Chapter 98 (Patreon)

The following morning, Hinata and the others still had not returned.

Inside the living room of Mihawk’s house, Hanabi clung to his back while he sorted through his belongings. Her arms were wrapped around his neck, her chin resting on his shoulder as her gaze followed everything he picked up.

Unable to contain her curiosity, she finally asked, “Mihawk-nii, what are you doing?”

“Putting away the things that matter.”

Mihawk unfurled a storage scroll and began placing his valuables, savings, and several keepsakes into the sealing formula.

Hanabi continued watching him closely.

“Why are you putting everything away?”

“Because…”

Mihawk paused and looked unusually serious.

“I’m not telling you.”

Hanabi blinked.

Then her cheeks puffed up.

“Fine. Don’t tell me. Mihawk-nii is so mean. I don’t like you anymore.”

Mihawk continued sorting through his belongings without looking back.

“You should probably get off my back before saying that. Otherwise, it isn’t very convincing.”

“Hmph!”

Hanabi snorted but tightened her arms around his neck instead.

Mihawk did not tease her any further.

Once he had finished arranging everything, he placed the items on top of the sealing formula written across the scroll.

He formed a hand seal.

“Seal!”

Poof!

A cloud of white smoke filled the room.

When it cleared, everything resting on the scroll had disappeared into its storage space.

Mihawk rolled up the storage scroll and carried Hanabi into his room.

After placing the scroll on the sword rack, he turned his head slightly and looked at the young girl still clinging to his back.

“Hanabi, I have an important task for you. Can you promise that you’ll do it properly?”

“Mm-hmm!”

Hanabi nodded repeatedly.

“Tell me, Mihawk-nii.”

Mihawk’s expression became serious.

“Listen carefully. If something happens inside the village—like when Orochimaru attacked during the Chūnin Exams—you must take this scroll with you when you evacuate to the shelter.”

Hanabi’s cheerful expression gradually faded.

She glanced toward the scroll on the sword rack before solemnly nodding.

“Leave it to me, Mihawk-nii. I’ll protect it.”

Combined with what Mihawk had told her the previous day, Hanabi could tell that he knew something was about to happen.

The village might soon come under attack.

However, she was clever enough not to press him for answers.

She knew that Mihawk would never do anything to harm her or Hinata.

All she needed to do was complete the task he had entrusted to her.

“Good.”

Mihawk reached back and lightly pinched her cheek.

He then carried her toward the dojo, where they began their training for the day.

...

By noon, Hinata and the others still had not returned.

However, a messenger toad from Mount Myōboku arrived in Konoha bearing terrible news for Lady Tsunade.

Jiraiya was dead.

The passing of one of the Legendary Sannin was a loss that shook the entire village.

Even Mihawk, who had never shared a close relationship with Jiraiya, released a quiet sigh when he heard the news from Shikamaru.

Naruto’s final step toward maturity was about to begin.

Sasuke’s defection had forced Naruto to abandon some of his childish innocence.

Jiraiya’s death, however, would force him to truly grow.

It would become one of the greatest turning points of his life.

The boy destined to save the shinobi world would soon begin the training that would allow him to stand among Konoha’s greatest heroes.

It also meant that the future Mihawk remembered was rapidly approaching.

It seems my memories really have become unreliable.

Mihawk’s gaze sharpened.

The Fourth Shinobi World War doesn’t begin next year. It begins this year.

He finally remembered something important.

Naruto’s sixteenth birthday fell on the night the Ten-Tails appeared on the battlefield.

By the time that day arrived, Mihawk himself would also be sixteen.

It would mark the eleventh year since he had arrived in this world.

Eleven years was a long time.

It was more than enough time for Mihawk to become part of this world, for the memories of his previous life to gradually fade, and for much of his knowledge of the original story to become blurred.

Now that he had finally recalled part of the timeline, it only made his heart heavier.

Without realizing it, he had already reached the final stretch.

Only a few months remained before the Fourth Shinobi World War.

...

Dusk eventually arrived, dyeing the sky a deep shade of red.

“Mihawk-kun…”

Hinata’s gentle voice travelled into the dojo from some distance away.

Mihawk slowly opened his eyes, emerging from his sword meditation.

A moment later, a familiar figure hurried inside.

Perhaps because she had not seen him for two days, Hinata showed a rare lack of restraint and threw herself into his arms.

Mihawk had only just begun to stand, so the sudden impact sent both of them tumbling backward onto the futon.

He quickly caught her and prevented her from hitting the floor.

When they finally stopped moving, Mihawk found himself leaning above Hinata, one hand planted beside her head.

Her pale face had already turned bright red.

Mihawk smiled down at her.

“Welcome home, Hinata. You worked hard.”

“I’m sorry…”

Hinata wrapped her arms around his neck and spoke softly.

“I left without saying goodbye to you.”

“It’s fine.”

Mihawk gently brushed a loose strand of hair away from her face.

“It was only two days.”

Hinata gazed up at him, her expression softening.

Mihawk leaned down and placed a brief kiss against her forehead.

“I’m just glad you returned safely.”

Hinata’s blush deepened, but she did not look away.

“Hey…”

A displeased voice suddenly came from beside them.

“I’m still here.”

Mihawk and Hinata both turned their heads.

Hanabi stood a short distance away with her arms crossed, staring at them with puffed-up cheeks.

The moment Hinata realized that her younger sister had witnessed everything, her entire face turned crimson.

“M-Mihawk-kun…”

Flick!

Mihawk lightly tapped Hanabi on the forehead.

Hanabi immediately covered the spot with both hands and glared at him.

“What was that for?”

“For interrupting.”

“That’s not fair!”

She stuck her tongue out at him.

Hinata hurriedly sat up and smoothed down her clothes, desperately searching for a way to change the subject.

“Mihawk-kun, have you eaten yet?”

Mihawk stood and offered her his hand.

“Not yet.”

Hinata accepted it, allowing him to pull her to her feet.

“I haven’t had your cooking for almost two days.”

“I’ll make dinner right away.”

Hinata smiled and quickly headed out of the dojo.

Hanabi watched her leave before turning toward Mihawk and silently puffing out her cheeks again.

Mihawk placed one hand on her head and roughly ruffled her hair.

“Stop sulking.”

“I’m not sulking!”

“Of course not.”

Mihawk took her by the hand and led her out of the dojo.

With Hinata home again, the familiar warmth of their little family had finally returned.

However, none of them knew how little time remained before that peaceful life would be shattered.

It was merely the calm before the storm.