Beyond Sin (Naruto)

Looking up, you can see cherry blossoms beginning to bloom here and there, and the sweet and sour scent of rape blossoms wafts from the distant fields.

I wonder how long it's been since I last stepped outside my house's gates.

Fuyou took a deep breath and walked slowly, stepping firmly on the ground. The sky was vast, incomparable to what she could see from the garden at home.

Was the outside world really this vast and beautiful?

"Fufu. Your habit of looking around hasn't changed."

Tsubaki laughed next to Fuyou.

"Because it's really been a long time..."

"Yes... I never thought the butsuma would keep you out for so long. But you're getting older now..."

Tsubaki narrowed her eyes as she looked at Fuyou, who was now taller than her.

Fuyou turned fifteen and decided to go to a girls' school.

The school is a three-year course that provides higher education and bride training for the daughters of wealthy families and merchants, as well as training for female ninjas to serve as spies. With the blessing of the Senju clan, attending this school increases the value of girls, so some girls even travel from far away to study at the school.

"Oh! The hakama looks great on you, Fuyou!"

Hashirama came towards them, waving his hands and shouting loudly. Several passersby turned their heads in response.

Feeling embarrassed, Fuyou quickly hid behind Tsubaki.

"Hey, Hashirama-sama... you're speaking too loudly!"

Tsubaki complained to Hashirama. With a wry smile, Hashirama walked over to Fuyou.

Fuyou is wearing a light green jacket with a collar, dark blue hakama, lace-up leather shoes on her feet that show just a little bit of her calves, and she is carrying a school bag. Her hair is a little darker than when she was a child, and it has grown to her waist, with the ends of her hair loosely curled and tied up on the side with a decorative string.

"If you get embarrassed about something like this, you'll never have any friends!"

"Hashirama-sama, that's not the issue. We don't want Fuyou to stand out. You understand that, right?"

"Hmm. It's true that I can't help but think that Fuyou is going to stand out when she walks around town. She's so beautiful, she'll gain a reputation in no time. Don't worry! I'll be the one to pick her up and drop her off when she's not on a mission, so there's no need to worry!"

Hashirama burst out in loud laughter. Tsubaki looked exasperated, and Fuyou also looked down with a confused look on her face.

"Yeah, I'll carry you to school!"

"Thank you. But I want to walk today."

"Brother, you're so noisy and annoying."

Tobirama walked up behind him with his arms folded.

"Oh! It's Tobirama! W-how annoying... Well then, let's go for a walk together!"

"..."

Tsubaki remarked that it seemed like she was just walking to stand out, so she reluctantly began walking.

Hashirama had invented the Mokuton technique and become a strong ninja who everyone expected to become the next leader of the Senju Clan. Tobirama had also become a powerful ninja on par with Hashirama, and the two of them stood out even when they walked side by side.

"School, huh? We haven't been there so I don't really know what it's like, but it's great that people with the same goals can study together in the same place!"

"The idea of ​​creating a school just for ninjas is not going through the roof. The old folks are as stupid as ever."

Hashirama and Tobirama walked side by side in front, with Tsubaki and Fuyou walking side by side behind them.

"Who's an idiot?"

This time, the Buddhist altar appeared from the front. It was like something out of an RPG.

Tobirama makes a shocked face and turns to the side.

"Father! Are you also going to attend Fuyou's entrance ceremony?"

Tobirama gives me a look that says "That's a lie, right?"

"Because I'm the guardian."

Butsuma answered normally without changing his expression.

"...That's a perfectly reasonable reason."

"Then let's go on foot, the five of us!"

Tsubaki hung her head. The person who had told them not to stand out too much had also shown up, and now the five of them were walking to school together... She worried that this would affect Fuyou's future school life. Fuyou couldn't even imagine something like that, and was overjoyed that the five of them could walk together. Seeing this, Tsubaki thought about what was important for their future, and thought with a wry smile that maybe this was for the best.

◆

"Hey Fuyou, could you please put this back in the library?"

The three students plopped piles of dictionaries and books onto Fuyou's desk.

"Yes, that's fine."

Fuyou smiled at this and stood up to pick up one of the piles of books.

At that moment, a student came over and held down the pile of books.

"Hey! Why does Fuyou have to return the books you guys borrowed? I made you return them yesterday and the day before. You should just return them yourself!"

