At that moment, someone else logged into the mental network world.
It was Minato Namikaze and Kushina Uzumaki.
As they arrived, their eyes landed on the group, and then focused on Tsunade.
"Huh? Tsunade-nee, you can enter this genjutsu world now? Uh, the one you're holding… feels like I've seen him somewhere before?"
Kushina Uzumaki greeted Tsunade with bright eyes, but upon noticing Nawaki, she looked confused.
Minato Namikaze, however, recognized him immediately. His eyes widened in surprise. "Nawaki-senpai, is that you? Why are you…"
As he spoke, his eyes naturally turned to Uchiha Kei. He was certain this had something to do with him. Not because this genjutsu world belonged to him, but because only Uchiha Kei could pull off something so absurd and miraculous.
Hearing the couple's remarks, Tsunade blinked and then, realizing the relationship between Kei and Minato, understood—if Orochimaru and she could be brought into this realm by Kei, of course Minato and Kushina could too.
As for Nawaki, he was briefly stunned, recognizing Minato and Kushina looked familiar. After some thought, he remembered he'd been dead for many years and finally matched the two to the junior ninja academy students he'd once seen.
"I remember now—you're Kushina! Then you must be Minato, right?"
Nawaki pointed at the two with a look of realization.
Kushina, being the orphan of the Uzumaki Clan, had been taken care of by Nawaki's grandmother, Mito Uzumaki. Nawaki had naturally seen and looked after her when they were young. Though they were separated by the war, he had a strong impression of her as a clanswoman.
As for Minato, Nawaki had interacted with him as a junior even after graduating. He'd taken good care of the blond boy, and they had a decent relationship.
As Nawaki spoke, Kushina finally realized who he was. Shocked, then horrified, she ducked behind Minato—trembling in a posture almost identical to her future son Naruto's when faced with ghosts.
"U-uh, N-Nawaki-nii, weren't you dead?! W-why are you here?"
Minato smiled awkwardly and politely, while Uchiha Kei raised an eyebrow, muttering inwardly that they really were mother and son—their ghost reactions were exactly alike.
The farce didn't last long, though. An explanation followed—mainly from Tsunade, who had just been reunited with her brother. Knowing his situation, she didn't want anyone upsetting him.
Even if the odds were low, Tsunade didn't want to risk it.
At the moment, Tsunade's protectiveness of Nawaki was maxed out—borderline excessive.
It was understandable. With time, her mindset would stabilize.
After hearing about Nawaki's situation and the way Kei helped treat Tsunade's hemophobia, Minato and Kushina were stunned. They hadn't realized so much had happened in this genjutsu world while they were busy elsewhere.
Neither of them were the type to dwell on things, though. Once it was explained, they marveled at Kei's abilities and were genuinely happy for Nawaki's return. Kushina even cheerfully pulled Minato forward to greet him.
She enthusiastically told Nawaki all about the genjutsu world, suggesting he try building a house so he could have a home here.
Learning that such things were possible excited Nawaki.
After Kushina demonstrated how to build a house, Nawaki was hooked. He immediately announced his intention to rebuild a new Hidden Leaf Village here—and become its Hokage.
Yes. Since he couldn't become Hokage in the real world, he would revive that dream here.
Even if it seemed like child's play, the others supported and encouraged him. Tsunade ruffled her brother's hair and said she'd come keep him company here when she could—and help him rebuild the village.
Nawaki nodded with joy, fully embracing the warm sibling bond.
Uchiha Kei, watching, noted inwardly that this was only temporary. Once Tsunade got used to Nawaki's condition, her usual explosive temper would return—probably right into "big sister twist-your-head-off" mode.
But that was for the future. For now, everyone enjoyed the joyful moment.
Later, Tsunade approached Uchiha Kei directly with a scowl. "You jerk. I can't believe you teamed up with my little brother to trick me! And you, Orochimaru—you knew the whole time and said nothing."
Orochimaru shrugged. "What could I do? Kei-kun had the treatment method, and I was just the assistant. The important parts were all his call."
Classic scapegoating.
Uchiha Kei silently complained, but he wasn't worried. After all—
"The outcome was the best possible one, wasn't it?"
He said with a smile.
Tsunade raised an eyebrow, then softened. A smile bloomed on her face. "Yeah… this ending really is the best. Kei-kun, thank you. Truly."
She paused, then added, "I'll remember this favor. As long as you don't harm the Hidden Leaf, I'll help you with whatever you need—as long as it's something I can do. Don't ask for the impossible."
It was a promise—an informal one, but meaningful nonetheless.
Coming from Tsunade, it represented the credibility of the Senju Clan.
Though the clan had mostly abandoned their surname and worked in support roles or civilian life, they were still the core of the village.
Tsunade's support meant Senju support—and that carried enormous political weight.
It could even influence Hokage candidacy.
In essence, if someone from the Uchiha Clan ever became a candidate for Hokage, Tsunade had just promised to back them.
Uchiha Kei expressed his gratitude and chatted happily with her.
Meanwhile, off to the side, Nawaki was excitedly learning how to build a house under the guidance of Minato and Kushina. But then he noticed Kei and Tsunade chatting cheerfully and fell into deep thought, rubbing his chin like a little adult.
Seeing this, Minato and Kushina paused and followed his gaze. They smiled, thinking it was normal. Kei had just brought Nawaki back and cured Tsunade.
Then Nawaki suddenly asked, "Hey, Kushina, Minato—is my sister still single?"
The two froze, looking a bit awkward—but not surprised. As Tsunade's little brother, it was normal for him to care about her future.
Kushina nodded. "Yeah, after Dan-senpai died, Tsunade-nee's stayed single. Jiraiya-sensei always liked her, but…"
She trailed off, her face contorting into an awkward expression. If Minato weren't there, she would've probably called Jiraiya a pervy toad who deserved to stay single forever.
Minato understood her thoughts and chuckled dryly, sweat beading on his forehead.
Nawaki didn't catch Kushina's subtext, but he scratched his head. "Jiraiya-senpai, huh… I actually thought he might become my brother-in-law. But… sigh…"
He sighed, then perked up again. "Well, if it doesn't work out, it doesn't. Sis isn't getting any younger. It's time she found someone. But y'know, the only other person I've seen her really connect with like that was Dan-senpai."
He looked over at Tsunade and Kei, chatting and laughing together. "Now though… I think Kei-nii's a great choice. He's kind, cured her phobia, and they get along great. Don't you agree, Kushina? Minato?"
He turned to them, hoping for support.
Their reactions were… complicated. Cold sweat, awkward glances.
They exchanged looks, speaking in silent eye-language.
Eventually, at Kushina's urging, Minato braced himself.
"Uh, Nawaki-senpai, actually… Kei-kun already has a close relationship with someone. And the Uchiha have assigned a very capable kunoichi his age as his bodyguard."
"What I mean is… maybe your suggestion isn't quite appropriate…"
Minato explained gently, though he was dying to point out how bizarre their group dynamic was. Nawaki called Kei "Kei-nii," but they had to call Nawaki "senpai"—it was enough to make your head spin.
Nawaki paused, folded his arms, and fell into thought. His eyes flicked between Tsunade and Kei, clearly pondering something outrageous.
Finally, he muttered, "Y'know… it wouldn't be that bad if Sis just joined in, right? I mean, if Kei-nii already has two girls, what's one more?"
"Sis is in her thirties. It's basically the age of no return. And with her personality, I doubt she'll find anyone she likes who also likes her back."
At that, Minato and Kushina were stunned.
This guy really just sold out his sister like that?! What a good little brother!