It was already late at night when Shinsei came out of the Hokage's office.
The corridor was quiet, with only one light still on at the end.
The two Anbu duty immediately stood up straight when they saw Shinsei.
Wearing masks, their facial expressions were obscured, but their slight trembling betrayed their true feelings.
"Hit, Lord Hokage!"
Shinsei greeted the two Anbu with a smile.
Kaguya stood at the top of the stairs, holding her two children, and forced a smile, just like Shinsei and the Anbu Ninja.
One of the Anbu glanced at Kaguya, then cautiously asked.
" Lord Hokage, should we keep your return a secret?"
Shinsei shook his head.
"There's no need to keep it a secret, nor is there any need to publicize it."
The Anbu Ninja had been questioning him immediately vanished in a flash.
Shinsei turned his head and glanced at the two children in Kaguya's arms.
Hamura was asleep, while Hagoromo looked around with his eyes open.
Shinsei walked over and took the Hagoromo.
Let's go.
Kaguya followed behind him, and the two walked through the deserted streets towards Shinsei's house. The night breeze was cool, making Kaguya's white hair stick to her face.
She occasionally looked up at the streetlights by the roadside; they were Chakra- powered lights, emitting a soft white light from their glass shades.
She had never seen a lamp like that before.
She reached out to touch it, then pulled her hand back. Shinsei glanced back at her but offered no explanation.
It's clear that Kaguya is also very nervous at this moment.
There's a sense of urgency, like an ugly daughter-in-law eventually having to meet her in-laws.
Shinsei offered no words of comfort, for he was equally tense at the moment.
There were hardly any pedestrians on the street, except for a burly man who was completely drunk, who glanced at Shinsei.
Perhaps because Shinsei's physique had changed slightly over the past year, the burly man did not recognize that the man holding the child on the street was none other than their Lord Hokage, who had been missing for a year.
The lights in the two-story building not far ahead were already off.
Looking at that familiar little building, Shinsei felt a mix of trepidation and nostalgia, as if he were returning home.
He stepped forward and knocked on the door of the small building.
Knock knock knock.
There was no response from inside the building at first, but then Shinsei knocked on the door again.
A gentle female voice came from inside.
Who is it?
Shinsei cleared his throat.
"It's me."
There was a moment of silence inside the building, then Shinsei heard a series of footsteps coming from inside.
Soon, a flurry of footsteps echoed from the second floor to the first floor.
With a creak, the door opened.
A pretty middle-aged woman stood at the door.
It was Riya, Shinsei's mother.
Behind Riya stood a middle-aged man who had gained weight; that was her father, Nobita.
Tears welled up in Riya's eyes.
She looked Shinsei up and down, confirming that it was indeed Shinsei, who had been missing for over a year.
Why are you only just getting back!
Before Riya Shinsei answer, Shinsei pulled him into her arms.
She kept patting Shinsei's back, her voice trembling with sobs.
"Why did it take you so long to get back? I missed you so much."
The awkwardness that Shinsei had felt just moments before had now turned into a deep sense of guilt.
Tears welled up in her eyes, and she gently pulled her mother into her arms.
"I'm sorry I'm late."
Da Nobita, standing behind Riya, carefully observed Kaguya behind Shinsei.
He opened his mouth, wanting to ask something, but looking at the mother and child embracing, he was too embarrassed to speak.
After a brief moment of warmth, Riya finally remembered that Shinsei still had guests with him.
" Shinsei, who are they?"
Riya did not wait for Shinsei's reply.
She grabbed his wrist and pulled him into the house.
"Come in first, don't stand at the door."
Kaguya stood in the doorway, holding two children. Moonlight shone from behind her, making her white hair shine.
Hagoromo was awake in her arms, her pale blue eyes looking around the room with curiosity. Hamura was still asleep, his little face buried in Kaguya's shoulder.
Riya's gaze lingered on Kaguya, then on the two children in her arms, and finally on Shinsei's face.
Her hand loosened its grip.
" Shinsei, who is this?"
Shinsei took a deep breath.
"Mother, this is Kaguya. Let's go upstairs and talk."
Nobita looked at Shinsei, then at Kaguya, and then at the two children.
He didn't say anything, he just took a step back and moved the doorway aside.
Shinsei led Kaguya into the house.
The living room lights came on.
Riya closed the door, turned around, and looked at her son.
"You've been missing for a year." Riya's voice trembled. "No news. I thought..."
