He woke to warmth.
Morning sunlight spilled through the window, washing over the tangled sheets and the woman sleeping beside him. Anko lay curled against his chest, her hair scattered across the pillow, her breathing slow and steady.
He smiled faintly, running a hand down her back. The faint outline of the Cursed Mark on her neck caught his eye — a dark reminder of the past that had haunted her for years.
He traced it lightly with his finger, deep in thought.
Anko had been a genius once. Brilliant, talented, and full of promise — until Orochimaru's mark had chained her potential. She'd survived it, learned to live with it… but it was still there. Always leeching, always suppressing.
He knew — without that mark, and with the right guidance — Anko would've reached Elite Jōnin easily, even without monster cores or monster meat.
He wanted to fix that.
No, more than that — he wanted her to benefit from the very thing that had cursed her.
Removing it now wouldn't be enough. It would only erase the pain, not redeem it. And she deserved redemption.
The Cursed Seal, after all, was based on Nature Energy — a crude, dangerous attempt to imitate true Sage Mode. If he could study it using his Passive Growth, then he could refine it. Perfect it.
Turn a curse into a blessing.
And maybe… just maybe… turn the seal into something that allowed true Sage transformation.
'If Orochimaru could do this with cruel experimentation,' he thought, 'then I can do better with time and Passive Growth.'
He smiled faintly at the thought. If he succeeded in this, and he would, then he would have a family of Sages. Himself, Anko, any other wife he takes in, and all their children, all with bodies that could perfectly handle Nature Chakra.
The idea alone made him determined to start as soon as possible. But he couldn't rush it. Not yet.
'First, let's master Hiraishin. And then I'll move on to everything else.' he decided.
He turned his thoughts toward something else — his future kids. With how dangerous the shinobi world was, he wouldn't feel confident in their safety, unless they were S-class shinobi at the very least.
But if they had weak bodies and low chakra reserves, then even Sage Mode might not make them strong enough. And he would not have that.
So, he decided that once he'd learned Hiraishin, he would change that slot to Cursed Seal, and then change either the Fuinjutsu or Iryojutsu slot to Genetic Fortification. Maybe both.
What it does, is that it would basically ensure that any child he had would inherit strong bodies, and high chakra potential — and a far greater chance of awakening any dormant bloodlines.
If he did end up with Tsunade… their child could inherit the Senju vitality or the Uzumaki reserves. And even if not, any future children would be exceptional from birth.
To be fair, he wasn't completely sure if such a thing could be improved upon, even with his system. But he hoped it would.
And if he didn't… then Orochimaru has already proven that things like Bloodline can be given artificially to others, even if those bloodlines won't be as strong as the original.
He'll just have to improve on that so that his children would all inherit true bloodlines.
He couldn't help but grin a little at the thought. Or a dozen little Hashirama and Madara running around in his home, causing chaos wherever they went.
A soft voice cut through his thoughts.
"Staring at me again, huh?"
Anko's eyes were half-lidded, her lips curved in that teasing smirk he knew too well.
He smirked back, even if she'd mistaken what he was doing. "Can you blame me?"
She chuckled, stretching lazily before smacking his chest. "Flatterer."
He retaliated by smacking her ass. She yelped, glaring at him in mock outrage. "Rude."
"Worth it," he said simply, and got up, forming a Shadow Clone to start making breakfast while they both freshened up.
By the time they sat down to eat, the smell of grilled fish and eggs filled the air.
It was peaceful — almost normal. The kind of peace shinobi rarely got to enjoy.
That peace didn't last long.
A familiar chakra signature approached their home, and he sighed softly, setting his chopsticks down. "She's here."
Anko looked up from her meal, eyebrow raised. "The big-breasted Senju?"
He gave her a flat look. "There's only one Senju alive."
And wasn't that just a sad thing. One of the two founder clans that built the village now only had one remaining member. And the other would've been left with two members, if this world had followed canon timeline.
He wondered what that said about Konoha.
Anko smirked. "Well, she certainly wants to change that."
Before he could respond, there was a knock on the door.
He stood, straightening his shirt, and opened it.
Standing there, framed by the morning light, was Tsunade Senju looking rather poised and calm.
"Morning," she said simply. "I hope I'm not interrupting anything."
Anko smirked behind him. "Oh, you definitely are."
He shot her a warning look over his shoulder.
Tsunade's eyes narrowed slightly but she said nothing. Instead, she stepped forward, her gaze flicking between him and Anko before settling on him.
"May I come in?"
He nodded slowly. "Of course."
Tsunade didn't waste time on small talk.
She stepped inside, took the offered seat at the low table, and ignored the plate of food that one of his clones quietly set before her.
"Let's skip the pleasantries," Tsunade said finally, resting her elbows on the table. "I didn't come here to share breakfast. I came for your answer. Yes or no?"
He met her eyes. He'd thought about this a lot the previous night — weighed it from every angle. And… well… the decision had come quite easily to him.
The only true reason he'd consider refusing Tsunade might be because of her advanced age, but since he was going to find a way to give immortality to himself and all his wives anyway, that wasn't going to be a problem.
Yes, there were other disadvantages to having Tsunade as his wife, but the advantages of having a Peak S-class Healer as his wife far outweighed those. Especially one who holds so much influence within Konoha as she did.
Of course, his previous crush on her, her beauty and those two massive tits had no influence on his decision whatsoever. Not at all.
"Yes," he said.
Tsunade blinked, caught slightly off guard by his directness.
"But," he continued calmly, "if we're doing this, it won't be now. You'll have to wait two years."
Her brows furrowed. "Two years?"
He nodded once. "I'll marry you — alongside Anko, and whoever else joins in on the deal. The Hokage's new law allows polygamy for S-class shinobi, and I'm not going to pretend that I don't want a big family. But I won't rush into this."
He leaned forward, his tone firm. "Right now, I'm too weak. I don't want to be someone who hides behind stronger people. I want to protect my family myself — not rely on anyone else to do it for me."
Tsunade was silent for a moment, studying him closely. The faintest crease appeared between her brows.
"You're asking a lot," she said at last. "Two years is no small thing. I might look like this, but I'm already fifty-two. Even with medical chakra and monster cores, fertility isn't something you can just patch back together. Once it's gone, it's gone."
