Journey through all the multi-verse

Tamayo's POV:

The soft aroma of jasmine tea filled the air as I sat with Iroh on the veranda, overlooking the serene koi pond that stretched out beneath the gentle arch of the wooden bridge. The tranquility of the moment was occasionally interrupted by bursts of laughter and the rhythmic patter of feet against the wooden floors inside the mansion.

"It seems our young master is putting up quite the fight," Iroh mused, his tone light with amusement. He gestured with his teacup toward the chaos unfolding beyond the shoji doors.

I couldn't help but smile as I took another sip of tea. Inside, Kirito darted past the hall, a determined maid trailing behind him with a neatly pressed suit draped over her arm. "It's hard to blame them," I said, setting my cup down. "He is too cute not to dress up. But I must admit, watching this… it's rather entertaining."

The sound of hurried footsteps grew louder as more maids joined the chase. One of them called for reinforcements, and soon members of the White Lotus guards appeared, their disciplined movements contrasting hilariously with the frantic energy of the maids.

"They've escalated," Iroh chuckled, leaning back slightly. "Do you think they'll catch him before we leave?"

"They have to," I replied, a hint of exasperation in my voice. "This is a formal event, and the Yaoyorozu family's gala requires us to dress the part. They won't let him escape looking like he just finished training."

As the chase continued, Iroh turned the conversation to a more somber topic. "I met someone interesting the other evening," he began, his voice thoughtful. "A woman named Kaina Tsutsumi."

The name was unfamiliar, but the tone in Iroh's voice suggested a story worth hearing. "Go on," I prompted, my attention shifting to him.

He described her burden—the torment she'd endured under the Hero Public Safety Commission. Manipulated, used, and discarded when no longer convenient. Her struggles mirrored the kind of suffering that haunted me from my past. Muzan had once done the same to me, trapping me in a web of fear and servitude, stripping away my agency and leaving me as a pawn in his grand design.

"She's a prisoner in her own life," I murmured, my heart aching for the woman I had never met. "Just like I was."

Iroh placed his hand over mine briefly, a quiet gesture of support. "Your empathy is a gift, Tamayo," he said softly. "But I see the sadness in your eyes. Let us not dwell too deeply tonight."

He turned his gaze back to the chase. "Besides, look at our young warrior. He's giving them quite the workout."

I followed his gaze and couldn't suppress a giggle as I saw Kirito vault over a low railing, dodging a maid's outstretched arms. The sight was almost theatrical, and even the normally stoic guards seemed to enjoy the challenge of trying to corner him. "He's quite the escape artist," I said, laughing lightly.

Kirito's POV:

"You'll never take me alive!" I shouted, bolting through the main hallway with all the speed my small legs could muster. The maids were relentless, but I had no intention of letting them catch me.

Formal attire? No, thank you. I had better things to do, like practicing my chakra control or playing with the koi fish. But no—today, the maids were out for blood. Or, at least, out to dress me like some kind of princely doll.

I zigzagged through the mansion, dodging maids and guards alike. They were clever, I'd give them that. But I was faster. As I burst through the back door and into the garden, I felt a rush of triumph. The koi pond stretched before me, shimmering under the afternoon sun. Two guards flanked me on either side, while another closed in from behind. My only option? The pond.

Drawing on my training, I leapt high into the air. As I descended, I focused my chakra into the soles of my feet, just as Mama had taught me. When I landed, the surface of the water held firm beneath me. I grinned, racing across the pond with the guards in hot pursuit.

The chakra exercises were starting to pay off. My control had improved, though it didn't help that my chakra levels kept rising. It was like trying to contain a river within a teacup—constant practice was the only way to keep it manageable.

Halfway across the pond, I felt a shift in the air. My senses flared as three figures emerged from beneath the water. Hands shot up to grab my feet, but I reacted instantly, jumping high into the air. As I twisted mid-flight, two more guards broke the surface, shooting ninja wire from their wrist gauntlets. The wires wrapped around me, and for a moment, they thought they had me.

Then, with a loud poof, I vanished, leaving a wooden block in my place. The substitution jutsu worked like a charm, and I couldn't help but shout, "You'll never catch me!"

The guards exchanged glances, clearly impressed but determined not to let me escape. As I neared the far edge of the pond, the water in front of me erupted. A guard emerged, bending the water into tendrils that wrapped tightly around me before I could react.

"Well done, young master," the guard said with a smile. "You've given us quite the challenge, but the chase ends here."

Defeated, I could only glare as he carried me back across the pond. The maids were waiting, their eyes gleaming with triumph.

"Traitor!" I yelled at the guard, then muttered under my breath, "And me, for getting caught so easily."

The guard chuckled, handing me over to the maids, who whisked me away to the bath and then to the dreaded dressing room. My protests fell on deaf ears as they prepared me for the gala.

As I was led away, I caught sight of Mama and Uncle Iroh standing on the bridge. They were laughing, clearly enjoying the show. Even the guard who had captured me bowed respectfully to them before returning to his duties.

Someday, I'd win. But today wasn't that day.

The lingering warmth from the bath clung to my skin, and though I appreciated the maids' care, I couldn't shake off the embarrassment. Being fussed over like a baby was not exactly how I imagined spending the evening before a high-ranking event. My cheeks still burned from the way they cooed at me like I was some sort of adorable kitten.

