As everyone was thinking about the latest chapter and what was revealed in it, they were getting more and more interested in the book, not only was it about their favorite blonde, but it was also about his family. They learned that he not only has a lover, but two of them along with kids of his own.
"I wonder what else we're going to learn from this book? This has been a lot of fun." Kushina was grinning in excitement..
"I'm just as excited as you are Kushi-chan, but it's only been five chapters and we will have more to learn about our son's life." Minato said just as excited, but knew how to keep himself calm unlike his wife. He couldn't blame her though for it as it wasn't everyday you read about your son's life in another dimension.
Red appeared with a grin, seeing how everyone was enjoying themselves. He clapped his hands together, getting their attention.
"Alright, we're going to take a little break before continuing with the story, so while that's happening, why don't you take this time to use the bathroom if you need too. Also, I'll have food prepared if you're hungry too." He said as everyone nodded when suddenly three doors appeared with two of them being bathrooms and the other being what said dining room which would no doubt be where the food would be.
"Thanks Red." Anko said as she was excited to have some food…. Especially Dango. She wanted some dango right now.
Everyone else gave their thanks and went about to check out the third room after using the bathroom. They would be in for a surprise, but a welcome one.
An hour later
Everyone was back in the theater room after getting much needed food and having used the bathroom, everyone was now waiting for Minato to begin the chapter.
"Alright, before you start the next chapter, I'll be bringing in two people to read alongside you all." Red said with everyone wondering who would be joining them. Red snapped his fingers as two lights appeared in the room.
When the lights died down, Kushina eyes widened with a bright smile as she saw the two people appear in the spot the light was. They both had white hair, blue eyes, and similar facial structures. This was Willow Uzumaki-Schnee and Winter Uzumaki-Schnee, Naruto's lover and his oldest daughter.
"Ugh, where are we? Mom, do you recognize this place?" Winter asked her mother who looked around for a moment before shaking her head.
"No I don't. I've never seen something like this place." Willow said, but her attention was brought when she heard someone yell that made her facepalm, knowing all too well who that was. All she saw was a red and black blur slam into her as Winter stumbled briefly from the action.
Winter knew who it was too since only two people did that kind of thing and she too had experienced something like that from one of them.
"Willow, you're here too!" Summer grinned brightly at the Matriarch who gave a deadpan stare at her sister wife.
"I can see that, Summer, but do you have to do that every time we see each other?" Willow asked, exasperatedly while Summer just kept her grin at her.
"We're reading a book and you have people that you and Winter need to meet!" Summer cheered in an excited voice as she grabbed the Schnee's hands and dragged them to where everyone else was.
"Who are they mother?" Winter asked, once they got a better look at everyone.
"I'm not sure, but we must've been brought here for a reason, but to read a book of all things, I wasn't expecting my day to go." Willow said amused by the whole thing, but was very curious. Kushina was in front of them instantly with a giant grin on her face.
"Hello, I'm Kushina Uzumaki, nice to meet you. You must be Willow and Winter." Kushina grinned at the two Schnee's who looked at her with wide eyes, not because of her appearance, but something else caught their attention.
"Uzumaki, but that's impossible. There's only one Uzumaki aside from my children that I know of." Willow said in disbelief.
"Of course after all he is my son." Kushina said, not even bothered by their reactions and was too busy being excited to meet more of her son's family.
Minato coughed getting their attention and the first thing they thought of was their beloved/father since he looked identical to him aside from one difference.
"I'm sorry about my wife. She's just been excited hearing about you and reading this book has built it up since the beginning and now getting to you has her reaching her limit." Minato said as he walked over to his excited wife and stood next to her. "I'm Minato Namikaze, Naruto's father and this is his mother. Come have a seat and we'll explain everything." He told them calmly as they nodded, unable to say anything with what they were just learning.
Apparently this was their in-laws/grandparents, but they're supposed to be dead, weren't they? How are they alive for that matter and where the hell were they at? So many questions and hopefully they'll get their answers.
Minato took the time to introduce everyone to them and explain how they were all here if they were dead. They had been reading a book about their son's life in Remnant, but also when they were mentioned in the story. He said how the screen would play scenes from the book as they read and showed what different people looked like, which is how they knew about them.
It was very strange to read a book that was about their husband/father and would introduce them in the book at some point.
