Ren first sent Uchiha Mikoto back to her own time.

"It's time to say goodbye."

Uchiha Mikoto pursed her lips. She had been very happy during this period, having seen and understood many things, and even made new friends. Everyone was different, yet there was no exclusion. They had become good friends, but now they had to part.

Kushina hugged Mikoto, comforting her. "It's okay. Haven't I been with you all this time? We'll meet again."

Ren also nodded. "That's right, we'll meet again."

"Really?!" Uchiha Mikoto's reluctant gaze vanished.

"The current extension of this world's timeline reaches Konoha 64, which is Tsunade's time."

The timeline after Konoha 64 also exists, but it is a virtual time that hasn't truly come into existence yet; there are variables after it.

"We'll probably meet again in Konoha 64. But after sending Kushina back to year 51, there's still a chance to meet once more."

"Konoha 64…"

Uchiha Mikoto's body stiffened. At that time, she would already be 41 years old—an old hag.

Mikoto felt a deep sadness; she had just developed feelings for someone. At this moment of separation, her mind was filled with scenes of her first chaotic and awkward encounter with Ren.

All along, Ren had also taken great care of her and Kushina.

Just when she had finally confirmed her feelings, she was faced with the pain of an impossible age gap.

Before tears could fall, Mikoto wiped them away with her forearm. Before Kushina could react, she rushed into Ren's arms like a gentle breeze and lightly kissed his lips.

Kushina stared blankly.

Why is this happening? I met Ren first.

Kushina felt a sharp pain in her chest. Ren had saved her from death, helped her escape the hardships of being a Jinchuriki, and gave her the warmest embrace in the world.

But why Mikoto?

Exusiai merely gave Ren a sidelong glance, but her halo became even brighter, like a super-bright light bulb in the night.

Tokisaki Kurumi chuckled elegantly; it was indeed as she had observed.

Esdeath didn't care about such things.

Only Otsutsuki Kaguya, initially surprised by the sudden world-crossing, looked at the two with curiosity. This must be what ordinary humans called the emotion of love. As the Rabbit Goddess, she did not understand these things.

Ren himself was very surprised by Mikoto's sudden, intense, and proactive move. Since that was the case, he didn't overthink it and responded from the heart.

A few minutes later, the two separated.

Mikoto leaned in Ren's arms, her eyes downcast, and said with a sincere yet sorrowful voice, "Ren-kun, I've found that I like you."

"But alas, there's nothing we can do. Thank you for fulfilling my last wish before we part."

After deeply imprinting Ren's scent in her memory, Mikoto proactively separated, smiled, and said to everyone, "Goodbye."

Then, after one last sorrowful gaze, she turned, ran back home, and closed the door.

"..."

Ren touched the corner of his mouth, a gentle smile spreading across his face. "Mikoto, I hope next time we meet, you'll be satisfied with the gift I left for you."

Behind the door, Mikoto hugged her knees, covering her face in sorrow.

"Next time we meet… I'll be an old hag…"

Back in Kushina's timeline, she slowly came back to her senses. The sour emotion was covered by a different kind of regret—regret that Mikoto had met someone she liked but couldn't be with.

But soon, this regret turned back into sourness. If Mikoto felt this way, wasn't she the same?

"Ren, aren't you going to see Mikoto?" At this point in time, Mikoto was only 28.

Ren naturally knew her thoughts, but he only smiled. "We'll meet again, Kushina. And so will we."

"Yes… so will we… You should all leave now."

Kushina's expression gradually darkened. She lowered her head so no one could see her face, her tone dismissive as if seeing them off.

However, under the strange gazes of the others, Ren just stood silently in front of her.

A moment later, Kushina's shoulders trembled. She clenched her fists and suddenly lifted her tear-filled face. Her mature features showed anger and sorrow as she cried out, "I told you to leave, why aren't you leaving?!"

She advanced aggressively, looking like a fiery red pepper about to beat him up. But her aggression softened the moment she reached Ren. She cupped his face and kissed his thin lips.

Ren had been waiting for this moment and actively wrapped his arms around her waist.

"???"

Exusiai's halo was glowing again. This time it wasn't jealousy, but pure confusion.

"Why did Mikoto and Kushina suddenly become like this?" she murmured.

Tokisaki Kurumi glanced at her, almost joyful. "Oh my~ Exu, didn't you notice?"

Exusiai simply shook her head. "I don't understand. I didn't understand anything."

"I've been observing, you know. Ren-kun is a seasoned player in love. He's been having a great time with Mikoto and Kushina in every timeline," Kurumi stated with certainty, lightly twirling a strand of hair. "He's actively and passively seducing them."

"Eh? Is he?" Exusiai blinked her adorable big eyes; she hadn't noticed at all.

So, they were gradually falling into the sweet web woven by Ren? How terrifying!

The hunter often appears as the prey.

The final confession and farewell kiss ended.

Kushina bravely wiped away her tears. "Ren, although we were born in the wrong era, I will never forget you." She had already prepared herself for a life of solitude.

Unexpectedly, Ren patted her head and said with a smile, "Kushina, you've fallen for me, haven't you?"

"Mm." Her answer was without hesitation. At a time like this, she would face her true feelings.

"Then your future life will probably be mine."

"But our ages…" Kushina, of course, wanted to be with him, but by Konoha 64, she would be 37.

Ren pinched her mature and charming face, teasing, "You're really silly, aren't you? Have you forgotten my power of time?"

"What do you think, Mikoto? Do you like the gift I gave you?"

Kushina hadn't even reacted yet when Ren suddenly mentioned Mikoto. Just as she was wondering…

Clang.

Her front door opened, and Mikoto actually rushed out.

"Ren!"

She excitedly threw herself into Ren's arms and began to kiss him.

"???"

Kushina was dumbfounded on the spot. What is happening now?

The answer came as Mikoto, after years of longing, turned back with a smile.

"Silly Kushina, think carefully about why I'm in your house."

"Uh…" Another one calling me silly. Kushina recalled indignantly.

Soon, her eyes widened. She understood everything.

In her memory, shortly after Ren had left, Mikoto discovered her own special ability: her appearance and age could change at will, corresponding exactly to the various timelines they had traversed.

Mikoto then understood Ren's gift. She would never grow old.

Overjoyed, she went to share the news with Kushina. She remembered that Ren still had to send Kushina back to Konoha year 51, so she began her seven-year stay at Kushina's house.

Today, her wait was finally over.

"!!!"

Why didn't you tell me about something so outrageous sooner?!

[Inorin Note:

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