"What an unexpected surprise."
Tsunade smiled faintly, her gaze shifting as she wondered how to handle Haruya.Leave him in the orphanage, and Danzo Shimura would snatch him up in a heartbeat.And once Danzo got his hands on a kid? Ruined. Absolutely ruined.
As for Hiruzen Sarutobi… she still held a few grudges against the old man.So why not take Haruya herself?
Tsunade had returned to Konoha not only to attend the funerals of Minato Namikaze and Kushina Uzumaki, but also with another purpose—bringing Shizune back with her.
During the Second Ninja War, Shizune had been a newborn. That was the only reason Tsunade hadn't taken her then.
But now Shizune had graduated the Academy and already shown real talent as a medic-nin. And with no family left in Konoha, Tsunade planned to take her along.
Now, it seemed she might as well take Haruya too.
According to Nonoyu, the boy was unusually mature and sensible.And Tsunade didn't mind—raising him wasn't the problem. Teaching him Wood Release was.
Since her grandfather, Hashirama Senju, died, Wood Release had vanished from the world for decades. As the last true Senju heir, Tsunade felt responsible.Maybe, just maybe, she could remind the shinobi world what it meant to fear being dominated by Wood Release again.
"The fact you can use Wood Release proves you're of the Senju bloodline."For once Tsunade's voice softened. "You shouldn't stay in the orphanage anymore. It's time to come home to the Senju. Will you come with me?"
For some reason, Haruya had one sudden, ridiculous thought:
Wait, are you my damn master now?
"I'm one of the Legendary Sannin," Tsunade added quickly when he didn't answer, lifting her chest proudly. "Stick with me and you'll never go hungry again."
Haruya eyed her… and the "never hungry" part seemed very reliable.
"I will," he said, nodding.
A bright smile lit her face. She cupped his cheek, squeezing lightly. "Smart boy. Very smart."
"What about me?" Kabuto blurted out.
He and Haruya were best friends. If Haruya left, of course he'd be upset.
"Kabuto, mind your manners," Nonoyu said sharply, anxiety tightening her tone. "Haruya's only leaving the orphanage, not the village. You'll still see him."
Kabuto deflated but didn't argue.
Seeing that, Haruya hesitated—but only for a moment.He already knew Kabuto would later reveal his own talent and be taken as Tsunade's student anyway. Saying anything now would seem unnatural—and would only make Nonoyu suspicious.
"Kabuto, I'll come see you every day," Haruya said with a grin.
Kabuto brightened instantly. Smart kid. Following Tsunade? Nothing but benefits.
"Nonoyu, I'll take him now," Tsunade said, leaning slightly and extending her hand.
A sudden wave of pressure washed over Haruya as she loomed above him.One thought echoed in his mind:
Rich. And generous.
"Let's go." She didn't wait for him to react, simply clasped his hand and led him out.
"Haruya! Don't forget to visit!" Kabuto shouted behind them.
"I won't!" Haruya waved back.
A top-tier future powerhouse like Kabuto? Haruya would absolutely maintain that bond.
Outside, Tsunade lifted her gaze northward.Hokage Rock towered over the village, the visages of past Hokage carved into stone.
Haruya rose on his toes, trying to see what she was looking at.Unfortunately, he was still seven. Too short.
Tsunade noticed and couldn't help a small smile.With his delicate features and small frame, everything he did looked cute.
"I'm looking at Hokage Rock," she said. "Down in that lower-left district—that's where the past Hokage lived, and where the Senju clan compound is. If you want to know whose blood runs in you, the answer is there."
Tsunade led him north until they reached a secluded home.Nostalgia flickered across her face.
"This is where my grandparents lived. And where I grew up."
She hadn't visited in years.
Her grandmother, Uzumaki Mito—the First Jinchuriki of the Nine-Tails—had lived quietly here due to her status.But that was long ago.
Haruya looked around.How to describe it?
…Pretty average.Just an old-fashioned wooden house.
