Haruya bit into the grape that Uzumaki Ena handed him, surprised at how sweet it was.A moment later, the reason clicked.
The Uzumaki clan was born with enormous chakra reserves — or, put another way, overwhelming vitality.It explained everything: why biting her arm healed his wounds, why even her blood carried restorative potency… and, well, why her fruit tasted like it was grown in a chakra-infused orchard.
After a few more bites, Haruya couldn't eat another.His seven-year-old body filled quickly; a little food and he was done.
Across from him, Ena tugged at the hem of her sleeve, her cheeks warming. Her naturally quiet, reserved temperament made it hard for her to handle Haruya's directness — but her gentle face made hiding it impossible.
Ena had long since begun treating Haruya like a son.After nearly half a month of caring for him, she had understood him well enough.
A good kid.A ridiculously good kid, especially compared to the shinobi of the Grass Village.
Haruya, of course, had no idea he'd earned a "good boy" stamp in Ena's heart.
Leaning comfortably against her soft yukata sleeve, he teased lightly."Now that we've shared meals, we're basically family. I'll protect you from now on."
Ena smiled — small, restrained, but genuine. Her life had flipped overnight.Back in Grass, she had been a tool, a resource, not a person.Here, she was treated like a noblewoman: respected, fed well, dressed warmly, given the best accommodations.
And all because of Haruya.No wonder she listened to him so obediently.
"Oh — school's about to end."Haruya stood, stretching. "I'll see you later."
"I'll be waiting," Ena said with her usual quiet grace.
Haruya liked that about her — gentle, composed, easy to be around.He gave her a playful cheek pinch, hopped off the sofa, and slipped out the door.
Ninja Academy
Haruya reached the academy and dismissed the Wood Clone that had attended classes in his place.
Minutes later, Tsunade appeared.
As always, she ruffled his hair first, then casually took his hand as they walked.
Haruya sometimes suspected she had been sent by the Village Hidden in Mothers.
A few steps later, Tsunade halted. She leaned down, sniffed near his neck with exaggerated seriousness.
"…Why do I smell perfume?"Her eyes narrowed. "Which girl?"
Danger.
Haruya swore a huge red kanji — 危 — flashed above his own head.
"My classmates," he said, annoyed on purpose. "Whenever they get free time they swarm me, it's unbearable!"
"Well, you are a pretty boy."Tsunade smirked. "It'll only get worse when you grow up."
Haruya exhaled carefully.
He wasn't hiding things because he wanted to deceive Tsunade — but he was only seven. Explaining his abilities too clearly would stop making him a prodigy and start making him a monster.If her attitude shifted, the losses would outweigh the gains.
Better to tell her later.
Tsunade suddenly sighed dramatically."In a few years you'll grow up… and your big sister will be old. If you end up liking all those young, pretty girls, don't forget your sister, okay?"
"How could I?"Haruya answered earnestly. "None of them compare. To me, you're the most beautiful woman in the whole shinobi world."
"Oh? Still has that sweet tongue."Laughing, Tsunade turned, swaying her hips just enough to tease him. "Come on then, handsome — let's go home."
Dinner & Plots
Shizune had dinner ready when they arrived.
Over the meal, Tsunade mentioned that Orochimaru had finally been discharged from the hospital.
Haruya's eyes lifted slightly.Good — that meant he could finally discuss sealing techniques again.
After two hours of Wood Release practice, he turned his attention to the Wood Clone stationed in another town.
Orochimaru's Lab
The dim laboratory smelled faintly of disinfectant and ink.
Despite just leaving the hospital, Orochimaru was already at work.After suffering consecutive blows from Shisui, Kakuzu, and Sasori, he'd realized his understanding of the world was far too small.
To catch up, he needed long-term cooperation with Haruya.But cooperation required equal value.
The most tempting thing he had — of course — was Hashirama's cells and related transplant technology.
Breakthroughs would take time.So he started with an idea: a safer path to Wood Release.
Yamato.The boy's modified cells were gentle — far gentler than Hashirama's monstrous strain.
If he could blend the two, maybe he could create a low-risk Wood Release serum.Not as powerful as a full transplant, but something a patient could accumulate strength from over months.
Risk reduced.Stability increased.
And enough value to keep Haruya interested.
A white snake slithered across the table.Orochimaru straightened, pupils narrowing.
Haruya had come.
The Sannin left the lab and entered the hall.
"The tea's good this time," Haruya said, sipping.
"Your subordinates were… rather impolite." Orochimaru's smile twisted. He still remembered nearly dying.
"I told you."Haruya set down the cup. "Those two have terrible tempers."
And they did.They had fought to kill him only because he'd made the first move — but Orochimaru wasn't eager to revisit that fact.
Trying again, he asked, "Those two… can you at least tell me their names?"
"Don't pry."Haruya waved a hand. "Let's get to business. I want every sealing technique from the Uzumaki clan."
