After receiving their polished Konoha head protectors and passing papers, Kaito and Mirei walked out of the Academy gates.
They had successfully become Genin!
However, the excitement quickly faded as they faced a crucial problem.
They were completely homeless!
Kaito looked down at the shiny metal plate in his hands and sighed deeply.
He had thought about renting a small place in the outskirts of the village.
However, he quickly realized he didn't have any money on him.
Not even a single Ryo.
His Cheat System gave him heaven-defying powers, but it sadly didn't give him cash.
"Hmm... Should we go back to the Uchiha Compound?" Kaito asked playfully.
Mirei immediately laughed and shook her head.
She replied, "Hahaha... You would get scolded to death by Elder Hondo if you showed your face there again."
Kaito smirked.
He didn't really want to go back to that tense, gloomy compound either.
Just when he was thinking about where they would sleep tonight, they suddenly crossed paths with someone Kaito recognized.
'Wait a minute... Isn't that...'
"Lady Tsunade!" Kaito called out loudly.
A young woman with bright blonde, casually tied hair turned around.
This was Tsunade Senju, long before she was proclaimed as one of the Legendary Sannin!
She wore a simple dark haori over her clothes.
As expected, even at this younger age, her size...
Well, Kaito knew that would grow even more prominent later on.
Tsunade looked down at the white-haired boy with a confused expression.
"Do I know you?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.
Kaito looked up at her and said calmly, "No, but we definitely know you. I have a favor to ask you."
Tsunade folded her arms across her chest, looking somewhat intrigued by this bold academy student.
But when Kaito saw the two elite Jōnin following closely behind her as bodyguards, he stopped.
He couldn't say his true intentions out loud in front of them.
Kaito asked, "May we go somewhere else to talk?"
Tsunade chuckled lightly and leaned forward.
She said, "Listen, kid. That's really not how you approach a woman, you know?"
Mirei immediately stepped in front of Kaito, glaring at the blonde woman.
"Kaito wasn't trying to approach you!" Mirei replied sharply, her jealousy flaring up again.
Looking at the young girl's highly displeased expression, Tsunade smirked in amusement.
She teased, "Of course he is. Who wouldn't want to approach a pretty lady like me? Am I wrong, kid?"
Kaito awkwardly scratched his cheek and said, "Well, that's true... But that's really not the point."
Tsunade was about to dismiss them and walk away.
But when she looked closely at Kaito's bright, crystalline blue eyes, she was suddenly stunned.
Those eyes... they were completely unnatural.
They held a deep, endless void that made even a veteran shinobi like her feel a chill run down her spine.
After a moment of silence, she unexpectedly agreed to his request.
"Fine, I'll be going home now. You two can go ahead and leave!" Tsunade said, waving her hand to dismiss the two Jōnin.
The bodyguards looked hesitant.
"But, Lady Tsunade—!!"
"I said, just go!" she ordered with a heavy, commanding tone.
Without any room to negotiate further, the two ninja bowed respectfully and withdrew into the shadows.
Tsunade turned back to Kaito and Mirei.
"Follow me, both of you."
-
Senju Compound
After walking for a while, they arrived at the massive, sprawling estate of the Senju Compound.
The architecture was grand, surrounded by lush trees and vibrant nature.
There, Kaito could still see several active members of the Senju Clan walking around the courtyard.
Although in the original anime, they were said to be in a severe decline until no more members were ever mentioned, they were clearly still a prominent force during this era.
"Princess Tsunade! You've returned!" an elderly aide welcomed her at the front door.
Tsunade nodded and immediately asked, "Where is Nawaki?"
The aide bowed nervously.
"He's not home yet, Princess Tsunade."
Tsunade clicked her tongue in annoyance.
"That brat... It is about to get completely dark outside. Where is he?!"
When Tsunade noticed Kaito's strange, knowing look, she immediately calmed her temper and regained her composure.
She led them into a large, traditional tea room and sat down.
"Then? What is it that you wanted to talk about so secretly?" Tsunade asked, resting her chin on her hand.
Kaito sat opposite her, with Mirei clinging closely to his side.
He looked straight into her eyes and said, "Can you give us a place to stay?"
When Kaito said this, Mirei was completely shocked.
She pulled his sleeve frantically.
"Wait, Kaito! We are not going to live with this woman!" Mirei whispered loudly.
Kaito patted her head gently.
"It's okay, Mirei. Just trust me."
Tsunade gave him a cold look.
The playful demeanor from the streets was completely gone.
She firmly said, "Why must I give you shelter? This is the Senju Compound, not an orphanage."
Kaito smirked confidently.
"Well... To begin with, my mother was actually a Senju."
Tsunade's eyes widened slightly, but Kaito didn't let her interrupt.
"Also, I think I can help you with your lack of Wood Release Jutsu."
The room went dead silent.
Kaito continued, "You surely want to know why you can't perform Wood Release, despite being the direct granddaughter of the First Hokage, right?"
When Kaito said this, Tsunade was momentarily taken aback.
Her breath hitched.
This was the greatest insecurity and regret of her entire life, something the clan elders constantly whispered about behind her back.
How did this random kid know about that?
Tsunade slammed her hands on the table, her aura flaring dangerously.
"What proof do you have to support your ridiculous claim?!"
Kaito didn't flinch.
His Six Eyes easily processed her intimidating chakra without breaking a sweat.
He leaned back and said, "Nothing at all! However, you won't get this chance for a second time, Lady Tsunade."
He knew exactly how genetic traits and chakra natures worked from watching the anime.
With his Six Eyes, he could even map out her chakra pathways and point out exactly what she was missing.
When Tsunade met Kaito's confident, incredibly prideful gaze, she felt a strange sense of authority from him.
He wasn't lying. Or at least, he truly believed he could do it.
She sighed heavily, the dangerous aura dissipating from the room.
"I can't believe I'm actually falling for this nonsense," Tsunade muttered, rubbing her temples.
She looked at the two homeless kids.
"Fine, you may live here for the time being."
Mirei gasped in disbelief, while Kaito simply smiled.
"However!" Tsunade pointed a sharp finger directly at Kaito's face.
"If you fail to do what you just claimed, I will personally kick you both out into the streets in an instant. Understood?"
Kaito stood up and shoved his hands into his pockets.
He said casually, "Fine by me."