Chương 130

"And walked back through New York without immigration ever knowing!"

"Imagine trying to explain that to customs.""' Reason for entering Nepal?'""' Magical orange portal.'""' Do you have documentation?'""' No, but we have a bald sorceress who can vouch for us.'" Both of them laughed so hard that Daniel nearly dropped the knife onto the counter. Meanwhile the rest naturally scattered throughout the enormous ranch. Naruto immediately challenged Karin to a racing game on the large television in the living room.

Sakura joined moments later, insisting Naruto needed someone to stop him from pressing every button randomly. Five minutes later all three were yelling at one another.

"Naruto! That's the brake!"

"I thought it was the speed button!"

"Then why are you driving backwards?!" Karin shouted before bursting into laughter.

"I'M WINNING!"

"You're in last place!" Across the room, Sasuke quietly watched the chaotic scene from the sofa. Every now and then the corner of his lips threatened to curl upward as Naruto somehow managed to crash into nearly every obstacle imaginable. Jūgo eventually sat beside him, silently observing the peaceful atmosphere. For once, neither of them felt the need to say anything else. Upstairs, Tsunade had already discovered the ranch's library.

Rei had stacked the library with books from all walks of life, including medical books which he knew that one day might come useful. Besides, when they bought this Ranch the library came with it, so they just needed to add some books.

"... Anatomy..." she whispered while running her fingers across an entire shelf. Shizune's eyes sparkled.

"So many books..." Within minutes both women had completely disappeared behind towering stacks of anatomy atlases, surgical textbooks and modern pharmacology references, enthusiastically comparing unfamiliar techniques and terminology. Not far away, Jiraiya wandered into another section of the library carrying the first Harry Potter novel.

"So... this is the story everyone keeps talking about." Rei smiled.

"I think you'll enjoy it."

"Hmm..." Jiraiya flipped open the first page.

"Let's see what made those children so excited." Elsewhere, Kakashi had somehow obtained Laura's unpublished draft of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. Curled comfortably in an armchair, he had already become completely absorbed in the manuscript.

"... Interesting," he murmured as he turned another page. By the time Laura called everyone for dinner, the Copy Ninja hadn't moved an inch. He didn't even notice Daniel standing beside him.

"You know," Daniel said with an amused smile, "you're reading something that won't be published for quite a while." Without looking up from the pages, Kakashi calmly replied,"... Please pretend I wasn't here." The evening passed far more peacefully than anyone had expected. Dinner became another lively affair filled with stories, questions about Earth, and Naruto somehow managing to spill juice over himself despite sitting perfectly still.

Even Sasuke found himself listening rather than isolating himself, while Jiraiya became so engrossed in the first Harry Potter book that Laura had to remind him three separate times that the food was getting cold. That night, everyone retired early. Between the revelations surrounding Khonshu, the Ancient One, Kamar-Taj and the possibility of two universes slowly influencing one another, even the most energetic among them found sleep coming quickly. This book is hosted on another platform.

Read the official version and support the author's work. The following morning, after a hearty breakfast and heartfelt farewells from Daniel and Laura, Rei once again activated the Contract. Soon they were back where they were supposed to be. The crisp scent of forests immediately replaced the clean country air of the ranch.

Kakashi and Sakura had returned directly in Konoha as that was where they came from, while the rest of the group found themselves at the same place that they had, once again upon the familiar road and the battleground. For several minutes nobody spoke. After spending nearly two days surrounded by automobiles, electricity and modern buildings, returning to dirt roads and towering forests felt strangely nostalgic. Naruto stretched both arms over his head.

"... Home."

"It already feels smaller somehow." Tsunade admitted while glancing around.

"I never thought I'd say that after seeing New York."

"That's because your standards have risen." Rei laughed.

"They certainly have." The group continued walking until Tsunade suddenly stopped.

"Rei."

"Hm?"

"I've made a decision. When I officially become Hokage..." She pointed directly at him.

"... I want you as my assistant."

"... What?"

"My assistant."

"No."

"... You refused before I even finished."

"Because Shizune-san already does that job perfectly." Rei replied without hesitation.

"She's organized, patient, experienced and somehow manages to tolerate your gambling habit."

"See?" Tsunade ignored both of them.

"I need someone else too."