"Oh, Itsuki-san. Since Fuyou-san is taking care of it, isn't it fine? Right?"

The other two students nodded. Itsuki ignored them and turned to Fuyou.

"Fuyou-chan is still Fuyou-chan! You have to properly refuse anything you don't like, it's no good!"

Fuyou stared blankly at the tree.

...Maybe they're helping me?

"That's fine. Fuyou and I will return this book today. By the way, I'll let the head librarian and the teacher know that you guys are studying hard, borrowing so many books every day and returning them the next day."

Hearing this, the three students looked at each other.

"...I, I get it! I'll return it myself. Let's go!"

The three of them hurriedly grabbed their books and left the classroom, but began talking loudly in the hallway.

"Oh man, this is why I hate kunoichi. They're so vulgar!"

Hearing this, Itsuki burst out laughing. Then, looking at Fuyou, he stuck out his tongue and said:

"Hehe. Sorry. That was vulgar."

"...I don't think Itsuki is vulgar. She's very lovely."

Fuyou returned the smile with a smile, and the two of them laughed together.

"Hey, stop using honorifics. We're classmates, after all."

"Huh? Yes... Ah, uh, okay... Thank you."

From then on, Fuyou and Itsuki began talking every day, and Itsuki became Fuyou's first friend.

Itsuki was the daughter of a prestigious kuno family. She was tall, beautiful with blonde hair and blue eyes, but had a cool, masculine face. During gym class, she was active with the other kuno girls, and was so popular with the girls that she was cheered on by them.

"Hey, Fuyou, why don't we go home together today? Even if it's just part of the way."

"Oh, sorry, well... someone from home will come to pick you up when you get home."

"Of course. I know. So, can I come home with you?"

Everyone at school knew that Fuyou lived in Butsuma's house and was engaged to both Hashirama and Tobirama. Of course, this was because Butsuma, Hashirama and Tobirama all attended the entrance ceremony together and caused a commotion. Itsuki is also a member of the Senju clan, but only a few people knew about Fuyou's existence, so when he first learned about her at the entrance ceremony, he had been curious about her ever since.

...I wonder what kind of girl Lord Hashirama and Lord Tobirama's fiancée is...

"I wonder... Hashirama-sama is supposed to come today, so I think it'll be okay... Sorry, I'm not sure. But... I want to go home with Itsuki too..."

"Right?! Okay! Now let's talk to them directly!!"

Fuyou heads to the school gate with Itsuki, her heart pounding. She's sure Hashirama will forgive her...

"Oh! Fuyou, you've had a hard time! Shall we go home?"

Even though it was a regular occurrence, the students passing through the school gates and the people who came to greet them were all excited when they saw Hashirama. He didn't care about that and just waved his hand in my direction as usual.

"...Hashirama-sama. Um, this is my friend, Senju Itsuki."

"Senju? Oh! A kunoichi! You must be an excellent student to be studying at this school. By the way, you're Fuyou's friend?! I see, I see, that's great! Of course it's great! Come on, let's go home together!"

"It's nice to meet you. I'm Senju Itsuki. You and Fuyou have always been so kind to me. I'm happy to be walking home with you."

Saying this, Itsuki stared intently at Hashirama. Hashirama felt uneasy at the intensity of his gaze, but didn't pay it much attention as the three of them started walking.

Fuyou and Itsuki walk side by side, diagonally behind Hashirama. People passing by greet Hashirama and call out to him. Each time, Hashirama responds cheerfully. Fuyou watches them with a gentle gaze. Itsuki alternates between looking at Fuyou's profile and Hashirama's state.

…The two of them standing side by side somehow seem mismatched…

"Fuyou, I'm so glad you've made such a beautiful friend! I believed that you would be able to make a friend! Alright, now I've won my bet with Tobirama!"

...Huh?! A bet?! What's that about, making a bet with your younger brother that your fiancee will make friends?!

Moreover, to say that in front of Fuyou herself and me, how insensitive can you be?

Itsuki quickened her steps and stepped in front of Hashirama.

"Thank you for the kind words, Hashirama-sama. Fuyou-san is very popular at school. She's kind and beautiful, and even if some kids want to be her friend, they can't get close to her because they feel like 'no one will pay any attention to me'. It would be strange if she couldn't make friends! I'm proud to be your friend."