Orochimaru's tongue flicked across his lips.New demands.Perfect.
"What will you offer?" he asked.
"You've seen Kabuto's Wood Release. How does it compare to Hashirama's?"
"There's no comparison," Orochimaru admitted.Hashirama's power was terrifying — forest-creating, battlefield-defining.Yamato's output was… polite, by comparison.
"And why is that?" Haruya asked.
"Chakra reserves and physical constitution," Orochimaru replied.
"That's one reason."Haruya lifted a finger. "The other is Sage Mode."
Orochimaru's breath caught.Of course he knew Sage Mode — the pinnacle of the three great summoning realms.Jiraiya had pulled off an incomplete version.He and Tsunade had failed outright.
Haruya leaned back."I know someone who naturally absorbs ambient energy and can enter an imperfect sage state."
Orochimaru froze.
A person born with Sage Mode potential?
If he could study such a subject… his path to Sage Mode might open at last.
The Deal
Yes — Haruya was referring to Jūgo.
In legend, "born an immortal" sounded incredible.In reality, Jūgo's power was unstable, easily triggered, and more drawback than gift.His berserk transformations had shaped the curse-mark experiments.
Jūgo was hard for anyone else to acquire, but Haruya could locate him easily through his destiny-value store.Nine points — the price of a minor supporting character.
"What do you think of this trade?" Haruya asked.
"Accepted," Orochimaru said immediately.
Uzumaki sealing techniques were valuable, but they weren't his.He'd simply replicate scrolls from Konoha's archive.No personal loss.
"But this time," Haruya added calmly, "hand everything to another subordinate. Or use a shadow clone. My people are still unhappy about your little stunt last time. I can't guarantee your safety otherwise."
"…"Orochimaru's expression twitched.He had been the one beaten half to death, but fine. Details.
"Anything else?" Haruya asked.
"How do I accelerate Uchiha Itachi's development? There's no sign of Mangekyō awakening."
"You're too impatient."Haruya exhaled. "He's six. Give him a few more years. He needs foundations."
Orochimaru reluctantly conceded.He couldn't touch Shisui — so Itachi was his only target.
"Until next time."Haruya dismissed the Wood Clone.
Orochimaru returned to his lab to continue the Wood Release serum.
"A, lie down," he said with that unsettling smile. "Time for your regular cell collection."
Yamato obeyed immediately.He'd lived under Danzo and understood how little choice he had — but Orochimaru's methods were more refined, and his Wood Release progressed faster.
The Next Day
The sun was bright over Konoha.
"Haruya, I'll pick you up at noon," Tsunade said at the academy gate.
"Something happening?" he asked.
"Just a small gathering."Tsunade grinned. "Plenty of good food — and I don't invite just anyone."
"…Alright."Haruya agreed instantly at the mention of food.
"Good boy." She ruffled his hair again.
Inside the classroom, Haruya spotted Itachi.
"It's rare to see you," he said.
"Orochimaru-sensei is busy."Itachi was calm as ever — Yamato collection left no time for lessons.He had impeccable attendance anyway.
Their conversation ended there.Normal for two quiet kids.
Yamanaka Naoto entered to administer the day's exam — the Will of Fire theory test.Haruya, armed with a liberal arts student's previous life, filled the pages neatly.
The "Party"
At noon, Tsunade took him to what looked like a high-end izakaya — more restaurant than tavern.
They slipped into a private room filled with the laughter of women.
Inside were eight elegant, beautifully dressed ladies — noblewomen and clan wives.The only one Haruya recognized was Uchiha Mikoto.
"…?"Haruya stood at the door, very confused.
"Ladies," Tsunade greeted, and they warmly greeted her back.
"Oh my, you brought a handsome young guest," one woman said with an amused smile — the polite, social kind adults used around children.
"It's the daimyo's wife, Haraguchi Miki," Tsunade introduced. "Today's her birthday."
Ah.That explained the gathering.
Next was Kajiwara Satomi, the wife of the Tanba District governor."She can help oversee your Gunma casino someday," Tsunade added lightly.
Haruya immediately understood.Networking.Strengthening political backing for his ventures.Black and white, noble and shinobi — the casino would be untouchable.
The other six women were wives of major Konoha clan heads.
Lunch was lively.Haruya kept quiet — too many eyes for his taste — but at least the food was excellent.
After the meal, the ladies admired a portrait one of them was painting for the birthday woman.Tsunade simply covered Haruya's eyes with a sigh."Not for kids."
Fair enough.
When the gathering ended, Haruya sent a Wood Clone back to class and went to visit Ena again — grapes and all.
He wasn't competing with anyone over snacks.He'd simply discovered that Ena's chakra-rich produce genuinely strengthened his body and expanded his chakra reserves.
He had grown up an underfed orphan.Even with Hashirama's Wood Release talent, he couldn't reach true power without a strong body and vast chakra to sustain it.
Fortunately, he had ways to grow both.