The heated discussion in the living room finally died down.
"Regardless, Mizuna, do not reveal your special Summoning Jutsu too early. At least wait until you have the strength to protect that power," Tobirama said sternly.
"Understood, Mid! I'll be careful," Mizuna said with a bright smile.
Tobirama felt that something was incredibly wrong with that nickname, but he couldn't quite put his finger on it, so he just nodded.
A while later, after everyone finished eating, they went off to do their own things.
Mizuna was about to head out when Mito pulled him back.
Mizuna looked confused.
"Sis? Is something wrong?"
"Mizuna... I have a favor to ask you. It's about your brother-in-law, Hashirama."
Mizuna's interest piqued instantly.
"About Brother-in-law? Did he cheat? Impossible! No way! He's such an airhead, how could he do something like that?"
But then Mizuna had a second thought.
Wait... could it be with Big Bro Madara...
Mizuna thought about Hashirama's behavior—"Madara this, Madara that" every single day.
Don't say it... don't say it... it's not entirely impossible.
The more Mizuna thought about it, the more panicked he got. Is it actually true...
Just then, Mito spoke up.
"I want you to help your brother-in-law quit gambling. He's the Hokage, for heaven's sake! He needs to maintain a good public image. What does it look like for him to be running to the casino every day?"
Mito complained loudly.
"And it's not just that he goes to the casino—he has never won a single time! Isn't that weird? I'm genuinely baffled. Just how bad does a person's luck have to be to lose every single hand?"
"So, I want to ask you to help..."
Feeling the terrifying aura of resentment radiating from Mito, Mizuna let out a sigh of relief.
Thank god it wasn't 'Konoha Brokeback Mountain'...
Mizuna whispered quietly.
"What did you say?" Mito asked, confused. She had been too busy venting to hear him clearly.
"No, no, no! Nothing! Nothing at all!" Mizuna waved his hands frantically.
"Ah, right. I was saying this mission is a bit difficult. After all, Brother-in-law is addicted to gambling like it's his lifeblood. I'm afraid I..."
[Ding! Mission Issued: Help Senju Hashirama successfully quit gambling. (Due to excessive difficulty, the requirement has been adjusted: Successfully quitting for one day counts as success).]
[Reward: 1000 Dignity Points, One Gold-Tier Lottery Draw.]
Seeing the massive rewards, Mizuna's eyes went straight, and his tune changed instantly.
"I'm afraid I... I... I have absolutely no way to refuse such a task! Haha... haha."
Mizuna laughed awkwardly.
Mito felt Mizuna was acting a bit strange but didn't say anything. She just told him not to force it if he couldn't do it.
Mizuna nodded repeatedly. "Okay~ Okay~ I got it."
Walking down the streets of Konoha, Mizuna brainstormed how to stop Hashirama from gambling.
"First, let's go find Big Bro Madara and the White-Haired Mid."
Mizuna headed toward Tobirama's lab.
"Damn it! Failure again!"
Tobirama was frustrated that his new Jutsu development had failed yet again.
Suddenly, the lab door opened.
"What are you doing, Mid?" Mizuna asked.
"I'm experimenting with a new Jutsu... And by the way, Mizuna, can you stop calling me 'Mid'?" Tobirama said helplessly.
"Okay Mid! No problem Mid!"
Tobirama: (▼皿▼#)
"Speak. What do you want? You can't just be here to annoy me." Tobirama didn't look back, busy with his equipment.
"Aiyaya, I really can't hide anything from you, Mid! It's like this: I want to help my brother-in-law quit gambling..."
Mizuna quickly explained the situation to Tobirama.
"So that's how it is... Sister-in-law has it rough..."
Tobirama sighed, then said seriously, "Don't worry. I won't give my brother any money."
Hearing this, Mizuna felt relieved and walked toward the door.
"Thanks, Mid!" Mizuna shouted.
"I said! Don't call me Mid! (╯°□°）╯︵ ┻━┻"
---
In the blink of an eye, Mizuna arrived at the entrance of the Uchiha compound.
"Kid, what are you doing here?"
