Chapter 422: The END

"I'm back."

After confirming with Ruri and seeing the clock he had set before leaving, Yoichi was finally certain—he had returned to the time he originally belonged to.

Only a day had passed in this timeline, but he had spent seventy to eighty years in that future world.

"This is the price of playing with emotions. Remember that from now on."

Yoichi sighed. He had asked Yamanaka Ino indirectly many times—if she had an infinite lifespan, would she be willing to leave everything behind and follow him to another place?

Spending so much time with Ino, he had naturally grown attached to her. But asking her to abandon Inojin, Yuko, and all her friends in Konoha was simply impossible.

It couldn't be done. Even if Yoichi had forcibly taken her away, it would have changed the carefree and happy personality she had. So instead, he chose to stay by her side until the end of her life.

Near the moment of her passing, Yoichi almost couldn't resist transferring life energy to keep her alive. But Ino had held his hand and said she had no regrets in this life. With that, he dismissed the thought of saving her.

By the time a hundred years had passed in Konoha, Yoichi had already distanced himself from Temari, Sakura, and Hinata. Though the three of them knew about each other's relationships with him, they gradually became more accustomed to it.

When Temari and Sakura became used to their arrangement, Yoichi eventually brought Hinata into it as well. At the time, Hinata was nearly forty, yet she was still so shy that she nearly fainted.

In the end, it was Temari and Sakura who reassured her, convincing her that there was no need for fear. To avoid any emotional breakdown that could lead to exposure, Temari and Sakura did everything they could to ease her into it.

However, after more than a decade, Yoichi gradually cut off contact with them. Beyond the thrill of novelty, his focus had shifted to accompanying Ino in her final years. That said, Temari found it difficult to let go of her attachment and habits, sometimes even pulling Sakura in to tempt Yoichi, barely keeping their connection alive.

The memories of the future Shinobi World quickly played through his mind. He shook his head, burying those long years deep in his consciousness.

"It's time to return to the village. The Sixth Hokage should be chosen by now."

Recalling his departure, Yoichi was certain Konoha remained safe. Before he left, the Shinobi World had been reduced to just Iwagakure and Kumogakure.

Since only a day had passed here, those villages were likely still pleading with Konoha not to destroy them outright. With their current strength, it was simply up to Konoha whether or not they wanted to wipe them out.

Yoichi had no interest in ruling the Shinobi World. Though he had the ability, it would only burden him with responsibilities. Besides, if he did everything himself, how would the younger generation grow?

After spending decades in the future timeline, his mindset had changed.

He had already collected enough knowledge and benefits—what mattered now was consolidating and refining what he had. The Shinobi World was his home turf. As long as it remained stable, he could let Konoha flourish and then expand outward.

After spending some time in Roran, Yoichi soared into the sky, heading for Konoha. Before leaving, he reinforced Roran's barriers. A place that allowed time travel should only be accessible to him—no one else.

Traveling through time along a singular path could create major disruptions to the past, present, and future. It was best to avoid such risks.

Konoha had become a fully modernized city. Calling it a "village" was no longer accurate. The decision to develop it in this way had been an impulsive one on Yoichi's part, though all the details were handled by his subordinates.

Returning to Konoha, Yoichi headed straight home.

The house seemed empty. From his sensory perception, only Mikoto and Yoko were present—his mother, Tsunade, was nowhere to be found.

Landing on the balcony and stepping inside, he saw a graceful woman rising from the bedside.

"Mikoto, where is everyone?"

"Yoichi? You're back so suddenly?"

Mikoto was momentarily surprised by his question, but she soon smiled gently.

"Mina and Kushina went on a trip, and Tsunade went with them. But Yoko wanted to come back to sleep, so I stayed behind to watch over her."

"There's no way Tsunade would go on a trip. That idiot must be in a casino."

Yoichi initially wanted to drag Tsunade out of the gambling den, but he quickly dismissed the thought. Since he had become so free-spirited himself, it was only fair to let those around him indulge a little as well.

Reaching out, he pulled Mikoto into his embrace, burying his face in her chest.

"Yoichi, Yoko just fell asleep~"

Feeling his warmth, Mikoto's face flushed as she gently pushed against him.

Hearing her words, Yoichi loosened his grip, but instead of letting go, he carried her into another room and once again buried his face in her chest—without going any further. He simply held her there in silence.

"What's wrong, Yoichi?"

"It's nothing, I just missed you too much!"

"It's only been a day."

Though that's what Mikoto said, she still reached out and wrapped her arms around Yoichi's neck.

For Mikoto, Mina, and Tsunade, it had only been a day. But for Yoichi, it had been seventy to eighty years since he last saw them. His longing for them was immeasurable.