The intense gaze I felt earlier had become even stronger. I could see the flames of anger in the depths of his eyes.

"Oh, really! That's not what I meant..."

…If that's not what it meant, then what did it mean?

No matter how strong he is, such an insensitive, foolish man who doesn't understand Fuyou's value even though they're together every day, I can't accept him as Fuyou's fiance!!

Itsuki sent an even more intense look at Hashirama.

"I-Thank you Itsuki...and please stop gambling too Hashirama-sama."

Fuyou gets in between Itsuki and Hashirama to protect him. However, Itsuki is tall, and the even taller Hashirama makes eye contact with Itsuki over Fuyou's head.

"...Well, anyway, I'm so glad that Fuyou has made such a kind friend!"

Hashirama laughed, "Hahahaha," and looked Itsuki in the eyes again.

...This girl is jealous of me. Sorry, but I can't give you the Hibiscus...

Muttering this to himself, he gave Itsuki a grin.

Itsuki immediately understood what that fearless smile was trying to convey.

"S-sorry... I got a bit carried away."

…Let's wait and see for today...Hashirama. I'll stand back for Fuyou's sake...

"No, no, I'm really happy that my fiancee has a good friend! Thank you."

With that said, Hashirama passed by Itsuki and started walking again. Itsuki glared at his back with all his might.

"Itsuki...thank you. I was so happy."

Fuyou, unaware of Itsuki's condition, smiled and shook his hand. Itsuki looked at his hand and swore that he would never lose to Hashirama. Fuyou then held hands with Itsuki and started walking behind Hashirama.

"Oh man, Tobirama. A rival has appeared!"

"What? A rival to my brother? Other than Madara? Who could it be?"

"For us."

Saying this, Hashirama patted Tobirama on the shoulder as he was tending to his ninja tools. Judging from the look of delight on his face, he didn't appear to be an enemy.

...Then...Ah, I see...

"...Not us, right?"

Hashirama looked up at Tobirama as he stood up and said this.

"Hey, don't you like Fuyou?"

"I don't like it... I've been saying that for a long time. I'm not interested in things bought with money."

"You're talking like that again... why can't you be nicer to Fuyou?"

"Hmph. It was pretty much decided that you would marry my brother from the moment you came home."

"That's not true. The choice is yours."

"...Shut up. I don't like Fuyou at all."

"I see. Then it'll be a one-on-one battle between me and my rival!"

Hashirama had realized for a long time that Tobirama was actually in love with Fuyou.

She was also worried about Tobirama's inability to be honest about his feelings for a long time. Although he loved Fuyou, he wanted to have a fair and honest battle in love with his younger brother.

Tobirama silently began storing his ninja tools away in the shelves. Hashirama spoke to his back.

"I'm twenty and you're nineteen... you're already a grown man. But once you become an adult, it's hard to be honest. Make sure you don't regret it."

"...."

"Oh, that's right. Fuyou has made a new friend! I won the bet! Today, Fuyou and her friend came halfway home together. She's a good girl. You should come home with her on the day you come to pick her up."

"···ah."

Hashirama hoped that Tobirama would be inspired by Itsuki and become a little more obedient.

"Hey. Is Hashirama coming to pick you up today too?"

"No. It's Tobirama-sama today..."

"That's right! Can I come home with you today?"

"Eh? Tobirama-sama?! Uh, yeah... I'll ask..."

Since Itsuki went home with Hashirama the other day, they have been going home together several times since then when Hashirama has to be picked up. Generally, most of the time their conversations are enjoyable, but sometimes Itsuki will act excessively antagonistic or rebellious towards Hashirama, which makes Fuyou feel cold towards him.

What would happen to Itsuki if he treated Tobirama like that?

Fuyou tried to say that it was impossible for them to go home together after all, but she couldn't find a reason.

Tobirama is a scary person, so it's impossible... I couldn't say that. Before I knew it, the three of us were standing together in front of the school gates.

"Um, um... Tobirama-sama. This is my friend's..."

"I know. It's Senjuki. Let's go home."

""picture?""

Fuyou and Itsuki looked at each other in shock and hurried off after Tobirama, who had started off ahead of them.

"Um, nice to meet you. I'm honored that you know me."

"There aren't many kunoichi from the Senju clan. It seems you have quite the talent."

"No. Not at all... I still have a long way to go."

