When school let out, parents crowded the gates of the Ninja Academy to pick up their kids.Haruya happened to spot Itachi Uchiha walking off with another boy.
No surprise—it was Shisui Uchiha.
"Shisui the Swift," already famous across the clan, and now practically a legend among the younger students.
After spending a full day at the Academy, Haruya had managed to memorize most of his classmates' names.Aside from Itachi, another familiar face from the "plot" was Inuzuka Hana—older sister of Inuzuka Kiba, one of the future Twelve Little Guardians of Konoha. A veterinarian-to-be, but… well, she didn't exactly get many scenes.
Haruya had no idea how to change her fate, even if he wanted to.
"Stop!""Pay back the money!"
A sudden shout snapped him out of his thoughts. Haruya looked up—and froze.
A grey-haired old woman was power-walking down the street, six burly men huffing after her. They couldn't even keep up. As she passed the gate, she shot Haruya a mischievous wink.
Age and looks aside… she was kind of cute like that.
Haruya stumbled back, thinking, Is my charm seriously at that level now?
But then it clicked—this was that scene. Tsunade running from debt collectors.
Right. His new life as Tsunade's "adopted son" and apprentice… he already had a grim premonition of what lay ahead:being chased for debts every single day along with Shizune.
I swear I don't gamble or do anything illegal! Why am I involved?
Haruya squinted. He seriously needed to find a way to make money.
The shouts gradually faded. Seven or eight minutes later, the "old woman" returned—then transformed into Tsunade right in front of him.
"How was your day at school?" she asked.
"Not bad," Haruya replied, grabbing her soft hand before asking, "Who were those guys chasing you earlier?"
"Oh, creditors." Tsunade waved a hand casually. "I borrowed a bit of money. It's not like I'm not going to pay it back—they just insist on chasing me."
Haruya twitched.A bit?Pretty sure her IOUs filled entire boxes in the original timeline.
"Anyway, enough about that." Tsunade brightened. "To celebrate your first day, let's go buy some drinks."
If she wanted to drink, she could just say so.
"Alcohol isn't good for your health," Haruya cautioned.
Tsunade gave him a sly grin. "You underestimate your big sister." She crouched down, tapped the diamond mark on her forehead, and whispered, "Let me tell you a secret. This symbol is a powerful ninjutsu—the Yin Seal. Know what it does?"
"I don't," Haruya lied immediately.Of course he knew. But admitting that would only create problems.
"It keeps my body functioning at peak condition," Tsunade said proudly. "Wine, toxins—none of that stuff matters to me."
"Wow, you're amazing, sis!" Haruya beamed with genuine admiration.
Tsunade faltered for half a second—his expression was dangerously cute. She rubbed his cheek affectionately.
"Oh, sis has more secrets than that. You'll learn them someday."
Her perfume drifted over him, making Haruya's cheeks warm.Seeing his blush, Tsunade's smile widened.
Well, look at you. Blushing for your sister.Given it was broad daylight, she restrained herself.
They picked up two bottles from an izakaya on the way home.Shizune was already cooking—a good cook, thanks to growing up as an orphan.If Tsunade didn't insist on "bonding" with Haruya in the mornings, breakfast duty would've been hers too.
Dinner was a feast: miso soup, tempura, minced-meat tofu, salmon rice bowls.Haruya ate like a king.Tsunade was the happiest of all—because she was the only one allowed to drink.She banned both Shizune and Haruya for being "too young."
After dinner, Shizune went to wash dishes while Tsunade lounged on the sofa, cheeks rosy from alcohol. After a moment she cracked open an eye and stared at Haruya practicing ninjutsu nearby.
"Haruyaaa~"
Her voice stretched sweetly, almost… coquettish.
She wobbled over, hugged his head to her chest, and murmured, "Sis really likes you."
"…."
Haruya couldn't read a single line after that.
Women… truly the natural enemy of studying.
It felt great, sure—but all that emotion with nowhere to go was torture.
"You're drunk, sis. Go to your room and rest."
Haruya knew perfectly well how dangerous drunk people were. One wrong move and he'd be covered in vomit.
"I'm not drunk!" Tsunade pinched his cheek between two smooth fingers.
"Only drunk people say they're not drunk," he sighed. "Go rest already."
"If you don't like me, just say so!" Tsunade huffed. She swayed toward her room.
Haruya exhaled in relief—Then froze when she turned right back around.
"…?"
Before he could react, she scooped him up like a sack of rice.
"You're coming with me."
"There is no such service included!" Haruya protested, squirming.But Tsunade—who had strength and speed way beyond "normal"—didn't even budge.
Once inside the room, she set him down. He tried to escape—Only to stop dead.
Because Tsunade was already stripping.
Warm skin and golden hair. Soft curves and pale light.A splash of red, a shimmer of white, a spill of gold.
Haruya spun and walked out immediately.
Their relationship was nowhere near that level.Ruining the dynamic for a moment's impulse would be stupid.
"…Forget it. I'll go find Orochimaru."
He needed a distraction—and that man was always reliable for chaos.
With Yamato's fate already successfully altered, Haruya knew he and Orochimaru had struck their first real deal.But obtaining Hashirama cells was still a huge risk. Any wrong move and Orochimaru's true body might get involved.
But he needed those cells.The boost to Wood Release was simply too great.
Haruya had the talent, but without massive chakra reserves and a near-immortal physique, he couldn't use Wood Release anywhere near its full potential.Hashirama cells were essential—at least until he had enough "Fate Points."
He could buy them using Fate Points.But that option was ridiculously expensive.
And Haruya was completely broke.
"Sis Shizune, I'm going to bed," he called. "Before that, can you please check on Tsunade?"
Shizune called her "Lady Tsunade."Haruya called her "sis."
It confused Shizune at first—until Haruya told her, It's fine, it's between us. Maybe someday you'll have to call me 'Master's Husband.'
He left out that last part, of course.
—Orochimaru's hideout—
After spending one Fate Point, Haruya's wooden clone slipped into the underground laboratory once again. Orochimaru was busy working on Yamato—training him, adjusting his mindset, and analyzing his Wood Release.
As twisted as Orochimaru could be, he was surprisingly gentle with children.
The only issue was Yamato's upbringing under Danzo. His mental wiring was a mess.Orochimaru had to untangle that while studying Wood Release.
Yamato's success opened a new path for him.He no longer needed to steal other kekkei genkai bodies.He could strengthen his own body instead.
As long as he could perfectly integrate Hashirama cells—and not end up a stitched-together monster like Danzo.