The setting sun shone over the Senju Clan residence, and the branches and leaves of the trees by the gate swayed gently. Biwako wore a light green outfit, the color of fresh spring shoots, and her black hair was tied high in a ponytail that bobbed merrily as she skipped along. From a distance, she spotted her mother waiting at the gate. Warmth filled her heart, and like a fledgling returning to its nest, she darted into her mother's arms. "Mother, I missed you so much!" she said sweetly, her voice full of affection. "You called me home in such a hurry. Did something big happen?"
Mito Uzumaki gently stroked her daughter's hair, smoothing the strands the wind had blown out of place. "There is something rather important," she said with a tender smile. "But mostly, I just missed my precious daughter too much."
Holding Mito Uzumaki's hand, Biwako walked with her into the inner residence. Curious the entire way, she couldn't help asking, "Why did you call me back this time?" Mito Uzumaki smiled. "Your father has taken a personal disciple. As his senior sister, you should come back and meet him."
"What? Father took a disciple?" Biwako's eyes went wide with surprise. "He's never taken one in all these years! I have to see what kind of amazing person caught the eye of the God of Shinobi."
Mito Uzumaki's smile grew wider as she teased, "Your junior brother's talent is extraordinary. He's even more gifted than your father was at his age. He wore himself out training today and has already gone to sleep. You can get to know him properly tomorrow."
Biwako's eyes sparkled, and she was already mulling it over. My junior brother really makes me curious. I wonder who's stronger, him or Hiruzen Sarutobi from my class? I'll have to test his skills tomorrow.
When Mito Uzumaki heard that, she immediately put on a stern face and pretended to scold her. "You mustn't misbehave and bully your junior brother. If you make your father angry, I won't be able to save you. Besides, little Ten'i is both adorable and well-behaved. We mainly called you back so he could have a playmate around his own age. You need to be like a big sister and look after him properly. Don't let him come to dislike you, understand?"
Biwako nodded quickly and muttered, "I know, I know, Mother. Stop nagging me."
The night passed quietly. Just as dawn began to break, Ten'i felt an unbearable tickle in his nostrils, as though something fluffy were scratching them. Unable to hold it back, he sneezed. He blearily opened his eyes and saw a pretty girl dressed in green sitting by his bed, smiling as she waved a small feather back and forth against his nose.
Ten'i's mind went blank. He groggily looked around, his heart racing. Did I transmigrate again? I remember refining chakra with Master yesterday, and there really is still chakra in my dantian. So what's going on with me now? And who's this pretty girl tickling my nose with a feather? At the thought, his heart tightened, and his voice unconsciously took on a nervous, puzzled tone as he asked cautiously, "Pretty lady, who are you? Where am I?"
Biwako had been so curious about her junior brother that she hadn't slept well all night. As soon as dawn broke, she had hurried to Ten'i's room, wondering, What does this junior brother who caught Father's eye actually look like? Mei'er, who was at the door, recognized the Senju Clan's eldest young lady and didn't stop her from entering.
As soon as Biwako entered the room, her gaze was drawn to the handsome little boy on the bed. Her eyes widened, and she unconsciously murmured, "Wow, what an adorable little brother." She studied him for a while before a mischievous impulse suddenly seized her. She gently pulled a small decorative feather from her clothes and brushed it over Ten'i's little nose. She was immensely pleased when he woke and sneezed. But then his lively eyes, which seemed almost capable of speech, caught her attention again. When she heard him ask in confusion who she was and where he was, she was delighted. This little guy is so amusing. He's such a little muddlehead. So she decided to tease him some more.
Biwako put on a nervous, sorrowful expression and covered her mouth. In a voice on the verge of tears, she said, "Little brother, don't you remember me? I'm your sister. This is our home."
Ten'i's head buzzed, and he was utterly bewildered. How did a sister suddenly appear? Did I really transmigrate again? He quickly closed his eyes and carefully sensed the state of his body. Only after finding that his Sage Body and chakra were still there did he breathe a little easier. Did I transmigrate again because I failed to refine chakra yesterday? I'll make the best of it, since I'm here. My abilities are all still here anyway. I should figure out what's going on first. The thought calmed him somewhat, though still a little apprehensive, he asked cautiously, "Sister, what time is it now? What era are we living in?"
Suppressing a laugh, Biwako made things up with a perfectly serious expression. "Little brother, don't you remember anything? We're in the Warring States period. It's chaos outside, and there are battles everywhere."
"Damn!" Ten'i couldn't help swearing. His eyes widened, and his face was full of shock. "How did I end up in the Warring States period again? Sister, do you know Madara Uchiha and Hashirama Senju? What point in the Warring States period is this?" Anxious and alarmed, he desperately wanted to know exactly what time he was in-before Hashirama Senju or after him.
Seeing how anxious he was, Biwako nearly burst out laughing. She reached out and gently patted his little head, continuing to tease him. "How can you call the clan leader by name? He's leading our clansmen to beat up those Uchiha right now. Have you forgotten?"
When Ten'i heard that, he couldn't help grumbling inwardly, All I did was train, so how did I somehow end up in the Warring States period? I was practicing the Pure Yang Art with Master yesterday, and today I'm back before Konoha was even founded. This is way too ridiculous and melodramatic!
