Naruto: I Confronted the Five Kage Before the System Arrived

Chapter 283: Hagoromo Gengetsu's Sister

The shrill sound of a whistle pierced the air as a steam train sped along the tracks, heading into the distance. Hagoromo Gengetsu, seated inside the train, watched the fields and villages flash by outside the window. Trains were a novelty unseen even in the real Warring States era, and even though they existed in the Ninja Village era, they hadn't been widely adopted. The reason they existed now, according to Hagoromo Haru, was because he had established them from scratch.

This was an alternate Warring States period. No, it shouldn't even be called the Warring States period. Though the time matched, the world was devoid of war. Skirmishes did occur, but they were limited to individuals and were on a small scale. Countries and ninja clans still existed, but there were no ninja villages. The world had changed because of one person: Hagoromo Gengetsu, the clan leader of the Hagoromo clan, a godlike figure who had pacified the chaos. Even the renowned Senju Hashirama and Uchiha Madara could only stand in his shadow.

Now, Hagoromo Gengetsu was the strongest in the ninja world and held the most power, with the Hagoromo clan being the foremost ninja clan. Major decisions in the nations and clans, behind the scenes, required the Hagoromo clan's approval. This was the current world order.

"The world of Limited Tsukuyomi is shaped by the desires of the one caught in it. To be honest, this is exactly what I wanted. Peace is essential, but it shouldn't interfere with my life. I want to be a kind of supreme ruler, not involved in day-to-day matters but fully capable of intervening when necessary, with no one able to resist. Just like the current Hagoromo clan, just like the current Hagoromo Gengetsu."

This was the world he subconsciously desired, though some parts deviated and seemed illogical. It was largely reflected in the Limited Tsukuyomi.

"And... Haru."

Hagoromo Gengetsu glanced at the girl next to him, Hagoromo Haru, who was dozing with her head on his shoulder, grinning even in her sleep, her lips smacking slightly. He hadn't broken his promise; he bought her ten popsicles. She was thrilled and ate them all in one go. As he had predicted, her stomach soon began to ache, but with his advanced medical ninjutsu, he quickly alleviated her pain. Feeling much better, she fell asleep soundly, and hadn't woken up since.

Now, Hagoromo Gengetsu looked at her sleeping face, the expression on her brows, her mannerisms, even her sleep-talking—it was all too similar. No, it was identical. Like a reflection of the real world, with no essential difference. He smiled gently, wiping the drool from the corner of her mouth.

This gentle side of him would surprise anyone who saw it, except for perhaps Moteni, the oldest member of the Hagoromo clan. Moteni knew what to say and what not to say, especially regarding their clan leader's sorrows. The Warring States period was brutal for both civilians and ninja, and even the Hagoromo clan wasn't spared. Hagoromo Gengetsu's parents had died in a mission when he was just two years old, leaving him to be taken in by another family within the clan. That family was Haru's parents, who treated him as their own even after Haru was born.

Hagoromo Gengetsu had watched Haru grow up, often taking care of her, and had long regarded her as his real sister. But after the battle in the Valley of the Gods, they were separated by life and death. When he first arrived at the Lockfront Village, he learned from Moteni that Haru hadn't been able to wait for him. He remembered standing alone under the moon, silently mourning all night. The next day, he buried his feelings deep inside and remained the strong, composed, and unyielding Hagoromo Gengetsu everyone knew.

Until today. Hearing "Brother Gengetsu," his long-suppressed emotions and memories surged up. This was the nature of Limited Tsukuyomi, to strike at the deepest desires of the heart, tempting one to lose themselves in it until they became one with this illusory world, never to leave.

Hagoromo Gengetsu looked at the peacefully sleeping Haru and, as he was about to withdraw his hand from wiping her mouth, he paused, then gently placed his hand on her delicate neck. His eyes flickered with different emotions as his fingers rested on her soft skin.

"Brother Gengetsu, are we there yet?" Haru woke up, yawning widely.

Hagoromo Gengetsu quickly withdrew his hand and replied, "Not yet."

"Then I'll sleep a bit more," she said, satisfied, and rested her head back on his shoulder.

Hagoromo Gengetsu looked at her, then out the window, and finally closed his eyes. When he reopened them, he had regained his usual composure. He noticed that Haru was awake, watching him with wide eyes.

"What's wrong?" he asked gently.

Haru tilted her head. "I was wondering if leaning on you makes it hard for you to rest."

Hagoromo Gengetsu shook his head. "Not at all."

"Really?" Haru asked seriously. "You seem really tired."

He hesitated, then shook his head. "I was tired before, but not anymore."

"Why?" Haru asked curiously.

He smiled, patting her head. "Thinking about seeing the clan members I haven't seen in a long time makes me feel better."

Haru looked puzzled. "But it feels like it's only been a few days."

"There's an old saying, 'One day apart feels like three years,'" he explained, brushing her messy hair aside.

Looking at her small face, once blurred in memory but now vividly clear, he suddenly asked, "Haru, what would you do if you couldn't see me for a long time?"

"For a long time? How long?" she asked.

"Years? Or even decades?"

"I'd be so sad!" She quickly hugged him, alarmed. "Brother Gengetsu, you're not going to leave me for a long time, right?"

"Of course not," he reassured her, patting her head, his eyes gazing far into the distance outside the window.