Natsume had slept like a baby.

  Maybe it was the exhaustion from the day before, but the moment he hit the bed, he dropped straight into deep sleep.

  He stretched zily, slipped into his clothes, and stepped out of the room.

  “Natsume, you awake?” came Tsunade’s voice from the kitchen.

  “Yeah,” he called back, making his way to the doorway.

  Tsunade was still in her usual sleeveless top, but now she had an apron over it.

  New outfit unlocked: Kitchen Queen.

  No denying it—when you're that beautiful, even an apron looks runway-ready.

  In his past life, Natsume had always thought Tsunade’s usual fashion sense was nothing special. Still, it never managed to hide that mature, irresistible charm.

  Like a ripe peach—round, sweet, and dangerously tempting.

  “Go wash up,” Tsunade said without even turning around.

  Natsume headed into the nearby bathroom, where a brand-new toothbrush and pstic cup were already id out on the sink.

  She’d clearly prepared them in advance.

  He gnced back at her silhouette, a flicker of warmth stirring in his chest.

  She might act loud and brash, but this woman had her soft, thoughtful side too.

  By the time Natsume finished brushing his teeth, Tsunade had breakfast ready.

  Onigiri.

  “Try it,” she said, resting her chin in her hands as she studied his expression intently.

  She was clearly fishing for praise.

  Natsume hesitated, then picked up a rice ball and took a bite—and instantly froze with a tortured look on his face.

  He wanted to give a good review, he really did. But his body betrayed him with an instinctive gag.

  Dear god. What was this unholy abomination?

  Salty. Sweet. And something else that defied description.

  You had to have real talent to mess up something as basic as a rice ball this badly.

  “Not bad,” he managed, drawing on the ancient art of Chinese-style vague compliments.

  Tsunade burst out ughing. Of course, she saw right through him.

  But it was just like before.

  That was exactly what Nawaki used to say—no matter how awful her cooking was, he always finished every bite.

  Tsunade's smile faltered for a second, her gaze drifting.

  Then her golden-brown eyes narrowed pyfully. “In that case, I’ll make you breakfast every day from now on.”

  Natsume’s hand twitched mid-bite. He suddenly remembered something his cousin Xia Luo once said in their previous life:

  “This... this is a sin against nature!”

  And worst of all—he couldn’t refuse.

  This was the prime time to rack up affection points.

  He nodded hard. “Okay!”

  Tsunade’s smile brightened even more. She casually grabbed a rice ball for herself and took a bite.

  Yeah... it was just as bad as she remembered.

  Which only made her look at Natsume with even more fondness.

  Anyone who could stomach her cooking was clearly treating her like family.

  Just like her little brother, Nawaki, once did.

  After breakfast, the two of them got ready to head out.

  Tsunade threw on her signature tea-green jacket—the cssic look—with the giant gamble kanji on the back.

  Not that her gambling skills were worth bragging about...

  She gnced over at Natsume. “We’ll stop by to get you some new clothes ter.”

  “No need to splurge,” Natsume replied reflexively, waving his hand.

  “Not happening.” Tsunade grabbed his hand and led him outside. “Your cute face deserves way better than those old rags.”

  Natsume blinked.

  Oh? So that’s how it is?

  You’re after my body, huh?

  Well, since you’re being honest, I won’t pretend either.

  Truth is, I’ve been craving yours too.

  They headed south and eventually stopped in front of Konoha Hospital.

  “Lady Tsunade!”

  People greeted her left and right, eyes sparkling with admiration.

  After all, back in this era—before power scaling went off the rails—the Legendary Sannin still commanded immense respect.

  And Tsunade, as the strongest medical ninja, was basically a living deity within these hospital walls.

  Before long, the two of them arrived at an office.

  “Lady Tsunade!” The middle-aged woman at the desk immediately stood, her voice a mix of shock and excitement.

  “Long time no see, Kokoro,” Tsunade said with a smile. “Is Shizune around?”

  “She should be observing a surgery right now. Please wait a moment, I’ll go get her.”

  Kokoro gave Natsume a curious gnce before leaving—understandable, considering how striking the boy looked.

  But she didn’t ask anything and quickly exited the room.

  “Natsume.”

  Tsunade patted the sofa.

  Natsume obediently sat down beside her.

  “You’ll be meeting a girl named Shizune in a moment. She’s a retive of an old friend of mine and quite gifted in medical ninjutsu. I’m thinking of taking her as my apprentice,” Tsunade said, gently ruffling his messy hair. “I hope you two get along.”

  “I will,” Natsume nodded.

  He had already guessed Tsunade came here to see Shizune.

  She was a recurring presence in the original story—quiet, gentle, dependable.

  As Tsunade’s aide and secretary, she often kept her in check, especially when the Hokage scked off.

  Though technically a student, she acted more like a maid—or a mom.

  Natsume didn’t mind getting to know her. She was a significant character in the plot.

  Which meant... she could provide him with Destiny Points.

  Problem was, like Tsunade, she wasn’t currently at a major plot node.

  So for now, there wasn’t much he could do.

  Then there was Nonō Yakushi, his housemate for the past three years.

  In canon, she was destined to be sent by Danzo as a spy to Iwagakure in a few years.

  After losing his trust, she’d be forced into a fatal fight with her adoptive son, Kabuto.

  Natsume had already derailed Kabuto’s fate, but Nonō’s was still intact.

  Unless she gained Danzo’s trust, her death was inevitable.

  If he wanted to change her destiny, he had to go through Danzo and sever the puppet strings.

  The people nearby might not be viable just yet—but Natsume had another target in mind.

  A dangerous, fascinating vilin with a Schr?dinger’s-gender kind of vibe: Orochimaru.

  The man was on the verge of a destiny-defining moment—his defection from the vilge.

  A few minutes ter, Kokoro returned with a teenage girl.

  Delicate features, Konoha’s standard genin vest.

  The moment she spotted Tsunade, her calm demeanor cracked, repced by overwhelming excitement.

  “Lady Tsunade!”

  Fourteen-year-old Shizune had graduated from the Academy and stayed at Konoha Hospital ever since—waiting for this moment.

  Given her admiration for Tsunade, this kind of reaction was only natural.

  Natsume, watching from the side, couldn’t help thinking:

  Someone get this Japanese girl to chill.

  “I’ve heard about your work—very impressive,” Tsunade said casually. “Starting today, you’ll be learning medical ninjutsu from me.”

  Shizune took a deep breath and regained her composure. “Yes, Lady Tsunade!”

  “Kokoro, we’ll chat more next time,” Tsunade said, taking Natsume’s hand and turning to leave.

  Shizune gnced curiously at the unfamiliar boy and quickly followed.

  “Shizune, this is Natsume,” Tsunade expined as they walked. “He’s kind of your junior from now on.”

  Natsume, ever the polite one, looked up and greeted, “Hi, Shizune-neesan.”

  The sweetness in his voice made Shizune’s heart skip a beat.

  So cute!

  She couldn’t resist reaching out to ruffle his hair. “Please take care of me too.”

  Natsume was speechless.

  Did I transmigrate into the Hidden Head-Pat Vilge or something? Why does everyone love ruffling my hair?

  Especially Tsunade.

  Hmph. If you love touching heads so much, maybe one day I’ll let you touch a different one.

  Tsunade brought both Natsume and Shizune to a clothing store, bought them each three new outfits, and then headed home.

  But at the doorstep, a short old man was already waiting for them.

  The Third Hokage—Hiruzen Sarutobi.