Mission: Rescuing Uzumaki Kushina, who was kidnapped by the Hidden Cloud Village, completed. Reward: one lottery draw."
"Mission: Surviving this rescue, completed. Reward: one lottery draw."
A cold electronic voice rang in Yueshu's mind, like a bone-chilling alarm clock, instantly waking him up.
His eyes met the ceiling, a very familiar sight—it was the ceiling of his own room.
"Am I back?"
Yueshu murmured. He remembered hearing a voice at the very end, which allowed him to close his eyes with peace of mind.
He knew who had arrived, and precisely because of that, he believed that Kushina would be fine.
"So painful."
Yueshu tried to move, and a wave of pain immediately made him wince.
"I almost died."
Yueshu curled his lips. Although he was severely injured, Kushina had been rescued, just as he had expected.
That alone was enough.
Moreover, it wasn't just that; he had gained quite a bit, primarily the two lottery draws he was rewarded with.
Taking a deep breath, Yueshu decided to draw. This time, he had realized his own capabilities.
He was only slightly better than an ordinary Chunin, which was nowhere near enough. And this was merely his demonstrable combat power; it didn't mean Yueshu was a Chunin.
"System, two lottery draws."
"Congratulations, Host, you have obtained the Kusanagi Sword and Sword Master."
"More sword-related stuff? Is the System trying to make me a swordsman?"
Yueshu joked, complaining.
"Forget it, being a swordsman isn't bad. Who doesn't have a swordsman dream?"
Yueshu didn't dwell on it too much. He was quite satisfied with this swordsmanship and the Kusanagi Sword. Although their rank might not be too high, they were still a decent power.
What's more, he had already planned to practice Hatake Swordsmanship and intended to take the path of cold weapons.
No matter where, there are always plenty of sword users. Even in this Hokage World, where Ninja are dominant, there are Samurai. Some of these Samurai can even defeat Jonin without using Chakra, just relying on their bodies. Of course, these are only a rare few.
"Attributes."
Name: Ji Shen Yueshu
Status: Normal
Abilities: Rasengan (A-Rank), Three-Tomoe Sharingan (B-rank), Senju Bloodline (Awakened) (A-Rank), Sword Master (B-rank), Fire Release Ninjutsu Gift Pack (Rank S), Kusanagi Sword (B-rank)
Combat Power: Jonin (??)
His combat power had once again risen, from a Chunin level to a Jonin level.
Although the System only provided combat power levels and didn't necessarily represent overall skill, even this alone was enough to shock the entire Hokage World.
One must know that Yueshu was only eight years old. An eight-year-old Jonin had never been seen in the Hokage World.
Even Kakashi or Itachi, who later skipped grades all the way, were never this abnormal.
It was unimaginable how terrifying Yueshu was now.
The term 'genius' was no longer sufficient to describe him; Yueshu had already reached the pinnacle of all geniuses.
He was a prodigy!
"Now I can become even stronger. I won't have to risk my life to buy time for Konoha's reinforcements to arrive like before."
Yueshu clenched his fist. No matter who it was, everyone wished their strength could be greater.
Yueshu was no exception. In fact, he didn't wish to be extremely powerful, nor did he have any dreams or ambitions of dominating the Ninja World. For Yueshu, he didn't have the heart to become a hero; he just wanted to live a leisurely life, like before his transmigration, without being troubled by this world.
In his previous life, it was economics; in this life, it was strength! In this world, the strong are absolute kings.
As Yueshu clenched his fist, the door to his room suddenly opened.
"Still quite energetic, aren't you?"
Without turning his head, Yueshu knew who it was just by hearing the voice.
Whose teasing voice could it be? It was none other than the owner of this house—Senju Tsunade.
"Well, it still hurts a lot."
"You know it hurts, yet you're moving around recklessly. Why weren't you more careful when you were acting on impulse?"
Tsunade sat beside Yueshu, wearing an expression of disappointment.
As a Medical Ninja, Tsunade detested people who didn't take good care of their bodies.
"I couldn't help it, the situation was special. I didn't have time to think that much."
"Oh ho, you're quite concerned about that little girl from the Vortex Family, aren't you? Have you fallen for her?"
Tsunade teased.
"No way! What are you thinking? I'm only eight years old. Is it really that early to be thinking about such things?"
