Kairen and Canon talked a lot along the way, mostly about kitchen series, family series, classroom series…
Canon conceived many fascinating stories, making Kairen's interest surge; he almost wished he could personally play the male lead.
Suddenly, Kairen realized something and looked at Canon.
"If you shoot films using my face, won't that affect my image?"
Canon froze for a moment and said bluntly,
"Does Your Majesty still have an image?"
"What? ꐦ≖ ≖"
"No, I mean, Your Majesty's mighty reputation is known across the seas; all under heaven fear you."
Kairen felt something was still wrong.
"No, change your face. Hmm… use Jiraiya's. That face has potential in this area."
"This servant understands!"
Kairen nodded in satisfaction.
"Wolon, accelerate. My beloved consorts can't wait anymore."
...
Not far from Hinata and Hanabi's sleeping palace stood another palace, surrounded by dense trees and groves of green bamboo, filled with the feeling of spring.
Inside a hot spring, two young girls were soaking comfortably.
Ino's cheeks were flushed, her light-green pupils somewhat unfocused.
She wondered what was happening at home now. Would her parents be worried?
And had Shikamaru and Chōji returned home safely?
Seeing Ino lost in thought, Tenten asked,
"What are you thinking about?"
Ino sighed.
"Do you think… once we entered this palace, we might never get out for the rest of our lives?"
Tenten shook her head.
"I don't know. Hinata said that guy is actually easy to talk to. When the time comes, we can just beg him and leave."
"Sigh…"
Ino sighed again and suddenly lamented,
"It's all because I'm too beautiful. That's why I caught his attention."
"If only I were uglier, like Sakura. Then he wouldn't have targeted me."
Tenten laughed at her.
"Narcissist. Didn't he say it himself? You could disfigure yourself, and then he wouldn't be interested anymore."
Ino shook her head vigorously.
"Disfigure myself? Impossible. I don't have that kind of courage. If it comes to it, then I'll just go along with him."
"That guy is ridiculously strong. He'll probably become the hero who unifies the continent. Following him wouldn't be a loss."
"It's just a pity… the prince I met already has many princesses."
Ino sighed about her future as someone soon to be married, while Tenten stared at her own reflection rippling in the hot spring water.
"If I destroy it… that guy will lose interest!!"
Ino quickly swam over to stop her.
"No! Silly girl, can't you cherish yourself a little?"
Tenten gave a bitter smile.
"But I don't like that guy. I hate how fickle he is even more."
Ino pinched Tenten's smooth, tender face.
"Your sacrifice would be too great. Even Tsunade-sama might not be able to heal you if you disfigure yourself. Most importantly, you'd anger him."
"If he gets angry, your parents, Might Guy-senpai, Lee, and Neji will all be implicated. For him, that would be effortless."
Tenten fell silent. She understood Ino's words.
The reason they remained by Kairen's side was also due to a deal; otherwise, Shikamaru and Neji wouldn't have left unharmed.
Given Kairen's sinister nature, if someone provoked him, wanting to leave without losing two eggs was just wishful thinking.
Ino comforted Tenten.
"Don't worry so much. Just accept it. As ninja, we must endure what ordinary people cannot."
"And more importantly…"
Ino looked around. Seeing no one nearby, she leaned close to Tenten's ear and whispered,
"Staying by his side also lets us become spies, gather intelligence, and help Konoha win the war."
Tenten nodded.
"Alright."
Ino finally relaxed. She had managed to persuade this foolish girl. She truly feared Tenten might suddenly lose hope and do something irreversible.
"Then let's do this. We'll wash ourselves clean and beautiful and stun that guy to death when he arrives."
Ino laughed and splashed water with Tenten. The two girls immediately burst into bell-like laughter.
After playing around, Ino felt a little tired and said,
"You keep washing. I'll go get the shampoo."
"Okay!"
Ino wrapped herself in a towel and left, leaving Tenten alone in silence within the hot spring.
Just like before, she quietly stared at the rippling water and her wavering reflection.
Suddenly, a fierce expression appeared on her face.
"Moku Kairen… I hate you!"
Chakra gathered at her fingertips, forming cutting power like a blade.
Ino pushed open the bamboo door while wrapped in her towel and walked back in—only to witness a horrifying scene.
"Tenten—"
...
Inside Tenten's room, Kairen looked heartbroken.
"Silly girl, why are you so cruel to yourself?"
At this moment, a terrifying scar stretched across Tenten's face, horrifying to behold.
Ino sat beside Tenten's bed, her eyes red.
Seeing Kairen only made her angrier.
"It's all your fault, you bastard! If you hadn't forced Tenten, would she have ruined her own face like this?"
Kairen sighed helplessly. He had underestimated the strength of a person's spirit.
Tenten wasn't like Ino, who cared greatly about appearance. She met every standard and was ruthless toward herself—exactly fitting the image of a true ninja.
Kairen slapped his forehead.
"It's my fault. If I had boarded the train earlier, you wouldn't have gone this far."
He had wanted to slowly wear down Tenten and Ino, hoping they would eventually become more proactive themselves.
He never expected Tenten would rather destroy her own face than let him have her.
But no panic! Kairen's medical skills were divine—removing this scar would be easy.
Yet as he looked at the scar on Tenten's face, inspiration suddenly struck him.
Kairen gently caressed the wound on Tenten's face.
"Silly girl, what I love is your innocence and purity… what I love is your honesty and courage."
"As for your appearance, it was only a small bargaining chip in this love."
Kairen was so moved by his own words he almost cried. He refused to believe Tenten wouldn't be touched.
Sure enough, Tenten's previously motionless face shifted slightly, her hand quietly clenching.
Behind him, Ino looked at Kairen with surprise.
"Are you serious?"
Kairen ignored Ino and gazed at Tenten affectionately instead.
Tenten wanted to face his sincerity directly, so she opened her eyes and met his gaze.
"Many people say I am lustful. But I've never told anyone a secret."
"In truth, I have reincarnated eight hundred times. In every life, there was a wife I deeply loved."
"Hinata was the 1st life, Ino was the 49th life… and you, Tenten, were the 100th."
"Why do you think I didn't pursue countless beauties across the world but instead chose only you? Because… you are my wives!"
Kairen spoke with tears in his eyes. Even Wolon and Fenchu at his feet believed him, whimpering repeatedly to add atmosphere.
Ino began to believe a little.
"Really? Do you have any proof?"
Kairen's Tenseigan glowed faintly red, transmitting a memory to Ino.
It showed an ancient mountain village: Kairen farming the land while Ino wove cloth, living a peaceful life of farming and weaving together…
The scene felt so real that Ino truly believed it.
"I… I was really your wife in a past life?!"
Kairen sneered inwardly. That was merely a fabricated memory altered by Kotoamatsukami—he could make up whatever story he wanted.