"Itsuki, you're really an amazing ninja! So cool."

Tobirama was surprised to hear Fuyou happily talk about the use of leaves in relation to the tree words.

...This is the first time I've heard Fuyou speak informally to someone other than Tsubaki...

"Oh, thanks. But really, I'm still not that great. I'm nowhere near as good as Tobirama-sama."

"It would be troubling if they were to reach us so easily."

Hearing that, Fuyou and Itsuki looked at each other and laughed happily, "Hehehe" and "Ahahaha."

...I didn't mean it to be funny...

"Um, Tobirama-sama. Itsuki is an excellent student at school. Her grades are excellent in both studies and sports, and she's very popular with everyone."

"I see. But don't rest on your laurels. Keep working hard."

"yes."

…He's just as cool as the rumors say. But he knows me, and we can joke around, so he might be better than Hashirama. But his looks are a bit too wild.

Her appearance doesn't match up with Fuyou's at all. It's like a combination of a delinquent and a rich girl!

"Fuyou-san is incredible as well. She's skilled in both the arts and martial arts. She's especially skilled in swordsmanship...I'm sure she could easily defeat any ordinary ninja."

"Fuyou has been learning swordsmanship from Butsuma since she was seven years old, so that's only natural."

…That's a rather bland response…

"And most importantly, she's the most beautiful girl in the school! I'm so jealous that Tobirama-sama has someone like her as his fiance!"

"Fuyou, by the way, have you ever seriously studied swordsmanship?"

…Hmm, ignoring me?! Maybe he's embarrassed…

Thinking this, I tried to get a glimpse of Tobirama, who was walking a little ahead of me, but I couldn't even make out his expression.

"No. The butsuma-sama told me that I don't need to practice seriously."

"Of course. It's too dangerous for you to use a serious sword, especially since you're not even a ninja."

"Tobirama-sama, you are concerned about Fuyou-san. How kind of you!"

"Even you would stop a non-ninja woman from seriously engaging in swordsmanship. Especially if she was a friend."

"Ah, yes... that's right, isn't it..."

As they were having this conversation, Itsuki arrived at the place where he and Fuyou were to part ways.

…I wonder what Tobirama-sama thinks about Fuyou? …

After parting ways with Itsuki, Fuyou and Tobirama started walking together.

I always feel nervous when I'm with Tobirama. I know that I'm shunned, but I want to be friends with Tobirama if possible. I need to talk about something... something... something...

"Um, well, if that's not possible, that's fine, but could you give me some sword training when we get back?"

Tobirama stopped in his tracks and looked at Fuyou, who had suddenly said something he had never expected.

Fuyou looked at me with a slightly troubled smile, as usual.

"Are you sure it's me? Maybe I should ask my brother to do it."

"I'd like to ask you a favor, Tobirama-sama. Is that okay?"

"I would like to ask Tobirama-sama..." Tobirama was very happy to hear those words, and, trying not to show the corners of his mouth turning up, he bowed his head and started walking ahead.

"I won't go easy on you."

"yes!"

When they got home, they changed into their robes, grabbed their wooden swords, and went out to the garden. A slight breeze started to pick up.

"please."

"come."

With a serious expression, Fuyou looks at the tip of her sword, the tip of Tobirama's sword, and then Tobirama's face.

...This guy, he even makes a face like this...

The face of Fuyou in front of me suddenly reminds me of her when she was a young girl and had just come to our house. She has become so much more beautiful since she first came to us.

Fuyou swung her wooden sword down without making a single sound.

Clang! Clang! Screech...

The exchange of blows begins, and the sound of dry wood rings out.

The moment Fuyou turned around, her long flaxen hair, tied back, swayed with the wind. Her white nape was visible. His gaze was drawn to it. Tobirama shouted at Fuyou, trying to hide that.

"If you just keep running away like that, you won't get any practice, and you'll never be able to beat me."

"...."

The moment Tobirama was about to swing his wooden sword down over Fuyou's head, Fuyou quickly lowered her hips and thrust the sword towards Tobirama's stomach.

Just as the tip of the sword was about to graze Tobirama's robes, Tobirama's wooden sword caught up with Fuyou's.

Crrrrr! ...Thud!

Tobirama knocked Fuyou away along with her wooden sword, sending her flying a considerable distance and falling to the ground.

Hah... hah... haa... haa...

