Chapter 89: Kurenai: You Tricked Me!
A Flying Thunder God kunai was stuck in the ground.
As Minato wove his hand signs, countless seals spread outward from the kunai.
The massive, dragon-like form trembled violently, was gradually absorbed, and finally vanished.
"That's incredible."
Sāra's voice was filled with astonishment.
She wasn't a ninja; she had only heard of their power, but she never imagined it was so far beyond her comprehension.
Even the incredibly dangerous and terrifying Ryūmyaku was handled so easily in her eyes.
"All done!"
Minato wiped the sweat from his forehead.
It wasn't his first time using a sealing jutsu of the Uzumaki Clan, but it was his first time sealing something on the scale of a Tailed Beast. The difficulty was immense; he hadn't been fully confident, and the most critical thing was that there was no jinchūriki to contain it.
Fortunately, he had a flash of inspiration and used the Flying Thunder God kunai as a medium, sealing the Ryūmyaku inside the very platform they were standing on.
There was another reason for his success.
The Ryūmyaku wasn't a Tailed Beast; it didn't possess a will of its own, so it offered no resistance.
Suddenly, a massive roar echoed in the distance.
Hanekawa instinctively got up and used his binoculars.
It was Anrokuzan's self-destruct.
The countless clouds of dust, mixed with the rubble of collapsed buildings, made it impossible to see Tsunade and Kurenai.
"I'll go check on them."
Minato's body disappeared from the spot.
A moment later, space twisted, and he reappeared.
Beside him were two more people: Tsunade and Kurenai.
Seeing this, Hanekawa immediately felt relieved.
With the Ryūmyaku sealed, Anrokuzan could no longer possess that miraculous regenerative ability.
He naturally couldn't stand up to Tsunade and Kurenai.
But in the next second, Hanekawa's eyebrow twitched.
A strange white glow had appeared on Kurenai's body, and he could vaguely feel the flow of space-time energy.
"It seems that with the Ryūmyaku sealed, the space-time around you has returned to normal."
Minato said thoughtfully. "In other words, you will return to your original time soon."
"Will my other teammate also do the same?"
Kurenai asked slightly startled.
"Yes."
Minato thought for a moment and replied.
His Flying Thunder God Jutsu was a space-time ninjutsu, so he had a considerable understanding of time and space.
In the original movie, The Lost Tower, he immediately realized Naruto was a time-traveler when he saw him.
"That's good."
Kurenai looked at Hanekawa again, a smile spreading across her face. "Little brother, there's still time. Let's talk a little."
"Who are you calling 'little brother'?"
Hanekawa couldn't help but retort, but he still walked toward her.
"Kurenai, don't tell him about the future."
Minato said with a serious expression. "The moment you say it, you will change history."
"I understand."
Kurenai nodded.
She and Hanekawa walked off to the side.
"Did you hide it from me before for the reason Minato-senpai just mentioned?"
Kurenai asked, pursing her lips.
"Yeah."
Hanekawa chuckled. "Besides, you wouldn't stay here with me anyway."
"That's true."
Kurenai patted his head. "You're too young; it's no fun."
Hanekawa glared at her.
What kind of thing is that to say?
"This is really nice."
Kurenai wasn't afraid of him at all and said with a playful smile, "I get to meet a younger you."
"Stop patting my head!"
Hanekawa turned his head away, a little annoyed.
"It's a rare opportunity."
Kurenai's smile was bright. "In the past, you were the one who always patted my head."
The corner of Hanekawa's mouth twitched.
Karma's a funny thing.
I never expected the boomerang to come back so fast.
The one who pats heads will, in the end, have their head patted.
"Time's almost up."
Kurenai looked at the white light on her body, as if sensing it.
"Let's go back."
Hanekawa turned around and walked towards Tsunade.
Though they were about to part, he felt no sadness.
Neither did Kurenai.
After all, for them, they hadn't lost anything. When they returned to their original time, they would still see each other.
This journey through time was just an unexpected surprise; it didn't require too much to be said.
"To avoid unnecessary trouble, I will seal all of your memories."
Minato made hand signs and aimed at Kurenai.
As soon as the last hand sign was complete, her body vanished within the white light.
"The mysterious Ryūmyaku."
Tsunade couldn't help but fall into a trance.
Would she really become Hokage later on?
"Tsunade-sama."
Minato reminded her and continued to perform the sealing jutsu, not even sparing Sāra.
And, of course, himself.
Hanekawa's breath hitched. He had noticed something was wrong.
His memory hadn't disappeared.
What's going on?
It certainly wasn't because Minato held back.
After a moment's thought, Hanekawa understood the reason: it was the effect of his A-rank trait, 'Subtle.'
His true memories had been hidden, and Minato had only sealed his fake memories.
Will this affect the future?
No. Perhaps it's because his memory wasn't sealed that this very plotline was created.
Does that mean in a few years, he'll travel through the Ryūmyaku to the era of the Sage of Six Paths?
And what about Mukade?
My future self could definitely defeat Mukade.
And by all accounts, Mukade was supposed to go to the Ryūmyaku after Naruto grew up, but now he's arrived at least twenty years early.
Hanekawa rubbed his chin.
Then there's only one truth.
