Chapter 78: Reunion and Resolve

"No! I have to find her right now!" Koshiro declared, his voice tight with urgency as he prepared to head out.

"Wait, sensei! I have her coordinates—I can get you there instantly. No need to waste time on the road!" said Uchiha Gin, stepping in quickly.

"Really?" Koshiro froze mid-step, the weight of hope anchoring him.

"Absolutely!" Gin nodded. "Do you want to go now?"

"Yes! Please!" Koshiro answered without hesitation, eyes filled with gratitude.

"Alright then," Gin said, gripping Koshiro's arm. A blink later, they reappeared in a quiet forest outside Loguetown.

"We're here, sensei. But I only saw your wife and youngest daughter briefly on the street. I can't pinpoint their exact location."

"That's enough," Koshiro said confidently. "If they're here, I'll find them using Observation Haki." His eyes narrowed, and a second later he smiled. "Yes, yes! I found them! Let's go!"

Without another word, he grabbed Gin by the waist and sped toward the town, wind tearing past them as buildings blurred into streaks. Gin, his face battered by the force, quickly shielded himself with chakra, exhaling in relief as the discomfort eased.

They arrived at a quiet courtyard minutes later. There, a woman sat on a wooden bench, a frail cough escaping her lips, a little girl at her side.

"Lisa!" Koshiro called out, his voice cracking.

Lisa turned, startled by the familiar voice. Her eyes widened, but she quickly masked her emotions and turned away, shielding her heart.

"…Looks like you're still mad," Koshiro said with a bitter grin, stepping into the yard.

"What do you want? Leave!" she snapped.

But Koshiro stepped closer, voice low, regretful. "Don't say that. Lisa… I was wrong. I should've never ignored your dreams or your feelings. I've given up my own dream—I opened a small dojo, started teaching children, and raising Kuina."

He paused, then added softly, "She misses you so much. She keeps asking about her mom."

Lisa flinched. She hadn't expected this. His change, his apology—it rattled her. And when he mentioned Kuina, her resolve faltered. Her heart still ached for the daughter she'd left behind. Years of strain had taken a toll on her health, and now her body betrayed her—she doubled over in a violent cough.

"Tch—Lisa!" Koshiro rushed forward, concern overtaking him.

"I know medicine!" Gin quickly stepped in. "Let me help."

"Please! Do what you can," Koshiro urged.

"Hello, sensei's wife! I'm Uchiha Gin, a new student," Gin introduced, bowing as he took her hand gently. "Please allow me."

"Hello," Lisa managed with a faint smile.

He scanned her condition through chakra diagnosis and nodded. "Nothing too serious. Just anxiety and old injuries that haven't healed. These two medicines will help. One will repair hidden physical damage. The other will restore your mental resilience."

He handed her two vials.

Lisa accepted them gratefully, drinking them in one motion. Moments later, warmth spread through her body—pain vanished, her complexion brightened, and her coughing ceased. She exhaled deeply, stunned.

"Mama, are you okay?" Tashigi asked, watching with wide, worried eyes.

"I'm fine, sweetheart. I feel… amazing," Lisa said, her voice strong again. She hugged her daughter and stood. "Thank you, Gin."

"Ah, no need to thank me!" Gin scratched his head, embarrassed.

But Lisa wasn't holding back her gratitude. "You deserve it," she smiled knowingly. For the first time in years, she felt like she could truly live again.

Koshiro, relieved, spoke up. "Gin, you have my eternal thanks. Without you, I would've lost my wife and daughter all over again."

"Please, sensei, you're putting me in an awkward spot!" Gin laughed nervously. "If you want to thank me… let your father, Kozaburo, craft four good swords. I'll gather the materials."

Gin had long known of Kozaburo's legendary craftsmanship. With future plans involving chakra-based kenjutsu, he needed weapons that could channel chakra—custom-made, durable, and worthy of his comrades.

"That's all?" Koshiro blinked. "Of course! I was going to ask him anyway! It's nothing compared to what I owe you."

"We're one family, right?" Gin smiled. "Didn't you give me everything when you taught me the Ittō-ryū?"