When they finally left me alone, I sighed, looking at my reflection in the full-length mirror. The only thing I had on was a pair of plain black boxers. My reflection stared back, and I couldn't help but analyze it. Despite my training, there were still traces of baby fat on my face and around my stomach. At least it was less noticeable now, thanks to the grueling exercises Mama made me do every day.

The door creaked open, and I instinctively straightened up. The maids entered, carrying neatly folded clothes in their arms. They moved with the precision of an assembly line, their expressions focused. I tried not to fidget as they set the items down on the table nearby, each piece carefully arranged as if I were about to be pieced together like some kind of puzzle.

The first maid approached, holding black pants and a sleek shirt. She gestured for me to lift my arms. Begrudgingly, I complied, letting her help me slide the shirt on. It hugged my skin tightly, but not uncomfortably so—like a second skin. The fabric was breathable and flexible, allowing me to move freely while keeping me cool. The sleeves extended all the way to my hands, ending in loops that hooked around my middle fingers, covering the backs of my hands. Practical yet stylish.

Next came the pants, which covered my legs completely and matched the shirt in texture and design. When she was done, the second maid stepped up with the kimono. My eyes widened slightly as I saw the intricate patterns embroidered on the dark navy fabric, almost black. White tree branches stretched across the material, interwoven with symbols that caught my attention—the Senju crest, the Uzumaki spiral, and the iconic Uchiha fan. Silver highlights traced the edges, adding a touch of elegance.

The hakama was added next, flowing yet structured, perfectly complementing the kimono. Finally, the last maid approached with the haori. It bore the Uchiha symbol proudly on the back, bold and unmistakable. She draped it over my shoulders, fastening it securely.

The maids stepped back, admiring their handiwork. One of them giggled softly. "Young Master, you look so handsome. And adorable!"

Adorable? Adorable?! I puffed out my cheeks and planted my hands on my hips. "I'm not adorable! I'm a mighty warrior!"

The maids exchanged amused glances and giggled even more. My protests only seemed to encourage them. Frustrated, I crossed my arms, trying to look as imposing as possible, which, judging by their reactions, wasn't very effective.

Before I could argue further, the door opened again. Mama entered the room, and all the maids immediately straightened, their laughter subsiding. I turned to look at her and froze.

She was breathtaking. Her kimono mirrored the design of mine but with soft pink and purple highlights instead of silver. The fabric shimmered faintly under the light, and intricate floral patterns adorned the edges. The maids murmured praises about her beauty, which she accepted with a graceful nod.

Mama's gaze fell on me, and her lips curled into a warm smile. "You look very handsome, Kirito," she said softly.

Despite myself, I felt a flush of pride. "Thanks, Mama. You look beautiful too."

She walked over and gently fixed the collar of my haori. "Shall we?"

I nodded, and together we left the room.

When we reached the front of the mansion, Uncle Iroh was waiting for us. He, too, wore a kimono in the same color scheme, though his had white and silver highlights and the White Lotus emblem subtly embroidered along the edges. Behind him stood four guards, each dressed in their combat gear, their expressions alert but respectful.

I immediately recognized two of them. One was the guard from my first trial, a reliable presence I had come to respect. The other was the waterbender who had caught me earlier today during the chase. As soon as I spotted him, I pointed accusingly. "Traitor!"

The waterbender raised an eyebrow and pointed to himself. "Me? A traitor? You must be mistaken, young master," he said, his tone playful.

"Oh, I'm not mistaken!" I shot back. "You sold me out to the demon maids!"

"Sold you out? I was just doing my duty," he replied, feigning innocence.

The two of us went back and forth, much to the amusement of everyone around us. Uncle Iroh chuckled, his eyes twinkling with mirth, while Mama simply shook her head with a small smile. The other guards remained stoic, but I could see the corners of their mouths twitching.

Eventually, Uncle Iroh stepped in. "Now, now, Kirito. He was merely ensuring you looked your best for tonight. A noble cause, wouldn't you agree?"

I huffed but let it drop, crossing my arms. "Fine. But I'll remember this betrayal."

With everything prepared, we climbed into the waiting limousine. The interior was spacious and luxurious, a perfect reflection of the grandeur of the event we were heading to. As the vehicle began to move, I couldn't help but feel a mixture of excitement and nervousness.

This was my first time attending such a formal event. Part of me was curious to see kids my age and to meet people from other prominent families. But I was also nervous about interacting with high-ranking individuals. What if I said or did something wrong? What if they didn't like me?

Mama must have noticed my nervousness because she placed a gentle hand on my head, her touch instantly soothing. "Kirito," she said softly, "just be yourself. You have a kind heart, and that is what truly matters." Uncle Iroh chimed in, his tone warm and reassuring. "And remember, nephew, confidence and a good cup of tea can solve almost any problem." Their words eased some of my worries, and I found myself smiling despite the nerves. With their support, I felt ready to face whatever the evening might bring.

I glanced at Mama and Uncle Iroh. Their calm presence was reassuring, and I straightened in my seat. Whatever happened tonight, I knew I wouldn't be facing it alone.