He met her frown with quiet confidence. "Then I'll find a way to make you younger."
That stopped her cold.
"You'll… what?"
He met her eyes steadily. "Not just prolong your vitality. I mean actually make you younger. Restore your body to its prime."
For a moment, she just stared at him — then let out a low, disbelieving laugh. "You're serious."
"I am."
"Ken," she said, her tone softer but tinged with skepticism, "you realise what you're saying? Aging is not something chakra can reverse. Even I—"
He raised his hand, forming a quick seal before she could finish. Chakra flared around his fingers — razor-sharp, and impossibly stable.
Without hesitation, he made a small cut across his palm. Then, with a pulse of medical chakra, the skin closed seamlessly, not even leaving a scar.
"I've only been studying Iryōjutsu for a few days," he said quietly, "and I'm already here."
Tsunade's expression shifted. The amusement vanished, replaced by a glimmer of interest.
"Show me again," she said.
He obliged, making another small incision and healing it perfectly in under a second.
Tsunade frowned, not in disapproval this time, but in deep thought. "You've got potential," she admitted. "And fine chakra control. Far finer than most medics I've trained."
He smirked inwardly at that. Mastering Dustless Bewildering Cover, and taking his Wind Blade Jutsu to such a high level had already refined his chakra control far beyond what normal shinobi could achieve. His current control was likely among the best in the entire village.
It was also why he was picking up medical techniques so quickly ever since he placed Iryojutsu into one of his Passive slots.
He inclined his head slightly. "Then you'll wait?"
Tsunade leaned back, silent for several seconds, weighing the decision carefully. Then she spoke.
"Just because you can heal a scratch doesn't mean you can pull off miracles," she said finally. "So here's the deal — I'll teach you a few more medical techniques myself. If you can learn them in record time… then I'll believe you might actually be worth waiting for."
He didn't hesitate. "Deal."
He already had 7× Active Growth. Combined with his control, memory and Limitless Growth, he could learn anything she threw at him — and fast.
"Good," she said, standing smoothly and gesturing toward the door. "Let's see if that confidence of yours survives a real test."
—————
They arrived at the hospital a few minutes later, The nurses and medics stiffened when they saw Tsunade and scrambled to clear the path ahead.
"Bring me a live test subject," Tsunade ordered curtly. Within moments, a nurse returned with a sedated rat resting on a tray.
Tsunade took it carefully, channeled chakra into her palm, and with a sharp twist, snapped one of its limbs.
"Now," Tsunade said, her tone businesslike, "watch carefully."
Her hands glowed with soft green light as she moulded her chakra. Slowly, the rat's leg straightened, the bones realigning, the skin smoothing over seamlessly until it looked as though it had never been injured.
She set the rat down and looked up at him. "Your turn."
He nodded once and decided to go all out, without holding back in the least.
Closing his eyes, he focused inward — opening his System interface in his mind. He then temporarily changed every single one of his six Passive Growth Slots to the medical technique Tsunade just taught him.
Information immediately started to flood his mind regarding the technique he'd just witness, every movement, every pulse of chakra, every breath Tsunade had taken during her demonstration.
And then, he started to perform the technique. He failed the first time, but that failure was akin to failing 7 times, and gave him a good idea of where he went wrong and what he could improve up.
He failed two more times, learning with each failure before he finally got the technique right.
All within one minute.
Tsunade's face didn't move. Not a flicker of surprise.
But his Kagura's Mind Eye saw through it.
She was shocked. Staggered. In complete disbelief. Her emotions rippled like an earthquake beneath the surface.
For her to hide her emotions so perfectly behind a calm facade… it deepened his respect for her.
"Good," she said at last, her voice perfectly steady. And then she started to teach him the next technique.
Over the next hour, she put him through test after test — a dozen different medical techniques. From cellular reconstruction to organ stimulation and poison extraction. Each one he learned in just a few minutes.
By the end, Tsunade's emotional state was a storm of confusion, fascination, and cautious excitement. Outwardly though, she still looked calm...
Except for the faint twitch at the corner of her mouth every time he mastered another technique.
Finally, she let out a slow breath, barely managing to keep up her calm facade. "Alright. I believe you now."
He smiled faintly, offering a hand. She hesitated for a moment, then took it.
"Good," he said, his tone teasing. "Because I plan to make you even prouder in two years."
Then, before she could pull back, he reached out and lightly smacked her ass.
Anko choked on air. The nearby nurse almost dropped her clipboard.
Tsunade froze. Her chakra flared — a dangerous ripple that made even the lights flicker — but then she just exhaled slowly, pinching the bridge of her nose.
"You really have no fear, do you?"
He grinned. "You're going to be my wife in two years. Might as well start claiming my privileges early."
Her eyes narrowed dangerously. "Try that again, and I'll rearrange your spine."
He only chuckled. "I'll take that as a 'maybe later.'"
She rolled her eyes, trying her best not to smile, and turned toward the door. "Just go already. And don't think this means you get to slack off."
"Oh, don't worry," he said lightly, walking backward toward the exit. "I'll come find you soon enough. We should go out on a few dates and get to know each other before the wedding."
Tsunade gave a slow, incredulous shake of her head but didn't argue.
"Fine," she muttered. "You're impossible."
He grinned wider. "You'll get used to it."
And with that, he turned and left the hospital, feeling her chakra still buzzing behind him, tangled somewhere between annoyance, amusement… and reluctant anticipation.
Big titted medical waifu… get!
The chamber was vast, a cathedral carved into the heart of a mountain.
Light from hundreds of candles flickered across the black stone walls, casting shadows that danced like ghosts over the engraved seal arrays.
Rows of massive pods lined the space, their glass surfaces glowing faintly with violet light.
At the center stood a circular dais — the Ascension Platform.
Konan stood before it, draped in her formal white robes, the symbol of the Akatsuki embroidered across the hem in crimson and gold. Her paper wings spread slightly behind her, shimmering like glass under the candlelight.
Before her, over a hundred devotees knelt, heads bowed, trembling with reverence and fear. They wore simple white garments, each marked with the symbol of the Rinnegan. The symbol of their new religion.