"This is one of the strangest things I've ever seen. It's weird reading a book about the past that's apparently leading up to what is going on in our lives now. I'm not sure how I feel about it." Winter said with an unsure look. She could only hope that nothing embarrassing could be showed to her grandparents and her father's godparents, teacher, and sister-figure who was freaking her out since she had never stopped grinning at her that reminded her of her sister Yang.
"I suppose so I can understand that. You'll enjoy it though as it's been hilarious to read and see how Naruto has been. We just finished the chapter where Naruto, Ruby, and Kurama beat the shit out of Jacques and you giving him the finger." Anko nearly cackled at the latest chapter.
"I suppose if we're here that we can't leave until we finish this story?" Willow asked, having somewhat of an idea to her question already.
"Yeah, we can't use our Chakra or Summer's semblance, so expect the same to apply to you two as well." Minato said with everyone else agreeing.
"Stupid host." Summer muttered with a lot of other curse words that had Kushina and Anko guffawing at her choice of words.
"I'm very curious now with this book. May as well get comfortable and enjoy it while we can." Willow said as she sat down in an elegant way while Winter looked at her mother in surprise.
"But mother, what about our duties in Atlas? Everyone will be wondering what happened to us or where we're at." Winter pointed out with concern in her voice and posture.
"We've been told not to worry about that since time hasn't moved since we were brought here. The host told us that time will resume once the book is over and he sends us all back." Summer said as Winter still looked skeptical, but nodded eventually and joined her mother on the couch. Kushina sat down next to them as she gently wrapped an arm around her shoulder with a smile on her face.
"I can't wait to get to know another one of my grandbabies and daughter-in-law." She said in a reassuring tone that Winter returned along with Willow as they nodded their heads.
"I'll go ahead and start the next chapter than." Minato said as he opened the book and started reading. "Chapter 6, "Never Gonna Give You Up."" He said as he began reading with a smile.
Ruby Rose wanted to scream.
Not out of fear, or hate, or even sadness, really. Nope.
You see, she had a different reason altogether for wanting to holler at the top of her lungs.
She skipped through the halls of of Beacon, recalling last night with mostly fond memories. Mostly, she said; because frankly seeing her parents kissing -nopenopenope!- wasn't an event she wanted to remember anytime soon.
"Ruby must've just learned about Weiss, Winter, and Whitley being her siblings now." Willow said in amusement as she could imagine what the little clone of Summer acting like this since she was very much like her mother.
"She did and I can't blame her for being like this since I think anyone would happy to learn they have more family out there." Kakashi said with an eye smile. Winter stared at the copy ninja with curious gaze that caught his attention. He turned to her with a tilt of his head. "Is something the matter?" He asked in curiosity.
"Why do you look like a scarecrow?" Winter finally asked after a minute of silence.
Everyone including his sensei start laughing at the question while Willow tried to keep her posture proper and not to break her elegance that she had going, but a snicker or two would escape her lips every now and than. Kakashi meanwhile just sweatdropped and fell to his knees with an air of depression.
After taking a few minutes to calm themselves down, Minato picked up the book to continue reading, but a chuckle escaped his lips one more time before continuing the story, making the copy ninja pout in embarrassment.
Unbidden, her mind flitted back to the conversation they'd had just last night, just the three of them.
"There will always be another monster, Ruby. That's what people fail to realize." Naruto sighed as he pushed a glass of warm milk her way. "Sometimes, you need a monster to keep other monsters away.
Ruby took it, letting the mug warm her cold hands. "And that's what you are?"
"Good girl." he patted her head, tousling her hair. "You're learning."
"He's so different to how he used to be back before he disappeared to Remnant." Tsunade commented with a sigh. She wasn't sure if she liked him being so realistic as she loved how optimistic he was and somewhat naive.
"Well, at least he's willing to do it, so no one else has too and it's to protect what's precious to him." Jiraiya said with a shrug, but he had a proud look in his eyes at his godson.
Her nose wrinkled. "Soooo...how many siblings do I have?"
"Well, more than you'd think, less than you'd expect."
She huffed. "Daaad! That's hardly an answer!"
"Hahahahaha!" Anko laughed at the image of the pouting Ruby at being denied what she asked him.