Seeing how confused and innocent he looked, Biwako couldn't hold it in any longer. She burst out laughing, doubling over until she could barely straighten up, tears nearly spilling from her eyes.
Seeing her laugh so wildly, Ten'i hurried to explain, his face reddening with anxiety. "Sister, something really bizarre happened to me. You might not believe it if I told you. I came from the future."
Biwako's eyes darted about, and she continued to feign surprise. Covering her mouth, she asked, "Oh? Really? Then tell me, what's the future like? How did you get here from the future? And where did my original little brother go?"
Ten'i swallowed and said earnestly, "I came from the seventh year of Konoha, and I became Hashirama Senju's disciple. I remember I was practicing the Pure Yang Art with Master before I transmigrated, but we failed, and when I woke up, I was here."
Biwako rocked back and forth with laughter, waving her hand as she laughed. "Little brother, are you all right? Do you know what you're saying?"
Ten'i nodded hard, his expression earnest. "I know it might be hard to believe, but everything I said is true. After Hashirama Senju and Madara Uchiha brought the Warring States period to an end, Konoha was founded. In my previous life, I was born on the day Konoha was founded. My grandfather is Senju Yasuhei, my father is Senju Tenpuku, and my mother is Senju Ga. I even became Hashirama Senju's disciple. Really, it's all true."
Biwako laughed until tears came out and said between breaths, "All right, I believe you. I believe you, okay?"
Just then, the door creaked open, and Sister Mei'er came in carrying washing supplies. Seeing the two of them laughing together, she couldn't help smiling too. "Young master, you and Miss Biwako seem to be having a good time. What are you talking about? Tell me too."
Only then did Ten'i realize what was going on. He slapped his forehead. "I didn't transmigrate? Then what was this person claiming to be my sister doing? She was teasing me!"
Smiling, Sister Mei'er used a towel to wash Ten'i's face and hands, explaining as she did, "Miss Biwako is Lord Hashirama's youngest daughter. She just came back from the Ninja Academy yesterday. She came over this morning to see you, her junior brother."
Ten'i's face turned red with anger. He shouted at Biwako, who was still laughing, "Why did you lie to me and say it was the Warring States period, and that you were my sister? You scared me to death! I thought I'd really transmigrated to the Warring States period!"
Biwako laughed so hard she couldn't straighten up. "You're such an amusing little brother," she said between laughs. "You're cute, and the way your mind works is so strange. You even said you'd transmigrated to the Warring States period. Hahaha!"
Ten'i's old face reddened under her laughter. He was deeply annoyed with himself for being so foolish as to be led around by a little girl. He muttered, "I'd just woken up and wasn't on guard. And I've been through transmigration before, so that's why you fooled me." Suddenly, he remembered he still didn't know the girl's name and hurriedly asked, "Miss, what was your name again?"
Biwako finally managed to stop laughing and wiped away her tears. "My name is Biwako," she said proudly. "Biwako Senju, Hashirama Senju's daughter. From now on, I'm your senior sister, so remember that, little brother."
Ten'i's heart skipped a beat as he pondered, Wasn't Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi's wife called Biwako Sarutobi? Maybe this Biwako Senju is the future Third Hokage's wife. No wonder Hiruzen Sarutobi had no trouble becoming Hokage. I thought Tobirama Senju really made whoever stayed behind to cover the retreat Hokage, but it turns out he had a good wife!
Biwako reached out and gave Ten'i a nudge. "What are you thinking about? Why are you spacing out? Come on, let's go eat in the dining room. Father and Mother are probably waiting for us."
Ten'i quickly straightened his clothes. "Let's go, senior sister."
Biwako circled Ten'i twice, her eyes full of admiration. "Look at that face, that bearing. If you went to the Ninja Academy, wouldn't you have every girl in the school swooning and chasing after you? If you were a few years older, even I'd chase after you. Too bad you're too young. Do you think I'm pretty?"
Ten'i grew embarrassed under her gaze, blushing to the tips of his ears. "You're young and pretty, Sister," he stammered. "If I were a few years older, I'd definitely pursue you."
The two chatted as they walked, Biwako chattering like a cheerful little bird about her time at the Ninja Academy. "Junior brother, you have no idea. I'm the number one goddess at school. I get so many love letters and gifts every day that my hands get tired. The boys at school are so annoying, especially that Shimura Danzō. He's hopeless with words and can't even beat Hiruzen Sarutobi, yet he said I looked like a stationary target when I fought. He made me so mad."
Hearing a familiar name, Ten'i's curiosity was immediately piqued. "Sister, which one of them do you like?"
Biwako curled her lip, her face full of disdain. "None of them. I used to think Shimura Danzō was handsome and pretty strong, and he sent me love letters every day, but the moment he opens his mouth, he gets on my nerves. How did an otherwise perfectly good person end up with such a tactless mouth? Hiruzen Sarutobi has a sweet tongue and knows how to charm people, but he's not very good-looking. Still, he looked pretty handsome yesterday when he defeated Shimura Danzō with the A-rank Ninjutsu Earth and Fire Twin Dragons."
Ten'i thought to himself, Sure enough, Hiruzen Sarutobi will end up a winner in life. He's the biggest winner in Naruto.