"My father's health had been failing for a long time. That's why he rushed to take me back to Earth, to choose a future wife and keep our family line going."
Standing before a freshly built grave, Toneri spoke softly.
His eyes were glowing white with flickers of blue, the very same eyes that once belonged to his father—eyes Akio had personally transplanted into him.
"The technique my father used on you earlier… it's one only the Tenseigan can activate freely. He forced it out just to get me back here."
Akio let out a relaxed chuckle. "Let me guess—you guys saw what I could do, figured out I'm basically unbeatable, and he panicked?"
Toneri fell silent for a moment before asking, "Why didn't you kill me?"
Akio glanced at the grave marker—Toneri's Father, Nameless Burial.
"Why would I? We don't have any real grudge. Sure, you spying on Hinata irritated me, but that's all. I'm a gentle old man, you know."
He shook his head with amusement. "Originally, I just planned to punt you back to the moon. Didn't expect your father to go all-in and… end himself."
Toneri lowered his gaze. "He told me he had maybe six months left. I've been preparing for this day."
"I could tell," Akio said immediately. "I didn't even touch him earlier—you're the one who bumped into him and knocked him over. Then he just… couldn't get back up."
Toneri: "…"
Seeing the boy's conflicted face, Akio looked around the empty lunar plains. "You've been living alone up here, watching the world below. Doesn't it get lonely? Instead of analyzing the Sage of Six Paths' world from a distance, why not go see it for yourself?"
After recruiting Kimimaro and Haku, Akio had perfected his skill for "kidnapping apprentices." One sentence was already making Toneri waver. After all, he was still just a curious six-or-seven-year-old kid.
Akio pressed on. "I plan to turn the moon into my private retreat anyway. There won't be much room left for you."
Toneri shot him a perplexed look. He'd met very few people in his life, but he had never imagined someone could sound so shameless while claiming someone else's entire homeland.
Akio stayed blissfully unaware. "Since you agree, I'm gonna go renovate my palace. It's falling apart. Needs a full rebuild."
With a flicker, he disappeared, leaving Toneri alone with the grave.
"Father… what do I do now?"
Four days later.
Akio admired the massive castle in front of him and nodded with satisfaction.
With so few people left on the moon, many old palaces had fallen into ruins. Akio wasn't interested in living in places that had been used by others, so he wiped an entire area with Dust Release, flattened the ground with Earth Release, and built his own castle from scratch.
Using Wood Release, Earth Release, Crystal Release, and even Ice Release, he spent three full days constructing the enormous kilometer-wide fortress.
On the fourth day, he divided the interior into countless rooms, furnished a few with wooden beds, and called it good enough. The fine details could wait—he'd come back whenever he felt like decorating.
Besides, he wanted a place he could bring guests to. The moon was now officially his personal territory.
But before heading back…
"Toneri! Come teach me how to fly that spaceship!"
The ship was much easier to learn than Akio expected. In his old world, learning to drive required multiple written tests and road exams…
But here, it was powered by chakra. With his chakra control, he mastered it in half an hour.
The ship streaked across the lunar sky in wild S-curves and loops, Akio laughing like a hundred-and-twenty-year-old kid.
When the sky grew dim, he finally stopped.
"I've been gone from the ninja world for four days. If I don't show my face, I'll probably 'die' again. And Naruto starts at the Academy the day after tomorrow—I can't miss that milestone."
But before returning, he had one last thing to check.
He turned to the seasick Toneri. "Where did your clan watch the ninja world from? Take me there."
Toneri blinked. "It was in the old palace… the one you destroyed."
Akio's face darkened. "You what? Why didn't you stop me?"
For the first time since his father's death, Toneri laughed—bright and warm. "Since I'm going to the ninja world with you, I don't need any of that anymore."
"…I suddenly don't want to bring you."
Toneri: "???"
Akio sighed. "Well, it's gone. Whatever. I'm not the Third Hokage—I'm not interested in spying on people anyway…"
Toneri explained, "We could only see general shapes and events, not people's faces. Otherwise Father would've recognized you instantly."
"Oh? Then it wasn't very useful anyway." Akio nodded, then added casually, "Since you're coming with me, stop being formal. Call me 'Ancestor' like the other kids."
Toneri froze. "I'd prefer calling you 'senior.'"
Akio shrugged. "Fair enough. Your ancestor is Hamura, not me. Suit yourself. Go rest—we leave tomorrow morning."
Toneri hesitated, then asked quietly, "Senior… if I go with you to Earth, could I attend the Academy in the Leaf Village?"
Akio paused. "You want to join the Academy? Don't tell me you're still after Hinata?"
Toneri's face flushed. "It was my father's wish!"
Akio snorted. "If you like her, just admit it. Don't blame your dad. Still… that won't work."
"Why not?"
"Because… because… uh… why was it again?"
Maybe it was old memories telling him Naruto and Hinata were meant to be. Or maybe it was the idea of seeing Boruto someday.
"Why am I still hung up on that? This world is real. And I didn't even like Boruto's show. I barely remember that kid's face…"
He sighed deeply.
Honestly, the only reason he skimmed the sequel series was because someone told him Orochimaru had a child, and he wanted to know who the other parent was. He died before finding out.
"Speaking of which… that kid Mitsuki was strangely handsome. Didn't really look like Orochimaru. Actually… he kinda…"
Akio slowly turned to look at Toneri.
Huh. Case closed?
After a long pause, Akio patted his shoulder. "Toneri, if you like Hinata, go for it. If you win her heart, that's your accomplishment. Good luck."
Toneri: "???"
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