When Haruya woke up, they were already back in Konoha.
He rubbed his head, stunned.He'd actually fallen asleep just because it was soft and warm and smelled good.At his age? Seriously?
Haruya got up and gave himself a silent pep talk.
In the living room, Shizune was reading while Tsunade was nowhere in sight.
"Shizune-nee, I'm heading back to the orphanage."
"Be careful on the road," she said without looking surprised.Haruya went back every couple of days—almost like clockwork.
Konoha was big, sure.But the core district inside the barrier wasn't actually large at all.
The Uchiha clan's complaints about their "new territory" were basically:We're right on the edge of the barrier. One more step and we're living in the Forest of Death.
Uchiha Fugaku practically pointed at Danzo and said, You've stripped us of all dignity!
Senju Hashirama's old estate—and the orphanage—were in the central area, so the walk didn't take long.After a few minutes, Haruya arrived.
"Big Brother Haruya, you're back!"
"Haruya-nii!"
"Candy!"
The moment he stepped in, children swarmed him.
He opened the paper bag he brought. "No pushing—one lollipop each."
"Thank you, brother!"
The sugar rush instantly captured their attention.
Haruya scanned the courtyard and spotted Kabuto Yakushi, crouched over a small white rabbit.He wasn't petting it—he was studying its anatomy, hands stained with blood.
"Hey Kabuto, want a candy?"
"I'm not a kid," Kabuto replied without looking up.Despite being seven, he handled the cut-open rabbit with unsettling calm.
"Come with me to see Lady Tsunade in a bit," Haruya said, unwrapping a lollipop for himself. "Show her your medical talent."
Kabuto's eyes lit up, his composure cracking."Will… she take me as a student?"
"Oh, she will."You don't even realize how terrifying your talent is, Haruya thought."Even if she doesn't accept you formally, I'll make sure she teaches you medical ninjutsu."
Given his current relationship with Tsunade, some pestering and pleading would do the job.
Yakushi Nonō—Kabuto's guardian—was a skilled medical kunoichi herself.But her status made things complicated.If Kabuto stayed beside her too long, Danzo would eventually notice him.
That man loved geniuses almost as much as Orochimaru did—only their methods differed.
Shimura Danzo wanted to brainwash geniuses into perfect Root operatives.Orochimaru wanted their bodies. Literally.
Kabuto fit both their tastes a little too well.
"The rabbit's cute, but you're awfully ruthless," Haruya said.A joke from his past life slipped out:"Add some chili at lunch—we'll have spicy rabbit stir-fry."
"…"Kabuto froze for two seconds.Then nodded. "That's… actually what I planned."
The orphanage wasn't rich. Nothing edible went to waste.
Haruya watched for a bit, quickly losing interest, and began practicing ninjutsu nearby.
D-Rank Body Flicker Technique.A deceptively useful move.
Minato's Flying Thunder God was basically a Body Flicker with space-time mechanics—something most shinobi couldn't touch.
The D-rank version wasn't true teleportation.It was acceleration so fast it looked like teleportation.
After that, he switched to Water Release: Water Pulse, a basic three-seal ninjutsu that spat a wave of water from the mouth.
Haruya had Water and Earth affinities.Water was his primary attribute, so he prioritized training it—and used it to hide his Wood Release by playing the part of a pure Water-style ninja.
He spent the rest of Sunday at the orphanage and went home in the evening.
"I'm home."
Tsunade was lounging on the sofa, watching TV.
Yes—there were televisions and computers in the shinobi world.But hardly anyone could afford them; most civilians lived below subsistence level.Especially those outside the Five Great Nations.
And because of ninja, it wasn't like they could start a revolution shouting, "Rise up, commoners!"A single jōnin could wipe out thousands of them.
Haruya sat down beside Tsunade.She casually rested an arm on his shoulder and ruffled his hair like he was a house pet.
He really did feel like one.
In his previous life, he liked petting cats.Now karma had reversed their roles.
It was the weekend, so he took a break from Wood Release training.Shizune, meanwhile, was studying medical ninjutsu like her future depended on it.
Studying medicine won't save the ninja world, Haruya thought, quoting a meme from his old life.
Even a great medical ninja couldn't match Tsunade.And Tsunade, in the grand scheme, often felt like a side character.
A real man should pilot a Gundam…
A soft floral scent drifted over.Perfume? Deodorant?
There was a theory in his past life:If someone isn't wearing perfume but you still smell a pleasant scent, it means your genes selected them as a compatible mate for healthy offspring.
"Sis, are you wearing perfume?"
"No."Tsunade sniffed herself, then asked, "Is there some strange smell?"
"No, nothing weird," Haruya replied."I just thought I smelled something nice."
Tsunade paused—then smiled, slow and mischievous.Her body curved toward him like a snake.
"Oh? Try smelling again and tell me what it is."
Woman. You're playing with fire.
Haruya's soul screamed.Which man could survive this kind of test?!
This was not the Tsunade from canon.This was a dangerous big sister archetype with maxed-out charm.
He escaped, finally breathing fresh air."I can't watch TV like that."
Tsunade let him go—eventually.
Half a month passed like that.
While attending school, Haruya took control of Gunma Company.
With Tsunade backing him, it was almost effortless.
Invite them to talk.If they resisted, kill the boss.The rest would kneel and shout:"Welcome, supreme new boss! We are your loyal company today!"
Gunma Company ran two dirty businesses: casinos and underground lending.Not exactly wholesome.
Once Haruya took over, he ordered immediate reforms.
He upgraded the casino and transformed the underground bank into something closer to a modern financial institution.He was probably the only person in this world who understood how insanely profitable banks could be.
Renovating everything would take a month or two.Training staff even longer.
He left it to run itself for now.
He had other priorities:Visiting Orochimaru, and preparing a "gift" for his desk-mate, Uchiha Itachi.
He also planned to hire ninjas to infiltrate Kusagakure.Choosing the right people would take time.
On a moonless, windy night—
Haruya spent another Fate Point and sent a Wood Clone to Orochimaru's estate.