Chapter 127

"Why are you smiling so stupidly?"

Tatsuya carelessly picked up a large plate filled with lobster, steak, and other high-end ingredients at the wedding banquet. He couldn't help but notice Rin, clutching a bouquet like a baby and occasionally giggling when she thought no one was looking at her. Seeing her, he couldn't resist commenting.

"What's got you so giggly, Rin?" he teased.

Rin's little nose wrinkled in irritation, and she turned her head away with a huff. Tatsuya, puzzled by her reaction, looked around for an explanation.

"That's the wedding bouquet," Sakumo gently reminded him from the side.

"Oh, right," Tatsuya muttered, "But I think Terumi Mei is enjoying the wedding the most."

Lost in thought, Tatsuya glanced over and saw Terumi Mei quietly enjoying a chicken leg. She was so engrossed in her food that she didn't notice anyone watching her. Tatsuya wondered if he should remind her not to eat too much, but then reconsidered. She was still growing, after all. Missing out on proper nutrition could have lasting effects, and he didn't want her to regret it later.

Meanwhile, Rin, sensing where Tatsuya's gaze had wandered, glanced back at him. When she saw he was looking at Terumi Mei, she turned her face away angrily, feeling a pang of jealousy.

"Tsk, seems it is inevitable," she muttered under her breath.

"Sister, what did you just say?" Nawaki blinked, looking puzzled.

"It's nothing. You should hurry up and start a family too! It would put my mind at ease," Tsunade replied, giving Nawaki a playful thump.

Nawaki rubbed the spot where she had hit him, feeling a bit aggrieved. 

"Aren't you ten years older than me? Why don't you get married?" he thought but kept the words to himself. 

Then he considered it further: if his elder sister had a child, he or she likely wouldn't carry the "Senju" name. In the end, the responsibility of continuing the family line would still rest on his shoulders.

...

In the 46th year of Konoha, significant events transpired. 

Namikaze Minato and Uzumaki Kushina were married, marking a joyous occasion amid the ongoing turmoil. The prolonged battle between Sand Shinobi and Rock Shinobi finally came to an end.

Due to Rock Shinobi holding a clear advantage in number, Fourth Kazekage Rasa had to deploy Jinchūriki to the front lines. However, after Banpaku's death, the new Jinchūriki proved unstable. Several new One-Tail Jinchūriki didn't even make it to the battlefield, dying due to Shukaku's rampages.

On the other hand, Complicating matters further, Rock Shinobi's Four-Tails Jinchūriki had a dispute with Onoki and left the village. Seizing the moment, Rasa found an opening and managed to repel Rock Shinobi's forces. 

Facing mounting pressure, Onoki ultimately decided to withdraw his troops. He realized that they had taken almost everything they could from the poor Land of Wind. Continuing the conflict would only invite other nations to exploit the situation.

As Rock Shinobi's forces gradually retreated from the Land of Wind, it signaled the end of the Third Ninja World War.

..

As Nara Shikaku had predicted at the start of the Third Ninja War, Tsunade's leadership style was far more straightforward and effective than the Elder Council led by Sarutobi Hiruzen. With her formidable abilities as a foundation, Tsunade's orders were clear and direct. Unlike Sarutobi Hiruzen, who often conveyed mixed messages and hidden agendas.

Tsunade's approach was straightforward: if she was dissatisfied with someone, she would issue a direct warning. Anyone who tried to outsmart her would quickly find themselves in an unfortunate situation. People had forgotten that Konoha was, at its core, a militaristic village. This simplicity and bluntness made it easier for her subordinates to act without fear of being undermined from above.

This level of straightforwardness was unheard of in the political circles of Konoha since the times of Senju Hashirama, but in the end, power dictates everything, and Tsunade wielded it effectively.

By the end of Konoha's 47th year, several noteworthy events occurred. One of the most interesting was the official opening of Ichiraku Ramen, which would go on to become the world's most famous gourmet ramen restaurant. Tatsuya, intrigued by the legendary NPC who ran the stall, visited out of curiosity, wondering if the chef could unlock the Six Paths mode.

Additionally, as time passed, Rin, Kurenai, and Terumi Mei, who were all in their developmental stages, showed remarkable growth. Their temperaments and strength continued to evolve, with noticeable changes every few months.

In the backyard of Tatsuya's house, Sakumo took a staggered step and fell to one knee. His forehead protector, its scarf collar split into two pieces, dropped to the ground. His iconic weapon, the short blade named "White Fang," was embedded in the earth beside him.

"It's so boring; let's stop sparing," Tatsuya said, curling his lip as he sheathed Ryūjin Jakka, his Zanpakutō, whose shikai hadn't even been released. 

This little spare had been a favorite of theirs since childhood. Instead of using chakra, they would only use sword skills to fight. The objective was simple: whoever could disarm the opponent first, wins.

On the floor of the corridor, the wall-gen trio knelt side by side, their faces showing stunned expressions.

"Amazing, Master Tatsuya..." Terumi Mei murmured, her eyes wide with admiration.

"He disarmed the White Fang so quickly," Rin added, her voice filled with awe.

"I couldn't even see it clearly; it was too fast," Kurenai admitted, shaking her head in disbelief.

Sakumo gave a wry smile, picked up his saber, and turned to Tatsuya. "Is it boring now? It seems that you have become stronger again."

Now, having reached the pinnacle of Kage-level, Sakumo knew that as a shinobi without a bloodline limit, this level of strength was already his limit.

But Tatsuya's comment that it was "boring" made Sakumo sigh. 'Where is my brother's limit?' he wondered.

"Tatsuya-sama, there's good news! Mikoto-san is pregnant," Shisui, wearing an Anbu mask, suddenly announced as he walked through the backyard gate.

Tatsuya, who was standing with three girls drinking tea nearby, looked over. The girls, frequently catching whiffs of Tatsuya's faint fragrance, were surprised by the news.

"Watch your words," Tatsuya replied. "Someone might think I'm the one who made her pregnant!"

The trio blushed, realizing how ambiguous Shisui's words had sounded.

"So, she's pregnant. What does that have to do with me?" Tatsuya asked, raising an eyebrow.

He knew that in the future, during the Fourth Ninja War, there would be rapid power escalations, with Kage-level shinobi jumping to Six Paths-level within three days, embarrassing countless opponents. But he wasn't sure how this news was tied to him.

"Mikoto mentioned she wants to name her second child 'Uchiha Ryu,'" Shisui explained, scratching his head.

"Ah?" Tatsuya and Sakumo exclaimed simultaneously, both dumbfounded. Is Sasuke getting a name change? Tatsuya thought.

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