Konan raised her hands, her voice soft yet echoing clearly through the hall.
"From the ashes of a dying world, we rise."
"From the silence of despair, we are reborn."
"Through Pain, we find Truth. Through Truth, we ascend."
Her words rippled across the room like a tide of prayer.
"O Lord of Paths, O Herald of Salvation," she continued, her tone deepening into a chant.
"Grant us deliverance from mortality.
Break our chains of weakness.
Guide us beyond the veil of fear, into your light."
The devotees repeated after her — voices trembling, fervent, desperate.
Their chanting grew louder, rising into a crescendo that filled the vast chamber like the roaring of a storm.
And then — silence.
A pulse of chakra swept through the air. The candles flickered. The walls hummed.
Nagato entered.
He walked now — no longer bound to his mechanical frame. His once-withered legs moved with grace. The years of frailty were gone. His red hair flowed freely behind him, and his white kimono bore the nine black magatama down its back — a deliberate imitation of the Sage of Six Paths.
The hundred devotees fell flat to the ground at the sight of their god, pressing their foreheads to the cold stone.
Konan turned and lowered her head as well. "The God of the New World approaches," she chanted.
Nagato stopped before the Ascension Platform, looking down at his worshipers.
His Rinnegan shimmered like twin galaxies. Radiating far more power thanks to the immense number of cores Nagato has absorbed over the past decade.
Nine Truth Seeking balls hovered in the air behind his back. Their small size and shape deceptively hiding the immense destructive potential they truly held. Each capable of destroying entire mountains.
"Rise," he said simply.
The command carried the weight of divine will. The devotees rose, trembling. Some wept openly at being in the presence of their god.
Nagato raised one hand, and the platform beneath him flared with light.
"My children," he began, his voice soft yet echoing across the chamber. "Once, the Sage of Six Paths looked upon this world and saw humanity broken by chaos. The Ten Tails ravaged the lands, and all life trembled before its power."
He extended his arm outward. "The Sage defeated the Ten Tails, and thus, brought salvation to the world. He gave humanity chakra, a gift that lifted them from despair. A power that made gods of mortals. But…" His gaze swept the crowd. "…that power was never enough."
Murmurs rose, hesitant.
"Humanity stagnated," Nagato said. "They took the Sage's gift and used it for war. They slaughtered each other, repeating the same mistakes again and again. And now, the divine will of the world has punished them for their hubris by releasing gates into the world."
"Now, monsters roam the world, slaughtering entire cities, destroying entire kingdoms, their power beyond comprehension, and yet, mankind still squabbles over borders and pride."
He paused, his tone darkening.
"The Major shinobi villages, the strongest champions of mankind, failed to stop the first S-class Gate. And have now failed to contain the second one as well. The smaller nations, Land of Noodles, Land of Bear, Land of Wave, Land of Mountains… many have fallen to ruin. And many more will fall in the upcoming time."
"Within thirty years — perhaps less — humanity will fall. Devoured by beasts greater than themselves."
A collective shiver passed through the crowd at that declaration.
"Or that's what would happen, if not for me. As your god, I shall give humanity another chance for survival. To prove that they're worthy of living in this new world, where only the strong may survive." He said, raising his hand. "Just as the Sage of Six Paths gave humanity the gift of chakra, so too shall I… give you a gift as well."
Nagato's voice deepened, resonating with conviction that bordered on madness.
"You will ascend — not as weak humans, but as neo-sages, vessels of true balance between man and monster. You will wield the strength of both worlds and lead this earth into its next evolution."
He smiled faintly, serene.
"This is my duty — as Pain Reborn. The new Sage of Six Paths. The guardian of the new dawn."
He turned slightly.
"Begin the ritual."
The high priests — Sasori, and Hiruko— stepped forward, flanked by masked attendants.
The smell of antiseptic and blood mingled with incense.
Pods hissed open along the sides of the chamber. The devotees were guided, one by one, into them. Some trembled, others smiled through tears, whispering prayers.
As the pods sealed shut, glowing inscriptions crawled across the glass like veins.
Nagato lifted both hands, forming seals too complex for most eyes to follow. The platform's centre flared, energy coursing outward through the floor in spiralling patterns of violet and gold.
Then, the screams began.
They started as gasps — shock, pain, confusion. Then they turned into shrieks.
Bodies convulsed inside the pods, bones cracking, skin stretching, chakra coils twisting under the strain. The air filled with the smell of burning flesh and ozone.
Konan's knuckles whitened. She forced herself not to look away.
Some pods burst outright, spraying blood and bone fragments across the floor. Others went still — the bodies within silent, lifeless, their flesh liquefying into sludge.
Hours passed.
Of the hundred who had entered the chamber, only ten survived.
Nine emerged broken — monstrous, twisted beyond recognition, their minds shattered by pain. They roared and clawed at their own skin before being put down by the guards.
Only one remained standing.
He was tall, his body covered in faint scales, his eyes crimson and slitted. His chakra burned bright and chaotic. His features were now monstrous, but his voice — when he spoke — was still human.
"…Nagato-sama…" he rasped. "I see… the light…"
Nagato stepped closer, studying him. For a moment, Konan thought she saw pride in his gaze. Then, disappointment.
"No," Nagato said quietly. "Your faith was not strong enough."
With a gesture, Sasori and others came forward and dragged the human turned monster away for further experiments.
Nagato turned away, disappointed by yet another failure and stated to walking away.
Konan moved quickly to his side. "Nagato, wait."
"What is it Konan?" Nagato asked, his expression calm.
"Nagato, we cannot continue doing this. Those people… they did not deserve that."
"I understand your concerns, Konan. But shis was inevitable. The path to evolution is paved with sacrifice."
"Sacrifice?" Konan demanded softly. "They believed in you. They offered themselves completely."
"And their offering will not be wasted." He looked ahead, eyes distant. "Each failure, gives us more data to work with, teaches us how to do better next time. The next batch of devotees will fare better. The path to godhood cannot be walked without blood."
His tone was tranquil, his steps unhurried — as if he hadn't just condemned a hundred souls to agony.
Konan's paper wings twitched, faintly rustling behind her.
