After the seal was fully inscribed, Takuno slowly raised his head.
His gaze pierced through the lunar surface, fixing upon the azure planet suspended in the cosmos. Earth, it was emitting a faint glow.
However, his line of sight did not linger on that familiar continent of the Shinobi World. Instead, it seemed to traverse an invisible barrier, anchoring precisely upon another dimension.
A drifting, ethereal, and mysterious interstitial space, existing outside the ordinary world.
Deep within that indescribable void, a tranquil figure seemed to have been waiting for a long time.
At the very moment Takuno raised his eyes, that figure also seemed to sense something, slowly turning its gaze.
Two lines of sight, crossing endless time and space, abruptly intersected.
There were no words, no surge of energy.
An unknowable amount of time passed before Takuno was the first to withdraw his gaze.
The aura around him returned to a state of inner restraint, as if no anomaly had ever occurred.
His figure grew illusory under the cold moonlight, ultimately vanishing without a sound upon this desolate expanse of silver-white wilderness.
And within that forgotten rift in space-time, the owner of that gaze released a long, heavy sigh.
Takuno's miraculous rise and the power he displayed at this moment had completely disrupted the trajectory of fate he had foreseen.
The future... that course which had once appeared clear or blurred in his eyes, was now completely shrouded in a mist of chaos, fragmented and utterly unfathomable.
After a long while, he slowly shook his head.
Since it could no longer be fathomed, there was no need to exhaust oneself with futile contemplation.
After all, he was already a soul lingering beyond the boundary of life and death. Even though his heart was still tied to the Shinobi World's rise and fall, glory and disgrace, all that remained for him were the words 'do my best'.
As for the outcome, it had long since exceeded the scope of what he could intervene in.
That worry could ultimately only dissolve into a fading sigh within the rift in space-time.
...
The cold moonlight streamed through the high windows, spilling onto the desk in the Queen's study of Rōran Palace, illuminating the mountain of scrolls piled there.
Queen Sara was reviewing documents as usual when suddenly, a familiar and unique aura spread through the air without warning.
Sara's head snapped up. There, standing silently in the hall, was the figure that had appeared countless times in her dreams.
"You're back!" Sara's eyes instantly brightened, her lips curving upward uncontrollably.
The fatigue born from administrative duties seemed to be washed away in an instant by this pleasant surprise.
Almost instinctively, she set down her pen and stood up.
"Mm." Takuno's voice was low and succinct.
"Are you all finished with your business?"
Sara quickly walked around the desk, looking up at him as she approached, her voice carrying a trace of barely perceptible anticipation.
"Not yet." Takuno's reply remained brief.
Sara's heart sank slightly, and she asked with a touch of disappointment.
"Then... will you be leaving again afterwards?"
"Mm."
Takuno paused, his gaze shifting to the night scene of Rōran outside the window, asking a question to which he already knew the answer.
"This past year... nothing untoward happened in Rōran, right?"
Though he had been far away on the moon, it didn't mean his information was completely cut off. He still had ways of finding out what he wanted to know.
Suppressing the bitterness in her heart, Sara regained the composure befitting a queen.
"Of course not. A few batches of overconfident bounty hunters or rogue Shinobi coveting the power of the Dragon Veil did come, but..." Her tone lightened a bit.
"They were all quietly dealt with by the 'Guardian' you left behind. He's truly reliable."
She was referring to that Kage-level Shinobi whom Takuno had once saved and placed here.
Although Takuno had not established a Shinobi Academy in Rōran, the presence of this powerful individual was enough to deter petty threats and safeguard the peace of this desert oasis.
Takuno gave a slight nod, as if he had already anticipated this answer.
"Later, I'll return to the Village for a while," he suddenly spoke, his gaze returning to Sara's face. "You... want to come along?"
"Huh? Your Village?" Sara's eyes widened in astonishment, full of surprise and curiosity.
Since they had met, Takuno's past had been as mysterious and inscrutable as the man himself. She had never heard him mention his origins or hometown.
"Naturally." Takuno's reply still didn't reveal more, only adding, "But it would be best if you make some alterations to your appearance, conceal your identity well."
He was being practical. Sara, as the Queen of Rōran, had a sensitive status.
Although, given his abilities, exposure wouldn't be a big deal, it was better to avoid unnecessary trouble if possible. Why invite trouble when you could avoid it?
"Alright, I understand!" The light in Sara's eyes brightened once more, this time a pure gleam of anticipation.
