about Little Saki's training progress?"

"No." Miyabi shook her head.

"Lin Shuo is teaching her very well. Little Saki's control precision has improved by 17% over these three days."

"Then you're..."

Miyabi fell silent for a few seconds.

"Yanagi."

"Yes."

"The me from another spacetime..." Miyabi watched Lin Shuo's profile on the screen.

"Was she... very close to him?"

Tsukishiro Yanagi paused.

As Section 6's de facto administrator, she had naturally read Little Saki's complete file-including the "Parallel Spacetime Intelligence Summary."

"According to Little Saki's description, yes."

She chose to tell the truth.

"In that spacetime, you and Mr. Lin Shuo are married, with one daughter together-partners at work and companions in life. Your relationship is... very stable."

Miyabi said nothing.

Her red eyes remained fixed on the screen, her fox ears twitching slightly-a habitual motion when she was thinking.

"Chief," Tsukishiro Yanagi asked softly.

"Does this matter to you?"

"...I don't know," Miyabi said honestly.

"It just feels... a little strange."

"Strange?"

"Yes." Miyabi nodded.

"Seeing another version of myself have something I don't leaves me with... a feeling I can't describe. It's not jealousy or envy, just... emptiness."

Tsukishiro Yanagi fell silent.

She knew her section chief-when it came to feelings, Hoshimi Miyabi was as oblivious as a block of wood.

But precisely because of that obliviousness, once she developed a "feeling," it was all the more genuine.

"Would you like me to arrange a private conversation with Mr. Lin Shuo?"

Tsukishiro Yanagi suggested.

"About what?"

"Little Saki's training plan, or... something else."

Miyabi considered it, then shook her head.

"No need," she said.

"Things are fine as they are."

She turned and left the monitoring room, the hem of her white uniform tracing a crisp arc through the air.

Watching her retreating figure, Tsukishiro Yanagi sighed softly.

Chief... when it comes to feelings, if you don't take the initiative, you might miss your chance.

Though she thought it, she did not say it aloud.

After all, that was the chief's private business.

Inside the training grounds, the break ended.

Lin Shuo stood up. "Let's continue. Today's goal is to keep the chakra sphere stable for ten minutes."

"Yes!" Saki stood as well and resumed her stance.

But this time, her expression was much more relaxed than before.

Because their conversation had made her feel that, although the Dad in this spacetime was a little different from her original Dad, his desire to "protect his daughter" was the same.

That was enough.

Orange-red chakra condensed in her palm once more.

This time, the sphere was very stable, and even the flames along its edges were well controlled.

Watching his daughter's earnest profile, Lin Shuo silently made a decision.

He would protect this child.

Protect her from being consumed by the Nine-Tails' power, help her find somewhere to belong in this unfamiliar spacetime, and protect her... so she could smile as carefree as she had in her original world.

"Dad," Saki suddenly said.

"Hm?"

"If... if I can never go back..." Saki's voice was very soft. "Would the Dad and Mom in this spacetime... take me in?"

Lin Shuo paused.

Then he reached out and gently rested his hand on Saki's head.

"This is already your home," he said. "Whether you can go back or not, you're my daughter."

Saki's eyes instantly reddened.

But she didn't cry. She just nodded firmly, then threw herself into training with even greater focus.

Because she knew-Dad would always do what he said.

That was Dad.

No matter the timeline, that never changed.

That evening, training ended.

Lin Shuo took Saki back to their temporary quarters on the third floor of the base-the room Section 6 had arranged for him was simple, with a bed, a desk, and a wardrobe, but at least it was clean and tidy.

"Dad." Saki sat on the edge of the bed, swinging her legs. "Tomorrow... can I go see the Mom of this world?"

"Miyabi?" Lin Shuo was organizing his training notes. "Sure, but after training-and we'll have to arrange a time with her beforehand."

"Okay!" Saki nodded happily.

Just then, a knock came at the door.

Lin Shuo opened it to find Asaba Harumasa-the black-haired boy carried two bento boxes, with an "I'm here delivering food again" look on his face.

"Lin Shuo, Little Saki~" Harumasa handed over the bento boxes. "Sister Yanagi asked me to bring these-she said you both worked hard training and needed some nourishment."

"Thank you, Big Brother Harumasa," Saki said sweetly.

Lin Shuo accepted the bento boxes. "Deputy Chief Tsukishiro is too kind."

"Sister Yanagi always takes good care of 'her own.'" Harumasa leaned against the doorframe and yawned. "Oh, right, the chief asked me to pass along a message-she's taking the squad to Lemnos Hollow tomorrow morning for a routine patrol and wanted to know if you'd like to come."

"Me?" Lin Shuo raised an eyebrow. "Would it be appropriate for me to go?"

"The chief said you're Little Saki's guardian and Section 6's temporary instructor, so you're authorized to take part in nonclassified missions." Harumasa shrugged. "Besides... she said she wanted to see your abilities in actual combat."

Lin Shuo understood.

Miyabi wanted to observe his fighting style in actual combat and assess his strength-or rather, assess whether he was capable of protecting Saki.

"I'll go." Lin Shuo nodded.

"All right, I'll let the chief know." Harumasa waved. "Enjoy your food. I'm heading back to play games-oh, right."

He walked to the doorway, then looked back. "Little Saki."

"Hm?"

"When you see the chief tomorrow..." Harumasa gave her a mischievous grin. "Remember to call her 'Mom'~ She might not say it, but she'll definitely be happy."

Saki's face flushed bright red.

Lin Shuo said, "...Asaba."

"Haha, just kidding~" Harumasa slipped away.

After the door closed, Saki asked quietly, "Dad... can I really call her Mom?"

Lin Shuo fell silent for a few seconds.

"...Up to you," he said. "But be prepared for her to correct you."

"Okay!"

Father and daughter opened their bento boxes-inside were carefully prepared Japanese set meals: grilled fish, tamagoyaki, vegetable salad, and miso soup.

"Auntie Yanagi is such a good cook," Saki marveled.

"Mm."

As they ate, Saki suddenly asked, "Dad, what's the Mom of this world... like?"

Lin Shuo thought for a moment.

"Serious, straightforward, a little airheaded, but extraordinarily dedicated to 'protecting the citizens,'" he said. "She's a... very good superior, and she should make a very good mother too."

Saki blinked. "Then do you like her, Dad?"

Lin Shuo choked on his rice.

"Cough, cough, cough..."

"Sorry!" Saki hurriedly handed him some water.

Lin Shuo took a few sips, steadied his breathing, then looked expressionlessly at his daughter. "Don't ask questions like that so casually."

"Oh..." Saki lowered her head, but the corners of her lips secretly lifted.

Because she'd seen that Dad's ears... were a little red.

Sure enough, Dad was awkward when it came to romance, no matter which timeline he was from.

But that was all right.

Saki clenched her little fists inwardly.

She had plenty of time to slowly "play wingman."

Just as Mom had gradually warmed Dad's heart in her original world.

This time, it was her turn to help.

Outside the window, the sky gradually darkened, and the lights of New Eridu came on one after another.

And in this little room at Section 6's base, a father and daughter from parallel timelines were slowly building a new bond.