Tobirama's breathing was getting heavy, and not because he had been moving.

...I love hibiscus.

Together with Fuyou, Tobirama had forced open the lid on his heart that had been so firmly closed up until then. Not knowing what to do with the feelings that he could no longer hide, he was extremely confused.

"...."

Fuyou remains quiet and motionless.

Tobirama came to his senses and immediately ran over to Fuyou and picked her up.

"Are you okay?!...Hey!"

Fuyou's eyes are slightly open but she doesn't reply.

"Hey… hey… pull yourself together!!"

Tobirama was more shaken than ever, and everything in front of his eyes began to blur.

"...Uh, Tobirama-sama.... It's okay.... I'm sorry."

Fuyou's eyes gradually widened and she blinked.

Seeing this, Tobirama instinctively hugged Fuyou.

"Y-Tobirama-sama...?"

"I, I got too serious. Sorry. You're strong."

"But you promised me you wouldn't go easy on me, right?"

Tobirama loosened his arms around Fuyou and looked at her face again.

"You're hurt! You're not hurt!"

Fuyou was surprised to see Tobirama looking so upset for the first time, but quickly replied that he wasn't injured and gave him a smile.

Plop...

Something warm fell on Fuyou's cheek.

It was Tobirama's tears.

"...Tobirama-sama, I'm really fine...Thank you so much for worrying about me..."

Saying this, he gently wiped away the tears from Tobirama's eyes with his fingers.

At that moment, Tobirama realized he was crying, and hastily wiped his face with his sleeve.

"I just got some dust in my eye."

"Fufu. I see... that's good."

"not good."

"Oh, sorry... that's not good. I'll give you some eye drops now..."

"It's okay! Don't move!"

The cool evening breeze gently rustled the buds on the hibiscus trees in the garden.

◆

The hibiscus trees have bloomed beautifully again this year. The large, double white petals turn pale pink towards the center, making a stunning addition to the summer garden.

The tree had grown taller, reaching over two metres.

The other day, Fuyou celebrated her 16th birthday.

The hibiscus is reaching out with scissors, desperately trying to pluck a flower that is still in bud and hanging in a place on the tree that seems within reach but is just out of reach.

Jump!

It was Hashirama who easily lifted Fuyou from behind.

"Here we go. This will get it."

As she was being lifted up, Fuyou looked back at Hashirama with a shy look on her face.

"Oh, thank you... that's helpful."

Hashirama quickly cut off one of the branches with buds. After inspecting it, he slowly lowered it to the ground.

"Thank you so much...it was heavy."

Fuyou faced Hashirama and looked up at him shyly, eyes cast upwards.

"I was actually surprised at how light it was! ...Huh? Why did you want a branch with buds? There are so many blooming ones already."

"Once these flowers bloom, they wilt within a day or two. So I thought it would be better to display them in bud."

Saying this, Fuyou lovingly stroked the bud.

Fuyou's eyes, which are often downcast, look even longer with her long eyelashes, and they shine with a lustrous shine. Her lightly dressed skin, which reveals her collarbone, is illuminated by the summer morning light, highlighting her pale complexion. Her lips are red, as if they have been tinted with rouge, and convey a soft appearance.

"But actually, I haven't decided where to put it yet. Maybe a pillar..."

The moment she looked up at Hashirama as she spoke, his face came close to hers. Fuyou froze involuntarily.

"...Fuyou. I love you."

Then I kissed her.

Fuyou was so sudden and didn't know what to do, so she looked at the scenery behind Hashirama.

Then I remembered that I had to close my eyes, so I closed them tightly.

Tobirama couldn't believe his eyes.

The sight of Hashirama and Fuyou.

In the same place where Hashirama and Fuyou had once held hands so long ago, they were now kissing.

At the same time as feeling a tightness in my chest, my mind remained very calm.

I can't forgive it.

Hibiscus.

If only you hadn't come to this house, I wouldn't have had to go through all this pain.

Tobirama turned away and left the place so as not to be noticed by the two.

◆

A year has passed since Fuyou entered the girls' school. It feels like a short time, but it also feels like she has been here for years.

"What's wrong? You've been looking a bit depressed lately."

During lunch break, Itsuki peeked into Fuyou's face as she sat at her desk in the classroom gazing blankly outside.

"You know... recently... I can't remember my mother's face anymore..."