That bit of disappointment was replaced by immense joy. She even couldn't help but take a step forward, throwing herself into his arms, looking at him with a slightly chiding smile.
"You should have told me earlier that you'd take me with you when you returned! I just thought... I thought you were going to leave again right after coming back."
Her tone held a familiar mix of complaint and coquettishness, as if she had shed her queenly dignity and reverted to the woman who could show her true feelings in front of him.
Takuno didn't reply. After sharing a tender moment, the two separated, and Takuno vanished from the palace.
Sara stared at the spot where he had disappeared, first stunned for a moment, then unable to suppress a soft laugh.
"Although he's indeed unbelievably strong... he's actually... quite adorable."
"Bonk!"
As soon as the words left her mouth, Sara felt an invisible force gently tap her forehead. It didn't hurt, but it was clear enough.
Instinctively raising a hand to cover her forehead, she quickly glanced around the room with a look of surprise and understanding, a smile on her lips.
Naturally, no one could be seen in the empty hall, but the smile on her face grew even brighter and more radiant because of it.
...
The morning sunlight cast a warm golden edge upon the towering gates of Konoha.
Takuno, accompanied by Sara, the Queen of Rōran setting foot here for the first time, walked up to the gates.
Among the guards, a young Shinobi with a youthful face stepped forward, dutifully extending his hand.
"Please present your identification."
However, before Takuno could make a move, his older companion beside him, whose gaze fell upon Takuno's face, suddenly brightened.
It was a light mixed with shock and sincere respect.
The older Shinobi instinctively straightened his posture, his voice carrying a trace of barely perceptible excitement.
"Takuno-sama! You... you've returned! Do you need me to immediately inform the Hokage-sama?"
"No need to disturb Minato." Takuno's voice was calm and gentle, as if he were simply returning home. "I'll take a casual stroll through the Village first. I'll go see him later on my own."
He gave a slight nod, then took Sara's hand and stepped calmly through the great wooden gates.
As their figures receded into the distance, the young Shinobi could no longer contain his confusion and curiosity, eagerly seeking confirmation from his senior.
"Senpai... who exactly is that person?"
The older Shinobi took a deep breath, his gaze following Takuno's retreating back, filled with emotion.
"Although his name may not be widely known, you should have heard of his deeds.
He is the hero who, on the decisive battlefield between Konoha and Kumogakure, single-handedly pulled countless comrades back from the brink of death!"
He paused, then said, "And I... was one of them!"
"It's him!" The young Shinobi's eyes widened instantly.
Then he felt a bit of regret. If he had recognized him earlier, he would definitely have asked for an autograph!
Walking on the streets of Konoha, Sara observed the surrounding prosperity and order, a scene difficult to match in her homeland of Rōran.
"Husband," Sara looked up at Takuno's profile, "so here, you are a deeply revered hero."
Her tone held a touch of novelty. This was the first time she truly understood this 'Konoha Shinobi' identity of her husband.
Takuno's gaze swept over the familiar streets, a subtle, elusive smile curling at the corner of his mouth.
"Mm... you could think of it that way."
As the Queen of Rōran, Sara instantly grasped the implication behind his words.
She understood in her heart. The true identity of this man to whom she had entrusted her life was probably far from being simply summarized as a 'Konoha Shinobi'.
This layer of identity was likely just a cloak he wore while walking in the sunlight.
Thinking of it this way, the reason he had asked her to conceal her identity temporarily became perfectly clear.
However, this thought merely flickered through Sara's mind before dissipating.
To her, what importance did Takuno's identity hold? As long as one of his identities was her husband, that was enough.
Thinking this, Sara's face broke into a smile. She cast aside her previous musings, her eyes now filled only with curiosity for the Konoha before her.
"Husband," she shook their clasped hands, her smile bright, "this is my first time in Konoha too. Can you show me around? Let me see the places where you used to live?"
"Of course."
Takuno had chosen not to return to the Hokage Office first precisely with this intention.
This Shinobi Village, jointly founded by Hashirama and Madara, and painstakingly built over generations by successive Hokage, possessed a depth of heritage incomparable to ordinary places.
The Land of Fire's uniquely advantageous geographical location further nourished this unparalleled prosperity.
It was something the other four great Shinobi Villages could not hope to match, no matter what.
Of course, this was often the main reason the other four great Shinobi Villages launched wars against Konoha. Who wouldn't covet the Land of Fire's geographical position?
