Haruya slept like a rock.
Maybe it was because he'd pushed himself too hard the day before; the moment he hit the mattress, he'd dropped straight into a deep sleep.He stretched lazily, pulled on his clothes, and stepped out of the room.
"Haruya, you awake?"Tsunade's voice floated out from the kitchen.
"Awake," Haruya replied, wandering toward the doorway.
She still wore her loose sleeveless top—but now with an apron tied over it.
New skin unlocked: Chef Tsunade.
Honestly, when you're attractive, everything looks good on you.
In his previous life, Haruya always thought Tsunade's usual clothes were fairly normal, but nothing could hide a mature woman's natural charm. Like a perfectly ripe peach—round, fragrant, and impossible not to notice.
"Go wash up," Tsunade said without turning around.
Haruya opened the bathroom door nearby and found a brand-new toothbrush set neatly placed by the sink.
She'd clearly prepared it in advance.
He glanced back toward the kitchen, a small warmth rising in his chest. Tsunade might be bold and brash on the outside, but she had a surprisingly delicate and thoughtful side.
By the time Haruya finished washing, breakfast was ready.
Rice balls.
"Taste it," Tsunade said, chin propped on her hand, bright brown eyes fixed on him.She was definitely looking for feedback.
Haruya picked up a rice ball, took a bite—
—and froze.
He wanted to compliment her. Really. But his body rejected the idea on a cellular level.
Good grief, what was this? Salty, sweet, and… something else. Something indescribable.You had to be a special kind of genius to mess up rice balls this badly.
"Not bad," Haruya said with the most classic evasive answer known to mankind.
Tsunade burst out laughing. She could tell exactly what that meant.
Rope Tree had said the same thing—forcing himself to eat the whole portion even when suffering.
For a moment, nostalgia flickered across her face.Then she narrowed her eyes into a pleased little crescent. "Then I'll make them for you every day."
Haruya froze, three dreaded words echoing in his mind from a past-life meme:
What a sin…
He couldn't refuse.Time to farm those favorability points.
He nodded hard. "Okay."
Tsunade's smile brightened as she picked up her own rice ball.
Even she knew it didn't taste good.
Precisely because of that, Haruya's willingness to eat it made her look at him more fondly.Anyone who could endure her cooking treated her as family.
Just like her younger brother, Dan.
After breakfast, they prepared to head out. Tsunade slipped back into her iconic tea-green jacket—the classic look—with the big "Gamble" kanji on the back.
Her gambling skills… well, best not mentioned.
"I'll buy you some new clothes later," she said, giving Haruya a glance.
"No need to waste money," Haruya protested automatically.
"That won't do."She took his hand and guided him outside. "Those clothes don't match your cute face."
Haruya blinked.
Good grief.
She was coveting his body.
Well then—if we're being honest, he was coveting hers too.
They walked south through the village until they arrived at Konoha Hospital.
"Tsunade-sama!"The greetings came nonstop. People's faces brightened instantly at the sight of her.
Before the Sannin's reputations later collapsed for various reasons, their prestige was sky-high.And Tsunade, the greatest medical ninja alive, was practically divine within hospital walls.
Soon, they stopped outside an office.
"Tsunade-sama!"A middle-aged woman behind the desk stood up immediately, eyes shining.
"Long time no see, Xinmei," Tsunade said warmly. "Where's Shizune?"
"She should be observing surgery right now. Please wait—I'll call her."Xinmei glanced at Haruya, clearly surprised by how cute he was, but didn't ask anything and hurried out.
"Haruya," Tsunade said, patting the sofa.
He sat obediently beside her.
"You're about to meet a girl named Shizune. She's a relative of an old friend and has real talent in medical ninjutsu. I plan to take her as my student."She ruffled his hair. "You two should get along."
"Yeah, I will."
Haruya had guessed from the moment they arrived—it had to be Shizune.
She played a huge role in the original story, always at Tsunade's side: quiet, serious, reliable.More like a secretary or long-suffering caretaker than a disciple.
Haruya didn't mind meeting her. Important characters meant fate points.
But like Tsunade, Shizune wasn't at her major destiny node yet.He couldn't intervene with her fate right now.
Just like Yakushi Nonou—the caretaker who'd raised him for three years.
In the original story, she'd be forced by Danzo to spy in Iwagakure, eventually losing his trust, being manipulated into a fatal confrontation with Kabuto, and dying.
Haruya had already changed Kabuto's fate—but Nonou's remained the same.Unless she escaped Danzo's control, her death was inevitable.
To change that, Haruya would have to start with Danzo himself.
Dangerous, charismatic villain. Schrödinger's gender.
And on the brink of his own destiny node—his defection from Konoha.
A few minutes later, Xinmei returned with a girl.
Delicate features, neat nurse uniform.
The moment she saw Tsunade, her calm façade melted into excitement.
"Tsunade-sama!"
Shizune was fourteen. After graduating the Academy, she'd stayed in the hospital, waiting for Tsunade's return.She already admired her deeply.
Standing beside them, Haruya watched this unfold and thought:
Please calm down, young lady.
"I've heard of your performance. Well done," Tsunade said coolly. "From today onward, you'll learn medical ninjutsu under me."
Shizune inhaled sharply, regained her composure, and bowed her head."Yes, Tsunade-sama."
"Xinmei, we're leaving. I'll chat with you next time."Tsunade took Haruya's hand and headed out. Shizune cast a curious glance at the unfamiliar boy, then hurried after them.
"Shizune, this is Haruya," Tsunade said as they walked. "Your junior brother."
Haruya gave a perfectly polite smile. "Nice to meet you, Sister Shizune."
Her heart practically trembled.
Too cute!
She reached out and patted his head. "Please take care of me from now on."
Haruya stared blankly.
Had he accidentally traveled to a village where head-pats were a greeting ritual?Especially Tsunade.
Hmph. He liked it so much he might let her pat something else someday.
Tsunade brought both Shizune and Haruya to a clothing shop, buying each of them three outfits before leading them back home.
At the door stood a short, elderly man waiting for them.
The Third Hokage—Hiruzen Sarutobi.