Tears welled up in Fuyou's eyes. Itsuki hastily took out a handkerchief and gently wiped away Fuyou's tears.

"I see...that's sad. Does Butsuma-sama not know about Fuyou's mother?"

"Won't you tell me? Before I was taken in at the age of seven, I was living with my aunt, but now I can't even remember where I was, or what my aunt looked like. I tried to remember every day so I wouldn't forget, but…"

When Itsuki thought about Fuyou's situation, he realized that it couldn't be helped.

It is not surprising that young children would forget distant memories in such busy days when they were forced to work as maids and also study and train.

"But you haven't forgotten everything, have you? Can't you remember something? Anything is fine."

"I'm pretty sure my aunt has the same surname as me, Tachibana... she's my father's older sister. But that's just my imagination. Also, I walked from my aunt's place to my house, but now that I think about it, it doesn't seem like it was that far."

"Do you remember what the house was like?"

"I don't remember what it looked like from the outside, but I have a feeling it was a house with a lot of rooms..."

"If it has a lot of rooms, it must be a pretty big house. And there aren't that many people with the surname Tachibana living in a big house in this Senju territory, so if we look, we might find one!"

"But I'm not allowed to go anywhere outside the house without permission... and I can't meet my aunt without telling the butsuma... I can't do that."

"So, Fuyou, is it okay for you to just forget about your mother?"

"it is····"

I could barely remember my mother's face or voice anymore, but I didn't want to just forget her like that.

However, since he was adopted by Senju, he feels guilty about delving into his past without permission.

"Don't worry! I'll help you! Let's look for your aunt's house first. Then we can decide whether to go or not."

After that, Itsuki searched for a large house with the surname Tachibana in the village on behalf of Fuyou. For Itsuki, who was a ninja, gathering information like that was easy.

They found several houses that looked like it. They were all families engaged in commerce and trade. One of them, located at the very edge of the village, had a woman of about the right age who looked like she belonged to the family, and it was certainly within walking distance of where Fuyou lived now.

The next day, Itsuki reported this to Fuyou.

"Fuyou! I found a house that looks like it!"

"R-Really?"

"It seems that the family has been doing business and trade with other countries for a long time, and I heard that a little girl was often seen in the house about ten years ago. I think that was probably Fuyou."

Fuyou gradually began to remember what her aunt's house was like. It was certainly a house with many different people constantly coming and going, and she remembers often being made to serve tea...

"Thank you, Itsuki. But I can't just go away without saying anything. I'll have to talk to the butsuma honestly, and if I get permission, then I'll go."

"B-But... I don't think Butsuma-sama will forgive us. You've never tried to tell us anything about Fuyou's mother or father up until now, have you?... But that's fine! Let's just go together in silence. That would be better."

"B-But!"

"If Butsuma-sama gets really angry with Fuyo and kicks her out of the house, then I'll take care of her for the rest of my life! I think Fuyo will be happier living with me than as the bride of that family... No. I will definitely make her happy!"

Fuyou doesn't realize that Itsuki's serious gaze is filled with feelings that go beyond friendship.

...Itsuki-chan has been thinking about me seriously and has said all this to me. I need to be brave too...

"Itsuki... thank you. I'm glad that you think of me that much. Even if I get scolded or kicked out, I still don't want to let go of my past."

There was a strong will in Fuyou's eyes.

To be honest, if I were to be kicked out of the house, it would be painful and troublesome. But I had been silently following what the adults told me to do, and I no longer wanted to continue living my life in that way.

Over the past year, Fuyou has spent time with Itsuki and other friends, been exposed to many different values, and has changed.

Although the students, like him, do not have freedom, each and every one of them has their own dreams and beliefs. Above all, his best friend Itsuki's strong beliefs and strong will in life made him want to live like him.

The next day. This time it was Hashirama who picked me up.

The two of them figured that with the kind-hearted Hashirama, there was a chance they could get away with a lie, even for a short time.

During the last class of the day, Fuyou complained that she had a stomach ache and wanted to go to the nurse's office. Itsuki accompanied her and pretended to go out of the classroom to the nurse's office. They took off their uniforms in the shade behind the school building and changed into casual clothes that were easy to move in and didn't draw attention. Itsuki put Fuyou on his back and used his chakra to run.

