Simultaneously, in the original timeline Uchiha Raizen had first transmigrated into...
The Naruto Uzumaki and his summons who had been swept into the space-time vortex from the future had caused quite a stir. After Kurenai and the others recovered from their shock and reported the matter to Tsunade, the Hokage met with the future Naruto. She subsequently arranged for him to stay at Mount Myōboku, bringing the current timeline's young Naruto along so that the future Naruto could mentor his younger self.
A month passed in the blink of an eye.
Just as Uchiha Raizen vanished from the future timeline, the figures of the future Naruto and his toads began to fade in this world, eventually disappearing entirely. This left Jiraiya and the residents of Mount Myōboku staring at one another in bewilderment.
As soon as Naruto's group vanished, two figures slowly materialized at the bamboo pavilion in the center of the Uchiha estate's lake: Uchiha Raizen and the adult Hinata Hyuga.
Having just arrived, Hinata looked around with curious eyes at her new home. Raizen took her hand and led her toward the shore.
"Papa!!!"
Before they reached the bank, a high-pitched, childish voice rang out. A cute little girl came sprinting toward them, leaping onto Raizen and clinging to him like a koala.
"Papa, you're finally back! Mirai missed you so much!" Little Mirai buried her face in Raizen's chest, acting spoiled.
Raizen doted on her, stroking her hair. "Daddy missed you too, sweetie!"
"Papa, is this sister a new Mama?" After soaking up Raizen's affection, Mirai looked at the tall Hinata standing beside them.
"Yes," Raizen nodded.
"Papa, this Mama... why does she look so much like Sister Hinata?" Mirai tilted her head, the resemblance striking her.
"She is Sister Hinata, but from a different space-time," Raizen explained with a smile.
"Hello! My name is Hinata Hyuga." Adult Hinata greeted Mirai with a warm smile. She found the little girl incredibly adorable and liked her instantly.
Mirai chirped, "Hello, Mama Hinata! My name is Mirai Uchiha. You can call me Little Mirai from now on."
"Little Mirai!" Adult Hinata reached out and gently patted the girl's head.
Raizen added, "Mirai is my daughter with Kurenai Yūhi."
"Kurenai-sensei's child!" Adult Hinata froze for a moment, her face full of surprise. She never expected that upon arriving in this world, she would immediately meet a child born to her husband and her former sensei. So it's Kurenai-sensei's daughter... no wonder she's so lovable!!!
"Come on, let's go home first."
Raizen carried Mirai in one arm and held Adult Hinata's hand with the other, happily walking toward the shore.
"You're really... Hinata!!?"
In the main courtyard, Kurenai Yūhi stared at the adult Hinata in pure disbelief.
"Hello, Kurenai-sensei," Adult Hinata said, giving a respectful bow.
"This is unbelievable. First Naruto, now Hinata... what is happening to the world? Why are such bizarre things occurring?" Kurenai marveled.
"Naruto?" Raizen caught the name and immediately guessed what had happened. "Kurenai, what do you mean about Naruto?"
Kurenai explained, "A month ago, a Naruto Uzumaki from another timeline appeared at our lake with a group of giant toads."
Hearing this, Raizen finally understood why Naruto had been missing from the future he just visited. He had transmigrated at the exact spot and moment Naruto was being summoned; the space-time rift had effectively swapped them. Naruto and his summons had come here while Raizen went there.
"Where is he now? Has he left?" Raizen asked. If he was right, a month was the limit for a person without an anchor, and the laws of space-time would have sent Naruto back just like it sent him.
However, Raizen had planted the Goshinboku (Sacred Tree) in the future. Now, he just needed to plant its counterpart here to establish a permanent tunnel between the two eras. This would ensure that anyone traveling between the worlds would no longer be expelled by the laws of time.
"Mount Myōboku. Lady Tsunade sent them there," Kurenai replied.
To welcome Adult Hinata into the family, Raizen ordered a grand banquet. While the servants prepared the feast, Raizen and Hinata personally planted the second Goshinboku in the courtyard. As their bond connected the two worlds through the tree, Adult Hinata was no longer rejected by the laws of this timeline; she could stay forever.
The Sacred Tree erupted from the soil, growing into a gargantuan monument in seconds, becoming the tallest tree in all of Konoha.
"Husband... can we ever go back to the other world? I'll miss my father and Hanabi," Hinata whispered, her eyes misty as she looked at the tree.
"Don't worry, Hinata. You can go back whenever you want," Raizen said, embracing her from behind.
"Really?"
"Of course! The Goshinboku links the two worlds. If you want to return, you only need to speak your longing to the tree, and it will take you home."
"Thank you, Husband!!!" Hinata was deeply moved. He had planted a bridge across time just so she wouldn't have to lose her family.
At the banquet, Anko Mitarashi looked like she had seen a ghost. She stared at Adult Hinata, her mind reeling. She realized Raizen was literally scouring different timelines to "collect" the village's beauties. If they weren't of age here, he simply found a version of them that was!
Hinata quickly integrated with Kurenai and the others. Since the worlds were nearly identical save for Raizen's influence, they shared the same memories and personalities. There was no awkwardness, only genuine sisterly affection.
That night, Kurenai, wearing black silk stockings, pushed open the door to Raizen's study.
"Raizen-kun, I brought peaches and grapefruit. Which one would you like to eat?"
Raizen gazed at Kurenai, a smirk playing on his lips. "Only children choose. Adults take everything."
