The reason Takuya bought Himari was just as he said.
To ease the loneliness.
Being alone in a different world didn't feel great. Even if this world was filled with characters he'd once loved, right now, they were all strangers.
And as a fully mature adult—
Takuya understood clearly:
Affection should be given to those who genuinely care for you in return.
Like the little kitten resting on his shoulder.
Starting loyalty: 90%.
With that kind of baseline, as long as he treated her well, she would wholeheartedly return the favor.
He couldn't resist giving her chin a little scratch. After getting a few satisfied mews in return, Takuya finally dropped the gentle act and turned his attention back to today's "clients."
Several other families in the town...
Dressed neatly, the mysterious jar merchant appeared once more.
...
While Takuya was off making high-profit trades and raking in riches—
Tsunade, after two days and nights of rushed travel,
Finally returned to Konoha.
Looking at this familiar yet distant place, Tsunade subconsciously slowed her steps, her gaze carrying a faint mix of emotions.
"Is that... Lady Tsunade?" came a surprised voice at the village gate.
Even after all these years away, the guards instantly recognized her.
Of course, that was because she hadn't aged a day.
"It really is Lady Tsunade!"
"Lady Tsunade's back!"
"Lady Tsunade!"
"You've finally returned!"
From the gate guards, to passing shinobi, to shopkeeping civilians—anyone old enough to recognize her was all smiles, greeting her with genuine excitement. That alone showed how popular she was in Konoha.
Not just one of the legendary Sannin or a war hero, not just the First Hokage's granddaughter—
But also Konoha's greatest medical ninja.
During the wars, she had saved countless lives—ninja and civilians alike.
"Lady Tsunade..."
Shizune followed close behind, her eyes welling up from the villagers' warm welcome.
"Tch, these people haven't changed," Tsunade muttered, her tone a little gloomy—but her steps quickened all the same. Her clenched fists betrayed a heart not nearly as calm as her face.
On the way, people kept greeting her with delight.
With no trouble, she made her way to the Hokage's office.
She pushed the door open.
Inside sat the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, surrounded by a few shinobi reporting their missions.
"I heard you were coming back, but I still couldn't believe it," Hiruzen chuckled as he looked at her. "It's good to have you back. You still look as young as ever."
"...And you, sensei," Tsunade opened her mouth, then settled on, "You've completely turned into an old man."
"Hahaha."
Sarutobi didn't mind her jab in the slightest and laughed heartily. He waved for the other shinobi to leave the room.
"So, is this a temporary visit, or did something happen?"
In truth, Sarutobi had learned a day earlier that Tsunade was headed back.
Even if she'd been gone for years, there were still plenty of informants watching her—including from other villages.
So he had a vague idea, though not the details.
"Take a look at these."
Tsunade placed a sealing scroll on the desk and opened it with a soft puff of smoke—revealing several small bottles, herbs, and strange items.
"These are...?" Sarutobi examined them carefully.
"I bought them from a mysterious merchant," Tsunade said seriously. "They're extremely bizarre. Some of the potions have effects that are beyond comprehension. That merchant claimed to be from another world."
"Another world?" Sarutobi's expression stiffened slightly.
As Hokage, he knew many forbidden techniques—like the Reaper Death Seal.
So at the very least, the afterlife was real.
But what Tsunade described was clearly something else.
"He showed me many visions," she explained. "Scenes from entirely different worlds. He said he was a merchant from the 'All-Knowing All-Powerful Trade Union,' and the items he sells—jars—contain mysterious goods. Some herbs and potions were things even I've never seen or heard of."
"Explain everything in detail." Sarutobi's tone grew serious.
Even though the ninja world was currently in a rare time of peace—
The storm was never truly gone.
The Akatsuki, other hidden villages—threats were still everywhere.
Tsunade laid out everything about her encounter with Takuya, from start to finish, with Shizune filling in the smaller details.
At the end, she presented the badge Takuya had given her.
"You said when you checked his body, you were sure he was just a regular person?" Sarutobi immediately caught the key point.
"I'm sure. But when he left, he displayed something like the Flying Thunder God technique. And... when that symbol appeared on his forehead..." Tsunade frowned deeply as she recalled Takuya's All-Knowing All-Powerful Eye.
That noble, awe-inspiring presence...
Was hard to put into words.
"I see, Tsunade."
Sarutobi puffed his pipe and lowered his head in thought, silent for a while.
Tsunade's descriptions, the bizarre items on the table—all of it pointed to one thing: this merchant was mysterious beyond belief.
From another world?
Whether or not that was believable, the miraculous items couldn't be ignored.
After some time—
"Tsunade," Sarutobi finally smiled again, a warm, grandfatherly look on his aged face. "Now that you're back, why not stay? The position of director at the Medical Corps is still yours. And your... condition?"
"...It's already healed." Tsunade hesitated, then pulled out the cross necklace. "I got this from the only level-two jar I opened. It's called the Cross of Courage. Wearing it gives you the courage to move forward..."
"Oh?"
Sarutobi's slightly cloudy eyes fell on the silver cross.
"Fits you well."
In this world, crosses also symbolized healing.
Tsunade took a deep breath and looked at her teacher.
"He said level-three jars might contain items that can bring the dead back to life."
The room went completely still.
Sarutobi slowly smoked his pipe, filling the office with thick smoke.
"Tsunade."
His voice finally broke the silence, filled with age—but also with strength.
"I understand how you feel. But Nawaki and Dan—they gave their lives to protect the village. Even if they were truly brought back... they wouldn't want to see your love for them used by others. Especially if it... put the village at risk."