"You sound more like a mad scientist than a savior," she said bitterly.
Nagato paused, just for a heartbeat.
Then he glanced back at her — and in that gaze, she saw something terrifying.
Not cruelty. Not even madness.
Faith.
Unshakable, absolute faith.
"When gods are born," he said, "the world must burn a little brighter."
He turned and left the hall.
Konan remained there long after he was gone. The scent of blood still hung thick in the air.
She stared at the disfigured remains of all the devotees that had died and felt immense sadness fill her heart.
'Yahiko… where did we go wrong.'
—————
The cavern was dark — impossibly so. Only the faint, eerie violet glow of the Gedo Mazo statue illuminated its vast interior, casting monstrous shadows along the jagged stone walls like veins of some ancient, sleeping god. The air was heavy — thick with decay and power, the scent of death soaked into the very rock.
Zetsu stood at the edge of the ritual circle, watching in silence.
All around the base of the Gedo Mazo lay the corpses of monsters — thousands of them, dragged here from every corner of the world by Akatsuki operatives. Grotesque things born from Gates that should never have existed. Creatures twisted by laws not of this reality.
And now, they served their final purpose.
The statue's gaping maw opened with a guttural, living sound, and the air trembled. A surge of pale blue light spilled from its mouth as it began to pull — devouring everything in its sight.
The corpses twitched and convulsed. Their flesh withered, eyes collapsed into hollow sockets, bones cracked and folded as the last remnants of vitality were torn away, leaving behind only paper-thin husks.
It was… beautiful, in its own horrific way.
The Gedo Mazo drank deeply — and the world itself seemed to shudder.
A single monster was nothing compared to a Tailed Beast. That much was true. But what about ten? A thousand? Ten thousand? What of a hundred thousand… or millions?
The arrival of the first S-class Gate — and the deaths of the Three-Tails' and Six-Tails' Jinchūriki — had forced Black Zetsu to alter its plans.
Reviving the Ten-Tails required the essence of all nine Tailed Beasts. But while those ancient beasts were nearly indestructible, their hosts were not. Fragile, fleeting things — humans who could be crushed, devoured, or corrupted in the chaos the Gates had unleashed.
And no amount of manipulation, no whispered schemes, no poisoned blade in the dark could control the monsters that came from beyond the Gates.
The death of a Jinchūriki meant the temporary death of the beast within. That truth had forced adaptation.
So Zetsu had found another way.
Instead of chasing beasts that might not reform for decades, Akatsuki had turned its eyes to a new power source — the monsters from the Gates.
Even the weakest among them held chakra rivalling a Genin. Gather enough of them, and the energy they provided could rival a bijuu.
Perhaps even surpass it.
Zetsu's gaze turned toward the center of the chamber.
There, surrounded by the dim purple glow, stood Nagato — no longer frail, no longer bound by pain or machines. He stood tall and composed, divine in his presence. His white robes gleamed faintly in the dark, nine black magatama embroidered across the hem like symbols of his ascension.
He was radiant. Godlike.
He was everything Zetsu needed him to be.
Nagato had become too strong — far stronger than Zetsu had ever predicted. Consuming thousands of monster cores had reshaped him, reforged his body, his chakra, even his soul. He was a being beyond the limits of mortal men.
Even Madara Uchiha, at his absolute prime, would not be his equal now.
But that didn't matter.
Because with Nagato as he was, there was no longer any need for Madara's resurrection.
Once the Ten-Tails was revived, Nagato would serve perfectly.
As the vessel.
As the saviour.
As the means to her return.
To the return of Kaguya Ōtsutsuki — his mother, the Rabbit Goddess.
Zetsu turned its gaze back to the Gedo Mazo as the last flicker of energy was drawn into its hollow form. Its eyes glowed faintly in the dark — waiting.
"Yes…" it whispered, its voice echoing softly off the cavern walls. "Soon. Very soon…"
Until that day came, the mission remained clear: Feed the statue with as many monster corpses as possible. Keep the Jinchūriki alive, even recruiting them into Akatsuki if necessary.
Zetsu smiled — a grotesque stretch of black lips.
"All according to Mother's will."
Sakura tightened the straps of her faded red dress, her fingers trembling slightly. She had checked her reflection at least five times already, but nothing could calm the unease in her chest.
She stared into the mirror again. Three deep scars ran down her left cheek — harsh, uneven lines that no affordable medicine could erase. They stood as an eternal reminder of her failure during the graduation exam. Her stupidity. Her weakness.
For a long time, she had been the kind of girl who thought her biggest problem was her weight. Who skipped meals to look slimmer, who spent hours worrying about her hair, who thought that if she just looked perfect, Sasuke might finally notice her.
The memory made her stomach twist with shame.
How naive she had been.
That day — the day of the final test — had shattered that illusion. The Rat-type monster she'd been assigned to face hadn't cared about her looks, her feelings, or her silly crush. It had nearly killed her. If not for the proctors stepping in when they did, she wouldn't have survived.
She still remembered looking at Sasuke as she lay bleeding on the ground, convinced that she would die from blood loss or shock. The boy hadn't even given her a second glance.
And when she woke up, broken and bandaged, with those three scars carved into her face… everything changed.
The other students had passed. Some barely, some easily. She hadn't.
Since then, Sakura had thrown herself into training. No more diets, no more daydreams about Sasuke. He hadn't even come to visit her when she was recovering — hadn't even asked if she was alive.
That hurt more than the scars. But it also made things clear. He was chasing strength, and she had none. Not then.
But she was trying.
She adjusted the headband on her forehead, smoothing back the pink strands that still refused to behave. The meeting weighed on her mind like a storm cloud.
Ken.
That name had been echoing in her head since she got the message.
A newly promoted Jounin — young, talented, someone whose story already bordered on legend. She had done her research. Or rather, she and Ino had — though most of the work was Ino's, using her clan's connections.
Ken had graduated just a year before them. He'd been top of his class — second only to Neji Hyuuga, which was saying something, as he was merely an orphan and had none of the support, guidance, or monster meat that the clan students received.
To overcome all those disadvantages and still come second in a batch of over a thousand students was already a huge achievement.