He remained in Mikoto's embrace for an hour or two, simply holding onto her, while she gently let him rest against her body. They stayed like that until Mina, Kushina, and the others returned home.

As soon as Naruto and Sasuke saw Yoichi, they eagerly demanded training. Unlike before, Yoichi didn't push them off to Itachi or Kimimaro. Instead, he agreed immediately, promising to guide them after dinner.

The only unfinished business left for Yoichi was dealing with the hidden Jigen. However, he was well aware of Jigen's base and the space where the Ten-Tails was imprisoned. Tomorrow, he would bring Kaguya with him to put an end to Isshiki once and for all.

Taking care of Isshiki would finally remove the last thorn in Kaguya's heart. Moreover, Yoichi still had Shibai Ōtsutsuki's remains. With that power as her safeguard, Kaguya could finally let go of her worries and settle in the Shinobi World.

As for Yoichi, he had no plans for any large-scale actions for the next twenty years. Expanding into the universe was a tedious endeavor. He only needed to give the orders and let the next generation explore it on his behalf.

His first day back was spent reuniting with his family. On the second day, he accompanied Kaguya to defeat Isshiki, allowing her to use Tomogoroshi no Haikotsu to eliminate Jigen. On the third day, the announcement of the Sixth Hokage took place.

The Sixth Hokage was Shisui. Though Nawaki was also a strong candidate, his impulsive nature made him less suitable. Even the Senju brothers, Tobirama and Hashirama, favored Shisui for the role.

As for Asuma? He had completely faded into the background. His hopes of becoming Hokage to impress Kurenai had been a mistake from the start.

"Orochimaru, you should come outside once in a while. Nawaki says he barely sees you anymore."

Yoichi shook his head as he spoke inside Orochimaru's lab. The man was starting to resemble a true mad scientist—both in actions and appearance.

"What troublesome thing do you need now?" Orochimaru scoffed. "The Research Division has Tsunade's name on it too, yet I've never seen her step foot in here, Yoichi-kun."

Yoichi feigned ignorance. "Is that so? I'll have to question her when I get back."

"Enough nonsense. Just get to the point—I was about to head out."

"I have some data I think you'll find interesting. Here."

"This little bit? I'm surprised, Yoichi-kun."

"That's just the index. The actual research is too vast to bring all at once."

"Yoichi-kun, get out."

After being thrown out by Orochimaru, Yoichi wandered through Konoha. It had been a long time since he'd returned, and he had almost forgotten what this era's Konoha looked like.

"...This Konoha is still the best. Even a hundred years ahead in time, nothing compares to this place."

With that thought, he left Konoha and flew toward the Land of Rain. At his speed, it took only a dozen minutes to reach his destination.

Konan wasn't home. She had taken on assignments in the Land of Rain and was essentially living there long-term.

Yoichi waited in her room for a while until he heard the door open.

"You're here."

Konan's voice was calm as she entered and saw Yoichi inside. Her emotions toward him were complicated—neither resentment nor warmth. Even she wasn't sure how she felt.

"I'm going to wash up."

"I just came to see you. I'll be leaving soon."

Yoichi interrupted her, then took out a small vial from his pocket and placed it on the table.

"Nagato can leave. You don't have to keep taking missions every day. Get some proper rest."

"W-what?"

Konan's eyes widened in disbelief. She thought she had misheard him.

"What did you just say?"

"Nagato can leave prison. But he still needs to atone, so he'll be staying in the Land of Rain to help rebuild. This elixir will restore his body."

"Didn't you say you'd wait until I—"

Konan suddenly stopped, her cheeks turning slightly pink. The original condition had been that Nagato would only be freed if she bore a child. Yet her stomach was still flat.

"I figured you'd work yourself to death before that ever happened. Besides, you were all deceived back then—just a bunch of fools."

Seeing her stubborn resolve, Yoichi chuckled and ruffled her blue hair.

"If you ever miss me, come to Konoha. From now on, take it easy."

He turned to leave, but before he could take more than two steps, Konan grabbed the hem of his cloak.

Looking back, he saw her determined gaze fixed on him.

"I don't need your pity. I'll earn Nagato's freedom with my own efforts."

With that, she tugged on his cloak and pulled him toward the bedroom.

"Konan..."

Though he could have easily pulled away, Yoichi understood what lay beneath her stubbornness. He sighed and let himself be led inside.

...

A few hours later.

Yoichi now had a new problem.

Konan, Rin , Kaguya, Kurenai, and Rumi were all in Konoha. At this rate, their relationships were bound to be exposed.

And when that happened, he was going to have a whole lot of trouble.

...

(The End)

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