"Who knows? Eight years old isn't too young or too old."
Tsunade shrugged.
Yueshu sighed.
"By the way, is there something you came in for? You didn't just come here to say things like that, did you?"
"Well, I saw some movement here, so I came to check. Is that not allowed?"
Tsunade ruffled Yueshu's hair, showing a hearty smile.
"Tch."
Yueshu feigned an expression of disdain.
"Hahaha, I won't tease you anymore. Get some good rest. That little girl from the Vortex Family is very worried about you, you know. She came to see you several times and even helped take care of you."
"Remember to thank her properly."
Tsunade waved her hand, walked to the doorway, closed the door, and left.
Yueshu sighed again.
That Tsunade, always coming over to tease him for no reason.
But for Kushina to come and look after him, that was truly unexpected.
As he thought this, Yueshu seemed to see the clumsy Kushina taking care of someone, and he softly chuckled for a moment.
What he didn't know was that Tsunade, who had just left, didn't leave quickly. Instead, she stood quietly at the doorway.
"That aura, Yueshu, who exactly are you?"
Tsunade whispered softly, only for herself to hear.
She vaguely remembered two days ago, when she rushed to Yueshu's side, he looked like he was about to die, but a vigorous life force was continuously sustaining his life.
Tsunade was extremely familiar with that life force; in fact, few in the entire Ninja World were more familiar than her.
It was the aura of the Ninja World's legend, her grandfather—Senju Hashirama's aura, the purest Wood Release aura, a flourishing life force.
An aura that hadn't appeared for decades, the Wood Release that had long since disappeared, now appeared on Yueshu.
It was no wonder the First Hokage's granddaughter's emotions were so volatile.
Regardless of Tsunade's mood, Yueshu's mood was very complex at the moment.
Not long after Tsunade left, the protagonist who had caused unrest throughout Konoha—Uzumaki Kushina—came to visit him.
Can you imagine Kushina, known as the Blood Red Habanero, suddenly transforming into a gentle lady?
Yueshu certainly couldn't imagine it, but he had no choice; he saw it with his own eyes.
Kushina, with her red hair, was still as pleasing to the eye. She wasn't as boisterous and unrestrained as usual; instead, she seemed somewhat like a gentlewoman, which greatly surprised Yueshu.
"How are your injuries?"
Kushina sat next to Yueshu, a hint of tenderness in her eyes.
"Much better. Don't let Tsunade's demeanor fool you; she's still Konoha's most skilled Medical Ninja."
Yueshu smiled, indicating that there was nothing serious.
"That's good then."
Kushina fell silent after speaking, and the atmosphere instantly quieted down.
"That."
"Hmm?"
"What you said earlier, was it serious?"
"Earlier? What did I say?"
Kushina took a deep breath and looked into Yueshu's eyes. Her small, round face was already flushed, looking very much like an enticing apple.
"What you said when you came to rescue me."
Yueshu was startled, looking at the blushing Kushina in front of him.
"Hahaha."
Yueshu couldn't help but laugh out loud, making Kushina flustered and at a loss.
"What are you laughing at?!"
"Nothing, it's just that your reaction, Kushina, is a bit amusing."
"Where?!"
Kushina, for once, showed a demure, ladylike side, a stark contrast to her usual big sister persona.
"Well."
Yueshu stopped smiling.
"Everything was true."
Yueshu's voice was soft, yet it carried a heavy weight.
"Whether it's not wanting to lose you, or anything else."
Yueshu gave a wry smile.
"Although I don't like being a hero, I'm quite willing to be your hero."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
Kushina burst out laughing.
"What do you mean, 'only my hero'? That's so reckless."
"But."
Kushina looked seriously into Yueshu's eyes.
"I grant you special permission."
"My hero, please take care of me from now on."
Kushina tilted her head, revealing the most beautiful smile Yueshu had seen since coming to the Hokage World.
"Alright, leave it to me!"
Outside the window, the sun was bright, and the wind gently blew, carrying whispers of affection from near and far.
Days passed, and Kushina visited Yueshu every day. Minato Namikaze also made time to visit Yueshu occasionally. Besides them, no one else came to see Yueshu.
Tsunade's Mystical Palm Technique was indeed impressive; Yueshu's body had almost fully recovered in just a few days.
It's worth mentioning that after that day, Kushina and Yueshu's relationship improved dramatically.