Inwardly, he checked the family's favorability levels. Koshiro: 90. Lisa: 89. Tashigi… a surprising 94. All exceeded the required threshold for a contract. Excellent.

He could finally offer them the contract. The whole family was talented in swordsmanship—Koshiro, a master; Lisa, a recovering warrior; Kuina, a prodigy; and Tashigi, underestimated but full of potential.

"Why don't you return to the dojo with us?" Gin suggested. "Kuina will be overjoyed."

"Lisa… will you come?" Koshiro asked, his eyes hopeful. "Kuina needs you. And… my father's still scolding me for letting you go."

Lisa hesitated, heart full. She missed Kuina terribly. She had taken Tashigi with her when they separated, but never stopped regretting leaving her first daughter behind.

"…Alright," she said at last. "Let's go home."

"Gin!" Koshiro grinned. "Once more!"

"Wait—let me grab my things," Lisa interrupted.

Ten minutes later, she returned. Gin opened a space-time gate and stored her luggage. Lisa gaped.

"Is this… a Spatial-type Devil Fruit?"

"Something like that," Gin nodded.

Tashigi's eyes sparkled. "Onii-san is amazing!"

"I can even give you this ability," Gin offered. "Teleportation and storage—everything."

"Seriously?" both Lisa and Koshiro blinked.

"Minato, Mikoto, Kushina—they have it too," Koshiro noted aloud. "So… it came from you?"

"Yes. But to share it, I need to form a contract," Gin explained calmly. "You'll gain many advantages—meditation, chakra cleansing, long life—but you'll also be bound to me in some ways. So don't feel pressured."

"A contract?" Koshiro echoed. "Do Lisa and I qualify?"

"You both meet the criteria," Gin confirmed. "Even Tashigi does. And Kuina will too once she learns what happened today."

"I like Gin-nii the most!" Tashigi said proudly. "He saved Mom and brought our family back together!"

Koshiro smiled warmly. "What do you say, Lisa?"

"I trust him," Lisa replied. "We're family now, aren't we?"

Gin created two glowing runes. They touched them, mentally agreeing.

The runes dissolved into light, entering their minds. In an instant, they gained awareness of the worlds of shinobi and pirates—techniques, secrets, chakra mastery, and more.

They opened their eyes, breath caught.

"You… you're from another world?" Lisa whispered, but a restriction blocked her words. "Ah! So that's the information seal… Incredible."

"Let's have Kuina sign too," she urged. "She's ready."

Koshiro nodded and left to get her. Soon, he returned with the girl.

"Are you really my mom?" Kuina asked, eyes wide.

"Yes, my daughter," Lisa said, tears streaming. She knelt and embraced Kuina, her whole body trembling.

Tashigi clung to her side. "She's really back!"

"Big brother Gin, thank you!" Kuina bowed.

Gin checked her favor: 88. Just enough.

"She's eligible," he smiled.

"I want to sign too!" Kuina cried.

"And me!" Tashigi added quickly.

"Wait!" Koshiro interrupted. "Can you block some of the heavy knowledge? They're still children."

"Of course," Gin agreed. He sealed most of the information within the runes.

"Okay, go ahead."

The girls touched the runes. They too received the contract, though restricted.

"Big brother Gin's from another world?" they gasped.

"Yes—but you'll explore it only with me or Mikoto. It's dangerous," he warned gently.

"Tomorrow, then?" Kuina asked excitedly.

"Sure. We'll go to the shinobi world in the morning," Gin promised.

Lisa took the girls away, leaving Koshiro alone with Gin.

"…Gin," he whispered. "Is it true that in the future… Kuina dies in some ridiculous accident involving stairs?"

Gin chuckled. "Sensei, relax. With these contracts, chakra exercises, and my automatic teleportation safeguards, even a ton of bricks wouldn't scratch her. She's safe now."

Koshiro exhaled in profound relief. "That's all I ever wanted. I don't care if they become strong—just that they live well and long. Though, of course… if they become strong—great!" He laughed.

His heart was finally at peace.