But his true reputation started after graduation. Half a year later, he stopped a broken E-class Gate by himself. Then, during the Genin Exchange Program to Suna, he took part in an S-class event — and killed the monster that emerged from an S-class Gate.
When he returned to Konoha, he was promoted straight to Jounin.
A year older than her, and already standing at a height she couldn't even dream of reaching.
Sakura didn't understand why someone like him wanted to meet her. She wasn't special. Not talented. Not strong. Just a girl who'd once failed harder than anyone else in her class. Useless. Foolish. Incompetent.
Her hands twitched toward her scars again, the familiar instinct to cover them rising — but she stopped. If he wanted to meet her, he would see her as she was. She wouldn't hide anymore.
Drawing a shaky breath, Sakura stepped outside. The morning light fell softly over the rooftops of Konoha, warm and gentle, but it didn't reach the cold pit in her stomach.
She walked down the narrow street toward the address she'd been given. Each step felt heavier than the last, but she didn't turn back.
Maybe this was just another test.
Maybe it was her chance to start over.
Either way — she would face it.
—————
Sakura stopped outside the restaurant and stared up at the polished wooden sign, her breath catching in her throat. The golden lettering gleamed in the sunlight — Akimichi's BBQ — one of Konoha's most expensive and exclusive restaurants.
The kind of place only elite shinobi and clan heirs could afford to visit. Meals here were made from high-tier monster meat, dishes that could supposedly boost one's chakra reserves and vitality.
She swallowed hard. Her palms were already sweating.
'Am I… really supposed to be here?'
The restaurant's clean marble steps and elegant decor only made her more aware of the faded hem of her uniform and the scuffed sandals she wore.
She glanced around, half-expecting someone to stop her before she reached the entrance — maybe a waiter telling her she didn't belong here.
Still, she forced her legs to move.
Inside, the air was cool and fragrant, filled with the scent of grilled meat and rare spices. Every table she passed was occupied by shinobi wearing fine cloaks or armour, people who looked important — people who had earned their place.
When a rotund man with a warm face approached her, Sakura nearly jumped.
"Excuse me, young lady," he said gently. "Are you lost?"
Her throat went dry. She almost turned and ran right then. But instead, she reached into her pouch and pulled out the folded letter — the one that had arrived the day before, signed with Ken's name.
"I… I have a meeting," she said, her voice trembling. "With Jounin Ken."
The man's brows lifted slightly as he took the letter. After a moment, recognition flickered across his face, and his expression softened even more.
"Ah, so you're the guest," he said warmly. "Right this way, miss."
Sakura blinked, too stunned to reply, and followed him through the main floor, her steps small and hesitant. He led her up a set of stairs, stopping before a sliding wooden door with a silk curtain drawn across it.
He knocked twice, waited for a muffled response from inside, and then stepped aside.
"This is the room, miss."
Sakura nodded numbly and stepped through.
The first thing she saw was Ken, seated casually at the low table in the centre of the booth. He had an air of casual confidence about him. The kind that proclaimed that he could take on any challenge the world could throw at him and come out on top.
Considering that he'd taken out an S-class threat, that confidence was probably not just hot air.
But before she could even greet him, her gaze shifted — and her heart nearly stopped.
Sitting beside him was Lady Tsunade.
Lady Tsunade.
The living legend. The rumoured strongest kunoichi in the entire world. The goal of every ambitious kunoichi in Konoha.
Sakura's knees almost gave out. She barely managed to stammer, "L-Lady Tsunade… K-Ken-sama…" before bowing so quickly her forehead nearly hit the table.
Tsunade raised an eyebrow, her amber eyes sharp and assessing. "So this is the girl?" she murmured, her tone more curious than impressed.
Ken gave a polite nod, gesturing for her to sit. "Please, Sakura. You don't have to be so nervous."
Sakura swallowed hard and sat down, still trembling slightly. Her mind was racing. Why was Tsunade-sama here? Why would someone like her meet with someone like Sakura?
Ken offered her a reassuring smile. "Sorry for calling you out like this without explaining," he said, his tone calm and even. "I know it must've been a surprise."
"That's… one way to put it," Sakura managed weakly.
Ken chuckled quietly, then signalled to a waiter standing by the door. Within moments, a small feast was placed before her — thick cuts of monster meat, still sizzling, and fragrant rice mixed with herbs she didn't recognise. The smell alone made her mouth water, but she didn't dare touch it.
"I asked for the best they had," Ken said. "Eat. You'll need your strength."
Sakura hesitated, glancing between him and Tsunade. When neither objected, she took a small bite. The flavour hit her like a shock — rich, tender, and somehow… energising. It was without a doubt the best thing she had ever tasted.
Ken leaned back slightly. "You've been training hard," he said, more as a statement than a question. "Your file says you failed your graduation exam once, but that you've been training pretty seriously since then. Climbing through the ranks in your Taijutsu classes."
Sakura's hands froze around her chopsticks. "…Yes, Ken-sama."
"Good," he said simply. "Failure often teaches us more than success ever will."
She looked up, startled. There was no judgment in his voice. Just calm confidence — as if he already knew she'd find her footing eventually.
Then his tone shifted, turning serious.
"I'll be direct, Sakura. I think you have potential — a lot more than you realise. You just need the right guidance. I'm offering that."
Her eyes widened. "You mean…?"
"I'll provide you with training, resources, a Sensei and proper nourishment — monster meat, chakra-enhancing supplements, even the occasional monster core. I'll help you grow into a real kunoichi."
Sakura's breath caught. That was… an offer beyond anything she could've dreamed of. But why her? There were so many other kunoichi that were stronger, faster, and more determined than her.
"In return," Ken continued, "you'll owe me a favor. When I ask for it, someday, you'll accept. No questions."
Sakura didn't even hesitate. "Yes!"
Ken blinked, surprised at her speed.
She quickly bowed her head. "I-I mean… yes, I accept. I won't waste this chance."
Ken's lips curved into a small smile. "You're different than how I imagined you to be. But… that's good." He turned slightly. "Then, allow me to introduce your Sensei."
Sakura looked confused. "My… Sensei?"
Ken gestured toward the woman beside him.