Tsunade slid the door open. The interior was spotless.
Clearly someone cleaned regularly.And in truth, more than that—ANBU guards patrolled the area.No ordinary person could get close.If Haruya had come alone, he'd have been detained instantly.
"Nothing," Tsunade muttered after opening the fridge. Empty. Completely empty.
She had wanted to give Haruya milk—good for a growing kid—but apparently he'd have to settle for hot water.
"Sit on the sofa. I'll grab something."
She handed him a glass of water and went upstairs.She returned moments later with two scrolls.
"Can you read?"
"The headmistress taught me."
"This is the Senju family tree. See if any names look familiar."
She sat opposite him, crossing her long pale legs as she watched him with interest.
Pleasant view, honestly.Like seeing a sleek white cat you want to stroke.
Haruya looked through the genealogy.Aside from Hashirama and Tobirama, everyone was unfamiliar.
"I don't remember anything from before," he said. "Nothing here rings a bell."
"If you can't remember, don't force it."Seeing his downcast look, Tsunade felt a pang in her chest.Such a tough, sensible kid… it hurt.
"From now on, you'll learn ninjutsu from me," she said, opening the second scroll. "I don't know Wood Release myself, but Grandpa left detailed instructions. Enough for you to learn."
"Thank you, Lady Tsunade."This time, his gratitude was genuine.
If he mastered Wood Release—even at Yamato's level—he'd be a force.Yamato may get teased, but he was undeniably elite.
"What's with the formality?" Tsunade said. "When we're alone, you can call me sister."
She looked almost nervous, worried he'd reject her.Realistically, they'd only met today; closeness would be odd.But his adorable face and his awakened Wood Release had won her over completely.
"Sister Tsunade!" Haruya said immediately.
Ah yes.A wealthy woman insisting you call her sister?That's profit.
…Wait. Tsunade was kind of a negative balance woman, wasn't she?
"Haruya, would you like a new name?" Tsunade asked, leaning closer with a soft fragrance. "How about… Haruki?"
Damn it, I'm a replacement!Haruya hadn't expected this result—even after nudging her in that direction.
But the name Haruki? Absolutely not.
It reminded him of Natsuki from Initial D—back when he'd been too young and clueless to understand her… arrangement with that "generous uncle."Later he learned that word was "godfather."And that swimsuit scene… yeah.
Haruya shook his head. "Sister Tsunade, Haruya is the only thing my parents left me. I don't want to change it."
Instead of anger, Tsunade's face softened with sympathy.She stroked his hair. "Then keep it. What do you want for dinner? My treat."
"Barbecue," Haruya answered instantly.
The orphanage barely survived on Nonoyu's efforts; meals were modest at best.
"Then study the scroll for now. I'll go buy food," Tsunade said, standing.
Haruya unrolled the scroll.First technique: Wood Release: Wood Substitution.
A more advanced form of the basic Substitution Technique—perfect difficulty for him.
Meanwhile, in the Hokage's office…
After Minato's death, Hiruzen Sarutobi had reluctantly taken up the mantle again.
"This is troublesome," he sighed, puffing his pipe as he read the report.Being Hokage again had its perks.But peace? Impossible.
Minato hadn't even been buried long before the Hidden Cloud started stirring trouble at the border.
"Hokage-sama."An ANBU wearing a frog mask knelt. "Just now, Lady Tsunade brought an orphan named Haruya to the First Hokage's former residence."
"Haruya? Who is that?" Hiruzen lowered his pipe. "What's his connection to Tsunade?"
"He's from the Konoha Orphanage. No known relation. Today was their first meeting."
Hiruzen blew out a slow smoke ring.
First day meeting Tsunade, and she takes him straight to Hashirama's home?
That was not normal.
The boy must be special.But Hiruzen's real concern wasn't Haruya.
It was Tsunade.
She was planning to leave again—and at the worst possible time.Konoha was facing internal and external crises.Keeping her here would stabilize the people and intimidate enemies.
He needed her to stay.