Without dwelling on it further, Takuno led Sara into the streets of Konoha.
Strolling within, wherever the eye could see, shops stood in rows and crowds bustled.
As dusk began to tinge the sky, Takuno and Sara concluded their leisurely afternoon and were strolling along the road leading to the Village center.
Sara, holding her husband's arm, walked with light steps. Suddenly remembering the main purpose of their trip, she turned her head and asked.
"Husband, shouldn't we go and pay a formal visit to the Hokage now?"
Her tone held a note of inquiry. She felt she might have gotten a bit carried away with enjoying herself.
Takuno's gaze swept over the gradually setting sun on the horizon and replied, "Mm, don't worry. The timing is just right. He definitely hasn't gotten off work yet."
His tone was certain, carrying a familiarity with Minato's work habits.
"Is the Hokage's workload really that heavy?" Sara tilted her head slightly, a bit curious.
As the Queen of Rōran, though she also had a multitude of daily affairs, she still found the work intensity of Konoha's highest leader novel.
"Mm, indeed it is." Takuno nodded, then looked at the shifting colors of the sky. "However, it's about time we headed over now."
"Alright." Sara smiled radiantly. "I had a lot of fun today."
"Mm." Takuno acknowledged, and then the two walked side by side towards that Hokage Building, symbolizing the core of Konoha's power.
Before long, they arrived at the Hokage Office.
Pushing open the door, just as Takuno had expected, the Fourth Hokage, Minato, was still seated behind his desk piled high with documents, focused on handling official business.
Hearing the commotion, he looked up. Seeing the visitors, his face immediately lit up with pleasant surprise and a hint of teasing.
"Senpai!" Minato set down his pen, smiling playfully. "I thought since you returned to the Village today, you weren't planning on coming by."
His words revealed the deep bond and familiarity between the two.
"How could that be? Here I am." Takuno replied with an easy smile, leading Sara into the office.
Minato's gaze naturally fell upon Sara beside Takuno, a polite inquiry in his eyes. "And this is...?"
Although reports from the Anbu had already given him a general idea about their relationship.
But seeing it with his own eyes now, his heart was still filled with disbelief and a sense of unreality.
One must know, back when Takuno was still serving in Konoha, as his friend and superior, Minato had worried endlessly about his marital status, 'urging' him to marry countless times, both overtly and covertly.
However, at that time, Takuno had remained utterly impervious and uninterested, as if marriage were completely alien to him.
Eventually, Minato could only give up helplessly, never bringing it up again.
Who could have imagined that merely a year or so after resigning his post and leaving the Village, this former 'immune-to-marriage' senpai had found a life partner so swiftly?
The magnitude of this change truly exceeded Minato's expectations.
Seeing the surprise in the other's eyes, Takuno introduced calmly, "She is Orie, my wife."
Sara took the cue and gave a slight bow to Minato. "Hokage-sama, it's a pleasure to meet you. I look forward to your guidance."
"Wife?!" Minato's azure blue eyes instantly widened, his shock plain to see.
Not only had Takuno found a partner, but their relationship was already so established, already married?!
This information was even more impactful than the Anbu's report of 'intimate companion'.
He was stunned for a good while before recovering from this huge surprise, a wry smile involuntarily appearing on his face.
He shook his head, speaking with a touch of emotion and self-deprecation. "Senpai... if I had known it would be like this, I really should have let you leave the Village earlier. It seems Konoha delayed your lifelong matter."
Hearing this, a gentle smile appeared on Takuno's face. He shook his head slightly and said, "Not at all. Fate is a strange thing. If I had left earlier, at that time, I might not have met Orie."
His words were calm, yet they caused Sara beside him to widen her eyes.
Hearing her husband's words, which were almost like a confession, Sara's heart trembled slightly. She couldn't help but look up at Takuno, her eyes holding a trace of novelty, as if she were truly seeing him for the first time.
Somehow... the way he spoke now felt completely different from his usual self back in Rōran.
So he... could be this eloquent?
This thought flashed through her mind, and she quickly understood the reason.
Probably, in Rōran, in an environment where no identity performance was needed, the silent, introverted Takuno she saw was his truest self.
And in Konoha, he naturally displayed another side that fit his identity here.
However, even understanding this, the corners of Sara's lips couldn't help but curl up into a happy arc.
Even so... I've firmly memorized these words!
It was just a pity that the name in this sentence was her alias.
But it didn't matter. Sara could automatically replace that name with her real one!