The so-called Powerof All Creation (Shinra Banshō) flashed for only an instant, but it left an impression on Hoshiyomi far deeper than anything he had expected.
In the other shinobi world, when he had fought Kimimaro, Hoshiyomi had clashed with Truth-Seeking Orbs many times. But despite that, he had always been in a state of "knowing how to counter them, yet not knowing what they truly were."
He knew how to fight Truth-Seeking Orbs, but he understood nothing about the fundamental power behind them.
But this brief glimpse inside Kuugetsu's body gave him new insight into the Yin-Yang-born Power of All Creation.
Perhaps when Hoshiyomi eventually broke through to the Sword Saint level, this memory would help him grasp the power of the Sage of Six Paths even faster.
"Hoshiyomi-kun? What's wrong?"
While Hoshiyomi was deep in thought, Orochimaru—who was watching the readings of various instruments—called out softly:
"Did you discover something abnormal inside Kuugetsu?"
Hoshiyomi shook his head.
"No, nothing abnormal. I just… found something interesting."
He briefly described the phenomenon he had sensed inside Kuugetsu. Hearing this, Orochimaru's interest was clearly piqued.
But without the ability to sense senjutsu or perceive such advanced energies, Orochimaru could only speculate based on knowledge he already possessed:
"Perhaps this is the same force we observed before—the one that revived those three Mangekyō Sharingan.
If my guess is correct, the power produced by combining Mangekyō ocular power with Hashirama cells will continue feeding back into Kuugetsu's Mangekyō, gradually restoring its strength just like those other three."
Hoshiyomi naturally agreed with Orochimaru's hypothesis. After all, in the original timeline, Obito had avoided blindness through similar means.
However, the minuscule trace of Power of All Creation inside Kuugetsu would likely only be able to accomplish that much.
This was probably because the amount of Yin chakra stored within Kuugetsu's Mangekyō was simply too low.
If Hoshiyomi's Yin Release could truly push her toward the Eternal Mangekyō, then perhaps—over time—the accumulated power might eventually reach even the level of the Rinnegan.
But that was still only speculation. The actual outcome depended on the results of Shin's experiment later.
By the time Hoshiyomi withdrew his chakra from Kuugetsu's body, the surgery was already past its initial stage. What remained now was long-term monitoring.
To make it easier for Orochimaru to observe Kuugetsu's condition, Hoshiyomi had her stay in the laboratory. Only after her body fully adapted to the Hashirama cells would they decide whether she should return to her position as Anbu Commander.
...
Morning sunlight spilled across the large bed as always. As the brightness grew, Hoshiyomi frowned slightly and opened his eyes.
He instinctively reached to the side—only to touch empty sheets. Confused, he turned his head and realized Tsunade had already gotten up at some point.
Did I wake up late today?
He glanced at the clock.
Eight o'clock… that was a bit late.
These days he had been spending his days assisting Orochimaru with Kuugetsu's recovery and various inventions, and his nights engaging in "exercise" with Tsunade… It was no wonder his energy was running low.
Maybe he really should listen to Tsunade and get a prescription from Konoha Hospital?
Chuckling at himself, Hoshiyomi got up, got dressed, and stepped out of the bedroom.
After completing his usual morning sword routine with Mikazuki Munechika, he still didn't see Tsunade. He simply assumed she had gone off to some spontaneous gathering with the other ladies.
He casually prepared a simple breakfast in the kitchen and then sat at the table, zoning out a little.
This peaceful kind of life felt both familiar and foreign.
He had barely noticed it before, but sitting here now, he suddenly realized—he hadn't lived such a leisurely daily life in more than thirty years.
Just as Hoshiyomi was quietly reflecting on how his current days resembled his previous life, he suddenly sensed a very familiar presence hurrying toward the kitchen.
Hoshiyomi smiled, stood up, and took out a bowl from the cupboard without turning around.
"Here to eat? I just made porridge. Want some?"
Tsunade ran in from behind without saying a word and suddenly wrapped her arms tightly around Hoshiyomi. The abrupt movement left Hoshiyomi a little stunned.
At first, he thought she was just trying to be playful, so he didn't react much. But after holding her for a moment, he gradually noticed something was wrong.
Was Tsunade… crying?
That realization startled him. He quickly set down the bowl in his hand, turned around, and held her close.
"What's wrong? Why are you crying all of a sudden?"
Tsunade looked up at him—her eyes were clearly red, yet she was smiling brightly.
"I'm crying because I'm excited."
As she spoke, she pulled out a medical report from Konoha Hospital.
Hoshiyomi took it and skimmed through it. There didn't seem to be anything alarming. He muttered instinctively:
"Looks normal to me…"
"You're going to be a father."
"Yeah, it looks normal—I've watched you read medical reports for years, I shouldn't be wrong… Wait—what did you say?"
Hearing that, Hoshiyomi's previously lazy expression vanished, his eyes widening in shock as he stared at Tsunade, unable to believe it.
"Y–You're pregnant?!?!"
Seeing his expression, Tsunade couldn't help but laugh and nod.
"Mm. When I went out to eat with Sakumo and the others a couple of days ago, I noticed some signs. I went to the hospital this morning to check, and just as I thought—I've already been pregnant for a little over two weeks."
Hearing that, Hoshiyomi seemed completely flustered.
"T-Then… doesn't that mean in about nine and a half months… I'll be… a father?"
As he spoke, he dazedly placed his hand on Tsunade's stomach, trying to sense whether he could detect their child using his chakra perception.
Tsunade had rarely seen Hoshiyomi like this over the years. Seeing his bewildered state, she smiled and patted his head.
"You won't be able to sense the baby that early. To detect any real signs of life, you'll need at least four or five months."
Hoshiyomi slowly withdrew his hand from her stomach, still a bit incoherent.
"Do—do my mom and mother-in-law know? They've been waiting for a grandchild for so long…"
Tsunade rolled her eyes at him.
"If we waited for you to tell them, the flowers would've wilted by then. Don't worry, I told them the moment I got back from the hospital.
Right now, those two are practically bouncing off the walls with excitement."