Riya wiped away her tears, stopped speaking, and then carefully examined Kaguya.
Shinsei coughed and formally introduced himself to his mother.
She is Kaguya, and her two children are mine.
The living room fell silent for a moment.
Riya swayed slightly, Nobita stepped forward to support her arm.
Riya lowered her head and looked at the Hagoromo in Kaguya's arms.
Hagoromo was looking at her, her small hand reaching out from under the fabric and making a grasping motion in the air.
Riya looked at the small hand, and at those pale blue eyes.
She looked up at Shinsei.
"Your child?"
Shinsei nodded, pointing to the two little boys.
"His name is Hagoromo Senju, and this is Hamura Senju. They are all your grandsons."
Riya and Nobita were stunned for a long time before they finally processed this huge shocking news.
His expression shifted from astonishment to delight.
"Alright, alright, your name is Kaguya, right?"
Kaguya nodded, forcing a slightly nervous smile.
Hello, hello.
She turned to look at Shinsei, her meaning clear: how should she address Shinsei's mother?
Shinsei scratched his head and said to Kaguya.
"You... you should call her Mother."
Kaguya was looking at Riya and Nobita.
"Mother, Father."
Riya and Nobita were somewhat at a loss for words because of this strange yet beautiful woman. But soon, Riya felt she couldn't ignore this sudden daughter-in-law.
She grabbed Kaguya's hand.
" Kaguya, that's what I'll call you from now on. Don't worry, this will be your home from now on."
Although it was a bit of a surprise, we are still very happy to welcome you to our family.
Kaguya let out a soft breath, her tense mood easing slightly.
"Thanks."
The awkward atmosphere in the room gradually dissipated, and both parties quickly accepted each other's identities.
Riya looked at Shinsei and finally asked the question she had always wanted to ask.
Where have you been all year?
Shinsei didn't hide anything and told his father and mother everything about the destination and the events of this trip.
This naturally includes Kaguya's identity.
Shinsei's story is nearing its end.
There was a sudden knock on the door.
Knock knock knock.
Riya peered towards the door and finally asked a question.
Who is it?
A gentle, young female voice rang out from outside the house.
"It's me, Hinata. Auntie, is Shinsei back?"
Riya didn't answer; instead, she rolled her eyes at her son.
The events that happened between his son and Hinata had already caused quite a stir in Konoha.
Now, instead of being born from the two girls, a new daughter-in-law has suddenly appeared—a Kaguya unlike any other.
This made her, as the mother, feel a little embarrassed to face her two little girls.
So Riya could only pout at her son.
Go by yourself.
Shinsei gave an awkward laugh, stood up, and walked towards the door.
Shinsei Gate of Opening.
Hinata stood at the doorway, the moonlight shining on her face and making her sky-blue eyes shine.
She didn't say anything, but took a step forward, wrapped her arms around Shinsei's waist, and buried her face in his chest.
Her body was trembling. Shinsei froze for a moment, then reached out and put his arm around her shoulder.
Her hair brushed against his chin, carrying a faint scent of soap.
"You're back."
Hinata's voice was muffled by her clothes.
"You're back."
She hugged him for a long time, and then she heard Riya coughing deliberately from upstairs.
Hinata released her grip, took a step back, and blushed slightly.
"May I come in?"
Shinsei sighed and stepped aside.
Hinata walked past him, her steps steady.
She walked into the living room and saw Kaguya sitting next to a cushion, holding Hamura in her arms, while Hagoromo was rolling around on the cushion.
Kaguya looked up and met Hinata's gaze. The two women stared at each other across the living room.
Hinata's sky-blue Byakugan met Kaguya's light-colored eyes.
Hinata walked over and squatted down in front of the mat.
Hagoromo rolled over, lying on his back, his pale blue eyes looking at Hinata. Hinata held out a finger. Hagoromo grasped it.
She looked down at the little hand for a long time.
Then she stood up, turned her head, and looked at Shinsei.
Is this your child?
"Yes."
Hinata's lips moved slightly.
Her eyes reddened, but she didn't cry out.
She just looked at Shinsei, as if confirming something.
After confirming, she lowered her head and said softly.
"I'm sorry, I'll come back tomorrow."
Hinata--
Hinata didn't turn around; she walked towards the door, her steps quicker than when she came.
Shinsei followed behind her and saw Hinata's tears fall to the ground.
Shinsei didn't know what to say. He didn't want to betray the girl's sincerity, but the situation was so complicated.