"I'm kind of curious too." Kushina said with a glint in her eyes as she turned towards the three Remnant dwellers. "Do you girls know how many grandbabies I have?" She asked them.
"I do, but….. You'll have to wait since it'll most likely be revealed in the book." Willow tittered as her mother-in-law pouted at the Matriarch.
Summer shrugged. "Its the best you'll get."
She had more siblings now!
Once upon a time that might've made her antsy; seeded her heart with doubt and poisoned her from within. Now? Nope! Mom and dad had been separated for fifteen years -the better part of two decades really- really, the past was the past so far as she was concerned. They were back together again now. Nothing else mattered.
Well, maybe a few things.
Things involving the scowling girl walking only two paces ahead of her.
Because! Weiss! Was! Her! Sister!
Which also meant this "Winter" and "Whitley" Naruto kept mentioning were family, too! She'd always wanted a big family. Just the thought of it left the little reaper giddy.
"She really does take after you. You've always been like this since we met." Willow commented with a small smirk making said mother pout, but couldn't deny her words since they were true.
"Now remember, Ruby." Dad's voice came back to her all at once. "You can't tell Weiss about this. This is something she needs to figure out on her own."
Ruby respected that. Really, she did! She wouldn't tell her of course; not when Dad wanted to drop that bomb herself. But it was so hard! Everywhere she looked she seemed to find relatives she'd never known about. At this rate Blake going to be her sister, too.
She missed a step.
Frowned a little.
Waitaminute.
Dad had mentioned the name "Kali Belladonna" back in the shop. Blake's last name was Belladonna. Her mind leaped to the immediate conclusion.
"Oh, did Ruby catch something?" Tsunade asked with a smirk towards Kushina who was looking at her in a confusedly.
"What?" Kushina asked with a annoyed tone that Tsunade was directing towards her. This made others smack their foreheads. It seemed that she didn't get what the girl was suggesting.
Weiss saw her smile and scowled. "Why are you grinning? You've been like this all morning."
Ruby giggled. "No reason. Nope. No reason at all."
Blake's bow twitched. "Are you sure?"
Ruby absolutely beamed. "Yup."
Yang sighed. "Ruby."
"Tell you later, sis!" The little reaper grinned and skipped ahead of them. "C'mon! We're gonna be late for class."
She didn't see Yang linger behind Weiss and Blake.
Certainly, she didn't hear her words.
"I have a bad feeling about this…
"When it comes to Ruby, you really don't know what to expect. She's unpredictable like dad is and makes it hard to know what she's going to do." Winter said with a sigh, but she had small smile on her features.
"Naruto has always been unpredictable and if Ruby has gotten that from him, I can only wonder what she'll do." Kakashi said with Anko, Tsunade, and Jiraiya agreeing with him, having known him the best. Summer and Willow just smiled knowingly.
(.0.0.0.)
While the children are away, the adults will lay.
Jiraiya started giggling and was about to start writing in his notepad when it was suddenly shredded to pieces in his hands. He looked around wondering what happened to his material when he saw Summer who was twirling her weapon in her hand with an air of innocence, but it was the way she was staring at him that made him shiver. Oh hell this wasn't going to end well.
In the next moment he was surrounded by ice that came from Willow who also had a smile on her face, but it was so sweet that it scared the other guys. He was than punched out of the ice until he crashed into the wall being knocked unconscious. The shinobi looked over at Winter who had a glare on her beautiful face as he fist was extended out showing that she was the one who punched him.
"Impressive." Tsunade said with a nod of approval, not at all bothered that she had somehow used her semblance.
"That'll teach the pervert." Kushina said in a smug look, proud of her son's wives and daughter.
Was that the saying? Wasn't it play?
Naruto supposed it didn't matter.
Lay they had.
Him and Summer, over and over again until they lost count; until their bodies were pleasantly sore-yet-sated betwixt the sheets of his bed. He cast a weather eye about, wincing at the mess they'd made. He didn't recall much of the last three hours, but now that they'd come down from their high he realized his bedroom was an absolute ruin. In all due fairness, they did have fifteen years to make up for. A little bit of destruction was to be expected. Anticipated, even. Shame about their clothes, though. Total loss there.
