Tatsumi

With her mother, Asami, her last remaining kin, now gone, Tatsumi begins touring the hot springs her mother had once praised. Somewhere on the road between them she runs into Ryūki, who lays out a bargain: recruit new followers on his behalf, and he will let her commune with her late mother's spirit.

Grief drives Tatsumi, and her trust is easily given, which is exactly why a stranger's scheme can pull her in as she reaches for one more moment with her mother. The instant the plan's murderous purpose becomes clear, she is stricken with horror, and once the danger passes she turns remorseful toward Mirai, vowing to honour the future her friend struggled to secure for her.

At a hot spring Tatsumi and Mirai Sarutobi strike up a fast friendship. Late one night in the water she asks whether Mirai would want to speak with someone deceased; Mirai, longing for her father Asuma, agrees, and Tatsumi guides her up into the mountains to the cave where Ryūki's followers wait, making the introductions. Ryūki holds out water he says will prepare Mirai to meet the dead, but she reads it as drugged, refuses, and reveals herself as a Konoha shinobi, charging him with the string of local abductions. He admits the truth and declares he will offer Mirai, Tatsumi, and his other captives up to Jashin. Horrified, Tatsumi still hears him swear he can truly reunite her with her mother, even as he moves to kill her so they may meet beyond death. Mirai wrenches her clear and, backed by Kakashi Hatake and Might Guy, brings Ryūki and his people down. Tatsumi apologises for nearly steering her friend into death, yet Mirai is grateful, having found her purpose in protecting Tatsumi, and Tatsumi swears to make her rescued future count.