"My wife to be. Lady Tsunade Senju."
Sakura's mind went blank. More at the fact that Ken just offered to make her a disciple of Lady Tsunade than the fact that the two of them were going to marry. (Though she stored that info in the back of her mind as well. Ino would definitely appreciate this gossip, and she owed her friend quite a bit for helping her gather info on Ken.)
Even Tsunade looked caught off guard, turning sharply toward Ken. "Wait— what?"
Ken only smiled, calm and unbothered. "You did say you were looking for a new apprentice, didn't you? I believe Sakura here would fit that role perfectly."
For a moment, neither woman spoke — one too stunned to speak, the other too shocked to protest.
Sakura, still frozen, could only whisper, "T-Tsunade-sama…?"
Tsunade looked hesitant for a long moment before she sighed. "Very well. I'll see if she's as talented as you say." Then, the S-class Kunoichi turned to look at her, her gaze intense. "For your own sake, do your best. Because if I feel that you aren't living up to my expectations, then I'll drop you. Understand?"
"Yes, Tsunade-Sensei." She said as she stood up and gave a deep bow to the strongest woman in Konoha. A woman who was now about to become her Sensei.
"It's too early to see if you can earn a spot as my disciple. But very well. Follow me to the hospital. I need to see what's so special about you that even Ken would vouch for you." Lady Tsunade said as she started walking out of the door and she quickly followed.
"Yes, Sensei!"
And in that instant, she realised — her life was about to change forever.
—————
He stretched out on the grassy training field, his chest rising and falling heavily. The ground beneath him was cool, but every muscle in his body ached.
A few meters away, Anko lay sprawled face-down, groaning softly while Tsunade knelt beside her, hands glowing a soft green as she mended cracked bones and battered muscles.
The spar had been brutal. Two-on-one against Tsunade — and they'd still lost. Badly.
He let out a tired chuckle. "Damn. We didn't even last five minutes this time."
Anko groaned, not bothering to lift her head. "Speak for yourself… I lasted six."
Tsunade snorted without looking up. "You both lasted exactly four minutes before you started gasping for air. Don't exaggerate."
He laughed again, wincing as his ribs protested. Even holding back, Tsunade hit like a rampaging ox. No — worse. She was a monster in human form. He was pretty damn confident that she hadn't been half this strong in canon timeline. And that's when she was holding back against them during the spar.
Keeping up with her training for another decade since the advent of the gates alone would've put her head and shoulders above canon Tsunade. Let alone all the Monster meat and monster cores she'd feasted on over the years.
She was so strong in fact, that he confident that even opening upto Six Gate wouldn't be enough to defeat her.
Maybe if he used his Wind Blade technique… but that was far too lethal for a spar, especially against his own fiancée.
He closed his eyes, letting his Iryojutsu chakra flow through him, knitting torn muscles and sealing shallow cuts. By the time Tsunade finished healing Anko, he was already back on his feet, the soreness fading to a dull throb.
Tsunade straightened and glanced toward the setting sun. The orange light bathed her in gold, her loose ponytail fluttering in the evening breeze. "That's enough for today," she said finally.
He nodded. "Good. I had a hot bath prepared back at home."
Anko perked up immediately. "Finally. I swear, if I have to spend one more hour smelling like burnt cloth, I'm going to throw myself in the river."
He smirked. "You can if you want, but I'll take the hot water."
The three of them made their way back to his house. The steaming pool awaited — a temporary bath he'd crafted using a Fuinjutsu tag.
It wasn't elegant, but it worked like a charm. Investing a passive growth slot into Fuinjutsu had turned out to be one of his better decisions. It had just so many utilities in daily life.
Tsunade and Anko being veteran Kunoichi, didn't have much problem with nudity. And soon enough, they were all soaking in the warm water, naked as the day they were born. Steam rose around them, carrying away the fatigue of battle.
Anko leaned back against the edge, eyes half-closed, her breasts swaying with each movement tantalisingly. "I still don't know how you talked me into sparring with her again," she muttered.
He grinned at her complaints. "You volunteered."
"Yeah, before I remembered how hard she punches," Anko said darkly.
Tsunade smirked over her shoulder. "Maybe next time, I'll hold back even more."
Anko raised an eyebrow. "You truly were holding back, weren't you?"
"Of course I was," Tsunade said with a scoff. "If I wasn't, you both would be six feet under by now.."
He couldn't argue with that.
For a few quiet moments, they just soaked in the warmth. With him enjoying the view of Tsunade's large tits. He reached over to cup them, and Tsunade opened an eye to give him a look but she didn't stop his wandering hand.
Then, his thoughts drifted back to earlier. "How's the new apprentice?" he asked casually as he groped her soft breast, tracing her nipples with his thumb, making Tsunade let out a soft groan of pleasure in response.
Tsunade sighed, leaning back against the stone rim. "…Better than I expected."
"Oh?"
"Her raw Chakra Control is one of the best I've ever witnessed. And she's smart." Tsunade admitted reluctantly. "A fast learner with a great memory — she's already halfway through the basic anatomy texts. Most importantly, she's got drive. That kind of determination can't be taught. If she keeps pushing herself like this…" She paused, glancing at the sky. "She might go far. Maybe even S-class someday. No. If she keeps improving like this, and learns my Hundred Seals Technique, then she'll definitely get there."
He nodded slightly, having already known all that from watching canon Naruto, so it didn't really surprise him. Still, hearing it from Tsunade herself was satisfying.
Anko jolted up at those words. "S-class? Really?"
Tsunade nodded, her lips curling up in smugness.
Anko let out a whistle as she sat back down into the bath. "Damn. That's… rare. There are barely what, five kunoichi in history who made it that far on their own without any external help?"
"Six," Tsunade corrected. "But yes. She's got incredible potential."
He smirked. "Guess I was right to recommend her, then."
Tsunade turned her gaze toward him, amused. "I'll admit it — I owe you one for that."
His grin widened at those words. He leaned closer, voice dropping to a teasing drawl. "And how exactly do you plan to repay that favor, hmm?"
Tsunade raised an eyebrow. "You really want me to answer that?"
"Absolutely."
Her smirk turned dangerous. "Fine."