"I don't want to see this." Minato muttered in horror along with Kushina, Winter, and Tsunade as the image of the two in the same bed without their clothes, but luckily it was sensored. They didn't want to see him like that. Summer was blushing up a storm, remembering that time she spent with her beloved. Willow's eye was twitching in response. She wasn't jealous at all, nope she was not and anyone that said otherwise would meet the end of her rapier. Kakashi though was having a slight nosebleed, but held it together better than Jiraiya. It wouldn't do any good to end up like him.
"Hmm." Summer tucked her head into his bare chest, silver eyes half-lidded in post coital bliss. "Much better. Why did I ever give this up again? Speaking of which...
"Summer, no." Naruto swatted her hand away when it began to trail lower. "Gimme a second to catch my breath for crying out loud."
.
..
...is that long enough?"
"Not again!" Kurama howled from downstairs. "Insatiable, the both of you! Book a hotel or something!"
"Oh shit, he must've heard everything they did and said." Jiraiya who managed to wake up and went back to his seat, but he had a large bruise on his face and a black eye.
Kushina busted up laughing at the fox, having heard everything that they did. He must've been horrified and it was hilarious to her very much. Willow was giggling behind her hand, knowing that Kurama deserved it. He was an ass with his snarky comments.
"Fine, fine." The huntress subsided with a huff. "So? How many?"
Like mother, like daughter!
"Hmm?" Naruto feigned ignorance, creaking a blue eye open. "How many what?"
"Don't play coy with me, mister." she tucked herself into his side all but spooning against him. "I know you held back earlier for Ruby's sake, but really." Her body shifted against his, all but sprawling cross his chest. "How many sisters did you give my girls?
Even a daft man could've felt the intent in her words.
"Do you want the abridged version...?"
Naruto!"
He held up both hands, fingers fully splayed on all but one.
All the Shinobi's eyes widened at this. As soon as they heard this, Minato looked at wife with a nervous chuckle. Reason being? She was vibrating considerably in her seat in excitement. He held up five fingers and started counting down.
"4"
"3"
"2"
"1"
Kushina was on her feet in an instant with a wide grin on her face.
"I have more grandbabies!?" She screamed to the heavens, her smile getting bigger by the second as she could only wonder who else was her grandbaby. There were many possibilities with four of them already known to her, but now she had five others to think about. She did wonder about this Kali person though and who she was. She'd have to think about it, but for now she'd celebrate the fact that she had more grandbabies to spoil!
Summer squeaked. "Nine...?! Did you even wait after we...?!"
"I did. For an entire year. You were the one who backed away, remember?" Here at last, he felt a rare touch of anger. "Don't go accusin' me now. I take care of my own. If I'd known Ruby was mine I would've come flying back into her life ages ago. But someone didn't want to see me."
"M'sorry...
The faint chime of the doorbell below demanded their attention.
Summer groaned. "Nooo...don't wanna get up…
"I'll bet she's sore. Must've been quite the time with her husband~" Anko couldn't keep the teasing grin off her face as she was enjoying this.
Summer's blush returned and glared at the sadist. It would've done something if the blush she was sporting didn't make her seem threatening at all. Anko's smirk grew and nearly laughed, loving this part.
Naruto flung his senses outward and recognized the presence below. All three of them. A wicked idea bit him and didn't let go. He'd just thought of a way to lift her spirits and deflect her anger all at once.
"Did you know I adopted one, and she kinda adopted two more." when she didn't respond, he stroked her hair. "Kinda makes me a grandfather, ya know. And you a grandmother by proxy."
Summer perked up. "Grandbabies?"
"Ayup. That's them downstairs."
A shiver passed through her.
.
..
...
All at once she sprang upright. "I WANNA SEE!"
"Wow, she certainly is like Kushina if she's this excited." Kakashi blinked as his mind conjured up several images and felt his blood run cold at the thought. Those two working together would be a disaster. For their enemies.
"Clothes!" Naruto hollered before she could bolt downstairs!
Summer stalked back with a growl. "Fine! Gimme one of your old outfits!"
(.0.0.0.)
Cinder hadn't come this far by being a fool.
Naruto had taught her many a thing since he'd taken her under his wing; chief among them the ability to sense danger. It was a skill that had served her well as she grew into a young woman; if only because it helped her to otherwise avoid those who were hopelessly out of her league.
And when Summer Rose came barreling through that door?