Although Yueshu didn't notice anything, Tsunade saw it very clearly: Kushina clearly had some other feelings for Yueshu.
It was different from their previous friendship or classmate bond; it was a more purposeful emotion.
The children's hearts were still tender and didn't understand what this was; it was merely the beginning of their emotions growing.
Besides these, Tsunade also began her own work. She started secretly investigating Yueshu's background, even contacting Jiraiya, who was far away in the Rain Ninja Village.
Meanwhile, Yueshu was unaware that his Wood Release had been exposed, and he continued his daily life as usual.
"Lady Tsunade, are you working today too?"
Shizune carried tea into Tsunade's room, where Tsunade was sitting cross-legged on the tatami mat.
Tsunade had been like this for the past few days, suddenly busy with something. Although Shizune didn't know what it was, it must have been very important, as even her training had been put aside.
"Yes, thank you, Shizune."
Tsunade was deep in thought. Shizune, after putting down the tea, left without disturbing Tsunade.
"Ji Shen Yueshu, I've never heard that surname. A war orphan who survived in the Rain Ninja Village, with a Konoha forehead protector tied to his thigh."
Tsunade murmured. She had collected information on Yueshu over the past two days, but unfortunately, there was no useful information at all.
"Senju, Himegami—"
Only Tsunade's soft voice filled the room.
And Jiraiya, in the Rain Ninja Village, also became interested in Yueshu because of Tsunade.
Tsunade usually wouldn't be interested in a child, and it seemed she had even taken him in.
"Himegami, Himegami, it sounds familiar somehow."
At this very moment, Yueshu had no idea that two of Konoha's legendary Sannin, who had just made a name for themselves in the Ninja World, were interested in him. He continued his school life as before.
After his body recovered, Yueshu went to school as usual. However, due to the Kushina incident, Yueshu suddenly rose to fame, becoming Konoha's most renowned genius, even surpassing Minato Namikaze, who was a civilian genius.
"Yueshu, are you feeling better now?"
The speaker was Yueshu's only male friend, none other than Minato Namikaze, previously the most famous civilian genius.
At this moment, he showed no jealousy or vexation at being surpassed; instead, he wore a sun-like smile as he inquired about Yueshu's well-being.
"Don't worry, I'm completely fine now, no big deal."
Yueshu liked Minato Namikaze very much. After all, he had a good personality, strength, and good looks. What reason was there to dislike him?
"That's good. We'll have practical combat training again in a couple of days. I'll have to beat you then, so you can't be unwell."
Minato Namikaze said, half-jokingly.
"Bring it on, I won't lose."
To Minato Namikaze's challenge, Yueshu accepted it directly, just as he always did, though it was a bit like bullying. Minato Namikaze's current combat level was only that of a Genin, and just an ordinary Genin at that. With Yueshu's combat level already at Jonin, it was truly like an adult bullying a child.
However, Minato Namikaze didn't know any of this. Seeing his good friend so energetic, he felt much more relieved.
"You two, are you still going to chat when the teacher is already at the door?"
Kushina, who was standing nearby, floated out a remark, and only then did the two men realize that the teacher had indeed reached the doorway.
"Then I'll go first."
Seeing this, Minato Namikaze, being a good student, bid farewell and returned to his seat, and Yueshu did the same.
"You're still so close with that sissy."
"If you say that about Minato, he'll be sad."
Yueshu didn't know whether to laugh or cry at Kushina's choice of words for Minato Namikaze.
While Minato Namikaze did indeed have a gentle aura and a delicate face, calling him a sissy was still way off the mark.
"Tch."
Yueshu gave a wry smile. It seemed Kushina's feelings towards Minato Namikaze wouldn't change anytime soon.
"Quiet, quiet. Now, let's begin class."
"Everyone has been studying for a year now. Your Chakra refinement, Kunai training, and Taijutsu practice haven't fallen behind. You've done very well, though there are still a few individuals who slack off."
"Today, we will be learning the basic Ninjutsu of a Ninja, which is the Three Body Technique."
"The Three Body Technique includes the Clone Technique, Substitution Technique, and Transformation Technique—"
The teacher lectured from the podium. Unbeknownst to him, Yueshu had already been in school for a year, and the teaching of the Three Body Technique had finally arrived.