The moon shone brightly, its stars few and scattered across the sky.
Inside the grand estate of Uchiha Bai Ye, an unusual quietness filled the air. Unlike his usual routine of retiring early with a maid, tonight, he lay alone in the courtyard, gazing at the serene moon.
He was contemplating a problem. Or rather, he had already arrived at an answer.
It was not his place to interfere in matters that were not his own.
Bai Ye had always been skilled at maintaining detachment.
The Uchiha clan's predicament was a remnant of history, a consequence of past choices. Yet, Bai Ye had never harbored illusions about changing the Uchiha's fate—not yet, at least. The time was not right.
Only a tremendous shock would awaken the Uchiha to the reality that the warring era had long passed. He understood this well.
But as he lay there, another thought crossed his mind.
What if he hadn't been reborn as an Uchiha? Where would he be now?
The system had already confirmed that his reincarnation was random, though the system's functions remained unchanged regardless of his identity.
Thus, his connection to the Uchiha clan was incidental, not a matter of fate.
It was an odd realization.
Bai Ye rarely indulged in such reflections. Self-examination was not part of his daily regimen. He adhered to a disciplined, structured life, and anyone who threatened its peace was unforgivable in his eyes.
He enjoyed his current existence—training, working, idling when possible, and spending time with trusted companions. His leisure time was filled with travel and casual companionship, never burdened by the idea of entertaining different women.
"What's on your mind?"
Tsunade, returning from the casino, casually lay beside him, her sake gourd in hand, her golden hair shimmering under the moonlight.
"Thinking about life." Bai Ye answered honestly.
"Heh, more like thinking about how to create life." Tsunade chuckled knowingly. She understood men all too well.
"Let's not talk about that. Any progress on your investigation into your brother?" Bai Ye shifted closer, his voice lowering.
The year's end approached, a time when even someone as physically resilient as him would choose to enjoy a quiet night under the stars.
"Thanks to Orochimaru's intelligence, we've made some progress, but the investigation is slow. However, one thing is clear."
Evidence had eroded with time, and the further they delved, the more gaps they encountered. What troubled Tsunade most was the apparent erasure of the Senju lineage. Apart from those assimilated into Konoha's mainstream society, she found no others.
The mighty Senju clan—where had they all gone? She hadn't encountered a single familiar face.
"You know I won't refuse if you ask for my help," Bai Ye reminded her gently.
"This is a Senju matter. Only the Senju should handle it."
"So, young lady…"
The moonlight cast a gentle glow on Tsunade's face. Perhaps she had indulged in one drink too many tonight, emboldening her thoughts and emotions. A silent yearning surfaced.
"Do you want to join the Senju?"
Her amber eyes burned with an intensity she had never displayed before. Maybe it was the power he exuded when he first entered her life, effortlessly controlling his destiny. Or perhaps it was their time spent together—sharing moments, teasing, supporting, and navigating challenges side by side.
Or maybe it was the shared rides, the close encounters, the stolen moments of warmth.
All in all, tonight, she didn't want to let go.
Bai Ye smirked, the arrogance in his expression softened by the warmth in his gaze.
"You're the one marrying into the Uchiha."
Without hesitation, he lifted her effortlessly into his arms. Tsunade, ever in sync, wrapped her arms around his neck, a moment she had envisioned countless times in her dreams.
Tonight, at least tonight, he belonged to her.
---
Meanwhile, in the bustling streets of Konoha, a tall, white-haired man observed the city with a puzzled expression.
"When did ninjas start working as laborers?" Jiraiya muttered as he watched shinobi repairing roads, their chakra-enhanced strength used for manual labor.
Among them, an Uchiha in a patrol uniform stood overseeing the work, his gaze stern and authoritative.
What shocked Jiraiya most was spotting a familiar figure among the workers in checkered shirts, diligently digging the ground.
"Is that… Uchiha Shisui?"
Jiraiya blinked, struggling to reconcile the image of Konoha's famed Shunshin no Shisui, a ninja capable of controlling battlefields with a glance, now reduced to simple labor.
Unable to comprehend this shift, Jiraiya shook his head and wandered towards the bathhouse district, a nostalgic smirk creeping onto his face.
Some habits never die.
Finding a hidden vantage point outside the women's bath, he prepared for his usual reconnaissance mission.
With a gleeful grin, he placed his hands on the fence, preparing to vault over.
But just as he was about to make his move—
VROOOOOM!
An engine roared.
"How dare you peep in broad daylight?!"
Jiraiya froze as a squad of guards, clad in justice cloaks, surrounded him.
"You're quite bold! Ever since Lord Bai Ye arrested Shimura Danzō, no one has dared try such indecency. And yet, here you are!"
At the forefront of the squad stood Uchiha Satoshi, eyes blazing with righteous fury.
Jiraiya gawked in disbelief.
This kid… doesn't recognize me?
Before he could speak, Satoshi pulled out a pair of newly developed restraints, an anti-ninja device rumored to suppress chakra flow, designed by none other than Orochimaru himself.
With a swift motion—
CLICK.
Jiraiya's wrists were locked in handcuffs before he could even protest.
"…Huh?"
Dumbfounded, he watched as the guards hauled him onto a large police motorcycle, their expressions void of recognition.
His misfortune had only just begun.
---
The interrogation room was dimly lit when Bai Ye entered, Tsunade by his side.
"Captain!" Uchiha Satoshi saluted and stepped aside, making way for his superior.
Bai Ye wasted no time. He pulled Tsunade onto his lap, his hand casually resting on her waist as he turned his attention to the prisoner.
Jiraiya stared, his eyes filled with a strange mixture of confusion and betrayal.
Was this really Konoha?
And more importantly—
Was Tsunade seriously letting an Uchiha hold her like that?!
Jiraiya's jaw tightened.
Something had changed. No, everything had changed.
He wanted answers.
And perhaps more than that—he wanted to know where, exactly, he had lost.
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