NOPE!
Cinder took one look at her and responded accordingly. She did what must be done. She did not hesitate. She showed no mercy.
Meaning?
"Here!"
She threw Emerald and Mercury under the bus.
Her minion -children?- barely had time to stiffen as she placed a palm against each of their backs and thrust them forward. Emerald offered the least resistance; not quite realizing the danger before her. More fool she! It was she who fell first. Mercury had the good sense to at least dig his heels in, and avoided being glomped altogether.
"Oh, she just left those two to suffer at the hands of an excited grandma." Anko snickered at the huntress whose face was getting red again.
"There's nothing wrong with a grandparent spoiling their children with love and hugs." Kushina said with a pout, not liking how Cinder did that to get away from Summer like that.
"I wonder if she'll be able to escape or will it be in vain?" Willow asked with a smirk. She wondered what would happen.
"Let's just get back to the book and find out." Summer said, wanting to move on from this embarrassing moment.
"They're adorable!" Summer all but squealed. "Let me have a look at you!"
Emerald squeaked as Summer pinched her cheeks.
Mercury sniggered at her express discomfort. "Heh. Busted."
Silver eyes swiveled toward him. "I'm sorry, did I say something that you found funny? Come here! Are you eating enough?"
Cinder slunk away in the chaos. Time to make her escape. She could always visit Father when that THING wasn't here-
Summer's arm looped around her neck.
"And where do you think you're going?!"
Cinder recoiled with a start, but it was too late. Her legs betrayed her, gone stiff as stone. Her mind bleated out a wild panicked note of dismay; that was all she managed before the silver-eyed terror was upon her.
Naruto poked his head out the door, took one look at them, and darted back inside.
Cinder glared glowing golden daggers at her fool of a Father.
"Traitor!"
Snorts rang throughout the room before everyone except Summer started laughing with the latter pouting and promised that she'd get back at her husband in the future.
"This is quite entertaining. It's a family reunion and yet even Naruto is wanting to not get involved with Summer acting like that." Winter said with a smile that quickly changed to a look of horror when Summer trained her sights on her.
"Naruto did the smart thing in getting out there when he did." Minato whispered to his student and teacher who nodded their heads in agreement.
(.0.0.0.)
While a cheerily cheeky Summer fussed and fretted over Cinder and company, Naruto slipped back inside.
He eased the door to the shop shut behind him, then locked it for good measure.
...alright, then."
Keen blue eyes surveyed the recently-repaired shelves and the proud product placed within. The dust sang pleasantly to his ears, humming with trace amounts of chakra. Ruby had done good work here; everything looked good as new. There wasn't so much as a speck of dirt to be seen. Not a hair out of place.
And yet it was quiet. Too quiet. He sensed something in the stillness.
Kurama uttered a jaw-popping yawn from where he lay on the counter. "Finally noticed it, have you?"
This stopped all the laughing and teasing in the room as the Shinobi, Winter, Willow, and Summer all tensed up. If Kurama was sensing something off, than it had to be something bad.
No one dared to say anything as they stared at the book Minato was holding than to the holder wanting him to continue reading. Minato saw all their looks and nodded his head, going back to the book.
How could he not? Negative intent pervaded the shop, and none of it stemmed from those without. His gaze swept toward the right, regarding a tidy little corner. In hindsight he couldn't say what felt off about it, only that something did. He took one step forward. Then another. A third now, careful to block their escape with his body.
"So?" His voice rang out into the silence. "How long do you plan on hiding?"
Nothing happened. Not a peep. Not a sound.
...eh?"
Maybe he was losing his touch in old age. Perhaps his mind was playing tricks on him...not bloody likely!
He slammed his hands together; to which a harsh pulse of chakra burst from his palms and rippled across the room. It was an old trick, one that still served him well from time to time, and it did so now.
With a faint sound like shattering glass, she appeared.
"Huh." Kurama raised his head and cocked it to one side like the fox he was. "These kids keep getting weirder and weirder…
"It was almost like a Genjutsu, you could only remove it with a pulse of Chakra once you knew you were caught in one." Jiraiya said with mild surprise.
"And she had kept herself hidden like that with ease showing her skill with her semblance. It would've worked on nearly anyone else, but Naruto." Summer said in a slightly impressed tone.
