Raising her little forehead proudly as if offering it for inspection, Kurenai Yuhi looked at Shiki with a face that screamed:
"Quickly praise me right now or I might die on the spot."
Even Shizune, quiet and polite like a shy kitten, didn't say anything but her eyes were sparkling with the same expectation.
Two girls.
Two pairs of shiny eyes.
Both in "Praise Mode."
Shiki internally:
Ah yes… here it comes. The Double-Kill Praise Combo.
"Yes, yes, yes! You are very powerful!" he surrendered immediately, smiling fondly. Kurenai puffed her chest proudly like a tiny red bird.
Shiki turned.
Shizune was standing perfectly still, like a student in front of exam results.
"Shizune, you're also very good."
"Yes!"
Shizune brightened instantly, like someone just plugged her into a power socket.
Meanwhile, Yuhi Shinku watched the two girls soaking in praise like flowers absorbing water.
At first he was proud.
Then… tired.
Then…
My daughter is losing herself in front of this kid…
"AHEM!"
He cleared his throat — the universal father signal for "Stop embarrassing me."
Kurenai blinked innocently.
"Huh? What's wrong dad? Are you feeling sick?"
"You—!"
Yuhi Shinku internally:
No I am not sick. This is what disappointment feels like.
He sighed deeply.
"Okay! Today is a happy day. Kurenai, let's go back and celebrate."
"Alright…"
The way she said it made it sound like she was being exiled from paradise.
Her father nearly tripped.
Why do you look like I'm kidnapping you?! I'm your father, not a bandit!!
But she still refused to budge from Shiki-nii.
Yuhi Shinku could only drag her away with fatherly despair.
Once Kurenai disappeared, Shiki turned to Shizune.
"Shizune. What about you? Come back with us?"
Shizune flinched slightly — not out of fear, but out of introverted habit.
"…Yes, yes?"
She clearly wanted to go… but also clearly didn't want to intrude.
Her voice was so soft that even the air felt shy.
Shiki and Tsunade exchanged a helpless look.
Shiki internally:
This girl… she reads the room too well.
"That's your fault!" Tsunade muttered, glaring at Shiki like a teacher scolding a naughty student.
Shiki shrugged.
Listen, I didn't do anything. Existing is not my fault.
Finally, the three of them went back together.
Dinner was lively.
Celebratory.
And full of Tsunade staring at Shiki like a wronged lover across the table.
Even though Kurenai wasn't even there anymore.
By the time everything finished, it was midnight.
In the courtyard, Shiki stood in the moonlight, leaning against the wall.
Tsunade finished putting Shizune to bed and walked over.
"What's wrong today?" she asked gently.
She could read Shiki like a map at this point.
Shiki looked at the sky.
"The Third Ninja World War… it's about to start."
"—?!"
Tsunade, who was expecting maybe "I'm hungry" or "I want sake," absolutely did NOT expect world-ending announcement.
"A war?! Now?! Where? How? Why?!"
"You don't believe me?" Shiki asked, completely calm.
"It's not that!" Tsunade waved her hands. "It's just—! There's no sign of anything! Not even gossip!"
Shiki: "…"
He continued.
"I haven't told Orochimaru yet. But with his brain, once I mention it, he'll understand."
Tsunade clicked her tongue.
"Then let the war flush out those old bastards in the council."
Ah yes.
The legendary Tsunade Senju diplomacy.
—in the trash.
"Just wait," Shiki said calmly.
"Mm."
–––
The next few peaceful days lulled everyone.
Even Tsunade began doubting a little.
Maybe… Shiki's prediction was too early?
Then...
Sunagakure dropped the world's hottest drama bomb.
The Third Kazekage — the man known as "The Strongest Kazekage" —
vanished.
Just.
Poof.
Gone.
A whole Kazekage.
Deleted from reality.
And without evidence or hesitation…
Sunagakure pointed directly at Konoha.
Because of course they did.
In the Hokage's Office:
"PRESUMPTUOUS!!"
Hiruzen smashed his desk with maximum grandpa energy.
Your Kazekage disappeared — WHY would we do it?! If we had that kind of ability, your whole village would be gone already!
Koharu crossed her arms.
"Hiruzen—now is not the time for emotional outbursts."
"It's going to be war."
Homura sighed with elder-level depression.
The three old fossils looked at each other.
They all knew…
This wasn't a "maybe-war."
This was "war is already knocking on the door."
And somewhere far away...
Shiki probably shrugged.
Told you.
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