He was the one who found Mukade and guided him to the Ryūmyaku early.
With the past already set in stone, if he didn't do it, it would definitely cause a huge problem.
Besides, becoming the Sage of Six Paths sounds pretty good.
"Is the mission over?"
Tsunade shook her head, her face showing a hint of confusion.
She only remembered her, Hanekawa, and Minato coming to Rōran for a mission, but the details of the process were vague.
"It's over, Master."
Hanekawa pointed to the Flying Thunder God kunai. "Minato-senpai has sealed the Ryūmyaku."
"That is indeed my seal."
Minato frowned slightly.
He couldn't shake the feeling that something was missing.
"Thank you, everyone from the Leaf Village."
Sāra came to her senses and bowed slightly. "You helped me defeat Anrokuzan and restored peace to Rōran."
Hanekawa raised an eyebrow.
It seemed that Minato had kept more of her memories intact.
"It's what we should do."
Minato showed his signature cheerful smile.
"Let's go. We can talk more when we get back to the surface."
Tsunade glanced at the Flying Thunder God kunai, pushing down the confusion in her heart.
The three of them left the core of the Ryūmyaku and returned to Rōran.
Since the palace had been mostly destroyed in the battle against Anrokuzan, Sāra took them to an inn.
After a night of rest, the three of them didn't linger and returned to the Leaf Village.
"Tsunade-sama."
Minato looked at the familiar village and asked with a smile, "Will you come with me to turn in the mission?"
"You go."
Tsunade waved her hand. "Just give us our share of the reward when you get it."
"Alright then."
Minato nodded slightly.
A whooshing sound rang out.
He vanished from sight.
"Let's go!"
Tsunade said impatiently. "To the casino!"
"Master!"
Hanekawa asked with a helpless expression, "Who goes to the casino the moment they get back to the village?"
"I haven't gambled for a week!"
Tsunade said with a straight face.
"Then you go ahead."
Hanekawa had something else to do, so he left Tsunade hanging.
Tsunade's face stiffened.
If she went alone, wouldn't she just be giving away her money for free?
"Fine."
Tsunade thought about it. "We'll go tomorrow."
Hanekawa's expression immediately became one of surprise.
She can actually resist?
"What's with that face?"
Tsunade glared at him, a little annoyed. "Do you think I have no self-control?"
"That's a fact."
Hanekawa said truthfully.
"What did you say?!"
A tick mark appeared on Tsunade's forehead. "Looks like I'll have to give you a good lesson today!"
"See you tomorrow!"
Hanekawa used the Body Flicker Technique to get away.
"You brat! You're dead!"
Tsunade scowled, clenching her fist.
Hanekawa took a different route to the commercial district.
He glanced left and right, buying a bag of lollipops and a box of takoyaki.
After thinking for a moment, he headed toward Kosuke Maruboshi's home.
"Hanekawa?!"
Kurenai, who was practicing a Water Style jutsu, saw him, immediately canceled her chakra, and ran up to him.
"Youth is a wonderful thing."
Seeing this, Kosuke could only sigh in admiration.
"When did you get back?"
Kurenai asked with a joyful expression.
"Just now."
Hanekawa reached out and patted her head. "I guessed you'd be here, so I came to find you."
Kurenai's smile grew even wider.
The fact that Hanekawa came to find her first after returning said it all.
"After being apart for so long, aren't you going to show me some affection?"
Hanekawa's eyes twinkled as he asked.
"What kind of affection?"
Kurenai tilted her head, her expression innocently bewildered.
"How about this."
Hanekawa stated his purpose. "You call me 'big brother'."
"Huh?"
Kurenai was stunned for a moment, then immediately refused. "Absolutely not!"
"Why?"
Hanekawa blinked, his voice tempting. "I'll give you a lollipop."
"A lollipop won't do."
Kurenai hesitated for a few seconds, then shook her head.
She had always dreamed of being the big sister.
She wanted Hanekawa to call her 'big sister,' not the other way around.
"What about takoyaki then?"
Hanekawa held the lollipop in his left hand and the takoyaki in his right, a mischievous smile on his face.
Kurenai's face was a picture of conflict.
These were her two favorite snacks.
Damn it!
He's trying to trick me!
"Just this once."
Hanekawa emphasized.
"Fine."
In the end, Kurenai couldn't resist the temptation of the food and said reluctantly, "Hanekawa-nii-san."
"You're so cute."
Hanekawa couldn't help but laugh.
Now we're even!
Who told my future self to call me 'little brother'?
"Even if you compliment me, I won't forgive you!"
Kurenai puffed out her cheeks, snatching the lollipop and takoyaki.
"Yes, my mistake."
Hanekawa apologized quickly. "Maybe there'll be a time when I call you 'big sister' in the future."
"Really?"
Flames of hope lit up in Kurenai's eyes.
How persistent can you be?
Seeing this, Hanekawa couldn't help but sigh inwardly.
"Here."
Kurenai opened the takoyaki box, skewered one with a wooden pick, and held it up to Hanekawa's mouth.
"Thanks."
Hanekawa bit it, popping the takoyaki into his mouth.
............
AN: Check out my P@treon For +80 extra chapters.
Thank You For your Support!!
Join now: Patreon com/Chaos_God