"So, her semblance is using illusions of some kind, then." Tsunade said with her hand on her chin in thought.
She certainly was an odd one.
Naruto took her in at a glance; noting pink and brown hair, mismatching eyes that seemed to flicker with fear when he stared at them overlong. Her clothing was a mad medley of black-and-white-pink, matching the strange parasol she hung over head. As he looked on the girl stowed it at her side. Yet this was not a girl, a child wouldn't have those kind of curves. A child wouldn't stalk toward him, her eyes angry flickering slits of anxiety.
Yet she didn't speak.
"Not going to say anything?"
She scowled and stabbed a finger to her mouth.
"Oh." he blinked, feeling mildly chagrined. "You can't, can you?"
"Awe, poor girl." Kushina said in a sad tone as others nodded in agreement.
"I wonder what happened to her that would cause to lose her ability to speak?" Minato asked with a frown.
"Do any of you know this girl?" Kakashi asked the three who nodded their heads.
"Not her personally, but we know that she works with Roman and that they're close, but we don't know anything about her." Winter said with a sigh.
"Weiss told me about their encounter with her and she was very devoted to him. He must've helped her and she's been with him ever since." Willow said with a shrug.
Her free hand fished a scroll forth from her pocket and held it up for him to see.
Three little words awaited him within.
"Leave Roman alone."
"Ah." His smile shriveled up, taking his goodwill with it. "You're one of his, then?"
Her head bobbed.
"What do I call you?"
She traced three letter in the air with a finger.
"N-E-O?"
Another nod.
She had moxxy if nothing else. The scroll flashed out again.
"He's my dum-dum."
"Aww that's cute. He has a nickname for him." Kushina couldn't help herself and coo at the brown-pink haired young woman.
"It is, but she's clearly there to tell him to leave Roman alone. Wonder what she'll do to get him to do it?" Jiraiya said as he looked back at his student.
Well, wasn't that curious? He planted his feet while he jammed both hands in his pockets, subtly strengthening his stance. "And what is he do you?"
Her brow furrowed; this time the text was downright speedy. "Everything."
One of those, then. "Is that so?"
She nodded anew.
Kurama scoffed from his perch. "You chose poorly, then."
Neo's head whipped toward the tiny kitsune's false form, eyes wide. Credit where it was due, she recovered quickly. Out came the scroll once more. She seemed to hesitate this time before she steeled herself and showed it to him once more.
...I want a truce."
Naruto's brow shot into his hairline.
So nice to see someone sensible in Roman's organization. Unfortunately it was much too late to make this go away. Maybe if this "Neo" had come to him immediately after Roman's little escapade...but no.
"I'm sorry, little one." he shook his head. "That's not going to happen."
"That's true, Roman chose to hide rather than handle this like a businessman or at least try to get it sorted out without violence." Minato said.
"But instead he decides to hide and try to fight him when we all know how that would go." Anko snorted at the ridiculous thought of the criminal beating her little brother in a fight.
She scowled and was quick to key in another message.
"Tell me how to make this stop, then."
"How?" A frown marred his whiskered cheeks. "You bring him here and this stops. I'm not emotional about the money or even the damage." his finger jabbed at her. "There is a price indebted to me for the blood I've gotten on my hands restoring order to the untidiness that your boss created."
She gulped, he saw her throat rise and fall.
If not for Roman, he wouldn't have come back in the first place; just as he wouldn't have taught Junior a lesson. Jacques wouldn't dare reared his ugly head. But he did, and he had. More was yet to come, and he couldn't stop this train now even if he wanted to. And make no mistake, he didn't.
...will you kill him?"
"Haven't decided yet." he was honest, if nothing else.
She scowled and stomped a heel. Her scroll cracked in her hand, revealing a fractured message. "It was just a dust shop!"
Kurama sighed. "You just had to press that button, didn't you?"
"That's not going to end well." Summer said with Willow and Winter nodding in agreement.
"What do you mean?" Kushina asked with a raised brow.
"Sparks and Splosions is his baby and life. For her to just disregard it like that is asking for a death sentence." Willow shuttered thinking about the last person that insulted his shop. She can still remember when he strung the guy up by his underwear and in Beacon Academy's courtyard on the flagpole where everyone could see. It wasn't a pretty sight.