A delicate fragrance filled the room as he leaned in to "taste" the fruit.
The next morning, after breakfast, Raizen took Adult Hinata for a walk.
"Husband, this Konoha is exactly like ours before Pain destroyed it!" Hinata exclaimed, looking around at the familiar streets.
Raizen laughed. "These two worlds are essentially the same. Except for me and the things I've changed, they are identical. You've effectively traveled back to the Konoha of a few years ago."
Habit or nostalgia led Hinata toward the Hyuga compound. In this timeline, because Kurenai had married Raizen and retired from field duty, she never became the sensei for Team 8. Thus, Hinata was never grouped with Kiba and Shino. After graduating, she had stayed home to train in the clan's secret techniques under her father's direct supervision.
"Are you Raizen-niichan?"
As Raizen and Adult Hinata stood before the Hyuga gates, a childish voice called out. Raizen turned to see the thirteen-year-old Hinata of this world, accompanied by Hiashi and a seven-year-old Hanabi.
Adult Hinata stiffened as she saw them. Father, little Hanabi... and me!!!
"Long time no see, Little Hinata, Little Hanabi!" Raizen waved warmly.
"You are...!!?" Hiashi's gaze locked onto the Adult Hinata. She was identical to his daughter, simply more mature and physically developed.
"Raizen-niichan, are you here to see me?" Little Hinata asked, her eyes fixed on Raizen, completely failing to notice that the woman beside him was her future self.
"I am," Raizen nodded.
"What about me!?" Little Hanabi chirped, looking at Raizen with a face full of infatuation. Raizen's handsomeness had long ago made a permanent impression on her young heart.
"I came for you too, Hanabi!" Raizen leaned down and patted her head.
Hiashi gave Adult Hinata a long, deep look and gestured for them to enter. "Come inside."
After the kids went off to play, Raizen and Adult Hinata were led aside by Hiashi for a private talk.
"You... are you Hinata?" Hiashi asked directly.
"Father," Adult Hinata replied softly.
"As I thought," Hiashi exhaled. As a Clan Head, he had already heard rumors of a "Future Naruto" appearing in the village. Seeing this woman, he knew instantly she was his daughter from another time. "This is your home. You are always welcome here."
Hinata shook her head gently. "I have already married Raizen-kun. I live in the Uchiha district now."
"What? You married Raizen?" Hiashi's eyes nearly bulged out. "Hinata, don't you know this boy is a notorious flirt? Why would you marry him? Did he force you? Tell me, your father will back you up!!!"
Hiashi felt a sudden, hollow pang in his chest, as if something precious had been snatched away.
"Father, it was voluntary. I love Raizen-kun very much." Even though the Hiashi of her world had practically forced the dowry on him, she didn't regret it.
Seeing the light of happiness in her eyes, Hiashi sighed. "Even if you're an Uchiha now, come home often. I'll have a room kept for you next to Hanabi's."
"I will, Father."
"Stay for dinner tonight," Hiashi commanded, looking at Raizen. "We will have a proper family meal."
"No problem," Raizen agreed.
In the courtyard, Little Hinata asked Adult Hinata, "Sister, what is your name?"
"Uh..." Adult Hinata blinked. She thought for a moment and smiled. "Actually, my name is Big Hinata."
"Big Hinata?" Little Hinata looked confused. "That's very similar to mine. Why the 'Big'?"
Adult Hinata thought for a second and gestured to herself. "Because... I'm just bigger here."
"Oh!!!" Little Hinata stared blankly at her older self's majestic chest.
Little Hanabi added, "Big Hinata-nee, you look so much like Hinata-nee. It's like you're just a grown-up version of her."
"Is that so? Maybe I am!" Adult Hinata patted her little sister's head affectionately. She was so cute at this age; she gets so mischievous when she grows up.
At dinner, Hiashi brought out a massive jar of sake, clearly intending to test Raizen's limits. Raizen proactively poured the drinks.
"Brat, tonight, no one leaves until they're drunk," Hiashi said sternly.
"Understood. Until we're under the table," Raizen nodded.
Once the three females finished and left the table, only the two men remained. Hiashi glared at Raizen. "You brat, you stole my precious daughter. Drink two cups as a penalty."
Raizen countered immediately, "Father-in-law, I didn't 'steal' her. We are a mutual, true love."
"I don't care. Drink."
"Fine, fine." Raizen shook his head and downed two cups. Even if it was a different timeline, he was still his father-in-law. A little concession was only fair for "plucking the sweet cabbage" he'd raised.
Hiashi downed a cup himself. "Tell me about it. Why did the 'me' over there agree to this? And why did he let you bring her here?"
Raizen laughed. "Father-in-law, you won't believe me, but you were actually the one who brought a massive dowry to my door to beg me to marry her. I didn't even have to ask."
"I did what? What could have possibly happened to make me do that?" Hiashi knew his own personality; only a monumental event could trigger such behavior.
Raizen said modestly, "Oh, it was nothing much. I just happened to save Konoha, killed a 'God' who invaded and destroyed everything, and became the village's Great Hero. Since I was a single bachelor over there, I became the most sought-after son-in-law for every major clan."
"If that's the case... then I suppose it's possible," Hiashi mused. "But this 'God' who destroyed the village... who exactly was that?"
Raizen waved it off. "Just a false god. Don't worry about it, Father-in-law. If he shows up here, I'll handle it."