338. The Arrival of Ōtsutsuki Urashiki

8:30 AM.

Konoha Ninja Academy.

By the time Hanekawa arrived, the place was already packed with people, bustling like a popular tourist attraction.

Today was the enrollment day for the Ninja Academy.

Hanekawa rarely made appearances like this, but his three students were starting school.

Three years had passed since his coronation as emperor, and his students had all turned six—the age for enrollment.

"Teacher! Over here!"

An eager, excited voice called out.

Hanekawa turned to see a blond boy waving enthusiastically at him.

It was Uzumaki Naruto—or rather, Namikaze Naruto.

Standing beside him were his parents, Uzumaki Kushina and Namikaze Minato.

Naruto’s personality was much like in the original story—outgoing and lively.

After all, even as an orphan, he had been this spirited. Now that his parents were alive, he was even more so.

"Naruto."

Hanekawa walked over and smiled. "Ready for school?"

"Yep!"

Naruto thumped his chest proudly. "I’ll definitely be the top of the class, just like you!"

"First place is mine."

A cool, aloof voice cut in.

Hanekawa turned to see a black-haired boy with his hands in his pockets.

"Sasuke!"

Naruto immediately shot back, "I’m gonna be first!"

"Naruto."

Hanekawa raised a hand to stop their childish bickering.

He looked at Uchiha Sasuke and asked, "Are you here alone?"

"I don’t need my parents to come with me."

Though his eyes dimmed slightly, Sasuke kept his expression neutral.

Hanekawa understood immediately.

This was a difference in parenting styles.

Uchiha Fugaku was notoriously strict with his children.

In the original story, young Sasuke’s greatest wish was to hear a single word of praise from his father.

Unfortunately, while he was talented, his older brother, Uchiha Itachi, was a prodigy beyond compare.

This made it nearly impossible for Sasuke to earn Fugaku’s approval.

Hyūga Hinata was in a similar situation.

She had studied hard all her life, desperate for Hyūga Hiashi’s recognition.

But compared to Hyūga Neji, she seemed mediocre, leading to the birth of Hyūga Hanabi.

According to Hyūga tradition, one of the two sisters would be branded with the Caged Bird Seal.

The moment Hiashi chose to have Hanabi, it meant he had already given up on Hinata.

Of course, with Hanekawa’s intervention, things had changed drastically.

The Caged Bird Seal had been abolished, and the distinction between the main and branch families no longer existed.

Hanabi had still been born three years ago, just like in the original story—but without the same pressure.

"You and Naruto are in the same class," Hanekawa suggested. "You can go register together."

Sasuke instinctively glanced at Naruto.

The two locked eyes for a moment before turning away in unison.

"I don’t need to," Sasuke scoffed.

"Now, now, no need to be shy. Come with me."

Kushina stepped forward and grabbed Sasuke’s hand.

She was close friends with Uchiha Mikoto, so she had a soft spot for Mikoto's son.

"I—"

Sasuke tried to pull away but failed.

"Go ahead to your classroom," Hanekawa said with a smile. "We’ll meet again at the assembly."

As the Hokage, he was scheduled to give a speech during the opening ceremony—held on the school grounds.

"See you later!"

Kushina held Naruto with one hand and Sasuke with the other, leading them toward Class 1-A.

Minato nodded at Hanekawa before following them.

As Hanekawa turned away, he noticed four people approaching.

At the front was Nara Shikaku.

Behind him were three children—two boys and a girl.

A spiky-haired boy with a bored expression—Nara Shikamaru, Shikaku’s son.

Another boy, stockier than Shikamaru, munching on potato chips—Akimichi Chōji, son of Akimichi Chōza.

And a blonde girl—Yamanaka Ino, daughter of Yamanaka Inoichi.

This year’s Ninja Academy class was undoubtedly the most stacked in history.

Nine of the Konoha 12 were in the same year.

Among them were powerhouses like Naruto and Sasuke—the protagonists of the original story.

"Greet him properly," Shikaku urged.

"Your Majesty," Shikamaru, Chōji, and Ino said in unison.

"You all look lively," Hanekawa remarked with a smile. "This generation of Ino-Shika-Chō won’t be worse than yours."

Shikaku scratched his head awkwardly.

His son, Shikamaru, was anything but lively.

"Go ahead and register," Hanekawa said, waving them off.

He spotted Hyūga Hiashi and Hinata nearby.

Once Shikaku and the others left, they approached.

"Teacher," Hinata said softly, barely containing her excitement.

"Hiashi," Hanekawa said casually. "I’ll take Hinata to her class."

"Thank you, Your Majesty," Hiashi replied, pleased.

This showed how much Hanekawa valued Hinata—unlike Naruto or Shikamaru, who hadn’t received the same treatment.

"Hinata."

Hanekawa held out his hand.

Hinata’s face turned pink as she took it.

"Listen to your teachers and study hard," Hanekawa said as they walked. "Knowledge will only help you."

"I understand, Teacher," she whispered.

"If you don’t understand something, come to the Hokage’s office after school."

"Mm."

She nodded.

"That’s all."

Hanekawa stopped at the classroom door. "Anything you want to say?"

"Eh? I… I…"

Under his gaze, Hinata’s face burned even redder.

"You’re so fun to tease," Hanekawa chuckled. "Don’t faint now. Go on in."

Hinata hurried into the classroom, flustered.

Hanekawa turned and headed toward the assembly grounds.

The ceremony was set for 9:00 AM, and the field was still empty.

But a familiar figure stood on the stage—Samui, dressed in her secretary uniform.

"Hanekawa."

Noticing him, she quickly descended the steps.

