"The people who took over your village have been dealt with by me. These minerals are my spoils. You don't have any objections, do you?"
"No, none at all… Please, my lord, take what you wish. Do you need our help?"
"No need for help. I'm in a hurry. Farewell!"
After storing the Kurosuki clan's corpses and the minerals needed for puppet crafting in two large storage scrolls, Izayoi rose into the air. Alternating between flight and Body Flicker, he left the Land of Rivers at top speed.
The next morning, Izayoi returned to the Land of Fire. Without pause, he headed to the tailor shop, created a shadow clone with a vast amount of chakra, and handed over the scrolls containing the minerals and corpses.
His real body didn't rest for a moment. He stopped at a shop to buy something, then, carrying souvenirs for Hinata and Hanabi, rushed back to Konoha at full speed.
Finally, just before six in the evening, Izayoi arrived in Konoha.
Taking advantage of the shift change, Izayoi entered the village from another route, moving from the outskirts to the main streets, and soon reached home.
"I'm back."
Following local custom, Izayoi called out loudly while changing shoes at the entrance.
Carrying gift boxes, he headed upstairs.
At some point, a curtain had been hung at the stairwell.
Izayoi pulled it aside, revealing a dimly lit room with blackout curtains drawn.
The only light came from twelve candles burning on the living room table, illuminating a five-tiered cake below.
The cake was exquisitely crafted, each layer adorned with three chibi snowmen—representations of Izayoi, Hinata, and Hanabi.
"Onii-chan, happy birthday!"
"Izayoi-kun, happy birthday."
Hinata and Hanabi had been waiting in the living room. As for the shadow clone, the two girls had mercilessly dispelled it the day before.
Seeing Izayoi return, Hinata and Hanabi approached, offering birthday wishes while guiding him, one on each side, to the cake.
Indeed, today was June 16—Izayoi's birthday.
This was why Izayoi had hurried back.
Since the trio had formed, every year at this time, Hinata and Hanabi celebrated Izayoi's birthday.
Especially after learning from the shadow clone that the girls had destroyed it, Izayoi knew they were planning a surprise.
He had no intention of disappointing them.
Seating Izayoi on the couch, Hanabi knelt by the coffee table, resting her chin in her hands, grinning. "Onii-chan, make a wish."
"Onii-chan's wish is simple: I hope Hanabi grows tall and strong, vibrant like a rainbow every day, shining like a star, and as beautiful as her sister." Izayoi clasped his hands in a prayer gesture, closing his eyes, though he spoke his wish aloud.
But at the end, he added silently in his heart, I hope everything goes smoothly, and we all break free from the limits of lifespan.
With that, Izayoi blew out all the candles.
"Onii-chan, I love you to bits, muah!"
Hearing his wish, Hanabi launched herself at him, planting a firm kiss on his cheek.
Izayoi ruffled Hanabi's face with both hands, chuckling. "Wish made. Where's Onii-chan's birthday present?"
"Big Sis and I prepared it ages ago."
Hanabi hopped off the couch, and together with Hinata, they went to a room, returning with three elegantly wrapped boxes.
"Onii-chan, open them!"
Hanabi placed the boxes on the floor, gesturing to Izayoi.
Hinata didn't pull back the blackout curtains but turned on the living room lights.
There were three boxes—two large, one small.
Izayoi untied the bow, peeled off the wrapping, and opened the small box first.
Inside was a red scarf.
As he lifted it, a realization hit him. He looked at the girls. "You two knitted this?"
"As expected of Onii-chan, guessing it right away," Hanabi giggled. "So, Onii-chan, can you guess who knitted it?"
"You already gave it away."
Izayoi flicked Hanabi's forehead, laughing. "Your sister definitely had a hand in it. Since it wasn't just her, it must be both of you."
"Ugh…" Hanabi pouted.
Hinata watched the scene with a gentle smile, unsurprised that Izayoi had guessed correctly.
"Autumn's coming, and winter won't be far behind. I love this scarf."
Izayoi tied the scarf around his neck and moved on to the other boxes.
He opened both large boxes at once. They contained clothes.
One was a heavy snowman outfit, the other a more luxurious full-length white robe with flame patterns.
"Onii-chan, can you guess who gave you these?" Hanabi asked again.
"This one's from Hinata." Izayoi picked up the snowman outfit, exchanging a smile with her.
"And this one?" Hanabi held up the white robe.
"Both of you." Izayoi flicked Hanabi's forehead again, grinning. "Did you forget the flame patterns on your own kimono? They're your favorite. And you gave it away—since the snowman outfit is from Hinata, this one's either from you or both of you."
"No fun! Onii-chan, are you using some mind-reading jutsu?" Hanabi flopped dramatically to the floor. "I really wanted to beat you this year."
"I told you, you can't trick Izayoi-kun," Hinata said with a laugh.
"Alright, don't be mad."
Izayoi scooped Hanabi up, setting her aside, and picked up the gift boxes he'd brought. "I've got souvenirs for you two."
"Oh, right! Onii-chan, where've you been these past days?" Hanabi's attention shifted instantly, curious. "Your shadow clone said you were off doing big things. What big things?"
"You'll find out later. I can't tell you now." Izayoi wasn't ready to taint his little sister-in-law's pure heart.
"Onii-chan, you're the worst."
Hanabi stuck out her tongue, then unwrapped the gift box Izayoi handed her, mimicking his analytical tone. "A flat, square box this big—could it be clothes?"
"Spot on. Hanabi's so clever."
Izayoi, winning at every turn, showered her with praise.
"Heehee…" Hanabi beamed.
After cheering up his little sister-in-law, Izayoi pulled Hinata to his other side, handing her a gift box. Leaning close, he whispered with a smile, "I love your gifts. This winter, let's relive some childhood memories. Here's your gift—open it quick."
"…Mm."
Hinata, who'd planned to wait until Hanabi was done, saw Izayoi's eager expression and grew excited for his gift.
She swiftly unwrapped it and opened the box.
Her eyes widened slightly.
"This is…"
The Hyuga sisters spoke in unison, then turned to Izayoi, asking, "Onii-chan/Izayoi-kun, what kind of clothes are these?"
"They're called… sailor uniforms," Izayoi said, a touch of excitement in his voice. "I made them myself. Go try them on to see if they fit."
"Okay."
The Hyuga sisters, initially puzzled, heard that Izayoi had made the clothes himself. Their eyes lit up, and they hurried to their room together.
Meanwhile, Izayoi activated his Tenseigan—not to peek, but to locate Sarutobi Hiruzen.
Seeing the Hokage was off duty, eating dinner with his grandson Konohamaru and not using his crystal ball to spy, Izayoi withdrew his gaze.
But before deactivating his Tenseigan, he glanced briefly at a spot outside the house.
At that moment, Hanabi's surprised voice rang out from the room, sending a bead of sweat down Izayoi's brow. "It fits perfectly! Nee-san, how did Onii-chan know your measurements?"
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