Standing in front of him was none other than Uchiha Daikon, the guy who arrested him earlier.
"I'm here to find Big Bro Madara," Mizuna replied.
"Go back! Outsiders aren't allowed to wander into the Uchiha compound!"
Uchiha Daikon shooed Mizuna away.
"But I really have an emergency! Please let me in," Mizuna pleaded.
"Why are you so stubborn, kid? Go home!"
Just as Mizuna was at a loss, a pleasant voice rang out.
"What's wrong, Uncle Daikon?"
Mizuna turned around and saw Uchiha Naori.
She stood 5'3" (161cm), with long purple hair, wearing a Konoha forehead protector and a long black robe. The Uchiha fan crest was emblazoned on her back. Bandages were wrapped around her waist, and two swords were strapped to her left hip. She was a standard, certified beauty.
So pretty! Even prettier up close!! Mizuna thought.
"It's Naori. This kid wants to enter the compound, but you know the rules. Outsiders can't just waltz in," Uchiha Daikon explained.
Naori looked at Mizuna and clearly recognized him.
"Uncle Daikon, I know this child. Can I bring him in?" Naori asked with a smile.
"Well, if it's you asking, no problem..."
Daikon stepped aside.
Seeing Mizuna standing there frozen, Naori smiled and took his hand.
Mizuna felt the warmth and softness of her hand. His heart started beating like a drum. Perhaps it was the "virgin otaku soul" from his past life acting up...
Naori stopped walking and let go of his hand, bringing Mizuna back to reality.
He looked at Naori, blushing.
"Th... Thank you, Big Sister."
Naori laughed hearing this.
"It's okay. Actually, you can just call me Sister Naori," she said gently.
Mizuna quickly responded, "Sister Naori... I'm Uzumaki Mizuna..."
His voice was small, but she heard him.
"So, Mizuna, who are you looking for?" Naori asked.
"I want to find Big Bro Madara."
"Clan Leader Madara? He doesn't seem to be back yet. Why don't you wait at my place for a while?" Naori suggested.
"Okay! No problem!"
Mizuna answered eagerly. Come to think of it, this was his first time going to a girl's house.
Naori smiled at his reaction.
A moment later, they arrived at Naori's house.
"I'm home."
Her voice echoed in the entryway, but no one responded.
Mizuna felt it was a bit strange.
"Excuse me!"
Mizuna walked inside.
In the living room, Naori asked if Mizuna wanted juice or tea.
"Tea, please..." Mizuna whispered.
"You're a unique child. I thought you'd want juice," Naori chuckled.
"I think juice is too sweet..."
Mizuna wasn't lying. The juice in this era was basically sugar syrup.
"Too sweet? I think it's just right," Naori wondered.
"Maybe I just don't like it," Mizuna replied.
"I see."
Mizuna didn't dare ask why no one else was home. He was afraid of touching a sore spot, so he kept finding other topics to chat about.
After chatting for a few hours:
"Alright, Clan Leader Madara should be back by now. I'll walk you over," Naori said, standing up.
"Okay."
Sure enough, just as they arrived at Madara's door, they ran into Madara walking toward them.
"Big Bro Madara!" Mizuna waved.
"Clan Leader. This child wanted to find you but couldn't get in, so I took him to my place for a bit. If there's nothing else, I'll be going now. Goodbye, Clan Leader," Naori explained.
Madara nodded in acknowledgment.
"Bye bye, Mizuna."
Naori looked down and smiled at him.
"Oh, right! Sister Naori, this is for you."
Mizuna shoved two Strawberry Lollipops he bought from the System into Naori's hand.
"Candy? Thank you, Mizuna."
Naori patted Mizuna's head, turned around, and walked away.
As she walked, she unwrapped one and popped it into her mouth. It tasted surprisingly good—a strong, sweet strawberry flavor.
"Uzumaki Mizuna... what an interesting child~"
She headed home.
Mizuna stood there, still feeling the lingering warmth on his head. He turned to Madara.
"Big Bro Madara, what kind of person was Sister Naori in the past?"
Madara thought for a moment.
"Her? She was a..."
---