"Even Jacques knew not to insult his store and that guy had the largest ego in Remnant." Winter added, making everyone shutter and wince.
"Just a dust shop, you say?" An old ember of anger sprang to life in Naruto's heart. "Just. A. Dust. Shop. No." He flicked a hand outward, slapping her scroll away. "To you maybe." Cold blue eyes followed her as she gave it up and scrambled back. "But to me? This place is everything. I sank my life savings into this place. I worked hard to get here, to get out of that old life. I'm proud of it." his brow turned stormy. "And then in a single night, your boss took that from me. Stole that from me!"
He stalked forward.
"KILLED THAT FROM ME!"
Neo tripped and fell on her rear, scrambling back now like a drunken crab.
"Everyone's been asking me if I'm back, if I'm going to remind everyone who I am. And until now?!" his hand shot down, grabbing her by the collar. "I haven't really had an answer. But yeah, I'm thinking I'm back." His forehead kissed hers in a savage headbutt, stunning her. "So you tell me where Roman is, you bring him here and make him pay his dues, or so help me when I find him, you will die screaming alongside him!"
He flung her to the ground.
"Now get out before I lop off your petty little head!"
Neo didn't need to be told twice. She vanished in a crackle of glass.
"I forget how scary dad can be sometimes when he wants to be." Winter whispered to her mother who smirked at her in amusement.
"Sheesh, he's going to give the girl a heart attack with how he handled her." Jiraiya said as he saw the scene play out on the screen.
"That's my sochi, you don't let her insult your store like she did." Kushina said as she cheered her son on.
"Well now we know who he takes after personality wise. He's a lot like grandma." Winter said in awe and fright of her grandmother.
Almost immediately, a harsh clamor arose outside. Naruto pivoted on one heel to regard it.
"For the love of...!"
He bulled outside, fearing the worst.
Several things happened at once.
"Move!"
Cinder all but shouldered past him, seeking shelter inside. Naruto was inclined to let her; seeing as Summer was somewhat distracted at the moment. He peered past her, beheld a white-on-blue vest with a matching skirt, flowing up into a familiar face framed by hair white as snow and keen blue eyes besides. Just as well too, because those eyes weren't focused on him. If they were, he expected they'd be a great deal warmer.
Right now? They were chips of pure ice.
"Uh oh." Summer and Willow said with a groan, not looking forward to this being shown to their in-laws and the latters daughter.
"Are we going to see a catfight?!" Anko shouted as she jumped out of her seat in excitement.
Jiraiya just giggled as a clear image came to his mind as he desperately wanted to write in his notebook, but he knew if he tried, he'd suffer for it.
"...hello, Summer."
Ruby's mother lifted her chin. "Willow. You look well. For a drunk."
"And you look well for a woman who's supposed to be dead." Willow tilted her head just so. "How many times have you died again?" Her eyes flitted past, alighted upon him, and she tried to step around her. "Step aside, I'm not here for you.
Summer wasn't having it, she all but blocked her with both arms.
"Why you...?! At least I didn't let myself be used by a pig like Jacques!"
Naruto and Kurama winced as one. Willow's once pleasant smile became brittle as a blizzard.
"My, my, I'd choose your words carefully, were I you. Wouldn't want to say something you'd regret...
"Sure. Great. Just my luck." Naruto's palm struck his forehead with an audible smack. "We're going to do this now, are we?"
Summer and Willow butted heads.
"We certainly are!"
Minato whistled as he closed the book.
"Well, that's an interesting way to end a chapter." He said with the two mentioned blushed in embarrassment, knowing it wasn't their best moment.
Kushina merely raised a brow at his son's wives and gave them teasing grins, much to their embarrassment. This was getting interesting and she couldn't wait to see what would happen next.
Winter gawked at seeing her mother act so differently. It was one thing to be told about it, but seeing it is another thing entirely.
"Now, I am quite curious about you two and how that encounter goes. Care to share with us about it~" Anko practically sang with a mischievous grin on her face that made everyone that knew her wary.
"NO!" The two shouted at the snake mistress with glares that made her shutter as their eyes turned icy cold in an instant.
"Now with that settled, who wants to read next?" Minato asked with a nervous chuckle.
And that's the chapter. This was a much shorter chapter compared to the others and I hope that it was to everyone's liking.