Hinata Gate of Opening and went out, with Shinsei following her to the doorway.
Outside the door, a young girl stretched out her slender arm, intending to knock.
The blonde girl had a beautiful ponytail that shimmered under the lights.
Ino stood under the streetlight, her eyes still showing surprise, but upon seeing Shinsei, they turned to joy.
Ino was wearing that gray apron, and her hair was down.
She must have run here; there was sweat on her forehead.
She glanced at Hinata, then at Shinsei. Hinata walked past her with her head down, her steps unwavering.
Ino didn't call out to her. After Hinata had walked away, Ino walked up to Shinsei.
She didn't say anything, but reached out and hugged Shinsei.
Her head reached just to his chin, and her blonde hair cascaded over his shoulders.
"You're back." Her voice was very soft.
"You're back."
"I miss you so much!"
Shinsei didn't know how to respond to the girl's sweet words. He could only let Ino hug him tightly.
Sensing that Shinsei's mood was off, Ino finally took a serious look at the page about Shinsei returning with a woman and a child.
Ino hugged him for a while, then let go.
She took a step back and looked at Shinsei.
"Can I go in and take a look?"
Shinsei turned to the side again, Ino walked in. She saw Kaguya and the two children.
Hagoromo was still awake, clutching the warmth Hinata had left in her hand.
Ino squatted down in front of the mat, looked at Hagoromo, and then at Hamura sleeping beside her. She reached out and touched Hagoromo's face.
Hagoromo tilted her head and rubbed her fingers.
Ino smiled briefly, but the smile quickly faded.
She stood up and bowed deeply to Riya, her voice hoarse.
"I'm sorry, Auntie, I'll come see you another day."
When she looked up again, two lines of tears streamed down Ino's face.
She turned around and walked towards the door.
As she passed Shinsei, she paused, but did not look at him.
"She's very pretty. And her child is beautiful too."
She walked out the door.
Shinsei followed him out. Ino stood under the streetlight, her back to him, her shoulders shaking.
Shinsei walked over and stood next to her. Ino didn't turn around, but simply wiped her face with the back of her hand.
I'll come again tomorrow.
Shinsei sighed.
"Good."
Ino walked away quickly.
She walked to the street corner and stopped.
Hinata stood there waiting for her. The two stood facing each other for a while, then Ino reached out her hand, Hinata took it.
They walked side by side toward the other end of the village, their shadows elongating and shortening under the streetlights before finally disappearing around the corner.
Shinsei stood at the doorway, looking at the empty street.
A night breeze blew from afar, carrying the scent of Konoha. He stood there for a long time, then turned and went back into the house, closing the door behind him.
In the living room, Kaguya was holding Hamura, while Hagoromo sat on a cushion, biting her nails.
Riya stood at the top of the stairs, arms crossed, looking at him.
"Both of them cried?" Riya asked.
"Um."
Riya sighed.
What are you planning to do?
Shinsei sat down and picked Hagoromo up from the cushion. Hagoromo grabbed his collar and tried to put it in his mouth. Shinsei didn't pull away.
"What else can we do? I don't know either. We'll just have to take it one step at a time."
Riya looked at him for a while, then turned and went upstairs.
Only a family member knows their own son.
Shinsei, this tone suggests he's not planning to give up on the two girls yet.
If this scumbag weren't her son, she would have already cursed him out.
This handsome young man may be a bit of a jerk, but what can you do when your own father is around?
Only he, Kaguya, and the two children remained in the living room.
Kaguya placed Hamura on the cushion and said softly.
They like you.
"I know."
I like you too.
Shinsei looked up at her. Kaguya's expression was calm, neither flattering nor competitive. She was simply stating something she knew.
"I know."
As night deepened, Riya and Nobita prepared a new room for Kaguya.
They also prepared new formula for the two children.
In his familiar room, Shinsei couldn't sleep well again.
He lay on the bed with his eyes closed, recalling the strength with which Hinata hugged him, and the trembling shoulders of Ino when she turned around.
What he owes them cannot be repaid with an explanation.
All he can do now is let time pass slowly and let them see that he is serious.
He rolled over and buried his face in the pillow.
There's still a lot to do tomorrow.
As the Hokage, having been away from Konoha for so long, he needs to give these ninjas a proper explanation.
In addition, Shinsei must also make preparations regarding future enemies.
The development of Konoha, and the trends in the world.
One incident after another swirled in Shinsei's mind.