About 40 minutes after leaving the classroom and getting changed, we arrived in front of the mansion.

"It's here..."

"...Ah, this place...I feel familiar with it!"

As the two of them looked up at the mansion for a while, a flashy-dressed woman who looked a little older than Butsuma came out. Fuyou remembered. It was her aunt.

"Excuse me... Hello... I'm... Tachibana Fuyou. Do you remember me?"

The woman's eyes widened in shock and she looked Fuyou up and down.

"You... are you Fuyou?... Why are you here? You and I are complete strangers now. Don't come here again! Go home now!"

Fuyou almost flinched at the woman's anger, but managed to continue speaking.

"I'm sorry! Can you tell me about my mother and father? That's all I need to know and then I'll go home. I'll never come back. Please!"

"I made a contract with Butsuma-sama that I would never see you again and that I would never tell you anything!"

Itsuki takes a step forward and says to the woman.

"I understand your situation, but doesn't this child have a right to know?"

The woman's angry expression softened for a moment and she looked at Fuyou.

"…You guys, stop it already!"

Fuyou and Itsuki turned around in surprise at the voice.

There, Tobirama was standing with his legs apart, glaring in my direction.

Itsuki could see that Tobirama's chakra was raging with rage, and he nearly stopped breathing with fear.

"Oh. Tobirama-sama... please take these girls home quickly."

Saying this, the woman quickly walked away.

"Fuyou, do you know what you're doing?"

"...."

"Tobirama-sama! It's my fault. I found Fuyou-san's aunt's house on my own and brought her here. Fuyou-san has done nothing wrong!"

Itsuki stepped in front of Fuyou and opened her arms protectively.

"It's true that Fuyou couldn't have done this alone, so you're probably an accomplice. But since you followed us, you're responsible. Come!"

In an instant, Tobirama was standing in front of Fuyou, and the moment he picked her up, the two of them disappeared from the spot.

"Fu-Fuyou... I'm sorry... it was my fault..."

Itsuki deeply regretted his rash actions and crouched on the ground, crying.

It must be ninjutsu. When I came to, I found myself standing in front of the entrance to my house.

Tobirama crouched down while still holding Fuyou, and then deliberately put her down roughly on the ground.

With a little shriek, Hibiscus falls off her butt.

"You have left me deeply disillusioned... Are you going to betray the Senju clan?"

"I... I can't believe you betrayed me... I just wanted to ask my aunt about my mother and father..."

"Breaking the rules of this house is the same as betraying our clan."

The front door opened and the Buddhist altar came out from inside.

"I received a call from the school saying you had disappeared. You had taken off your precious uniform...where had you gone?"

Butsuma hands Fuyou the uniform and asks quietly but angrily, looking her in the eye.

"...at my aunt's house..."

"I told you to forget about what happened before you came here!"

Butsuma grabbed Fuyou by her jacket and forced her to stand.

"I can't forget. I want to know my mother, I want to know my father."

Fuyou spoke fearlessly and bravely, looking straight into the eyes of Butsumata.

"There's no need to know."

"Yes, I do. Knowing my origins and my parents helps me understand who I am and how I want to live my life."

Butsuma grabbed Fuyou by the collar of her jacket even tighter and glared at her. Her jacket flew out of her trousers, and her underwear was rolled up, exposing her white belly.

Even so, Fuyou glared back at the Buddhist altar without flinching.

"...Father, calm down. You're going too far."

Tobirama, who had been just as angry until a moment ago, could no longer bear to watch and stepped in to stop them.

Butsuma violently let go of Fuyou's collar. Her jacket was completely open, the buttons came off, and it tumbled to the ground. Her chest was wide open, exposing her underwear, and her skin was slightly red.

Fuyou pushed her messy hair back, breathed heavily, and continued glaring at the Buddhist altar with an angry expression.

...I've never seen a hibiscus like this before...

Butsuma and Tobirama didn't show it on their faces, but deep down they were very surprised.

"I'll think about your punishment. Until then, stay in your room."

Afterwards, Fuyou was ordered to take a week off from school.

Of course, he was also forbidden from going outside. However, Itsuki was not punished.

"If only I had stayed home then, this wouldn't have happened."

That day, Hashirama had gone out on urgent business and had taken Tobirama's place in picking up Fuyou.

I looked towards Fuyou's room, but I couldn't hear a single sound coming from there.

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