~ Support & Read 32 Advanced Chapters on My Patreon!
~ Thank you all so much for your support!
❁❁❁❁
Shin temporarily stored the Ryūchi Cave summoning contract; he wasn’t planning on visiting the legendary Sage Region just yet.
He turned his attention to Nawaki.
“That burn on your arm… want me to heal it? I won’t leave a single scar. Not that I’m bragging or anything.”
Nawaki glanced at his scorched arm. Though Shin had extinguished the Amaterasu flames in time, the burns were severe.
After a moment of thought, he shook his head.
“I’ll keep it. A reminder of this lesson.”
“So, Nawaki, what are your plans? Konan and I are returning to the Land of Whirlpools. Want to come with us?”
“Nah, I think I’ll pass. Not sure how Tsunade-nee would react. She might try to ‘discipline’ me.”
Nawaki was terrified of Tsunade. If she found out how close he had come to death because of his recklessness, she’d give him a lecture he’d never forget.
“Where are you going, then?”
“Plenty of places to see. I’m going to travel the world.” A wistful look entered Nawaki’s eyes.
He had been wandering the Shinobi world for years, but his focus had always been on revenge and training. Now that Uzumaki Kai was dead, he could finally relax and explore.
….
Shin and Nawaki parted ways. As long as Nawaki didn’t do anything reckless, he’d be fine. His strength was more than enough to protect himself.
“Konan, we’ve been away for a while. Time to head back.”
They had been gone for over half a month and hadn’t returned to the Land of Whirlpools once. He wondered if Kushina and the others were angry.
“Are we really going back?”
Konan blushed, suddenly nervous. She wasn’t sure how to face Kushina, Mikoto, and Tsunade.
“Don’t be shy, Konan. It’ll be fine,” Shin said, ruffling her hair.
“Shin-nii! You messed up my hair!” Konan swatted his hand away and smoothed her hair. “I’m worried they’ll be angry.”
“They won’t. And even if they are, what can they do? I’m here.” Shin puffed out his chest confidently.
Konan looked at him, then lowered her head.
“Hey, Konan, do you not trust me? Don’t worry, as long as I’m there, they won’t say a thing.”
It seemed his reassurances weren’t very reassuring. Konan hesitated, but she didn’t say anything. She didn’t want to hurt Shin’s pride. She was kind and gentle; she wouldn’t do that.
Even if Konan wanted to avoid the inevitable confrontation, she couldn’t run forever.
“Let’s use Yomotsu Hirasaka.”
Shin opened a swirling black portal.
“So, Shin-nii, you must be missing Kushina-nee and the others, right?”
Konan pouted slightly. She was jealous, though she didn’t want to admit it.
Shin chuckled. “You’re right. I do miss them. It’s been a while.”
Shin picked Konan up and stepped through the portal, appearing in the courtyard of their home in the Land of Whirlpools.
….
….
“Shin! Konan! You’re finally back!”
Mikoto set down her watering can and rushed over, a delighted smile on her face.
Shin set the blushing Konan down and hugged Mikoto.
“Mikoto, did you miss me?”
“Of course I did! It’s been so long,” Mikoto replied, a playful glint in her eyes.
“Ahem.” Shin coughed awkwardly and quickly changed the subject. “Where are Kushina and Tsunade? Did they go train?”
“No, they didn’t go train. Kushina dragged Tsunade-nee out to recruit Shinobi for Suikagakure.”
“Huh? When will they be back?”
“Probably around evening. Though I doubt they’ll find any suitable Shinobi.”
“I doubt it too. I wonder when Kushina will give up on this village idea. I don’t understand why she wants to create a Hidden Village.” Shin shrugged.
“Konan, why is your face so red?”
Mikoto turned her attention to Konan, a puzzled look on her face.
“Uh, um, maybe it’s because it’s hot?” Konan said quickly.
“Really?” Mikoto looked at her skeptically. She had a feeling something was off.
….
Near evening, Kushina and Tsunade finally returned.
“Shin! You’re back!” Kushina rushed over and hugged him, much to Tsunade’s annoyance.
She had wanted to hug him, too, but Kushina had beaten her to it.
“Shin, I think you should explain what happened with Konan.”
“…”
Mikoto gave Shin a sweet smile, but her eyes held a warning.
“Huh? What are you talking about, Mikoto?” Kushina and Tsunade looked at her, confused.
“Ask Shin.”
While Kushina and Tsunade were out, Mikoto had managed to get the full story from Konan. She was upset, though she’d been expecting it. After all, she’d guessed it might happen.
Kushina and Tsunade looked at Shin, while Konan hid her blushing face. Shin sighed. It was all up to him now.
“Konan is my woman now.” He decided to be straightforward. There was no point hiding it; Mikoto already knew.
“WHAT?! Shin, how do you want to die?!” Kushina’s fists clenched, and her chakra flared.
“Kushina, calm down,” Shin said quickly.
“Calm down? How can I calm down?! You’re dead meat!”
Kushina drew her kunai. Though she didn’t have a kitchen knife, a kunai would do the job just as well.
Shin froze. Was she serious? He could already see the pearly gates of heaven opening for him.
No, he wouldn’t go to heaven. He would go to hell!!
❁❁❁❁
~ 32 Advanced Chapters Available on /dragonnx
(Just remove the hyphen to access Patreon normally.)