The clouds churned beneath their feet. Kaguya Yuki Hime clutched Tsubasa's collar tightly, her face deathly pale. Her voice trembled in the howling wind. "Little brother, we won't fall, will we?"
"Hold on tight." Tianyi supported her legs with his Tsubasa, channeling a gentle Chakra into his palm. "Once you learn various Ninjutsu, you'll be able to soar freely through the sky like this." He pointed to a distant eagle soaring overhead. " The Light-Weight Rock Technique can make one lighter than a feather, and Wind Release: Vacuum Wings can condense wings..."
"So Ninjutsu is amazing!" Kaguya Yuki Hime's eyes sparkled, her previous fear replaced by curiosity. Gazing at the rapidly receding mountains and rivers below, she suddenly whispered, "If I could fly, could I protect myself?"
In the reception room of the daimyo's mansion, Uzumaki Kaito's gaze swept over Tsubasa's blood-stained clothes. "I heard you single-handedly razed the Mizukage?"
"It's just to teach them a lesson." Tsubasa pushed over the handwritten pledge from Minazuki Kiyoshi, the parchment still damp with moisture, " The Land of Water promises never to invade our borders again."
Yueqing suddenly noticed a small figure hiding behind Tsubasa. Kaguya Yuki Hime clutched the faded hem of her skirt and bowed like a startled deer. "I'm so sorry... My father and mother hurt the people of the Land of Whirlpools on the battlefield..." Her voice grew softer and softer until it was almost inaudible.
"Silly child." Yueqing knelt down and gently wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes. "You're a victim too." She turned to her father. "Let Little Yuki stay with us."
Daimyo Uzumaki Kaito put down his teacup and laughed heartily, "Well said! War is the fault of ambitious people, not children." He walked up to Kaguya Yuki Hime, placed his broad hand on her head, and said, "From now on, this is your home. If anyone dares to bully you, I'll be the first to object!"
Kaguya Yuki bit her lip, her eyes brimming with tears. The beatings, scoldings, and hunger she had suffered in the Land of Water these past few days now turned into sobs of grievance. Yueqing pulled her into his arms, softly humming a nursery rhyme and patting her back like he was soothing a kitten.
The next morning, the sunrise painted the walls of the Land of Whirlpools red. Tsubasa stood in the courtyard, holding two girls in his arms— Kaguya Yuki Hime clutched his sleeve, while Yueqing tightened his cloak.
"Take care on the road." Uzumaki Kōbi, her eyes red-rimmed, tucked a packet of pastries wrapped in oil paper into his arms. "Remember to let me know you've arrived safely in Konoha."
"Don't worry, Mother," Yueqing smiled and kissed her mother on the cheek. She turned to look into the distance, the morning light gilding her red hair.
Tsubasa channeled his Chakra, the three transformed into streaks of light and soared into the sky. Kaguya Yuki, watching the Land of Whirlpools shrink ever smaller, suddenly hugged Yueqing tightly around the waist. "Sister, can I call you sister from now on?"
"Of course!" Yueqing's laughter mingled with the sound of the wind. "From now on, we're family."
Three figures gradually disappeared into the clouds, leaving only the long, drawn-out chirping of birds echoing in the sky.
The three soared through the sky, with Tsubasa in front and the other two shielding them from the wind. Although this wasn't the first time the two women had flown with Tsubasa, they were still very excited. Mountains and rivers rushed past below, giving them a feeling of freedom and boundless joy.
Soon, they arrived at Konoha. The three landed, surprising the Konoha ninjas—these three had actually flown down from the sky. Upon entering through the gate, they were questioned and registered by the guards. Walking along Konoha's bustling streets, there was no trace of the destruction caused by the great war; the village had returned to its former peace and tranquility. They soon returned home and saw their long-lost family. With the Katsuyu Sage present, their family knew that Tsubasa was safe.