Before he could react, she moved closer through the steam, one hand gripping his jaw as she kissed him — hard, deep, and possessive.
When she finally pulled back, her golden eyes shimmered with warmth and mischief.
"You two are about to leave on a mission in a few days," she said softly. "Consider that something to remember me by."
He chuckled, pulling her closer again. "If you keep giving me reminders like that, I might not leave at all."
Anko groaned from across the bath, covering her face. "Ugh, you two are so cute together, it borders on disgusting."
Tsunade smirked without looking away from him. "You're just jealous."
Anko's muffled reply came through the steam. "Damn right I am."
He laughed quietly, the sound mingling with the soft hiss of the water. Soon enough, he would set out on a dangerous mission but for now, at least, all felt right in the world.
He exhaled slowly, feeling the morning breeze brush against his face. The village looked the same as it always had — peaceful, orderly, alive — but for him, the last month had been anything but.
A month of rest, on paper. In reality, it was a month of relentless, bone-deep training, where both he and Anko learned to work together as a team.
With his 7× active growth buff, every hour of work had counted for seven. And one month of intense training rewarded him with 7 months of result.
The Six Passive Growth Slots also helped immensely. Boosting both his physique, his spirit and his overall chakra reserves.
He had learned the basics of Fuinjutsu and Iryojutsu, and his Wind Blade had become even more lethal. But even with all that, some things remained beyond his reach.
Case in point: The Hiraishin.
He stared at the small array of marked kunai laid neatly on the training field. The formula glowed faintly under the sunlight, a masterpiece of sealing craft — and the reason for his frustration.
He had improved. His understanding of the jutsu's structure had deepened, his sensitivity for the Hiraishin mark has grown. But he has still not managed to teleport himself even once.
Then again, even Minato had taken years to perfect it. And compared to him, Minato was a certified genius. So expecting to learn it in a month, even with all his advantages, had been unrealistic.
Still, it wasn't wasted time. He was confident that in a few more months, he'll become good enough to teleport from one location to another with a bit of time. Becoming good enough to use it in mid-battle was going to take even longer, but he had the patience for it.
The month of time Itachi had given him and Anko had finally come to an end. And it was time to report back to the Hokage, and join the Task Force he has assembled.
Before he that, he had one last visitor.
Tsunade arrived at his house early that morning, long before sunrise. She stood on the side of his room, arms crossed, watching him pack his gear.
"You really don't have to go," she said. "Risking your life like this is foolish. Especially when you have such great talent for Iryojutsu. The hospital could use someone like you — I can vouch for you personally."
He looked up at her, not surprised by her words. She has been trying to change his mind for the past few days. But just like before her, attempts were doomed to fail.
"No. I've already made up my mind Tsunade." He said. "And nothing you say is going to change it."
It wasn't like she was wrong either. Her words made perfect sense, as long as you don't take his System into the equation.
After all, his willingness to risk his life stemmed from the System. To earn more Experience points and level up a few more times before he grows strong enough that even S-class monster won't give him any experience points.
Tsunade's face dropped in disappointment. "I really don't understand why you would want to risk your life like that. Is growing stronger really that important to you?"
He paused in the midst of packing his bag and gave her words some serious thought. The answer remained unchanged.
"Yes, it is."
For a moment, she said nothing. Then, with a resigned sigh, she reached into a sealing scroll and pulled something out.
A sword.
Its shape reminded him somewhat of Kubikiribocho. But instead of metal. it was made out of monster bone and teeth. Except for its handle and base, which were made of high grade Chakra metal.
At the base of the sword was a monster core embedded within the sword, and glowing Fuinjutsu seals ran across the rest of its surface. Moving like a thousand tiny ants marching in unison.
He took the blade from her and paused as he felt its weight. It was heavy. Far heavy that even its large size would suggest. A normal genin wouldn't even be able to lift it from the ground.
But from someone with a monstrous physique like him, lifting it and swinging it around was still easy.
"I had this made for you," Tsunade said. "Konoha is still a bit behind in making armour and weapons from monster parts but we're slowly catching up. This prototype was forged using the remains of an A-class monster boss and embedded with its monster core. The Fuinjutsu seals stabilise chakra flow and amplify Wind Release techniques. By my calculations, it should increase the power and range of any Wind Release Technique by threefold."
His eyes widened slightly as he channeled his chakra through it. The air around it trembled, reacting instinctively to his chakra.
He immediately went out to test the blade. Once outside, he poured his Wind chakra through it — and the sword screamed with power as he swung it upward.
A razor-thin blade of wind flew up, slicing through the clouds above.
A perfect, clean cut.
Even Tsunade looked momentarily impressed. "So it works," she murmured.
He turned to her, a rare smile touching his lips. "It more than works. This… this is really amazing. Thank you Tsunade."
She folded her arms. "Just try not to break it in the first week."
He stepped closer, close enough that he had to tilt his chin up to meet her gaze. "No promises," he said softly.
Before she could respond, his arm slipped around her waist. She blinked in surprise — just in time for him to pull her closer and kiss her. Deeply.
When he finally pulled away, her cheeks were faintly flushed, though she did her best to hide it behind a scoff.
"You're impossible," she muttered.
He smiled back at her, feeling truly touched by this gift.
A basic Chakra metal sword alone was price at about 5 million Ryo in the market. It didn't take a genius to guess that this sword must've cost far, far more than that.
Just the price of the monster boss core of an A-class gate would be worth more than a Hundred million Ryo.
"I'll return back to you." He promised her. Knowing well enough that after having lost all her loved ones, this was probably the only thing that truly matter to her.
Tsunade nodded, her eyes tearing up a bit. "You better."
—————
Itachi looked up from his paperwork as they entered the office. Even without his Sharingan active, his gaze felt sharp enough to strip a man bare of all his secrets.
Anko bowed lightly. "Reporting back to duty, Hokage-sama."
Itachi nodded once and gestured toward the two chairs before his desk. "Sit."
They obeyed. For a moment, silence filled the room as Itachi studied them, then a faint smile softened his usual calm expression. "I heard about your engagement to Lady Tsunade, Ken-kun. Congratulations."
Ken inclined his head. "Thank you, Hokage-sama."