"Morning, Head Secretary."

Hanekawa patted her rounded backside twice as he reached her.

"Your speech."

Samui remained composed as she handed him the papers.

"Thanks."

Hanekawa skimmed the contents—written by Samui, focusing on diligence and the Will of Fire.

"You’ve become more of a Konoha ninja than I am."

"I am a Konoha ninja," Samui stated firmly.

Hanekawa paused.

After three years of unification, the villages had fully merged.

Most people, living comfortably, had long forgotten their old allegiances.

Loyalty was rare.

Of course, Samui still remembered Kumogakure—but she had fully embraced her new identity.

"You’re right."

Hanekawa closed the speech notes. "I’ll reward you after the ceremony."

Samui’s breath hitched, warmth pooling in her stomach.

Suppressing her emotions, she replied coolly, "Understood."

Hanekawa glanced around—no one was nearby.

Students and parents were still busy with registration.

He handed the speech back to Samui, pulled her into his arms, and buried his face in her chest.

His hands roamed her plump thighs and backside.

"Just resting for a bit."

His voice was muffled against her skin.

"Mm."

Samui’s cheeks flushed, but she nodded.


---

30 Minutes Later – 9:00 AM

Students filed into the assembly grounds under their teachers’ guidance.

Hanekawa stood on stage, watching them line up.

Beside him, Samui stood poised, her earlier flustered state completely hidden.

"All hail His Majesty!"

The students and teachers shouted in unison.

The children, especially, gazed at Hanekawa with awe.

These days, the dream of becoming Hokage had been replaced with becoming Emperor.

Hanekawa found it amusing—almost like they were plotting treason.

But he wasn’t worried.

His strength was absolute.

As long as he refused to step down, no one could replace him.

As for when he’d step down?

He wasn’t sure.

Before, he’d wanted to retire because of the workload.

But now, with most duties delegated, his only real task was inspections.

Life was easy.

Hanekawa snapped out of his thoughts and began his speech.

Thanks to his reputation, the crowd erupted in applause multiple times.

After finishing, he exchanged a few more words before leaving with Samui.

Originally, he had planned to personally train his three students from age six.

But in this peaceful era, there was no rush.

Right now, knowledge was more important than strength.

With war gone, combat opportunities were rare.

When they grew up, they’d likely take on administrative roles—making education vital.

He could always train them after graduation.


---

Hokage’s Office

Hanekawa slumped onto the sofa and beckoned Samui over.

She settled onto his lap.

His hands circled her slender waist.

Samui’s eyes glazed over, a sultry aura radiating from her.

"Sitting really is the best."

Hanekawa leaned back against the couch with a sigh.

Samui said nothing, biting her lip as she began her secretarial duties.

Hanekawa yawned, admiring her flawless figure—her creamy skin trembling with every movement.

After a while, he closed his eyes.


---

30 Minutes Later

His break ended.

Samui knelt on the floor, her black-stockinged legs bent, head resting on his thigh.

Hanekawa stroked her hair.

A few minutes later, she stood and redressed.

Just as Hanekawa was about to praise her for cleaning up so well—

His expression suddenly changed.

In the next instant, Ōtsutsuki Kaguya appeared before him.

"I sense a familiar, powerful presence."

"A fellow Ōtsutsuki," Hanekawa confirmed.

His S-Rank Trait: Ruler of the Ninja World allowed him to perceive even the slightest disturbance in the world.

Just now, he’d detected a violent spatial fluctuation—followed by the arrival of an Ōtsutsuki.

Most likely, Ōtsutsuki Urashiki.

Hanekawa hadn’t expected him to actually time-travel to this era.

But something was off.

"I’ll take us there."

Hanekawa changed clothes, grabbed Kaguya, and used Flying Thunder God.

They appeared in a remote valley.

A short distance away stood Ōtsutsuki Urashiki.

With the classic Ōtsutsuki white eyes and pale hair, he held a red fishing rod.

In the original story, he could switch between Byakugan, blue Rinnegan, and red six-tomoe Rinnegan, each granting different abilities.

The fishing rod was a unique tool that could steal chakra—though sealing techniques countered it.

Hanekawa’s brow furrowed.

Urashiki was severely injured, covered in blood.

Stranger still, his wounds looked familiar—as if inflicted by Hanekawa and Kaguya themselves.

He scanned the area but found no one else.

In the original timeline, Urashiki had traveled with young Sasuke and Boruto.

So why was he alone now?

Hanekawa’s mind raced.

Under normal circumstances, with him and Kaguya in the future, Urashiki shouldn’t have been able to time-travel—especially since Hanekawa had already taken "Karasuki" (the time-travel device).

Unless…

They had let him travel back.

The reason?

To help the present Hanekawa grow stronger by harvesting the Divine Tree’s fruit—and to create a time loop.

Urashiki noticed them and raged.

Hanekawa’s eyes narrowed.

He recognized them.

If Urashiki were from a parallel world, he wouldn’t know them.

Meaning—

He truly had come from the future.

Hanekawa’s theory seemed correct.

"No… wait. Your chakra is weaker."

Urashiki muttered, confused. "Was that light that hit me… from Karasuki?"

Originally, he, Ōtsutsuki Momoshiki, and Ōtsutsuki Kinshiki had been sent to capture Kaguya.

But her power had skyrocketed beyond imagination.

Not only that, she had an ally—just as strong as them.

During their battle, Hanekawa had fired a golden light at him.

When he woke up, he was in this unfamiliar valley.

"Kaguya, now."

Hanekawa didn’t hesitate.

If Urashiki was already injured, there was no reason to hold back.