Overjoyed, Mother Mei'er -Senju Ga instructed Mei-er to inform all the family members that Tsubasa had returned. Soon, the family members arrived one after another, gathering together in celebration. Tsubasa introduced Kaguya Yuki Hime to everyone, In Senju's eyes lit up as she looked at the delicate eight-year-old girl. "Is this the daughter-in-law you found for our sixth branch? That's wonderful, we're finally all together! The Kekkei Genkai family meets the standards your grandfather mentioned."
Tsubasa smiled wryly, "Sixth Aunt, no, I just took pity on her in the Land of Water and brought her back. Please don't frighten the little girl."
In Senju ignored him and took Kaguya Yuki Hime's small hand. "Do you like Little Tsubasa- nii? Would you like to be his wife?"
Kaguya Yuki Hime's eyes lit up. "I like Brother Tsubasa, and I'm willing to be his wife."
Tsubasa laughed and said, "Do you even know what a wife is? Yet you're willing to do it?"
Kaguya Yuki Hime said innocently, "Of course I know, it's about us becoming husband and wife and having children for you, my mother told me all about that."
In Senju, with an expression of approval for her daughter-in-law, said, "Alright, I've made the decision. From now on, Yukihime will be the sixth branch's daughter-in-law, and her name will be Tian Yukihime. She will follow me, and I will teach her."
Ame Senju interjected, " Tsubasa, you haven't met Tian Mai yet, have you? The marriage your father arranged for you is with someone from our Senju Clan."
Tsubasa smiled and said, "I know, I heard my father mention it in the Land of Lightning, but I haven't seen it yet."
Ame Senju praised, "She's an absolutely beautiful woman. She'll be here soon, so you can get to know her."
Tsubasa nodded and said, "Okay, Fifth Aunt."
Just as dinner was about to start, Tian Mai arrived. She must have just finished a low-level mission, as she looked travel-worn, but her stunning beauty was undeniable. At 14 years old, her figure was as beautiful and mature as that of an 18-year-old girl, only the childlike innocence and shyness on her face revealed the air of a little girl.
Tsubasa said sincerely, "Hello, I am Tsubasa."
Tian Mai said somewhat shyly, "Hello, I am Mai Shiranui, now I am Tian Mai. Please take care of me for the rest of my life."
Tsubasa sensed her nervousness and took her hand, saying, "Come on, let's eat. We've been waiting for you."
Tian Mai had met Tsubasa. Back when Tsubasa fought Kagami Uchiha, she was young but had already fallen in love with him, which is why she proposed to her father that she marry Tsubasa. Now her dream has come true, but her father has already died in battle.
As Tian Mai took her seat, the family gathered around the table: her father, Senju Tenpuku; her mother, Senju Ga; her six aunts, Dō Senju, Qianshou Gi Senju, Kaidō Senju, Nanshin Senju, Qianshou Ame Senju, In Senju; her younger brother, Tenmei; and her six fiancées, Tian Yueqing, Tian Flying Swallow, Tian Muyan, Tian Mai, Tian Zhiyun, Tian Yukihime. Sadly, her grandfather had passed away, Tian Uguisu was missing. The family finished their meal in a joyful atmosphere.
After the meal, Gi Senju found Tsubasa to speak with her alone and asked about Tian Uguisu. Tsubasa hesitated for a moment but still revealed his guess that Tian Uguisu might have been rescued by Madara Uchiha, and asked Gi Senju to keep it a secret.
Gi Senju's feelings for Tian Uguisu are complex: on one hand, Tian Uguisu is Uchiha Clan who killed her husband and son; on the other hand, Tian Uguisu is obedient, sensible, and trains relentlessly—this time, going to the battlefield for training was also Tian Uguisu's own request. She feels somewhat guilty about what happened to Tian Uguisu. Now, among the seven branches, only the second branch is missing, which makes her extremely anxious.
When Senju Tenpuku saw Tsubasa come downstairs, he approached him and said, " Little Tsubasa, in the months you were gone, Akira Senju convened a clan meeting and said that the Senju Clan's orphans would be handed over to the village for upbringing and education, just like other clans. The family property would be divided in two, with half going to the clan and the other half to the village for raising the orphans. I feel like something's not right. What do you think?"