"No," Itachi said, setting his quill aside. "Thank you for your service. With this, there's finally hope for the revival of the Senju clan."
He wasn't sure how to respond to that. He simply nodded, choosing silence over awkwardness.
Itachi seemed to catch his hesitation and smoothly changed the subject. "I trust your month-long break was productive?"
"It was," Anko said with a grin. "We can now fight Tsunade for full five minutes before she smashes us into the ground. While she's going easy, of course."
The corner of Itachi's mouth lifted slightly. "Lady Tsunade has far more experience than the two of you combined." Then, his expression shifted, tone turning formal. "Now then, since you're both here, am I correct in assuming you intend to rejoin the Strike Force, Jounin Ken?"
The change from Ken-kun to Jounin Ken signalled the transition to business. He straightened, his voice firm. "Yes, Hokage-sama."
Itachi hummed quietly and retrieved several scrolls from beneath his desk, reviewing them one by one before selecting one and sliding it across. "Since you're both capable Elite Jounin, this task should suit you."
Anko leaned forward. "What kind of task?"
Ken unrolled the scroll, scanning through it. His brows furrowed. An S-class mission. Gate and monster clearance within a twenty-kilometer radius of a Konoha outpost.
"The mission is the usual," Itachi said evenly. "Gate suppression and monster extermination. The problem lies not in what you'll be doing, but where."
His gaze dropped to the bottom of the scroll — and he saw the name.
"The Land of Tea," he muttered.
Anko froze at his words. Her posture stiffened; her fingers twitched near her sleeve. Her pulse, her chakra — both spiked sharply. Fear. Real fear.
He frowned inwardly. He remembered almost nothing about the Land of Tea from the canon timeline.
Naruto apparently saved that country's princess, and helped her back into the throne by overthrowing her evil uncle. No, wait. That was the land of Snow arc. Land of Tea… which one was that?
Realising that he didn't remember much from canon Timeline, and anything he remembered probably won't help him anyway, he decided to simply ask. "What's so dangerous about Land of Tea? I'm afraid I don't know much about it."
Itachi folded his hands, leaning back slightly. "You wouldn't know. There's little left to know. The Land of Tea was once a peaceful peninsula to the far south — a large but poor nation. No shinobi force, few allies, mostly merchants and farmers. When the Gates appeared, they had no one to defend them."
Itachi paused for a heartbeat. "It fell within the first year."
He raised an eyebrow. "The first year… as in, right after the Kyuubi attack?"
"Indeed," Itachi confirmed. "And when I say 'fell,' I mean complete annihilation. Every human settlement wiped out. In the twelve years since, many more Gates have appeared in that land — and most of them never closed. The overlapping energies from so many gates have twisted the land itself. It's a graveyard now."
He frowned at those words, having finally realised why going to that place scared Anko so much. "Do the monsters in that place remain in peace with each other or…"
"Rarely," Itachi said. "Some of similar types manage to form ecosystems, but most are violently territorial. They fight each other constantly. Yet, with so many Gates feeding the land, the number of monsters have only increased over the years."
He exhaled slowly. "Just to be clear… how dangerous is this place exactly?" He asked.
Itachi's tone grew grave. "Even S-class shinobi are advised not to venture beyond the outermost regions. The further inward you go, the more reality seems to breaks down — terrain shifts, chakra interference, illusions that lead shinobi astray, poisonous fog. It's… very unpredictable."
He paused for a moment, then continued. "A tree might turn into a monster the moment you step on its branch. The ground beneath your feet could be solid one moment and then swallow you whole the very next. The air could be poison. The river you drink from might dissolve your organs. And the insects —" Itachi paused at that and shuddered, "—let's not talk about the insects."
He leaned back, the weight of that information sinking in. "If it's that bad, why send us at all? Why even build an outpost there?"
A small, humorless smile curved Itachi's lips. "Because danger brings opportunity. The Land of Tea is overflowing with resources — monster cores, chakra-reactive flora, minerals. Every village wants them, but few can claim them safely."
Itachi opened a folder, sliding it toward him. Inside were maps marked with Gate signatures and notes written in Itachi's precise hand.
"Konoha established an outpost there five years ago," Itachi said. "Hidden inside Mount Tenra, an inactive volcano near the northern coast, is our primary outpost. The mountain itself sits atop an A-class Gate. The Sarutobi clan, who cleared the gate are in charge of maintaining it. Asuma has the overall command of the Outpost."
He nodded slowly. having already read most of it from the Scroll. "And our task is to eliminate monsters and clear any new Gates within a twenty-kilometer radius of that mountain?"
"Correct," Itachi confirmed. "The containment teams are stretched thin. You'll provide offensive support — deal with whatever emerges. Beyond that, you'll have full autonomy."
He raised an eyebrow. "Complete autonomy?"
"Yes," Itachi said. "Anything that happens there stays there. You answer to no one until your return. But…" his tone hardened, "…do not mistake freedom for safety. There's a reason shinobi call that place the Land of Graves. Stay on the outer edge. Don't push further in."
He exhaled softly. That place was dangerous — yes. But unrestrained access to monsters, resources, and live combat? His System would thrive there.
Beside him, Anko remained silent. Too silent.
He turned toward her, realising why this was. "You've been there before, haven't you?"
Anko hesitated before nodding slightly. "…Years ago. Recon mission. We didn't go far. The place felt… wrong. Twisted."
Itachi's eyes softened. "You don't have to accept this mission if you're unwilling. I can assign others."
He raised an eyebrow at those words, wondering if Itachi truly meant those words or if he was merely posturing. A Hokage couldn't afford to be soft.
Anko gave a sharp, humorless laugh. "Refuse And let some rookie handle it? No chance. I'm not sitting this one out."
He glanced at her, concern flickering briefly in his eyes. "You sure?"
Anko nodded doing her best to appear confident even if her emotions churned with unease and fear.
Itachi watched them both for a long moment, then finally nodded. "Very well. You leave immediately. Asuma will brief you upon arrival."
Itachi rose from his chair, cloak trailing against the floor. "I wish you both luck. Don't die out there."
He stood and gave a respectful bow. "We won't, Hokage-sama."