The past two weeks had flown by.
During this time, Kakashi had been assigned to solo missions.
Naruto had left with Jiraiya for training.
Sasuke, following Sakiya's suggestions, had intensified his training. To push his limits, he practiced swordsmanship in the water, increasing both difficulty and endurance. Occasionally, Kakashi took him along on missions to further his combat experience.
Meanwhile, Sakura had begun her apprenticeship under Tsunade, just as in the original timeline. However, since Tsunade was often busy, Shizune handled most of her training. Between lessons, Sakura also assisted at the hospital, though only after reaching a certain level of medical proficiency.
—
Today, Sakiya was busy decorating a room in her house.
From now on, this would be Nanako's room.
For now, though, it was still empty.
With Nanako's full moon celebration approaching, Sakiya planned to invite friends for a small gathering. She wanted the room to be properly set up before then.
As she worked, she held a peculiar statue—something resembling an old-world deity.
"Hmm… Let's put this here."
"The all-seeing eye can go there."
"And maybe a glowing sigil over here!"
"The Flower of the End!"
"Awakening sigil!"
"Spirit gathering array!"
"And of course, the Staff of Life!"
She moved around excitedly, placing each item with care.
After a while, Sakiya took a step back and admired the completely transformed room.
She nodded in satisfaction.
"Nanako! I worked so hard to prepare this for you. You'll love it, right?"
Of course, Nanako wasn't there to hear her. She was outside in Sakinoko's arms.
Excited, Sakiya ran out.
"I've finished setting up Nanako's room! Now I'll invite Ino and the others over so they can admire my masterpiece!"
Sakinoko, holding Nanako, smiled and ruffled Sakiya's hair.
"You've worked hard, Sakiya. Why don't you call Ino and the others first?"
Nanako, resting in her mother's arms, blinked curiously at Sakiya.
Sakiya met her gaze and playfully poked her cheek.
Immediately, Nanako pouted and turned her face away in protest.
Sakiya giggled but quickly nodded in response to her mother's suggestion.
"Alright, I'll call them now!"
"Go on, then."
Without hesitation, Sakiya dashed off.
Sakinoko watched her go, then let out a quiet sigh. She turned to Kitahara Kira, who had been silent this whole time.
The two exchanged glances and nodded in silent understanding.
Kitahara Kira stepped forward and opened the door to the newly furnished room…
And immediately let out another sigh.
The entire room looked bizarre.
Strange symbols and unfamiliar markings covered the walls and floor. Shelves were filled with odd statues. Painted eyes seemed to stare from every direction.
A skeletal chandelier hung from the ceiling, and eerie red candles flickered in the dim light.
The place felt less like a nursery and more like a shrine to something otherworldly.
But as a father, Kitahara Kira was already used to this.
With a resigned sigh, he rolled up his sleeves.
"This is going to take a while."
And so, he began the long task of cleaning up.
—
Meanwhile, Jiraiya had been returning every few days.
So Naruto and Sasuke were both around.
When Sakiya went to call them, she found the two of them mid-battle.
After making the announcement, Sakiya left, not bothering to watch Naruto and Sasuke's match.
They'd come when they were done.
Next, she visited Hinata and Tenten.
Since they had nothing to do at the moment, they agreed to help her call more people.
On the way, Sakiya stopped by Ino's house.
She knocked on the door in a distinct pattern.
Inside, Ino immediately recognized it.
Over time, they had developed small habits—little signals only they would understand.
A specific knock, a secret code, a certain way of tapping—it all became second nature.
Ino hurried downstairs and opened the door, finding a familiar face waiting for her.
Sakiya had been gone for a while, so Ino had been a little worried. Seeing her now, she felt relieved.
"What's up, Sakiya? Need something?"
Sakiya's face turned serious.
"Of course! The Dark Emperor! My sister—the one destined to bring light to this world—is about to have her full moon celebration. So, I have prepared a grand blessing banquet in her honor!"
As she spoke, Sakiya made dramatic gestures, as if casting some kind of spell.
Finally, she covered her left eye with her hand and pointed at Ino.
"Now, I formally invite you—Dark Emperor Ino! Do you accept?"
Ino stared at her for a moment, amused.
Sakiya was completely serious, as if this were some kind of sacred ritual.
She chuckled.
"Well, since you're so sincere… I'll accept."
Sakiya grinned.
"Great! Then let's go!"
"Right now?"
Sakiya nodded.
"Yeah, it should be about time now."
"Then let's go."
The two of them walked side by side, just like they used to.
Neither of them spoke, but there was a quiet understanding between them.
A strange sense of familiarity—no, nostalgia—settled in.
It had been a long time since they'd walked together like this.
Ever since graduation, everyone had been busy with their own missions, constantly rushing from one thing to the next.
It felt… nice.
"Hey… Sakiya?"
"Hm?"
"Do you remember this telephone pole?"
Sakiya looked up at the pole ahead and her eyes lit up.
"Oh! The one we enchanted!"
She turned to Ino, grinning.
"You remember, right?"
Ino chuckled, feeling both amused and nostalgic.
"Of course I do. It was part of our childhood. Back then—"
"Ah! Ino! Help! I'm stuck!"
Ino snapped out of her thoughts and turned to see Sakiya pressed against the pole.
Her face immediately darkened.
Sakiya's hand was gripping the pole tightly, her expression one of pure distress.
Ino sighed and walked over, arms crossed.
"So… what exactly is wrong?"
Sakiya struggled dramatically, trying to pull her hand away.
"It's the magic trap! A high-level spell only a Grand Magician could cast! I can't move! Hurry! Help me!"
Ino stared at her, deadpan.
The scene in front of her… was all too familiar.
This had happened before.
Sakiya's acting skills hadn't improved at all.
Ino sighed again, rubbing her temples.
She raised her hand.
Sakiya blinked, looking up at her with big, pleading eyes.
"W-What are you doing? Ino, my trusted magician! Come save me!"
Ino glanced around to make sure no one was watching.
Finally, she gave in and raised a finger toward the pole.
"Ancient incantation… mystical energy… release!"
Sakiya's hand immediately let go.
She cheered and threw herself at Ino, rubbing her cheek against hers.
"Ah~ my number one magician! You're back!"
Half-annoyed, Ino pushed Sakiya away, but deep down, she felt a quiet joy.
Maybe… she missed this.
No—
Ino glanced at Sakiya and, despite herself, smiled.
Maybe she just liked being with Sakiya.
___________
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