"You have Shizune."

"I need another."

"You don't."

"I do."

"You don't." The argument continued for nearly five minutes as everyone silently watched. Finally Rei sighed.

"Tsunade-sama... I already have businesses to manage, another world to look after, contracts to oversee and apparently now I have to worry about other bullshit around."

"Exactly."

"... Exactly what?"

"Which is precisely why I want you nearby."

"I cannot sit inside the Hokage Tower doing paperwork."

"I wasn't going to ask you to."

"... You weren't?"

"Fine." Rei looked suspicious.

"You won't be my assistant." He relaxed slightly.

"You'll be my personal guard."

"... That's not much better."

"It is for me."

"The council will never approve me. A genin as a a guard? The ANBU would be furious." Rei said.

"Let me handle that. Since they are so adamant of bring me back to the village I should have my ways around." She replied.

"Besides, if something from that other world ever requires discussion, I can simply summon my guard instead of inventing excuses." Rei stared at her for several seconds before realizing she'd planned this from the beginning.

"... You just want easier access to Earth."

"I have absolutely no idea what you're talking about."

"You are a terrible liar."

"I learned from Jiraiya."

"Oi!" Jiraiya protested. After another round of negotiations, Rei finally threw his hands into the air.

"... Fine."

"But only as your guard. No paperwork."

"Deal."

"And Shizune remains your assistant."

"Obviously." Jiraiya chuckled.

"I like this arrangement."

"Of course you do."

"You'll keep Tsunade from destroying her office whenever paperwork piles up."

"I make no promises." After another hour, Rei remembered something.

"By the way... You three signed the Half Contract. Have you decided what abilities you want in return?" Shizune was the first to answer.

"... Not yet."

"There are simply too many possibilities. I'd rather observe everyone a little longer before making such an important decision."

"A wise choice." Rei nodded before turning toward Tsunade.

"And you?" She didn't hesitate.

"The Uzumaki bloodline. My grandma was Mito Uzumaki. She was such a good shinobi." Tsunade said.

"Watching Karin reminded me of her extraordinary vitality and chakra. My grandmother always spoke highly of the Uzumaki Clan. So it's only natural I will go back to my roots."

"Tsunade-sama, you don't have to explain anything to anyone." Rei replied.

"I know but I felt I need to since it is your ability. I am still finding it hard to believe though."

"Hehe.. You will see Granny Tsunade." The familiar parchment materialized briefly before dissolving into golden light the moment Tsunade confirmed her decision. Crimson vitality surged through her body as her already immense chakra expanded noticeably.

"... Remarkable..." she whispered, instinctively feeling the difference. Finally Rei looked toward Jiraiya.

"And you?" Jiraiya scratched the back of his head.

"I've thought about this all night. I want Jūgo's natural-energy constitution." Jiraya and the rest were explained about the kind of abilities Rei possessed and what they could get. Jiraya had talked with Jugo at length later and both of them talked about the world in general. He was a pervert for sure but when it came to serious matters, he was a complete different person.

"Mastering Sage Mode has always been one of my greatest struggles. I want to experience Senjutsu through a completely different path. Then I'll compare it with Mount Myōboku's teachings."

"That's a nice thought. I wish success in this journey." Rei said.

"What is Mount Myoboku?" Naruto asked.

"Some place that you will go someday Naruto." Jiraya said. Naruto was curious but didn't ask. He still hadn't received his first ability and though he wasn't complaining, he couldn't wait to get himself a awesome one and then show off to Sasuke. This guy had been flaunting Thor's physique, and now was an avatar of a God. Though it was dangerous, he still found it cool, and secretly wished some God would chose him too. Of course, he would never say those words loudly.

Another contract appeared, glowing softly beneath the morning sun. As golden particles entered Jiraiya's body, he immediately felt something fundamentally different. The surrounding natural energy no longer seemed distant or difficult to gather. Instead... It almost felt eager to answer him. Jiraiya slowly opened his eyes before breaking into the broadest smile anyone had seen on his face in years.

"... Well... This is going to be interesting." Soon they would arrive at the gates of Konoha. Seeing the familiar old gates, it made her both nostalgic and a sense of sadness. The last time she left, her teacher was alive, but now, even that familiar person was gone. All that remained for her was Jiraya.