Sasame slept soundly.
Perhaps due to yesterday's exhaustion, he'd fallen into deep slumber the moment his head hit the pillow.
Stretching lazily, he dressed and exited the bedroom.
"Sasame, awake yet?"
Tsunade's voice carried from the kitchen.
"Yep!"
He answered while approaching the doorway.
Tsunade still wore her sleeveless top, now paired with an apron.
New outfit unlocked: Housewife ver.
Truly, beauty made anything look good.
In his past life, Sasame had considered Tsunade's usual attire rather plain—yet it couldn't mask her ripe, peach-like allure.
"Go wash up."
She spoke without turning.
The adjacent bathroom revealed brand-new toiletries—clearly prepared in advance.
Glancing back at Tsunade, Sasame felt genuinely touched.
Beneath her brash exterior lay thoughtful warmth.
By the time he finished, breakfast awaited—rice balls.
"Try them."
Tsunade rested her chin on interlaced fingers, honey-brown eyes studying his reaction intently.
Sasame hesitantly took a bite—his face immediately contorting.
He wanted to praise it, but his body rebelled.
Sweet yet salty? With some indescribable horror?
How does one ruin something as simple as onigiri?!
"Not bad."
He deployed classic Chinese non-committal praise.
Tsunade burst out laughing at his transparent lie.
Just like Nawaki—forcing it down despite the taste.
Her expression grew distant before she cheerfully declared:
"Then I'll make them for you every morning!"
Sasame froze, recalling a certain Xia-family member's catchphrase:
"What fresh hell is this?!"
Yet he couldn't refuse—not during this critical affinity-building phase.
"Okay!"
He nodded vigorously.
Tsunade's smile widened as she sampled her own creation.
Yeah, objectively terrible.
Which made Sasame's acceptance all the more endearing.
Just like family.
Preparing to depart, Tsunade donned her signature teal overcoat—the classic "Gamble" version.
(Her actual gambling skills? Best left unmentioned.)
"Let's buy you new clothes later."
She eyed Sasame's worn outfit.
"No need to spend—"
He instinctively waved it off.
"Nonsense."
Tsunade took his hand. "These rags don't match your pretty face."
Sasame blinked.
Oh?
So you're after my body?
Well guess what—same!
Their destination turned out to be Konoha Hospital.
"Lady Tsunade!"
Staff greeted her with awed reverence.
In this pre-power-creep era, the Sannin commanded immense prestige—especially Tsunade as the world's greatest medic.
They soon reached an office where a middle-aged woman shot up in surprise.
"Lady Tsunade!"
"Long time, Shimizu."
Tsunade smiled. "Where's Shizune?"
"Observing surgery. I'll fetch her immediately."
Shimizu's gaze lingered on Sasame's striking features before hurrying off.
"Sasame."
Tsunade patted the sofa.
He obediently sat beside her.
"You'll meet Shizune—a talented girl I'm taking as my apprentice."
She ruffled his hair. "Be good to her."
"Of course."
Sasame had guessed Shizune was their destination.
The quiet, diligent girl essentially served as Tsunade's long-suffering maid/mom-friend in canon—constantly wrangling her wayward mentor.
He welcomed the connection—as a significant side character, she could provide Fate Points.
Though like Tsunade, she currently lacked pivotal fate moments.
Similarly, Nonō remained trapped in Danzō's web—doomed unless freed from Root's control.
But Sasame already had plans for another target—the dangerously androgynous Orochimaru.
His defection loomed as a prime fate-altering opportunity.
Minutes later, Shimizu returned with a fresh-faced teen in nurse attire.
"Lady Tsunade!"
Normally composed, 14-year-old Shizune vibrated with excitement.
(Internally, Sasame quipped: "Calm down, Japanese girl!")
"Your progress impresses me."
Tsunade remained characteristically blunt. "You're now my apprentice."
Shizune took a steadying breath before nodding. "Yes, my lady!"
After brief farewells, their trio departed—Shizune sneaking curious glances at the unfamiliar boy.
"Shizune, this is Sasame—consider him your junior."
As they walked, Tsunade made introductions.
Sasame turned his most angelic face upward. "Shizune-nee."
Direct critical hit!
Overcome by cuteness aggression, Shizune instinctively patted his head.
"Let's get along well."
Sasame sighed internally.
Did I transmigrate into Headpat Village?
First Tsunade, now you?
Fine—keep it up and I'll make you pat something else later.
After outfitting both kids with new clothes, Tsunade led them home—only to find a short elderly man waiting at their doorstep.
The Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen.