For review

by Little Merger

intro chaps

41. Filthy Gamer in Narutoverse

Filthy Gamer in Narutoverse

---

Tired of one bad choice in the personalization of his trait, Kaye, now Kai, logically planned his suicide for a better chance of reincarnation to get rid of the curse that his trait had almost become. Now, Kai is in a world where people breathe fire and fart thunder! * Warning: I'm still playing with the idea of a female and submissive Orochimaru and if you don't think fem Orochi is a waifu with a long tongue and a quirk of swallowing things then… welp. The harem and r18 stuff will happen later because I generally write them after developing a few things but the work is at a fast pace in the terms of mc's strength and growth. Slight AU

---

Filthy Gamer in Narutoverse #Chapter 1: Help Me... HELP. ME. N— - Read Filthy Gamer in Narutoverse Chapter 1: Help Me... HELP. ME. N— Online - All Page - NOVEL NEXT

Yo! Um, I need some help about chakra reserves since it is one of the most difficult thing for me in this fanfic. One thing to keep in mind is that while everything including and under Kage is only a title based on a mix of personal strength, reputation, and contributions, everything above Kage including S-ranked Shinobi are purely based on strength alone.

So:

Civilian: 0—500/700

Genin: 700/1000—9999

Ads by Pubfuture

Chunin: 10000—99999

Jonin: 100000—149999

Elite Jonin: 150000—199999

Kage: 200000~

S-Ranked Nin (Hanzo?):

Ads by Pubfuture

High Kage (like 3rd Raikage, Mu, and Gangetsu):

Legends (SS-ranked?) (Like Prime Hashirama and Madara):

Demi God (Unlike others, I don't consider Asura and Indra demi gods but Hagoromo and Hamura, biologically, I mean, cause Kaguya is the god and she got clapped by a human.):

And then the chakra level of tailed beasts. I guess Hashirama and Madara's chakra could rival a tailed beast since even Kisame could so that could put the weakest in terms of chakra reserves, that is, Shukaku around S-ranked and High Kage since Tailed Beasts have been said to lost to some notable shinobi.

I'm not even going to bring up kaguya's scale since she ain't from the planet and Kai's trait only kept the peak stats of the things related to this planet itself as a reference like in the last world, it capped at 500 so Hagoromo being the peak physique with human blood would mean that the top is 1000 points.

Still, I also feel we should consider that every chakra point at a higher level would be harder to realize so while each point would matter later, the difference between each category would lower itself?

But still, excluding Juubi that is a god alongside Kaguya, the highest reserves either belong to Hagoromo/Hamura or Nine Tails (The complete one.)

Again, what I'm looking for here are suggestions so do help me out.

Ads by Pubfuture

Report chapter Comments

Inspired by Jordinio's work that made me fall in love with the word 'grind.'

A/N: Despite my love for Naruto... we're all aware of the sheer plotholes not even including the storytelling but the timeline itself. So, as any respectable fanfic writer, I decided to wing it. To make it more simpler for me and the character's growth. For convenience's sake, I will be using a timeline from fandom which was linked on reddit. Hmm, what else... ah, yes, everyone who's aware of my work knows harem runs deep in this one so beware~!

No trap stuff intended even remotely and possible traps may just be girls. It obviously starts at the 'novice' village but this work is started on a whim as I wanted to try a gamer system myself. Again, like with the quest maker ff, I intend to get a hang of naruto word and develop some head canons before using them on PoI but that doesn't mean that this project is short in any way.

[Congratulations! Trait Maker 766618 is the first to reach the Mythical Trait Maker! Divine Evolution Commencing.]

It has been years but the announcement that hung over the consciousness of every individual be it a blabbering infant or a deranged old coot was still remembered by many. After all, in the Trait Maker Planet... a Mythical Trait Maker was unheard of but the fact that this announcement only came once the fabled rebel called Cowl brought the Federation to its knees before disappearing. Even the rebellion lost most of its best fighters after the rebels won which made many detectives, historians, and organization clutch their hair in anger but not Kaye. He was just happy keeping to himself fully knowing that his trait was just too close to the legendary rebel and letting it known to others, no matter how common the notion of revealing one's trait was, just not within him... unfortunately, with how he had 'personalized' himself and he honestly hated every second of it.

Traits.

A mysterious concept that dwells within every single living being on the planet Trait Maker and can range from mighty powers such as manipulation of matter to something as... mundane as vomiting soda and making a wickedly fetishized company out of it. Truly— Sickly Cola wasn't fooling anybody!

Everyone has a trait awakened after six years of age but not everyone could use it. A trait can only be activated with a trigger. Some pass their entire life without knowing what this trigger is while some find it the next day after the required age while pissing people around. The trigger can be any specific action be it speech, bodily movement, and as such...

While it is true for the most part that the harsher the conditions of the trait, the more rewarding it is... Kaye was positively tired. Not of his trait but his stupid choices. Traits and their hosts share a reasonably strange relationship. Even now nobody knows if these traits are a form of living beings or not but many speculations were beginning to build up after that announcement once the Federation fell.

Yet, here he was, overseeing the world on the ledge of a tall skyscraper.

"Stop!" A growling grumble made him smirk as he looked back at the many old mercenaries aiming their weapons from guns to laser-pointed swords... oh, well.

"I mean... there is no platform to step forward to so I am indeed... paused," Kaye replied calmly. Hating every second of not feeling anything despite the situation but then this hate was washed away in an instant, bringing his mood back to equilibrium much to his annoyance... which was washed away again. He looked barely injured while many mercenaries were having it even hard to hold out. It was honestly a wonder why the rising mercenary just didn't run away and let himself get cornered like this.

Again, he was tired. Just that. But Kaye realized that those who do not have their emotions kept in check, their desires forever suppressed, would never be able to realize his own twisted thoughts. The harsher the conditions... the greater the rewards. And Kaye felt like a fool to be so eager to give up these things when he could have very well chosen other personalization options.

"Hand us the Gem of Kalin," one of the women hissed furiously.

"This old thing?" A fist-sized gem appeared on Kaye's palm as everyone's gaze was attracted to it. They hated the fact that Kaye just one-shotted the best merc with a strange steal trait that allowed him to... steal things. If not, then the gem would have disappeared from Kaye's hand this instant.

"Why the hell would you steal from the client," An old man groaned but his body was sharper and straighter than others. His hawk-like gaze trailed every twitch of his body as Kaye yawned, "I don't know... really. At this point, I don't even consider anything..." And it was true, not an attempt at being some mysterious lord. Sleeping didn't bring him satisfaction. Eating didn't bring him joy. He had crushes in high school but damn his trait and his choices...

Just... damn... he felt pathetic... aaaaannnndddd— woosh! He wasn't even allowed to feel pity for himself.

But Kaye was just too accustomed to trolling others. It was his... daily activity at this point. It brought him no joy, but then again, if he can't feel anything, Kaye humbly thought he should bring terror to others in the most mundane manner so that they can realize how lucky they are during fortunate events. Stealing a candy here... tripping a child there. Snapping a bully's mom's nude pic and spreading it in the school... ah, the dull joys of life. Oh, and of course starting a massive crime ring just because.

He sighed once again. The trigger of his trait was as simple as thinking.

'Status.'

[Name: Kaye

Age: 24

Title: Bored Baiter

Gamer Traits: Gamer Mind; Stats Physiology

Level: 177

PHYSIQUE: 69/100

MENTAL: 69/100

ENERGY: 690/1000 (6.9/sec)

Points: 885

Skills:

Titles]

When Kaye should have been satisfied by seeing such a mythical distribution of his stats... he felt nothing. He focused on his skill, one particular skill to be exact.

[Reincarnation Technique (1/1):

A mysterious technique formed by a skill-maker trait that allows the registered host to bend the laws of the universe and reincarnate in a random location and at a random time. The age of the reincarnated body is suspected to be the same age as the current host but exceptions are likely to be kept in mind. This technique can only be used once.]

Honestly, this was a technique briefly found and later leaked from the headquarters of the rebel leader Cowl. While many thought that the disappearance of that man was linked to this technique, not many could attest... aside from those who had traits similar to Kaye.

Oh, he never believed only he had such weirs traits...

But even he admitted he wasn't tired or bored enough to commit suicide... however, a planned suicide that could troll the wealthiest force of the world, however... had a nice ring to it. Maybe he would be satisfied in the next life?

"Gem of Kalin," Kaye gave a hollow chuckle, "Kalin meaning fortune. It's an apt name given that this gem has the key to the rebels' knowledge about the previous federation and all their operations."

He looked at others and shrugged before stretching his arm out, "You want this?"

The hint of exasperation on their faces couldn't be more evident as everyone knew it wouldn't be this easy.

Saddened by the fact that they wouldn't even humor him on the last leg of his life, he groaned, "Fine, here, take it."

Kaye tossed the gem in their direction, much to their surprise, and then...

Fwip!

Wind impacted his body as he free-fell from the ground, fully intending on landing on the antique Qustang that the old merc was so proud of.

Meanwhile, others were surprised. They felt that Kaye surely must have some sort of glider and it all made sense to them but when they brawled amongst themselves to take the gem... it fell on the ground. It didn't matter to them. After all, this gem could survive a point-blank blast from a tank!

Yet...

Crack*

The barely audible sound stopped the mercs dead cold in their tracks and they looked at the gem... no, a counterfeit made of glass breaking apart.

"Fuck him— let's chase after him—" Before they could rouse themselves, a large crashing thud and the following blare of a familiar car made their expressions pale.

--

"Puh— hahahahahahahahahahaha!" A child held his belly and laughed out loud. Tears streamed from his eyes as he just couldn't hold his voice while he flopped his feet up and down and leaned against a tree next to a small pond in a courtyard.

The Koi Fish in the pond stared at the boy before swimming and minding its own business while the boy's chuckles grew even louder until he felt breathless and wheezed, rubbing his tears away before sighing in contentment and looking at the gloomy sky collected over his head. Oh, boy! He had never felt the sky brighter than THIS! Joy is in the eyes of the beholder and now... he just felt too content.

Sure, this world was fucked up and his life expectancy didn't surpass the age of 15 but boy he felt giddy! Just eleven more years of laughing, crying, anger, and finally, lust, was a price worth splatting his inside over onto that horribly painted antique car! Good riddance!

He grew silent and then finally settled. Oh, he won't make the same mistakes again. Even now, he loved the grind but to feel satisfaction, he decided to be more... human in his choices this time... if IT followed him here, too.

With bated breath, he thought internally, 'Activate.'

[Booting Gamer Trait. Stabilizing Trait. Scanning surroundings...]

He knew that his trait was just too good. He suspected that this scan which allowed the quests to form at its own convenience unlike the Mission Maker Trait of the legendary Rebel, had the range of the entire planet not to mention how the rewards from these few 'game' quests threatened to break the economy at times.

[Scan successful. Trait Reset. Personalization beginning.]

[Please chose two sub-sets of gamer traits that will be allocated to the host permanently until a few conditions are met—

1) Gamer Mind: Utter calmness and logic prevail over the thoughts of the host.

2) Stats Physiology: The host can adapt to a leveling system where each level will grant stats points. Allocation of the stat points to the appropriate stats will enhance the host appropriately while consuming the energy around the host.

3) Skill Tree: The host can develop a skill tree and gain skill points for each skill leveled to unlock more knowledge. The unlocked skill tree depends on the user's social status.

4) Sleepless Gamer: Sleep is an option. A gamer who sleeps is no gamer.

5) Gamer Body: Instead of stat points, the host will have a gamer's body which means death greets you not when your head is separated but when your Hit Points is turned 0. As such, stats will become more diverse for proper computation of hit and stamina bar.]

He looked at the options placed in front of him and grew thoughtful only for a second. First of all, fuck Gamer's mind!

And then he looked at Stats Physiology before shaking his head again. As lucrative as it sounded to allocate points and then grow stronger, it was barely satisfactory to him, and after years of dullness, the last thing he wanted was strength provided on a platter when there was a bigger platter available to him in the form of the skill tree.

Heck, the combination of the skill tree and sleepless gamer went so well that it was all in his own hands. If he wanted to train, he can. If not, he can sleep!

While Gamer Body intrigued him... fuck that, too, just because of how similar it sounded to Gamer Mind. Oh, he understood that this trait was his own and he was, technically, cursing himself. Damn right he was!

And thus, he selected the two options he wanted with a thought.

[Gamer Personalization completed. Stats scanned and adjusted. Stat attributes scanned and adjusted. No category related to stats acquired. Specialized stats passively unlocked for grinding purposes.]

Information about his trait once again filled his mind as he nodded in satisfaction.

As stated, if no specialized stat feature is chosen then all the stats are unlocked. Well, just for his eyes that is without any special effect. Meaning, that even if he has a hp bar, a slice of his head means he's dead and not when hp falls to zero. Understandable.

[Name: Kai

Age: 4

Title: Uzumaki Maid

Gamer Traits: Skill Tree; Sleepless Gamer

Rank: Civilian

Hit Points: 100

Stamina: 100 (0.1/min)

Chakra: Dormant

Physique: 4/1000

Mental: 7/1000

Perception: 3/1000

Skills:

Titles]

'The fuck... so much for ALL stats... energy just turned to chakra, hp and stamina are irrelevant to growth of the stat to a certain extent so no dopamine on that... and there is only the addition of perception.'

Kaye... no, Kai blinked and resisted the urge to groan but was still happy that at least, he felt annoyed. His trait in these matters was quite simple. Physique was the sum total of stat that described his body be it dexterity, strength output, agility, reaction time— everything related to his physical movement was contained in that one stat and was an average of individual stats of the body so... he was quite surprised when he was already THAT strong at just the bratty age of four. But he didn't mind he was reincarnated young. He would be happy to ogle the ladies with an innocent expression. Well, not really... but it's nice to have the option, no?

He then continued with his other aspects.

[Uzumaki Maid: Increases the favorability of the head of Uzumaki Clan.]

[Skills:

1) Sprint (2/3): Increases the speed during the sprint and reduces the stamina consumed during the sprint by 10. Current consumption: 2/min.

Next Level: Sprint for 540/600 mins Or 1 SP.]

[Completed Skills:

1) Dishwashing (1/1)

2) Massage (3/3)

3) Seal Language (5/5)]

[Skill points: 11]

Kai hummed in amusement. Skills of his trait were different than others. In reality, because the skills he gained came with the knowledge from the trait, there was a clause that he can actively practice 5 skills at once, and once a skill is full mastered, the knowledge about it will belong to Kai and will be added to the permanent slots which do not have such restrictions. Every trait has its own restrictions and this was Kai's. That's all.

Every leveling of a skill brought him a skill point and he tried to open a skill tree... but found none. Again, the restriction of social position now came to be. But this barely affected him. Instead, he stood up stretched his body while letting out a loud and an audible yawn.

"Damn... I'm gonna hit the bed—"

"Kai, Mistress is calling for you to show for her massage. Don't be late!"

The stern shout from the head butler of the compound made Kai groan.

'Fine, I'll rub the old coot...'

Report chapter Comments

[Daily Quest: Massage the Old Coot

Summary: Old Mistress Uzumaki has grown weary and the only joy in her life is moments free from aching joints and fuinjutsu. Be a dear and rub her legs.

Rewards: Mistress Mito's affectionate smile.

Failure: Mistress Mito's banshee scream.]

Kai hummed a soft tune while massaging an old woman's legs who wore her dull, rust-red hair down as she closed her eyes with a satisfied smile over her aging face. She wore a creamish kimono tunic and just leaned against the head of the bed. Her room was far too simple to belong to the head of the compound but sadly... she didn't have anything to share not because she was poor but... she just had no one.

"You're high in your spirits, Kai-kun. Did something good happen?" The woman opened her eyes and smiled at the boy fondly as he grinned, "Something like that. I feel I just can't stop smiling today~!" His chortle was all but needed to raise the woman's spirits, too, as she chuckled and replied, "Well, that's a good state to be. Is everyone treating you well in the compound?"

"Oh, yeah, better than any orphanage, I can tell you that," Kai added gleefully, not minding that his words caused Mito's smile to stiffen for a second and droned on, "Mistress Mito, is this area still hurting?"

He trailed the crown of her left knee as she shrugged. There were far simpler means to get rid of her aching joints but this was just so much more satisfactory as the old woman replied with equally childish mischief unbecoming of her age. But then again, it feels good to act like a child in front of one.

"A little bit more," she hummed and closed her eyes.

--

Successfully completing the first quest granted by the trait in this new world, Kai had a noticeable bounce in his steps as he began to consider the kind of world he was in. Others may just cry and break down after they would get the memories but not Kai. Wars? Blood? Orphans? It happens everywhere.

Instead... chakra made him feel interested. Shinobis... and hehe, kunoichis, did, too. Heck, this world was the Paradise of the strong, that Kai understood in an instant and not just the politically strong but physical monsters, too!

'Now then... please give me a good gamer quest~!' He prayed internally and stepped out of the Uzumaki Compound with the intention of exploring the village more thoroughly. He realized that more often than not, his trait granted him quests based on his intentions but... sadly, not this time. Oh, anyway, he walked out with a chipper smile and faced the gloom of the world with excitedly skipping steps.

--

This world, to Kai's current knowledge, was limited to his village.

Konohagakure or the Village Hidden in the Leaves. Unlike Trait Maker planet, this world has ninjas. Well, the kind that does assassination for a living... and the OTHER kind. God damn. The memory of frail Mito just busting a large wall of earth to punish one of the servants for embezzling was a sight he would never forget.

Just like trait makers' strength originated from their trait, this world of shinobi and kunoichi had their strength from Chakra. A mystical reserve of energy within oneself in the form of physical and spiritual energy combined. That much Kai understood. What threatened to grate his nuts was that this village was militaristic despite the appearances and that meant a chain of command. A more intimate kind, that is.

He walked the hardened earth formed into large streets as the village bustled. Kai's gaze roamed everywhere. From stalls that served snacks to shops that served cold weapons and seals. Seals, again, garnered his interest but what was more interesting to Kai was the kin of permit needed to set up weapon shops. After all, he tiptoed around the law last time but no, not this time. The logical reasoning of Gamer Mind really fucked him over and in retaliation, he will fuck the laws and regulations of this world... or you know, kunoichis. Having desires back is just... sublime!

He walked aimlessly, greeting a few vendors the past Kai would purchase groceries from, and then looked towards the large mountain range covering a side of Konoha with three faces carved out.

Any militaristic organization would have leaders and Konohagakure has gone through two leaders already. The first leader happened to be Mistress Mito's husband and the second one was her brother-in-law. Even now Mistress Mito would sometimes grumble that they were a bunch of ass hats. But then again... this village clearly didn't know just how opportunistic this Mount Hokage was to those who thrived on defacing. A dick mark here and a spread legs painted in the middle of the brows... yes, Kai felt his creativity flowing.

But the problem was... he was too small. Thankfully. He has time, for now. Glancing toward the red-roofed building beneath Mount Hokage that had the symbol of fire marked boldly, the Village Academy, he realized, Kai began sprinting.

Skills, in his humble opinion, were divided into many levels.

Skills that had a cap of 5 levels or less could be considered common.

Skills that had a cap of more than 5 but less than 25 levels were average. Kai had a few of these based on combat styles and martial arts... but a bunch of help they did against guns, huff!

Skills that had a cap of more than 25 and less than 50 levels were considered quite good. Kai had managed to learn a few of these, some of which could work here, too. But he never got any skill above the range of fifty levels. Something he would like to change with the option of skill tree this time around.

But it was clear that he didn't need to sprint for long given the conditions were already provided and soon—

[Sprint (3/3): Increases the speed during the sprint and reduces the stamina consumed during the sprint by 10. Current consumption: 1.8/min.]

Kai hummed thoughtfully after breaking a sweat and smiled. Progress, baby!

'Right, now that I don't need to sleep... I can bust some particularly irritating skills from back then and get some gains!' Kai thought happily and concluded the exploration. Of course, a few hours couldn't cover up the village that was larger and more bustling than the cities of his old world. The village had many prestigious clans whose territories stretched quite a bit thus more general populace and market were concentrated in a single region and other regions held more exhausting locations such as training grounds, and large clan compounds that housed many members.

Thus... Kai returned to the Uzumaki Compound which wasn't that large in the first place. The distant and secluded mansion was considered a compound instead of clan houses built together and private training grounds. But the dreary location couldn't suppress his spirits.

After completing another daily quest pertaining to his chore of dishwashing, Kai returned to his humble quarters and sat down on the mattress, eagerly crossing his legs. Well... he wanted to commemorate his first day with a masturbation marathon now that he could actually feel things... but then again, it could be postponed until he was old enough and decided to use his young and eager mind for some foundational skills.

Just because he didn't have Gamer Mind didn't mean he was batshit crazy... it just meant he was batshit crazy AND logical at times. Honestly, Kai considered this a worse combination but... that was him, alright.

Closing his eyes and focusing like he used to, Kai hummed in agreement as a new skill developed in front of his vision despite his eyes closed.

[Special action judged for creation of skill.]

[Meditation (1/25): Meditation calms the mind and eases the restless heart. During meditation, increase the regeneration of the chakra by 10. Increase the chakra capacity by 5 at each level. Current Capacity: —

Next Level: Perform meditation for 15 minutes or 1 SP]

[Earned 1 SP for creation of a skill.]

The more precise knowledge of meditation of THIS world began to fill Kai's mind and he soon entered a deep meditative focus. And with how many hours now he stood to save and grind way... oh boy! He was really beginning to like the fact that sleep was optional for him. Truly, a gamer shouldn't sleep!

--

Kai opened his eyes the next morning and looked refreshed beyond belief.

[Meditation (7/25): Meditation calms the mind and eases the restless heart. During meditation, increase the regeneration of the chakra by 17. Increase the chakra capacity by 5 at each level. Current Capacity: —

Next Level: Perform meditation for 60/195 minutes or 1 SP]

[Skill points: 19]

Nothing like the early game grind to stock on necessary points~!

He felt energetic, more so than yesterday. No doubt, this was the Chakra at play and even if he hadn't unlocked it, the skill would increase his capacity by a whopping 35 passively. Stretching his body slightly, Kai fell thoughtful.

There was something known as skill overwrite in his trait. For instance, he can't use two extremely similar skills and hope to have both the effects stack up without any stop. So, he couldn't help but wonder if he should currently wait and see what kind of physical martial arts skills this world had before trying out his own. After all, even if he has both the skills, he wouldn't have both the effects because his body will grow to a certain point where the effects of low ranked skills won't work.

For instance, if he tried to practice both karate and muay thai, no doubt, he will learn both the techniques and their movement style but since the effect on his body is related to enhanced movement speed and stamina consumption is quite similar... it would feel like double the effort but half the benefits. Again, this was purely based on statistical growth and not knowledge of fighting styles... and that's why Kai felt hesitant. He already knew many fighting styles and just because he doesn't have the skills now didn't mean they weren't in permanent slots back then. Once a permanent, always a permanent.

Deciding to find out more about this world, he washed up in the servant's quarter and stepped out to the courtyard to feed his pet Koi— Cinnamon. Well, he named the red-spotted koi just now... but look at it! That's a Cinnamon!

"Hehe, eat and grow. Although you can't be a shark in the sea, you can be a big koi in the little pond," Kai hummed and smiled, feeding grains and tiny carapaces into the pond as the Cinnamon, like an adorable and moronic buffoon it was, paid no heed to Kai's words and gulped its food happily.

"Hey! Don't you be late! Mistress is calling for her massage!"

The stern shout emerged once again.

The daily quest emerged once again.

--

Mito looked at the eager Kai rubbing her frail foot and then cleared her throat.

"You're chipper than usual, Kai-kun... did something happen?"

'Deja vu?' Kai blinked and then looked up with a smile but found Mito a tad bit... confused? Well, now he was confused.

And it wouldn't do if the both of them are confused so Mito hummed thoughtfully and gave the boy an appraising glance. Like many, he had short black hair and large dark eyes. His face was still chubby somewhat and his short but soft hands were really able to massage the spots that many would fail to reach.

But... Mito sensed more. Of course, she did. The many mysteries of this world were a child's play to her and she could feel the boy's chakra... more potent than yesterday. It would not have been noticed by others. His dormant civilian chakra was already at a pitiful capacity and the increase was barely worth noting but... she had sharp and devilish senses. The amount of growth felt unnatural no matter how low his reserves were.

"Do you feel well, Kai-kun?"

"Oh, yeah, better than well. What about you, Mistress Mito?" Kai smiled politely. After all, he gave respect where it was deserved and the woman gave him a home to stay much better than the orphanage. Of course, he knew that he had to work but it was good that there wasn't any Gamer Mind to emphasize the fact until he felt numb.

As if getting her answers, she smiled and nodded, "Of course, I feel better, boy. Now, go on. Don't let me keep you away from your chores."

As Kai began to leave, Mito's voice echoed, "And tell Uncle Jiten to start making your food like he does mine."

"Thank you, Mistress Mito~!" Kai chortled again while bowing slightly. His childish but sing-song tone made Mito chuckle despite herself as she saw the boy out with her gaze and an affectionate smile on her face until she heard an annoying and deep grumble from within herself.

"Oye! Dry Cunt! Don't tell me you're gonna go after young prey! I bore the burden to oversee you ride that wooden fucker until his heart gave out... I can't bear no more!"

Mito's smile faded as she scoffed softly and muttered with a cold tone, "Dry? Want me to start filling my seal and beat the shit out of you again?"

Her growl managed to make the mysterious voice grumble, "You don't have the balls! Literally!"

"Then I'll tears yours away!" Mito exclaimed with a smug smirk unbecoming of her age.

"Senile Bitch! I don't have one either! Kukuku! I'm a chakra beast, damned red-haired slu—"

Mito snorted and cut the wayward connection with an odd look before scoffing once again.

Sighing lightly, she leaned back on the bed and touched her stomach as profound sadness seeped through her gaze. The kind of eyes that Kai was quite familiar with...

And things didn't seem easy for her since she could use the 'devil's' ability to sense emotions, too. It's just hard... to live amongst traitors with her motivation and sense of life all but gone. How she would wish to just lay waste on everything but...

She looked towards the portrait of the tanned youth with jet-black hair and a calm but attractive smile.

That smile just snuffed all her eager flames once again as she groaned and decided to fall asleep.

Report chapter Comments

Kai sincerely believed in grinding a single skill if possible because he wasn't in a hurry and this world seemed more dependent on Chakra so having a skill that recovers it at a quick pace is beneficial from the beginning not to mention how it increased his reserves. It took him a little over 2 weeks to get this complete and Mito's diet that shouldn't be given to someone of her age happened to be extremely nourishing!

It was barely the third week of the first month yet and despite the new year's festival that only seemed to omit more religious portions of his world, the village was well stable and didn't seem in festive spirit aside from the day of festivity itself.

But the Uzumaki Compound was preparing in high spirits. Apparently, a guest of high importance was arriving in a few days so that was it. But Kai looked at his skills, eager to whistle.

[Name: Kai

Age: 4

Title: Uzumaki Maid

Gamer Traits: Skill Tree; Sleepless Gamer

Rank: Civilian

Hit Points: 100

Stamina: 100 (0.1/min)

Chakra: 200.25 (89) (3/min)

Physique: 4/1000

Mental: 7 8/1000

Perception: 3 5/1000

Skills:

Titles]

[Meditation (25/25): Meditation calms the mind and eases the restless heart. During meditation, increase the regeneration of the chakra by 35. Increase the chakra capacity by 5 at each level. Current Chakra Capacity: 89]

The highlight of the week wasn't the fact that he unlocked his chakra once he hit the max on the meditation skill or the fact that multiplied his base chakra by 125 at all times, but the fact that the knowledge he received at the end from this skill allowed him to gain yet another skill and the unlocking of his chakra directly raised the standards of his stats like perception.

It was still pathetically low, but hey, one teensy tiny step at a time!

Meanwhile, as he massaged the feet of dear Mistress Mito whose words really made his breakfast, lunch, evening snack, and dinner better, he looked through the second foundational skill of chakra.

[Chakra Spiral Technique (1/10): A skill that trains the ability to manipulate chakra by tugging a tendril of it and letting it rotate around the chakra pathways in a simple rotation until entirely exhausted. Each level up reduced chakra wastage by 1, increases the chakra recovery rate by 5, and increases the chakra capacity by 5. Current Chakra Capacity: 89]

Next Level: Consume 0/30 chakra or 1 SP]

Needless to say, Kai would focus on this skill quite a bit. However, he was pulled out of his thoughts as Mito groaned and mumbled, "Kai-kun, are you enjoying your meals nowadays?"

"Of course, it's delicious, Mistress Mito," fully aware that Mito wasn't a Mistress that dwelled in formalities, his relationship had just gotten better with the kind woman. Maybe it was also because of his title.

"Hmm, and are you feeding the fishes regularly?"

"As much as I feed myself!"

Mito opened her eyes slightly and gazed at the boy beaming at her before nodding with a slightly pleased smile, "Hmm, Kai-kun, I believe you are a talented young boy. Would you like to help me out with one thing?"

"Of course, please don't hesitate," Kai continued with a hopeful gaze that confused Mito for a second but she nodded and smiled, "It is related to the guest we will be having soon enough. She is my grand-niece and I would like for you to just be next to her until she settles. In return, you can very well start your first step in being a shinobi and perhaps learn another craft if you will. I told you, you're a talented boy. I can't have you rubbing my feet every day."

As she spoke, a panel opened discreetly beside Kai's gaze.

[Clan Quest: A Tail

Summary: Mistress Mito worries that her Grand-niece would need some support settling in. Be that crutch.

Rewards: A New Title; A New Skill

Failure: You will rub the Uzumaki feet until they die or you.]

"Leave it to me, Mistress Mito," Kai chuckled, "But... is your niece pretty?"

"Hmm, and why would you want to know that, brat!" Mito shook her head and chided with a warm chuckle, "You're far too young."

"Not for me," Kai smiled, "But if your niece is pretty, other boys would try and bully me. I see that in Clan Compound every day how the head butler would bully Kinto-san because Shinto-san likes him..."

Mito's eyelids twitched.

It was about time, Kai felt, that the screaming and bullying buffoon got wrecked just by some sweet words stated with an innocent smile directly to Mito.

"Don't you worry about that." Mito sighed and averted his attention, "And you looked highly annoyed when I talked about our new guest. What? Do you think my grand-niece isn't the most stunning beauty?" Mito raised her brow and looked at Kai who almost deadpanned. What? Was he supposed to simp after a child who he'd never even seen?

Heck, it was easier to say that Mito was the more smashable grandma out of the many similarly aged women in Konoha. Not that he would speak THAT either.

Seeing Kai's slightly stunned expression, Mito blinked with mischief and snorted, "That's what I thought. Now off with you, brat. Remember to give me a heck of massages until my niece arrives. After that, you will have different duties."

Kai nodded and bowed politely before leaving when the gruff grumble resounded again.

"Urgh, I'll throw up inside of you and the idea of throwing up inside of you makes me want to throw up!"

"You know what, before I decided to hit the bucked, I will beat the shit out of you and THEN transfer you," Mito sighed with a sincere smile.

"You? Heh, just release my seal and I'll claw that dry—" Aaannnndddd, the wayward connection was cut off again.

--

Kai's sleepless night proved useful as he would first use the chakra spiral technique to increase the level of the skill and then use meditation to recover his chakra. Heck, the food provided by Mito found its best uses now of all times as the deficit and recovery began to allow Kai to fully exert himself physically and mentally, causing not only his base chakra to rise aside from the buffs but also his other stats alongside his knowledge on chakra and its most basic applications with each level up.

It was clear that the Chakra Spiral Technique was unlocked because of meditation allowing Kai to passively affect it but the knowledge from the Chakra spiral technique was not general and didn't hint at anything aside from the basic spiral control of chakra through the chakra system with the body.

And in only four days, his improvements wildly overshadowed the results of brutal training in his previous life.

[Name: Kai

Age: 4

Title: Uzumaki Maid

Gamer Traits: Skill Tree; Sleepless Gamer

Rank: Civilian

Hit Points: 100

Stamina: 100 (0.1/min)

Chakra: 283.25 (103*175) (4.5/min)

Physique: 4 5/1000

Mental: 8/1000

Perception: 5 6/1000

Skills:

Titles]

[Chakra Spiral Technique (10/10): A skill that trains the ability to manipulate chakra by tugging a tendril of it and letting it rotate around the chakra pathways in a simple rotation until entirely exhausted. Each level up reduced chakra wastage by 1, increases the chakra recovery rate by 5, and increases the chakra capacity by 5. Current Chakra Capacity: 103]

But even with this, Kai just continued to consume his chakra with this technique while trying to find ways to apply chakra to more situations so that his base chakra continues to grow. Its passive effects on the body were already ludicrous!

A little before the end of the first month, however, Kai and others excluding the head butler prepared for the arrival of a group of three individuals, each of them redheaded with the lazy, short-haired youth looking like he wanted nothing to do but sleep while an equally lazy woman with her red hair tugged into a high ponytail strutted towards the entrance while nodding at the servants gathered and then casually hugging Mito tightly, causing the feeble woman to chuckle.

However, Kai focused on the nervous wreck of a redhead whose red hair just seemed too bright to even consider her of the same level as the other guests. Young as she was with long flowing hair that easily snuck past her waist, she nervously looked around with her light violet eyes.

"Is this her?" Mito's words attracted everyone as the youth remained silent while the woman nodded and whispered softly, making Mito nod.

"Hmm, everyone, go back to your usual duties. Kai-kun, bring Kushina to the guest hall while I have to discuss something with the two of them."

The red-haired youth looked positively annoyed only for the two women to glare at him as he shrunk his neck.

On the other hand, Kai nodded and stepped out, instantly attracting Kushina's eyes who saw the boy step up, almost half her height, and her gaze glimmered.

"Hello, Kushina-san. Please follow me," Kai shrugged internally as he was the girl instantly reinvigorated. What else could he do but proudly exclaim internally— Bitch, I'm adorable!

--

Kushina who seemed a little tired after arriving in Konoha and then venturing into the mansion eagerly flopped on the couch and set her hair slightly before calling out, "Kai-chan," much to his disgruntlement, "Have you been with Grandma Mito from the start?"

"No... she was born earlier than me..."

But it was clear from Kushina's confused reaction that burns of such caliber could not affect her smooth brain and he smiled, "I mean, she brought me from the orphanage and while other orphans decided to join the Ninja Academy or leave with other merchants and traders to learn their craft, I stayed behind to take care of her."

Kushina's eyes gleamed as she hurriedly patted the seat next to her, "Why don't you sit? Come on, sit here!" She patted the location and continued, "And why didn't you leave?"

'Because the original was kind of young and slow in the head...'

"Because I like helping Mistress Mito," he did speak honestly and sat beside Kushina only to be womanhandled the next second as she revealed strength far impressive for her age and Kai instantly found himself pulled over her lap while the red devil had a smug smirk as if her worried expression beforehand was a mere illusion? Hmm, genjutsu, here.

"Kai-chan, so, tell me? Do you know the Hokage? I was called here on his request... and is there a good ramen store nearby? I'm hungry dattebane!"

Kushina promptly froze while Kai looked amused and tilted his head up. To the current him, this irate monster who wouldn't stop calling him 'chan' may just be a titan of a sort. And seeing this monster completely embarrassed by what seemed to be a verbal tick that she had some control over... made things even cuter for him. Ah, youth...

'Wait, I'm young, too!'

"Don't tell anyone what I just spoke!" Kushina hissed hurriedly and looked down, "I... I will let you eat all the ramen you want from my allowance dattebane! Aaahhhh! Damn it!" Kushina stopped hugging Kai and clutched her hair and groaned. But a gamer won't stop the grind. So, Kai jumped down from her bony lap and turned on his heels, "Kushina-san, don't worry. I won't tell anyone," Just as Kushina heaved a sigh of relief and lowered her head, further exhaling loudly, she heard a short and sweet— "Dattebane."

Her head whipped up in his direction and found what would be an adorable smile to others but an absolute devil's smirk to her own eyes plastered on 'Kai-chan's' face.

"Y-you..." She muttered before her gaze turned predatory, "Come here! I'll spank that word dattebane!"

And now surprising her with his maneuverability, Kai easily slipped past while loudly chiming, "I'd like to see you try dattebane!"

"Arrghhhh! Stop speaking that!"

--

With a red mark on each of their cheeks, Kai and Kushina stood in front of an amused Mito, an absolutely livid Rurika whose strands of hair seemed to be whipping around in a pure rage, and a silently snickering Heijo as Rurika pointed at the two and let out a shrill hiss!

"The two of you dumbfucks are done causing Lady Mito trouble this instant! Who the hell screams in a hallway?!"

Mito and Heijo looked up in surprise while Kai secretly rolled his eyes as Ruriko realized her mistake. They were in a hall... and she was screaming.

Coughing and clearing her throat, the redhead cousin of Kushina glanced at the duo, her gaze getting a bit warmer as she found the two... a little known to each other already which set her heart at ease, "Kushina... be a good girl when you stay with Grandma Mito, yeah? We'll visit you every year but you have to learn new things here and make Uzushiogakure proud!"

Kushina looked up, her eyes slightly watery as she was on verge of tears not because of the slap but because of leaving her home as she nodded and bolted into Ruriko's embrace, sobbing her heart out.

"There-there girl. If you keep crying like that, nobody in Konoha will take you seriously. Remember, beat the absolute living shit out of anyone who bullies you!"

Kushin looked up, her eyes red as she balled her fist and nodded in determination.

Shaking her head, Mito beckoned Kai, "Come here, Kai-kun..."

As he stepped out, Mita grazed the back of her palm on his red cheek and he instantly felt the pain vanish away. He looked at his stat in amazement.

[Hit Points: 98 100]

[Stamina: 100 99]

What just happened?!

He looked up at the kindly smiling Mito who ruffled his hair, "Ruriko is just as much of a brat as any of you, and lashes out. Don't mind it."

"She does!" Heijo chortled with a smirk as Ruriko lose all her aggression and whined, "Grandma..."

"Now, now, the two of you have more missions, right? As much as I want the two of you to stay, I don't think the clients will appreciate it."

"Yes, thank you for everything, Grandma!"

Both of them nodded and just... whooshed away!

Meanwhile, Kai finally had a chance to see what Mito did as a strange green glow flashed over her hand, and the mark on Kushina's cheek visibly healed, too.

"Now, why don't the two of you tell me why you were fighting?" Mito hummed as Kai and Kushina glanced at one another with the red devil giving him a silent plea. Understanding how much fun it would be to just keep it between them, Kai smiled and replied, "Kushina-san wanted to play tag and said whoever lost would treat others with ramen... I didn't have any allowance so I ran."

"That's not a good thing to do, brat," Mito ruffled Kushina's hair, too, and chuckled, "Let's have ramen today, shall we?"

"Ah, you're the best dattebane!"

Kushina's expression froze. What she tried to hide so desperately... even getting a slap over... was revealed over ramen... damn...

Kai shook his head secretly.

But shocking the duo was Mito whose smile grew wider, "Well, you're a cute one, dattebase!"

'Oh... great. Two datte-bitches now...' a strange voice rumbled before yelping loudly within Mito as if smacked.

Report chapter Comments

A/N: I'm going with the headcanon that there are still many policies yet to be formed about academies and thus their teaching structure is quite loose at the time.

While Kushina nervously fidgeted, Kai looked around curiously. It was the end of the month and Kushina alongside him was deposited into the Ninja Academy. The academy starts a new semester every new year and the students range from 5 to even 10. The academy itself has a flexible teaching schedule from what Mito explained to Kushina and him and their late entrance only meant that they missed the Hokage's speech, that's all.

The duo stood on the wide raised platform next to the teacher who leaned against the podium and smiled at the group of children sitting on the benches, "Everyone, these are going to be the new addition to the classroom and will learn alongside the lot of you. Go on, introduce yourself."

The teacher... who Kai deemed to be more than just a teacher with how better he moved than a merc smiled encouragingly and Kushina stepped up with a healthy dose of stage fright. Over these past few days... Kai had grown absolutely livid at this 'chan' calling devil who seemed to have no stop on her mouth... only he was allowed to irritate others by speaking non-stop!

She wore a yellow tunic with a mesh shirt underneath that was revealed through the cut-sleeved tunic and a pair of dark grey sandals alongside training pants. Kai didn't look any different... but only smaller.

"U-uhm... I'm K-kushina Uzumaki... I" she grew meek. Very much so when foreign gazes landed on her only for one slightly louder whisperer to snicker, "Psst, hey, why are her hair so red... that's so funny?"

'That's funny? Child, I worry about your future... a man with such abysmal sense of humor will die without a girl... but then again, it should be the norm for ninjas...'

"Hehe, yeah! How weird..."

"She is a red tomato!"

'Wow... my level of insults are godly then, damn... tomato is an insult here?' Kai seemed even more bored now.

"I will become the first female Hokage!" Kushina exclaimed, causing the class to fall into silence before loud snickers broke out.

"Ehm, enough now," the teacher frowned and put the calls in order before looking at the youngest student in the form of Kai and sighing internally, "Do introduce yourself, child."

"Yes," smirking jubilantly, Kai walked forward and bowed politely before speaking, "My name is Kai and I am Kushina-san's helper, dattebane!"

"Pfft!"

"What the! That's so..."

A string of laughter broke out again as Kai concluded his experiment— this year's students were hopeless in humor— while he looked at the stunned Kushina who seemed out of her shell now as she stared at Kai for a second only to see him smile even wider. This made... Kushina smile and then her expression turned furious. Her hair practically flowed up like Ruriko and the teacher's expression changed at what he felt but Kushina barked without any inclination of modesty, "I'll beat anyone who laughs at Kai-chan!"

'Oi... don't add 'chan'... I beg you...'

Her sudden glower did stun others, ceasing the laughter as she walked towards the nearest available seat while dragging Kai against his will and settling down with a lord nasal huff that made her anger and indignance clear.

Meanwhile, Kai looked at the new title he gained after introducing himself alongside a little something extra.

[Student: Opens the Academy Skill Tree and reduces the requisite condition of leveling an academy related skill by 10]

Kai blinked before he zoned out the teacher and checked his status.

[Name: Kai

Age: 4

Title: Student

Gamer Traits: Skill Tree; Sleepless Gamer

Rank: Academy Student

Hit Points: 100

Stamina: 100 (0.1/min)

Chakra: 308 (103 112*175) (4.5/min)

Physique: 5/1000

Mental: 8/1000

Perception: 6/1000]

[Skill Tree unlocked.]

Kai looked at the chart spread in front of his gaze and found the skill tree divided into four categories.

[Taijutsu] [Ninjutsu] [Genjutsu] [Weaponry]

'Hmm... so Taijutsu is physical attacks for the most part. Genjutsu is related to illusions but maybe the academy will clear more of it for me. Ninjutsu, according to Kushina is everything that is not Taijutsu and Genjutsu so aside from farting thunder and crackling lightning, many things are a part of it.

With an eager gaze that made the teacher feel that Kai was more taken to the lesson just by the first sitting, the boy opened the Taijutsu tab and found two skills.

[Konoha Basic Taijutsu (0/10): Basic taijutsu skill passed down to every aspiring ninja. Training in this skill passively trains the body. Improve physique by 1 point at each level and increased mobility while using this skill. Stamina Consumed: 2/min]

[Unlock: 5 SP]

Aside from this, there was another skill in taijutsu block— [Basic Chakra Enhancement (10/10)]— that could be bought for 10 SP. Kai only had a total of 47 skill points so he didn't think of using SP to purchase skills that could be learned from the academy.

On the other hand, genjutsu only had one skill, that, too, blocked and other ninjutsu skills were blocked, too, revealing that there was a prerequisite skill that must be trained at the beginning of the ninjutsu section.

[Leaf Sticking Exercise (0/25)]

[Overlapping skill detected. Mitigating the description for prompt accuracy.]

[Leaf Sticking Exercise (0/25): Chakra is controlled within the body to move around the surface of the skin and keep a leaf stuck to the body. Each level up reduced chakra wastage by 0.6, increases the chakra recovery rate by 3, and increases the chakra capacity by 3. Current Chakra Capacity: 103]

[Unlock: 10 SP]

Kai did a mental calculation and realized that the basic chakra enhancing skills similar to the chakra spiral technique and the leaf sticking exercise belonged to one category just that the former was limited and the latter was more general and expansive as noted from the higher level cap. BUT, he already had a semblance of chakra control that the Leaf Sticking Exercise would have provided and now that he already had it, the improvements made in each level up would be smaller than before and these foundational skills should be useless in growth once he hits 25 reduced wastage of chakra, 250 boosts in chakra reserve and enhanced passive recovery of 125.

{A/N: I know this looks a bit technical so call me on it if anything confuses you.}

With that noted down, Kai also realized that these numbers aren't essential to achieve any ninjutsu but his trait was related to gamer and it just devised the most optimal distribution of stats and knowledge for him to work on it.

With that settled, Kai happily attended the classes, bored out of his wits when subjects like geography and mathematics came in front of him related to shinobi business but... at least, he wasn't as blatant as Kushina, the aspiring leader of the village, who slept soon after. Her snores were loud enough to irk their veteran shinobi teacher who snapped the chalk towards the girl as it landed right on top of her head, making her yelp and sit straight with an embarrassed expression.

And when others laughed, oh boy!

Kushina snapped... and was sent out of the class to hold buckets in her hands. Endurance training if you will.

Meanwhile, Kai was busy learning everything he could. Being 4 didn't stop him from learning the concepts present. But as flexible as the teaching of shinobi is... sadly, for the first month, they focus on theory just so they can give practicals their attention fully later on. Fortunately, Kai and Kushina joined at the end of the month just around for the juicy bit...

And to their despair... Mito had her own teachers waiting in the compound to drill theory in their heads once they returned.

--

Training, grinding, sweating, eating, and then rinse and repeat. Kai was... in ecstasy. He never knew grinding felt this good. To see the number of his stats increase while his skills made him powerful relatively quickly. Gamer Mind really took a lot out of grinding back then. The past's chore was the present's joy!

A month passed soon after and it was only in the servant's quarter he felt respite from Kushina... but who was he kidding. The kid was a menace and he liked every bit of punches she unleashed on the round bully the first day he had the galls of teasing her in a teacher's absence... and it helped both of them when Kai began kicking alongside. A bonding experience, if you may. They made a friend out of this, of course, but also a punishment to run around the ground for four hours! The teacher was foolish! He only blessed him with the grind!

As such, after a month of training, Kai's stats looked something like this:

[Name: Kai

Age: 4

Title: Student

Gamer Traits: Skill Tree; Sleepless Gamer

Rank: Academy Student

Hit Points: 100

Stamina: 100 (0.1/min)

Chakra: 654.5 (112 187*250) (6.75/min)

Physique: 5 9/1000

Mental: 8 9/1000

Perception: 6 8/1000]

[Leaf Sticking Exercise (25/25): Chakra is controlled within the body to move around the surface of the skin and keep a leaf stuck to the body. Each level up reduced chakra wastage by 0.6, increases the chakra recovery rate by 3, and increases the chakra capacity by 3. Current Chakra Capacity: 187]

However, it was painfully obvious even to Kai that his chakra was... only starting to catch up to others now. His tender age made sure that his godly skills doesn't depress the children around him but aside from that, he was quite good. Acing theoretical, and performing well in the month-long chakra training exercise alongside chakra theory. Now, the third month of the academy would be having revisions on theory and active taijutsu training followed by a month of chakra training revision and weaponry training.

Genjutsu was apparently set aside by the teachers for later when the children have finer control of chakra.

With that, everyone was brought out to the training ground. The redhead next to him practically bounced with her violet eyes sparkling as a slightly awkward greeting caught their attention, "Hello..."

"What is it?" Kushina snapped promptly, making the spiky, blonde-haired youth scratch the back of his head. Minato, a civilian. By now, Kai was well aware of many things including geographical and political, and knew what the Shinobi villages are, their general structure with Daimyo, and the fact that Kushina was a princess and Mito a queen. He's been serving royalties!

Minato, on the other hand, was like him. Orphan, and civilian. Well, a civilian who had ninja parents and their heritage which allowed him to gain access to their knowledge and wealth. The boy was smart, too. Talented and frugal was a quality rare to be found simultaneously.

"Um, Kushina-san, Kai-san, I was hoping if we could train together—"

"Nope," pointing her nose high in the sky, flicking her hair and crossing her arm with a royal snort of her, Kushina turned to her heels and rejected, "I promised Mikoto-san we'd train together!"

Kai fell into a dilemma. Should he follow her to the pit of 'chan' that her friend, another clan princess of sort by the name of Mikoto had gotten around?

Nope.

He stayed and appraised Minato who blinked and then smiled appreciatively. Geniuses huddle together. Contrary to belief, the weak bully the strong! Minato and Kai were considered geniuses if their top scores and chakra control were to go by anything but Kai could somehow sense when close to Minato that his chakra reserves were easily double his own and increased every day. Just because Kai progressed didn't mean others stagnated. Not to mention, Kushina had an immaculate chakra control despite the bottomless pit her reserves happened to be and what she lacked, in theory, was made up with her instincts of being a kunoichi. Truly, it was disheartening just how much chakra Kushina had...

Kai still didn't know why she had such a chakra though. Oh, well.

"Let's practice when Sensei teaches us the," before Kai could muster politely, making Minato happier by the second, a hand grabbed the back of his neck as Kushina proclaimed, "I said WE will practice together, right, Kai-chan?"

"Oi—" struggle as he might... he was dragged away. Pitiful 4-year-old body... but then again, unlike the gorilla-faced Kushina... Mikoto was pleasing to look at. As a child... wait, no matter what the phrase, it just sounded wrong.

And thus, Kai was trapped. Today the teacher would demonstrate the Konoha Basic Taijutsu so other clan children must also follow these techniques instead of their better clan taijutsu skills.

But he was waiting...

Ever since he accepted the special quest from Mito, there was no confirmation of failure. But Kushina seemed plenty settled and even had a friend and a guy to reject. You can't be more settled than this! Which only meant that the mission would come to a success soon enough and wanted to see what kind of title and skill tree he would get in return!

Report chapter Comments

[Special action judged for creation of skill.]

Performing the Konoha Basic Taijutsu once brought out...

[Konoha Basic Taijutsu (1/10): Basic taijutsu skill passed down to every aspiring ninja. Training in this skill passively trains the body. Improve physique by 1 point at each level and increased mobility while using this skill. Stamina Consumed: 2/min

Next Level: Perform the technique for 4.5 minutes or 1 SP]

[Earned 1 SP]

Originally, the skill would have required the condition of 5 minutes but the title [Student] reduces the condition to level the skill by 10 and the foundation skill would also improve his physique! Knowing full well that these novice gains were not to feel proud about because they are easy but only feel good about ESPECIALLY because they are easy, Kai looked at his opponent.

Seemingly keeping a perpetually calm smile over her fair face, the girl was older than Kai and Kushina, admitting that she entered the academy late due to her circumstances but everyone knew that she just trained her ass off in the clan and only arrived at the academy for graduation purposes.

"Hmm~" letting out a playful hum while tying her raven hair into a bun, Mikoto looked into Kai's pitch-black eyes with her own and smiled sweetly, "Go easy on me, Kai-chan!" She chirped and Kai grew impassive slightly. He just got the legal ticked to beat the playful bitches' asses and he won't let this chance go!

Kushina had a smirk as she waited. Today, everyone was free to spar however they wished while their Sensei observed everyone. Even if someone wanted to act maliciously, they couldn't.

A few gazes fell in their direction, especially from the class resident Senju who fell only behind Mikoto and tied with Kushina in chakra practice while Kai and Minato dominated the class.

"I won't," Kai snorted and raised his right hand in a seal of confrontation, something Mikoto did in tandem before Kushina grinned and exclaimed, "Begin!"

The brunettes rushed at each other with Mikoto obviously faster. But she did seem more considerate to the only 'plush' of the classroom as she grappled instead of attacking.

Now... Kai could have snuck past her arm and latched onto her body. The feminine spots must still be the budding kunoichi's weak spots but... was it worth it? Mikoto wasn't even that grown. Sure, chakra made her look like a 14-year-old instead of 11 but that still wasn't persuading enough to let Kai give away his true identity, and instead, he latched onto her arm before crossing his legs around her shoulders.

Mikoto yelped in surprise, not expecting Kai to use his tiny frame as such, and pulled back but this only allowed Kai to easily push into her unstable footing and caused her to flop down on her butt.

And just like that, silence reigned at the Academy Training Ground. Kai dominated Mikoto as he would dominate chakra control training AND theory... wait, phrasing!

Mikoto still remained on the ground, her eyes wide. Kushina's smirk was frozen as she wanted to have her dose of teasing Kai while others glanced in his direction... for the first time, with a slightly awed look. After all, nobody likes a nerd... but everyone respects a martial nerd, and Kai bathed in the respect as he held his hands akimbo over his tiny frame and grinned, "I win!"

"Let's do this once—" Mikoto hurriedly stood up, losing her bearings for the first time as slight annoyance flashed past her gaze only for Kai to duck away. He didn't just want to win. He wanted to grind. Barely a minute passed but he wanted to level up this taijutsu skill as quickly as possible!

"Ah, it's no good, Mikoto... chan," Kay grinned as Mikoto's grim expression couldn't hide the embarrassed flush as he continued, "You have to train more, dattebane!"

And shots were taken at Kushina who glared in speechlessness as Kai waved them off for the first time. Damn, that felt good!

And Minato was happy to train with Kai after he saw his awareness in battle.

Even without the stat physiology that allowed him to allocate stat points, many skills directly boosted his stats based on the virtue that he had a game-like trait.

So, when he spared with the nimble Minato... what he wanted for so long finally happened.

When the skill leveled up, Kai felt a discreet infusion of energy from his surroundings and felt his muscles... respond exponentially better while notifications appeared near the corner of his eye one after another.

[Physique stat reached a threshold. Physique growth markedly improved.]

[Reduce the consumption of all stamina-based skills by a 10 and increased stamina regeneration by 10 times.]

[Konoha Basic Taijutsu (2/10): Basic taijutsu skill passed down to every aspiring ninja. Training in this skill passively trains the body. Improve physique by 1 point at each level and increased mobility while using this skill. Stamina Consumed: 1.8/min

Next Level: Perform the technique for 13.5 minutes or 1 SP]

[Name: Kai

Age: 4

Title: Student

Gamer Traits: Skill Tree; Sleepless Gamer

Rank: Academy Student

Hit Points: 100

Stamina: 90/100 (1.1/min)

Chakra: 654.5 (187*250) (6.75/min)

Physique: 9 10/1000

Mental: 9/1000

Perception: 8/1000]

Although Minato felt that Kai had gotten a bit dazed, allowing him to land a solid hit on his stomach which was hard as heck due to Kai being a short stack at the moment... yet, surprising Minato was Kai's counter as he grew... more fierce?

The change didn't come from the fact that Kai grew more knowledgeable in the skill. Oh, he knew how to hide such changes. Instead, the youth just used more from his past experience than anything. As genius as Minato was... he wasn't an adult and even if he could beat an average adult, he didn't have a chance against a maniac who would risk suicide to get rid of his stupid mistakes... talk about leaving to take buy milk, huh.

Minato grimaced at the change but Kai calculated. He only stood to lose 9.45 of stamina before after deducting the recovery rate from the expenditure to level up and thus, they continued.

Their spar didn't stop even if one of them fell down like with Mikoto. THAT was vengeance. THIS is training.

Minato would stand as eagerly while dusting himself as Kai would jump up with his tiny but hard-hitting physique!

They went until the sparring was dismissed after an hour and the result was something like this.

[Stamina: 52.2/100 (1.1/min)]

[Physique: 12/1000]

[Konoha Basic Taijutsu (4/10): Basic taijutsu skill passed down to every aspiring ninja. Training in this skill passively trains the body. Improve physique by 1 point at each level and increased mobility while using this skill. Stamina Consumed: 1.8/min

Next Level: Perform the technique for 14/121.5 minutes or 1 SP]

Boy, was it worthy!

--

And the karma descended as the hollow shell of a Kai sat in between Kushina and Mikoto in a recently found ramen stall by the name of Ichiraku Ramen.

The cook was barely a teen as he smiled happily with a brown-haired woman working alongside him.

A young couple, by the looks of it as Kushina sported a few bruises and dangled her feet while happily slurping her bowl of ramen. Mikoto looked a bit better, clearly a more experienced taijutsu practitioner when compared to Kushina whom she trained with and Kai... looked ragged. His cheeks inflated, his chest hurting, and his joints aching.

"Hehe, Kai-kun, got the beating of your life, hmm?" Teuchi, the stall owner chuckled as his young lover, Asame giggled and placed another bowl of ramen in front of Kushina.

"Thanks, dattebane!" Kushina grinned. This was the only location where she didn't keep a check on her verbal tick as Asame smiled, "Eat up, I know that shinobis and kunoichis need a lot of food to grow."

"Especially for this one, he needs a lot of growing," Mikoto giggled, happy to have her petty revenge now as she ruffled Kai's hair.

"Oh, you should have seen the other guy," Kai grumbled as it was the truth. Minato looked horrendous! He then glanced at Mikoto and smirked, "And I'll grow up just fine... I worry about you... though. I have heard that the most beautiful kunoichi... Princess of the Senju have—"

"And where did you hear that, hmm?" Mikoto only smiled but if anything, she looked scarier while Teuchi discreetly left the chat and Kushina shot him an annoyed glare as she huffed, "Where has your mind been running off to? I'll tell grandma Mito all about this, dattebane! She'll give you good training!"

Her cheeks still flushed by hitting up the seventh bowl of the ramen, she let out a satisfied sigh and leaned back, "That was so good!"

Once having eaten their fill, they left the stall after their usual farewell and walked along the streets. Many were aware of who the trio was. Especially Mikoto as her clan symbol on her back that of a fan divided in half with red and white was one of the most prestigious clans of the village— Uchiha!

Heck, in terms of popularity, it was similar to Senju, one of the two founding clans of Konohagakure!

And Mikoto was happy to politely return the greeting to whoever nodded in their direction as if intent on balancing the notorious side of their clan's reputation.

The Uchiha... were shinobi police and kept a close eye on the security of the village. Many were aware of their actual strength, including Kushina and Kai since Mito personally traced the topic barely but they hadn't asked Mikoto only because it was a matter of time before they get to know her full strength.

While being Police was an honorable job, it had the same problem as many other things in the world. A few bad apples deteriorated the reputation of the clan since the influence of Uchiha through policing was huge and a few couldn't help but get swayed by it. But corruption was present everywhere, that Kai knew. They just had to sniff in the right direction.

"Alright, I'll see the two of you tomorrow," Mikoto chimed and then gave Kai a brief stare, "And we'll spar together..."

"I don't mind. Maybe I can learn something new," he smiled.

Why else would he choose the sleepless gamer trait if not for the sweet grind?

Only six levels remained and now with the newfound regeneration of his stamina, he intended to max this skill out and start grinding another one tomorrow.

"Hmm, never thought Mikoto would be so cool with us," Kushina drawled and Kai replied in dey sarcasm, "Oh, my, our princess is thinking? Where was that beautiful brain in our mathematics exam?"

Kushina snorted and casually poked his cheek, making the pain more evident, and smirked, "But I have to say that Kai-chan is cooler... that fight was the best thing since the start of the Academy!"

Kai blinked, "You mean the second-best thing after we beat your bully together," he smirked deviously, something Kushina matched and chuckled simultaneously.

They soon brought their tired bodies to the Uzumaki mansion and found Mito in the guest hall instead of her bedroom. And next to her sat a begrudging blonde-haired woman in pigtails wearing a grey cut-sleeves kimono tunic with a green crystal necklace around her neck. Her amber pupils soon rested on injured Kushina and Kai as looked at Mito questioningly.

"Come in you two. About time you met my granddaughter, Tsunade. Kushina, she is also your distant cousin. She is also Nawaki's sister, my grandson... of course, the two of you study together," Mito smiled while Kushina went into a daze... but Kai had other thoughts...

'THAT Nawaki is this bombshell's brother and Mito's grandson... perhaps I treated him too harshly...'

Report chapter Comments

Kushina silently stared at Tsunade with awe who continued to bask in the glory as she healed both of them similar to Mito. This, in Kushina's eyes, was amazing!

"So, who's the squirt, Grandma," Tsunade sprawled back on the couch opposite to them as for this rare moment, Mito asked Kai to sit next to her and Kushina. To Kushina, this was natural. She would rather have him sit on her lap, but oh well. However, to Tsunade and Kai, this was clearly a message. He already knew he was being groomed. If he had to point out why that is so, then it must be because of his quick pace of growth. He didn't delude himself that his chakra growth wasn't known to others. If he can sense, so can the old monsters...

But maybe he underestimated the impact of it somewhat since Kushina's reserves were easily dozens of times greater than his while he couldn't even begin to sense Tsunade's and Mito's depths.

"He's here for Kushina. I want someone I can trust by her side."

"Right..." Tsunade drawled, "And why is it that you trust him?"

Mito smiled, "He hasn't lied to me since the beginning." Honestly, Mito wanted Kai to know that she was able to detect deception for what she was about to offer soon after and keep his loyalty in check. As fond, as she is of the boy, some things need to proceed in an orderly manner.

Tsunade's brows twitched while Kushina blinked cluelessly.

"If you say so," her stare landed on the boy and she hummed, "A little too young for the academy but you've got a good body... for a squirt. How's my little brother faring in the academy? Grandma said he's in your class, right?"

Kushina instantly clenched her fist and hissed, "We beat him to the ground! He's a bully dattebane!"

Kai closed his eyes. The red-headed ramen bimbo was hopeless...

Yeah, the bully they beat happened to be a slightly chubby Nawaki...

Tsunade blinked while Mito's shoulders shuddered, evidently from trying to hold her laughter but Tsunade was more boisterous than her grandmother and gave a full-blown laugh as she smacked the couch constantly.

"Haaah~" she sighed with a goofy grin... and didn't pay attention to their dumb stares and looked at Mito, "You really trained them well, Grandma."

"Something like that and tell the boy to visit me while I'm still here," her casual words managed to plunge the mood quite heavily as Tsunade bitterly bit her lips and scoffed. But she did slouch on her couch. On the other hand, Kushina lowered her head slightly while Kai frowned.

'Fuck Nawaki... I haven't treated him harsh enough!' Kai grumbled inwardly when he felt Mito's hand over her head as a warm stream of energy uplifted his mood. Kushina was the same as they both looked up only to find Mito humming, "No need for your pouts, brats. I'm still here."

"Barely," a deep grumble resounded within Mito as it made her brows twitch.

"Um... So, why are you here, Sister Tsunade?"

Now finding Kushina even more pleasing to the eyes, the red tomato she was, Tsunade managed a smile and replied, "Just came back from a mission and wanted to share some details with Grandma. Idle chat, you know. Anyway, I should be on my way. I can barely get rests nowadays..."

Mito's gaze grew a bit gloomy as she spoke softly, "You take care out there..."

"I know," Tsunade smiled and nodded but Mito wasn't done, "And you bring that boy home in a few days. I can't have my princess granddaughter finding a walk in the park with shady bastards!"

Tsunade instantly growled, "He's not shady!... But I'll bring him around, alright? Check up on him all you want, hmph!"

She left with a snort but as she passed their couch, she stopped and patted Kushina's head, "If someone bullies you, be it Nawaki, beat the shit out of them!"

"You got it!" Kushina cheered with a grin as Kai experienced Deja Vu.

Tsunade then looked toward Kai. Her gaze softened for a bit before she regained her bearings and sighed deeply, "Be good, alright?"

"Yes," Kai nodded. What the hell would he do otherwise? Be bad? He could never manage to be remotely threatening in this form!

Tsunade nodded with a satisfied expression and left with a bounce in her steps... and some other bounces, too. Honestly, it was hard to look away—

"Ehm!" Mito's stern clearing of the throat made it significantly easier for Kai to look away as she glared at the boy and huffed, "Tsunade was right, you really are a squirt"

But when she saw his sheepish expression, she snorted and took a deep breath.

"Kushina, stand in front of me."

And the girl did.

She stood in front of Mito and chirped, "What can I do, Grandma?"

"Just stand," Mito replied, making Kushina huff in exasperation the Uzumaki Mistress called out, "Kai, stand next to her."

Once the duo stood next to each other, Mito looked at Kushina with a serious expression, "Kushina, do you like it here?"

"Hmm? A bit. It's not like home but everyone is just so boring there. At least, I've made a few friends here," She smiled and nodded.

"I see," Mito nodded and then continued, "Do you understand why you were sent here?"

Kushina blinked and then frowned, "I have to do something... but they didn't tell me that... however, I'm the only one currently in the clan aside from you with THAT jutsu..."

"Exactly. But Kushina... dear, I will be honest... even now, I am not quite sure. The decision is still far ahead so I will not burden you with anything. Alright? Learn well in the academy and grow better every day."

Kushina nodded.

Mito finally looked towards Kai, her smile brightening ever so slightly, "Kai... you're a talented boy. I have told you this before and I won't skim on praises now either. But, talent is... sought after. Envied. This world is harsh and I wish for you to look after Kushina and in return, the Uzumaki and the Senju clan will look after you."

Well, Kai did understand the concept of what she was trying to convey so he nodded. It doesn't even feel the slightest bit strange to present yourself mature just because of the number of tragedies that happen around her daily.

"Grandma—" Kushina felt a little uncomfortable but one stern glare from Mito shut her up meekly as she felt on the verge of crying. Not that he would try to help her... the emotional girl would definitely cry if he tried to help and placate her.

"I..." Kai muttered, "Felt how the Senseis look at me. I can fight people older than me... and I can achieve chakra control beyond any of my classmates. I don't want to... have fears while growing up..."

He tried to keep it as vague as possible. Fears that he might be attacked and he would end up killing many just because. That's a slippery slope and he had a good thing going on here with the Uzumaki Clan. He was barely able to understand that what Mito would offer him would finalize the quest he got. This was the deciding moment!

Mito blinked in surprise but the adoration in her dark violet eyes grew and she nodded, "Good lad. To make things clear, I will keep it as transparent between the two of you.

Kushina, as things are... you need an aide. Someone you can trust beyond belief. Never be deluded by the sense of security in the village but also... I don't wish for you to feel paranoid. Kai, I will form a seal if you accept it, nothing will happen except for the fact that you will never be able to think maliciously against Kushina or act against her."

Before Kushina could misunderstand this chance as a way to bully the heck out of him, her guilt all but gone, Mito flicked the tomato's forehead and smiled, "But that does not include things like sparring or anything. The only thing that will change between the two of you is that you will be able to hand your life to one another in dire times."

But Mito had more to speak, "But... this would mean that you cannot easily let go of Kushina's side. I know that you and a few talented kids are on a roll to graduate next year... but that would change unless Kushina can graduate next year, too."

Kushina's expression changed and she grew downcast again. Meanwhile, Mito ruffled Kai's hair, "Think carefully and answer me in a few hours. And until you have an answer, you may not speak or meet with Kushina at all."

"But—" Kushina rose to resist while Kai looked thoughtful with how brows scrunched and Mito's stare shot Kushina down once again.

He was left thinking in the guest room. By now, his conjecture was all but confirmed that the way to complete the mission was by deciding on this offer. But... was it worth it? The title and skill tree most likely would belong to the Uzumaki clan, something he had very little knowledge about but even if he sees things in another way, he realized that having a good relationship with Mito was working here.

He was clear that Uzumaki had very little influence in Konoha... at least, that was what it appeared to be but Mito added the Senju Clan's backing into the fold! He may just coincidentally gain something from the Senju, too.

So, privately, Kai doesn't only get the backing of two important clans and a shot at their skills but also a form of safeguard in the village. Not to mention that his favorability with Mito would only increase should he accept.

Had he been an arrogant son of a bitch, he would have thought of trying to make it alone with his trait. But Nah, life now felt dull without a red tomato menace around him.

The answer was quite obvious.

--

On the higher level of the Ninja Academy is the administration section which holds the office of the leader of this entire village— Hokage!

Still in his prime with a head full of dark brown spiky hair and a tanned hide, Sarutobi Hiruzen, the Third Hokage sat in his office. The table was strewn with stacks of paper, the sight of which made the lonely man groan beyond belief.

The Ninja Academy and the office of the leader of the village being in the same location held two significant meanings. First, the future generation will be extremely safe for every kage is usually the strongest individual power in the village. Second, it shows that the leader is willing to focus on the future generation for the good of the village.

Avoiding the stacks of documents like a plague they were, their existence necessary for the running of the village, however, Hiruzen picked up a confidential file placed on his desk for a few hours now.

Opening it, he hummed thoughtfully.

It was his job to keep track of talented students with good potential. The future of the Academy students could easily be predicted into a few categories.

The talented students will find themselves in a good jonin training team if they get the approval from the said jonin.

Then came the students recruited by the secret ops agency of the village in the form of Anbu. These students are trained strictly and are allowed to carry out missions beneficial to the village.

There are students who have the chakra to enter the profession... but clearly not enough talent to go past a certain rank. But with the village already investing in them as such, it allows these students to enter Genin Corps which would bring income to themselves and the village by fulfilling many civilian missions.

Finally, there are few students who just can't make it and either die or live an honest life.

Hiruzen considered Minato to belong to the top category. Sizeable chakra reserve for his age, verified past, and most importantly, a good head over his shoulder. Hiruzen even considered the boy for some more prominent positions if he could keep up with the streak but imagine his surprise when he noticed a strange event in the training ground. It was directly visible from his office and Hiruzen saw Mikoto Uchiha of all people on her butt.

And then he saw the 4-year-old boy tossing hands with Minato and threatened to come out on top! No... considering the child's age and the fact that he had not even hit one of the many growth spurts a shinobi experiences, the child already won.

Now Hiruzen was aware that a boy of this age was admitted to the academy on a special 'request' but he hadn't considered it much. The Uzumaki princess who arrived with the clear objective for the village attracted more of Hiruzen's thoughts... and only now did he go through Kai's achievements.

'I must already be getting old,' the man chuckled at his mistake. The boy went unnoticed for a whole month!

A talent worth providing for. Given the fact that the boy was only a civilian employed by the Uzumaki compound, he could try and earn a good candidate for the team on one of his disciples. Thoughts continued to rush into his head.

Potent chakra control, that's HER department.

Amazing Taijutsu skills and with how he defeated Mikoto, that's HIS department...

And quite the high intelligence to memorize so many tactics and other mumbo jumbos that Hiruzen would never want to go through again, that's HISSSSSS department.

The man chuckled at his own joke when the door was knocked and the Anbu on guard duty called out, "Lord Third. Mistress Uzumaki is here to see you."

Hiruzen blinked and quickly adjusted himself. He set his hair neatly to not let the woman pick on him and then calmly called out, "Don't let her wait at all. Send her in."

The door opened and Mito's wizened figure slowly walked into the office as she smiled and nodded at Hiruzen. The Third Hokage stood up in greeting. As strong as he may be... the man wasn't the strongest. Not in front of her and not just because she's the widow of the first Hokage but he wasn't physically stronger than her...

"I won't occupy your time for long, Hiruzen. You know Kushina is here and the objective of her arrival. For her sake and my mind's peace, I have discussed this with Tsunade. This is the copy of the official seal."

Hiruzen blinked and he... didn't like where this was going. Nobody liked having treasures plundered from right under their noses and as he opened the file, he resisted the urge to groan out loud.

"Anyway, I wanted to personally hand it to you... but you know how old age is. You're getting there, after all."

Hiruzen chuckled dryly and didn't comment as the woman suddenly poofed out into smoke as Hiruzen deadpanned, "A clone? Really? Sigh... to think he would take that role under Uzumaki and Senju no less. Quite a good head over the 4-year-old body..."

He could only accept the outcome and flop on the chair, "But Tsunade could have warned me." Chewing on his pipe, he grumbled, "Another boring mission for her then!"

Report chapter Comments

Sighing loudly, Kai fell on his butt weakly. Even though he didn't need to sleep, exerting his body after getting the seal wasn't totally recommended but he did it.

[Konoha Basic Taijutsu (10/10): Basic taijutsu skill passed down to every aspiring ninja. Training in this skill passively trains the body. Improve physique by 1 point at each level and increased mobility while using this skill. Stamina Consumed: 1.8/min]

The only reason he wanted to complete all the skills was just to keep the slots open. He could only practice five skills at a time and now that he had another skill tree to go through, he felt that it was imperative to make use of this time.

[Quest Successful]

[Clan Quest: A Tail

Summary: Mistress Mito worries that her Grand-niece would need some support settling in. Be that crutch.

Rewards: A New Title; A New Skill

Failure: You will rub the Uzumaki feet until they die or you.]

[Title Acquired: Uzumaki Guardian]

[Skill Tree Acquired: Uzumaki Basic Seals]

[Title Acquired: Senju Guardian]

[Skill Tree Acquired: Senju's Basic Jutsus]

Unlike the [Student] title opening everything that the academy has to provide, the two Guardian titles clearly didn't just open the treasure trove of the two clans... but it was worth it.

[Uzumaki Guardian: Increases the affinity with all Uzumaki members. Opens the Uzumaki Basic Seals and reduces the requisite conditions to level up for any skill from this skill tree by 20]

[Senju Guardian: Increases the affinity with all Senju members. Opens the Senju Basic Jutsus skill tree and reduces the requisite conditions to level up for any skill from this skill tree by 20]

He looked at the back of his palms and sent a pulse of chakra, revealing a red spiral mark on his right and a black vajra symbol on his left. To make things official and have the Senju's backing, Mito called back the only person who didn't need Kai's guardian services— Tsunade. This way, he is technically in the same situation as Kushina as he is with Tsunade but his obligation lies only with the tomato.

And it was obvious that the 20 decrement in conditions of the skills was more potent than [Student] Title but Kai would still be willing to learn the basics of the academy and then move forward... why?

Uzumaki skill tree required a mastered sealing skill... that could only be learned from Mito and the Senju Skill Tree could only be started once his chakra capacity hit 1000 points.

So, he would invest in them later.

For now... he turned to look at the second and final skill under the Taijutsu category of the academy skill tree—

[Basic Chakra Enhancement (0/10): Flows chakra into the limbs and body that increases the body's attributes greatly. Every level increases the temporary rise in strength by 10. Increases the physical stat by 1 each level. Reduces chakra cost by 3 every level. Current Chakra Consumption: 120/sec.

Next Level: Use this skill for 15 minutes or use 2 SP.]

Everything was strange about this skill from its chakra consumption to its effects to be only called basic... and the fact that there wasn't any hint of this technique in the academy. No, the Ninja Academy's curriculum ONLY taught Konoha Basic Taijutsu and nothing else. But he didn't think that this skill was some mysterious secret, no. This skill could most likely be taught to a few special individuals by a special someone. It could be one of the guards in the academy of the Hokage itself.

Still, even if Kai purchased the skill, squandering 10 SP now that this skill's rarity was known, he didn't feel right spending 20 more points on leveling it. No, the skills in the future will be even rarer and costlier. He would rather...

Whoom*

Activate the skill, feel its effects, and two seconds later...

Thud*

Meditate to quickly recover chakra and grind!

"You look... like a ghost," Mikoto noticed the obvious as she found Kushina oddly silent today as she continued to sneak worried glances towards the boy. The academy was bustling but... Kai felt like sleeping. Again, he didn't need to. He just wanted to. The grind almost overcame him this morning... but he managed. Yet...

[Basic Chakra Enhancement (0/10): Flows chakra into the limbs and body that increases the body's attributes greatly. Every level increases the temporary rise in strength by 10. Increases the physical stat by 1 each level. Reduces chakra cost by 3 every level. Current Chakra Consumption: 120/sec.

Next Level: Use this skill for 7/15 minutes or use 2 SP.]

Damn this skill is hard to grind with his puny reserves... but Kai felt that such a skill wasn't even for Minato who had double the amount. This skill demanded too much to be taught in the academy unless...

He looked at Kushina, Mikoto, and Nawaki...

The trio had the most chakra in the classroom. In fact, when it came to chakra capacity, he and Minato could be barely considered average...

"Are you two okay?" Mikoto inquired and already informed that the secret of clan guardian is not be disclosed until they graduate, Kushina kept her silence while Kai groaned, "I couldn't sleep last night..."

Kushina winced, thinking it was her and the seal's fault while Mikoto sighed, realizing that it must be a clan issue that couldn't be disclosed, and giggled to avert the conversation by cooing and fussing, "Aw, the poor baby didn't get his sleep?" Her hand snaked around the boy's shoulder and pulled him down in time just before the Sensei entered the classroom while keeping Kai's head on her lap and whispered, "Sleep up, we have thirty minutes before we go to the training ground and I want to have a good spar."

Kushina shrugged at their antics but couldn't help but snort internally. What the hell was HER guardian doing on an Uchiha's lap?

'You know what... she's got a point. Gotta bring my A-game for such a bold action.'

With that, he dozed off happily until he groggily woke, realizing he had already walked into the training ground and she stretched his arms and yawned loudly!

He looked a little taller than yesterday, a fact only Minato caught because he studied Kai quite a bit. This was just the effect of enhancement in physique stat and in time, this will get even more obvious.

Today, the first session of the taijutsu training session began and the first half of it included getting assigned sparring partners by the teacher himself as they would spar one by one and have their techniques assessed by their Sensei. Only after this would come the free sparring session later on.

Their Sensei held the clipboard in his hand and made others stand in a single area before calling out the first two names.

"Kai-kun, Tsume-chan, you'll be the first two sparring partners." The man declared as Kushina and Mikoto were full of shit and giggled while Kai... felt remorseful. Why with that boisterous bitch? Anyone but her...

Alas, he had to step out. The only reason their Sensei would let them freely spar is to initially assess their capabilities not just in punching or kicking harder but their awareness, too. Kai was the youngest and the shortest stack in the group who used his frame to his advantage but he wasn't alone. Although rare, there were still a few children younger than most who used their bodies to their advantage, and one of them happened to be the 6-year-old Tsume Inuzuka. Kai's spar just happened to be more attractive, that's all.

But... as he feared, the tiny stack of bestial vibes in front of him growled the moment he stepped out.

Tsume had long spiky brown hair like a head of a mane, her black pupils vertical and a red fang mark on either side of her cheek set her different from others. She was barely taller than Kai and grinned, revealing her sharper than usual canines, "I'm gonna beat you!" She exclaimed proudly.

'Inuzuka... and their pack mentality... they're actually more interesting to a certain extent,' Kai idly wondered. Inuzuka clans used ninken, or companions in other words, alongside them and were more of a pack than a clan with the strongest leading the pack always... Kai looked at the girl and tilted his head slightly. He didn't like her enthusiasm one bit. Not after being showered with such enthusiasm daily...

"Hmm, don't waste too much time and form the seal of confrontation," Sensei remarked as the two did just that and he exclaimed the match to start only for the impatient Kai to rush forward while Tsume barked a boisterous laugh and rushed in his direction, too. Both of them instantly threw hands. It was easy to control the level of finesse he wanted to reveal. Although he now had the Uzumaki and Senju backing, he can just take it easy. After all, he won't be graduating anytime soon since Kushina is a dunce who wouldn't study theory at all.

And soon, the inevitable happened. Seven seconds in, and Tsume was on her butt, a tiny fist that seemed far too large hovered over her face as she winced and looked past it, finding Kai staring at her calmly.

"Alright, the spar ends here. Form a seal of reconciliation," The Sensei smiled as Tsume groaned and stood up. Pouting even, but she held Kai's outstretched middle and index finger in a seal and looked at him...

'The fuck are you looking at me like that for?!' Kai glared at the short stack whose smile bloomed further as if his aggressiveness was the last thing that bothered her.

After imparting a bit of advice on what Tsume could have done better, they stood by the sidelines as others began to spar one after another. Their Sensei clearly placed everyone based on their size and capabilities but of course, some would stand out like Kai. Minato had Nawaki on the ground a few seconds in, too. Then came Kushina and Mikoto who weren't really evenly matched but again, Mikoto was just somewhat laidback when compared to others and gave Kushina a full chance to try her hardest in the spar. After all, they would be sparring quite often from now on if their Sensei's matchup was any indication...

--

"Fight me!" The Inuzuka exclaimed for the umpteenth time, sitting next to the equally boisterous tomato as Kai felt he was too young for this shit. However, he glanced at Mikoto with a hint of necessary caution. As laidback as he is, the Uchiha won't take a loss evenly, and even if calmer and more polite than the two eager to throw hands with a child youngest of them all, Kai felt that Mikoto is just the kind of person who would easily do something sneaky and look the other way.

"Sit down, we still have a lot of time. We can all spar today and I'll make sure he won't run to Minato!" Kushina grinned. Not particularly fond of the Inuzuka but also not averse to her.

"Hmm... ugh, I'll wait..." Tsume muttered as if committing to a great task...

On the other hand, Minato fidgeted and looked in their direction. After yesterday, maybe the most eager one in the class to spar with Kai was Minato himself! Others won't do it for him any longer... not once he'd have a taste of Kai's—

Fists!

But Nawaki Senju just happened to be the most durable of the group.

On their side, Mikoto and Kai silently formed a seal of confrontation and shot at one another. The difference was noticeable. Unlike when she fought Kai yesterday or Kushina this morning, Mikoto was quicker. More agile and definitely deadlier as she seemed to be uncaring of his short stack advantage and swept her leg down towards his ankle, expecting him to fully use some unorthodox means again. But she was ready if he decided to retreat or jump—

Alright, she didn't expect him to run around her.

Damn it!

Mikoto hurriedly used the momentum of her kick and turned the sweep into a back roundhouse kick and jumped in tandem to spiral midair and land quickly.

"Woah~!" Tsume exclaimed while Kai was already onto Mikoto. Like, he jumped on her face!

"Hey!" Mikoto revealed an irritated expres again and kicked toward him in a single motion that would smack his body to the ground but Kai was more nimble since yesterday. His physique having wholly improved quite a bit as it is, he slammed his hands onto her legs, letting the impact make him fly away while the girl grimaced at the ache she felt below her knee.

One would think that massaging skills gave Kai a brief introduction to the human body, how to relieve its pain... and the area where the pain felt is greater...

Although sneaky, Kai beamed at Mikoto. He needed to return the favor of using her lap!

Not giving Mikoto a chance to fully come to terms with the pain, Kai rushed to the woman and their spar only intensified. Alas, the big fan of inevitability he was, Kai had to make sure things went just like yesterday. Mikoto on her knees and his tiny frame over her victoriously... wait, phrasing!

"I win," Kai smiled, stretching his arm out with the seal of reconciliation as Mikoto finally inflated her cheeks in an indignant pout. Huh, first time for everything, Kai wondered as she held his fingers softly and glared at the boy seriously, "I'll win tomorrow!"

"Of course," Kai beamed childishly, "And I'll be roasting flying pigs tomorrow, too!"

Heh, one good thing about Mikoto was that her brain wasn't smooth and understood some advanced law of insults as such, she snorted and swiftly smacked the back of his head before stomping and retreating to the side for rest.

"My turn~!" Kushina chortled while Kai... he looked towards Minato and found him looking back with the same longing look. Oh, they both realized how they would benefit from one another... but...

Kai was stuck with the Uzumaki, Inuzuka, and the Uchiha.

Minato was stuck with the Senju and the stoic but furious Hyuuga.

They shook their head. It would seem like the world was against their pure and intellectual reunion...

But good thing he had a trait, huh, Kai smiled and shrugged eventually, happy to train his body by expending his stamina to the greatest extent as possible and spar with the trio one after another nonstop or until he felt thirsty.

Report chapter Comments

Mikoto looked around with an amused smile. Her injuries were fully healed by the fabled widow of the God of Shinobi and now looked around Kushina's room. The redhead had invited her here, of course. And looked nervous as hell for that.

"Next time, I will invite you to my clan compound. My father will be thrilled to meet you and Kai."

Kushina nodded as Mikoto sat beside the girl on her mattress and looked at her inquisitively. Unlike what Mikoto had expected, Kushina's room was slightly plain. But whatever she had belonged to a level of quality unaffordable by the masses.

"Um... I called you because... I want to study!" Kushina exclaimed.

"Why don't you study in the academy?" Mikoto giggled as Kushina blanched and pouted, "Don't wanna! Anyway... help me study. I want to graduate the next year..."

"Why not ask Kai-chan?" Mikoto narrowed her eyes, as if gazing at a juicy prey but unaware of it, Kushina plopped back on her bed and groaned, "It's a surprise! If he asks, we'll say were practicing our clan ninjutsu against one another—"

"Or we could just say that we were training taijutsu. I don't think my clan would take it kindly if such rumors got out," Mikoto shook her head sensibly and Kushina nodded, "Fine, that. Now help me study!"

--

"Hmm," Mito had a smirk over her aged face as she enjoyed Kai's young hands on her feet and spoke up, "Ah, I missed this, Kai-kun. But I didn't ask you here just to get my massage. Yesterday, you became one of our own and I would like to teach you and assess your talent in my clan's specialty: Fuinjutsu. Do you know what that is?"

"Yes, Mistress—"

"From now on, Grandma Mito or Mito-sama will be fine," Mito interrupted as Kai shrugged and nodded, "Yes, Mito-sama. Fuinjutsu is the sub-category of Ninjutsu that deals in utilizing seals to perform various actions but most notably sealing items into another."

Mito nodded with a pleased hum, of course, not from the reply but due to Kai pressing her sweet spots, and added, "Today onwards, I will be taking your time after the Academy so being punctual is important. Of course, I understand that a student must have free time so my training, at least for now, will be somewhat lenient."

Kai nodded, a little eager. There were still a few concepts too advanced and a little too leashed in for his taste. Fuinjutsu was one of them. Their theory classes already told them how seals can create exploding tags and whatnot but they didn't really tell them HOW it's done. So, a chance at Fuinjutsu felt amazing to him!

And then, Mito stretched her hand in a manner similar to the seal of confrontation and a small puff of smoke appeared in front of her, revealing a palm-sized thick bamboo scroll. This made Kai recall how he just used his sleight of hand to make that Gem of Kalin appear in his hands... good times.

"This is the basics of Fuinjutsu. I remember idly teaching you the sealing language so you can decipher it... no, in fact, you must decipher it because I taught you sealing language. You are only allowed to ask 3 doubts and if you don't decipher it by tomorrow, I'll have a punishment ready for you."

Kai nodded while looking at the quest.

[Clan Quest: Carrot and Stick

Summary: To assess your talent unlike any other, Mito wishes to see your ability to decipher the basic fuinjutsu practice of the Uzumaki Clan. Surprise her or disappoint her, consequences are yours to bear.

Rewards: 5 SP

Failure: Indefinite Bamboo Spanking]

Alright... THAT had his attention.

"You will stay here and decipher the scroll in silence, alright? Come, you can sit next to this old woman." Mito smiled.

"Mito-sama, you're hardly THAT old," Kai gave a cheeky response while climbing the bed and sitting next to her. She only snorted at his response and smiled before closing her eyes while he unfurled the scroll.

"Oh, yes. I can see it. A human drama formed between the two of you... grrrhhh! Let's call it the Beauty and the Beast. Wanna which role you play, Dry Cunt?" The familiar snarky grumble made Mito's brows twitch but she knew better than to respond every time.

Meanwhile, Kai looked at the second slot of temporary skill out of five being filled.

[Basic Uzumaki Fuinjutsu (1/10): Use the special chakra ink and form seals that perform special actions. Reduces the chakra consumption of forming a single kanji seal by 5. Chakra Consumed: 10.

Next Level: Ink 0/8 functional seals or 2 SP.]

It only needed a few seconds of deciphering the scroll before the skill was formed and relevant information invaded his mind and allowed him to quickly decipher the rest of it and he was honestly amazed... seals and fuinjutsu were just a more magical cousin of the summation of maths, geometry, back-breaking physics and whatnot! If it's a horrible subject, it's a part of seals!

"Mito-sama, I'm done!" Kai smiled as the woman opened her eyes and gave a tony exasperated sigh, "No, child. You have to read and try deciphering it for at least three hours and then you can have your fun later."

"Bitch, he said—" she cut off the connection and grimaced as Kai incidentally finished what the grumbling voice spoke, "— I'm done deciphering it thoroughly!"

Mito blinked.

Her eyes, for the first time, grew somewhat owlish as she stared at Kai for a full minute before remarking seriously, "Are you sure?"

"I am. You can ask me from the Seal of Fire to the Seal of Land," Kai smiled, conveniently stating the first and the last seal on the scroll as Mito suddenly began to chuckle softly.

"Go... ask someone to bring me a stack of chakra paper and ink."

She had her own storage but she would be damned if her top-quality stuff was used on training. Kai left with an eager bounce in his steps and when he left, Mito pumped her fist in a manner so excitable that it was unbecoming of her age!

'Heck yeah! Fucking hell!' Mito grinned, 'Got a gem right here! Even back in the clan, only Kushina has a brain and bloodline hardwired to Fuinjutsu in a manner that made her decipher this 30 minutes, and my old man and I had around the same score... too bad his chakra capacity is a bit limiting,' Mito sighed a little internally. But she was sure if nurtured properly, even with average reserves, the boy could prove just are too valuable to be left at the likes of Hiruzen or his brooding boy toy.

Needless to say, Kai was more excited than Mito since he completed the quest, and finding a proper backer was already proving useful. Instead of finding materials to train the fuinjutsu in himself, Mito can help out with most resources!

--

Kai... thrived in the grind. But Kushina, much less the Inuzuka who began following him like a pup, found their lives drained. It was a good thing, though. It motivated them to graduate as quickly as possible and the month's grind in the academy had the most positive effects on Kai not only to the numbers that only served to the pump the addictive dopamine but also because he felt stronger... and bigger.

[Physique stat reached a threshold. Physique growth markedly improved.]

[Reduce the consumption of all stamina-based skills by a 10 and increased stamina regeneration by 10 times.]

[Perception stat reached a threshold. Meta-physical sensing markedly improved.]

[Increase the rate of chakra regeneration by 5 times.]

{A/N: This is five times the base which was 3 and the percentage is added on top of the base.}

[Skill formed due to specific action.]

[Chakra Sensing (7/25): Every Chakra has a unique signature that is hard to identify by others. Increases the Perception stat by 1 every level. Increases the rate of chakra recovery by 5. Chakra Consumption: 30/min.

Next Level: Register 127/2000 additional chakra signature or 2 SP.]

[Basic Chakra Enhancement (10/10): Flows chakra into the limbs and body that increases the body's attributes greatly. Every level increases the temporary rise in strength by 10. Increases the physical stat by 1 each level. Reduces chakra cost by 3 every level. Current Chakra Consumption: 84/sec.]

[Basic Uzumaki Fuinjutsu (10/10): Use the special chakra ink and form seals that perform special actions. Reduces the chakra consumption of forming a single kanji seal by 5. Chakra Consumed: 5]

And Kai smugly looked at his stats after the month of grind, especially the exhaustion he had to deal with because of Basic Chakra Enhancement.

[Name: Kai

Age: 4

Title: Uzumaki Guardian

Gamer Traits: Skill Tree; Sleepless Gamer

Rank: Academy Student

Hit Points: 100

Stamina: 100/100 (2.1/min)

Chakra: 1123.5 (321*250) (39/min) (15*160%/min)

Physique: 18 29/1000

Mental: 9/1000

Perception: 8 17/1000]

[Skills]

[Chakra Sensing (7/25): Every Chakra has a unique signature that is hard to identify by others. Increases the Perception stat by 1 every level. Increases the rate of chakra recovery by 5. Chakra Consumption: 30/min.

Next Level: Register 127/2000 additional chakra signature or 2 SP.]

[Completed Skills:

1) Dishwashing (1/1)

2) Massage (3/3)

3) Seal Language (5/5)

4) Sprint (3/3)

5) Meditation (25/25)

6) Chakra Spiral Technique (10/10)

7) Leaf Sticking Exercise (25/25)

8) Konoha Basic Taijutsu (10/10)

9) Basic Uzumaki Fuinjutsu (10/10)

10) Basic Chakra Enhancement (10/10)]

[Skill points: 104]

Now Kai had concluded after asking around a bit that the E-ranked Jutsu taught in the academy only needed 1 SP to level up but whether a 25 level cap skill or 10, a technique beyond the scope of E-rank demanded 2 SP at the very least and Kai was sure that the number would grow.

"Hmm, you really grew five centimeters," Mikoto hummed in amusement, her head tilted slightly and her eyes narrowed as she quipped with a short smirk, "How cute Kai-chan, you hit your first growth spurt~!"

Kai looked positively happy, enough so that he ignored Mikoto who tried her level best at teasing while he Tsume looked at him with unconcealed envy now that he was almost as tall as her but deep in her violent vertical pupil hid a deeply rooted awe that scared the fuck out of him. Kushina, on the other hand... was a drooling mess as she slept. No amount of chalks thrown at her head by their Sensei woke her up.

The month of Taijutsu had passed. Students: bodies remembered the physical turmoil and they trained daily while the class took for Ninjutsu and revisions.

And Kai really wanted to learn these jutsus. Chakra is quite amazing and their contribution and ingenuity in jutsu even more!

"WAKE UP!" Sensei almost tore Kushina's ear before she woke up with a groan and looked about.

"Hmph," snorting at the unruly student, the teacher, smacked the podium to gather the attention and announced, "I hope all of you kept up with the leaf sticking exercise because the first jutsu all of you will learn is the Transformation Technique!"

The man hummed, "Aside from the rope escape technique which you are expected to learn on your own, the Transformation Technique will be the foundation for the remaining Clone Technique and Body Replacement Technique."

"Now," the man raised his fingers, and a puff of smoke covered him before their Sensei turned into a completely different person, eliciting awed hums from the class, especially the civilians and Kai whose gears turned in mischief.

"The Transformation Technique requires a ninja to know their target of transformation so that they have a solid imagination. The advanced forms of this technique also allow the user to transform themselves into an inanimate object but the user must have a detailed knowledge of the particular item down to its weight and reflection itself. Hmm, so, the first thing you have to do is control your chakra and make it flow around your skin, just like when we did in the leaf training exercise but around your entire body this time and then..."

Sensei described the technique while everyone listened attentively.

"Psst, I thought your clan taught you this technique," Kushina leaned towards Mikoto who heard the explanation carefully and shook her head, "If you're expected to graduate from the academy, the clan leaves academy level skills and focuses on other techniques."

"Yeah..." Tsume whispered.

"TSUME! The hell are you doing leaning on Kushina's and Mikoto's side from behind? Go back to your seat!"

Tsume pouted and snorted before walking back while the class snickered lightly and their Sensei called out, "Minato, let's see you try it out. Everyone, pay attention. I will ask everyone to come out and use this technique!"

They nodded and Minato walked out with a smile. His blue eyes flickered in amusement as he sent the same playful but provocative gaze toward Kai whenever he wanted to have a spar with the boy this past month.

"Transformation Jutsu!" Minato muttered after a minute of concentration as Kai easily sensed the chakra around his body and it spilling out somewhat. Again, Kai's own chakra reserve was quite infantile at the moment but he prided in the fact that his chakra control was much higher right now. Sure, there was still a bit of unnecessary leak of chakra every now and then, something a little grinding would take care of soon enough. After all, according to his trait, he had 25 reduced chakra wastage and if he finds out more chakra training skills, he can add to this boost. Now that he had completed the Basic Chakra Enhancement, he would go through his Basic Senju Skill Tree and find another foundation technique.

No stopping till 100 removal of chakra wastage!

The puff of smoke disappeared and revealed Minato transformed as their Sensei who nodded with a smile, "Remember, using Transformation Jutsu doesn't mean others won't notice anything. Uchiha Police and even other guards have high skills and they can see through a transformation in an instant. There have been a few cases of mischievous runts getting caught by them so be careful."

Kai understood what the man meant, After all, even he could sense that Minato's body was covered in chakra.

"Well done, Minato. Release your technique and go back to your seat. And remember to practice this technique further because I can still sense a little unnecessary chakra consumption."

"Yes, Sensei," Minato smiled and with another poof, recovered his blonde mug.

"Kai, your turn," Sensei called out as the boy nodded and walked to the front.

He looked thoughtful. His first instinct was to transform into Tsunade... she was the most bombshell creature he'd ever laid his eyes on. He didn't care if Nawaki was here or not. But... Kai had heard from Mito how Tsunade was disgusted by perversion because of one of her teammates and yes, Kai knew he had no shot... but it just wouldn't do him good to publicly insult Senju Princess' honor when he was the guardian and wanted to have a higher social standing to get access to a better skill tree.

As such, the boy chose someone else to make fun of.

His eyes locked with Mikoto who looked weirded out but when she was the devious smile on his lips that others would mistake as cute... her eyes widened and the realization hit her—

Kai didn't need more than a few seconds to achieve what he wanted.

Poof*

"Ara~ you grew 5 centimeters, too~" a very catty but familiar voice emerged from the smoke as a raven-haired, fair-skinned woman matched her gaze with Mikoto and smirked while glancing towards her breasts, "How cute of you. Finally hitting that growth spurt, hmm?"

Kushina had trouble holding her laugh as Mikoto didn't take another second to throw a blunt kunai at Kai... or 'her' with a red face that their Sensei promptly caught who still looked a bit dazed.

"Kai-kun... sigh, the three of you, stand outside the class with a bucket on your heads!"

Kushina was stunned.

"Why me?!" She snapped and the Sensei just waved his hand.

"Sensei, a pack sticks together!" Tsume smacked her hand on the bench and stood up, growling.

"Yeah, you can leave with them," He deadpanned while Tsume nodded smugly and found... the trio glaring at her. If they could have argued and stayed before then Tsume's actions made it easier for the Sensei to reach his decision.

"What? My mama taught me a pack sticks together~!" She hummed and left the class while Mikoto, glaring at Kai who had transformed back and Kushina who glared at both of them walked out.

Minato... looked positively envious and he glanced at the idle Nawaki Senju who was bored out of his wits.

Minato wanted to get to know the genius group of the class but the snappy Kushina made sure that didn't happen and Tsume only managed to burrow in because... she's a knucklehead.

'Maybe... I could try and befriend him?' Minato thought idly.

[Skill formed due to special action.]

[Transformation Technique (1/10): Use the chakra to transform into another person temporarily. Chakra consumed reduced by 5 with every level: Chakra Consumption: 20/min.

Next Level: Transform into a different individual 1/9 times or 1 SP.]

Report chapter Comments

"Trust me, Tsun! I'm not lying!" A blue-haired youth begged a blonde woman who walked in front of him with a furious scowl as everyone including the men in the green flack jackets and Uchiha symbol— the men from Konoha Police. They could stop the duo and question them why such a ruckus was being raised near the residential area of the village... but they knew Tsunade Senju's temper and knew better than to stick their necks out only for her to break it in one slap!

Hearing the man's words, Tsunade stopped and turned on her heels, making the blue-haired youth flinch, "When grandma asked if I was a MISSION or not, you didn't reply! When she asked if you approached me with sleazy intentions or not, you didn't reply! Damn it, Dan! We're ninjas! I know how complicated it is and I wasn't born yesterday. I knew some things myself but I thought three years of knowing each other would have at least made you more honest about it! This was no clan secret or anything like that but you... you..."

Tsunade's amber eyes widened in anger before she exhaled forcefully and growled, "Forget it, we're done! Honestly... why do you think I waited for so long before bringing you to Grandma!"

The man stayed rooted with a bitter expression as he inwardly cursed his own luck and the woman who huffed away, 'Getting to know each other better? Who the hell are you kidding... we both have been on missions for two years straight for raising emergencies and when we're not... sigh, screw it. It was good when I was in Anbu... though, Hokage won't be pleased...' The man named Dan slumped his shoulders and walked away while four tiny heads stuck out from the side alley, their cheeks inflated with dangos as Tsume spoke up.

"Whab jusht hawppend?" she spoke with her mouth filled.

"Swabbow firsh and thenh shpeak!" Kai scowled. His cheeks filled.

"Yooub thoo!" Kushina ate like a squirrel, her usually round cheeks now even more filled.

"Sigh," Mikoto swallowed like a proper lady... and then spoke, "Wasn't that Tsunade Senju? Lover's spat?"

"More like a lover's destruction..." Kai mumbled as Mikoto glanced at him, "And how would you know, Kai-chan?"

"Dunno?"

"Say... Kai-chan? Do they bathe together like us?" Kushina inquired curiously and shocked by the bomb, Mikoto gasped and looked at the two, "You two bathe together?"

"Well, he has to wash my back," Kushina shrugged. And while Kai groaned. Heck, it was actually a daily quest but it was whatever. He wasn't even that uncomfortable with it. Like he would get a reaction out of a tomato on a cutting board...

"Oh, Mikoto-chan, what's so surprising?" Kai smiled as Mikoto scoffed.

"Yeah, my clansmen also bath with their dogs," Tsume smiled.

"Alright, shush!" Mikoto grumbled and looked towards where Tsunade left with an odd twinkle in her eyes.

"It must be amazing to know Tsunade, huh," she smiled as the duo shrugged.

"Not really, she rarely visits us. Why?"

"Why? She singlehandedly developed the iryo ninjutsu and is constantly contributing to the village. The skills to heal others have been revolutionized ever since THE Tsunade Senju entered the game... she is amazing..." Mikoto had a dreamy expression while the remaining trio looked at each other blankly and shrugged.

"Sigh, let's go back. Kushina, we have to... practice, too, right? I'm in a hurry so let's return," Mikoto smiled while Kushina nodded.

"What do you two even do?" Kai inquired idly as Kushina snapped at him with reddened cheeks, "None of your business dattebane!"

"See you guys later, I have to feed the ninken, too," Tsume grinned and left.

"She... didn't pay her half of dangos!" Mikoto scoffed and she glanced at Kai, "Like a certain boy."

"I am but a humble servant of the clan," Kai smiled, "Kushina-san pays for me~!"

Taking the backing of two giants was the best decision ever!

They soon returned to their respective stations while Mito once again took out the same chakra ink and paper... much to Kai's reluctance. How could he ever explain that he wouldn't need to practice the seals daily? But Mito was hellbent on making sure that, even when Kai had written all the seals she demanded of him with immaculate precision, his skills doesn't falter. And Kai was a little reluctant to spend on Uzumaki Skill Tree when Mito was quite the generous teacher.

So, with a heavy heart, Kai returned to his room after the daily chore which was washing Kushina's back, and slumped on his bed. He thought for a second and started to browse through his skill tree.

The ability to learn from a Senju felt lost at the moment so choosing from the Skill Tree: Senju's Basic Jutsu was the most preferable way to spend his SP on.

The only way to earn SP was through quests and mastering skills himself. But he only got a single SP at each level regardless of the level and quality of skill so the major source would be the quests and Kai easily assumed that he would have a large pool of quests once he graduates. But for now, he had to be frugal.

Like the Academy skill tree, Senju's Basic Jutsu skill tree was divided into four categories.

[Taijutsu] [Ninjutsu] [Genjutsu] [Weaponry]

[Taijutsu]

[Leaf Snapping Fist (15/15)]

[Whirlwind Crusher (15/15)]

[Wind Blowing Kata (15/15)]

[Basic Chakra Enhancement (10/10)]

[Ninjutsu]

[Chakra Focus Blast (25/25)]

[Earth Release— Mud Wall (10/10)]

[Earth Release— Groundmole (15/15)]

[Earth Release— Spike Trail (10/10]

[Earth Release— Earth Clone (10/10)]

[Water Release— Water Shuriken (15/15)]

[Water Release— Hazy Mist (15/15)]

[Water Release— Freeze Wave (15/15)]

[Water Release— Water Clone (10/10)]

[Wind Release— Gust (10/10)]

[Wind Release— Small Breakthrough (10/10)]

[Wind Release— High Jump (10/10)]

[Fire Release— Heat Wave (10/10)]

[Genjutsu]

[Snaring Demon (20/20)]

[Five Senses Destruction (25/25)]

[Mystic Wood Smack (10/10)]

[Weaponry]

[Flash Style Ken (30/30)]

[Weaving Water Sword (25/25)]

[Joint Shuriken (20/20)]

[Senju Kunai Technique (15/15)]

[Poisonous Senbon Technique (20/20)]

Kai looked at the skills. The Senju Clan is revered to be known as developing a thousand jutsus! And their most basic skill tree happened to be more expansive than Uzumaki and Ninja Academy combined. But Kai hadn't lost his mind to awe. He knew that just the basic seal technique had given him a lot of versatility since each seal had a different effect... alas, Mito was a bit too coddling for his taste as she wouldn't even let him form some exploding tags... The 4-year-old body that got him a free pass at peeking now stood in opposition to his rise of glory! Damn!

With a sigh, he looked at the skill he wanted the most right now for that Chakra Grind. Again, these skills by themselves depended on his own practice unless he spends SP but their most important benefit was the information his trait provided to him. It set him dozens of steps ahead of civilians and even some clan bitches. He didn't think of the raven-haired tease at all!

Spending 10 WHOLE SP, Kai bought the technique and felt the incomplete information waiting to be fulfilled with each level entering his head.

[Chakra Focus Blast (1/25): Focus the entirety of your chakra on the tenketsu present at the end of your limbs and exert a point-blank blast of chakra. Each level reduces chakra wastage by 0.6. Reduces Chakra Cost by 3 per level. Chakra Consumption: 1000~???.

Next Level: Perform the technique 8 times or 2 SP]

Kai sighed slightly... this would be a grind even more painful than the Basic Chakra Enhancement BUT he had skills like meditation which really made it easy for him to recover Chakra and continue. But first, he had to master the Transformation Jutsu and cover the lost SP! Beside... transformation was fun as heck!

So, the evening and night of the grind began.

--

Days began to pass idly. The excitement of the classroom was curbed quite a bit now that Ninjutsu became the focus and while it was easy to master Transformation Technique, Chakra Sensing and Chakra Focus Blast challenged his grind daily. Kushina... actually surprised the class when one of the revision tests revealed that she wasn't dead last but in the middle bracket of scorers and with how Mikoto clapped, on the verge of tears as if she was seeing her own child score at the top, it became painfully obvious what happened behind closed doors between Kushina and Mikoto... homework... ugh.

Tsume actually rivaled the top contenders for transformation technique, saying how her clan techniques heavily relied on a twist of this technique...

But...

As Kai said, he was having too much fun with the technique. His Sensei was entirely exasperated but... whatever!

[Transformation Technique (10/10): Use the chakra to transform into another person temporarily. Chakra consumed reduced by 5 with every level: Chakra Consumption: 10/min.]

'Transform!'

Kai grinned gleefully, something that didn't make the Sensei or Mikoto feel at ease since the latter was feeling at her wit's end with how Kai now attacked her... like this for all the time she teased. Oh, karma.

Poof*

Smoke covered him and instantly a Mikoto in a rather—

Before he could even come out in full display, multiple blunt kunai's struck Sensei's clipboard while his fist struck 'Mikoto' and dispelled the transformation... much to the disgruntlement of many boys in the classroom.

Kushina was a snickering mess alongside Tsume who was clutching her stomach, failing to whistle every time. Sensei's glare was all too clear as Kai rubbed the back of his head while taking one of the four buckets with his name on it and leaving the class. Mikoto followed with an annoyed huff and Kushina, and Tsume just winging it at this point.

"You have to do THAT every day?" Mikoto pouted and glared at the boy. Not even seeing why she thought the little devil was cute as Kai hummed thoughtfully and beamed, "Of course!"

Kai had a blast, like usual. He wanted his school experience since he couldn't get one before and even if only for a year, he wanted to have some memories of the curriculum aside from the grind. Yet, today was not supposed to be his day as he was prepared to tell Mito to go to hell and teach him something new... in a much more sensible manner but she... wasn't in the compound with the servants saying that she had left somewhere with Tsunade.

"Great, then you two won't mind accompanying me to my clan compound, right? Especially, you, Kai-chan... hehe, my father heard about your pranks and he is DYING to meet you!" Mikoto smiled sweetly as his brows twitched. The Uchiha Patriarch is the proverbial General of the Police... he must be out of his mind to go meet the man whose daughter he'd transformed into in questionable clothes...

"Ne, Kai-chan, come on," Mikoto firmly gripped his shoulder and smiled. The Devil!

--

Konohagakure is built on the alliance of multiple clans, the most notable of them being the Senju and the Uchiha. These two are the foundational clans of the village. At the end of every month, a general council meeting is set up where the clan heads of the village would either arrive by themselves or send a proxy. The body also included an advisory group known as the elders who would provide suggestions to the Hokage and they, too, can send proxy but out of four of them, the three are always present.

'Is that why I was called?' Yata Uchiha had a drop of sweat rolling down his forehead despite himself. The leader of Uchiha he was, with short black hair, slightly pale skin, and a full beard with the black tunic hiding the mesh shirt imprinted with his clan symbol, wanted to send a proxy, like usual but a notice came arrived that the Hokage insisted he is present. While Yata was a little disgruntled, he now knew this wasn't for the Hokage but to respect the rare addition to the meeting.

Yata observed everyone. The usually smoking Hokage sat straight and his pipe hidden. The stoic Aburame... revealed very little, like usual. Their clothes covered them quite a bit, too. The Akimichi had NOT opened a single package of snacks he brought. The smug slave-owning Hyuga had his body tense and greying hair turning whiter by the second. The Inuzuka wasn't boisterous as usual, too.

The Nara wasn't sleeping. And the Yamanaka Gigolo wasn't eyeing any of them. The three elders, who were only given the position due to the obvious bias of being the Hokage's team members had trouble breathing because SHE sat next to them, and while Yata knew that the Senju Princess, who also happened to be the interim leader of the clan, was behind this, she kept a straight expression because the new addition was... super mean. Yata still feared the woman to his very core.

Smiling gently, in a pure white dress and her dull rustic hair resting on her shoulders, Mito stated softly, "Now, now, when will this meeting start?"

Mito had long renounced the Senju name and was an Uzumaki. While this clan was an ally to Konoha, it wasn't situated here as such Mito was one of the original elders who still lived.

"Ehm, yes," Sarutobi glanced at Tsunade who turned to look at him and winked. Truly... his disciples can be unruly!

"Let us start with the most obvious issue that is long needed to be discussed but the lack of clan leaders and abundance of proxy has delayed this," Hiruzen may feel stifled but he was sly. A naive shinobi simply can't live for long and he learned to become adept in these things. Using Mito to indirectly berate the clan leaders, he added, "Iwagakure, Sunagakure, and Kumogakure have begun to slowly but gradually build and fortify a few key outposts that were once used to achieve high merit in the warring era. They have also outsourced a few assassination missions against many of the nobles necessary for the functioning of the civilian lands. Their activities are becoming more and more transparent and we must prepare... for the worst."

As he said so, a heavy silence hung in the room while the clan heads frowned.

The Nara drawled, "The worst would be a surprise invasion but this gives us a chance to prepare, Lord Third. But these preparations need to be built on viable sources of information. Is there anything else that we know about the situation on this front?"

Sarutobi hummed and gave one of the masked shinobis in cut-sleeved black tunic and pants alongside grey armors and a sword on their backs a look. One of them disappeared and reappeared next to him and Hiruzen whispered something.

"While the official documents are brought forward, I would also like to discuss another topic related to some preparations." A dark-haired man with the right side of his face bandaged and a cross-shaped scar on his chin spoke up, "I suggest that we bring the war protocol to the academy so that they are ready to some extent." While a few individuals shifted, they were willing to listen to one of the four elders of the council because of his experience, "The quicker we install these teachings, the quicker the talented ones are prepared. Innocence for Shinobi and Kunoichi is a sin, especially at times like these."

"Elder Shimura," Aburame spoke under the turtleneck jacket that went beyond his lips, "To what precise extent are you suggesting we apply these protocols."

"Victim Files, Gender Awareness, and Prisoner Execution Program." Danzo Shimura kept it concise. Children and teens would raise a ruckus. Yata was sure that the Senju would have... but everyone on this table aside from her had been through the war. If they didn't survive, they would have become a case study in those victim files.

"Hmm..." Hiruzen frowned as the shinobi returned with the scrolls and placed them in front of the council members and elders but the members were mulling over the previous issue.

"I agree," Aburame was the first to agree.

"I have no problems with that," Inuzuka showed a rare moment of weakness and sighed.

"I don't agree that the young students go through that!" Tsunade glowered but that was the extent of her resistance.

Yata thought of his daughter. The idea that she could be one of these victims if caught ill-prepared made him shudder. For once, the patchy creep was right. Innocence is a sin... and Yata would rather have his daughter learn from the mistakes of the previous generation than go through these things herself. Every member here was aware of the cruel fate that usually awaited most kunoichis and at times, Shinobis, too.

"I agree," words softly left his mouth. Aside from Senju, everyone but Mito agreed, and finally, everyone looked at her. At this point, with so many votes in favor, it wouldn't matter if Mito agreed or not but her reasoning would allow them to realize what 'side' she was on.

"My successor is in the academy and many talented kids surround her. Yet, any of them could be the next victim for some other Shinobi to study... I agree. Better to have her horizons broadened than any part of their bodies." Her words were brutal but effective as Danzo, the brooding creep as known to others, smiled. A flicker of pride flashed through his uncovered eye.

Yet, before they could open the scrolls, Mito added, "It is indeed correct that Innocence is a sin in our world. But might makes right, and preservation lays a thicker foundation. I believe that our village is on the right track in every aspect but the last one."

They waited and looked at her before setting down the scroll on the table once again. Nodding, Mito looked at Tsunade, "I found your idea intriguing... speak up, Clan Representative Tsunade Senju."

Report chapter Comments

"Drop dead!" The same familiar grumble, the same familiar voice. For all its problems, at least the devil in her was honest. Not many are around her aside from naive children. She silently sat in the guest room again, waiting for the familiar figure to drop in and she did. Not the one for formalities, the brat loved to drop in and then announce herself.

Easily surpassing the civilian servants for Mito never needed protection, Tsunade was surprised when she appeared in the guest room to find Mito sitting and smiling at Tsunade a little smugly.

"Heh~ Grandma, you actually pushed yourself to sense me?" Tsunade teased with a shit-eating smirk while Mito replied with a chuckle, "And here I thought you wouldn't talk with me for months just because it was so easy to find that you got honey-trapped by one of the hidden boy-toy members of the village."

Tsunade rolled her eyes. Every village had THAT group of Shinobi and Kunoichi that succeed in the seduction of high-profile targets for the Village's benefit.

"Tch, I'll let Sensei have a piece of my mind but that's for later. I'm not even really angry about it and should have expected something like that from him. But... today's another council gathering..." Tsunade's tone grew softer as she looked at her grandmother in a silent plea. It's already the eleventh time that Tsunade had tried to get Mito on her wagon since it would make things so much simpler.

"Fine, let's hear it," Mito rolled her eyes and lied back as Tsunade grew a bit stunned.

"Really?"

"Do you want to or not?" Mito frowned with clear annoyance. Others may think of Mito as a 'kind' woman but Tsunade's buttocks still stung from all that beating and she hurriedly unsealed a scroll with a poof of smoke and placed it in front of Mito. In front of others, Tsunade would have kept a calm facade but in front of Mito, she could only have a worried expression.

Mito would usually reject her directly but...

'Why the hell am I trying to get back in there?' Mito wondered. She felt she'd had enough of the deceit. She knew she had long lost her vigor to push for beneficial reforms. She just wanted to stay and rest. Until her body gave out. To be at peace.

"It's good," Mito muttered despite what she felt as Tsunade blinked like a growing cow she was turning out to be and Mito stood up, "Tell you Sensei that I'll participate in this meeting. If you want your motion approved, it's best that all clan leaders are present so imply to Hiruzen that I will have nothing short of perfect attendance."

"Yes!" Tsunade smiled gleefully before following Mito.

--

'Why?' Mito pondered still. In the back of her head, she only felt how inevitable the agenda Danzo pushed was. If not now then surely when the war eventually comes knocking, Hiruzen would have to initiate a few war protocols. What Danzo categorized in polite words just happened to be a case study for victims, not only of shinobis but civilians so that the academy students realize the weight of their actions. Gender Awareness was nothing more than sexually-oriented knowledge, especially for kunoichi. Some like to play a damsel in distress, have some fun, and then take out the target and some like to keep intimate moments away from ninja business so they had to appropriately 'arm' themselves to come out 'unscathed.' Prisoner Execution Program isn't for everyone.

In fact, every academy student will have a chance to refuse but this was to weed out the 'courageous' from the weak. What a bunch of poppycock! Mito knew well it was to weed out who is obedient to the higher authority and who isn't. All these are needed to keep order and have motivated shinobis and kunoichis. So, Danzo's proposition wasn't a matter of why but when.

Tsunade's work... is what Mito would call revolutionary instead. And if Mito knew anything about revolution, it's that the mediocre fear it.

"Right," Tsunade smiled when Mito easily let known the fact that she was in support of whatever Tsunade was going to say.

The blonde Senju Interim Matriarch looked around and performed a seal that took out multiple scrolls.

"In these scrolls are detailed plans from the start to finish that consider every aspect of our lifestyle. Took me 2 years to form all this," Tsunade smiled and others knew. She had tried pushing for this reform through the Hokage but has been rejected for many reasons. But every council member had at least heard some of it.

Dissatisfaction flickered in the eyes of the three remaining elders as the guarding masked shinobi distributed the scrolls.

"Everyone is well aware that war is coming but even without it, as Mistress Uzumaki declared, we are quite backward in the preservation of our forces. The Iryo Ninjutsu I've developed can be implemented into the village from the very foundation and not just the hospitals."

Tsunade exhaled a little and continued from the practiced speech she had one of her more sensible team members write up.

"It is indeed true that Iryo Ninjutsu requires a level of chakra control not found in most students, but those who are talented can learn it and apply it to the three-men cell of the village system. The Hospitals all have trained professionals waiting to teach these techniques to students."

They remained silent because this wasn't the main issue. Everyone can understand that even if slightly more troublesome, if the ninja medics are equipped in teams then the team's durability and success rate in completing the missions would increase greatly!

But... the issue was—

"If you can select the appropriate individuals and send them to the Konoha hospital for training—"

"We have had this conversation time and again, Tsunade. I won't just appoint talented individuals to Konoha hospital against their or their clan's will. The fact that Iryo Ninjutsu requires fine chakra control means that these individuals can also be greater assets using genjutsu or ninjutsu." Hiruzen interjected and Tsunade, for the first time, didn't slouch but nodded forcefully instead and glanced at her grandmother.

'Damn... she's still that willy old fox after all. Orochimaru's speech is compelling but... her methods strive to deliver game-changing shots.'

"I understand that. Most of the children who actually enter the criteria belong to clan children and have their duties so the clans won't allow it easily but please take a look at this."

Tsunade took a deep breath. She had been a little blinded by her ego, admittedly and that restricted the growth of her jutsu but when Mito so easily pointed out why she developed Iryo Ninjutsu while on their way to the meeting made Tsunade grumble at herself inwardly.

She took out yet another scroll while recalling her chat just a few minutes ago.

--

Strolling through the streets, Mito and Tsunade advanced toward the Hokage Office as the grandma spoke while Tsunade still mulled over her previous foolishness, "Now that some things are clear, dear, let me say another thing. Interim or not, you're the current matriarch of the Senju Clan with the highest strength. Your uncles and distant cousins accept that readily. So act like one to your favor."

"I just hate that responsibility." Tsunade mumbled, "So many merchants, so many clan members, and even other clans constantly bugging me for some form of benefit to solidify a good relationship."

Mito looked at her granddaughter as if she was watching a fool, "And won't you require these connections now?"

Tsunade blinked and groaned again while Mito smiled. Truly, the simplest options sometimes are hard to see.

--

"I created Iryo Ninjutsu because I admired my grandfather," Tsunade stated sincerely as she placed this new scroll on the table, "I was inspired by his ability to heal himself and others. He went on and created this village and was considered the God of Shinobis. And for that very reason... I was attached to Iryo Ninjutsu. I... possessed it. Obsessed over it. But this technique only in my hand and a few professionals won't do any good."

As she spoke, the implications made all the clan leaders interested including the usually lethargic Nara.

But before throwing the carrot, Tsunade gave an exasperated sigh and stirred the crowd, "Besides, a few basic techniques are already leaked by someone from the village. I just killed a team from Kirigakure who had a medic-nin. He was basic, of course." She lied with such confidence it felt like truth.

And they stirred.

"Tsunade, why wasn't this in your mission report." Hiruzen frowned.

"It was," Tsunade messed around, clearly showing that she at least planned for this lie somewhat, "The report stated that the team was durable and in my eyes, only a team with medic-nin is the new standard of durability but, I am sure everyone in this room will like what I have to offer."

Not letting anyone speak up, Tsunade pointed at the scroll, "That is a watered-down version of my Mystic Palm Technique taught in the hospital. This will be granted to all the clan heads allowed in THIS room. Other clans who do not meet the requirements of the council seats will have to send their members to the hospital."

All elders except Mito frowned since this offer disregarded them completely while Hokage watched things play out silently.

"The scroll I have distributed to everyone doesn't only have the reforms I have in mind that must be passed as the condition for this deal but it also holds the deal itself that MUST be reviewed and concluded in this sitting."

And with that, things changed.

As Tsunade stated, this was two years of her hard work and it was quite considerable even with the hurried deal Tsunade added. She had the base and knowledge for it, after all.

The deal was quite binding, to be honest. But it gave the clan heads in front of her some level of control.

Her iryo ninjutsu is based on a study of the human body and chakra before developing a jutsu of this category called Mystic Palm Technique which allows the user to utilize their chakra and ignite a level of cellular activity over the person operated to 'heal' them. In essence, this healing jutsu was the body's own enhanced reaction in the affected area. The difference between her mystic palm technique and the watered-down version she just offered was the level of activity both can induce. While her full technique can go as far as healing deep gashes, the watered-down version would only heal slightly deeper scratches at best.

Others realized that this was a way to divide the talented with the mediocre. And the best part was, that both the version of jutsu required the same amount of abhorrent practice and study and the chakra efficiency of the watered-down version would be quite low. In this manner, the clans will have to invest their own resources and time to teach these geniuses a broken version of a technique she had and more... and that's where their control ended. They cannot share this with anyone else and if found, they will have to answer to Senju's demand and compensate. The operative word 'if found'. And that is why Tsunade didn't release the full version.

Now came in her control and influence. These geniuses that the clan wants to nurture can employ one of the professional doctors to be a sit-in teacher as opposed to others who have to go to the hospital to learn these techniques. But even then, these higher-level techniques are only provided once these geniuses swear to the seal of secrecy provided by their maternal clan— The Uzumaki.

Again, Tsunade knew that eventually, whether she wants or not, these techniques WILL leak. That is why innovation is so desired by shinobi villages to have more trump cards. But Mito helped her understand that if she just played on this twist of leakage, instead of trying to resist it but use it, she can introduce what she wants.

But of course, clan leaders won't just like the bare minimum. They understood at a glance that they were putting in much more and then delivering the results to Tsunade... well, most did while the Akimichi and Inuzuka leaders were explained of the situation verbally once they admitted they didn't understand most of it. Yet... Tsunade wasn't only offering a trade. She was offering a reform. A reform the clans could make the best use of just using this spare technique and finding out early who has a talent for iryo ninjutsu and cultivate them as such.

--

"Oh, a council meeting?" Mikoto sighed in pity and cursed the boy's luck who looked around curiously.

Uchiha Compound was a portion of the village provided to the clan to form their own market and residential area and visitors aren't usually allowed.

But Mikoto was a well-known individual of the clan and while pouting, attracting the attention of many clansmen who wore similar clothes with their clan insignia, she made good on her promise and showed her guests around.

"And here is where we have our new year's festival usually," Mikoto pointed out towards the small shrine at the end of the market before taking the duo by hand to one of the nearest stores that sold dango. Kushina loved her ramen and Mikoto loved her dango.

As they sat on one of the wooden benches and Mikoto ordered three servings of the 'usual' in her words, Kushina inquired with a curious expression, "So? Mikoto, does everyone here have their kekkei genkai unlocked?"

Kai's expression sored slightly when he heard the word. Ah, Kekkei Genkai, the mortal enemy to his grind!

Why does Kushina have such absurd chakra and control while drawing seals on a similar level as him while being half the brain? Kekkei Genkai!

Why can Senju rule like a boss? Kekkei Genkai!

Why are Uchiha's fearsome? Kekkei Genkai!

What separates civilians from a profound clan? Kekkei Genkai!

"Of course, not," Mikoto smirked before groaning, "But father clearly said that the requirements are never shared and the clansmen must face it by themselves to understand the power of our Kekkei Genkai..."

"So... is that it? You don't know?" Kai inquired and Mikoto scoffed at the boy, "Yes, that's it! Hmph!"

Kushina and Kai looked at each other.

"Did... we do something?" the redhead scratched her cheek and looked a little nervous. Kushina did look up to Mikoto a lot, after all.

"No... it's just frustrating that nobody would tell me! Nobody!"

"Here you are, Mikoto," a stern but young voice spoke up as Mikoto rolled her eyes, "Ah, speaking of nobody... what is it, Fugaku-san?"

The trio looked to the newcomer who, like many other Uchihas, had dark brown hair and black eyes. The front locks of his hair were divided in the middle and over his forehead was a navy blue forehead protector with a metal slab in the middle marked with Konoha's swirling leaf pattern. The slightly tanned youth had a somewhat protruding jaw and he wore the standard flak jacket over his nin attire.

As if not even hearing her snarky comment, Fugaku replied in a calm tone, "I heard that you were made fun of in the class once again. Is that the boy named Kai?"

Kai blinked and then smiled sweetly and innocently. Kushina smiled, too, and nodded. While Mikoto had the urge to slap the duo for their antics! Truly, she felt at her wit's end around them...

"Yes, these are my friends. Kushina and Kai-chan," she emphasized the last bit before introducing the youth, "Guys, this is Fugaku. One of the rising geniuses of the clan and even if seventeen, he is already a jonin."

'Well, that explains the large chakra... but damn, can't be stupid enough to spread my chakra and sense others in a clan full of natural talents.'

"Oh, wow!" Kushina's eyes widened as Fugaku looked at Kai before frowning slightly, "Kai... was it? Did someone ask you to make fun of Mikoto-san? If yes, do tell me now."

Kai blinked, "Uh... Sensei Icha asked me to transform. So the man you're looking for is our teacher, Sir."

Kai was sincere, but the fact that it was humor was clear to everyone and if Fugaku thought the boy was persuaded to do these things given his tender age, he quickly reevaluated the boy and had his frown tightened.

"Kai, do you understand what it means to publicly humiliate the daughter of—"

"Fugaku," Mikoto frowned, "It was clearly a joke. If I was THAT pissed, I would have used actual kunais and shurikens than blunt ones. And I don't like you interfering at all!"

Fugaku frowned, a hint of irritation flashing past his eyes but he nodded calmly, "I see... I overstepped my bounds. Forget it, I acted rashly. Enjoy your visit to the compound."

With that, the boy left as Mikoto huffed again.

"Tch, I wanted my father to scare you not some guy..." she muttered and Kushina tilted her head, "Anyway, who was he?"

"As I said, the top guy of the clan and father is thinking of engaging him to me..." Mikito muttered and Kushina squeaked, "That's amazing! When are you getting married, Dattebane!"

Mikoto and Kai stared at the excitable redhead... not knowing if she purposely ignore the social cues or not.

"I don't like him, dattebane!" Mikoto growled and snorted, "Honestly, he is grumpy, acts high and mighty, and is low-key condescending to everyone."

"But geniuses are like that..." Kai smiled and refrained from adding that Kushina and Mikoto acted the same way against Tsume until she cracked passed their resistance still.

"Whatever... let's just eat..." Mikoto muttered, "And if he wants to act this way, shouldn't he be scared of you, Kai-chan. After all... you may graduate as the first genin at the age of 5."

Kushina's head dipped at that slightly while Kai shrugged, "If possible, I would like to play in the academy more—"

"Nope!" Kushina snapped and growled, "I'll make sure you graduate next year, Dattebane!"

15 Advanced Chaps by the end of the day @

patre /fanharem

Please do vote~

The entire council was in heavy silence as many had already set their scrolls on the table. It was good. Really. Tsunade's methods are beneficial to the clans and the village. At this point, there is no reason to set this matter aside ESPECIALLY because the war was almost upon them and they needed more measures to preserve their forces, an opportunity for which Tsunade provided.

So, if someone, for whatever reason, wanted to reject the motion then they better have a damn good reason and in this room, all the clans felt that the only one who would have the notion to reject the idea could be the three elders— Danzo Shimura, Homura Mitokado, and Koharu Utatane. After all, these three stood to gain nothing but instead, they may just have to sacrifice some political strength to the Senju Princess who surprised everyone today.

Besides them, Hokage also stood to gain nothing for his clan but if he actually decided to speak against the motion, even if his will be iron clad given how ninjas must have a strict chain of command, every clan leader would have a healthy doubt if Hiruzen Sarutobi was fit to rule the village any longer.

Not to mention the fact that the three elders and Tsunade have been at the cross with one another for opposing views.

"Hmm," Danzo let out a thoughtful hum, "I still remember Lord First when I was a child. The village was at peace and we have maintained that peace because we followed traditions."

Homura saw a chance and nodded quietly, his slightly aged face showing a bit of peaceful expression, "I believe Elder Shimura is making a good point. Reforming our policies this close to a war... may have unpredictable reactions."

Koharu kept her silence and knew that milking the same fact may not be so good. But she was clearly opposed to these reforms especially when they gave others more power than the elders.

"Peace? Tradition?" Mito smiled, "My late husband wanted peace but he was a man of war. Stagnate pool collects filth and poisons the surrounding. Konoha does not need to stagnate because time is eternally moving and so are our enemies. I believe the reforms will reduce casualties of the war and may just allow the clan's heir who enters the war... to return."

The expression of every clan leader was slightly grim. War just happens to be a good opportunity to collect contributions and any worthy heir will not fear the cruelty of war. They will surely risk their lives.

"I approve of these reforms and suggest the council to apply them as quickly as possible. But since these reforms are brought by none other than Tsunade, I also advise the council that she be barred from taking any mission and be allowed to stay in the village to find prospective talents to nurture under her apprenticeship and form her three-men cell in the same way that is expected from the other talented disciples of the Third Hokage."

Mito knew better than to just slap the cheeks of all elders and Hokage. Third's expression visibly grew relieved. Tsunade's skills are too important to not be passed down and since she was clearly unwilling to settle down maritally, apprenticeship was good, too. In fact, Hiruzen wanted all three of his disciples to form their three-men cell. Others are appointed their members but his students are quirky and would need their own consideration on the matter.

Besides, he was extremely happy. Tsunade is the toughest nut to crack from the trio so with her down despite the unwilling look and glare she shot her grandmother, the other two will follow the suit soon.

"I agree with the reforms and Elder Uzumaki's suggestion." Nara nodded.

Yata Uchiha and all other clans nodded in agreement before Hokage, too. Even if the three elders chose not to vote, their resignation was clear.

But now was the hard part... war preparations. They unfurled other scrolls and dove into the information.

'Ah... that's why I decided to step here once again,' Mito smiled at Tsunade, 'I wanted to play around with the political buffoons... what days those were...'

--

It was dusk and Tsunade gulped the entire bottle of sake before growling, "Now I'll seriously stop talking with you for months!"

"Calm down girl and watch your tone," Mito chuckled pleasantly but the threat was evident in her glare. The granny won't be disrespected by any drunk!

Tsunade quietened down and mutters under her breath while Mito chided, "I wanted you to stay here for me. Kushina needs a backer in this village... and even if she doesn't end up being my successor, she would need a family's support. Besides, I think that your Guardian would make a fine medic-nin."

While Tsunade didn't understand the implications of Mito's word about her succession and didn't seem to notice the reignited vigor in her grandma's gaze, she did have her attention attracted to the topic she liked.

"Really? You know how hard it is cause you helped me build the entire Iryo Ninjutsu system," Tsunade slurred somewhat as alcohol kicked in and questioned.

"Why else would I be sure he would make good use of your teaching?"

"But... ain't you fussing over the boy too much?" Tsunade blinked as she picked it on, " First seals and now iryo nin..."

"Grahahahahaha! The old bitch is grooming a stud!" The voice within her roared in laughter as Mito paid it no heed and smiled, "Of course, I am. He can learn it better than me and he is already Kushina's guardian. Maybe when you're an old hag, you'll need a guardian, too, so consider him for the job."

Tsunade scoffed, "When I get that mark—" she pointed at the diamond-shaped purple mark on Mito's forehead and grumbled, "I'll never be old!"

Mito smiled and shook her head. Being old was more about experiences and losses than age anyway. To them, at least.

"Then keep on storing your chakra. You're almost there. In fact, staying in the village and focusing on this technique will let you form the seal by the end of the year."

"Tch... fine. And you've already given me two brats to teach next year. Why not give me another one?"

Mito shrugged, "Find one yourself. The best I can do is two brats!"

"And sagging tits!" The voice laughed maniacally once again.

"Besides all that," Mito spoke seriously, "If I hadn't decided to return to the council meeting today, I would never have noticed... that the Senju and Uzumaki are being targeted."

Tsunade's drunken stupor faded the next second as she looked at the grandmother in a daze.

--

"What is it, Danzo?" Hiruzen looked up from the stack of papers and noticed his old war companion silently staring at him with that one eye of his. Resisting the urge to sigh, Hiruzen let the man brood for another few minutes. Honestly, Hiruzen hoped that this was just a phase since the documents threatened him worse than a battlefield and he couldn't have a Danzo hovering over his head.

"Were you not in the same meeting as I was?" Danzo inquired quietly.

"I was. And a whole lot it did," Hiruzen scoffed, seeing three neat stacks of paper he must go through thoroughly and then form decisions. Oh, and these stacks were set beside the table on the floor and were as high as the surface of the table!

Danzo scoffed at the light-hearted demeanor of his friend and grumble, "I have sent men from my organization everywhere to instigate internal conflicts and delay this inevitable war! But we cannot be blind to the threat and hold... someone from within the village has."

Ah, it wouldn't be a personal meeting with Danzo if he didn't speak something forbidden as Hiruzen sighed and replied with a somber expression, "Mito-san will pass the beast she is holding to little Kushina, alright? And aside from giving you, Koharu, and Homura the title of elders for your efforts. But Mito-san is not only politically well-rooted but she is a war deterrent to others."

"And what about the major clans? Do you think it was the right move to let your disciple give them such a headstart?" Danzo rebuked.

"That..." Hiruzen frowned. In a perfect world, he would have wanted to introduce these reforms the moment Tsunade showed them to him but to make these reforms, he had to think of a way that didn't give the already boisterous clans more advantage. In reality, there are a few more clans but they are quite weak and even his own Sarutobi clan is in dire need at the moment. It was clear who was the one behind Tsunade's maneuver but... Hiruzen could do nothing.

He couldn't, in good conscience, stop this motion just because Danzo and others got nothing.

"It's helpful to the village," Hiruzen concluded and Danzo snorted.

"And? Why are you here?" Sarutobi questioned.

"To make plans for war, of course, and the one that is suited for my organization... my network detected that envoys of Kumo and Iwa have met with Hanzo of Ame... the quicker we move, the better."

"Hmm," Hiruzen nodded but faltered under Danzo's intense gaze and finally sighed, "And what is it that you require?"

"Men. Trained and talented—"

"You will force none from the Academy," Hiruzen stated in a tone that left no room for argument, and Danzo's eye widened while he gritted his jaws, "Fine... I want to take over these orphanages and train them for Root missions."

He set the scroll on the table as the Hokage looked through it and nodded with a heavy heart.

--

"Ah, you're back," Mito smiled as she lay peacefully on her bed as if she wasn't out changing the very base of the village.

"Yes, did you enjoy your trip with your granddaughter?" Kai smiled and climbed up the bed before starting to massage her legs without needing to be asked for it.

Mito smiled and nodded.

"And your trip into the Uchiha compound, did you have fun?"

"A little... they are kind of bland if I have to be honest. But good. They all like to... display their clan sign a bit too much..."

Mito chuckled at that and hummed, "Well, I'm in good mood today, Kai-kun. Let's say you and me..."

Her eyes glinted as she stared at the talented boy that seemingly just fell in her lap out of sheer dumb luck, "Learn the next step of seals?"

Kai's gaze glinted instantly!

"Gladly!" He chimed.

--

There has been a shift in the air, Kai could sense it.

"Did you fart?" He frowned and looked at the most obvious candidate who sat next to him, Tsume who scowled and had her nose twitching before barking, "That's Kushina!"

"Hmph," Kushina blushed, "And why would we believe you?!"

"Inuzuka clan members have a great sense of smell... so I do," Mikoto smiled and made Kushina shuffle in embarrassment as she lowered her head.

'Damn... tomato...' Kai scoffed but looked at the next skill he had gained yesterday.

[Uzumaki Style Chakra Matrix (1/50): Forms seals and matrix through molding chakra. The consumption of chakra is dependent on the seal formed. Each level increases the formation of a seal by 2. Each level reduces the chakra consumed by 1. Chakra Consumed: 10~???

Next Level: Consume 295/3000 Chakra or 5 SP]

He could sincerely say... Mito was high last night. Just the information he received from the first level of the skill made the basic jutsu in the basic Uzumaki skill tree obsolete. Worst of all, the Uzumaki Guardian Title didn't reduce the level requirements because this stupidly dangerous skill wasn't even present in the basic skill tree and the title only affected the skills from this particular skill tree... well, one thing was clear, Mito was willing to invest in him fully and groom him as a proper guardian.

And one thing was clear... Kai was ready to invest his SP in the remaining levels of chakra sensing. Their Sensei just came and revealed that their curriculum is being shifted entirely! Everything was forced to be made somewhat fast-paced. The time needed to learn skills were being reduced but the expectations were being made higher and for some reason... they were about to have their sex ed in the first year itself when it is the last year course, at least, for those who don't graduate early.

Indeed... for some reason... five years of the curriculum was being crammed into one year... and subsequently, the time duration of the academy was increased, cutting on his grind.

Something was going on and Kai realized that he couldn't be going around and spreading his chakra to familiarize himself with thousands upon thousands of chakra signatures. It wasn't about the grind anymore but impractical because if he did do this, he would be found out and he couldn't think of a reason why others would not look at him unkindly for noting their chakra signature in a village full of paranoid murderers...

He felt that it was a good thing he saved his SP till now.

Shoutout to Wesley Tebbens~!

Read 15 advance chapters @

Pare /fanharem

{A/N: In chakra stat, I will change the sign from * to as pointed out but in the latest chapter which right now, in my stock, is 37}

[Chakra Sensing (25/25): Every Chakra has a unique signature that is hard to identify by others. Increases the Perception stat by 1 every level. Increases the rate of chakra recovery by 5. Chakra Consumption: 30/min]

Kai squandered 36 SP and turned this skill permanent last night finally and went through the changes it brought him.

[Perception stat reached a threshold. Meta-physical sensing markedly improved.]

[Increase the rate of chakra regeneration by 5 times.]

[Perception stat reached a threshold. Meta-physical sensing markedly improved.]

[Increase the rate of chakra regeneration by 5 times.]

[Name: Kai

Age: 4

Title: Senju Guardian

Gamer Traits: Skill Tree; Sleepless Gamer

Rank: Academy Student

Hit Points: 100

Stamina: 100/100 (2.1/min)

Chakra: 1540 (440*250) (157.5/min) (45*250%/min)

Physique: 29/1000

Mental: 9/1000

Perception: 17 35/1000]

[Skills]

[Uzumaki Style Chakra Matrix (2/50): Forms seals and matrix through molding chakra. The consumption of chakra is dependent on the seal formed. Each level increases the formation of a seal by 2. Each level reduces the chakra consumed by 1. Chakra Consumed: 9.9~???

Next Level: Consume 44/12000 Chakra or 5 SP]

[Chakra Focus Blast (3/25): Focus the entirety of your chakra on the tenketsu present at the end of your limbs and exert a point-blank blast of chakra. Each level reduces chakra wastage by 0.6. Reduces Chakra Cost by 3 per level. Chakra Consumption: 910~???.

Next Level: Perform the technique 6/56 times or 2 SP]

[Skill points: 69]

... On the other hand, noice!

At least, with his chakra sensing maxed out and with his awareness boosted twice, Kai could naturally feel the chakra reserves of those around him and could now compare his own reserves with others in a better light.

In their classroom, the highest chakra amount belonged to Kushina but now... Kai could attribute her chakra as warm. Mikoto's was only better than others but far behind Kushina. If he had to give Kushina's reserve a number... it would be around 10-11000... Mikoto had around 4000 and Nawaki who claimed to have his Senju inheritance and high chakra reserve was about the same as Mikoto. On the other hand, Kai looked at the boy next to him. No, not Nawaki who yawned loudly, the irritating runt, but the blonde master of finesse, Minato.

The boy had close to 3000 chakra points but their reserves grew every day. Not as prominently as Kai but it did. Other clan students were stranded between 3000 and 4000 points, too and his only partner in kiddy reserve was Tsume with about 2000 points.

"Why do we have to study this?! What is even Sex? I wanted to train in transformation technique!" Nawaki groaned as Kai rolled his eyes. Sure, the boy would stare at chicks all day but lacked the necessary information to unlock the effects of his hormones. Minato, who'd made friends with the boy, smiled, "It should be a technique, too. I think SEX is a code. Maybe we could—" And Minato droned how the term sex held some geometrical secret...

Wow!

Kai actually had to hold his snicker. Oh, he wanted to ruin their innocence but someone was quicker than Kai.

"Hehe, no. Sex is actually a process where a man has intercourse with a woman," since the boys were sitting in the front of the large hall where all the boys of the Academy were seated, a platinum-blondie interjected from behind them as he sat alongside a lazy and round fellow with narrow eyes, Akimichi, surely, and a dark-haired boy with his head down...

'So, these are Inoichi Yamanaka, Choza Akimichi, and Shikaku Nara...'

Kai knew them and so did Minato and Nawaki. The trio was a bit famous after all. But...

Nawaki blinked, "What's intercourse? And where can I eat it!"

"Hahaha, that's a nice question, Nawaki! And the great Jiraiya is here to answer just these types of questions!"

The door to the hall was opened as a spiky white-haired youth stepped into the class alongside a pale white man with sleek black hair that cascaded down while purple eye shadow gave his light yellow eyes a haunting contrast.

"Fufufu, be quiet now. The class has begun. I am Orochimaru and this is my teammate Jiraiya. We will teach you a varied number of subjects at the end of every week from now on starting with the easiest, sexual education and why any respectable shinobi should avoid it."

"Wait, wait, AVOID?!" the man named Jiraiya looked positively stunned before he matched the impassioned gaze of his teammate who quirked a smirk and blinked, "Ah, yeah, ahahaha, avoid. Yes, definitely avoid."

These two... weren't exactly unknown. Especially because Mito had a somewhat close relationship with Tsunade unlike the rest of the Senju.

Jiraiya, Orochimaru, and Tsunade are all the disciples of the Third Hokage and even now, many in the class were dumbstruck as they realized who these two were.

But while the class began, Jiraiya looked around discreetly as he answered questions and took the role of a jester. He noticed a few gems soon enough, but to him, the blonde-haired civilian kid seemed more... similar to himself.

'Civilian and a genius... just like how I happened to be. Good chakra control but sadly not the best in his class. Rivaling with the boy named Kai next to him... but the kid is already a clansman to Uzumaki and Senju. Hmm, Minato should be good enough. Anyway, I have to find another one for myself while Kai should be reserved for her... truly, the reports don't do justice to just how young the kid is...' Jiraiya and Orochimaru didn't intend to scare the children... well the freak next to him initially did but when Jiraiya pointed out how the clan leaders won't take it kindly if Orochimaru turned their heirs gay... or worse, asexual, he grew in line quickly enough and adjusted today's course and started with the bare minimum of sex ed... no horrors on what a trained Kunoichi can inflict just yet.

Meanwhile, Orochimaru had his own thoughts. He instantly noted some preferred candidates.

'Hmm, Minato is desirable... but he has no connections to the clan. On the other hand, Nawaki is quite rough around the edges but if I hope to take that seat, I would need connections with Senju, more the better. Let's see... Kai-kun is good... sadly, he isn't heir. Anyway, aside from Nawaki, I can only choose another heir and no more. Sensei made it clear to me and Jiraiya that the clan leader would not take it kindly if any of us took more than two clan heirs for our political goals... except Tsunade.

Seriously, that girl is a hot commodity now but... she seeks chakra control more than connections. And Jiraiya barely cares for politics.

So the rule of only two clan heirs is to restrict me appropriately.

The rule of having three genins without a question is so that Tsunade doesn't laze.

And the rule of no more than a single girl in his team... is appropriate of Jiraiya would give the male half no shot.'

Orochimaru smiled internally and continued to be kind to the clan members while Jiraiya sighed at his teammate's antics and knowingly taught the civilians whenever they had a question. Case in point, Jiraiya's responses, despite his jokes, happened to be the more well-thought-out ones.

--

Tsunade looked at the hall full of aspiring Kunoichis whose eyes gleamed as they looked at her, making her groan internally. While Jiraiya and Orochimaru could co-op their current mission, Tsunade had to go solo. Well, partly because the female ratio was well below the male.

'Grandma wants me to pick Kushina and Kai... but who should be the other one? That guy Minato? Hmm... No, his file states that the boy is more interested in external techniques and has shown interest in sealing techniques from his parent's inheritance. But Kai is way younger and can be polished more so there's that. Let's just wing it and see what we can find.'

"At the end of every week from now on, all you kids will be gathered here for extra-curricular studies! Today's topic is Sexual Education."

Her bold words elicited blush from many girls as Tsunade slammed her hand on the board, the loud sound waking them up from their stupor.

"Hey, what's sex?" Kushina whispered as Mikoto blushed again and refused to answer.

"It's mating. It's when two dogs," Tsume began to impart her knowledge when Tsunade glared at the group, "And no interrupting me, chibis! Let me make this point loud and clear. Shit happens! More so in Kunoichi's life than in Shinobis. The kind of shit that may make you stay at home unwillingly with a child in your arms whose father is of another village!"

Those who understood the implications paled and Mikoto happened to be one of them.

Seeing that her words had an appropriate effect on the 'curious' and 'knowledgeable' girls, she nodded and began the real informative class. Unlike Jiraiya and Orochimaru who provided scrolls with diagrams and whatnot, Tsunade was a medic-nin and had an extreme knowledge about the biology and its more metaphysical side so...

poof*

She had life-sized models of a naked man and woman.

Many felt their vision swim as Tsunade continued.

--

The academy continued and despite the addition of the three disciples of the Hokage, things didn't change much aside from the fact that a rumor began to spread that the three of them were looking for apprentices and this... stoked Mikoto who wanted to get accepted by Tsunade.

But she also seemed more... tired? Her chakra control was strangely growing for the better as if she was purposely getting trained by her clan. But then again, it only made sparring more enjoyable with her.

Kai still hadn't touched Ninjutsu of the elemental kind that needed a series of hand seals. He asked about it from Mito, trying to fish another free skill but she made it quite clear that training in elemental ninjutsu leads for a shinobi to learn some bad habits about something called Nature Transformation. Then it was clear what he had to do currently.

Improve what he can and build up like a damn fortress!

Academy skills were mastered soon enough and the Taijutsu of the Senju Clan alongside their Kunai and Shuriken skills were added, too. Of the sword techniques, Kai didn't think the more the better... but grinding these skills gave him SP and more knowledge. Even if he never uses a sword, knowing about it certainly gave him an edge over a swordsman.

So— Grind!

Mito wants a massage?

Grind!

Kushina wants her back washed?

Grind!

His life never felt so pleasant.

Beating Tsume until she was on her knees, smiling gleefully. Terrorizing Minato with his godly display of Ninjutsu—

Grind!

But... the things Orochimaru and Jiraiya taught only grew darker with each lesson and soon...

The day of reckoning was upon them.

--

In a dark underground hall that nobody knew that academy even had, a row of teachers stood in front of an inconsistent number of students behind them. There were a total of ten teachers. Each year had two different classes. One of these belonged entirely to civilians and the other one belonged to the students from Nin families of any size.

Thus, in any given year, there would be ten classrooms.

Step*

Step*

Step*

The dingy underground room echoed with hollow steps as three familiar figures stood in front of these individuals.

Jiraiya, Orochimaru, and Tsunade.

The three silently looked at the group gathered and entered the room next door. And only then did a silent figure arrive from the shadows wearing a long ceremonial white robe with red lining and a large hat with a red lid. The middle-aged man's appearance shocked everyone. The teachers and students silently bowed to the man in greeting as he waves his hand and spoke calmly.

"Raise your heads, everyone, and congratulations. All of you gathered here because you have the ability to graduate from the Academy and when informed by your teachers, chose to apply for the graduation, yes?"

Everyone nodded... including Kushina who was having a hard time hiding her grin. Only Sennin knew the overnights she pulled and if the dark circles under her eyes despite her impressive physique were an indication of it— many! Her hard work paid off and it was noted by their Sensei.

"Now, I will present you with a choice. It isn't usual for the Academy to delve into... extra-curricular studies," Hiruzen noted a bit of gloom flashing through everyone... but the boy. Noting it in his heart, the Third Hokage continued, "Consider the following choice as a test. If you accept it and fail, you shall never become a genin and will be forced to live a life of a civilian even if you belong to a clan. If you pass, you will be nurtured by the village completely. Of course, you can refuse the additional test and get your forehead protector."

With that, the Hokage grew silent and after being unable to bear the silence, one of the students inquired meekly, "H-Hokage-sama... what is this test?"

"I won't tell you. As rumored, three of my disciples indeed wish to take on an apprentice. All I can say is that only those who accept this test have a chance to gain their tutelage."

[Special Quest: Genin

Summary: Pass the tests and become a Genin with flying colors!

Rewards: 10 SP, Forehead Protector, A New Title, A New Skill Tree.

Failure: Forehead Protector, A New Titled, a New Skill Tree.]

'Would have done this for 10 SP alone... that said, the title should be related to genin and the skill tree, too. This can only mean that... we become genin no matter what. Damn, so the actual reward is only the SP.'

Hokage's words, however, didn't rouse excitement as intended. Now that their career was on the line, they fell silent. Even if they enter the room next door, there is no guarantee that they will become the apprentice given the number of students. So, everyone waited. They wanted someone to take the lead.

And someone did.

"I give up," Shikaku Nara yawned and stepped out, "Where can I get my Forehead Protector, Hokage Sama?"

"The exit has a teacher fulfilling the graduation formalities." Sarutobi smiled wryly at the Nara boy and as expected, two more voices echoed.

Inoichi and Choza walked out, too. Seeing the actual clan heir step away, there was a brief period of hesitation before a few more students related to the clan left and more civilians followed the suit. The largest group of students were on the side of the older students who had four to five years to complete their curriculum but it was also them who were really unwilling to risk their careers.

Even Nawaki left with a sour expression while he glanced towards others who stayed and gritted his teeth.

Once things settled, the Hokage nodded and spoke calmly, "Right. Let's start with the oldest."

With that, the row far on the right was led by the corresponding teacher into the room. After a few minutes of stifling silence, a loud scream shook the students. The blood-curdling screams only continued for a few more minutes until... silence. Nobody but the teacher stepped out and his hand, too, dripped. The students couldn't see well in the dark but... the implications were quite clear.

Many students paled and left, reducing the number of students to 30.

Hiruzen nodded and the only student from the second right row stepped into the room. A few minutes of silence... and nothing. The teacher stepped out once again but the boy was nowhere to be found.

Three more students left.

This continued until the screams or silence weighed so heavily on the students that Kushina was trembling, already on the verge of tears while Mikoto bit her lower lip and was pale beyond belief. But she refused to leave!

Minato was no better as he kept his head lowered while his shoulders shuddered and Kai just... looked lost. He was so bored he blanked out. Others can think whatever they want.

Soon, it was their turn as they were in the second to last row with only one student remaining after them.

Shoutout to Bowzer, Wesley Tebbens, Eros, Suicidal Fox, and Dekabos

Read 30 advance chapters here—

Patre /Fanharem

And do vote some powerstones~

Report chapter Comments

The scent of blood assaulted the children as they entered the room and their teacher stepped to the side, leaving only Jiraiya, Orochimaru, and Tsunade standing amongst corpses that still shed blood while there were still many men forced to kneel with chains shackling them and gags covering their mouths, leaving these men to stare wide in horror.

While Orochimaru stood quietly, staring at them as if they were predators, he couldn't help but groan internally, 'Ah... Nawaki couldn't handle it, huh... sigh, it will cause some headaches but accepting him won't be too out of the sort...'

Jiraiya only gave Minato a plain nod. They had gotten along quite well this year but today, the usually chipper Jiraiya had no smile.

Tsunade cleared her throat and threw four kunais toward the four students as they landed on the small pool of blood under their feet and remarked, "Kill any of these prisoners with that kunai and you will become a genin."

Kushina finally couldn't hold it in and buckled on her knees before throwing up... followed by Minato, and finally, Mikoto who seemed sicker by the of them hurling their guts out than blood itself.

Kai stared at them in amazement. Now... how was he supposed to throw up?

"Not afraid?" Tsunade raised her brow inquisitively as Kai fell silent. He is still... 5-years-old. But what could he do except the innocent bitch he was and inquire curiously, "Why should I be?"

Tsunade frowned for a second while Orochimaru and Jiraiya looked amused. The two noticed early on when they discussed case studies of victims with the masses that Kai absorbed everything at great strides— pain, knowledge, and the filth of this world. It was reported dutifully to their superior, too.

But this wouldn't be their first time raising a murderer in a child. Talents like these are usually the most obedient so the higher-ups paid attention to Kai a great deal.

Tsunade waved her hand and scoffed, "Then if you're not afraid, do us all a favor and take the lead. I'm getting impatient as is."

There was another reason why many paid attention to Kai.

His growth.

Although 5, he looked comparable to an 8-year-old, and while he never had a flair for some strange hairstyle and kept his hair short, his build seemed impressive even for an 8-year-old while his records suggested that he'd become great sparring partners with a few seniors, too and his academy level ninjutsu and genjutsu was stunning!

The kid was an all-rounder gem and Tsunade knew more. She knew about his training with Mito the past year but... she couldn't know it all.

{A/N: Do skip this info dump if you're more interested in the story than the skills and stats~}

[Uzumaki Style Chakra Matrix (39/50): Forms seals and matrix through molding chakra. The consumption of chakra is dependent on the seal formed. Each level increases the formation of a seal by 2. Each level reduces the chakra consumed by 1. Chakra Consumed: 9.9~???

Next Level: Consume 78400/190000 Chakra or 5 SP]

[Chakra Focus Blast (25/25): Focus the entirety of your chakra on the tenketsu present at the end of your limbs and exert a point-blank blast of chakra. Each level reduces chakra wastage by 0.6. Reduces Chakra Cost by 3 per level. Chakra Consumption: 250~???]

[Clone Technique (10/10): Focus on the chakra to spread out of the body and shaping it similar to the transformation technique to create a fake image out of nothing. Each level reduces chakra consumption by 5. Chakra Consumption: 10]

[Body Replacement Technique (15/15): Uses transformation technique on an inanimate object on the body before quickly escaping through hidden paths. Each level increases the 3 speed with which the technique is utilized.]

[Mind Trap (10/10): A genjutsu that lowers the perception of space to a low degree for the affected party. Increases 1 mental stat with each level. Reduces chakra cost by 5 at each level. Chakra Consumption: 30/sec]

[Leaf Snapping Fist (15/15): A Taijutsu skill devised to injure the bones of the opponents while being nimble. Increases physique by 1 after each level. Stamina Consumed: 3.87/min]

[Whirlwind Crusher (15/15): A Taijutsu skill devised to send forceful shock waves through chakra into the enemy system and crush them from the inside. Increase Physique by 1 each level. Stamina Consumed: 3.87/min]

[Wind Blowing Kata (15/15): A series of training movements that refine the body movement and strengthen the very base of it. Increase Physique by 1 each level. Stamina Consumed: 3.87/min]

[Flash Style Ken (30/30): A series of sword techniques that uses the reflection of the blade to win the battle. Stamina Consumed: 3.87/min]

[Weaving Water Sword (25/25): A sword technique that heavily relies on the movement of the swordsman and the blade to mimic water in any capacity. Each level increases the physique by 1. Stamina Consumed: 5.8/min.]

[Joint Shuriken (20/20): The skill of using two shurikens at once to camouflage one.]

[Senju Kunai Technique (15/15): A series of kunai throwing techniques that increases precision.]

[Poisonous Senbon Technique (20/20): Utilizing poisoned and discreet senbons to attack the enemy and poison their critical points.]

[Snaring Demon (20/20): A genjutsu technique that causes the affected party to hallucinate being trapped by a terrifying demon. Increases the strength of the mind by 1 each level. Each level reduces chakra consumption by 2.5. Current Consumption: 20/sec]

[Five Senses Destruction (25/25): A genjutsu technique that temporarily disables the five senses of the opponent. Increases strength of the mind by 1 per level. Each level reduces chakra consumption by 2. Current Consumption: 20/sec]

[Mystic Wood Smack (10/10): A genjutsu technique that makes the affected party feel their head is being bashed in by a wooden stump. Increases the strength of mind at each level by 1. Each level reduces chakra consumption by 5. Current Consumption: 40/sec.]

[Physique stat reached a threshold. Physique growth markedly improved.] *7

[Reduce the consumption of all stamina-based skills by a 10 and increased stamina regeneration by 10 times.] *7

[Perception stat reached a threshold. Meta-physical sensing markedly improved.]

[Increase the rate of chakra regeneration by 5 times.]

[Mental Stat reached a threshold. Markedly improved the function of the mind and spirit energy.] *7

[Increase the willpower and ability to resist genjutsu by 1] *7

[Name: Kai

Age: 5

Title: Senju Guardian

Gamer Traits: Skill Tree; Sleepless Gamer

Rank: Academy Student

Hit Points: 100

Stamina: 100/100 (9.1/min)

Chakra: 6650 (1900*250) (210/min) (60*250%/min)

Physique: 29 99/1000

Mental: 9 74/1000

Perception: 17 40/1000]

[Skill points: 257]

Compared to the blood around him, the sweat he poured while grinding was far notable. He bled, oh he did. Senbons became his favorite because they felt the hardest to maneuver and he waited to learn more about ninjutsu since a lot of grind still waited for him. But even if Mito hadn't explicitly prohibited him from learning elemental ninjutsu, Kai realized that just these skills easily filled his year with much joy.

So, as he walked forwards, the drenched Kunai already in his hand, Kai attracted the attention of the still pale Minato, Kushina, and Mikoto before slicing one of the prisoner's necks. Nothing personal, all for SP...

As the man choked and gurgled on his blood...

"Aaaghhhh! Raggghhhhhh!" Their Sensei began shouting wildly.

[Quest Complete...]

[Earned 10 SP]

[Title: Genin]

[Skill Tree: D-Rank Jutsus]

--

"Good work," Hiruzen closed the scroll and looked at three of his disciples.

"Your team is approved Tsunade. I look forward to their and your growth," He smiled as she snorted, "Yeah, whatever. Still feel bad to put the kids through that and mark the other ones just because they didn't have the balls to do it."

"Now, now," in his usual raspy voice, Orochimaru chuckled, "At least they got a choice. We had to learn from our bloodied mistakes."

Before Tsunade could retort, Hiruzen frowned, "Are you sure you want to take Nawaki under your wing?"

Even Tsunade was looking at her teammate curiously. She was, of course, happy that Nawaki got picked by Orochimaru. She may have formed iryo ninjutsu but Orochimaru is the brains of their team. Nawaki could learn a lot. She was also aware of her teammate's ambitions but didn't mind. That's how the world works. She was sure that Hiruzen first chose to teach her because of her ancestry and clan. He picked Jiraiya because he had to pick a civilian and he doted on Orochimaru because he's a genius in every right.

"Yes, Sarutobi-sensei. Nawaki is a gem in the rough waiting to be polished," Orochimaru smiled as Sarutobi grumbled and nodded.

"And you..." he glared at Jiraiya, "You want to teach the boy sealing techniques from the second's scroll?"

"Uh... can we talk about that in private... haha," Jiraiya chuckled as Hiruzen smiled and let the other two go. Once they left, Jiraiya's ogling demeanor sharpened and he grew serious.

"Sensei... I actually think he's the prophesied child. At first, I wasn't so sure but getting to know him this year gives me a good reason that he's the one."

Hiruzen frowned and grew thoughtful, "How sure are you?"

"Well, my summons are willing to form a contract with him..."

Hiruzen's brows raised at that before he nodded, "Fine. But I will not release all the sealing knowledge. Complete missions for it. If I find you wasting your time in such a sensitive period, prophecy or not, Minato will gain not an ounce of biased favor!"

Jiraiya's expression fell as he groaned.

--

Mikoto blankly looked at the forehead protector in her hands. Kushina silently lay on the ground and looked at the sky with her arms spread and her forehead protector already tied on her head while Kai was sleeping as if the bloody scenes, eyes wide in horror, and the choked sobs and gurgles didn't flash in front of his eyes.

She should feel excited... she did it, right? She proved herself valuable. Now, she should be happy. Gain contributions and make the clan proud but...

Mikoto touched her stomach, feeling the pit in it.

"Mikoto..." Kushina muttered, "I feel so dirty..."

"I get that," Mikoto replied dryly.

"If you do then stop sulking!" A snappy voice shocked them as a familiar blonde figure walked out from the clearing. Sporting a purple diamond mark in the middle of her forehead, Tsunade's intense stare fell on the duo while the third one suddenly popped a snore and turned sideways.

"Oi! Up!" Tsunade snorted, kicking the boy who sat up quickly before stretching his arms out.

"Hmm, oh, Tsunade-sama. Are we done?"

The three women stared at him as Tsunade smiled, a little refreshed and somewhat startled at his nonchalance but then again... he's only 5-year-old. She only expected freaky stuff from this monster.

"Done? Hell, no! Look at your teammate's faces! Looks like they've been through hell... but read this."

She tossed the three folders in her hand over to the trio who picked them up while Tsunade continued, "We picked the worst of prisoners just for this occasion. Mikoto, the man you killed was a civilian found to have assaulted a child even after she was choked to death."

Mikoto's eyes widened as she hurriedly went through her folder.

"Kushina, the woman whose heart you drove your kunai into killed her husband for having an affair and then killed the woman and her two unsuspecting children." Kushina shuddered as she recalled what she did.

Tsunade then looked at Kai who didn't open the folder but looked at her eagerly.

"Do you want to know?"

"Of course, Tsunade-sama," Kai nodded.

"Well, Kai-kun, you got the jackpot of them all. A slave trader."

"Oh... I see," the boy nodded while subconsciously touching the band on tied on his forehead and then nodded again.

"Before we start anything, let's clear the air. I hate the fact that you kids had to dirty your hand. I do." Tsunade stated calmly as the girls grew sullen again but their new teacher added soon after, "But I respect you more than my teammates. As brutal as it was... you did well. And I promise you that what you did today will only help you in the future against enemies who would want to drive their blades into you. Or worse."

They had all gone through the 'real' sex-ed so they were aware of what Tsunade meant for the most part.

"So?" Tsunade smirked mischievously, "Who's up for a party? You guys just emptied your stomach and must be feeling hungry. Usually, you'd be further tested about teamwork and not. I know that the other two jackasses would put their new team through that just for shit and giggles. So you should feel good that I chose you. Iryo Nin is all about efficiency and we can skip that test after what you've done already."

"Isn't partying inefficient, too, then?" Kai smiled as Kushina growled, "Shove it! And screw these bastards! I'm not crying over those horrible people!"

"Indeed! I'm hungry!" Mikoto hissed but both Kai and Tsunade knew that anger and disgust was their coping mechanism. They would need time to adjust. Kai never did and now that he was used to killing, he didn't feel an ounce of disgust.

--

"Woah... this place is so cozy, dattebane!" Kushina exclaimed as Tsunade and others took their seat in an intimate but separate dining stall in one of the more famous restaurants in the village. A few things such as salads were already placed as they ordered and Tsunade focused on her three new brats.

Kai sat on the left, chewing on a slice of cucumber. How he managed to look this innocent and cute after murdering someone was something Tsunade would never understand. Kushina sat in the middle sporting a huge grin as she waited for her food. Mikoto had grown calm somewhat and managed to keep a short smile.

"Hmm, it takes some time for the order to get here so let's use this chance to get to know each other better. As you know, I'm Tsunade Senju. Usually, I would have stayed in the hospital or my clan compound if not on missions but circumstances have made me your teacher.

I specialize in iryo ninjutsu. But I am well-versed in my clan's Taijutsu, Ninjutsu, and Genjutsu. I'm not much of a weapons user though."

She looked at the oldest in the group and Mikoto nodded, "Greetings, Tsunade-sensei. I'm Mikoto Uchiha. I have yet to unlock my Sharingan but I am versed in my clan's taijutsu, kenjutsu, shurikenjutsu, and ninjutsu. The last year, the clan heavily focused on my chakra control and I am confident that I can reduce the wastage of chakra by 30.

What I want to be is a good medic-nin who isn't a burden to my teammates and remains honed."

Tsunade nodded thoughtfully as Kai looked at Mikoto. His own reduction of chakra wastage was at 35.

"And you?" Tsunade looked at Kushina.

"I'm Kushina Uzumaki. I'm good at seals and want to become the first female Hokage dattebane!"

Tsunade chuckled, "You? I've got a better shot than a squirt like you."

Ignoring Kushina's pout, Tsunade looked at Kai who smiled, "I'm Kai... I'm better."

Oh, boy, the brawl he ensued with just a few words, Tsunade was just left chuckling at their actions. It was good, to be honest. The more they can distract themselves now, the better.

Shoutout to Sedeho, Zero_Requim, Peter Evans, IH, Shadi Elmowafi, Luziffer!

Read 15 advance chapters here—

Patre /Fanharem

And do vote some powerstones~

Report chapter Comments

[Konoha Genin: Increases the favorability of the village towards the host slightly and reduces the condition of leveling up the skill from the D-Rank Jutsus skill tree by 10.]

[D-Rank Jutsus]

[Ninjutsu]

[Body Flicker Technique (15/15)]

[Wind Release: Skewering Blade (20/20)]

[Water Release: Water Dome (15/15]

[Earth Release: Mudwall (10/10)]

[Fire Release; Pepper Ball (15/15)]

[Genjutsu]

[Demonic Illusion: Hell Viewing Technique (15/15)]

'No... Taijutsu?' Kai was positively disappointed. Many taijutsu skills trained his body simultaneously. Of course, he can train his body with actual physical grinding but as Tsunade said— Efficiency.

And he also understood that the skills won't grind his body forever. Being in the academy made him understand many things.

For instance, E and D-rank Taijutsu that is purchased for 5 and 10 SP and needs 1 and 2 SP respectively to level up will only work till he reaches the stat of 100.

Then, he either has to find a Taijutsu skill of higher quality or just train his body traditionally. The D-rank Jutsu Skill tree... made the importance of a clan and a backer evident but Kai was simultaneously eager to train his body. His mind was already filled with ways of fighting that could screw up a chunin, whose stats, at least one of them is above 100.

But Kai, who had studied in the academy and discreetly senses the strength of the people surrounding him had realized that Genin, Chunin, and Jonin are only social titles and not an accurate representation of strength. The stat cap of 100 is limited to genins and some chunin around him. Heck, Kai's own chakra had been trained and increased to match if not surpass the clan heirs of many clans easily 4-5 years olders than him.

Still, he intended to learn the genjutsu skill and that body flicker technique used for escape. Of course, only a noob would waste specially collected SP but he would wait for Tsunade to teach them. After all, she just became their teacher.

Once they returned to the Uzumaki Mansion, Mito summoned them quickly and while it seemed quite formal, when they entered her room, Kushina pouted and climbed the bed to enter the embrace of the woman as Kai took his seat next to Mito's feet with a smile and started massaging her legs. Honestly, now it felt weird if he didn't massage the poor old woman's legs.

One thing that the 'extra curriculum' studies the last year managed to do was kickstart Kushina's brain and make her more sensible. This meant, the daily quest of washing her back was long gone and the girl was just an embarrassing mess whenever Mikoto pointed it out.

"Hmm, you look tired, Kushina-chan," Mito smiled softly and stroked Tomato's head until she let out a comforted and muffled groan while Mito's expression, in return, grew comfortable as Kai began thumbing her.

"I am..." Kushina mumbled but looked up and grinned, "But I passed the test as I promised!"

Mito smiled dotingly and nodded, "Congratulations, child. I never doubted it for a second."

Kai looked at them quietly with a smile and continued with his work. Another thing he noticed in the academy was called... Will of Fire. Fucking propaganda! What love for village or heart of sacrifice? Would a normal human being not know to protect their loved ones and home already? The Will of Fire was surely a way to pull budding Shinobis and Kunoichis loyalty further into Konoha, rooting it fiercely!

Those who were smart enough like Mikoto heard it from one ear and released it through another.

Those who were menaces and a gaming trolls wanted nothing more than to write a 'Will of Tits' on the board to correct the mindset of the youth.

Those who were too smooth-brained but were lucky enough to have smart friends, like Kushina and Tsume, didn't even feel a thing because it was natural for them to want to protect others. Not at ANY cost as the Will of Fire dictated, mind you.

"Kai-kun, congratulations to you, too," Mito smiled and looked towards him with an odd but fearful twinkle in her aged gaze. Kai nodded with a grin and quipped, "Does this mean I can learn Nature Transformation?"

Mito chuckled, "That's Tsunade's problem now, brat. Wear her ears out, you've got my blessings. But you will still practice those seals and matrix with me. Although your talent is quite... good," she refrained from stroking the boy's ego and added, "We need to work more on your sealing techniques..."

"Fine..." Kai muttered with a huffing pout as Kushina clicked her tongue, "Hey, why are you even feeling bad! You're further than me when it comes to seals, dattebane! Honestly, back at the village, everyone fussed over my talent."

"Well, excellence requires hunger!" Kai snorted.

"I'm always hungry!" Kushina announced.

"Not that kind of hunger, you fool! Hunger for growth!"

"Eating promotes growth!"

Kai was left speechless. She was... way beyond the topic but managed to still become right.

"Alright now, there is no need to raise a ruckus in my bedroom," Mito chuckled.

"Yeah! Cause the whore raises ruckus in public!" Mito's brows twitched at the grumble of the voice from within and she sighed softly, "Be a good girl from now on Kushina. I told Tsunade what you need to learn. While we will train seals here, you have to make an effort to learn different skills. A kunoichi must be prepared for many things."

And Kushina, after having gone through the victim files, agreed with this seriously.

"Ah, now I remember, we don't need to keep it hidden that Kai is my guardian, right?" Kushina blinked.

"Why? You want to tell that Uchiha brat?" Mito chuckled, "It's up to you and Kai to decide. Guardian isn't exactly a job announced to others."

Kushina looked at Kai. Although Kai had grown... a lot, Kushina had grown, too. But not nearly enough, making him look as old as Kushina just by pure grinding! Damn, he was even stronger than his past self... chakra was kind of broken in this regard. Still, Kushina easily saw Kai as someone not only close but also left many decisions to him.

"Well, Kushina-chan," Kai mumbled as she snorted, clearly unhappy with that particular jab, "It's really up to you. But if Mikoto suddenly decided to harm you, she will target me first because I'm kind of your closest ally, too."

"She won't!" Kushina blinked and then frowned, "But... it really wouldn't matter if she knows it or not so let's not include her in OUR secret!" She grinned while Kai shrugged.

"Alright, my legs feel good enough. The two of you should rest today and eat plenty. Tsunade will definitely use you all to your bones."

But as Kai thinks, no rest for the wicked! And with nothing to do, he would spread his chakra awareness while physically training for the night without respite to train his physique and perception!

--

"First things first!" Tsunade pointed out as she saw her team in one of the training grounds of Konoha, Training Ground 23 just behind the Senju Compound, to be exact, "We will take the day to measure your ability and I will start teaching you a few basic things! As you train, I will hit a few private gamble matches, got it!"

Mikoto almost fell down, Kushina nodded eagerly as Kai's gaze glinted, "Can I join, Tsunade-sama!"

"Too short!" Tsunade shot him down as he shrugged and stated plainly, "Well, what are you waiting for! Come at me!"

[Special Quest: First Impression

Summary: Impress your sensei.

Rewards: 5 SP

Failure: Bamboo spanking from Mito Uzumaki.]

The trio looked at each other before Mikoto and Kai shot forward instantly and Kushina followed behind with a Kunai in her hand.

"First rule, never engage with Tsunade Senju in a fist fight," The blonde bombshell grinned and easily swatted Mikoto's punch as she... was forced to roll over with unimaginable force passing through her. Seeing this, Kai changed his tactics with four senbon needles slipping down the wrist guard under his sleeves that had an unusual glint and threw them at Tsunade who chuckled and easily dodged them yet her dynamic vision showed an extremely thin seal on all four of these needles... seals that were used in—

BOOM*

As a small explosion whipped up dust and ground, Kai spread his awareness out only to duck quickly with a yelp as an unscathed arm clutched Kushina's head instead before being thrown on the ground as the redhead's pained hiss echoed with the crumbling sound.

Instantly charging his body with chakra and enhancing his physique by a 100 for a second, he leaned back quick enough and diffused the Basic Chakra Enhancement the next instant, while taking a kunai out of his pouch and throwing it on the ground.

Before that devilish hand grabbed him, another explosion forced both of them back as Tsunade's annoyed growl echoed loud and clear, making Kai even more motivated to not let Tsunade get her hands on his divine form for she will positively wreck him!

"Come here!" Tsunade clapped her hand together with enough force to wave off the smokescreen of dust as Mikoto could be seen standing up slowly with a frown and Kushina was up and at 'em, too. The blonde-haired sensei of theirs glared at Kai with her lips quirked into a dangerous grin... and she still had not a speckle of her dirt on herself much less an injury.

"That's exactly why I hate seal masters," Tsunade cracked her knuckles, "Why? Afraid to throw hands with me?"

"My sensei told me to never engage with Tsunade Senju in a fistfight!" Kai grinned.

"Oh, then let her tell you another rule. Never be a smartass in front of Tsunade Senju!"

The woman suddenly punched on the ground and the earth itself had large cracks spreading and destabilizing Kai. Before he knew what was going on, a hand on the back of his head had him pinned to the ground and a large weight fell over his back as he huffed a groan. Damn, she's quick. But surprisingly light for the canons she sported.

"Are we clear?"

Tsunade inquired as she leaned down while Kai wheezed through the dust, "Yep, Sensei."

Smirking in satisfaction, she stood up and let the three catch their breath before proclaiming loudly, "Only Kai-kun is barely good enough to graduate!" And of course, with that, she meant he would have heads of chunins rolling on the ground. "The two of you... why the hell didn't you use seals, and why didn't you go ahead with your shurikenjutsu?" She looked at Kushina and Mikoto as they grew embarrassed while Kai claimed his 5 SP from the successful mission.

"Huff, whatever. We have time. I'll beat those bad habits out of you all," Tsunade smirked and looked at the toddlers, "Let's start again. This time, no ninjutsu. I'll beat a semblance of coordination between the three of you today!"

--

Picking their tired and beaten bodies, Kai, Kushina, and Mikoto returned to Ichiraku ramen before being promptly congratulated by the couple for their graduation. Just when they sat, an unhappy growl made them wince, "Here you are! I can't believe they won't let me graduate just because I failed in the theories!"

Tsume entered the stall with an aggressive pout and sat down before looking at the trio's condition and commenting, "Woah? Did you get bullied?"

"We did..." Kushina muttered sourly.

"Hah? Who was it? Damnit, I'll release all my clan's ninken on the bastard! Nobody bullies my friends!"

"Thank you," Mikoto just smiled and shook her head while Kai encouraged, "She lives in the Senju Compound. Send your ninken to a woman named Tsunade Senju."

Tsume's grin froze as Kushina and Mikoto broke into giggles.

"So... what's it like? Being genin," Tsume inquired with great interest as Kai got the bowl of ramen first and dug in. Mikoto, meanwhile, shrugged, "Nothing much. We've only been a genin for a day. But this week is supposed to be training before we are allowed to get any mission whatsoever."

Tsume nodded when a loud clamor broke out. The ramen stall wasn't located in any popular corner so things are peaceful around here but many people had their attention attracted to two Uchiha shinobis capturing a merchant as the man screamed, "I'm not a spy! Please, believe me! It was just supposed to be a trade of clothes, I don't know how it—"

The gazes of the people around grew gloomier somewhat. For some reason, security was getting stricter and stricter and they would have complained that the Uchiha were exploiting their power but... the situation was the same for other guards, too, who patrolled the village and men stationed at the gates of the village.

'Victims of war crime, special genin tests, and rooting out suspicious individuals... damn, I would have entered the list if I kept on going around sensing and registering everyone's chakra signature.' Kai sighed slightly in relief as Tsume grumbled, "Damn, I forgot! I have to go to the gates to collect a package. See you guys later," Tsume bolted quickly while Mikoto sighed softly and whispered, "People are getting restless even in my clan compound... something is happening."

"What is?" Kushina inquired.

"If I knew, I would have told you guys," the girl shrugged and looked over at the overly grown infant eating his ramen as Kushina got hers, too.

"Kai-chan," Although she kept the same way of calling him, the distinct lack of sweet mocking made Kai very pleased. After all, he proved that he could kick their butts even with their clan training! "I never knew about your sealing techniques. Especially, I haven't really seen exploding senbon needles. Did you make them yourself?"

"Yeah," Kai smirked, "I like using Senbon Needles more so there's that and nobody would expect the needles to have a seal since the surface of it and thin width makes it too hard of an effort to mark them with such seals. Exploding tags are still the mainstream use of the seals."

Mikoto nodded. She truly was humbled today somewhat and in hindsight, she should have guessed it yesterday when Kai killed a prisoner in a blink of an eye.

"Hah! Another bowl!" And like usual, Kushina inhaled her ramen and asked for more.

--

The trio was only allowed to rest for two hours after their utter violation and was expected to return to the training ground 23 in two hours.

Tsunade arrived 30 minutes later with a stormy expression as if she'd lost her property or something and glanced at the trio lying on the ground while clearing her throat and attracting their attention.

"Right... I promised you three training. Alright, about time I provide a better application of chakra. The first thing we will master is tree walking. I'm sure your clan wouldn't have taught you the basics of it but must have made up for it in some other fashion," Tsunade looked at Mikoto. After all, many clans had a similar practice. Even the Senjus don't give out chakra theories and techniques on a silver platter. It must be earned, or learned from other sources at times, like a Jonin sensei.

Tsunade walked over to a tree and began walking ON the tree as her ponytail dangled down, showing others that gravity still existed.

"This is a more advanced version of leaf sticking exercise. You cover the soles of your feet in chakra and then use it as a medium to stick to uneven surfaces. This technique doesn't work on a surface that has been lubricated and even fully polished to a microscopic level and defenses like this exist."

Tsunade turned on her heels to face her students and Mikoto and Kushina did face her... but by turning on her heels, Tsunade's torso faced the ground while standing on the tree horizontally, and... gravity does exist.

Kai... admittedly, couldn't look away. They were large, they knew it, and they proudly dangled. A few seconds passed since he had zoned out Tsunade's explanation and when he came to be, he found Mikoto staring at him with an annoyed glare, Kushina frowning with a scowl, and Tsunade giving him a murderous smirk.

"I was..." Kai opened up. Oh, what the heck. He was out of the academy and knew that he was bound to check his Jonin Sensei out one of these days as he coughed and stayed silent and just faced the brunt of their expressions. Quite admirable, in Tsunade's gaze as she knew perverts greater than the boy and they would rather cow down to her stare.

"Hmph, let's start with you, squirt!" Tsunade pointed out and jumped down and again, it was hard to stare away from the jiggle physics.

"Stop staring and go!" Kushina hissed.

"Fine!" Kai snapped. The hell! 'If you guys don't have one, why the hell are you stopping me for?!'

With a snort, he covered his feet in chakra and placed his foot on the bark of the tree before stepping up.

[Skill created after special action.]

[General theory is mostly found in other skills mastered. Adjusting the skill.]

[Tree Walking (1/5): Cover your feet in chakra and walk over uneven surfaces. Each level reduces the chakra consumption by 10. Chakra Consumed: 10/min.

Next Level: Perform the exercise for 1/10 minutes or 1 SP.]

'Damn,' Kai sighed... Skills' main function was to provide relevant knowledge and what he could learn from the Tree Walking exercise about chakra control was greatly mitigated by mastering the Leaf Sticking Exercise. This only left the actual experience in tree walking left to be mastered which was quantified into 5 levels.

Tsunade nodded as Kai easily walked up and even stood under the branch easily but... "Not coming down?" They looked at Kai weirdly.

"Hmm... can I stay here for two hours?"

Tsunade shrugged, "Sure, today you're supposed to learn the tree walking exercise itself. If you have chakra after that, try walking on water. You two, your turns!" She looked at Kushina and Mikoto who nodded with a determined expression.

Shoutout to x xx, Cdubey, Derrick Porter, TC, Seliores, Mordeus, Justin Cuningtion, and Joseph Bibb!!

Read 15 advance chapters here—

Patre /Fanharem

And do vote some powerstones~

Report chapter Comments

[Tree Walking (5/5): Cover your feet in chakra and walk over uneven surfaces. Each level reduces the chakra consumption by 10. Chakra Consumed: 5/min.]

[Water Walking (10/10): Cover your feet in a constantly fluctuating chakra level that matches the shift of a liquid surface to stand on it. Each level reduces chakra consumption by 5: Chakra Consumed: 10/min.]

Honestly, the two skills weren't even a challenge to his grind.

It has been two days since they became genins. Their schedule included getting beaten for the first half of the day and the other half included the two exercises. Mikoto already had excellent chakra control and learned both the skills and while it took Kushina an hour longer because of her slightly lesser chakra control and unusually large reserves, she managed to get better quickly once she got a hang of it.

Right now, again, battered and bruised with the information that Tsunade would heal them before letting them return for the day, she had the three kids sit in front of her.

"There is a reason I picked the three of you. When it comes to chakra reserves, its control, or special skills that would later refine your chakra control, the three of you belong to the top tier of the Academy. But, I want the three of you... to become stronger. Your talents make it easier to be taught and that's why I picked you three," Tsunade smiled, or at least, Mikoto, because the other two were forced on her. Not that she minded now.

"By the end of the week, the Hokage will announce some reforms that will shift the three-men cell teams completely. I can tell you beforehand that every three-men cell must have a certified medic-nin in the coming year or they will be forced to disband and be allocated to the different shinobi corps. As my students, I expect at least one of you to master iryo ninjutsu... is what I would have said if you three were some average runts!" Tsunade smirked and looked at the trio, "From now on, the basics of Iryo ninjutsu are mandatory for the three of you to learn! If you whine, I'll beat the shit out of you!"

Kushina instantly shut up and deflated.

[Title: Tsunade's Apprentice]

[Skill Tree: Basic Iryo Ninjutsu]

Kai blinked in surprise.

Amazing!

Mikoto grew excited, too as she heard this.

Nodding in satisfaction at their reaction, Tsunade continued, "But just the base. I don't want you to miss out on your specialties. So, in the coming year, aside from the basic mystic palm technique I expect you all to master, I will train Mikoto in more advanced healing techniques and poison-antidote creation. But she will also be trained by her clan in some basic ninjutsu, too.

Kushina, your over-the-top chakra reserve makes you the best for Ninjutsu tactics but Grandma Mito is very clear not to teach you any hand seals for elemental ninjutsu until you master some level of nature transformation. Instead, I will teach you a chakra technique that mimics wind release and exerts a blast of chakra from the limbs. Meanwhile, you are expected to pick a weapon and train in it alongside your seals."

Taking a deep breath, Tsunade looked at Kai, feeling a slight headache. Kushina was a natural genius, her bloodline paving the path for her. Mikoto was a hard-working genius, like herself that was willing to learn more and develop herself concisely. And Kai... he resembled her grumbling loner of an uncle who just wanted to have all the jutsus... but just slightly more cheerful. Oh, hell, Kai was a lot more cheerful than her granduncle.

"And you... I met with Grandma Mito this morning and she berated the hell out of me. No whining for Nature Transformation practice because you don't have enough chakra for it. Instead, she remarked you're a sensor," Tsunade observed his reaction but he only nodded eagerly... while freaking out internally. He was quick to control his expression at times. Had he shown a shocked expression, it would mean he was trying to keep this hidden and that would just be plain suspicious but then again, Mito was an enigma to him. What she knew and how much she understood about him was not privy to Kai.

"Hmm, we will use that and I will have a good friend of mine teach you some good genjutsu techniques, too, since your control makes you not only a ninjutsu and fuinjutsu threat but a hidden genjutsu practitioner, too. The same for you, Mikoto, when you awaken your Kekkei Genkai."

The three nodded as Tsunade continued, "But after this year, you will also be able to realize what works with your natural strength and what doesn't. One of the most important aspects of a shinobi and a kunoichi is to know their talents and the direction they want to develop.

My team is expected to be the most durable and hence will have assault missions with enough time.

Orochimaru's skills make him quite a talented ninjutsu user and an even better scout, the knowledge of which he will pass to his apprentices.

And Jiraiya's talents lay in mediocre seals, average ninjutsu, and top-notch information gathering, making his team expected to become a mix of assault, hunter, and reconnaissance teams."

She looked at the kids with a smile, "And remember, being our students means that the nine of you will be targeted by political agendas within the village and enemies of the village outside of it. If you don't want to be the next case study, buck up and train! We will start our first mission in 4 days!"

--

Tsunade hurried to the clan compound and entered the clan's residential hospital before being led into one of the rooms where a corpse of a greyish-haired man lay on the bed. Her mood that has only brightened by training her team plunged instantly as she glanced at one of the trained medic-nin of her clan and muttered, "And his team?"

"They all died, Tsunade-sama. Their team was ambushed by shinobi of Iwagakure and they apparently left their bodies to send a message..."

Tsunade turned around this instant while ordering loudly, "I want all the clan ninjas to be present for a meeting tonight and send out a message to not accept any C-rank or above missions until this meeting is concluded. And prepare for Uncle Jin's funeral!"

With that, Tsunade stormed out, and while she hesitated for a moment, she didn't stop by the Uzumaki compound first. It was only dawn right now and she didn't want to disturb Grandma Mito. No, she'll disturb her teacher instead and as expected of the most pathetic power job of the village, the Hokage was sleeping on his desk.

"Sensei!" Tsunade stormed in, giving Hiruzen a scare of his life as two Anbu ninjas in their animal masks tried to stop her from barging unsuccessfully.

"Ts- Tsunade? Ah... sigh, almost gave my heart in," Hiruzen mumbled and leaned back on his chair while rubbing his eyes, "Leave her be," he ordered as the two masked shinobi nodded and left the office while Tsunade's stormy gaze fell on Hiruzen, "What was Jin Senju's mission? Last I checked, his age and lung condition only permitted him to apply for nothing more than a C-rank mission so it shouldn't be classified, right? Please tell me."

Hiruzen sighed. He barely got a wink of sleep after he got many mission reports and spoke softly, "It was to capture a merchant headed for Kumo from Iwa."

"So... he asked for this mission?" Tsunade sat down and inquired with a frown. Ever since Mito said something strange... it has burdened Tsunade greatly.

"No, the mission was verified by the administration and was assigned to Jin Senju and a team of genin corps because of his skill as skills in disguise." Hiruzen shook his head and replied calmly, "This was a trap that nobody saw coming, Tsunade. Even if you didn't come barging in, I would have sent this your way."

The man slid a slip of paper towards Tsunade who promptly read it and her frown deepened, "So... they killed him and further escorted this merchant to Kumo borders while openly revealing themselves to be the Black Rock Squad of Iwa... and you think this was a message?"

"It seems like it," Hiruzen grumbled with a slightly frustrated expression Tsunade nodded, "That's right, I also wanted to ask if my team can skip the D-rank—"

"At least 20 D-rank missions, that's the least I want from the three of you. Orochimaru has already gotten 8 of them."

Tsunade snorted and left before sneaking into the Uzumaki mansion but when she stepped into her grandmother's bedroom, Tsunade stiffened as she felt an index tapping the nape of her neck.

"So... my hunch was right. Actively sensing everyone around you, even noting that the boy spreads his chakra and trains while barely sleeping at times, not to mention showing interest in the council meetings once again, going as far as sending a proxy, too. If I didn't know any better, I would think that the old hag who decided to live the life of a dull hermit was showing her colors again," Tsunade tilted her head and looked back at the smiling Mito.

"Is that a way to greet your grandma?" Mito chided and returned to her bed before flopping down and questioning, "Did something happen?"

Tsunade pulled the nearby chair and questioned, "You said that day... that Uzushiogakure and Senju Clans are being targeted. Why?"

Mito leaned back and smiled, "As I explained that day, Konoha is currently too prosperous. The disparity between our village and the other villages is getting more and more evident which will motivate civilians and merchants to migrate. The other villages and daimyos won't sit still."

"But wouldn't that put the entire Konoha at the cross with them?" Tsunade frowned.

"The war is not to annihilate Konoha. It's just too costly for that. The war is to bring Konoha to their level or promote their own growth to our level. If the latter was possible, the other villages won't be trying to scramble for resources. No, they would want to plunder a rich nation under a 'rightful' guise."

"The Uchiha stay in the village and keep control of internal situation to a certain extent while Senjus are, too well-known and would be targeted in the coming war. That was, they would take out a clan of talented ninjas with extreme prejudice and weaken the village."

"As far as plundering a rich nation goes, the four countries of the continent are out of the question and the poor countries are not worth the effort. But raiding a country is simply too bold of a move and will make other daimyos wary of the Shinobi Villages. But if a war is going on, the other villages can keep Konoha busy, maybe decimate the Senju Clan at that, AND use this chance to rightfully raid a rich country full of resources and secluded enough while being the ally of Konoha, giving the enemies a rightful chance to commit the genocide while not freaking out their daimyos..."

Tsunade's lips parted in horror as she knew of such a country— "Uzushiogakure."

"Hmm," Mito nodded plainly but Tsunade's expression turned weird, "Grandma... I thought you renounced your love for the Senju and the Uzumaki after the grandpa died..."

"I was just annoyed at your deadbeat grandpa who would rather die in sadness for his Uchiha boy toy than living happily with me! I've changed my mind since then!" Mito scoffed, "I find Senju and Uzumaki tolerable enough to provide assistance."

Tsunade almost face-palmed while Mito continued, "Anyway, something must have happened that you're suddenly taking interest in this."

"Uncle Jin... was hunted down," Tsunade sighed.

"Oh, him? It was either this or the lung disease. Anyway, tell me what happened."

Tsunade nodded and explained everything including the meeting with the Hokage as Mito grew silent for a second and stated with a frown on her aged face, "I'm 70 sure that the Iwa wasn't behind it..."

"Sigh... just explain it to me. I don't think I'll figure it out otherwise," Tsunade grumbled.

"If only you took time to learn politics than various gambling games," Mito smiled, "You see, Iwa, Kumo, and Suna want to prepare. They won't pay attention to any merchant right about now but would be focused on carrying out assassination missions and disrupting the flow of the Konoha. You know, the A-rank missions and higher. Someone could very well be sabotaging the Senju clan from the inside while shooting the blame at Iwagakure... let's see and try to form a pattern."

"The one before Jin... was Dero? Both are different except for their ability in disguises and information gathering. Before Dero, the most notable death... was of my..." Mito grew quiet as Tsunade bit her lip, too while the figure of a smiling brown-haired youth and a blonde woman appeared in front of her eyes...

"Those two were the center of the Senju information network. Ever since their deaths, the clan's information gathering hasn't been too affected due to the foundation already being present... but more and more nins of that category are being killed. So there's your clue. Make a decision appropriately."

"Why not help me further?" Tsunade forced a smile as Mito returned a casual one and chuckled, "Why don't I wipe your diapers, too? If you love your clan enough, at least put your best into it. If being a matriarch is so bothersome then just raise a good clan head quick enough."

Tsunade groaned but then her eyes snapped open, "Why didn't Sensei think of all this? Do you think..." she didn't complete lest traitorous words escape her lips.

"Paperwork, dear," Mito sighed softly, "While other clan heads joke, the stress is quite real especially when a Ninja of Hiruzen's capabilities is forced onto the desk. Their minds are attuned to staying active on a battlefield but staying in the same old office and doing the same old paperwork dulls their thinking and sometimes even worse, too."

"Why do you think your Granduncle Tobirama didn't marry anyone? In his words— one nuisance is tolerable but two isn't."

Tsunade snorted, "You think I don't know about the rumors and what Granduncle did when not doing the paperwork?"

"That is called relief. Even your Honorable Grandfather would turn to a certain long-haired raven Uchiha after the paperwork for relief!" Mito scoffed as Tsunade rolled her eyes, "Grandma, enough about that, come on! If you say these things out loud in front of others then..."

"Speaking of boy toys..." the big bad fox growled and cackled within Mito the door opened up, "Mito-sama, it's time to wake... oh," Kai looked at the duo with breakfast in his other hand and nodded, "Sorry, I will come—"

"Come in, don't worry," Mito beckoned as Kai entered the room and greeted Tsunade, "Good morning, Sensei."

"Hmm, morning," Tsunade smiled while failing to see anything good about it. Mito concluded the meeting, "Anyway, I've told you what I wanted. And, get the kids ready as soon as possible. I have a mission for your team. A B-rank delivery."

Tsunade blinked and replied, "It will take some time but... sure."

She stood up and disappeared using the body flicker technique, something she had taught to Kai and the duo.

[Body Flicker Technique (15/15): The ability to move quickly in a straight direction by focusing chakra at the point of contact of steps and bursting with speed. Reduce the consumption of chakra by 3.3 at every level. Chakra Consumed: 20/meter.]

"Here you go, Mito-sama," Kai set the food in front of her as she smiled, "Is Kushina awake?"

"Yes, a bucket of water does the trick every time," Kai chortled as Mito chuckled, "Good boy. You're promised to do missions from today, right? As I said Tsunade, grow quicker. I have a task for your team. A lucrative one."

Kai nodded and left with a smile. Once he did, Mito sighed softly and leaned back.

"Say, fox... I never kept your senses locked and you know why. Curse all you want, you're in this situation cause you were weak... How did you live for hundreds of years? Did you not want to die?"

After a moment of silence, the grumble echoed, "What's the point of that? I don't die that's why you puny humans chose to seal me. And... after the first 200 years of living, you grow numb to it."

Mito groaned softly, "Fuck... and the war never ends... I really did want to just pass away..."

Any top-class sensory shinobi would sense the whirlpool of chakra and another energy seeping into her diamond-shaped mark as the devil roared, "Don't you use my chakra!"

"Nah, fox, I'll use it," Mito smirked. Her rustic hair showed a sign of tomato red strands before promptly reverting to their dull state, "I wonder what expression Tsunade will have once she finds out I upgraded my technique beyond her scope currently..."

Shoutout to Yann Schurmans, msafz, Alexander Nduka, Skoll, Kushar Dipesh, Mr Crowley, Leigh Robertson, Pierre-louis, Ahliyor Teshaboyev, Jonas Lyhne!!

Read 15 advance chapters here—

Patre /Fanharem

And do vote some powerstones~

Report chapter Comments

4 days of training not only included one hour of physical exercise, 6 hours of memorization about detailed human anatomy by the end of which Kushina would be on the verge of tears, and then came their distinct training as Tsunade taught a genjutsu to Kai, a basic run down of poison and antidote creation that Kai was happy to overhear as Tsunade didn't have any issue with that and taught Kushina the [Weaving Water Sword] that he had long mastered so by the end of 4 days and diligent grinding, Kai had two more skills aside from Body Flicker Technique.

[Demonic Illusion: Hell Viewing Technique (15/15): Ensnare the target in their worst nightmare whatever it may be and collect information by spying on the resulting Genjutsu. Increases the strength of mind at each level by 1. Each level reduces chakra consumption by 3.3. Current Consumption: 80/sec.]

Of course, Kai couldn't practice this genjutsu on villagers so animals in the training ground it is!

[Basic Chakra Poison (20/20): The ability to develop chakra-induced poisons. Each level increases the ability to mix chakra into poisonous herbs and attack and infect enemies.]

This was purely an informative skill that Kai practiced by mixing chakra with red pepper, black pepper, and any other condiments before moving to weeds, grass, and whatnot, forming diarrhea poison, itching powder, and stashing them for further troll— ehm, missions. Of course, this skill in itself held the knowledge of antidotes since they are two faces of the same coin.

And the four days of training brought advantages to his stat, too.

[Physique stat reached a threshold. Physique growth markedly improved.]

[Reduce the consumption of all stamina-based skills by a 10 and increased stamina regeneration by 10 times.]

[Mental Stat reached a threshold. Markedly improved the function of the mind and spirit energy.]

[Increase the willpower and ability to resist genjutsu by 1]

[Name: Kai

Age: 5

Title: Senju Guardian

Gamer Traits: Skill Tree; Sleepless Gamer

Rank: Genin

Hit Points: 100

Stamina: 100/100 (10.1/min)

Chakra: 7098 (2028*250) (210/min) (60*250%/min)

Physique: 100/1000

Mental: 89/1000

Perception: 43/1000]

[Skill points: 307]

Reaching 100 in Physique meant that the physical gains from Ran D Taijutsu and below are all but lost. And increasing his physique with sheer physical grinding was hard but doable. After all, the chakra passively nourishes the body to some extent and he is still growing.

On the other hand, after the initial boost, it was the Perception stat that is hard to increase with just basic chakra sensing.

Still, Kai felt confident. His Chakra reserves officially surpassed Mikoto's by a tiny margin but it still wasn't a solid reserve found in most of the Chunin-ranked shinobi. Again, these ranks were based on contribution than just the skills but most chunins had close to, if not more than 10000 points of chakra. Kushina, on the other hand, threatened to reach 20000 this year... then again, Kai felt he could do that, too... in three years when he himself is 8-year-old.

It wouldn't do for him to be envious of others while grinding away with his own trait...

Even now, Tsunade had yet to teach them an actual iryo ninjutsu and made it clear that she would build their knowledge about it first and foremost since Iryo Ninjutsu was 60 information, 30 chakra control, and finally, 10 innovation.

Everyone silently stood in the administration office above the layer of the classroom in the Ninja Academy where Hokage gave missions to the ninjas. Tsunade stood to the side as Hiruzen observed her team.

With the forehead protector tied on his forehead, Kai wore a mesh shirt covered by a dark-blue vest and a darker-colored pair of pants with the usual shinobi sandals and a kunai pouch over his left thigh. Of course, this didn't include the seals on his finger-cut-gloved palms that held the items to use during Body Replacement Jutsu and his senbon needles laced with fast-acting diarrheal poison. Among his team, he looked the most ill-prepared but just happened to be the deadliest. His height was just a few centimeters short of Kushina and Mikoto at this point.

Kushina, on the other hand, had her long red hair tied into a high ponytail with two thick locks framing her round cheeks. Aside from a chokuto tied on her back, she wore a similar mesh top that reached her waist and a yellow kimono tunic over it with wrist guards and a pair of dark-grey pants, and her calves bandaged till her sandals.

Mikoto wore a black crop top with her mesh shirt visible underneath. Her raven hair was neatly tied into a bun with a single lock from the left while her bun was kept in place with a red senbon needle that can be used in many ways. Her left thigh was kept bandaged over which she had her kunai pouch tied and the back of her crop top was marked with a large Uchiha symbol.

"Hmm, they look ready for this mission," Hiruzen nodded as other staff members kept to themselves and went through various mission requests. Tsunade sighed and finally let a reminiscent smile touch her lips while Kushina almost bounced because of the Third Hokage's words.

Even Mikoto's dark pupils glinted with a hint of joy while Kai just kept a blank look. He realized by now that a blank look worked just about every place because of how naturally airheaded it looked.

"I appoint Team Tsunade the D-rank mission of painting the fence of one Jinoki Hara."

Okay, Kai now really felt blank while Kushina's smirk froze and Mikoto's gaze went dull.

[Rank-D Quest: A fence painted

Summary: Paint that fence.

Rewards: 2 SP

Failure: Lecture from one Hiruzen Sarutobi.]

--

"Tsunade Sensei..." Kushina whined as she pressed the paint-drenched brush on the wooden fence while Tsunade barked, "You two should learn from Kai-kun! Look at him!"

The pouting Mikoto and Kushina looked at Kai who was done with the third of what was appointed to him and he flashed a mocking grin.

"He's only doing this because..." Kushina wanted to fight. She did. But... why was HE doing this? What could motivate him to be so quick about a task this pathetic?

Even Mikoto frowned but then she looked at Tsunade who had her arms crossed and felt her gaze attracted to two large things... the law of gravity dictates that larger objects attract others... 'He couldn't be trying to... the DOG!' Mikoto's glare sharpened and she huffed out of a sudden and started painting the fence.

Kushina and Tsunade only dumbly looked at the Uchiha before shrugging and then Tsunade's glare did make the redhead get back to work!

--

[Earned 2 SP]

'Ah, what a bountiful harvest.' Kai smiled as he walked under the scrutinizing gazes of his teammates and worse, his Sensei.

Even Tsunade expected Kai of all kids to revolt. The boy was a genius... but was he really THAT obedient to even complete a D-rank mission with such gusto. She knew that once her sensei reads her report and their current temperaments... he would jump in joy and squeal like a little girl. Strong shinobi are needed for the growth of the village. OBEDIENT and strong shinobi are necessary for its survival.

But... Tsunade knew her grandmother. She was a... well, she-devil in almost every possible sense and she couldn't see her taking interest in a malleable personality even if the boy still rubbed her feet.

'Why should I even be worried? Actually, it's great. With this, missions can be completed quickly, they will have more time to train and we can soon leave the village for riskier missions to train.'

Once they dispersed, Tsunade returned to the clan compound and a small shadow bolted in her arms.

"Onee-san! You took so long to return! I'm already done with my mission!" Tsunade looked down at the boy who hugged her and looked up with a bright grin. Unlike his rather 'aloof' persona, Nawaki was just a cheerful kid. Smiling and touching his forehead protector, Tsunade grinned, "Is that so? You've already become the shinobi of the Senju, hmm? Is Orochimaru teaching you well?"

"Yep, Sensei taught us the body flicker technique! It's so cool! Oh, and we also completed our 15th D-ranked mission today!"

Although Tsunade smiled and outwardly agreed with Nawaki as he led her back to their residence while explaining his exploits exaggeratedly but she was greatly alarmed inwardly. Why wouldn't she? Even Tsunade could see that the best way to cripple a clan is by removing the clan heirs and it was clear to everyone that Tsunade wasn't satisfied with being a Matriarch and the responsibility would most likely fall on Nawaki. Should someone target him...

She shuddered internally.

Even if the Senju holds familial relations higher than power and Nawaki's death may not cause any problem to the clan... what about her? The death of her brother would still leave her devastated.

After having snacks with her brother, she went to the intimate funeral of their recently deceased where he was cremated. Most Ninja clans have the tradition of cremating the dead and even the Konoha Cemetry only held the tombstones and nothing more. A shinobi's body is a wealth of information and there have been just too many grave robberies to not cremate the corpses. The First Hokage was cremated after his death and it is said that the Second Hokage went out with a literal bang, leaving none of his body for others to exploit.

The only thing that separates a noble shinobi clan from an ordinary clan and civilians is bloodline or unique jutsus. The Kekkei Genkai has always been a topic of great research and their clan's kekkei genkai happens to be their resilient body and a high chakra growth rate during their growth spurts.

'Son of a bitch! She knew!' Tsunade realized something. Iwagakure has been an enemy of Konoha for too long to NOT take the body of their recently fallen. Why would Iwa leave it when they could have sealed it for later use?

If she can see that someone was behind this act who wanted to weaken the Senju but not strengthen the other village then so could Mito and as she said... someone from within the village did this!

She really should have given more attention to the clan's political training... or she could now learn from her mistakes and let someone else learn it thoroughly!

There was a clear candidate and she now had the perfect excuse!

After the funeral, a member left to contact the cemetery and have a tombstone erected for the man while Tsunade sat in front of tens of leading shinobi and kunoichi of the clan.

Clearing her throat, Tsunade began calmly. She was far younger than these men and women but she was also far stronger and unlike the Konoha council, these men had her back and taught her what would be good for the clan but none of them could compare to her grandmother.

"Thank you for coming back at such short notice... I feel that there is a need to discuss some changes for the upcoming event and our preparations must not be lacking. First of all..."

And with that Tsunade didn't stop for the night. Some of her changes were brought to a more better path from the Senju Council and once they left, Tsunade was eager to slap all their faces once they tried to persuade her into taking the role of the permanent matriarch!

As If!

The problem was that... she might just alert whoever was behind these acts. It was either this or letting her clansmen get slaughtered unknowingly. She thought that Grandma would have had a better approach but she made it clear that helping Tsunade was not a problem but she won't just make decisions for her and Tsunade grudgingly accepted that. After all, she also didn't hold the hands of her team while teaching them new things, and thank god for that!

The changes they mentioned would be introduced slowly. The quickest Tsunade felt that others would notice is in a month or so, just right for the timing of another council meeting.

--

The month has been dull for Kai. The only friend of his this month was the grind. The only lover to him was the grind. The only release he needed was the grind!

Oh, and missions, too!

D-rank missions rule!

Low risk and high rewards, at least, to him.

[Earned 46 SP.]

Although this was one of the rare months where he had no new additional skill, the fact that Kai managed to persuade Tsunade for more D-rank missions than the agreed 20 was horrifying to Mikoto and Kushina. They would fight him... but the bastard had gotten strong. So they fought him together without a hint of shame that one was almost 6 years older and the other 4.

And it just turned out to be too great of a physical grind that Kai loved every single second of it.

Yet, the lack of new skills allowed him to focus on the incomplete skills he had. After all, he can only hold 5 incomplete skills at once and Kai loved this space as empty as possible. So, he gave into grind in the night, too. Expending amount of chakra that would appall Chunin and Jonins!

Since Mito already seemed to know what he was upto, he went all out with the grind. Sure... he acted to sleep, too. Scratch that, sleeping being optional meant shit. He loved to sleep and would sleep whenever he was free of the grind despite the protests of Tsume, Kushina, Mikoto, and Minato to hang out. The hell would he do with the plebs? Eat dangos? Ramen? Nah, the month is always short, the day even shorter and if he could make use of the free time to grind away one of the more needy skills, he would!

He would have time for fun... later. He could always make time, right? Yes... he can...

But just a month of not paying them too much attention made their 'changes' far too prevalent and before he could curse the sweet grind for missing out on some rather amusing trolls and shits he could have caused with his storage of itching powder, he was called in by a mischievously smiling Mito who had a task for him.

Shoutout to Andrew, The Rew, Keldris, Primordi, ExitialeUmbra, Danny, Nikita Yablochkov, and Angel Diaz!!

Read 15 advance chapters here—

Patre /Fanharem

And do vote some powerstones~

Report chapter Comments

Hiruzen looked at the month's council with a hint of amusement. It was like Mito Uzumaki to pull a crazy stunt when not expected. Others think that she's some genius political leader but Hiruzen's Sensei, the Lord Second who also happened to be Mito's Brother-in-law confided in him that Mito has always been crazy... she just MADE crazy work after learning from her mistakes. But Hiruzen didn't mind as there was a proxy from the Yamanaka clan, Akimichi Clan, and the Hyuga Clan, too.

The problem was that an Elder's proxy, no less the oldest and the most fierce of the four... happened to be a five-year-old boy whose legs didn't even reach the floor while sitting on his chair.

Tsunade looked away, blushing in shame. This wasn't even a matter of embarrassing herself but everyone's weird gazes made Tsunade want to dig a hole and just return to mother earth.

"What is the meaning of this?" Kai looked sideways at the most peculiar of the elder. The man had half his face in bandages and even the scar on his chin had a dramatic X-shaped flare. It lacked two more X's and the man would be a shinobi pimp in no time.

Hiruzen smiled, "Although unusual, there has never been a rule on who can be sent to proxy as long as they are part of the Shinobi structure." He nodded at the boy in an attempt to reassure him. This month... Hiruzen was pleased with Kai. Quite rightly. First, he was a little cautious that the boy's apathy toward blood may cause some problems but when he began to happily accept D-rank missions and even cheerily returned the next day for more, the reports showing his sincerity and obedience... all of it made Hiruzen feel giddy.

Kai and Minato. No matter if Kai was part of the Uzumaki and Senju, he is still of Konoha. Minato, too, had a deep loyalty to the village. Both of them were at the top of their class and while they were in a fierce contest during the first half of the Academy, Kai rightly dominated the second half. The only deficit would be his chakra capacity but given how he is still growing, it would be of no matter soon enough.

Danzo growled himself to shut up as the Hokage stared him down. Hiruzen then continued with a few idle discussions, actually taking time to inform Kai what a few things meant as the other clan heads and proxy began to take another glance at the boy. Hiruzen was of the thought that Mito wanted to develop another representative for the Uzumaki clan and the idea pleased him greatly.

Kushina would inherit Mito's 'strength' and Kai would inherit her status. This could actually help the village grow further if a talented shinobi had a base to grow on.

Finally, Hiruzen broached a certain topic hanging in his head.

"Tsunade, I noticed a few things that have been troubling me over the month and I hope you can clear a few of my doubts."

"Sure thing, Sensei," Tsunade shrugged with a smile.

"Hmm, can you tell me why all the civilian merchants of the Senju clan have been brought back within the compound and instead, have set D-rank missions for the Genin Corps to take care of these businesses?"

Others stiffened and Danzo's gaze narrowed slightly as Tsunade offhandedly offered, "Well, I know that the village will need all the funds they can acquire. By bringing my clansmen spread out in the Land of Fire, the Senju Clan is funding the genins of the genin corp before the war. Ah, Kai-kun, we're about to go to war. Whoops, cat's out of the bag, huh," she chuckled and continued before Danzo interrupted, "Sensei, you will notice that the rewards offered by the Senju Clan are 3 higher than usual. This adds to the cut that the administration takes for the village funds and in due time, the village authorities will have accumulated slightly greater funds."

Hiruzen blinked while Danzo had trouble controlling his reaction.

In reality, not all Senju despite their blood are shinobi but the civilians are the bloodline of the clan. Not only do they provide the clan with income but they also aspire for a few of their children to become shinobi and contribute greatly to this... but they are spread out far too thin. The Senjus have a business interest in many areas like other clans and while they kept things hidden, they did send their own clansmen to oversee things. Civilians, who would be sitting ducks in front of armed assailants if someone is really targetting them.

How to tackle this situation? Easy. When the war occurs, it would be too easy to kill these civilians and the business would be affected either way. So, it was better to call them back for an indefinite vacation while sending genins of genin corps for the task with higher pay. Genin corps could choose a D-rank mission of their liking and the higher pay on their missions meant that these genins would work for them happily. It was a big expenditure, sure... but, Senjus kind of owned Konoha and had a shit ton of money that could support the clan even if they didn't do anything for almost 15 years!

It was clear to the eyes of astute ninjas that Tsunade was huddling up. But... again, having learned a lesson, Tsunade gave others not to find a reason to restrict her actions by providing benefits to the village?

What? The Hokage would say no to quick funds? The elders and clan's head would? If they do, they better give a damn good reason for it! And... they didn't have any.

Well, Danzo tried.

"So, is it alright for the founding Shinobi clan to use the Genin Corps as their errands boy?!"

"Better paying jobs and comfortable positions that give them time to train, I'd say it's a damn fine work for one of the TWO founding shinobi clans of the village to look after Konoha's interest at the expense of our personal funds. And I would like to remind everyone that what Senju is for the outside world, happens to be the Uchiha on the inside."

Tsunade smiled and winked at Yata Uchiha who shot a glare at the deflating Danzo. Yata had to admit that because of the actions of one particular bad apple, higher-ups of the village like to find faults with the Uchiha so it felt too good for someone to admit this and that, too, from the Senju Princess no less.

Everyone on the council was beginning to see Mito's shadow in Tsunade even if she won't admit it.

Hiruzen smoked his pipe with a thoughtful hum and continued, "Would you like to expand why the few Senjus from the genin corps and your brother Nawaki are temporarily excused from the force?"

While Tsunade knew she had good reasons before... it was time to be shameless from now on.

Tsunade leaned forward and smiled, "War preparations."

And that silenced others. Again, Senju was preparing for the war to protect Konoha... no faults could be found.

"Then how do you explain experienced Jonins suddenly retiring," Danzo pressed while other elders aside from Kai had their gazes sharpened, "All the Jonins of high experience suddenly leaving the ranks will create problems down the line."

"These experienced Jonins are the ones preparing the kids for war," Tsunade shrugged as others blanched, "Besides, I made sure that none under the age of 50 retired and a substantial unit of Senju nins are still ready to serve the village's needs."

Even ninjas have a retirement age... although, most never live that long in the first place. Still, 50 is the line. They can still choose to work and Senjus are still lively after 50 so, with their experience, they are a great asset to the village. An asset Tsunade wouldn't mind sharing if there wasn't an ass amongst themselves hiding and taking each one of them out.

But Tsunade had no good excuse to secure chunins and young jonins, neither was she planning to do that. Safeguarding the young only for them to finally get personal training from vicious old coots who don't know when to stop was only the first half. Tsunade has never backed down from a fight and she was planning to use outrageous funds to equip her clan nins. And if they die still... well, they've had many funerals already. One more it is. Even Tsunade has lived on the edge of life and death many times, so this was an acceptable outcome in her and her clan ninjas' eyes who were now alert to the mysterious forces targeting them.

"Any other questions?" Tsunade inquired.

"No, my curiosity has been sated," Hiruzen smiled. The council continued like usual. A few notable discussions but nothing related to war. Now that a war notice has been given to all clans, another war council will be set for ALL the clan heads and not just the clan heads that can seat in the general council.

--

"Senjus are concentrated in the village as much as Uchihas, Hiruzen, you fool! Open your eyes and look! The concentration of power is shifting. If Tsunade can sway the base of the village forces by this much then—"

Danzo was stunned as Hiruzen set his pipe down and shot the man a glare so sharp that Danzo stumbled back and flopped down on his seat with cold sweat dripping down his forehead.

"Danzo Shimura, do not take my friendship for granted," Hiruzen states plainly but each word bit into Danzo as the Hokage continued, "What spurred Tsunade for her actions is still not clear but she had thought well for the village. The Senju Clan's personal wealth will help the village and not having their competitor recognized today once again leave them in dust, the Uchiha will follow ahead with some form of effort. If all you have to say to me is that concentration of power scares you then you clearly are not eligible to handle Anbu's sub-division Root."

Danzo winced as he grew silent.

"Report," Hiruzen demanded.

"46 orphans taken in the month before have fully settled in. This is their information," Danzo took out a scroll from his sleeves and set it on the table as Hiruzen nodded, "I will see through it. You may leave."

Danzo huffed slightly but didn't dare cause a ruckus but before the man left through the door, Hiruzen called out slightly, "Danzo, your intelligence reports wouldn't happen to know why Tsunade took these actions, right?"

"If I knew, I would have averted this mess," Danzo snorted and left as his gaze spewed fire!

'Damn Senju, and Damn you Hiruzen! Can't you see how dangerous Senju and Uchiha are in this day and age?!'

--

"So? How did the council meeting go?" Mito smiled as Tsunade rolled her eyes, "Danzo acted like someone was ticking his balls... so usual," she sprawled back on the couch while taking a refreshing sip of wine from her cup.

"I didn't ask you, right? Hmm, Kai-kun, what do you think?"

"I..." Knowing full well Mito had some jutsu to detect bullshit, Kai gave a sheepish grin, "I thought it wasted my time... I could have slept, eaten, trained, or anything else... but I was stuck with them when the only productive thing they did was send Nara Clan a subsidy of 100000 Ryo."

Tsunade looked impressed. That's exactly what happened. And the worst thing was that he didn't even get any quest to make up for it.

Mito chuckled, "I see. I can't say the answer didn't disappoint me."

"I'm sorry," Kai pursed his lips. He just wasn't cut out to be a leader... well, not a 'good' leader.

Briefly informed about the meeting by Tsunade, Mito looked at Kai and continued, "Now that you know about the war, you must keep a tight lid about it. And you also must rest and relax more so that you don't break before an actual fight."

"Yes!" Kai smiled while Mito continued idly as she, too, picked up her sake cup and sipped from it... an observation that made a drop of cold sweat roll down Tsunade's cheek but ignoring the lass, the grandmother continued, "Kai-kun, I'm very strong. If I am asked to participate in the battle or am held for my obligation which causes me to die, what would you do?"

She didn't beat around the bush as Kai blinked.

'Oi, Oi... you're the support. If you die, my future skill tree dies with you!'

"Uh... I don't know," Kai finally shrugged. What else could he do aside from grinding, "Ah, yeah, taking care of Kushina." he added as Mito's lips twitched.

'Yeah... the world is hopeless without me.'

"So?" Mito continued, "Let's say you train and train and reach the top. There is nothing left for you to achieve based on jutsus... what then? Do you have any dreams?"

'Who even asks these kinds of questions from a 5-year-old?' Tsunade and Kai thought simultaneously.

"Um... marry and settle? Oh, they taught us in the academy that a noble can have multiple wives. I would like that please," Kai smiled as if asking for a harem in a supermarket discount sale. But then again, the crazy grinder thought that he deserved nothing less than more for all he had suffered. He died a virgin when he had a willing girlfriend! But the Gamer Mind positively castrated him!

Mito's and Tsunade's glare sharpened and trailed over him before the blonde guffawed, "That'z too goodd!" She slurred a bit, "To see a goddamn talented ninja sucked to a fucking husk!"

"Shut it," Mito glared at the granddaughter interrupting another round of intimate 'review' of their guardian's performance, "Now, where were we... yes, a harem. Do you understand what a harem means?"

"... girls?"

Tsunade had a hard time controlling her laughter as her disciple replied sweetly. Honestly, if the other pervert known to her could manage to bring such honestly then he may have been a bit tolerable!

"No, boy. Women are vicious. More than animals and beasts. More than men, too, most of the time. How will you control the chain of command amongst such vicious creatures when you have no interest in management."

"Or you could just, you know, find some women for a good pay..." Tsunade smirked. The kids had gone through enough sex ed this year to understand the severity of it all.

Mito's glare quietened the lass and she looked at the dazed Kai.

'She's right... damn, she's right. Even the grind won't help... wait... I never thought of this but... do I get skills for those certain actions?'

Seeing Kai's dumb gaze, a bit of victory flashed in Mito's eyes but then it was snuffed out when she realized the boy was 5 even if he could pass off like 8.

But before she could continue, Kai exclaimed, "I'll just find the top dog for the chain of command, keep her happy and let her handle things."

Mito smirked, "Top dogs aren't easy to find."

"I'll find one." Kai shrugged and leaned back on the couch while sipping on his cup of tea.

"Hmm... I see. That could work and it will not interfere with your loyalty to the Uzumaki and the Senju clans. But that dream is quite something, don't you think?" Mito added.

'I'd say this entire interview was quite something,' Kai rolled his eyes internally.

"Uh... I don't know, maybe it could change. Like Kushina keeps on shouting she'd be the first Lady Hokage but I never saw her work towards that goal... and I'm busy for mine, too. And now war... and I haven't ever been in a war..."

'The missions I would have and juicy SP...'

"Don't worry," Mito smiled and ruffled his hair, "You'll find your top dog when you're grown enough and you'll do well in the war. Don't tell Kushina but I think you'd make a better Hokage since you understand what delegation to the right person means now. Go on, you must have training to do, right? Keep up with your sealing practice."

Kai left soon as Tsunade looked at her grandmother, "What was that? Or better yet, what are you even doing? You made that speech about wanting for someone to inherit your burdens so you can be at peace but all you're doing is... cause mischief! You're even drinking alcohol!"

"Why can't I drink? Hmm? Anyway, Nawaki still hasn't visited me and while I have only met him once, it would do him and your clan some good that it doesn't come to the point that I have to visit YOU."

Tsunade was sure that she saw Mito's violet orbs grow into... life before getting dim again and shuddered.

"Fine! As if you weren't the one who was tired of greeting new family members, right?" Tsunade bit back dryly.

"Exactly, now that you understand, chop-chop, indulge in the wine of your own wares. I have a limited stock," Mito smiled as Tsunade left grumbling.

'Still the top dog,' Mito leaned back with a pleased smirk on her lips.

Shoutout to jaycehunter, Alejandro Perez Diaz, petropan, Elijah Lowrance, webolive, Kingdovahkiin, doug mahan, Evil_Bob, Frostynips, Corrupt Zain, Gilberto Lopez!!

Read 15 advance chapters here—

Patre /Fanharem

And do vote some powerstones~

Report chapter Comments

{A/N: Due to AU, Tsunade had her plans in motion early and still hadn't developed her rules of medic nins not wanting to enter combat.}

The trio looked at Tsunade who had a green flak jacket on her body with the top three buttons not connected for two good reasons and wore her usual attire underneath. Her forehead protector covered the diamond-shaped mark on her forehead and she, in return looked at the kids with her amber orbs.

"Ready for your first C-rank?" Tsunade inquired with a teasing smirk.

"Heck yeah!" Kushina bounced and Mikoto nodded, "Of course."

Meanwhile, Kai looked at the skill he completed before being called for that council meeting yesterday.

[Uzumaki Style Chakra Matrix (50/50): Forms seals and matrix through molding chakra. The consumption of chakra is dependent on the seal formed. Each level increases the speed of formation of a seal by 2. Each level reduces the chakra consumed by 1. Chakra Consumed: 5~???]

[Name: Kai

Age: 5

Title: Senju Guardian

Gamer Traits: Skill Tree; Sleepless Gamer

Rank: Genin

Hit Points: 100

Stamina: 100/100 (10.1/min)

Chakra: 8515.5 (2433*250) (210/min) (60*250%/min)

Physique: 102/1000

Mental: 89/1000

Perception: 44/1000]

[Skill points: 366]

His Physique and perception had increased by 2 and 1 point each but this was the result of actual training by constantly throwing hands with Kushina and Mikoto. Especially Mikoto who was more of a precise fighter with her Uchiha style Taijutsu... what he wouldn't do to get his hands on it and grind the heck out of it!

But more than that was his eagerness to try his sealing techniques on someone. And this mission would do well for it. His excited expression was all that Tsunade needed to know about the fearless harem seeker's readiness for what was about to come.

They walked past the village entrance consisting of gigantic green gates over which Kai could now detect an unimaginably complicated seal matrix that seemed to have a variety of information gathering functions and found the seal embedded into the ground. Freaky stuff.

"This is my first time leaving the village..." Mikoto smiled and Kushina, always eager, cried out in shock, "Hah? Really? Well then, I'll invite you to my homeland. Given the distance, you can see many things while traveling."

Mikoto smiled and nodded, "I look forward to it."

"Before you girls go on some dreamy memory lane, what did I tell you about readiness?" Tsunade frowned as Kushina and Mikoto blinked before nodding. They didn't point out that they had just taken the first step out of the gates while Kai was still in its periphery knowing full well that Tsunade would just find a loophole and repeat with a punch on their heads!

They quickly psyched themselves up and grew alert while Kai walked out too. He was actually the center of the current formation because Mikoto is expected to be the first response from behind, Kushina in the front, and Kai was expected to go all out with his sensing and put others in genjutsu. This was simply to train them further in a riskier environment. While Tsunade would have been laid back, the fact she wore her flack jacket meant that she took her clan's situation seriously. Other ninjas of her clan are expected to be alert and she was no different.

The team traveled into the woods silently. Their pace was steady. The destiny of their mission wasn't that far from the village as they soon stopped and Kai looked around, signaling others before they flickered from their current position and appeared on a nearby tree with a small paper tag. It wasn't an explosive tag but a detection one that would make the seal on the other side tremble.

"Great, they are rich enough to buy the seals which means that they don't keep a large inventory but sell quickly," Tsunade muttered. And the fact that the seal was within ten kilometers of the village irked her no matter how well it was hidden. If Kai could find it then others should be able to do that, too.

Her words made Kushina and Mikoto bite their lips in indignation as Kai whispered, "This is better than the beginner one. Uh, it also measures rough chakra capacity in a given period to reveal color codes of alert."

Kushina frowned and took out a brush before etching a disable seal of the highest order she could write and stopped the seal.

"I can sense... more," Kushina whispered. She was no sensor but could sense seals in close proximity.

"13," Kai muttered.

"Try again, it's 15. Two are beyond the scope of your current perception," Tsunade muttered knowing that Kai would have found them eventually but given how he was growing and how Mito gushed more and more about the boy... Tsunade felt that he would surpass her in time. Better to get a few low blows now than when it gets too late!"

"Damn it... so many seals can only mean..." Mikoto frowned.

"No, the mission rank is still C. For certain reasons, many bandits and traders will get their hands on shinobi tools in high quantity... And that's why the number of C-ranks have gotten higher."

'Oh, goodie!' Kai's eyes practically glowed as he quickly led them to other seals. They were clear. His sealing techniques were beyond just ink and paper so the basic stuff would be left for Kushina to hone her penmanship and Kai would act when he feels that he could have a good grind.

After disabling all the seals, Kushina still looked fresh as daisies even when disabling seals requires 150 chakra points a pop. Damn, her reserves are simply unreasonable!

Now he was becoming increasingly aware of what Tsunade meant by having too little chakra to start nature transformation practice. Must be highly taxing!

They followed the trails and had to exclude a few as they were misleading, meaning that the group was experienced and most likely had a bigger operation than they were expecting.

--

Orochimaru was certainly pleased by the turn of events. He was thinking of finding a good and stable C-rank mission. It was honestly easy to make good with the boy because, despite his exterior, he was like Tsunade. Sure, she grew cunning now but she still found Hiruzen trustworthy. Poor girl. Orochimaru admired Hiruzen and wanted to be like him, but trust? Come on, he's more venomous than any of his summons. Just that his manipulations are so subtle that even the fake jester of a Jiraiya would fail to ever unravel all this. Orochimaru only found a few things when he was approached by THAT man.

It shattered his trust in Hiruzen, but in return, Orochimaru had newfound respect. Similarly, if he could lay the groundwork with Nawaki now, he would have a willing Senju leader soon enough. Besides, Orochimaru loved Tsunade as the obnoxious sister he never had and trusted his back to her. He didn't mean anything bad for the boy, just some harmless mind games.

Not to mention the fact that Nawaki being under a house arrest gave Orochimaru a good reason to stay in the village and focus on his research.

'Sigh... trying to understand nature energy is getting harder than expected. How the hell does that slippery bastard of a snake ever manage to form senjutsu chakra...' Orochimaru walked towards the Senju Compound. To be perfectly honest, he would just like his Sensei to see he is the perfect candidate for the Kage seat and be done with it. But no, the village HAD to be filled with potential. Begrudgingly, Orochimaru accepted that the team's jester's strength rivaled his own. And if it wasn't for his ambitions, Orochimaru would have loved to sink his fangs into Minato.

If Jiraiya saw himself in the boy, so did Orochimaru. Alas. Things we do for ambitions.

"Eh?" Orochimaru was stopped at the entrance. While other newly retired Shinobi taught the young ones about many things, revealing how quickly they can grow under the right direction of the clan, Orochimaru saw more. Currently, with those retired Jonins, the Senju Compound was a fortress. While only one Jonin taught, others kept the perimeter checks and other usual stuff.

Even Orochimaru was only allowed in during the morning hours and give Nawaki an even more specialized training to have his contributions etched down in the boy before the Jonins of the clan surpass it.

"He is at Uzumaki estate... you say," Orochimaru smiled and spoke with the usual rasp in his voice, "I see. It's good that Nawaki is trying to make up with Mistress Uzumaki."

And there you go, the guards' expressions lit up and they gave a favorable smile. It was THAT easy.

Orochimaru left with a respectful nod and walked the streets aimlessly. Finding amusement in how the Konoha police would go as far as helping civilians find their pets if they cannot afford missions or picking up the slack in some guard's duty, Orochimaru felt a soft breeze briefly and turned to enter a dark alleyway before flickering away. He soon reappeared in Konoha cemetery and stood over the graves of... well, his parents. A moment of profound exasperation passed his eyes as he muttered, "Immortality... I wonder if it exists."

He had many goals but immortality wasn't it. It was a means to achieve the crystallization of his goal.

"Senju is said to be the one who has 1000 jutsus. But 80 of them, be it any nature, are formed by one man alone. Tobirama Senju. I wished... to have lived in that man's era... his ingenuity must have been blinding. He taught Sarutobi Hiruzen, a man who mastered five nature transformations and claimed the title of professor."

Orochimaru looked up at the fleeting sky, "I... want to master all the jutsus under the sky."

"What do you think, Elder Danzo Shimura?" Orochimaru looked to the side and found a man standing not far away.

"Orochimaru," the man began somberly, "It seems we can be of help to one another."

"We can?" Orochimaru smirked, "Do tell, Elder. As a shinobi of the village, I shall do what is required."

Danzo snorted softly, "Indeed. You shall. It has come to my attention that only a few select individuals are being allowed to enter the Senju Compound. It is discussed that we must keep an eye out to safeguard the village."

"I see... who did you discuss this with and why MUST we safeguard the village against Senju?" He mockingly emphasized and added, "The Senju AND the Uchiha created the village, after all. Certainly, it wouldn't do to forget one of the two."

It was clear that Tsunade must have made a fool of him in Jiraiya's and Orochimaru's company since it was known that the three would collect over in one of their usual spots to discuss teaching methods... although, it would devolve into a drunk Tsunade throwing a bruised Jiraiya out while discussing a few more things with Orochimaru and leaving.

"Orochimaru, while you are huddled in one of the hospital's laboratories, we both know that a man of your caliber needs... more. Subjects. Pieces of equipment. Interesting research material, say... Kekkei Genkai.

I can provide all that and a safety net from Hiruzen?"

"You?" Orochimaru smirked, "Elder Danzo, now I know that it isn't in my good interest to get in your way so I will forget we had this conversation and let you and Tsunade sort this out. Happy findings."

Orochimaru flickered away as Danzo heaved a deep shuddering breath before stomping loudly. Resisting the urge to destroy the tombstone of the bastard's parents and burning bridges, Danzo left promptly.

--

Meanwhile, sprawled over her lap and bawling his eyes out, Nawaki yowled painfully and apologized, "I'm sorry, grandma! Aah! It hurts! I'll never call you a hag again! Sorry!"

Mito, however, held the bamboo stick and delivered a 'light' swat on the boy's naked bums.

"Oi! No more, it hurts just seeing that tomato ass of his!" Another freaked-out grumble resounded but Mito wouldn't have it.

That bamboo stick was Kai's other motivation to not lose many of his missions!

--

Kushina was quivering where she stood while Mikoto's gaze was blank. Yet, the kunai in her hand with the slightest touch of venom made her intentions clear. And while distasteful, Kai could empathize, he didn't lose his cool.

Tsunade silently watched into the clearing with her team through a discreet corner. Men, women, and children, were stripped naked and tied before being forced into a small caravan as a rugged bandit with a broadsword walked towards the damaged carriage of the group they just raided and took out a scroll from the pouch of his waist. Setting the seal under the carriage, the man quickly left and soon.

Boom*

The carriage was blown into smithereens!

They were well aware of the scroll explosives. Unlike exploding tags that need chakra to react with the surroundings and explode, the scroll explosives are a little more elaborate as the bandits couldn't possibly use chakra. Instead, the scroll has the chakra of the maker, and opening the scroll is the trigger that causes the chain reaction and boom.

"But... why was there an Uzumaki seal on that scroll?" Kushina shuddered in rage!

"It's just a product that can be found in anybody's hand... that said, these bandits have an extraordinary number of seal items, most of them from Uzushiogakure," Tsunade narrowed her eyes and felt perplexed.

"Sensei... should we..." Mikoto inquired softly but Tsunade bit her own lip and shook her head. Honestly, she hated being a leader because of the tough decisions at times, "We will wait and follow them. There aren't many scouts in this part of the forest and it's almost night. I don't imagine a trade with bandits can ever occur in low visibility. In fact, if we can gather who trades with the bandit, we can inform the administration in our report and probably produce a few scouting missions, too... that said, the noble who lost his son would want the leader's head."

Their C-rank mission was to discover the newly formed chain of Slave Traders who seemed to be a little sneaky and capture the leader. Well, this was the mission from the noble of the land of fire whose third son was captured and sold elsewhere. The village also added another objective. To find their associates and Tsunade realized that knowing their possible source of fuinjutsu items may just reveal why so ma y Uzumaki products are here.

Shoutout to MrKnighty, Branden Eugley, Alhron Ello, Anthony Pignataro, SanMarco Geddes, Jacky Chen, Jimmeuht!!

Read 30 advance chapters here—

Patre /Fanharem

And do vote some powerstones~

Report chapter Comments

The four followed the trails and continued until they reached a small stream and picked up a rubble.

Drrrr*

'Motherfucker... that's a seal matrix for hidden entrances and that, too, with a key system for civilians!' Kai almost grumbled but held his silence.

As they entered, the entrance closed behind them and Mikoto felt impatient to help as the various scenarios in her mind made her breath hitch somewhat.

"Genin Mikoto," Tsunade stated sternly, "Don't forget that we have to scout the area and cover their exit routes, or else this whole mission will be a failure."

She then looked at Kai, "Give the perimeters a glance, and Kushina, you will undo the seal at the entrance. Mikoto, take the high point of view and keep a lookout." With that, Tsunade walked beside Kushina who quickly poofed out her supplies and began unsealing the entrance and as Kai flickered away, Mikoto did, too, albeit reluctantly.

Kai found a hidden exit soon enough. But while Kushina could unseal relatively quickly, strengthening the seal so that a mere trigger doesn't allow their target to leave is much harder. Making sure of his surroundings, Kai crouched down and placed his hand on the seal before mumbling, "Let's see... spreading chakra..."

From the point of contact over the large boulder, pitch-black squiggly seal marks began to spread out like a spider web. And this was his speed after a 100 increase in the speed with which he could form chakra seals. Heck, he was sure that the chakra matrix system should be a C-rank level of fuinjutsu and that's why it made other skills from the clan skill tree obsolete.

"Huff... took 1300 points of chakra..." Kai shook his head. As broken as seals are, forming seals itself is very taxing even if only ink and brush are used. The seal mark disappeared into the boulder and Kai mused that the trigger hidden entrance and exit were of lower quality than the trigger explosive scroll and wasn't an Uzumaki work this time around.

He soon returned to the entrance where Mikoto was already waiting as he reported, "I found a hidden exit with the trigger and over imposed another seal to block the effects of the trigger. Exit point, secured."

Tsunade nodded and looked at Kushina, "Let's enter. We will act accordingly once we see the situation itself."

The earthen wall parted once Kushina slapped the dried ink and fuelled it with a great amount of chakra. The four of them walked down the stairs cautiously as torches were placed to light up the area making it hard for the four to hide themselves efficiently.

"p-please... n-not..."

Soft gasps, passing hollers, and many other indications made Mikoto's skin crawl as her grip on her kunai tightened while Kushina silently unsheathed the chokuto on her back with a stormy expression. Even Kai held four venomous senbon needles in between his curled fingers.

They soon reached the last of the stairs and Tsunade vanished before reappearing the next instant with a cold expression and dropping two men down the stairs. Dead.

"They are all alive," Tsunade whispered and looked at her team, "But you can guess what is happening past that entrance. Now it is your call whether you want to complete the bare essential of the mission or... wait for their contacts to—"

Mikoto didn't wait any longer and Kushina shot from her location, too as Kai looked at Tsunade who frowned and inquired, "Would it work if we interrogate the leader ourselves?" Kai knew that no prisoners are allowed to be brought unless the mission asks for it. This is purely for security reasons as the prisoner could be a spy well-versed in breaking through the defenses.

"It could," Tsunade sighed, "But it won't do us any good. These seals must be provided again and the time of the resupply is not known. Now that the jig is up, the other party may as well have escaped but I can be sure that the slaves are being supplied to either Iwa or Kumo."

"Not Suna?" Kai inquired, ignoring the sounds of screams.

"They can't support fodders. Anyway, shouldn't you help your teammates?"

"Sensei, you didn't complete your orders before... and if possible, I would rather not see it... or smell it even when knowing what was happening before."

Tsunade's knuckle suddenly greeted the top of his head as he scowled while she grumbled, "Always something to reply with, cheeky squirt!"

"Then should I not answer to my superior?" His question left her speechless. And if she learned anything from her grandmother, in a state of speechlessness, adopt violence.

Knock*

"Ow!"

--

Kushina saw red the moment she saw women on the ground... and children, too, with rough-necked men laughing and jeering. The images and case studies didn't do justice to the horror of the situation. Men were tied away, their eyes wide in despair as their mouths were covered and Kushina saw the leader as soon as he saw them... and ran while leaving his men right then and there!

"Stop it!" Mikoto shrieked, her eyes wide in rage and horror as she became a blur in the eyes of bandits, and next thing, stabbed through the back into the heart of the man on top of a sobbing woman still struggling. Kushina, however, followed the leader in a red blur and soon found him at the end of the entrance smashing his fist into the boulder, screaming, "Damn it! Open!"

He looked back and his eyes widened in fright, "Wait! I can—" and that's when Kushina's chokuto neatly sliced through the man's neck and she spun to kick the man's head, not willing to see it a second longer attached to his body.

Kushina snorted, stabbing into his body a few more times in pure rage, and picked the man's head before walking towards the dungeon where Mikoto lay in the pool of blood with the bandits around her all but dead and Tsunade had a green glow in her hand as she kept it over Mikoto's forehead.

Kai was freeing the men who promptly hugged the women they knew, crying alongside them as they didn't know how to process all this but they will, in time.

"Let's go," Tsunade muttered before looking at the group and slamming her hand on the ground, causing a large poof of smoke. By the time the smoke disappeared, the men and women saw a few sets of female clothes that came out of Tsunade's stash while the group of ninjas themselves alongside their unconscious teammate were long gone.

--

"I'm sorry!" Mikoto cried as she faced the pale, despondent faces of naked children and women, "I... should have come in quicker! Please—" she gasped as one of the women suddenly reached out and coldly tore her clothes when—

"Hah!" She gasped and sat up with a haggard expression. Her shoulders jumped up and down as she heaved, feeling her throat dry and...

"Uh," she clutched her head in pain as she felt something moving in her eyes. Even with her eyes closed, she could feel it and the sensation soon disappeared.

Slowly, she looked around. Her bedroom... Was the mission failure? She didn't remember much aside from the first few moments then her vision swam and her body just... moved.

Changing out of her current clothes, wondering if it was their maid who changed her, Mikoto walked out of her room. Her house was slightly larger than the others but looked mostly the same. Navy roof, wooden pillars, a slightly larger courtyard, and a few rooms. It was just somewhat sad that it was only her, her father, and their maid living here.

As she aimlessly passed the main living room, she heard a chipper voice, "Oh? You finally woke up. Come in."

Mikoto flinched but did as asked and slid open the door aside before entering the room where her father sat on a flat cushion while tending to a small stalk of a lily in a vase. Another empty flat cushion was placed in front of the man as Mikoto wondered how long he was waiting for her.

Sitting in front of him, Mikoto waited patiently as he began, "Tsunade Senju used her medical ninjutsu to lower the trauma you suffered. It is also reported that she is absolutely furious at you and the Uzumaki brat for running in without any caution or her orders being formed."

Mikoto winced while the man continued, "Congratulations." His large hand found its way over to her head and ruffled her hair as Mikoto whispered, "What's there to congratulate...?" Her tone was a notch gloomier as her father didn't stop patting her but spoke warmly, "Look at me, dear."

As Mikoto looked up, she found his previous black pupils now red with three tomoes rotating slowly and her body worked instinctively. Her own eyes turned red with a single tomoe in each eye. She just knew how her eyes looked at the moment.

"Do you hate it?" Yata inquired as Mikoto couldn't help but fall silent.

"I'm sorry, father. I broke the shinobi rules—"

"Bah, let the Hokage stick the rule up his ass! I asked you if you hate this?" Yata inquired while retracting his hand.

Mikoto bit her lips and whispered with tears on the verge of spilling out, "The requirement... is just too much..."

Now she could understand why a Sharingan user would never speak of the conditions to someone who didn't activate their Kekkei Genkai and unlocked the Sharingan.

It was painful. To relive those memories, that is.

"Hmm, what do you think the requirement is?" Yata inquired.

"Hate..." Mikoto whispered with bitingly cold words as tears spilled down her cheeks while her Sharingan deactivated, "I hated those bandits for what they did. I—"

"You loved and that's why you hated." Yata smiled, "Why do you hate?"

"Because..." Mikoto frowned. She never really thought about it and now felt that she had no answer. Even when her father just said that it was because of love... she couldn't possibly hold affection for strangers but seeing her confusion, Yata spoke up again, "Love for life, child. Death is a part of it and we see it daily. Death is just... peaceful. What we eat is dead. What we earn from is dead. What is dead remains dead and must be kept that way because death is supposed to be peaceful.

Life is harsh. But some hold the love for life and seeing it hurt pains them to a varying degree. The pain causes hatred. And the Uchiha awakens Sharingan if they feel a level of hatred. But the Sharingan is never a product of hatred and instead forms from love."

Mikoto silently mulled over it. She didn't want to but her gut told her that this would be beneficial for her.

"Then..." Mikoto wiped her tears and hicked a sob, "Why do I feel so guilty?"

"You tell me," Yata replied.

"I should have entered quicker and saved them!" Mikoto hissed.

"Maybe. Maybe you would have wound up dead. Or worse." Yata sighed as his Sharingan deactivated, "Mikoto, never confuse vengeance with aim. Vengeance is short-lived. Do you know what some of our members refer to as the three tomoes of our eyes?"

She shook her head.

"The Circle of hatred. Because they still hate those individuals who caused their Sharingan to grow so much. But do you want to know what my Jonin sensei used to call it?"

Mikoto nodded.

"The wheel of Love." Yata smiled, "He used to say that our Sharingan grow because we wish to protect and learn from our failures. The pain we feel is the testament that we are alive and WILL find someone to protect again and this time, succeed in it."

Her eyes widened slightly as Yata chuckled, "You can either think of hatred. Let the pain consume you and become part of this circle... or as my sensei would say, become the wheel, roll off the pain, and drift past hatred."

Mikoto hicked and chuckled at the bad pun, "Who was your sensei, father?"

"A man named Kagami Uchiha."

Mikoto nodded, burning this philosophy in her heart before frowning, "I also... felt helpless."

"Helplessness is the sign of weakness and the other way to think it is that the Sharingan responded to your urge for strength. Of course, there may be a more detailed explanation of how our kekkei genkai works but damnit, we're Uchihas and will romanticize Sharingan!"

Mikoto smiled and fell into her father's arms, hugging him tightly.

"There, there, you'll feel better."

"Father..."

"Yes, sweety?"

"I don't want to marry Fugaku!"

"Hah, nice try! This and that are unrelated!"

"But," Mikoto looked up, "Why Fugaku?"

"Because he is strong and will protect you, sweetheart," Yata smiled, "I won't be there for you forever."

This earned him a disapproving glare as Mikoto huffed, "If I am to marry someone strong, why not someone else? Fugaku isn't the strongest!"

"Well... he is strong and an Uchiha so, he checks out."

"I thought the main family line has the right to choose their spouses!" Mikoto grumbled.

"Of course, of course," Yata smiled, "But if you pick some outsider, you won't be a princess anymore, my princess."

"I'll see to that," Mikoto smirked, "And I'll find someone so strong that he would even beat you! Then, you won't have a problem, right?"

"Of course, not," Yata fussed over the girl, "I'll hate that son of a bitch but I'll be happy! Ah, my daughter wants me beaten!"

Their antics were cut short when a fair woman in a pink kimono knelt and spoke softly, "Yata-sama, Mikoto-sama's teammates are being held at the entrance of the compound and the guards are requesting your order."

"Let them in!" Mikoto grinned but the woman didn't move until Yata gave an approving hum and she flickered away, revealing herself to be a kunoichi.

"Tch, I don't like her..." Mikoto grumbled.

"Now, now, let's meet your friends. Especially that Kai..." Yata grinned viciously.

--

Kushina and Kai sat in front of Yata Uchiha who simply had a heavy aura around him. Mikoto sat beside them, feeling none of it with a happy smile.

"So... you're Kai, huh, Mito Uzumaki's proxy. I've been waiting for this personal meeting, boy." The man spoke grimly before thundering in a voice so loud that Kushina jumped up in a scare— "How dare you make fun of my daughter?!"

Kai blinked in surprise and looked at Mikoto who had a devilish smirk before looking back at Yata, "Lord Uchiha, the man you should find is our Sensei. He did send me out of class but never once verbally ordered me to stop. Honestly, the man couldn't stop looking away."

Yata huffed, "I see... alright."

They both nodded and Mikoto snapped, "That's it?"

"Well, the boy answered honestly so he is free of guilt."

Mikoto just... felt so empty now. If she hadn't awakened her Sharingan before, she would have now.

"Hmph, whatever, I'm not talking to you anymore!" Mikoto stood up and held Kushina's and Kai's arms before dragging them away.

As they left, the same woman entered the room as Yata muttered, "Be sure to... discreetly suggest Mikoto-chan about some effective contraceptives. I don't trust Academy with that and Tsunade seems the kind of woman who would rather concoct some strange technique to instead grow a child in a day and complete the delivery."

"That's quite the imagination, Yata-sama... if I didn't know any better I would think you want a child right now," The woman smiled but as Yata looked at her, he was the 'obvious' stare as he grew silent before huffing, "Well... if you put it THAT way..."

The woman smirked knowingly as she eagerly closed the door while her Kimono slipped down.

--

"I'm so sorry! I should have—"

Before Kushina could complete, Mikoto pulled both Kai and Kushina into a hug as Kai coughed, "Mikoto-chan, are you feeling fine?"

She snorted and pulled back before revealing her Sharingan to the team, "Better than fine! Kai, your winning streak will end now!"

It really... didn't.

Shout out to David, maurocf, Poke!!

Read 15 advance chapters here—

Patre /Fanharem

And do vote some powerstones~

Report chapter Comments

What came after their first C-rank mission was a punishment in the form of 5 D-rank missions until Tsunade felt satisfied by Mikoto's and Kushina's apology. But the fact that Mikoto awakened her Sharingan greatly pleased Tsunade. On the other hand, Kai earned 10 SP, so he was happy.

--

"Are you sure about this?" Mikoto pouted, unhappy about the slight as Tsunade instructed Kushina on the sword technique.

Meanwhile, Kai looked at the wrist weights and leg weights before nodding, "I think I am getting used to them."

"You just bought them 30 minutes ago!" Mikoto glared as Kai snorted in return, "Irrelevant! Now you may just stand a chance to win WITH that Sharingan." He was speaking the truth after all. The weight would mess up his coordination harshly and even now, he was at a little fence about Tsunade's suggestions of using the weights as it would not only throw him off at the beginning but once he removed the weights, he may need another bout of recovery spars to recollect his perception of strength. Then again... this training may just help his physique AND his perception.

He saw Mikoto's black eyes turn red with a single tomoe and marveled at the sight. According to Mikoto, she could see better and more precisely, her reaction time is improved greatly, and apparently, not as great as byakugan but Sharingan CAN see the major block of a person's chakra that allows the Sharingan users to note if the target is in genjutsu or not. It also has a higher dynamic vision alongside the ability to cast Genjutsu by sight.

"I've already copied some of your techniques!" Mikoto exclaimed proudly, "Ready to teach me again?"

That, too. Goddamn Sharingan really is just full of abilities! And it's not like they have access to one of these abilities, oh no. They have access to all of it and it grows to a certain degree when the Sharingan advances!

But they had yet to move as Kai couldn't help but just take notice of Mikoto now that the change with her eyes red felt more prominent. She has always been fair but now... she certainly looked like... growing. With his face going blank, Kai looked down at his own body and closed his eyes before suddenly shuddering his chakra as Mikoto exclaimed, "Oi, I didn't put you in a Genjutsu!"

"Tch..." Kai looked up again and found her utterly confused before she smirked, "Ohhh~ Kai-chan," Mikoto smirked, "I can't help but be an illusion, you know."

"I'd say that all the losses would make you see that you're real enough but oh well," he drawled, making the girl snort and the two rushed at each other promptly. Although Mikoto proudly stated that she copied a few of his moves, it was unintentional. Sharingan users may copy their opponents but such invasive methods must not be recklessly used on the members of the village. Mikoto, however, could still slip up in control since the dojutsu was new to her.

They quickly began their Taijutsu fest as Kushina looked at them with a wondrous expression and turned to Tsunade, cutely requesting while widening her violet eyes, "Sensei, can I join in the fray?"

"I don't know," Tsunade smiled and drawled lazily, "Can you?" with threat evident in her tone.

Pouting, Kushina continued her own practice.

Soon, Kai sidestepped as Mikoto seemed to have predicted this and had a kick next to his cheek, kissing him the very next moment as his head snapped sideways. Not from the force of the kick but his own doing as she scoffed at the weak feedback from her kick and followed quickly.

As they practiced, Tsunade continued to glance in their direction at times, 'Kushina already had a chunin level reserve but her body is quickly catching up. She also took a shine to swords technique and will grow as a fuinjutsu user, so she's already good enough to be a chunin officially. Just need to beat out a few bad habits...

Mikoto's body is a little weaker, but she's started to focus more on it after that realization. But her skills once enhanced by Sharingan are all chunin level and her chakra reserve will reach that level soon enough. She can even cast D and E-rank Genjutsu with a glance of her Sharingan.'

She then looked at the boy. Honestly, she was getting more and more doubtful that he belonged to some clan and just happened to have been orphaned.

'Chunin-level physique and his reserves are about to reach that level. Given the speed of his growth... probably half a month? Maybe sooner. Damn, I just had to promise nature transformation to him when I haven't even started with the mystical palm technique...'

The only reason Tsunade decided to 'punish' them wasn't because of their slight mishap in the C-rank mission but the fact that they were all almost chunins and had yet to completely finish their theories! Not to mention the fact that killing didn't affect the team but what could happen worse than death. This was something they would gradually learn to cope with, Tsunade did, too, after all. The village can only be peaceful if someone is out there facing all this.

These kids were a little too good for her to even cope with...

Grumbling, Tsunade waited until their spar ended. Mikoto won today but it barely brought satisfaction to the girl. She teased the hell out of the boy but Tsunade could see the urge for self-improvement in the girl.

"Alright, rest up and sit down. We only have 20 of the theory remaining and with ten written tests in the hospital, we can start with your training in iryo ninjutsu!"

This pulled groans from everyone.

--

"Damn it, Tsunade Senju!" Danzo Shimura thundered as everyone's gaze on the man narrowed. This was no mere general council. Every clan head of the village irrespective of their clan's status was present in this room as a large u-shaped desk was occupied by these heads. With the proxy not allowed, neither Mito nor Kai was present in the room, and Tsunade resisted the urge to groan while speaking up as she looked at the large map on the floor in between the scope of the large bench.

The war room was designed in this way itself.

"Whatever do you mean, Elder Shimura?"

Oh, when the Elders enter the advisory council, they give up the administrative control of their respective clan 'officially' and have no voting power like the administrative council of clan heads. This meant that Shimura's younger Cousin was the current patriarch of the clan.

Danzo walked into the empty space between the bench and stepped on the portion marked as Iwagakure, "Because of your actions of mobilizing your clan civilians and bringing them out of hiding, you have alerted Iwagakure as their forces are mobilizing openly and are procuring more and more slaves as a way to train their fodder!"

Unlike Konoha which provides a criminal to their most coveted geniuses in times of war to harden their minds... Iwagakure has a tradition of using innocent civilians. And not only does the act of killing an innocent soon turn even the weakest Iwagakure nin into a dreadful and relatively unhinged opponent but it also makes them cautious of their own mortality. But the Earth Daimyo would never let Iwagakure of all attack their own civilian villages and thus, Iwa procures slaves from other lands.

"So... you mean to say that the immigration of civilian Senju members whose identity should have had some form of protection was already known to Iwagakure and possibly Kumogakure?" Tsunade smiled, "Then I'm relieved to have protected my clansmen."

Danzo hissed, "Tsunade, do you understand that this may propel the first skirmish to an earlier date?"

"Let's do it this way," Tsunade thought of the easiest option her currently bored mind could consider because it was so very obvious, "The fact that the Senju civilians were known to other shinobi village's networks would mean that the genins of the corp currently in their station are also in danger. Senju controls many large chains which can be temporarily suspended but the small stores and stalls would be liquidated. The large chains can continue with a slight setback when the war eventually starts and ends while new stores can be opened. The village will also be provided a 20 cut with the assistance in liquidation."

That's right, when in doubt, slap 'em with stacks of Ryo till they beg for more!

But contrary to her expectations, while a few young clan heads felt impressed, others including the Hokage and his son, the head of the Sarutobi clan discreetly shook their heads. Danzo was giddy internally as he stated loudly while pointing at Tsunade's nose, "Have you learned nothing?! If other clans follow your role and suddenly liquidate everything, the economy of the Land of Fire as a whole will take a major hit, further shortening the date of the skirmish and mind you, other shinobi villages will notice this and WILL attack when we show the slightest weakness."

Tsunade blinked and looked a little... impressed. And she was. Not with Danzo, of course. With herself. Had Mito not started interfering... had Tsunade been the same, the moment Danzo pointed at her, she would have tried to snap his finger. But... she surprisingly found herself leaning back on her chair with a thumb and curled index cupping her chin as she began to understand the implications. It really was more than just money.

"I see," Tsunade smiled, "Hm, you're right, Elder Shimura. What do you suggest we do now?"

Hokage had to double-take!

What. The. Holy. Hell?!

Tsunade actually listened?!

He looked at his blonde student with amazement while Danzo, who was preparing for any retort Tsunade might speak up defensively and ruin her image to shreds almost fell back, not preparing for such a response.

"Well, Senju Interim Matriarch is still young and learning. And the situation isn't entirely ruined so instead of focusing on the slights, let's make the best use of the knowledge that Iwa is going a bit more public and will propel Suna and Kumo to do the same. Are we sure about Kiri's status on the matter?" And nobody certainly thought that Yata Uchiha of all people would diffuse the situation with a few words that made Danzo feel horribly stifled.

But Hiruzen couldn't help and smile slightly. While Mikoto may be an excellent kunoichi candidate, he was subtly hinting at Tsunade during the Academy teaching to pick the Uchiha princess as her last member of the team. It was something as simple as having Mikoto's file opened on the table when Tsunade came to see him or just speaking casually about how Kai, Kushina, and Mikoto would have good teamwork because they already knew each other.

The reason was obvious, too. The Uchiha WILL see the Senju Princess choosing their own in good light. The Uchihas are much simple in that manner and in time, as Mikoto grows indebted to Tsunade, a form of cooperation may also be formed aside from their competition against one another, the first hint of which was seen today, right now, in fact.

And the news that Tsunade had greatly eased Mikoto's situation did not go unnoticed by others and Yata Uchiha.

"Uchiha-san is right. The logical step after a blunder is not to appoint blame but rectify the error if possible or make up for it. The Senju Civilians can't head out now for a foreseeable future," the Aburame clan head spoke calmly, his voice more respected in times of war alongside Nara, "So, this leaves us with the option to fortify ourselves and keep the situation balanced to stretch out the remaining few moments of relative peace as long as possible."

Huffing in annoyance internally, Danzo returned to his seat. Meanwhile, a White-haired handsome man, the kind that would have been considered the 'Daddy' in Kai's previous world spoke up with a collected smile, "It would be better to use these stores as a hidden transportation means of our own war supplies and if possible, our men. I suspect that the first, 'calm' skirmish may just happen by the end of the year and the other Shinobi Villages will try to scramble for more and more reasons to attack our borders."

"Hatake-san is correct," Yamanaka leader shook his head and mumbled, "But if we wish to use the already exposed Senju stores, we need to first tackle a technical issue. There must be a great information network under Iwa or Kumo. Suna doesn't have the resources for it. But if Senju civilians can be recognized, we must assume that our own few civilian stores may be targeted, too. The situation won't be the worst for the business chains and stores close to our village and the capital."

Not all clans have enough resources to have civilian business interests and fully focus on the shinobi business. The Hatake clan fell into the category and its leader, Sakumo Hatake couldn't have thought of what Yamanaka pointed out.

But his own words made the Yamanaka leader frown inwardly.

'Tsunade must have known that her civilians outside but close to the village would be safe and in the capital, too... but she brought back everyone. The only two reasons I can think of for this are that Tsunade has some information not known to others or... paranoia.'

The truth was that it was a mix of both.

And just like that, the first War Council meeting began and started preparing concrete defense plans.

--

"This is it..." Mikoto shifted nervously in her seat as the team sat in the hallway of Konoha Hospital. They looked at various doctors and medic-nin in lab coats moving around. A few glanced in their direction since the underground layer of the hospital was restricted to the staff itself but then they saw whose office they sat outside of and walked away with their own work.

"It was easy," Kai gave a breezy smile, "I think it was the easiest exam of all 10~ Don't you think so, Kushina-chan, Mikoto-chan?"

Kushina punched the boy hard, taking away 0.1 of his health and pouting, "Shut it! It was hard as heck dattebane! Tch, you were better when it was easy to pick you up and have you on our laps..."

Mikoto nodded in silent agreement, glaring at the boy past Kushina.

They had started their theoretical exams nine days ago and while they passed all nine... Tsunade pulled out all stops today. Half of the things weren't even taught to them! And Tsunade was clear that failing any of these tests would mean that they will have remedial classes with a passing score being 60.

"My, my, is Tsunade still letting you three hang out to dry?"

An amused chortle with a hint of dry rasp made the trio's head whip in the direction of the voice and found an unusually pale youth with his sleek black hair pulled back into a low ponytail and his body covered by a large lab coat. The trio stood up and politely greeted the resident researcher of the Hospital and a good friend of Tsunade— Orochimaru. This man was also the 'friend' who was supposed to teach Kai some more genjutsu techniques later down the line but Tsunade had yet to make good on the promise given how their schedule has been.

And honestly speaking, Kai was more creeped out by the fact that Orochimaru could pass as a good-looking sissy, and his overall catty nature and somewhat slurred tone didn't make the situation any better.

"Orochimaru-san, Tsunade Sensei is just reviewing our papers," Mikoto smiled.

"Hmm, that I know. We discussed your answers for the other nine tests and I have no doubt I will have to cut short my research and would have to listen to Tsunade complain about you three," A hint of annoyance flashed in Orochimaru's eyes and then smiled, "But just between you three and me... those drunken blabbers are more of a brag. Don't tell her I said this, however."

Kushina and Mikoto lit up while Kai... the one who has been scoring top through all the nine papers just shrugged. Orochimaru's gaze briefly trailed the boy... a marvel, to be exact. He was getting more and more regretful that he didn't try to snap up Minato and Kai and now both of them were in the 'incompetent' or heavy hands of his teammates... 'Sigh...'

"Well, I can also say that you three lucky stars may just help break her curse of always losing a gamble," Orochimaru smirked.

"A gamble?" Kushina inquired.

"Ara, I said too much," He smirked in amusement, "I will let you be. And again, between you three and me... I was the one who set the remaining half of your last exam. I hope you loved questions 51-100~" he walked away lazily while the trio remained rooted.

"Alright, enough dawdling with Orochi! Come in," Tsunade called the sulking trio inside her lab and made them sit away from all the pieces of equipment on the other side of the room with a toughened glass partition in the middle.

Tsunade looked at them and stated coldly, "Kushina, you scored 20. Mikoto, you scored 35. And Kai... you scored 51."

She saw their bodies stiffen but before Kushina could whine, Tsunade smiled, "Good job. You all pass."

"Huh?"

"Well, you cleared all the requirements in the last examination but... I and Orochimaru just couldn't stop! Still, good job tackling the exam, and Kai, the way you cleared one of the questions out of the syllabus was crazy... but I like it. And so will Orochi when I brag— ehm, discuss your examination with them. Oh, yeah, you three didn't know but I, Orochimaru, and Jiraiya discuss the growth of our disciples almost every night."

With that, Tsunade chuckled and gave a light-hearted grin, "We'll start with the practical part of iryo ninjutsu now itself!"

Shoutout to TheHadCMan, PIEGURU8, Mohamed Slt, Rusted, John Smith!!

Read 15 advance chapters here—

Patre /Fanharem

And do vote some powerstones~

Report chapter Comments

What came after their first C-rank mission was a punishment in the form of 5 D-rank missions until Tsunade felt satisfied by Mikoto's and Kushina's apology. But the fact that Mikoto awakened her Sharingan greatly pleased Tsunade. On the other hand, Kai earned 10 SP, so he was happy.

--

"Are you sure about this?" Mikoto pouted, unhappy about the slight as Tsunade instructed Kushina on the sword technique.

Meanwhile, Kai looked at the wrist weights and leg weights before nodding, "I think I am getting used to them."

"You just bought them 30 minutes ago!" Mikoto glared as Kai snorted in return, "Irrelevant! Now you may just stand a chance to win WITH that Sharingan." He was speaking the truth after all. The weight would mess up his coordination harshly and even now, he was at a little fence about Tsunade's suggestions of using the weights as it would not only throw him off at the beginning but once he removed the weights, he may need another bout of recovery spars to recollect his perception of strength. Then again... this training may just help his physique AND his perception.

He saw Mikoto's black eyes turn red with a single tomoe and marveled at the sight. According to Mikoto, she could see better and more precisely, her reaction time is improved greatly, and apparently, not as great as byakugan but Sharingan CAN see the major block of a person's chakra that allows the Sharingan users to note if the target is in genjutsu or not. It also has a higher dynamic vision alongside the ability to cast Genjutsu by sight.

"I've already copied some of your techniques!" Mikoto exclaimed proudly, "Ready to teach me again?"

That, too. Goddamn Sharingan really is just full of abilities! And it's not like they have access to one of these abilities, oh no. They have access to all of it and it grows to a certain degree when the Sharingan advances!

But they had yet to move as Kai couldn't help but just take notice of Mikoto now that the change with her eyes red felt more prominent. She has always been fair but now... she certainly looked like... growing. With his face going blank, Kai looked down at his own body and closed his eyes before suddenly shuddering his chakra as Mikoto exclaimed, "Oi, I didn't put you in a Genjutsu!"

"Tch..." Kai looked up again and found her utterly confused before she smirked, "Ohhh~ Kai-chan," Mikoto smirked, "I can't help but be an illusion, you know."

"I'd say that all the losses would make you see that you're real enough but oh well," he drawled, making the girl snort and the two rushed at each other promptly. Although Mikoto proudly stated that she copied a few of his moves, it was unintentional. Sharingan users may copy their opponents but such invasive methods must not be recklessly used on the members of the village. Mikoto, however, could still slip up in control since the dojutsu was new to her.

They quickly began their Taijutsu fest as Kushina looked at them with a wondrous expression and turned to Tsunade, cutely requesting while widening her violet eyes, "Sensei, can I join in the fray?"

"I don't know," Tsunade smiled and drawled lazily, "Can you?" with threat evident in her tone.

Pouting, Kushina continued her own practice.

Soon, Kai sidestepped as Mikoto seemed to have predicted this and had a kick next to his cheek, kissing him the very next moment as his head snapped sideways. Not from the force of the kick but his own doing as she scoffed at the weak feedback from her kick and followed quickly.

As they practiced, Tsunade continued to glance in their direction at times, 'Kushina already had a chunin level reserve but her body is quickly catching up. She also took a shine to swords technique and will grow as a fuinjutsu user, so she's already good enough to be a chunin officially. Just need to beat out a few bad habits...

Mikoto's body is a little weaker, but she's started to focus more on it after that realization. But her skills once enhanced by Sharingan are all chunin level and her chakra reserve will reach that level soon enough. She can even cast D and E-rank Genjutsu with a glance of her Sharingan.'

She then looked at the boy. Honestly, she was getting more and more doubtful that he belonged to some clan and just happened to have been orphaned.

'Chunin-level physique and his reserves are about to reach that level. Given the speed of his growth... probably half a month? Maybe sooner. Damn, I just had to promise nature transformation to him when I haven't even started with the mystical palm technique...'

The only reason Tsunade decided to 'punish' them wasn't because of their slight mishap in the C-rank mission but the fact that they were all almost chunins and had yet to completely finish their theories! Not to mention the fact that killing didn't affect the team but what could happen worse than death. This was something they would gradually learn to cope with, Tsunade did, too, after all. The village can only be peaceful if someone is out there facing all this.

These kids were a little too good for her to even cope with...

Grumbling, Tsunade waited until their spar ended. Mikoto won today but it barely brought satisfaction to the girl. She teased the hell out of the boy but Tsunade could see the urge for self-improvement in the girl.

"Alright, rest up and sit down. We only have 20 of the theory remaining and with ten written tests in the hospital, we can start with your training in iryo ninjutsu!"

This pulled groans from everyone.

--

"Damn it, Tsunade Senju!" Danzo Shimura thundered as everyone's gaze on the man narrowed. This was no mere general council. Every clan head of the village irrespective of their clan's status was present in this room as a large u-shaped desk was occupied by these heads. With the proxy not allowed, neither Mito nor Kai was present in the room, and Tsunade resisted the urge to groan while speaking up as she looked at the large map on the floor in between the scope of the large bench.

The war room was designed in this way itself.

"Whatever do you mean, Elder Shimura?"

Oh, when the Elders enter the advisory council, they give up the administrative control of their respective clan 'officially' and have no voting power like the administrative council of clan heads. This meant that Shimura's younger Cousin was the current patriarch of the clan.

Danzo walked into the empty space between the bench and stepped on the portion marked as Iwagakure, "Because of your actions of mobilizing your clan civilians and bringing them out of hiding, you have alerted Iwagakure as their forces are mobilizing openly and are procuring more and more slaves as a way to train their fodder!"

Unlike Konoha which provides a criminal to their most coveted geniuses in times of war to harden their minds... Iwagakure has a tradition of using innocent civilians. And not only does the act of killing an innocent soon turn even the weakest Iwagakure nin into a dreadful and relatively unhinged opponent but it also makes them cautious of their own mortality. But the Earth Daimyo would never let Iwagakure of all attack their own civilian villages and thus, Iwa procures slaves from other lands.

"So... you mean to say that the immigration of civilian Senju members whose identity should have had some form of protection was already known to Iwagakure and possibly Kumogakure?" Tsunade smiled, "Then I'm relieved to have protected my clansmen."

Danzo hissed, "Tsunade, do you understand that this may propel the first skirmish to an earlier date?"

"Let's do it this way," Tsunade thought of the easiest option her currently bored mind could consider because it was so very obvious, "The fact that the Senju civilians were known to other shinobi village's networks would mean that the genins of the corp currently in their station are also in danger. Senju controls many large chains which can be temporarily suspended but the small stores and stalls would be liquidated. The large chains can continue with a slight setback when the war eventually starts and ends while new stores can be opened. The village will also be provided a 20 cut with the assistance in liquidation."

That's right, when in doubt, slap 'em with stacks of Ryo till they beg for more!

But contrary to her expectations, while a few young clan heads felt impressed, others including the Hokage and his son, the head of the Sarutobi clan discreetly shook their heads. Danzo was giddy internally as he stated loudly while pointing at Tsunade's nose, "Have you learned nothing?! If other clans follow your role and suddenly liquidate everything, the economy of the Land of Fire as a whole will take a major hit, further shortening the date of the skirmish and mind you, other shinobi villages will notice this and WILL attack when we show the slightest weakness."

Tsunade blinked and looked a little... impressed. And she was. Not with Danzo, of course. With herself. Had Mito not started interfering... had Tsunade been the same, the moment Danzo pointed at her, she would have tried to snap his finger. But... she surprisingly found herself leaning back on her chair with a thumb and curled index cupping her chin as she began to understand the implications. It really was more than just money.

"I see," Tsunade smiled, "Hm, you're right, Elder Shimura. What do you suggest we do now?"

Hokage had to double-take!

What. The. Holy. Hell?!

Tsunade actually listened?!

He looked at his blonde student with amazement while Danzo, who was preparing for any retort Tsunade might speak up defensively and ruin her image to shreds almost fell back, not preparing for such a response.

"Well, Senju Interim Matriarch is still young and learning. And the situation isn't entirely ruined so instead of focusing on the slights, let's make the best use of the knowledge that Iwa is going a bit more public and will propel Suna and Kumo to do the same. Are we sure about Kiri's status on the matter?" And nobody certainly thought that Yata Uchiha of all people would diffuse the situation with a few words that made Danzo feel horribly stifled.

But Hiruzen couldn't help and smile slightly. While Mikoto may be an excellent kunoichi candidate, he was subtly hinting at Tsunade during the Academy teaching to pick the Uchiha princess as her last member of the team. It was something as simple as having Mikoto's file opened on the table when Tsunade came to see him or just speaking casually about how Kai, Kushina, and Mikoto would have good teamwork because they already knew each other.

The reason was obvious, too. The Uchiha WILL see the Senju Princess choosing their own in good light. The Uchihas are much simple in that manner and in time, as Mikoto grows indebted to Tsunade, a form of cooperation may also be formed aside from their competition against one another, the first hint of which was seen today, right now, in fact.

And the news that Tsunade had greatly eased Mikoto's situation did not go unnoticed by others and Yata Uchiha.

"Uchiha-san is right. The logical step after a blunder is not to appoint blame but rectify the error if possible or make up for it. The Senju Civilians can't head out now for a foreseeable future," the Aburame clan head spoke calmly, his voice more respected in times of war alongside Nara, "So, this leaves us with the option to fortify ourselves and keep the situation balanced to stretch out the remaining few moments of relative peace as long as possible."

Huffing in annoyance internally, Danzo returned to his seat. Meanwhile, a White-haired handsome man, the kind that would have been considered the 'Daddy' in Kai's previous world spoke up with a collected smile, "It would be better to use these stores as a hidden transportation means of our own war supplies and if possible, our men. I suspect that the first, 'calm' skirmish may just happen by the end of the year and the other Shinobi Villages will try to scramble for more and more reasons to attack our borders."

"Hatake-san is correct," Yamanaka leader shook his head and mumbled, "But if we wish to use the already exposed Senju stores, we need to first tackle a technical issue. There must be a great information network under Iwa or Kumo. Suna doesn't have the resources for it. But if Senju civilians can be recognized, we must assume that our own few civilian stores may be targeted, too. The situation won't be the worst for the business chains and stores close to our village and the capital."

Not all clans have enough resources to have civilian business interests and fully focus on the shinobi business. The Hatake clan fell into the category and its leader, Sakumo Hatake couldn't have thought of what Yamanaka pointed out.

But his own words made the Yamanaka leader frown inwardly.

'Tsunade must have known that her civilians outside but close to the village would be safe and in the capital, too... but she brought back everyone. The only two reasons I can think of for this are that Tsunade has some information not known to others or... paranoia.'

The truth was that it was a mix of both.

And just like that, the first War Council meeting began and started preparing concrete defense plans.

--

"This is it..." Mikoto shifted nervously in her seat as the team sat in the hallway of Konoha Hospital. They looked at various doctors and medic-nin in lab coats moving around. A few glanced in their direction since the underground layer of the hospital was restricted to the staff itself but then they saw whose office they sat outside of and walked away with their own work.

"It was easy," Kai gave a breezy smile, "I think it was the easiest exam of all 10~ Don't you think so, Kushina-chan, Mikoto-chan?"

Kushina punched the boy hard, taking away 0.1 of his health and pouting, "Shut it! It was hard as heck dattebane! Tch, you were better when it was easy to pick you up and have you on our laps..."

Mikoto nodded in silent agreement, glaring at the boy past Kushina.

They had started their theoretical exams nine days ago and while they passed all nine... Tsunade pulled out all stops today. Half of the things weren't even taught to them! And Tsunade was clear that failing any of these tests would mean that they will have remedial classes with a passing score being 60.

"My, my, is Tsunade still letting you three hang out to dry?"

An amused chortle with a hint of dry rasp made the trio's head whip in the direction of the voice and found an unusually pale youth with his sleek black hair pulled back into a low ponytail and his body covered by a large lab coat. The trio stood up and politely greeted the resident researcher of the Hospital and a good friend of Tsunade— Orochimaru. This man was also the 'friend' who was supposed to teach Kai some more genjutsu techniques later down the line but Tsunade had yet to make good on the promise given how their schedule has been.

And honestly speaking, Kai was more creeped out by the fact that Orochimaru could pass as a good-looking sissy, and his overall catty nature and somewhat slurred tone didn't make the situation any better.

"Orochimaru-san, Tsunade Sensei is just reviewing our papers," Mikoto smiled.

"Hmm, that I know. We discussed your answers for the other nine tests and I have no doubt I will have to cut short my research and would have to listen to Tsunade complain about you three," A hint of annoyance flashed in Orochimaru's eyes and then smiled, "But just between you three and me... those drunken blabbers are more of a brag. Don't tell her I said this, however."

Kushina and Mikoto lit up while Kai... the one who has been scoring top through all the nine papers just shrugged. Orochimaru's gaze briefly trailed the boy... a marvel, to be exact. He was getting more and more regretful that he didn't try to snap up Minato and Kai and now both of them were in the 'incompetent' or heavy hands of his teammates... 'Sigh...'

"Well, I can also say that you three lucky stars may just help break her curse of always losing a gamble," Orochimaru smirked.

"A gamble?" Kushina inquired.

"Ara, I said too much," He smirked in amusement, "I will let you be. And again, between you three and me... I was the one who set the remaining half of your last exam. I hope you loved questions 51-100~" he walked away lazily while the trio remained rooted.

"Alright, enough dawdling with Orochi! Come in," Tsunade called the sulking trio inside her lab and made them sit away from all the pieces of equipment on the other side of the room with a toughened glass partition in the middle.

Tsunade looked at them and stated coldly, "Kushina, you scored 20. Mikoto, you scored 35. And Kai... you scored 51."

She saw their bodies stiffen but before Kushina could whine, Tsunade smiled, "Good job. You all pass."

"Huh?"

"Well, you cleared all the requirements in the last examination but... I and Orochimaru just couldn't stop! Still, good job tackling the exam, and Kai, the way you cleared one of the questions out of the syllabus was crazy... but I like it. And so will Orochi when I brag— ehm, discuss your examination with them. Oh, yeah, you three didn't know but I, Orochimaru, and Jiraiya discuss the growth of our disciples almost every night."

With that, Tsunade chuckled and gave a light-hearted grin, "We'll start with the practical part of iryo ninjutsu now itself!"

Shoutout to TheHadCMan, PIEGURU8, Mohamed Slt, Rusted, John Smith!!

Read 15 advance chapters here—

Patre /Fanharem

And do vote some powerstones~

Report chapter Comments

A/N: 10 more advanced chaps pumped today, 5 remaining to complete the total 15 additional advance chap for the next tier~!

Kushina, Mikoto, and Kai stood in front of their individual benches and looked at a large fish placed on a parchment covered in seal marks. Seals that are meant to attune their chakra to their most primal aspect— Yin and Yang. His thoughts were pulled out when Tsunade started the explanation—

"As taught from the very beginning, Chakra is a mixture of physical and spiritual energy. Thus, chakra can affect the metaphysical and the physical. Aside from nurturing the body, chakra can be molded into elemental ninjutsu, genjutsu, and things like Fuinjutsu, too. But, Genjutsu largely does not require any hand seals because it has no form. Genjutsu takes control of enemy chakra with our own and induces illusions, that is the work of the yin side of our chakra or more specifically, the spiritually charged chakra."

"Iryo Ninjutsu's base is similar in that regard. It does not need hand seals but a certain charge and proportion of chakra that can induce growth in our patient's body. The seal under the almost dead fish is formed in a way that will charge your chakra needed to induce this growth. With this, you will learn how to use your chakra for the Mystical Palm Technique. You may think that it would be easy but far from it, without hand seals that are more of a crutch for chakra manipulation, you will be using your own body's reaction to add this charge and then maintain it. The level of control needed is mind-boggling for civilians and even clan nins but... if you three don't get it done, prepare for trouble and I'll damn sure make it double!"

Seeing the intimidated look on the kids' faces, Tsunade nodded and smirked, "Begin. You will be provided with the materials, good for you, huh. All the other clans must pay an exorbitant amount of money to train and figure out their own geniuses."

The trio quickly manipulated the chakra in their body and sent it outwards from both their palms. The moment they did so, the seal lit up briefly before their extremely light bluish chakra gained a hint of turquoise before fading as Tsunade snapped, "Are you trying to kill the fishes with THAT much chakra? Again. Control and feel the flow of the seal! The box fishes have a long lifespan even without water but you three have 30 minutes to save them... or eat them after!"

Meanwhile, Kai looked at the skill with a hint of almost uncontained glee!

[Mystical Palm Technique (1/15): Allows the user to charge the chakra with yin and yang in a specific ratio to induce growth in the target. Reduce chakra wastage by 0.6 for every level. Reduces chakra consumption by 3.3 at every level. Chakra Consumption: 1100/min.

Next Level: Use this technique for 7 hours or 5 SP.]

'A C-level technique, huh,' Kai then looked at the title he had for some time.

[Tsunade's Apprentice: Increase Tsunade's favor and reduce the requirements of learning any Iryo Ninjutsu by 30.]

And equipped it. Honestly, the Basic Iryo Ninjutsu skill tree only had this technique and a chakra scalpel technique. Both of them should be C-rank thus their cost. But with increased proficiency, they will reduce the unnecessary chakra they waste unconsciously and even reduce the chakra needed for the skill to some extent. While the formation of skills made sure that Kai was more efficient in growth, that didn't mean these effects didn't apply to others who master a technique to a certain extent.

When they started again, Tsunade almost stood up and slapped Kai.

What the hell?!

No, WHY the hell?!

The second time, Kai's chakra seemed to have accustomed slightly more to it but she could see that his chakra wasn't nearly enough to fully heal the fish given his currently low efficiency and as expected, while Kai got the charge and the chakra quantity right, he was found lacking in chakra supply.

Mikoto had yet to get the first step right but she was improving at a breakneck pace given that her Sharingan was rotating crazily but... she also lost chakra even quicker than Kai! Awakening Sharingan had boosted her chakra as a form of a growth spurt when they were studying for their exams so right now, all her students had basic chunin level chakra.

Finally... Kushina tried and continued for the entire half-hour until the fish finally flopped down lifelessly as she groaned before looking at Tsunade as her words made the recovering Mikoto and Kai grit their teeth, "Another fish! Oh, I'll pack this one to eat later dattebane!" Her violet eyes flickered with furious determination.

--

Three well-known figures waved at the two Senju Guards and entered the Senju Compound with a casual expression. It was barely dawn but the compound was active and two of them were quickly held down by a third raven-haired figure and quickly were forced to stop in front of a kindly smiling old lady who was preparing dango, dumplings, and whatnot.

"Ah, Uchiha-chan, here for training again? The usual, hmm?" The woman smiled as Mikoto chortled with a heavenly praising voice that she found such a good spot, "Yes, please~!"

The woman chuckled and began preparing while Kai and Kushina grumbled, "Dangos? Again? I'm tired!" Kushina scowled.

"That's how you'll turn fat, Mikoto-chan, and not in the way you would want..." Kai shrugged and the girl blushed, "Shut it! What do you know about a girl's wants, hmph!"

"I don't know, Jiraiya-san had a lot of things to talk about," Kai shrugged as they met the man outside the sex-ed lessons quite a bit and outside the class, the man had no shame and instead of serious consequences, talked about breasts all day!

Mentioning Jiraiya not only made Mikoto and Kushina scowl but also the old lady who happened to be one of the well-known retired kunoichi after Tsunade's act and Kushina grumbled, "I forbid you to speak with him again!"

"Nice try," Kai snorted, "He's fun to hang out with."

"No, Kushina is right! You don't want to be like that man Kai-chan!" Mikoto scoffed and fiercely bit on her first unfortunate dango.

"What do you know about a boy's wants?" Kai quipped back with another scoff. Heck, Jiraiya was a holy gem... that idea of his novel was just... sublime. So passionate. So... smutty!

"I'll tell Grandma Mito," Kushina growled like a threatened kitty.

"Then I'll tell her who broke the vase in the guest room and hid it," Kai snickered thinking that Mito already knew that while Kushina could only stare at Kai with indignant fury, "You dare!"

"Try me!" Kai smirked.

"Young man, you do NOT want to be like that man when learning from the matriarch... did you know that she once broke six of his ribs, ruptured his organs, and broke his arms just because he tried to have a sneaky touch when she was drunk?" The old kunoichi spoke and the trio's expression froze.

'Say what?' Kai's eyes widened.

"Not only that, she did all this one at a time. She broke the first rib and healed it before getting onto the other. Even the organs were treated the same way and the poor bloke was paralyzed. She almost broke his nuts but the Hokage finally got the news and persuaded her otherwise. And believe me, Mito-san wanted otherwise."

Kai felt Kushina's and Mikoto's stare and their smiles began to widen, "You know what, Kai-chan," the raven chortled, "Hang out with that perverted uncle more!"

"Yeah!" Kushina grinned while sweat formed over his brows... now, he wanted to see if going through that kind of treatment would increase his stats or not. He figured that his physique and mental stats would increase due to willpower exerted in such a situation but...

'Do I give into the sweet hell of grind? Or... not let my sagely self get persuaded?'

Kai gulped and grew silent while a victorious gleam flashed past the eyes of the trio kunoichi. After all, they saved someone from going down the forsaken path traversed by the few.

Quickly finishing their meal for free since the Kunoichi would not accept payment from their Princess' apprentices, Kai and others walked towards the training ground and found that Tsunade alongside Orochimaru, Jiraiya, and Minato.

As they arrived, Orochimaru spoke with a smile, "Punctuality, point Team Tsunade. They arrived 5 minutes before the appointed time."

Tsunade smiled smugly as Jiraiya yelped, "What? Minato came ten minutes early!"

Meanwhile, Minato smiled and waved at their group.

"Kukuku, a team's punctuality will be noted only, not a single member." Orochimaru chuckled dryly as the white-maned man groaned.

Soon, Nawaki, an Aburame boy, and a civilian girl appeared on the training ground as Orochimaru nodded with a smile, "On time. Punctuality, team Orochimaru."

Nawaki and others cautiously stared at Minato before standing beside their Sensei silently while Kai observed others using chakra sense. He felt Orochimaru and Jiraiya stiffen for a moment, making it clear that his methods needed to be subtler but they didn't call him out on it.

The first thing he noted was that Minato's chakra at the moment was even behind at 8000 while Nawaki who had literally shot into chunin of chakra had a total of 14000 points. Shinji Aburame had about 9000 points of chakra but the hive within him had more than 13000 collectively, making him the second-largest reserve of chakra with Kushina at about 29000 on her own. Mikoto was at a humble 15000 after her Sharingan activated. The civilian by the name of Sen Sato had about 11000 points of chakra, too... So, this begged the question, why was Minato so far behind?

Then came his other teammates. Elder Koharu's granddaughter— Noha Utatane and Homura Mitokado's grandson— Hiro Mitokado. They, too, boasted a healthy chakra reserve of 10-11000.

Kai briefly glanced at his own status.

[Name: Kai

Age: 5

Title: Tsunade's Apprentice

Gamer Traits: Skill Tree; Sleepless Gamer

Rank: Genin

Hit Points: 100

Stamina: 100/100 (10.1/min)

Chakra: 11249 (2433 3214*250) (210/min) (60*250%/min)

Physique: 102 105/1000

Mental: 89/1000

Perception: 44 48/1000]

[Skill points: 375]

[Skills]

[Mystical Palm Technique (4/15): Allows the user to charge the chakra with yin and yang in a specific ratio to induce growth in the target. Reduce chakra wastage by 0.6 for every level. Reduces chakra consumption by 3.3 at every level. Chakra Consumption: 959/min.

Next Level: Use this technique for 68 hours or 5 SP.]

Training with weights was proving effective but ankle and write weights themselves weren't too effective which was making Kai think if he should try and form a weighing vest. He certainly had the skill for it. And a weighted vest would prove more exerting and more efficient. It also trained his perception barely. And Kai felt that he was finally hitting the growth spurt everyone was talking about as his chakra increased in this month alone despite the least chakra expenditure month of his life.

Finally!

He truly wanted to catch up to Kushina in this regard.

Still, everyone looked at Tsunade's team warily as their Senseis did not hide about their soon-to-be opponent's skills and strengths.

"Alright," Tsunade spoke with smugness dripping in her tone, "Let's start with our usual contest. One member each in Tai, Gen, and Nin. Ken, Fuin, and other techniques won't be tested. Kids, this is just a learning experience for you, unlike our bet so don't hold it against each other with that being said," her cheeky smile disappeared as she looked at her team and spoke with fearsome intensity, "Give them hell!"

"Oi, wait, wait! That's unfair. Besides, we have three members on each side, and making a tournament out of it is a hassle!" Jiraiya frowned and grumbled, "If it's a learning experience... why don't we keep it civil? Let's see. Each team will have a chance to challenge the other two in either tai, gen, or ninjutsu. The other two teams will send their members one after another and the category already used cannot be utilized as a challenge and the members who have competed cannot— ah... wait, that's the same thing..." Jiraiya scratched his head and snickered.

Tsunade and Orochimaru knew he was going out of his way not only to annoy them but also their students.

"Whatever. Let's get done with the quickest one, Ninjutsu." Tsunade smiled and looked at Kushina who stepped out. Well, Kushina only knew one Ninjutsu... but the technique depended on chakra expended and she was damn good at it.

Meanwhile, Shinji Aburame walked out from Orochimaru's side and Hiro Mitokado smirked confidently and walked out and completed the triangle.

"Form the seal of confrontation," Orochimaru commanded as everyone stepped away.

Kushina looked at the others with barely veiled aggression and the moment the match started, Shinji jumped back while numerous bugs began to escape his sleeves and Hiro jumped back while performing several hand seals in quick succession when Kushina growled and stretched both of her palms in their direction each.

'Chakra Focus Blast!' This was the only Ninjutsu Tsunade taught Kushina and for a good reason as the skill was concussive in point-blank range but when Kushina exerted almost 8000 points of chakra and went in all in, a massive blast of chakra tore through the bugs and slammed into Shinji while still committing to the grind of hand seals, Hiro didn't even know how he fell back, almost unconscious.

"That's a D-rank technique forcefully made C... Tsunade, tsk tsk," Orochimaru shook his head as he and a sullen Jiraiya picked their teammates while with her nose held high, Kushina returned with her eyes wide and seeking praises.

"Just like that and you may just get that dream job of yours," Tsunade ruffled the girl's head with a snicker as Kushina pumped her fist.

"Awesome," Kai grinned as Kushina chortled, "Of course, dattebane!"

"Yeah, we both would have been folded too if we were sitting ducks like them," Mikoto smiled mischievously and kept her voice loud enough for others to hear her, instantly making them frown including Minato.

"Ninjutsu, point Team Tsunade only. Sigh, this may just be even shorter than expected. Now, genjutsu."

Orochimaru pointed out as Sen Sato walked out while brushing her short brown locks aside and Noha Utatane who had her dark brown hair done in a similar fashion to Mikoto walked out with a grave look.

"We know about you, Uchiha," Noha sneered and Sen smirked, "Yes. As long as we don't look at your eyes, we win."

But Mikoto only smiled in amusement.

It was at this point Orochimaru spoke again, "Point Team Tsunade only."

"What?" The other two girls looked in his direction when their surroundings seem to flicker for a second and the 'Mikoto' in front of them seemed to be torn from within by several pitch-black nightingales as they chirped loudly before the two girls saw Mikoto still standing beside Kushina and Kai, giggling, "I had my Sharingan activated from before. You just saw it... and forgot it," she winked as the two girls' hearts turned cold.

Lowering their heads in shame, the two returned to their respective team and Jiraiya proudly grinned, "Fine! Taijutsu!"

Minato, Nawaki, and Kai stepped out.

"I'll beat the two of you!" Nawaki rumbled with a confident smirk. Sadly, if this was a pissing contest or if he wasn't Tsunade's brother, he would have gone after the boy's mother, father, sister, and the whole damn generation... alas, Tsunade was fucking fierce.

"Seal of confrontation," Orochimaru called out while looking at his genjutsu disciple with a flicker of disappointment. These words were the hint themselves. Why wouldn't he have said the same thing during the genjutsu battle? Because the battle had already begun! But she would learn... or probably not live long enough to grow.

Kai, Nawaki, and Minato raised their hands in a familiar hand seal and looked at each other cautiously. While Tsunade may have gotten bat shit crazy if he tore Nawaki verbally, the woman did give them a single order— Give them hell!

"Start!"

The trio flickered in an instant and appeared in the center with Minato's stance now grounded and his punch similar to a karate kata as Kai blocked it with one arm while his kick dangerously close to Nawaki's neck was stopped by his wrist as the boy grimaced... after all, Kai was still wearing ankle weights and those things are hard as heck!

Their battle instantly raged. It was clear that Taijutsu has been a major focus for them, well, at least, Minato and Nawaki.

"Toad Kata, really?" Tsunade looked at Jiraiya who chuckled, "You two didn't really think I have nothing to pass on, did you?"

"Well, nothing aside from your perversion," Tsunade snorted.

"Hmm, Senju's bodies are the most resilient and Nawaki pushed himself to the limits to learn two of Senju taijutsu styles and my snake-type movement skill. Your boy... a frog stance but his overall development is somewhat stunted because he is too interested in seals and is still tackling the theories of it. Finally, Kai-kun... how he can use academy level Taijutsu to take on Senju and Toad Kata is something I definitely am interested in learning."

It was quite simple, really. Kai had mastered what Nawaki knew and more. His body was quite tough, too even if Nawaki had his kekkei genkai which made him a hard hitter. It was all about knowledge. Knowing how Nawaki will fight, Kai could counter the boy easily while Minato was a slightly more troublesome guy because he never restricted himself to a 'style.' It's a taijutsu contest. You attack, evade, and counter. The last one standing wins. Nobody cares if you have some godly techniques but still lost the match.

But... their match was bound to be short as Kai finally slid into Nawaki's defense, delivering an incapacitating throat strike before throwing the wheezing boy on Minato who jumped back only to find Kai suddenly lunging and grappling down the boy into a brutal grip!

Shoutout to Dreadix, Stealthkug, Hmmbot, Erumu Akemu, Water Daoist!

Read 25 advance chapters here—

Patre /Fanharem

And do vote some powerstones~

Report chapter Comments

A/N: 10 more advanced chaps pumped today, 5 remaining to complete the total 15 additional advance chap for the next tier~!

Kushina, Mikoto, and Kai stood in front of their individual benches and looked at a large fish placed on a parchment covered in seal marks. Seals that are meant to attune their chakra to their most primal aspect— Yin and Yang. His thoughts were pulled out when Tsunade started the explanation—

"As taught from the very beginning, Chakra is a mixture of physical and spiritual energy. Thus, chakra can affect the metaphysical and the physical. Aside from nurturing the body, chakra can be molded into elemental ninjutsu, genjutsu, and things like Fuinjutsu, too. But, Genjutsu largely does not require any hand seals because it has no form. Genjutsu takes control of enemy chakra with our own and induces illusions, that is the work of the yin side of our chakra or more specifically, the spiritually charged chakra."

"Iryo Ninjutsu's base is similar in that regard. It does not need hand seals but a certain charge and proportion of chakra that can induce growth in our patient's body. The seal under the almost dead fish is formed in a way that will charge your chakra needed to induce this growth. With this, you will learn how to use your chakra for the Mystical Palm Technique. You may think that it would be easy but far from it, without hand seals that are more of a crutch for chakra manipulation, you will be using your own body's reaction to add this charge and then maintain it. The level of control needed is mind-boggling for civilians and even clan nins but... if you three don't get it done, prepare for trouble and I'll damn sure make it double!"

Seeing the intimidated look on the kids' faces, Tsunade nodded and smirked, "Begin. You will be provided with the materials, good for you, huh. All the other clans must pay an exorbitant amount of money to train and figure out their own geniuses."

The trio quickly manipulated the chakra in their body and sent it outwards from both their palms. The moment they did so, the seal lit up briefly before their extremely light bluish chakra gained a hint of turquoise before fading as Tsunade snapped, "Are you trying to kill the fishes with THAT much chakra? Again. Control and feel the flow of the seal! The box fishes have a long lifespan even without water but you three have 30 minutes to save them... or eat them after!"

Meanwhile, Kai looked at the skill with a hint of almost uncontained glee!

[Mystical Palm Technique (1/15): Allows the user to charge the chakra with yin and yang in a specific ratio to induce growth in the target. Reduce chakra wastage by 0.6 for every level. Reduces chakra consumption by 3.3 at every level. Chakra Consumption: 1100/min.

Next Level: Use this technique for 7 hours or 5 SP.]

'A C-level technique, huh,' Kai then looked at the title he had for some time.

[Tsunade's Apprentice: Increase Tsunade's favor and reduce the requirements of learning any Iryo Ninjutsu by 30.]

And equipped it. Honestly, the Basic Iryo Ninjutsu skill tree only had this technique and a chakra scalpel technique. Both of them should be C-rank thus their cost. But with increased proficiency, they will reduce the unnecessary chakra they waste unconsciously and even reduce the chakra needed for the skill to some extent. While the formation of skills made sure that Kai was more efficient in growth, that didn't mean these effects didn't apply to others who master a technique to a certain extent.

When they started again, Tsunade almost stood up and slapped Kai.

What the hell?!

No, WHY the hell?!

The second time, Kai's chakra seemed to have accustomed slightly more to it but she could see that his chakra wasn't nearly enough to fully heal the fish given his currently low efficiency and as expected, while Kai got the charge and the chakra quantity right, he was found lacking in chakra supply.

Mikoto had yet to get the first step right but she was improving at a breakneck pace given that her Sharingan was rotating crazily but... she also lost chakra even quicker than Kai! Awakening Sharingan had boosted her chakra as a form of a growth spurt when they were studying for their exams so right now, all her students had basic chunin level chakra.

Finally... Kushina tried and continued for the entire half-hour until the fish finally flopped down lifelessly as she groaned before looking at Tsunade as her words made the recovering Mikoto and Kai grit their teeth, "Another fish! Oh, I'll pack this one to eat later dattebane!" Her violet eyes flickered with furious determination.

--

Three well-known figures waved at the two Senju Guards and entered the Senju Compound with a casual expression. It was barely dawn but the compound was active and two of them were quickly held down by a third raven-haired figure and quickly were forced to stop in front of a kindly smiling old lady who was preparing dango, dumplings, and whatnot.

"Ah, Uchiha-chan, here for training again? The usual, hmm?" The woman smiled as Mikoto chortled with a heavenly praising voice that she found such a good spot, "Yes, please~!"

The woman chuckled and began preparing while Kai and Kushina grumbled, "Dangos? Again? I'm tired!" Kushina scowled.

"That's how you'll turn fat, Mikoto-chan, and not in the way you would want..." Kai shrugged and the girl blushed, "Shut it! What do you know about a girl's wants, hmph!"

"I don't know, Jiraiya-san had a lot of things to talk about," Kai shrugged as they met the man outside the sex-ed lessons quite a bit and outside the class, the man had no shame and instead of serious consequences, talked about breasts all day!

Mentioning Jiraiya not only made Mikoto and Kushina scowl but also the old lady who happened to be one of the well-known retired kunoichi after Tsunade's act and Kushina grumbled, "I forbid you to speak with him again!"

"Nice try," Kai snorted, "He's fun to hang out with."

"No, Kushina is right! You don't want to be like that man Kai-chan!" Mikoto scoffed and fiercely bit on her first unfortunate dango.

"What do you know about a boy's wants?" Kai quipped back with another scoff. Heck, Jiraiya was a holy gem... that idea of his novel was just... sublime. So passionate. So... smutty!

"I'll tell Grandma Mito," Kushina growled like a threatened kitty.

"Then I'll tell her who broke the vase in the guest room and hid it," Kai snickered thinking that Mito already knew that while Kushina could only stare at Kai with indignant fury, "You dare!"

"Try me!" Kai smirked.

"Young man, you do NOT want to be like that man when learning from the matriarch... did you know that she once broke six of his ribs, ruptured his organs, and broke his arms just because he tried to have a sneaky touch when she was drunk?" The old kunoichi spoke and the trio's expression froze.

'Say what?' Kai's eyes widened.

"Not only that, she did all this one at a time. She broke the first rib and healed it before getting onto the other. Even the organs were treated the same way and the poor bloke was paralyzed. She almost broke his nuts but the Hokage finally got the news and persuaded her otherwise. And believe me, Mito-san wanted otherwise."

Kai felt Kushina's and Mikoto's stare and their smiles began to widen, "You know what, Kai-chan," the raven chortled, "Hang out with that perverted uncle more!"

"Yeah!" Kushina grinned while sweat formed over his brows... now, he wanted to see if going through that kind of treatment would increase his stats or not. He figured that his physique and mental stats would increase due to willpower exerted in such a situation but...

'Do I give into the sweet hell of grind? Or... not let my sagely self get persuaded?'

Kai gulped and grew silent while a victorious gleam flashed past the eyes of the trio kunoichi. After all, they saved someone from going down the forsaken path traversed by the few.

Quickly finishing their meal for free since the Kunoichi would not accept payment from their Princess' apprentices, Kai and others walked towards the training ground and found that Tsunade alongside Orochimaru, Jiraiya, and Minato.

As they arrived, Orochimaru spoke with a smile, "Punctuality, point Team Tsunade. They arrived 5 minutes before the appointed time."

Tsunade smiled smugly as Jiraiya yelped, "What? Minato came ten minutes early!"

Meanwhile, Minato smiled and waved at their group.

"Kukuku, a team's punctuality will be noted only, not a single member." Orochimaru chuckled dryly as the white-maned man groaned.

Soon, Nawaki, an Aburame boy, and a civilian girl appeared on the training ground as Orochimaru nodded with a smile, "On time. Punctuality, team Orochimaru."

Nawaki and others cautiously stared at Minato before standing beside their Sensei silently while Kai observed others using chakra sense. He felt Orochimaru and Jiraiya stiffen for a moment, making it clear that his methods needed to be subtler but they didn't call him out on it.

The first thing he noted was that Minato's chakra at the moment was even behind at 8000 while Nawaki who had literally shot into chunin of chakra had a total of 14000 points. Shinji Aburame had about 9000 points of chakra but the hive within him had more than 13000 collectively, making him the second-largest reserve of chakra with Kushina at about 29000 on her own. Mikoto was at a humble 15000 after her Sharingan activated. The civilian by the name of Sen Sato had about 11000 points of chakra, too... So, this begged the question, why was Minato so far behind?

Then came his other teammates. Elder Koharu's granddaughter— Noha Utatane and Homura Mitokado's grandson— Hiro Mitokado. They, too, boasted a healthy chakra reserve of 10-11000.

Kai briefly glanced at his own status.

[Name: Kai

Age: 5

Title: Tsunade's Apprentice

Gamer Traits: Skill Tree; Sleepless Gamer

Rank: Genin

Hit Points: 100

Stamina: 100/100 (10.1/min)

Chakra: 11249 (2433 3214*250) (210/min) (60*250%/min)

Physique: 102 105/1000

Mental: 89/1000

Perception: 44 48/1000]

[Skill points: 375]

[Skills]

[Mystical Palm Technique (4/15): Allows the user to charge the chakra with yin and yang in a specific ratio to induce growth in the target. Reduce chakra wastage by 0.6 for every level. Reduces chakra consumption by 3.3 at every level. Chakra Consumption: 959/min.

Next Level: Use this technique for 68 hours or 5 SP.]

Training with weights was proving effective but ankle and write weights themselves weren't too effective which was making Kai think if he should try and form a weighing vest. He certainly had the skill for it. And a weighted vest would prove more exerting and more efficient. It also trained his perception barely. And Kai felt that he was finally hitting the growth spurt everyone was talking about as his chakra increased in this month alone despite the least chakra expenditure month of his life.

Finally!

He truly wanted to catch up to Kushina in this regard.

Still, everyone looked at Tsunade's team warily as their Senseis did not hide about their soon-to-be opponent's skills and strengths.

"Alright," Tsunade spoke with smugness dripping in her tone, "Let's start with our usual contest. One member each in Tai, Gen, and Nin. Ken, Fuin, and other techniques won't be tested. Kids, this is just a learning experience for you, unlike our bet so don't hold it against each other with that being said," her cheeky smile disappeared as she looked at her team and spoke with fearsome intensity, "Give them hell!"

"Oi, wait, wait! That's unfair. Besides, we have three members on each side, and making a tournament out of it is a hassle!" Jiraiya frowned and grumbled, "If it's a learning experience... why don't we keep it civil? Let's see. Each team will have a chance to challenge the other two in either tai, gen, or ninjutsu. The other two teams will send their members one after another and the category already used cannot be utilized as a challenge and the members who have competed cannot— ah... wait, that's the same thing..." Jiraiya scratched his head and snickered.

Tsunade and Orochimaru knew he was going out of his way not only to annoy them but also their students.

"Whatever. Let's get done with the quickest one, Ninjutsu." Tsunade smiled and looked at Kushina who stepped out. Well, Kushina only knew one Ninjutsu... but the technique depended on chakra expended and she was damn good at it.

Meanwhile, Shinji Aburame walked out from Orochimaru's side and Hiro Mitokado smirked confidently and walked out and completed the triangle.

"Form the seal of confrontation," Orochimaru commanded as everyone stepped away.

Kushina looked at the others with barely veiled aggression and the moment the match started, Shinji jumped back while numerous bugs began to escape his sleeves and Hiro jumped back while performing several hand seals in quick succession when Kushina growled and stretched both of her palms in their direction each.

'Chakra Focus Blast!' This was the only Ninjutsu Tsunade taught Kushina and for a good reason as the skill was concussive in point-blank range but when Kushina exerted almost 8000 points of chakra and went in all in, a massive blast of chakra tore through the bugs and slammed into Shinji while still committing to the grind of hand seals, Hiro didn't even know how he fell back, almost unconscious.

"That's a D-rank technique forcefully made C... Tsunade, tsk tsk," Orochimaru shook his head as he and a sullen Jiraiya picked their teammates while with her nose held high, Kushina returned with her eyes wide and seeking praises.

"Just like that and you may just get that dream job of yours," Tsunade ruffled the girl's head with a snicker as Kushina pumped her fist.

"Awesome," Kai grinned as Kushina chortled, "Of course, dattebane!"

"Yeah, we both would have been folded too if we were sitting ducks like them," Mikoto smiled mischievously and kept her voice loud enough for others to hear her, instantly making them frown including Minato.

"Ninjutsu, point Team Tsunade only. Sigh, this may just be even shorter than expected. Now, genjutsu."

Orochimaru pointed out as Sen Sato walked out while brushing her short brown locks aside and Noha Utatane who had her dark brown hair done in a similar fashion to Mikoto walked out with a grave look.

"We know about you, Uchiha," Noha sneered and Sen smirked, "Yes. As long as we don't look at your eyes, we win."

But Mikoto only smiled in amusement.

It was at this point Orochimaru spoke again, "Point Team Tsunade only."

"What?" The other two girls looked in his direction when their surroundings seem to flicker for a second and the 'Mikoto' in front of them seemed to be torn from within by several pitch-black nightingales as they chirped loudly before the two girls saw Mikoto still standing beside Kushina and Kai, giggling, "I had my Sharingan activated from before. You just saw it... and forgot it," she winked as the two girls' hearts turned cold.

Lowering their heads in shame, the two returned to their respective team and Jiraiya proudly grinned, "Fine! Taijutsu!"

Minato, Nawaki, and Kai stepped out.

"I'll beat the two of you!" Nawaki rumbled with a confident smirk. Sadly, if this was a pissing contest or if he wasn't Tsunade's brother, he would have gone after the boy's mother, father, sister, and the whole damn generation... alas, Tsunade was fucking fierce.

"Seal of confrontation," Orochimaru called out while looking at his genjutsu disciple with a flicker of disappointment. These words were the hint themselves. Why wouldn't he have said the same thing during the genjutsu battle? Because the battle had already begun! But she would learn... or probably not live long enough to grow.

Kai, Nawaki, and Minato raised their hands in a familiar hand seal and looked at each other cautiously. While Tsunade may have gotten bat shit crazy if he tore Nawaki verbally, the woman did give them a single order— Give them hell!

"Start!"

The trio flickered in an instant and appeared in the center with Minato's stance now grounded and his punch similar to a karate kata as Kai blocked it with one arm while his kick dangerously close to Nawaki's neck was stopped by his wrist as the boy grimaced... after all, Kai was still wearing ankle weights and those things are hard as heck!

Their battle instantly raged. It was clear that Taijutsu has been a major focus for them, well, at least, Minato and Nawaki.

"Toad Kata, really?" Tsunade looked at Jiraiya who chuckled, "You two didn't really think I have nothing to pass on, did you?"

"Well, nothing aside from your perversion," Tsunade snorted.

"Hmm, Senju's bodies are the most resilient and Nawaki pushed himself to the limits to learn two of Senju taijutsu styles and my snake-type movement skill. Your boy... a frog stance but his overall development is somewhat stunted because he is too interested in seals and is still tackling the theories of it. Finally, Kai-kun... how he can use academy level Taijutsu to take on Senju and Toad Kata is something I definitely am interested in learning."

It was quite simple, really. Kai had mastered what Nawaki knew and more. His body was quite tough, too even if Nawaki had his kekkei genkai which made him a hard hitter. It was all about knowledge. Knowing how Nawaki will fight, Kai could counter the boy easily while Minato was a slightly more troublesome guy because he never restricted himself to a 'style.' It's a taijutsu contest. You attack, evade, and counter. The last one standing wins. Nobody cares if you have some godly techniques but still lost the match.

But... their match was bound to be short as Kai finally slid into Nawaki's defense, delivering an incapacitating throat strike before throwing the wheezing boy on Minato who jumped back only to find Kai suddenly lunging and grappling down the boy into a brutal grip!

Shoutout to Dreadix, Stealthkug, Hmmbot, Erumu Akemu, Water Daoist!

Read 25 advance chapters here—

Patre /Fanharem

And do vote some powerstones~

Report chapter Comments

"You won?! YOU?" Sarutobi looked at all three of his disciples with the wrinkles near the corner of his eyes stretching somewhat as his widened gaze trailed Tsunade's irritated visage.

"Yes, me! I still can't understand why you all would even enter into a bet with me knowing that my students would wreck yours!" She always bragged so she thought if the two are still willing to bet then it must be because they have some form of secret... but no. Her students just shot the remaining six out of the park!

"Well..." Hiruzen muttered, not knowing how to put it but everyone could just trust their resident researcher to be as deliberate while as mocking as ever, "Tsunade, we did bet but not against your students. It was your horrible luck we were counting on. In just these two months, you have lost over 3,000,000 Ryo in gambling... we expected your bad luck to just screw with your team somehow. Apparently, skill does trump over luck, whether good or bad."

"Bunch of bastards!" Tsunade hissed as Jiraiya winced, his ribs aching and the woman stared at the Third Hokage, "But you will keep your promise, right, Sensei? I would feel horrible if something happened to the stash you asked Jiraiya for safety."

Realizing which stash she was talking about, Hiruzen's eyes widened while Orochimaru chuckled with his eyes narrowed and Jiraiya gulped.

"Of course... your team, as an assault force, covers all the basics for being promoted to a chunin. You still have ten months before the end of the year. Complete 20 C-ranked missions without any problems and your team will be promoted quick enough."

"And what if the mission rank turned out to be faulty?" Tsunade inquired so that there aren't any loopholes.

"You can choose to give it up and it will be considered complete for our bargain. Or, you can choose to continue but it will still be counted as 1 C-rank mission amongst ourselves."

"Hmm," she nodded, "Alright, it's you two's treat," she looked at the losers and Orochimaru shrugged while Jiraiya grinned, "You got it, it's a date!"

Ignoring to even comment on it, she left while Orochimaru followed but stopped when he was Jiraiya still in his position.

"I'll meet you there. I have something to report to Sensei," Jiraiya smiled as the man left with a small stare.

"So?" Hiruzen's expression grew somber while Jiraiya hummed thoughtfully, "Sensei... you must know that my information network is still young. It needs more people to work and integrate into... I did find quite a great detail but..."

Hiruzen grumbled as he saw his disciple's shameless expression and scoffed, "Fine, fine. You can build another redlight district but you will only get 400,000 Ryo as initial capital."

"More than enough," the man chortled and spoke with a huge grin, "And I did find something... but it's a tad, too serious."

His smile soon receded, "Uzushiogakure controls Land of Whirpool and has many, many business ventures that allow them to peacefully invest themselves in seals. Even their teams only take up a mission if they feel like having a vacation. But... a few merchants who are now no longer in the Land of Whirpool purchased a large number of seals of various kinds across the entire island at once. By the time Uzushiogakure realized what was happening, they were nowhere to be found."

"My sources suggest that two teams from Uzushiogakure left to investigate this but never returned. It is unlike a seal master to get captured or the Uzumaki skills would have been long revealed. Most likely speculation is that these shinobi used some triggering seals and tried to take their assaulters with them. With that being said, the merchants of Kirigakure are extremely interested in business ideas within the Land of Whirlpool," Jiraiya said meaningfully, "But others have yet to make a move. Maybe we're just being paranoid?"

Hiruzen frowned, "Maybe... but keep this knowledge to yourself. Not even Tsunade and Orochimaru need to be informed about this."

"But—"

"That's enough of it," Hiruzen looked up and stated sharply, "Go and relax. It's rarer than a war Tsunade to win a gamble."

Jiraiya frowned and left reluctantly.

After a few minutes... Hiruzen called for another shinobi and soon, a blue-haired man with his long hair simply falling on his back walked into the office and knelt, "Lord Third!"

"Dan... try your mission again. Tsunade is relaxing with Orochimaru and Jiraiya in the usual spot."

" Lord Third... my identity is already—"

"Then be honest. This could be your last mission of this kind so make it count," Hiruzen smiled and Dan blinked before nodding and flickering away.

"Huff... What did Tsunade change in her diet? Winning gambles and making stable political moves for her clan..." He shook his head with a sigh.

--

"Ah, Cinnamon, it feels that we haven't met in such a long time... I missed you, my dear friend," Kai smiled as he fed the unsuspecting koi fish in their clan compound's courtyard pond. He kept his hand in the water as Cinnamon the Koi was slowly reaching out and about to eat a treat from his hand when—

"Kai-chan! Let's go!" A loud, boisterous tomato came crashing into him while the Koi fish scurried away fearfully as Kai's lipa parted in bewilderment. So close... yet so far. His heart could barely take it!

"Just— ugh!" Kai groaned and pulled Kushina away, "You're all bones, Kushina! At least grow up a bit!"

"Shut it!" sporting a red redder than the red of her red hair, Kushina hissed, "Come on, Mikoto said that she will give us a treat for winning at her clan compound's ramen place. Don't get me wrong, I like Ichiraku Ramen but Teuchi-san still couldn't get his hands on that Gruff Boar and that shop in Mikoto's compound just has the best flavor—"

Kai held like a rag doll against his will, was dragged away from his precious Cinnamon and grind while forced to hear the very immaculate report on ramen and why it tingles Kushina's taste buds in the most pleasant manner.

They soon reached the Uchiha compound and got the entry before finding Mikoto waiting for them at Kushina's favorite store tied with Ichiraku Ramen but seeing another acquaintance put a damper on Kushina's mood as Kai nodded with a smile that still screamed innocent but deadly in the eyes of Kushina and Mikoto.

"Good Evening, Fugaku-san. Looking... uh, fit as usual."

"Hmm, Kai, I hope you are well," Fugaku spoke with a stoic expression that didn't really suggest he prayed for anyone's wellness... ever.

The group fell into a tense silence. Well, the two did. Fugaku was perfectly happy in silence and Kai didn't feel awkward. The moment you feel awkward, you lose, after all.

"Ehm, so, Fugaku-san heard about our crushing victory over the teams of the Third's disciples and wanted to congratulate you guys." Mikoto chuckled wryly with annoyance flashing in her eyes. It wasn't just the age gap of 7-8 years that made Mikoto feel weird. It's just that she knew it for a fact that most, in the Uchiha, who wanted to marry her did so to become the next patriarch of the clan. Honestly, Mikoto wished that her father would just have a child with their maid to free her of the responsibility but he was too loyal to her late mother that he could never do anything like that.

"Hmm, indeed. We at Konoha police know it at a good authority that Noha Utatane, Hiro Mitokado, and Sen Sato are being considered for Konoha Anbu. Of course, this information isn't classified so, be at ease."

"Uta, Mito, Sato who?" Kai shrugged and Fugaku's brows briefly concentrated into a frown before he shook his head. Always serious.

"Are we going to eat ramen or not?" Kushina grumbled while Mikoto chuckled, her mood brightening at her friend's antics, and nodded, "Sure, come with me."

As they entered, Fugaku silently followed but them Mikoto suddenly pulled him out of the store and stated in passing, "Give me a minute with Fugaku-san. You guys can order."

As she brought him aside, Mikoto frowned, "Fugaku-san, please don't take this the wrong way because even my father adores you but I am not interested in you. Not because of the age gap but just..."

"I'm well aware of that," Fugaku nodded calmly, "But I was led to believe that the clan leader's daughter would know that things like infatuation and romance are ideas suited for civilians and not us Shinobi. Besides, when you get older, you will have to either take the mantle of the Matriarch and marry someone from the clan or step down and let someone else become the Patriarch who would marry you to solidify his role."

Mikoto's stare only got more and more dreary as Fugaku seemed to have planned for her entire life and she snapped, "Or I can leave the clan and mary any shinobi!"

Fugaku nodded and sighed softly, "You could. But Uchiha Dojutsu is coveted and the clan rule states that any member who wishes to leave must have seals integrated into their eyes that would cause your eyes to lose their light should they be removed from your body. But still, seals like these are barely a deterrent to the rightfully motivated ones. And I am told that you went through War Protocols... then you must know a few unsaid things that can happen to a kunoichi with a bloodline as coveted as Uchiha.

That's why every chunin and higher-ranked Kunoichi of our clans have THAT seal in certain locations."

Had it been before she activated her Sharingan, she certainly would have felt cowed. Everything Fugaku spoke came with cold logic that left nothing for her to refute but who wouldn't be unwilling? She didn't want this kind of life... stuck to a man who barely spoke and when he did, made her feel so awful. It's dull. Cold.

"Fugaku-san, I have had a tough day today, sparring and all. I would appreciate it if we don't talk anymore... don't misunderstand. I am aware that you are merely trying to correct my mindset in a way you believe is right, but I don't wish to have to ask you to leave again and again every time."

Fugaku's gaze flickered and he nodded with a barely suppressed sigh and inquired, "I understand... but is there someone else? I believe I fulfill all the requirements to be met."

"Nah, there isn't any. And you just fulfilled my father's requirements. If that's the case, you may as well marry him... I've been told that many nobles are coming out of the closet. Why not a shinobi, too?"

Fugaku grew speechless. Even he didn't feel anything for Mikoto but understood that lying to a fellow clansman just wasn't right. Smiling at her joke, as crass as it may be, Fugaku left.

"Huff!" Mikoto sighed and sat down in front of Kai and Kushina with Kai don with his first bowl and Kushina on her fourth.

"You two really have it easy, huh," Mikoto pouted as they grinned.

"Say, Kai-chan, Kushina, what kind of person would you like to settle down with?"

'Ah... too much cheese girl, I thought we're here for the ramen,' Kai groaned. That weird performance review with Mito certainly made it clear that even if he would want to have a more... generous 'support' system, speaking it out loud would have a contrary effect.

"Hmm, I don't know..." Kushina blushed, "S-someone strong... that doesn't leave me because of my verbal tick... and is strong enough to protect me!"

"Says the girl who folded an Aburame and an Elder's grandson," Kai rolled his eyes.

"Hey!" Kushina blushed even more fiercely.

"Hehe, aren't you in luck, Kai-chan~!" Mikoto teased as she looked at the boy. Just if he would have been her age... well, he could pass off as one barely...

"Nah, not me. Jiraiya-san showed me that any sensible Shinobi would want to settle with someone like Tsunade Sensei... she's the best..." Kai snickered, making his teammate's expressions bleak as they snorted quietly.

--

"Hell no!" Tsunade barked in laughter as her face was flushed with the sake in her system. Jiraiya fully glared at the blue-haired youth while Orochimaru appreciated the chaos unfolding in front of his eyes.

Dan looked at her teammates and smiled politely, "May I please speak with her alone?"

"Over my dead body!" Jiraiya growled as Orochimaru chortled, "You heard him, over his dead body."

"Look dude, you had a shot and you blew it. Did Sensei put you up on it again? Honestly, he likes to brag that his wife left your kind after she had him but damnit, not everyone likes that!" Tsunade grumbled, "If you wanna drink, you can join but nothing else."

"I would be honored," Dan smiled but Orochimaru noticed a twinkle that Jiraiya and Tsunade would fail to see. Oh, the kind of twinkle Jiraiya had the night he almost lost his toad nuts forever. The twinkle of reckless planning.

'Oh, boy. This night is unfolding even better than I could have expected, fufufu.'

Dan entered the fray but it was clear to everyone that he had the social skills needed to ease into the situation and that made him earn Jiraiya's begrudging respect yet they didn't stop drinking. For all their bodies were better and more resistant than any civilian's imagination, special concoctions still left them in a state of high unless they used chakra to rectify the situation. But why wouldn't they want to relax?

But Orochimaru was waiting and he hoped that the reckless seed would bore a bloody fruit in front of his eyes and it did.

"Tsunade," Holding Tsunade's hand as Jiraiya stiffened, Dan spoke with an ostentatiously sincere expression and exhaled a sigh full of regret, "It was true that the Hokage set us up but that life is behind me now. I swear. The moments I had with you... I... felt lost without you. Please don't hate me when I—"

Dan's gaze flickered as he leaned forward with his lips slightly puckered out and his eyes closed. A mistake, Orochimaru smirked and held the table as they were giving the treat, and damn he was already short on research funds, meanwhile, Dan didn't see the punch coming as Tsunade's quicker reaction showed how long ago she had cleared the alcohol from her system. The punch broke his nose with an audible crunch before Dan's body tore through the partition of their private table and blasted out of the restaurant's wall.

"Orochimaru, contact the hospital..." Tsunade walked out as others gasped in surprise. Oh, she would physically heal Dan but not his mental trauma that Jiraiya got healed that time, too, fortunately. Others around Tsunade are definitely a beast in their own rights but should she get in one serious punch... that's enough.

--

"Nine ribs, all organs ruptured, broken skull, castration alongside broken legs. Even for you, Tsunade, this is..." Hiruzen sighed at the blonde woman standing in front of him when the other person besides the duo growled, "This is an atrocity! What gave you the right to mentally incapacitate an Anbu for provably the rest of his life? Tsunade Senju, heal Dan Kato's mind!"

Tsunade's gaze grew dull as she wondered... Dan was pleasing to the eye. Originally... she would have given him another chance. After all, there won't be any need for lies and they certainly clicked... Originally, she also would have lost her cool and would have argued about the fairness of it all... Originally... Originally...

'Ah... that's right. Grandma has started drinking wine again. I started actively helping out the clan and making sure that Nawaki doesn't waste his time. If the boy wants to become a Hokage, he needs to work for it. Nothing is the same... not even me. Not since I realized that power can be so... seductive. But that was never a problem. Just allowed me to keep the clan in one piece. I wonder how many of them would have died by now? After the three incorrect missions where the clan nins survived only because of the various seals and stock of distracting weapons... we have yet to be attacked again.

Sigh, couldn't I just be allowed to drink happily? Would have been a better night...'

"— ade! Tsunade! Did you hear what I said?!" Danzo spoke in a cold tone as Tsunade blinked and looked around before smiling, "Ah, sorry, Elder Danzo. I was lost in my thoughts."

The man gritted his teeth. Dan and he had a deal. If he manages to get Tsunade and be free of Anbu missions related to seduction, he would work for Root secretly for very lucrative terms but... not only did Danzo lose out on a very experienced Shinobi but also the ability to heal the man that resided in the bitch's mutty paws.

"Tsunade, if you knew why he was there, you could have just sent him away. We're all adults and know that men like Dan, despite being a civilian have too much strength to be treated as such." Hiruzen sighed. Unlike Dan, he liked to be clear and honest when the situation required it.

"Then let's speak like adults," Tsunade snorted, "Sensei, I have no interest in authority. I've seen what this position does to the people I loved. Nawaki is a clear candidate for the Senju seat but I can understand your need for me to 'produce' a backup. Not going to happen."

Danzo's gaze flickered for a second before he hid it as she continued, "As far as Dan goes, he tried to take advantage of the Senju Matriarch believing she was drunk. Be happy he is alive and has a chance to pull through as tiny as it may be. Even Jiraiya of all people knows that it's the last thing a person can do to me ever, I make sure of that."

"Alright, message received loud and clear," Hiruzen sighed and closed his eyes, "You can leave Tsunade. Know this, I do feel regretful to have caused such an incident during your first gambling victory."

Tsunade nodded plainly and snorted before leaving while she could already hear Danzo's arguments as if a hurt little mistress he was.

She smirked and recalled something, "Now that I remember... Nawaki goes to meet Grandma twice a week. She really did a number on him, huh... hehe... but..." Her gaze grew somber, "I must find someone to marry... or else I'll die a single and lone pure flower... ah, that would be too regretful!"

But did she have time for romance with the war almost upon then...

'Fuck being a clan leader... really. Maybe I should find my top dog and hand him or her the administrative work. Let's see, Uzumaki won't cut it. One whiff of ramen and she'd bounce away. The genius wants a fricking harem... pfft, as if! And Mikoto is an Uchiha. Working in an administrative capacity for a Senju is too... controversial. Damn... should I find another disciple?'

'Ah... I forgot to congratulate sensei on his new child. Damn, so old and still going at it with Lady Biwako. She is still pretty, alright... the lucky dog...'

Shoutout to Aesh and BLazeSavage!!

Read 25 advance chapters here—

Patre /Fanharem

And do vote some powerstones~

Report chapter Comments

"You won?! YOU?" Sarutobi looked at all three of his disciples with the wrinkles near the corner of his eyes stretching somewhat as his widened gaze trailed Tsunade's irritated visage.

"Yes, me! I still can't understand why you all would even enter into a bet with me knowing that my students would wreck yours!" She always bragged so she thought if the two are still willing to bet then it must be because they have some form of secret... but no. Her students just shot the remaining six out of the park!

"Well..." Hiruzen muttered, not knowing how to put it but everyone could just trust their resident researcher to be as deliberate while as mocking as ever, "Tsunade, we did bet but not against your students. It was your horrible luck we were counting on. In just these two months, you have lost over 3,000,000 Ryo in gambling... we expected your bad luck to just screw with your team somehow. Apparently, skill does trump over luck, whether good or bad."

"Bunch of bastards!" Tsunade hissed as Jiraiya winced, his ribs aching and the woman stared at the Third Hokage, "But you will keep your promise, right, Sensei? I would feel horrible if something happened to the stash you asked Jiraiya for safety."

Realizing which stash she was talking about, Hiruzen's eyes widened while Orochimaru chuckled with his eyes narrowed and Jiraiya gulped.

"Of course... your team, as an assault force, covers all the basics for being promoted to a chunin. You still have ten months before the end of the year. Complete 20 C-ranked missions without any problems and your team will be promoted quick enough."

"And what if the mission rank turned out to be faulty?" Tsunade inquired so that there aren't any loopholes.

"You can choose to give it up and it will be considered complete for our bargain. Or, you can choose to continue but it will still be counted as 1 C-rank mission amongst ourselves."

"Hmm," she nodded, "Alright, it's you two's treat," she looked at the losers and Orochimaru shrugged while Jiraiya grinned, "You got it, it's a date!"

Ignoring to even comment on it, she left while Orochimaru followed but stopped when he was Jiraiya still in his position.

"I'll meet you there. I have something to report to Sensei," Jiraiya smiled as the man left with a small stare.

"So?" Hiruzen's expression grew somber while Jiraiya hummed thoughtfully, "Sensei... you must know that my information network is still young. It needs more people to work and integrate into... I did find quite a great detail but..."

Hiruzen grumbled as he saw his disciple's shameless expression and scoffed, "Fine, fine. You can build another redlight district but you will only get 400,000 Ryo as initial capital."

"More than enough," the man chortled and spoke with a huge grin, "And I did find something... but it's a tad, too serious."

His smile soon receded, "Uzushiogakure controls Land of Whirpool and has many, many business ventures that allow them to peacefully invest themselves in seals. Even their teams only take up a mission if they feel like having a vacation. But... a few merchants who are now no longer in the Land of Whirpool purchased a large number of seals of various kinds across the entire island at once. By the time Uzushiogakure realized what was happening, they were nowhere to be found."

"My sources suggest that two teams from Uzushiogakure left to investigate this but never returned. It is unlike a seal master to get captured or the Uzumaki skills would have been long revealed. Most likely speculation is that these shinobi used some triggering seals and tried to take their assaulters with them. With that being said, the merchants of Kirigakure are extremely interested in business ideas within the Land of Whirlpool," Jiraiya said meaningfully, "But others have yet to make a move. Maybe we're just being paranoid?"

Hiruzen frowned, "Maybe... but keep this knowledge to yourself. Not even Tsunade and Orochimaru need to be informed about this."

"But—"

"That's enough of it," Hiruzen looked up and stated sharply, "Go and relax. It's rarer than a war Tsunade to win a gamble."

Jiraiya frowned and left reluctantly.

After a few minutes... Hiruzen called for another shinobi and soon, a blue-haired man with his long hair simply falling on his back walked into the office and knelt, "Lord Third!"

"Dan... try your mission again. Tsunade is relaxing with Orochimaru and Jiraiya in the usual spot."

" Lord Third... my identity is already—"

"Then be honest. This could be your last mission of this kind so make it count," Hiruzen smiled and Dan blinked before nodding and flickering away.

"Huff... What did Tsunade change in her diet? Winning gambles and making stable political moves for her clan..." He shook his head with a sigh.

--

"Ah, Cinnamon, it feels that we haven't met in such a long time... I missed you, my dear friend," Kai smiled as he fed the unsuspecting koi fish in their clan compound's courtyard pond. He kept his hand in the water as Cinnamon the Koi was slowly reaching out and about to eat a treat from his hand when—

"Kai-chan! Let's go!" A loud, boisterous tomato came crashing into him while the Koi fish scurried away fearfully as Kai's lipa parted in bewilderment. So close... yet so far. His heart could barely take it!

"Just— ugh!" Kai groaned and pulled Kushina away, "You're all bones, Kushina! At least grow up a bit!"

"Shut it!" sporting a red redder than the red of her red hair, Kushina hissed, "Come on, Mikoto said that she will give us a treat for winning at her clan compound's ramen place. Don't get me wrong, I like Ichiraku Ramen but Teuchi-san still couldn't get his hands on that Gruff Boar and that shop in Mikoto's compound just has the best flavor—"

Kai held like a rag doll against his will, was dragged away from his precious Cinnamon and grind while forced to hear the very immaculate report on ramen and why it tingles Kushina's taste buds in the most pleasant manner.

They soon reached the Uchiha compound and got the entry before finding Mikoto waiting for them at Kushina's favorite store tied with Ichiraku Ramen but seeing another acquaintance put a damper on Kushina's mood as Kai nodded with a smile that still screamed innocent but deadly in the eyes of Kushina and Mikoto.

"Good Evening, Fugaku-san. Looking... uh, fit as usual."

"Hmm, Kai, I hope you are well," Fugaku spoke with a stoic expression that didn't really suggest he prayed for anyone's wellness... ever.

The group fell into a tense silence. Well, the two did. Fugaku was perfectly happy in silence and Kai didn't feel awkward. The moment you feel awkward, you lose, after all.

"Ehm, so, Fugaku-san heard about our crushing victory over the teams of the Third's disciples and wanted to congratulate you guys." Mikoto chuckled wryly with annoyance flashing in her eyes. It wasn't just the age gap of 7-8 years that made Mikoto feel weird. It's just that she knew it for a fact that most, in the Uchiha, who wanted to marry her did so to become the next patriarch of the clan. Honestly, Mikoto wished that her father would just have a child with their maid to free her of the responsibility but he was too loyal to her late mother that he could never do anything like that.

"Hmm, indeed. We at Konoha police know it at a good authority that Noha Utatane, Hiro Mitokado, and Sen Sato are being considered for Konoha Anbu. Of course, this information isn't classified so, be at ease."

"Uta, Mito, Sato who?" Kai shrugged and Fugaku's brows briefly concentrated into a frown before he shook his head. Always serious.

"Are we going to eat ramen or not?" Kushina grumbled while Mikoto chuckled, her mood brightening at her friend's antics, and nodded, "Sure, come with me."

As they entered, Fugaku silently followed but them Mikoto suddenly pulled him out of the store and stated in passing, "Give me a minute with Fugaku-san. You guys can order."

As she brought him aside, Mikoto frowned, "Fugaku-san, please don't take this the wrong way because even my father adores you but I am not interested in you. Not because of the age gap but just..."

"I'm well aware of that," Fugaku nodded calmly, "But I was led to believe that the clan leader's daughter would know that things like infatuation and romance are ideas suited for civilians and not us Shinobi. Besides, when you get older, you will have to either take the mantle of the Matriarch and marry someone from the clan or step down and let someone else become the Patriarch who would marry you to solidify his role."

Mikoto's stare only got more and more dreary as Fugaku seemed to have planned for her entire life and she snapped, "Or I can leave the clan and mary any shinobi!"

Fugaku nodded and sighed softly, "You could. But Uchiha Dojutsu is coveted and the clan rule states that any member who wishes to leave must have seals integrated into their eyes that would cause your eyes to lose their light should they be removed from your body. But still, seals like these are barely a deterrent to the rightfully motivated ones. And I am told that you went through War Protocols... then you must know a few unsaid things that can happen to a kunoichi with a bloodline as coveted as Uchiha.

That's why every chunin and higher-ranked Kunoichi of our clans have THAT seal in certain locations."

Had it been before she activated her Sharingan, she certainly would have felt cowed. Everything Fugaku spoke came with cold logic that left nothing for her to refute but who wouldn't be unwilling? She didn't want this kind of life... stuck to a man who barely spoke and when he did, made her feel so awful. It's dull. Cold.

"Fugaku-san, I have had a tough day today, sparring and all. I would appreciate it if we don't talk anymore... don't misunderstand. I am aware that you are merely trying to correct my mindset in a way you believe is right, but I don't wish to have to ask you to leave again and again every time."

Fugaku's gaze flickered and he nodded with a barely suppressed sigh and inquired, "I understand... but is there someone else? I believe I fulfill all the requirements to be met."

"Nah, there isn't any. And you just fulfilled my father's requirements. If that's the case, you may as well marry him... I've been told that many nobles are coming out of the closet. Why not a shinobi, too?"

Fugaku grew speechless. Even he didn't feel anything for Mikoto but understood that lying to a fellow clansman just wasn't right. Smiling at her joke, as crass as it may be, Fugaku left.

"Huff!" Mikoto sighed and sat down in front of Kai and Kushina with Kai don with his first bowl and Kushina on her fourth.

"You two really have it easy, huh," Mikoto pouted as they grinned.

"Say, Kai-chan, Kushina, what kind of person would you like to settle down with?"

'Ah... too much cheese girl, I thought we're here for the ramen,' Kai groaned. That weird performance review with Mito certainly made it clear that even if he would want to have a more... generous 'support' system, speaking it out loud would have a contrary effect.

"Hmm, I don't know..." Kushina blushed, "S-someone strong... that doesn't leave me because of my verbal tick... and is strong enough to protect me!"

"Says the girl who folded an Aburame and an Elder's grandson," Kai rolled his eyes.

"Hey!" Kushina blushed even more fiercely.

"Hehe, aren't you in luck, Kai-chan~!" Mikoto teased as she looked at the boy. Just if he would have been her age... well, he could pass off as one barely...

"Nah, not me. Jiraiya-san showed me that any sensible Shinobi would want to settle with someone like Tsunade Sensei... she's the best..." Kai snickered, making his teammate's expressions bleak as they snorted quietly.

--

"Hell no!" Tsunade barked in laughter as her face was flushed with the sake in her system. Jiraiya fully glared at the blue-haired youth while Orochimaru appreciated the chaos unfolding in front of his eyes.

Dan looked at her teammates and smiled politely, "May I please speak with her alone?"

"Over my dead body!" Jiraiya growled as Orochimaru chortled, "You heard him, over his dead body."

"Look dude, you had a shot and you blew it. Did Sensei put you up on it again? Honestly, he likes to brag that his wife left your kind after she had him but damnit, not everyone likes that!" Tsunade grumbled, "If you wanna drink, you can join but nothing else."

"I would be honored," Dan smiled but Orochimaru noticed a twinkle that Jiraiya and Tsunade would fail to see. Oh, the kind of twinkle Jiraiya had the night he almost lost his toad nuts forever. The twinkle of reckless planning.

'Oh, boy. This night is unfolding even better than I could have expected, fufufu.'

Dan entered the fray but it was clear to everyone that he had the social skills needed to ease into the situation and that made him earn Jiraiya's begrudging respect yet they didn't stop drinking. For all their bodies were better and more resistant than any civilian's imagination, special concoctions still left them in a state of high unless they used chakra to rectify the situation. But why wouldn't they want to relax?

But Orochimaru was waiting and he hoped that the reckless seed would bore a bloody fruit in front of his eyes and it did.

"Tsunade," Holding Tsunade's hand as Jiraiya stiffened, Dan spoke with an ostentatiously sincere expression and exhaled a sigh full of regret, "It was true that the Hokage set us up but that life is behind me now. I swear. The moments I had with you... I... felt lost without you. Please don't hate me when I—"

Dan's gaze flickered as he leaned forward with his lips slightly puckered out and his eyes closed. A mistake, Orochimaru smirked and held the table as they were giving the treat, and damn he was already short on research funds, meanwhile, Dan didn't see the punch coming as Tsunade's quicker reaction showed how long ago she had cleared the alcohol from her system. The punch broke his nose with an audible crunch before Dan's body tore through the partition of their private table and blasted out of the restaurant's wall.

"Orochimaru, contact the hospital..." Tsunade walked out as others gasped in surprise. Oh, she would physically heal Dan but not his mental trauma that Jiraiya got healed that time, too, fortunately. Others around Tsunade are definitely a beast in their own rights but should she get in one serious punch... that's enough.

--

"Nine ribs, all organs ruptured, broken skull, castration alongside broken legs. Even for you, Tsunade, this is..." Hiruzen sighed at the blonde woman standing in front of him when the other person besides the duo growled, "This is an atrocity! What gave you the right to mentally incapacitate an Anbu for provably the rest of his life? Tsunade Senju, heal Dan Kato's mind!"

Tsunade's gaze grew dull as she wondered... Dan was pleasing to the eye. Originally... she would have given him another chance. After all, there won't be any need for lies and they certainly clicked... Originally, she also would have lost her cool and would have argued about the fairness of it all... Originally... Originally...

'Ah... that's right. Grandma has started drinking wine again. I started actively helping out the clan and making sure that Nawaki doesn't waste his time. If the boy wants to become a Hokage, he needs to work for it. Nothing is the same... not even me. Not since I realized that power can be so... seductive. But that was never a problem. Just allowed me to keep the clan in one piece. I wonder how many of them would have died by now? After the three incorrect missions where the clan nins survived only because of the various seals and stock of distracting weapons... we have yet to be attacked again.

Sigh, couldn't I just be allowed to drink happily? Would have been a better night...'

"— ade! Tsunade! Did you hear what I said?!" Danzo spoke in a cold tone as Tsunade blinked and looked around before smiling, "Ah, sorry, Elder Danzo. I was lost in my thoughts."

The man gritted his teeth. Dan and he had a deal. If he manages to get Tsunade and be free of Anbu missions related to seduction, he would work for Root secretly for very lucrative terms but... not only did Danzo lose out on a very experienced Shinobi but also the ability to heal the man that resided in the bitch's mutty paws.

"Tsunade, if you knew why he was there, you could have just sent him away. We're all adults and know that men like Dan, despite being a civilian have too much strength to be treated as such." Hiruzen sighed. Unlike Dan, he liked to be clear and honest when the situation required it.

"Then let's speak like adults," Tsunade snorted, "Sensei, I have no interest in authority. I've seen what this position does to the people I loved. Nawaki is a clear candidate for the Senju seat but I can understand your need for me to 'produce' a backup. Not going to happen."

Danzo's gaze flickered for a second before he hid it as she continued, "As far as Dan goes, he tried to take advantage of the Senju Matriarch believing she was drunk. Be happy he is alive and has a chance to pull through as tiny as it may be. Even Jiraiya of all people knows that it's the last thing a person can do to me ever, I make sure of that."

"Alright, message received loud and clear," Hiruzen sighed and closed his eyes, "You can leave Tsunade. Know this, I do feel regretful to have caused such an incident during your first gambling victory."

Tsunade nodded plainly and snorted before leaving while she could already hear Danzo's arguments as if a hurt little mistress he was.

She smirked and recalled something, "Now that I remember... Nawaki goes to meet Grandma twice a week. She really did a number on him, huh... hehe... but..." Her gaze grew somber, "I must find someone to marry... or else I'll die a single and lone pure flower... ah, that would be too regretful!"

But did she have time for romance with the war almost upon then...

'Fuck being a clan leader... really. Maybe I should find my top dog and hand him or her the administrative work. Let's see, Uzumaki won't cut it. One whiff of ramen and she'd bounce away. The genius wants a fricking harem... pfft, as if! And Mikoto is an Uchiha. Working in an administrative capacity for a Senju is too... controversial. Damn... should I find another disciple?'

'Ah... I forgot to congratulate sensei on his new child. Damn, so old and still going at it with Lady Biwako. She is still pretty, alright... the lucky dog...'

Shoutout to Aesh and BLazeSavage!!

Read 25 advance chapters here—

Patre /Fanharem

And do vote some powerstones~

Report chapter Comments

The third month of the year. It was an ordinary day for Team Tsunade as they rested after doing 2 C-rank missions back-to-back, earning Kai 10 SP.

They began training in the Training Ground 23 like usual. Physical sparring, that is. One thing Kai quickly realized while grinding Mystical Palm Technique was that it couldn't be done on oneself. Mystical Palm Technique, in essence, promotes cellular growth in exchange for physical energy or better known as stamina. But doing this on a healthy body was just a recipe for growth and grind hadn't eroded Kai's mind enough for him to go out of his way and hunt animals crazily before performing the technique on them...

No, he IS that crazy but... he'd been sensing a few odd shinobi every now and then whose chakra signature wasn't from the Senju Clan and these signatures would disappear shortly before a Senju chakra signature rushed towards the area. This place wasn't as safe as it looked like but anyway... looking at Mikoto who wielded her poisoned kunai while attacking him fiercely... he couldn't help but feel elated.

Every step felt a burden of its own. Every dodge left him a little more breathless as the weights on his wrists, ankles, AND torso made it sure that his stamina would decline at a breakneck pace.

He finally went ahead and asked Mito for a special material called chakra metal and had it made into a durable mesh top. Pricey things they are... but Mito was anything but stingy. She, of course, asked everything in detail about what he wanted, and only when she verified that his intentions were purely for more stable training and long-lasting at that since chakra metal could be imbued by seals that can shift the state of the material, she helped him commission a large mesh top. That part was easy.

Mito, however, wanted him to spend time and imbue the seal matrix in it that made the mesh top complement his size or any wearer's size until its maximum size and watched over him while he molded his chakra into another complementing sealing matrix that integrated with the one before to increase the attraction of the mesh shirt along with the gravitational pull, achieving the effect of heightened weight.

Of course, a large part of the reason why Mito even agreed to spend such a large amount was because of his work ethic. He knew that she knew it. Although he would want nothing more than to chill with some babe, age and hormones kept him in check without the need of Gamer Mind and Kai would damn sure make every second with the grind. He needed to be alive to enjoy life and the weak didn't live very long in this part of the country. And after getting rid of Gamer Mind, Kai wasn't logically suicidal either. He loved life!

Sweat drenched his body right now as he almost slipped while Mikoto's paralyzing Kunai avoided his arm. Lucky.

He jumped back... more like a hop as Mikoto grew slightly concerned at his state. He was followed by a trail of sweat and even standing seemed like a heavy exertion to him.

But she kept her pity in check. Kai, of all people, didn't need her pity or worry. He would have found six ways to defeat her by now if he went by the rules HE set. This wasn't just a taijutsu spar. It was a spar. Everything was legal here. A kick to the nuts, poking the eyes, maybe groping... if she was older.

Tsunade and Kushina weren't free either. Done with her Water Weaving Sword, Kushina now sparred regularly with the Princess of Emasculation. Damn, he still shudders at the thought of what happened to the Dan Kato fellow. That was a piece of major news for the week that managed to make people a little scared of the ordinarily warm and pleasant Senjus.

"Fight me for real," Kai frowned, feeling distaste that he even had to ask for it. Mikoto finally hesitated and called out, "Kai-chan... shouldn't you take it a little easy? We just returned from the mission yesterday..." Honestly, Mikoto's nerves were still a little strung. She was gradually getting used to it but it was clear that she needed more time.

Kai frowned. And then blinked in realization as his body fell down unceremoniously.

"Hah... you're right... thanks for the good spar though..."

[Stamina: 3.2/100 (10.1/min)]

"No problem," Mikoto beamed before walking over to him and plopping down herself, watching Kushina run away screaming bloody murder while Tsunade chased after the girl with controlled speed. It was honestly good to see the tomato get bullied for once.

Kai's panting and rough breathing, however, rang louder in Mikoto's ears as she could feel him radiating heat from all the physical exertion which made her wonder for the umpteenth time— What drove this boy to such lengths? Besides training, he is lazier than a Nara, well, almost and more chill than a Yamanaka but when he trains, he becomes a perfect Inuzuka.

"Do you know what Tsume is upto these days?" Mikoto inquired with an amused expression as she missed the hyperactive girl that could compete with Kushina.

"Last," he wheezed, "I met... she's about to go to a training retreat with her mother. She said her Academy courses are done and she would graduate next year..."

"Oh," Mikoto smiled, "That's great! I miss her but training is more important."

"Yeah, you're alone on that missing ride about Tsume," Kai scoffed and finally lay back on the ground while Mikoto followed the suit and lay on the ground, too, when she could be grinding and training. Crazy girl.

He silently looked at his physique stat and held great satisfaction for it.

[Physique: 105 111/1000]

He had managed to reach another threshold and it increased his stamina regeneration alongside reducing the stamina cost of physical skills, too.

The first half of their training came to an end as they soon found themselves headed to Konoha Hospital without Tsunade. She had some errands to run which simply meant that a resident shinobi had something to report. Aside from straining themselves physically, they also train in mystical palm technique whenever they are back from the mission and as usual, made their way to the designated spot but...

Kai couldn't help but stop right before the gate as a girl suddenly rushed out before tripping down and falling in front of them. With Kushina and Mikoto just unconsciously used to his lead, they had stopped, too.

'"Are you alright?" Kai inquired as he crouched down alongside the two as the light-brown-haired girl groaned and patted around the ground until Mikoto pushed the round-rimmed glasses towards the girl's hands and she quickly put them on while looking up, "I'm... sorry. I was in a hurry."

Seeing the forehead protector on her head, Kai felt even weirder, "Are you really a kunoichi?"

Sitting up, the girl's emerald eyes grew serious and she replied with an almost sullen grumble, "I am."

"Okay," Mikoto shrugged as she stood up and others followed along. The girl adjusted her glasses while standing up and bowed, "I am Nono Yakushi, pleased to meet you."

"Mikoto Uchiha."

"Kushina Uzumaki."

"Kai."

The trio introduced themselves now that the girl started as she continued with a suspicious expression, "Are you trying to get into the Iryo Nin program? Visiting someone?"

And now Mikoto began to feel weird and frowned, "What's it to you?"

"I'm curious!" The girl exclaimed with a surprisingly happy smile as she adjusted her shoulder-length hair.

"Right... well, see you," Kai wasn't about to waste his grind on even weirder situations much less this. He was THIS close to mastering the Mystical Palm Technique and after that would the Chakra Scalpel technique... and then he would be able to pester Tsunade to teach him that juicy nature transformation!

Heck, he didn't even know what it meant aside from the most common definition from the name itself since jutsus and other stuff aren't openly shared with everyone and a request has to be made to the administration department before it would be processed.

As he left, Mikoto followed quickly, a little irked by the girl and Kushina bowed politely before following her team.

"Ah..." Nono blinked, "I forgot I have to eat lunch." And the girl ran again, tripping down not long after.

--

"Hmm... it's good enough..." Tsunade's brows twitched as the fish flopped about on Kai's table. Oh, he could heal the fish long ago. It's just that he did it under five minutes now.

[Mystical Palm Technique (15/15): Allows the user to charge the chakra with yin and yang in a specific ratio to induce growth in the target. Reduce chakra wastage by 0.6 for every level. Reduces chakra consumption by 3.3 at every level. Chakra Consumption: 550/min.]

As the turquoise chakra visible over Kai's hands receded and he stored the flopping fish in the nearby tank, he gave his Sensei a cheeky and sweet grin as Kushina was already getting a hang of it while Mikoto was making gradual efforts. Of course, the flopping fish wasn't their only task. It was just one of the major ones, a boss task, if you will. They also had to make a flower bloom and stuff like that.

"Sensei," Kai called out while Tsunade rolled her eyes. THIS boy was supposed to be her Guardian? He's just a maniac who would ask for...

"Teach me something new!"

Of course... one would think that the boy boasting such strength and talent would want MORE than just training. The council has started to establish the geniuses to nurture with appropriate training missions and better jutsus to not only increase their survivability but also their contribution to the village and Kai was on top of the list.

But no, what pain, what life? The boy just wanted to throw himself into another technique and again she thought of his 'dreams'. Well, if he put his love for repetition to good use then he may just make it...

'According to the plan, I would have taught them chakra scalpel next so that they can provide sanitary incisions and activate the mystical palm technique within the body to spread the effects better in a controlled region... but it's just less of a hassle to teach the three of them at once. Hmm... what would keep him busy? Maybe... ah!'

"Something new, huh," Tsunade smiled, "I remember that I promised you a few genjutsu skills. The most effective genjutsu skills are similar to how Mikoto can weave things without exaggerating any details as it becomes obvious it's a genjutsu. Ready for it? Orochimaru is more of a hands-on Sensei when it comes to Genjutsu..."

"Yes!" Kai gushed happily, making the remaining trio roll their eyes.

--

"I see... well that is wonderful. You had nothing to do, and I am stuck in my research. Even Nawaki is being trained by his clan, Sen-chan is taking the mandatory medic-nin and Aburame-kun is raising his hive."

"Can't you teach Sen-san medic-nin yourself?" Kai inquired and looked around. Unlike Tsunade's lab which was divided into two portions out of consideration for her students, Orochimaru's lab was full of pieces of equipment and a distillery that dripped a light blue concoction.

"Oh, I don't know iryo-ninjutsu," Orochimaru chuckled as Kai looked at him, propelling the man to smile, "I plan to, eventually. But currently, my knowledge of anatomy, its various reactions, and chakra composition is above Tsunade so I help her in trying to find and develop new and better iryo nin. You could say I'm the brains and she's... the brains and the brawn."

"Jiraiya-san would have added something else," Kai snickered as Orochimaru blinked and promptly sighed, "Kai-kun... for your betterment, I will snitch to Tsunade what you said. Keep that in mind, I never snitch. That's how much I worry your talent would be affected playing the jester eventually..."

Kai paled slightly. Damn, the man is a sissy AND a snitch...

He then frowned and closed his eyes as he felt his chakra and suddenly raised the seal of confrontation before jerking his chakra.

The Orochimaru in front of him disappeared and he was now in front of the distillery, observing the reactions of the chemical.

"I'm honestly disappointed, Kai-kun. I am told you're a sensor. Any sensor worth his or her salt would have noticed that Genjutsu 2 seconds prior than you did."

Orochimaru looked up and smiled, "First lesson in being a cautious shinobi, always fluctuate your chakra at a set interval. It costs nothing and may just save your life."

Kai nodded, an eager light glowing in his eyes as he smiled, "Please teach me that technique."

Pulling a chair, Orochimaru sat down and smiled, "That was no technique but the most basic illusion conjured by me slipping my control into your chakra network. All rank D and E Genjutsu are just that, meager illusions. An actual Genjutsu skill—"

Kai suddenly fluctuated his chakra and saw this Orochimaru disappear again and saw the man shifting through documents with an incomprehensible mess of words.

"Eager to adopt new knowledge and grow. High perception and intelligence where it matters. My, my, Kai-kun, I have to raise my evaluation of you now. You're making me envious of Tsunade."

"Just to make it clear... sending hints by sitting down on a chair won't work," Kai beamed as Orochimaru's yellow snake-like eyes practically glowed.

"Good boy, I feel that you and I will find immense pleasure in each other's company."

--

If you can match up to Orochimaru's pace then he is a teacher possibly better than Tsunade in some scenarios. The first thing Orochimaru cleared was the distinction between illusions conjured by low-leveled 'illusions' that his trait classified as genjutsu and high-level genjutsu is the difference between the amount of control and not its subtlety.

High-level genjutsu can conjure monstrous shit but the target would not be able to escape because the user of the genjutsu begins to infect the chakra stream of the target more aggressively and simple fluctuations will not release that hold.

That's why a high-level genjutsu is hard to master, harder to use without Dojutsu like Sharingan, and even harder to escape in time. Of course, the high-level genjutsu can all be unraveled in time but would the enemy give them such precious time?

Now when it came to casting a genjutsu, due to the high-level genjutsu having stricter requirements and the sheer amount of chakra making it easier to detect, there is something called finding the weak link.

If it's a team, the weak link will be its weakest member.

If it's a lone shinobi, his or her weak link will be his or her most untrained senses.

Sound, touch, vision, and even smell. High-level genjutsu use these mediums to make their chakra travel. For instance, Sharingan users can only employ Genjutsu if a person looks into their eyes. If the target's vision is trained to the point it can even see the link of chakra between their eyes then he may just escape genjutsu but people usually don't have such trained senses. While this makes Sharingan quite coveted aside from its dynamic vision and ability to copy movements, Orochimaru was very clear about this Dojutsu's weakness.

Distance.

Chakra can travel only for so long. A weaker Sharingan will have a smaller range of effects. As simple as that.

He also came to understand that high-level genjutsu changes the perception of time so it requires a large chakra amount for just one second at times which was the reason why his Genjutsu skills had chakra consumption based on seconds.

The things Orochimaru taught Kai... was mind-boggling. And one thing he found the cutest.

"You did... what?"

Tsunade's eyelids trembled and her amber orbs lit up in fury as Kushina and Mikoto looked at the extremely tiny pure white snake coiled around his index finger.

"Is that..." Tsunade looked at Orochimaru coldly and he chuckled, "Oh, no, of course not. This is the product of my research. I call it the Everlasting Snake. This snake bonds with the chakra signature it's fed after it emerges from the egg. Now, now, it wouldn't do me any good to teach the boy my most prized techniques for free, right?

Fifteen days of genjutsu lessons and two C-ranked Genjutsu techniques beyond the crap allowed for genins. And this special gift that certainly will never die from natural causes because Kai-kun has been a good boy," Orochimaru warmly patted the boy's head, "I will be seeing you around."

Tsunade snorted as Kai snickered, "You're a genjutsu, aren't you?"

His words shook Kushina and Mikoto as they hurriedly fluctuated their chakra and indeed, Orochimaru was no longer in the room.

Kai shrugged at the man's antics. He loved to test Kai almost every minute with something new and then something old.

"Tch... don't you get comfortable with the snake... you're more suited for... slimy slugs."

"Nah, Cinnamon is perfect!" Kai grinned, no longer caring about the arrogant koi who refused to eat from his hand and instead looked at the Cinnamon who refused to leave his finger.

"Aw... it's so cute..." Mikoto puckered her lips as Cinnamon looked around and slithered into Kai's sleeves with a swerving strut.

"Sensei, can we have one? I want one!" Kushina claimed.

"Shove it! No more snail talks. Only slugs rule!"

Meanwhile, Kai was just too happy with his growth these past 15 days. Although the man didn't speak anything about his research, he found Orochimaru's dream admirable. To master every jutsu!

What a Sissy... but chad!

Also, constantly having to endure genjutsu and even sense them, his stats had a major boost!

[Devil's Pit (20/20): The user utilizes the sounds of insects to pull the target into a genjutsu of a pit of poisonous insects. Increase mental stat at every level. Reduce Chakra Consumption by 2 at every level. Current Consumption: 90/sec.]

[Crushing Coil (20/20): The user utilizes the sounds from a snake to pull a target into a genjutsu of a giant snake coiling and crushing the target. Increase mental by 1 at every level. Reduce Chakra Consumption by 2 at every level. Current Consumption: 100/sec.]

[Mental Stat reached a threshold. Markedly improved the function of the mind and spirit energy.] *5

[Increase the willpower and ability to resist genjutsu by 1] *5

[Perception stat reached a threshold. Meta-physical sensing markedly improved.*2

[Increase the rate of chakra regeneration by 5 times.*2

[Name: Kai

Age: 5

Title: Tsunade's Apprentice

Gamer Traits: Skill Tree; Sleepless Gamer

Rank: Genin

Hit Points: 100

Stamina: 100/100 (11.1/min)

Chakra: 13993 (3214 3998*250) (315/min) (90*250%/min)

Physique: 111/1000

Mental: 89 134/1000

Perception: 48 62/1000]

[Skill points: 434]

Now he wondered what kind of crazy skills he could open up by becoming Orochimaru's apprentice because it was clear that while Tsunade had clan backing and all, she was invested in prospering iryo nin. Meanwhile, Orochimaru was the repository of Ninjutsu and Genjutsu!

The fact he could even master 2 C-rank genjutsu was that Orochimaru allowed him to use it on a few lab rats constantly! He was as generous as they came!

Shoutout to Robert Andrew, Jose Cintron, and Thong Doan!!

Read 30 advance chapters here—

Patre /Fanharem

And do vote some powerstones~

Report chapter Comments

The third month of the year. It was an ordinary day for Team Tsunade as they rested after doing 2 C-rank missions back-to-back, earning Kai 10 SP.

They began training in the Training Ground 23 like usual. Physical sparring, that is. One thing Kai quickly realized while grinding Mystical Palm Technique was that it couldn't be done on oneself. Mystical Palm Technique, in essence, promotes cellular growth in exchange for physical energy or better known as stamina. But doing this on a healthy body was just a recipe for growth and grind hadn't eroded Kai's mind enough for him to go out of his way and hunt animals crazily before performing the technique on them...

No, he IS that crazy but... he'd been sensing a few odd shinobi every now and then whose chakra signature wasn't from the Senju Clan and these signatures would disappear shortly before a Senju chakra signature rushed towards the area. This place wasn't as safe as it looked like but anyway... looking at Mikoto who wielded her poisoned kunai while attacking him fiercely... he couldn't help but feel elated.

Every step felt a burden of its own. Every dodge left him a little more breathless as the weights on his wrists, ankles, AND torso made it sure that his stamina would decline at a breakneck pace.

He finally went ahead and asked Mito for a special material called chakra metal and had it made into a durable mesh top. Pricey things they are... but Mito was anything but stingy. She, of course, asked everything in detail about what he wanted, and only when she verified that his intentions were purely for more stable training and long-lasting at that since chakra metal could be imbued by seals that can shift the state of the material, she helped him commission a large mesh top. That part was easy.

Mito, however, wanted him to spend time and imbue the seal matrix in it that made the mesh top complement his size or any wearer's size until its maximum size and watched over him while he molded his chakra into another complementing sealing matrix that integrated with the one before to increase the attraction of the mesh shirt along with the gravitational pull, achieving the effect of heightened weight.

Of course, a large part of the reason why Mito even agreed to spend such a large amount was because of his work ethic. He knew that she knew it. Although he would want nothing more than to chill with some babe, age and hormones kept him in check without the need of Gamer Mind and Kai would damn sure make every second with the grind. He needed to be alive to enjoy life and the weak didn't live very long in this part of the country. And after getting rid of Gamer Mind, Kai wasn't logically suicidal either. He loved life!

Sweat drenched his body right now as he almost slipped while Mikoto's paralyzing Kunai avoided his arm. Lucky.

He jumped back... more like a hop as Mikoto grew slightly concerned at his state. He was followed by a trail of sweat and even standing seemed like a heavy exertion to him.

But she kept her pity in check. Kai, of all people, didn't need her pity or worry. He would have found six ways to defeat her by now if he went by the rules HE set. This wasn't just a taijutsu spar. It was a spar. Everything was legal here. A kick to the nuts, poking the eyes, maybe groping... if she was older.

Tsunade and Kushina weren't free either. Done with her Water Weaving Sword, Kushina now sparred regularly with the Princess of Emasculation. Damn, he still shudders at the thought of what happened to the Dan Kato fellow. That was a piece of major news for the week that managed to make people a little scared of the ordinarily warm and pleasant Senjus.

"Fight me for real," Kai frowned, feeling distaste that he even had to ask for it. Mikoto finally hesitated and called out, "Kai-chan... shouldn't you take it a little easy? We just returned from the mission yesterday..." Honestly, Mikoto's nerves were still a little strung. She was gradually getting used to it but it was clear that she needed more time.

Kai frowned. And then blinked in realization as his body fell down unceremoniously.

"Hah... you're right... thanks for the good spar though..."

[Stamina: 3.2/100 (10.1/min)]

"No problem," Mikoto beamed before walking over to him and plopping down herself, watching Kushina run away screaming bloody murder while Tsunade chased after the girl with controlled speed. It was honestly good to see the tomato get bullied for once.

Kai's panting and rough breathing, however, rang louder in Mikoto's ears as she could feel him radiating heat from all the physical exertion which made her wonder for the umpteenth time— What drove this boy to such lengths? Besides training, he is lazier than a Nara, well, almost and more chill than a Yamanaka but when he trains, he becomes a perfect Inuzuka.

"Do you know what Tsume is upto these days?" Mikoto inquired with an amused expression as she missed the hyperactive girl that could compete with Kushina.

"Last," he wheezed, "I met... she's about to go to a training retreat with her mother. She said her Academy courses are done and she would graduate next year..."

"Oh," Mikoto smiled, "That's great! I miss her but training is more important."

"Yeah, you're alone on that missing ride about Tsume," Kai scoffed and finally lay back on the ground while Mikoto followed the suit and lay on the ground, too, when she could be grinding and training. Crazy girl.

He silently looked at his physique stat and held great satisfaction for it.

[Physique: 105 111/1000]

He had managed to reach another threshold and it increased his stamina regeneration alongside reducing the stamina cost of physical skills, too.

The first half of their training came to an end as they soon found themselves headed to Konoha Hospital without Tsunade. She had some errands to run which simply meant that a resident shinobi had something to report. Aside from straining themselves physically, they also train in mystical palm technique whenever they are back from the mission and as usual, made their way to the designated spot but...

Kai couldn't help but stop right before the gate as a girl suddenly rushed out before tripping down and falling in front of them. With Kushina and Mikoto just unconsciously used to his lead, they had stopped, too.

'"Are you alright?" Kai inquired as he crouched down alongside the two as the light-brown-haired girl groaned and patted around the ground until Mikoto pushed the round-rimmed glasses towards the girl's hands and she quickly put them on while looking up, "I'm... sorry. I was in a hurry."

Seeing the forehead protector on her head, Kai felt even weirder, "Are you really a kunoichi?"

Sitting up, the girl's emerald eyes grew serious and she replied with an almost sullen grumble, "I am."

"Okay," Mikoto shrugged as she stood up and others followed along. The girl adjusted her glasses while standing up and bowed, "I am Nono Yakushi, pleased to meet you."

"Mikoto Uchiha."

"Kushina Uzumaki."

"Kai."

The trio introduced themselves now that the girl started as she continued with a suspicious expression, "Are you trying to get into the Iryo Nin program? Visiting someone?"

And now Mikoto began to feel weird and frowned, "What's it to you?"

"I'm curious!" The girl exclaimed with a surprisingly happy smile as she adjusted her shoulder-length hair.

"Right... well, see you," Kai wasn't about to waste his grind on even weirder situations much less this. He was THIS close to mastering the Mystical Palm Technique and after that would the Chakra Scalpel technique... and then he would be able to pester Tsunade to teach him that juicy nature transformation!

Heck, he didn't even know what it meant aside from the most common definition from the name itself since jutsus and other stuff aren't openly shared with everyone and a request has to be made to the administration department before it would be processed.

As he left, Mikoto followed quickly, a little irked by the girl and Kushina bowed politely before following her team.

"Ah..." Nono blinked, "I forgot I have to eat lunch." And the girl ran again, tripping down not long after.

--

"Hmm... it's good enough..." Tsunade's brows twitched as the fish flopped about on Kai's table. Oh, he could heal the fish long ago. It's just that he did it under five minutes now.

[Mystical Palm Technique (15/15): Allows the user to charge the chakra with yin and yang in a specific ratio to induce growth in the target. Reduce chakra wastage by 0.6 for every level. Reduces chakra consumption by 3.3 at every level. Chakra Consumption: 550/min.]

As the turquoise chakra visible over Kai's hands receded and he stored the flopping fish in the nearby tank, he gave his Sensei a cheeky and sweet grin as Kushina was already getting a hang of it while Mikoto was making gradual efforts. Of course, the flopping fish wasn't their only task. It was just one of the major ones, a boss task, if you will. They also had to make a flower bloom and stuff like that.

"Sensei," Kai called out while Tsunade rolled her eyes. THIS boy was supposed to be her Guardian? He's just a maniac who would ask for...

"Teach me something new!"

Of course... one would think that the boy boasting such strength and talent would want MORE than just training. The council has started to establish the geniuses to nurture with appropriate training missions and better jutsus to not only increase their survivability but also their contribution to the village and Kai was on top of the list.

But no, what pain, what life? The boy just wanted to throw himself into another technique and again she thought of his 'dreams'. Well, if he put his love for repetition to good use then he may just make it...

'According to the plan, I would have taught them chakra scalpel next so that they can provide sanitary incisions and activate the mystical palm technique within the body to spread the effects better in a controlled region... but it's just less of a hassle to teach the three of them at once. Hmm... what would keep him busy? Maybe... ah!'

"Something new, huh," Tsunade smiled, "I remember that I promised you a few genjutsu skills. The most effective genjutsu skills are similar to how Mikoto can weave things without exaggerating any details as it becomes obvious it's a genjutsu. Ready for it? Orochimaru is more of a hands-on Sensei when it comes to Genjutsu..."

"Yes!" Kai gushed happily, making the remaining trio roll their eyes.

--

"I see... well that is wonderful. You had nothing to do, and I am stuck in my research. Even Nawaki is being trained by his clan, Sen-chan is taking the mandatory medic-nin and Aburame-kun is raising his hive."

"Can't you teach Sen-san medic-nin yourself?" Kai inquired and looked around. Unlike Tsunade's lab which was divided into two portions out of consideration for her students, Orochimaru's lab was full of pieces of equipment and a distillery that dripped a light blue concoction.

"Oh, I don't know iryo-ninjutsu," Orochimaru chuckled as Kai looked at him, propelling the man to smile, "I plan to, eventually. But currently, my knowledge of anatomy, its various reactions, and chakra composition is above Tsunade so I help her in trying to find and develop new and better iryo nin. You could say I'm the brains and she's... the brains and the brawn."

"Jiraiya-san would have added something else," Kai snickered as Orochimaru blinked and promptly sighed, "Kai-kun... for your betterment, I will snitch to Tsunade what you said. Keep that in mind, I never snitch. That's how much I worry your talent would be affected playing the jester eventually..."

Kai paled slightly. Damn, the man is a sissy AND a snitch...

He then frowned and closed his eyes as he felt his chakra and suddenly raised the seal of confrontation before jerking his chakra.

The Orochimaru in front of him disappeared and he was now in front of the distillery, observing the reactions of the chemical.

"I'm honestly disappointed, Kai-kun. I am told you're a sensor. Any sensor worth his or her salt would have noticed that Genjutsu 2 seconds prior than you did."

Orochimaru looked up and smiled, "First lesson in being a cautious shinobi, always fluctuate your chakra at a set interval. It costs nothing and may just save your life."

Kai nodded, an eager light glowing in his eyes as he smiled, "Please teach me that technique."

Pulling a chair, Orochimaru sat down and smiled, "That was no technique but the most basic illusion conjured by me slipping my control into your chakra network. All rank D and E Genjutsu are just that, meager illusions. An actual Genjutsu skill—"

Kai suddenly fluctuated his chakra and saw this Orochimaru disappear again and saw the man shifting through documents with an incomprehensible mess of words.

"Eager to adopt new knowledge and grow. High perception and intelligence where it matters. My, my, Kai-kun, I have to raise my evaluation of you now. You're making me envious of Tsunade."

"Just to make it clear... sending hints by sitting down on a chair won't work," Kai beamed as Orochimaru's yellow snake-like eyes practically glowed.

"Good boy, I feel that you and I will find immense pleasure in each other's company."

--

If you can match up to Orochimaru's pace then he is a teacher possibly better than Tsunade in some scenarios. The first thing Orochimaru cleared was the distinction between illusions conjured by low-leveled 'illusions' that his trait classified as genjutsu and high-level genjutsu is the difference between the amount of control and not its subtlety.

High-level genjutsu can conjure monstrous shit but the target would not be able to escape because the user of the genjutsu begins to infect the chakra stream of the target more aggressively and simple fluctuations will not release that hold.

That's why a high-level genjutsu is hard to master, harder to use without Dojutsu like Sharingan, and even harder to escape in time. Of course, the high-level genjutsu can all be unraveled in time but would the enemy give them such precious time?

Now when it came to casting a genjutsu, due to the high-level genjutsu having stricter requirements and the sheer amount of chakra making it easier to detect, there is something called finding the weak link.

If it's a team, the weak link will be its weakest member.

If it's a lone shinobi, his or her weak link will be his or her most untrained senses.

Sound, touch, vision, and even smell. High-level genjutsu use these mediums to make their chakra travel. For instance, Sharingan users can only employ Genjutsu if a person looks into their eyes. If the target's vision is trained to the point it can even see the link of chakra between their eyes then he may just escape genjutsu but people usually don't have such trained senses. While this makes Sharingan quite coveted aside from its dynamic vision and ability to copy movements, Orochimaru was very clear about this Dojutsu's weakness.

Distance.

Chakra can travel only for so long. A weaker Sharingan will have a smaller range of effects. As simple as that.

He also came to understand that high-level genjutsu changes the perception of time so it requires a large chakra amount for just one second at times which was the reason why his Genjutsu skills had chakra consumption based on seconds.

The things Orochimaru taught Kai... was mind-boggling. And one thing he found the cutest.

"You did... what?"

Tsunade's eyelids trembled and her amber orbs lit up in fury as Kushina and Mikoto looked at the extremely tiny pure white snake coiled around his index finger.

"Is that..." Tsunade looked at Orochimaru coldly and he chuckled, "Oh, no, of course not. This is the product of my research. I call it the Everlasting Snake. This snake bonds with the chakra signature it's fed after it emerges from the egg. Now, now, it wouldn't do me any good to teach the boy my most prized techniques for free, right?

Fifteen days of genjutsu lessons and two C-ranked Genjutsu techniques beyond the crap allowed for genins. And this special gift that certainly will never die from natural causes because Kai-kun has been a good boy," Orochimaru warmly patted the boy's head, "I will be seeing you around."

Tsunade snorted as Kai snickered, "You're a genjutsu, aren't you?"

His words shook Kushina and Mikoto as they hurriedly fluctuated their chakra and indeed, Orochimaru was no longer in the room.

Kai shrugged at the man's antics. He loved to test Kai almost every minute with something new and then something old.

"Tch... don't you get comfortable with the snake... you're more suited for... slimy slugs."

"Nah, Cinnamon is perfect!" Kai grinned, no longer caring about the arrogant koi who refused to eat from his hand and instead looked at the Cinnamon who refused to leave his finger.

"Aw... it's so cute..." Mikoto puckered her lips as Cinnamon looked around and slithered into Kai's sleeves with a swerving strut.

"Sensei, can we have one? I want one!" Kushina claimed.

"Shove it! No more snail talks. Only slugs rule!"

Meanwhile, Kai was just too happy with his growth these past 15 days. Although the man didn't speak anything about his research, he found Orochimaru's dream admirable. To master every jutsu!

What a Sissy... but chad!

Also, constantly having to endure genjutsu and even sense them, his stats had a major boost!

[Devil's Pit (20/20): The user utilizes the sounds of insects to pull the target into a genjutsu of a pit of poisonous insects. Increase mental stat at every level. Reduce Chakra Consumption by 2 at every level. Current Consumption: 90/sec.]

[Crushing Coil (20/20): The user utilizes the sounds from a snake to pull a target into a genjutsu of a giant snake coiling and crushing the target. Increase mental by 1 at every level. Reduce Chakra Consumption by 2 at every level. Current Consumption: 100/sec.]

[Mental Stat reached a threshold. Markedly improved the function of the mind and spirit energy.] *5

[Increase the willpower and ability to resist genjutsu by 1] *5

[Perception stat reached a threshold. Meta-physical sensing markedly improved.*2

[Increase the rate of chakra regeneration by 5 times.*2

[Name: Kai

Age: 5

Title: Tsunade's Apprentice

Gamer Traits: Skill Tree; Sleepless Gamer

Rank: Genin

Hit Points: 100

Stamina: 100/100 (11.1/min)

Chakra: 13993 (3214 3998*250) (315/min) (90*250%/min)

Physique: 111/1000

Mental: 89 134/1000

Perception: 48 62/1000]

[Skill points: 434]

Now he wondered what kind of crazy skills he could open up by becoming Orochimaru's apprentice because it was clear that while Tsunade had clan backing and all, she was invested in prospering iryo nin. Meanwhile, Orochimaru was the repository of Ninjutsu and Genjutsu!

The fact he could even master 2 C-rank genjutsu was that Orochimaru allowed him to use it on a few lab rats constantly! He was as generous as they came!

Shoutout to Robert Andrew, Jose Cintron, and Thong Doan!!

Read 30 advance chapters here—

Patre /Fanharem

And do vote some powerstones~

Report chapter Comments

A pinky-sized pure white snake continued to slither in the area with its only indication of its passing being its soft hisses. Yet, the three bandits failed to consider the thin senbon needles it continued to spit around and scurry away. This continued for a few minutes until—

Boom*

Boom*

Boom*

Multiple short-scaled explosions shook the tiny area of the forest while the snake slithered back to a boy resting against a tree and slid up his body until it contentedly slipped into his left sleeve where the boy wore a special wrist guard to house his precious.

Next to him sat a blonde image of perfection in a not-so-perfect situation while picking her nose idly and blowing over the tip of her finger later. Two shadows suddenly appeared in front of the duo and the raven-haired girl wearing her hair in a bun smiled, "Targets eliminated, Sensei."

"Hmm, the ability to communicate with your pet is just the cherry on the top, huh. Our missions just got several times easier," Tsunade smiled at Kai who grinned in return. Honestly, this sudden skill while trying to train Cinnamon was a surprise to him, too.

[Beast Chatter (10/10): The ability to convey to animals linked with the host's chakra. Perception stat increased by 1 at every level. Reduce Chakra consumption by 5 after every level. Current consumption: 10/min.]

[Perception stat reached a threshold. Meta-physical sensing markedly improved.]

[Increase the rate of chakra regeneration by 5 times.]

[Perception: 62 72/1000]

Chakra: 14731.5 (3998 4209*250) (367.5/min) (105*250%/min)

Only at the fifth month of the year, this was their 12th C-rank mission which stacked his SP just nice. He was a little short of reaching 500!

Anyway, Beast Chatter only allowed Kai to communicate with Cinnamon but it didn't allow the poor soul to communicate back. Cinnamon could only twist its tiny body in certain shapes to communicate simple intentions or rest and have her poison bath later.

"I want one..." Kushina continued to sulk as Tsunade shot the red-haired devil a glare, "What did I tell you about being cautious? Stay alert!"

Mikoto and Kushina gave their Sensei a rebuking glare as these standards weren't being applied to Kai for some time. Ever since Kai returned from Orochimaru's care and sung his praises, Tsunade just had a mental scare and tried her level best to let the boy know that SHE is the best thing that could and would ever happen to him. Her pride as a Sensei won't settle for anything less!

But such back-to-back missions left others a little on the edge and Kai's ability to just send Cinnamon to take on the bandits made it too easy! Of course, no matter how easy the mission was, Kai never left the village with any weights on. Even the chakra mesh shirt was cranked back to become normal until he thought otherwise.

They soon returned to the village with a slightly exhausted expression. They were dirty and grimy and needed to refresh themselves. But they already had a destination in mind to meet each other later and left. They'd been genins for 5 months now and Team Tsunade's rate of success was easy to notice. With Nawaki held back in the clan and Orochimaru happy to let the situation exist so that he can focus on his more immediate goals made sure that Team Orochimaru had no missions. In fact, there's a quota of missions that a team must complete but because of the Senju lockdown, Orochimaru was exempted from any charges.

The other team who was catching up to Team Tsunade wasn't Team Jiraiya. No. Jiraiya would leave the village regularly and only return to fulfill the quota yet whenever he returned every month, he made sure to beat some new training into his apprentices. From Team Jiraiya, the one who entered into the Mandatory Medic-nin reform was Noha Utatane. It wasn't a team in the first place but a member of the genin corps.

Various teams will be evaluated today and will be given a short briefing on what to expect in the future missions since Konohagakure just received another wave of missions. This is an unusual case because the number of missions is startling but the amount of money they can generate is too good to be left and even if they did consider potential traps given the situation, Konoha would still undertake missions because that's its lifeline.

Tsunade knew more about the situation. With her action of bringing in every wayward Senju, others knew that it would be only a matter of time before Iwa and Kumo realize that the jig is up and get even brasher with their preparations. So, the other clans decided to only move the civilian members situated very close to the borders of the nation. As for the rest of the innocent villagers... Konoha didn't dare move them. It would instantly launch the war. Right now, basic skirmishes have already begun with shinobi from Iwa, Suna, and Kumo entering their borders openly for dubious reasons, increasing conflict and harming the public whenever possible and in turn, Konoha could only reply in kind.

But everyone knew that the war cannot be fought in their lands... what a complicated and riddled subject war really is, sigh...

The discussion in the War Council was getting heated every day and more and more radical approaches were set on the table but when three shinobi villages are eyeing you like a fat piece of juicy meat, radical is the way to go.

Mito never once entered the war council letting her disinterest know but the secret letter transported to Tsunade through a seal demanding every single bit or facing retribution... seemed to indicate otherwise.

Still, each team had its own time to meet with the administrative department and Team Tsunade arrived on time.

--

The Hokage and the three elders sat in an intimate setting with three couches facing the table. Koharu and Homura sat on the left couch adjacent to Hiruzen's and opposite to Danzo.

They soon let their next visitor in and Tsunade led her team into the room with a smile, "Nice to see you again, Sensei."

"Hmm, I read the report, Tsunade. Impeccable work as always," Hiruzen smiled before letting his vision drift over to the team behind her and nodded, "You children have performed excellently, too."

By now, the use of medic-nin in each team was becoming more and more apparent. Hiruzen did not doubt that their advantage of iryo ninjutsu would fade with other villages catching on to some degree but it was enough now. It would give them more than enough time for respite and more.

His praise was well-received by the team mostly. Mikoto's calm smile lit up, Kushina's grin widened and Kai bobbed his head down with a short smirk.

"Tsunade, I will start with you so your team can understand how we generally undertake evaluations."

"Right," Tsunade nodded and exhaled sharply before standing straight and puffing out her chest with an obvious jiggle that caught everyone's attention, "Jonin Tsunade reporting for evaluation!"

"At ease, Jonin," Hiruzen nodded, "In these five months you have gotten your team, they have completed more than 53 D-rank Missions and 12 C-rank missions. Aside from one C-rank mission where a genin by the name of Mikoto Uchiha and a genin by the name of Kushina Uzumaki showed signs of insubordination, the records mark your progress as excellent."

"Mission Reports aside, the reports from the Mandatory Reforms show that Mikoto Uchiha has chosen to become the team's medic-nin and has passed the examination set by the Head Doctors before utilizing the basic C-rank Iryo Ninjutsu— Mystical Palm Technique and getting yourself certified as an apprentice medic-nin that can be called into the hospital in times of dire need.

Your performance reports state that Kushina Uzumaki has agreed to learn more detailed Kenjutsu from a retired Jonin Ken Senju while managing to master the C-ranked Fuinjutsu matrix seals of her parent clan— the Uzumaki Clan.

Your performance reports state that Kai has agreed to learn from a Jonin Sensei named Orochimaru and mastered two C-ranked Genjutsu.

Your performance reports state that Mikoto Uchiha and Kai have learned the concoction of poison recipes marked in the secret record of Konoha Recipes namely— 13a, 13b, 15a, 18c.

Is there anything else you would like to add?"

"No, Lord Third," Tsunade smiled and Hiruzen nodded.

"Genin by the name of Kushina Uzumaki, please step forward."

"Yes! Genin Kushina Uzumaki reporting for evaluation!"

"At ease," Hiruzen smiled and didn't let his complicated feeling about Uzushiogakure affect the task.

"Genin Kushina Uzumaki, your performance report has been evaluated in front of you. Do you have anything more to add?"

"No, lord Hokage," Kushina shook her head.

"Your Jonin Sensei has recommended you for a special Chunin promotion while concluding the said review with words suggesting your skills, physical reactions, chakra capacity, and experience far surpass that of Shinobi titled Genin. Do you have anything to add?"

Kushina blinked. Others except Tsunade did, too. The redhead did not expect this and grew hesitant for a moment before taking a deep breath and shaking her head. She spoke with determination, "I believe I am ready, Lord Third!"

"Hmm, Genin Mikoto Uchiha," Hiruzen called out and the raven-haired girl walked out before committing the same formalities as the man sighed while remembering a good friend of his and questioned, "Your mission report mentions a rare moment of insubordination on your otherwise stellar record. It was stated that the emotional outburst caused by the acts of sexual assault made you go unconscious. Is this true?"

Hiruzen didn't mince his words as Mikoto felt the silent stares of other elders and they were in no way positive. While the Uchiha clan is loved by many in the village, they are feared more than many, too.

"Yes, Hokage-sama. It's true."

"Did your clan's Kekkei Genkai, a Dojutsu by the name of Sharingan activate after this incident?"

"Yes, Hokage-sama."

"Do you still experience the violent urges that led to your insubordination in the first place?"

"No, Hokage-same. Sensei Tsunade has been accommodating when needed and stern when required. I was reprimanded for my actions and punished in the form of giving to the village by performing more D-rank missions."

Hokage nodded and a tinge of satisfaction could be seen on Tsunade's face as Hiruzen spoke the same thing about the promotion and got a similar response while he continued, "Genin Kai."

Kai stepped out and did the same as the previous three.

"Genin Kai, your performance review has been excellent and your ability is well-noticed by many Jonins. Would you like to comment on that?"

"No, Hokage-sama."

"How old are you this year?"

"5."

"A child by the age of 5 has completed assignments that made him witness acts of cruelty and asked of him to commit murders. Would you like to comment on that?"

"Yes, it is my duty to fulfill the mission whatever it may require."

"Have you faced any psychological issues in the form of nightmares or blood scares?"

Tsunade frowned slightly. She was worried that her Sensei may go down this route. If Kai responds in the affirmative, Hiruzen will reject the special promotion and would have her complete the deal of 20 missions. If Kai declines it then it will be stated that the boy needs regular mental check-ups. Either way, her request will be denied.

"Jonin by the name of Jiraiya helped me cope with the stress of missions. In his words— Nothing like a breast to squeeze to forget murder and firm pair of buttocks to spank for the sound of agonized screams to leave forever."

Everyone's eyes widened while their thoughts froze.

Kushina and Mikoto blushed while a vein popped over Tsunade's forehead at the thought of what that man was teachinG HER student. Hiruzen blushed in anger and shame while the three elders frowned... because they noticed no humor from the boy. He was being dead serious!

"I see. Jonin Jiraiya is not a certified individual. Given the state of the team's condition, the request for special promotion is declined and it is declared for Genin Kai to have three mental check-ups for the next three weeks with Jonin Orochimaru. If the reports are found positive, a promotion mission must be completed with the rewards being a C-ranked Jutsu in all three main jutsu categories.

After that, Hiruzen explained how the missions from now on may have higher risks than stated and everyone must complete their tasks cautiously before dismissing the group who was utterly infuriated at Jiraiya even if they were fated to be rejected in the first place. Hiruzen just placed his question in a way that any answer will blow up on their faces.

As they left, a lone figure entered after a few minutes which made Danzo a little interested.

"Genin Nono Yakushi reporting for evaluation!"

--

Just because Hokage was done with his evaluation didn't mean Mito was. Of course, she excluded Mikoto since her presence didn't have a huge effect on the Uzumaki compound and Tsunade left with an annoyed pout once Mito was done talking with her privately.

Kai sat close to her feet. It was just too usual for him now. Heck, his hands felt weird in missions if they didn't run a pair of feet. Too bad he couldn't provide such fresh experience to his teammates or Sensei as this was entirely reserved for the sweet woman who decided to sponsor him. And Kushina, despite having grown, found the relaxation she sought desperately after every mission in Mito's arms. Her words being— Grandma Mito's embrace is very warm.

"I'm not going to live for very long." Mito dropped the bomb... well, it wasn't really a bomb. She was already so old, what could someone expect aside from a peaceful death? Rising from the ashes like a phoenix? If only there was such a Jutsu...

Kai thought back at Orochimaru and his love for Jutsu once again.

"Huh? Come on, Grandma, this isn't even funny!" Kushina pouted as Mito continued, "Since what we consider the beginning of time, there have been nine chakra beasts of immense strength known as bijuu. The bijuu, aside from their monstrous chakra reserves with the weakest having dozens of times higher than the strongest shinobi ever, also have their unique capabilities but I will not go deep into that one.

When my husband was alive, these Bijuus of extraordinary power could only be sealed and not killed because they will come to life again and again. However, after his death, the various shinobi villages began to fail to contain these beasts in inanimate objects and followed my example to contain the beasts in a human that would suppress them... till they live."

Mito smiled, enjoying the contrasting expression on Kai's and Kushina's faces. While her supposed redheaded successor looked utterly distraught, tears beginning to already fill the watery eyes of the otherwise hyperactive lass as she wholly ignored the implications Mito wished to convey, just like Mito was when she was young, the old woman found Kai a bit more amusing. He looked sad but why he hid it quickly was something she wouldn't know. But through the blank exterior of the boy that he seemed to have mastered by now, Mito felt more.

Sadness was present the entire time, who knows, maybe the boy will miss massaging her legs now that he did the task even without her asking. But as she spoke of Bijuus, his curiosity was piqued and when she spoke of the beast within her... he seemed a little interested. Just the right amount. Not too much to probably try it himself and not too little— ah, Mito had to suppress her smile as the boy looked towards Kushina with barely suppressed indignance. He figured out what she meant.

The two were practically inseparable now and not because Kai was supposed to be her guardian. For all his disgruntlement, he entertained Kushina's requests more than anybody and the idea that some beast would be settling in her didn't settle right with Kai. It just felt dirty and not in the right manner.

"But... but," Kushina fumbled, unable to process things. She had been scared to move away from her clan but the people who made her at ease in this new village just became too close for her and the thought of even losing one of them despite having become more than a potent killer was just... shattering. Tears began to slowly roll down her cheeks, her nose sniffing loudly to control her running nose unsuccessfully as she sobbed lightly.

"And here I thought both brats would be having a hard time controlling their sobs," Mito smiled and let the girl ruin her expensive white dress as she began crying loudly, unable to express herself any other way meanwhile Kai silently massaged the woman's legs mumbling, "Even if I do cry... it'll at least be at the funeral..."

'Heh,' Having had her fun, Mito smirked and hummed loudly, "Before I eventually leave, you should know that the Uzumaki Guardians, at most, are taught D-rank basics. Any seals and matrix above C-rank much less the entire binding of it that I taught you are not a general outcome of situations. And I'm aware that you would want to learn more about Fuinjutsu. With the Uzumaki clan being the greatest in that field, your hope in growing that skill set lies in the Uzumaki clan, too."

Kai nodded as Mito continued, "I may still be here but take care of her..."

He nodded again but felt much more stifled as Mito reached out and patted the boy's head, "Besides, with what I have taught you and what Tsunade will teach you in time, you may just create fuinjutsu on your own." Oh, he planned to form more skills since they could be created by doing certain actions but... still doesn't change what Mito said.

"And with that, we'll start my personal evaluation of the two of you. Kushina, still a cry baby. Must work on this." The girl looked with her eyes red, glaring as Mito continued casually, "Kai, too young. Must grow quickly."

He rolled his eyes. How the hell was he supposed to do that?

"Oh and while guardians can only gain access to little information... there are a few titles you can earn for yourself," Mito smiled, "So, grow quickly."

"Really? Like what?" Kai inquired with slight eagerness, finding the topic more to his choice.

"You'll figure it out... sigh, no off with you two. And send a maid with a change of clothes and oh, Kai-kun, I took the liberty to change your room to a more complimentary one."

Kai nodded as Mito told him the directions and he dragged away the bawling Kushina from the Uzumaki Mistress.

Shoutout to Robert Bieluszeweski, Mark Music, Leo, and Dragon Wolf!!

Read 30 advance chapters here—

Patre /Fanharem

And do vote some powerstones~

Report chapter Comments

A pinky-sized pure white snake continued to slither in the area with its only indication of its passing being its soft hisses. Yet, the three bandits failed to consider the thin senbon needles it continued to spit around and scurry away. This continued for a few minutes until—

Boom*

Boom*

Boom*

Multiple short-scaled explosions shook the tiny area of the forest while the snake slithered back to a boy resting against a tree and slid up his body until it contentedly slipped into his left sleeve where the boy wore a special wrist guard to house his precious.

Next to him sat a blonde image of perfection in a not-so-perfect situation while picking her nose idly and blowing over the tip of her finger later. Two shadows suddenly appeared in front of the duo and the raven-haired girl wearing her hair in a bun smiled, "Targets eliminated, Sensei."

"Hmm, the ability to communicate with your pet is just the cherry on the top, huh. Our missions just got several times easier," Tsunade smiled at Kai who grinned in return. Honestly, this sudden skill while trying to train Cinnamon was a surprise to him, too.

[Beast Chatter (10/10): The ability to convey to animals linked with the host's chakra. Perception stat increased by 1 at every level. Reduce Chakra consumption by 5 after every level. Current consumption: 10/min.]

[Perception stat reached a threshold. Meta-physical sensing markedly improved.]

[Increase the rate of chakra regeneration by 5 times.]

[Perception: 62 72/1000]

Chakra: 14731.5 (3998 4209*250) (367.5/min) (105*250%/min)

Only at the fifth month of the year, this was their 12th C-rank mission which stacked his SP just nice. He was a little short of reaching 500!

Anyway, Beast Chatter only allowed Kai to communicate with Cinnamon but it didn't allow the poor soul to communicate back. Cinnamon could only twist its tiny body in certain shapes to communicate simple intentions or rest and have her poison bath later.

"I want one..." Kushina continued to sulk as Tsunade shot the red-haired devil a glare, "What did I tell you about being cautious? Stay alert!"

Mikoto and Kushina gave their Sensei a rebuking glare as these standards weren't being applied to Kai for some time. Ever since Kai returned from Orochimaru's care and sung his praises, Tsunade just had a mental scare and tried her level best to let the boy know that SHE is the best thing that could and would ever happen to him. Her pride as a Sensei won't settle for anything less!

But such back-to-back missions left others a little on the edge and Kai's ability to just send Cinnamon to take on the bandits made it too easy! Of course, no matter how easy the mission was, Kai never left the village with any weights on. Even the chakra mesh shirt was cranked back to become normal until he thought otherwise.

They soon returned to the village with a slightly exhausted expression. They were dirty and grimy and needed to refresh themselves. But they already had a destination in mind to meet each other later and left. They'd been genins for 5 months now and Team Tsunade's rate of success was easy to notice. With Nawaki held back in the clan and Orochimaru happy to let the situation exist so that he can focus on his more immediate goals made sure that Team Orochimaru had no missions. In fact, there's a quota of missions that a team must complete but because of the Senju lockdown, Orochimaru was exempted from any charges.

The other team who was catching up to Team Tsunade wasn't Team Jiraiya. No. Jiraiya would leave the village regularly and only return to fulfill the quota yet whenever he returned every month, he made sure to beat some new training into his apprentices. From Team Jiraiya, the one who entered into the Mandatory Medic-nin reform was Noha Utatane. It wasn't a team in the first place but a member of the genin corps.

Various teams will be evaluated today and will be given a short briefing on what to expect in the future missions since Konohagakure just received another wave of missions. This is an unusual case because the number of missions is startling but the amount of money they can generate is too good to be left and even if they did consider potential traps given the situation, Konoha would still undertake missions because that's its lifeline.

Tsunade knew more about the situation. With her action of bringing in every wayward Senju, others knew that it would be only a matter of time before Iwa and Kumo realize that the jig is up and get even brasher with their preparations. So, the other clans decided to only move the civilian members situated very close to the borders of the nation. As for the rest of the innocent villagers... Konoha didn't dare move them. It would instantly launch the war. Right now, basic skirmishes have already begun with shinobi from Iwa, Suna, and Kumo entering their borders openly for dubious reasons, increasing conflict and harming the public whenever possible and in turn, Konoha could only reply in kind.

But everyone knew that the war cannot be fought in their lands... what a complicated and riddled subject war really is, sigh...

The discussion in the War Council was getting heated every day and more and more radical approaches were set on the table but when three shinobi villages are eyeing you like a fat piece of juicy meat, radical is the way to go.

Mito never once entered the war council letting her disinterest know but the secret letter transported to Tsunade through a seal demanding every single bit or facing retribution... seemed to indicate otherwise.

Still, each team had its own time to meet with the administrative department and Team Tsunade arrived on time.

--

The Hokage and the three elders sat in an intimate setting with three couches facing the table. Koharu and Homura sat on the left couch adjacent to Hiruzen's and opposite to Danzo.

They soon let their next visitor in and Tsunade led her team into the room with a smile, "Nice to see you again, Sensei."

"Hmm, I read the report, Tsunade. Impeccable work as always," Hiruzen smiled before letting his vision drift over to the team behind her and nodded, "You children have performed excellently, too."

By now, the use of medic-nin in each team was becoming more and more apparent. Hiruzen did not doubt that their advantage of iryo ninjutsu would fade with other villages catching on to some degree but it was enough now. It would give them more than enough time for respite and more.

His praise was well-received by the team mostly. Mikoto's calm smile lit up, Kushina's grin widened and Kai bobbed his head down with a short smirk.

"Tsunade, I will start with you so your team can understand how we generally undertake evaluations."

"Right," Tsunade nodded and exhaled sharply before standing straight and puffing out her chest with an obvious jiggle that caught everyone's attention, "Jonin Tsunade reporting for evaluation!"

"At ease, Jonin," Hiruzen nodded, "In these five months you have gotten your team, they have completed more than 53 D-rank Missions and 12 C-rank missions. Aside from one C-rank mission where a genin by the name of Mikoto Uchiha and a genin by the name of Kushina Uzumaki showed signs of insubordination, the records mark your progress as excellent."

"Mission Reports aside, the reports from the Mandatory Reforms show that Mikoto Uchiha has chosen to become the team's medic-nin and has passed the examination set by the Head Doctors before utilizing the basic C-rank Iryo Ninjutsu— Mystical Palm Technique and getting yourself certified as an apprentice medic-nin that can be called into the hospital in times of dire need.

Your performance reports state that Kushina Uzumaki has agreed to learn more detailed Kenjutsu from a retired Jonin Ken Senju while managing to master the C-ranked Fuinjutsu matrix seals of her parent clan— the Uzumaki Clan.

Your performance reports state that Kai has agreed to learn from a Jonin Sensei named Orochimaru and mastered two C-ranked Genjutsu.

Your performance reports state that Mikoto Uchiha and Kai have learned the concoction of poison recipes marked in the secret record of Konoha Recipes namely— 13a, 13b, 15a, 18c.

Is there anything else you would like to add?"

"No, Lord Third," Tsunade smiled and Hiruzen nodded.

"Genin by the name of Kushina Uzumaki, please step forward."

"Yes! Genin Kushina Uzumaki reporting for evaluation!"

"At ease," Hiruzen smiled and didn't let his complicated feeling about Uzushiogakure affect the task.

"Genin Kushina Uzumaki, your performance report has been evaluated in front of you. Do you have anything more to add?"

"No, lord Hokage," Kushina shook her head.

"Your Jonin Sensei has recommended you for a special Chunin promotion while concluding the said review with words suggesting your skills, physical reactions, chakra capacity, and experience far surpass that of Shinobi titled Genin. Do you have anything to add?"

Kushina blinked. Others except Tsunade did, too. The redhead did not expect this and grew hesitant for a moment before taking a deep breath and shaking her head. She spoke with determination, "I believe I am ready, Lord Third!"

"Hmm, Genin Mikoto Uchiha," Hiruzen called out and the raven-haired girl walked out before committing the same formalities as the man sighed while remembering a good friend of his and questioned, "Your mission report mentions a rare moment of insubordination on your otherwise stellar record. It was stated that the emotional outburst caused by the acts of sexual assault made you go unconscious. Is this true?"

Hiruzen didn't mince his words as Mikoto felt the silent stares of other elders and they were in no way positive. While the Uchiha clan is loved by many in the village, they are feared more than many, too.

"Yes, Hokage-sama. It's true."

"Did your clan's Kekkei Genkai, a Dojutsu by the name of Sharingan activate after this incident?"

"Yes, Hokage-sama."

"Do you still experience the violent urges that led to your insubordination in the first place?"

"No, Hokage-same. Sensei Tsunade has been accommodating when needed and stern when required. I was reprimanded for my actions and punished in the form of giving to the village by performing more D-rank missions."

Hokage nodded and a tinge of satisfaction could be seen on Tsunade's face as Hiruzen spoke the same thing about the promotion and got a similar response while he continued, "Genin Kai."

Kai stepped out and did the same as the previous three.

"Genin Kai, your performance review has been excellent and your ability is well-noticed by many Jonins. Would you like to comment on that?"

"No, Hokage-sama."

"How old are you this year?"

"5."

"A child by the age of 5 has completed assignments that made him witness acts of cruelty and asked of him to commit murders. Would you like to comment on that?"

"Yes, it is my duty to fulfill the mission whatever it may require."

"Have you faced any psychological issues in the form of nightmares or blood scares?"

Tsunade frowned slightly. She was worried that her Sensei may go down this route. If Kai responds in the affirmative, Hiruzen will reject the special promotion and would have her complete the deal of 20 missions. If Kai declines it then it will be stated that the boy needs regular mental check-ups. Either way, her request will be denied.

"Jonin by the name of Jiraiya helped me cope with the stress of missions. In his words— Nothing like a breast to squeeze to forget murder and firm pair of buttocks to spank for the sound of agonized screams to leave forever."

Everyone's eyes widened while their thoughts froze.

Kushina and Mikoto blushed while a vein popped over Tsunade's forehead at the thought of what that man was teachinG HER student. Hiruzen blushed in anger and shame while the three elders frowned... because they noticed no humor from the boy. He was being dead serious!

"I see. Jonin Jiraiya is not a certified individual. Given the state of the team's condition, the request for special promotion is declined and it is declared for Genin Kai to have three mental check-ups for the next three weeks with Jonin Orochimaru. If the reports are found positive, a promotion mission must be completed with the rewards being a C-ranked Jutsu in all three main jutsu categories.

After that, Hiruzen explained how the missions from now on may have higher risks than stated and everyone must complete their tasks cautiously before dismissing the group who was utterly infuriated at Jiraiya even if they were fated to be rejected in the first place. Hiruzen just placed his question in a way that any answer will blow up on their faces.

As they left, a lone figure entered after a few minutes which made Danzo a little interested.

"Genin Nono Yakushi reporting for evaluation!"

--

Just because Hokage was done with his evaluation didn't mean Mito was. Of course, she excluded Mikoto since her presence didn't have a huge effect on the Uzumaki compound and Tsunade left with an annoyed pout once Mito was done talking with her privately.

Kai sat close to her feet. It was just too usual for him now. Heck, his hands felt weird in missions if they didn't run a pair of feet. Too bad he couldn't provide such fresh experience to his teammates or Sensei as this was entirely reserved for the sweet woman who decided to sponsor him. And Kushina, despite having grown, found the relaxation she sought desperately after every mission in Mito's arms. Her words being— Grandma Mito's embrace is very warm.

"I'm not going to live for very long." Mito dropped the bomb... well, it wasn't really a bomb. She was already so old, what could someone expect aside from a peaceful death? Rising from the ashes like a phoenix? If only there was such a Jutsu...

Kai thought back at Orochimaru and his love for Jutsu once again.

"Huh? Come on, Grandma, this isn't even funny!" Kushina pouted as Mito continued, "Since what we consider the beginning of time, there have been nine chakra beasts of immense strength known as bijuu. The bijuu, aside from their monstrous chakra reserves with the weakest having dozens of times higher than the strongest shinobi ever, also have their unique capabilities but I will not go deep into that one.

When my husband was alive, these Bijuus of extraordinary power could only be sealed and not killed because they will come to life again and again. However, after his death, the various shinobi villages began to fail to contain these beasts in inanimate objects and followed my example to contain the beasts in a human that would suppress them... till they live."

Mito smiled, enjoying the contrasting expression on Kai's and Kushina's faces. While her supposed redheaded successor looked utterly distraught, tears beginning to already fill the watery eyes of the otherwise hyperactive lass as she wholly ignored the implications Mito wished to convey, just like Mito was when she was young, the old woman found Kai a bit more amusing. He looked sad but why he hid it quickly was something she wouldn't know. But through the blank exterior of the boy that he seemed to have mastered by now, Mito felt more.

Sadness was present the entire time, who knows, maybe the boy will miss massaging her legs now that he did the task even without her asking. But as she spoke of Bijuus, his curiosity was piqued and when she spoke of the beast within her... he seemed a little interested. Just the right amount. Not too much to probably try it himself and not too little— ah, Mito had to suppress her smile as the boy looked towards Kushina with barely suppressed indignance. He figured out what she meant.

The two were practically inseparable now and not because Kai was supposed to be her guardian. For all his disgruntlement, he entertained Kushina's requests more than anybody and the idea that some beast would be settling in her didn't settle right with Kai. It just felt dirty and not in the right manner.

"But... but," Kushina fumbled, unable to process things. She had been scared to move away from her clan but the people who made her at ease in this new village just became too close for her and the thought of even losing one of them despite having become more than a potent killer was just... shattering. Tears began to slowly roll down her cheeks, her nose sniffing loudly to control her running nose unsuccessfully as she sobbed lightly.

"And here I thought both brats would be having a hard time controlling their sobs," Mito smiled and let the girl ruin her expensive white dress as she began crying loudly, unable to express herself any other way meanwhile Kai silently massaged the woman's legs mumbling, "Even if I do cry... it'll at least be at the funeral..."

'Heh,' Having had her fun, Mito smirked and hummed loudly, "Before I eventually leave, you should know that the Uzumaki Guardians, at most, are taught D-rank basics. Any seals and matrix above C-rank much less the entire binding of it that I taught you are not a general outcome of situations. And I'm aware that you would want to learn more about Fuinjutsu. With the Uzumaki clan being the greatest in that field, your hope in growing that skill set lies in the Uzumaki clan, too."

Kai nodded as Mito continued, "I may still be here but take care of her..."

He nodded again but felt much more stifled as Mito reached out and patted the boy's head, "Besides, with what I have taught you and what Tsunade will teach you in time, you may just create fuinjutsu on your own." Oh, he planned to form more skills since they could be created by doing certain actions but... still doesn't change what Mito said.

"And with that, we'll start my personal evaluation of the two of you. Kushina, still a cry baby. Must work on this." The girl looked with her eyes red, glaring as Mito continued casually, "Kai, too young. Must grow quickly."

He rolled his eyes. How the hell was he supposed to do that?

"Oh and while guardians can only gain access to little information... there are a few titles you can earn for yourself," Mito smiled, "So, grow quickly."

"Really? Like what?" Kai inquired with slight eagerness, finding the topic more to his choice.

"You'll figure it out... sigh, no off with you two. And send a maid with a change of clothes and oh, Kai-kun, I took the liberty to change your room to a more complimentary one."

Kai nodded as Mito told him the directions and he dragged away the bawling Kushina from the Uzumaki Mistress.

Shoutout to Robert Bieluszeweski, Mark Music, Leo, and Dragon Wolf!!

Read 30 advance chapters here—

Patre /Fanharem

And do vote some powerstones~

Report chapter Comments

Three weeks had passed eventually and Kai had taken three appointments with Orochimaru. The man didn't teach him anything new or even talked about the missions which he was asked to do. Instead, Orochimaru first revealed the brunt of his disappointment that Kai would take Jiraiya's advice and then just stashed away the topic before amusedly asking his thoughts on a few case studies.

The case studies were more about shinobi who spiraled out of control due to their young age and high talent but the man didn't make this about Kai and instead questioned what the victims of their own ego could have done otherwise. Their chat would last 2 hours each appointment and while Orochimaru wasn't looking for some world-shattering philosophy, he certainly enjoyed the boy's sincere company and the thought that he could communicate with Cinnamon... which happened to be quite the adorable name in Orochimaru's eyes, gave him a new inspiration to follow.

And finally, after getting Orochimaru's approval, the team was ready for their promotional mission. Only...

Tsunade, Mikoto, Kushina, and Kai looked at their temporary teammate and instantly recalled her as the weird inquisitive girl who tripped for no reason.

Nono Yakushi, the genin from the genin corps is said to have a mission rate slightly lower than Team Tsunade and she is of similar age to Mikoto being 12-years-old and was also a certified medic-nin apprentice with the mystical palm technique mastered to a certain degree.

"Please take care of me," the girl bowed slightly and her glasses fell down the next instant. The remaining four blinked in surprise and Tsunade inquired, "Genin Nono, why don't you wear lenses?"

Picking her glasses up, she looked up and blinked innocently, "It helps me look cute and thus lower the defenses of the male opponents while the pointed end of it can be used to stan the female ones."

But as they left the village, the trio tried to know more about her. After all, Tsunade is just an observer this time around since it is the four of them who wish to become chunins and a team of 4 chunins should be able to tackle a B-rank mission. Besides, temporary addition to the team is nothing new as these kinds of things happen all the time.

"So? You graduated the year before us, huh," Mikoto smiled, "I never thought that someone from genin corps could be so great at missions."

"It is understandable," Nono smiled, "But you will notice that bandits or merchants often drop their guard around a lone girl. Most of them are sick that way and I, too, just keep my headband aside so they don't know I'm a kunoichi before finishing them off. Those I cannot fight directly have to tackle my genjutsu."

"Oh?" Kai grew interested, "What kind of genjutsu?" He was only expecting a brief description but Nono was clearly quirky.

"Well, those that I cannot defeat are usually stronger and physically reactive so I based my genjutsu on the sensation of touch. It's registered to the Archives under the name of Last Harlot... as the name suggests, the genjutsu creates an elusive trap that makes my target, men or women, more susceptible to lust, and then they do unspeakable things to my illusion..." Nono's cheeks tinged with slight pink as she added softly, "While I watch..."

Tsunade almost groaned out loud but she had to admit that Nono's talent in genjutsu was great to have been able to create a C-rank Jutsu. After all, any genjutsu that focuses on one particular sense was at least C-ranked.

Kushina and Mikoto glared at the perverted girl with a hint of caution and realized how dangerous she was... in certain ways while Kai looked even more curious, "What kind of things did you see?"

"I saw one man whip out his—"

"We're not talking about that!" Mikoto glared at the two that left no room for discussions and snorted mutedly, "We should focus on our mission instead."

Right, the mission. Kai smiled. D-rank missions gave him 2 SP. C-rank had 5 SP of earning. And B-rank provided 14 SP. In that case, a B-ranked Jutsu must cost 140 SP and would need 14 SP to level it up.

[B-rank Quest: A Chainbreaker

Summary: The root of the sudden inflation of slave trading has been identified and you must destroy it.

Reward: A New Title, A New Skill Tree, A C-rank Genjutsu Skill

Failure: Prevention of Promotion]

B-rank missions usually mean that aside from civilians, they will have to fight against enemy shinobi, too, and for that, they had to be alert.

"May I inquire something about Genjutsu from you? It is rumored that you learned the applications from Orochimaru-san in the Hospital..." Nono smiled and looked at Kai as others frowned while Kai inquired in return, "Rumored? I thought that Orochimaru-san's lab was quite restrictive."

"I asked some of the professors and medic-nin in the hospital and they, without confirmation, indicated that you were learning Genjutsu from Orochimaru-san. At first, I was a little curious about Sharingan but it has been suggested to me that their Dojutsu doesn't provide them the applications and knowledge but the instincts for genjutsu, and Kushina-san is not rumored to have mastered any."

"You spied on us," Kushina growled as her hands traced the handle of the chokuto while Nono nodded, "I collected information, technically. Spying would mean I reported this mission to a superior. I have no direct superior to inform anything."

"And why did you spy on us?" Mikoto frowned and she gave a rather familiar reply.

"I'm curious."

"About?" The Uchiha questioned.

"Many things. But mostly things that immediately affect my life." Nono smiled, "If possible, I would also like to ask you how you activated your Sharingan, its range of genjutsu, and its chakra consumption."

"Are you out of your mind?" Mikoto truly looked concerned as the girl tilted her head sideways and shook it.

"We're not telling a... a dirty girl like you anything!" Kushina snapped as Nono continued, "Dirty? How do you mean?"

"You— your genjutsu is perverted!"

"I based my techniques on the more possible kinds of enemies I may face. They are perverted, hence, my genjutsu."

"You said you watched them do unspeakable things to your illusion!"

With pink touching Nono's fair cheeks again, she smiled, "I did. It was for the collection of information. I now know what most men want and if I'm captured, I can use the predictable moments of weaknesses and escape."

"But... but..." Irrational fear meeting sound logic often ended this way as Kushina was just speechless. She stomped her foot while Mikoto smiled and Kai nodded, "We can talk about our genjutsu experience later once the mission is complete. I'm interested in touch-based Genjutsu, too."

Nono's smile widened somewhat and she nodded.

Meanwhile, Tsunade watched everything unfolding silently and with a tight frown. The girl was dangerous alright, that she could understand. Curious kitties normally don't survive this long in their career but Nono Yakushi did and with amazing skills at that. Besides, her report stated that the only reason she learned medical ninjutsu was to cover up her own weaknesses and be able to escape from many kinds of injuries. But what made Tsunade feel weird was the mission itself.

She could understand that this mission would act as a chunin promotion for all four of them but...

'Something feels off... maybe it's just me? No... they're sending us to destroy a slave-trading chain linked to Iwa... so this is going to be part of the initial war skirmishes. The fact that they are sending a Jonin Sensei to overlook the mission means there is a high chance of things going south. But THAT is normal. Something feels off about the girl.'

It was at this time, as they calmly walked since their destination was easily three days of walk, that Tsunade found a tiny white snake slithering toward her, and it slowly crawled over her pants and soon cuddled into her slightly loosened fist before spitting a ball of paper.

The snake then slithered down and began to move in a similar manner toward Kai. Looking at her hands with a straight face, she used her chakra to unfold the paler and saw tiny and rushed squiggly lines that should have acted as seals with chakra still apparent in the words— "Tracker... Nono... Back."

'Hoh?' Tsunade raised her brows and looked at the boy who still smiled at Nono and conversed with her. 'Never thought I'd say that between an Uzumaki and a Kai, I'd want a Kai for the seals-related matter. Screw Jiraiya and his wonder boy, Kai's progressing at a monstrous rate...'

But now that she was informed something really was wrong with the girl, Tsunade raised her usual alertness to an even higher notch. Who knows, someone might just want to target the Senju Matriarch and Princess to shift things about the Senju Clan.

--

"Damn it! Where is that bimbo bitch?! She ran away after losing all that money! Fuck!"

Five children, one blonde, one brunette, one redhead, one raven-haired, and one dark-haired boy walked out of the village with bamboo bags on their shoulders as various men of the village roared profanities and rushed around. The village was in momentary chaos as these men seemed to unofficially own the village and broke through the houses to find the woman of their description.

The five children soon left the outskirts of the village and the blonde-haired little girl scowled, "Damn it! I thought that my luck had changed... sigh." She shook her head as multiple poofs of white smoke covered the five and soon, Team Tsunade and Nono Yakushi reverted to their true selves.

"Sensei, did we really have to stop at every gambling den along the way?" Mikoto groaned.

"Of course!" Tsunade smiled, "Gambling is too good to be passed upon. Well, we're already at our destination so you guys can complete the objective. These three days gave you enough time to form a bit of cooperation with each other, right?"

Kushina only huffed as Nono nodded, "It did. I'm still amazed at Kushina-san's chakra reserve."

"Complimenting will get you nowhere!" Kushina pointed and snorted but the unconscious smile on her face betrayed her in a moment.

"Let's get things done," Kai smiled, "I'm looking forward to the Jutsu we will receive as a reward."

"That and things Jiraiya-san taught you is all you think about!" Mikoto grunted in annoyance as Kai smiled, "Well, those are the only interesting things around me..."

That may not have been the brightest thing to say as the only boy on the team as everyone except Nono glared and she nodded, "Indeed, Kai-kun is correct. Did you know that females—"

"Alright, shove it," Mikoto rolled her eyes and stopped Nono to speak whatever Devil's info she'd wanted to and took a deep breath, "Since everyone agreed with me leading, let's go. We'll follow the plan as discussed last night."

And with that, the four flickered away while Tsunade smiled and shook her head as her presence started becoming more and more converged. 'Now... let's see what this Nono has gotten herself into,' the woman looked sideways. It was becoming increasingly clear that Nono wasn't aware of her own situation. Tsunade was confident in her knowledge of the human body and Nono didn't show any signs of deceit once Tsunade probed again about any superior of hers which meant that she wasn't aware she was being used as a beacon and she could have been marked only in one location before the mission.

Konoha.

Already aware that her clan was being targeted, Tsunade did not like the thought that someone had the guts to try anything sneaky with her. She thought that her reputation cowed many already. After all, Senju Clan was flourishing at the moment!

With the civilians having nothing to do in the clan and tending to their houses while enjoying their paid vacation made sure that the clan saw a steep rise in pregnancy rate and next year, the clan will have more than expected births. After all... Senjus are a passionate and vigorous bunch... which made her sigh a little.

She'd been royally fucked and not in the kind she would have wanted. Just these few months of serious management of the clan made sure that Tsunade would never want anything from it. She liked researching iryo ninjutsu way better than this!

Still, here she was... beating up healthy men for trying their chance with her and then lamenting the fact that nobody would man up to try his chance with her...

'Nawaki... grow up soon or your sis will really die a pure maiden...'

Read 30 advance chapters here—

Patre /Fanharem

And do vote some powerstones~

Report chapter Comments

Three weeks had passed eventually and Kai had taken three appointments with Orochimaru. The man didn't teach him anything new or even talked about the missions which he was asked to do. Instead, Orochimaru first revealed the brunt of his disappointment that Kai would take Jiraiya's advice and then just stashed away the topic before amusedly asking his thoughts on a few case studies.

The case studies were more about shinobi who spiraled out of control due to their young age and high talent but the man didn't make this about Kai and instead questioned what the victims of their own ego could have done otherwise. Their chat would last 2 hours each appointment and while Orochimaru wasn't looking for some world-shattering philosophy, he certainly enjoyed the boy's sincere company and the thought that he could communicate with Cinnamon... which happened to be quite the adorable name in Orochimaru's eyes, gave him a new inspiration to follow.

And finally, after getting Orochimaru's approval, the team was ready for their promotional mission. Only...

Tsunade, Mikoto, Kushina, and Kai looked at their temporary teammate and instantly recalled her as the weird inquisitive girl who tripped for no reason.

Nono Yakushi, the genin from the genin corps is said to have a mission rate slightly lower than Team Tsunade and she is of similar age to Mikoto being 12-years-old and was also a certified medic-nin apprentice with the mystical palm technique mastered to a certain degree.

"Please take care of me," the girl bowed slightly and her glasses fell down the next instant. The remaining four blinked in surprise and Tsunade inquired, "Genin Nono, why don't you wear lenses?"

Picking her glasses up, she looked up and blinked innocently, "It helps me look cute and thus lower the defenses of the male opponents while the pointed end of it can be used to stan the female ones."

But as they left the village, the trio tried to know more about her. After all, Tsunade is just an observer this time around since it is the four of them who wish to become chunins and a team of 4 chunins should be able to tackle a B-rank mission. Besides, temporary addition to the team is nothing new as these kinds of things happen all the time.

"So? You graduated the year before us, huh," Mikoto smiled, "I never thought that someone from genin corps could be so great at missions."

"It is understandable," Nono smiled, "But you will notice that bandits or merchants often drop their guard around a lone girl. Most of them are sick that way and I, too, just keep my headband aside so they don't know I'm a kunoichi before finishing them off. Those I cannot fight directly have to tackle my genjutsu."

"Oh?" Kai grew interested, "What kind of genjutsu?" He was only expecting a brief description but Nono was clearly quirky.

"Well, those that I cannot defeat are usually stronger and physically reactive so I based my genjutsu on the sensation of touch. It's registered to the Archives under the name of Last Harlot... as the name suggests, the genjutsu creates an elusive trap that makes my target, men or women, more susceptible to lust, and then they do unspeakable things to my illusion..." Nono's cheeks tinged with slight pink as she added softly, "While I watch..."

Tsunade almost groaned out loud but she had to admit that Nono's talent in genjutsu was great to have been able to create a C-rank Jutsu. After all, any genjutsu that focuses on one particular sense was at least C-ranked.

Kushina and Mikoto glared at the perverted girl with a hint of caution and realized how dangerous she was... in certain ways while Kai looked even more curious, "What kind of things did you see?"

"I saw one man whip out his—"

"We're not talking about that!" Mikoto glared at the two that left no room for discussions and snorted mutedly, "We should focus on our mission instead."

Right, the mission. Kai smiled. D-rank missions gave him 2 SP. C-rank had 5 SP of earning. And B-rank provided 14 SP. In that case, a B-ranked Jutsu must cost 140 SP and would need 14 SP to level it up.

[B-rank Quest: A Chainbreaker

Summary: The root of the sudden inflation of slave trading has been identified and you must destroy it.

Reward: A New Title, A New Skill Tree, A C-rank Genjutsu Skill

Failure: Prevention of Promotion]

B-rank missions usually mean that aside from civilians, they will have to fight against enemy shinobi, too, and for that, they had to be alert.

"May I inquire something about Genjutsu from you? It is rumored that you learned the applications from Orochimaru-san in the Hospital..." Nono smiled and looked at Kai as others frowned while Kai inquired in return, "Rumored? I thought that Orochimaru-san's lab was quite restrictive."

"I asked some of the professors and medic-nin in the hospital and they, without confirmation, indicated that you were learning Genjutsu from Orochimaru-san. At first, I was a little curious about Sharingan but it has been suggested to me that their Dojutsu doesn't provide them the applications and knowledge but the instincts for genjutsu, and Kushina-san is not rumored to have mastered any."

"You spied on us," Kushina growled as her hands traced the handle of the chokuto while Nono nodded, "I collected information, technically. Spying would mean I reported this mission to a superior. I have no direct superior to inform anything."

"And why did you spy on us?" Mikoto frowned and she gave a rather familiar reply.

"I'm curious."

"About?" The Uchiha questioned.

"Many things. But mostly things that immediately affect my life." Nono smiled, "If possible, I would also like to ask you how you activated your Sharingan, its range of genjutsu, and its chakra consumption."

"Are you out of your mind?" Mikoto truly looked concerned as the girl tilted her head sideways and shook it.

"We're not telling a... a dirty girl like you anything!" Kushina snapped as Nono continued, "Dirty? How do you mean?"

"You— your genjutsu is perverted!"

"I based my techniques on the more possible kinds of enemies I may face. They are perverted, hence, my genjutsu."

"You said you watched them do unspeakable things to your illusion!"

With pink touching Nono's fair cheeks again, she smiled, "I did. It was for the collection of information. I now know what most men want and if I'm captured, I can use the predictable moments of weaknesses and escape."

"But... but..." Irrational fear meeting sound logic often ended this way as Kushina was just speechless. She stomped her foot while Mikoto smiled and Kai nodded, "We can talk about our genjutsu experience later once the mission is complete. I'm interested in touch-based Genjutsu, too."

Nono's smile widened somewhat and she nodded.

Meanwhile, Tsunade watched everything unfolding silently and with a tight frown. The girl was dangerous alright, that she could understand. Curious kitties normally don't survive this long in their career but Nono Yakushi did and with amazing skills at that. Besides, her report stated that the only reason she learned medical ninjutsu was to cover up her own weaknesses and be able to escape from many kinds of injuries. But what made Tsunade feel weird was the mission itself.

She could understand that this mission would act as a chunin promotion for all four of them but...

'Something feels off... maybe it's just me? No... they're sending us to destroy a slave-trading chain linked to Iwa... so this is going to be part of the initial war skirmishes. The fact that they are sending a Jonin Sensei to overlook the mission means there is a high chance of things going south. But THAT is normal. Something feels off about the girl.'

It was at this time, as they calmly walked since their destination was easily three days of walk, that Tsunade found a tiny white snake slithering toward her, and it slowly crawled over her pants and soon cuddled into her slightly loosened fist before spitting a ball of paper.

The snake then slithered down and began to move in a similar manner toward Kai. Looking at her hands with a straight face, she used her chakra to unfold the paler and saw tiny and rushed squiggly lines that should have acted as seals with chakra still apparent in the words— "Tracker... Nono... Back."

'Hoh?' Tsunade raised her brows and looked at the boy who still smiled at Nono and conversed with her. 'Never thought I'd say that between an Uzumaki and a Kai, I'd want a Kai for the seals-related matter. Screw Jiraiya and his wonder boy, Kai's progressing at a monstrous rate...'

But now that she was informed something really was wrong with the girl, Tsunade raised her usual alertness to an even higher notch. Who knows, someone might just want to target the Senju Matriarch and Princess to shift things about the Senju Clan.

--

"Damn it! Where is that bimbo bitch?! She ran away after losing all that money! Fuck!"

Five children, one blonde, one brunette, one redhead, one raven-haired, and one dark-haired boy walked out of the village with bamboo bags on their shoulders as various men of the village roared profanities and rushed around. The village was in momentary chaos as these men seemed to unofficially own the village and broke through the houses to find the woman of their description.

The five children soon left the outskirts of the village and the blonde-haired little girl scowled, "Damn it! I thought that my luck had changed... sigh." She shook her head as multiple poofs of white smoke covered the five and soon, Team Tsunade and Nono Yakushi reverted to their true selves.

"Sensei, did we really have to stop at every gambling den along the way?" Mikoto groaned.

"Of course!" Tsunade smiled, "Gambling is too good to be passed upon. Well, we're already at our destination so you guys can complete the objective. These three days gave you enough time to form a bit of cooperation with each other, right?"

Kushina only huffed as Nono nodded, "It did. I'm still amazed at Kushina-san's chakra reserve."

"Complimenting will get you nowhere!" Kushina pointed and snorted but the unconscious smile on her face betrayed her in a moment.

"Let's get things done," Kai smiled, "I'm looking forward to the Jutsu we will receive as a reward."

"That and things Jiraiya-san taught you is all you think about!" Mikoto grunted in annoyance as Kai smiled, "Well, those are the only interesting things around me..."

That may not have been the brightest thing to say as the only boy on the team as everyone except Nono glared and she nodded, "Indeed, Kai-kun is correct. Did you know that females—"

"Alright, shove it," Mikoto rolled her eyes and stopped Nono to speak whatever Devil's info she'd wanted to and took a deep breath, "Since everyone agreed with me leading, let's go. We'll follow the plan as discussed last night."

And with that, the four flickered away while Tsunade smiled and shook her head as her presence started becoming more and more converged. 'Now... let's see what this Nono has gotten herself into,' the woman looked sideways. It was becoming increasingly clear that Nono wasn't aware of her own situation. Tsunade was confident in her knowledge of the human body and Nono didn't show any signs of deceit once Tsunade probed again about any superior of hers which meant that she wasn't aware she was being used as a beacon and she could have been marked only in one location before the mission.

Konoha.

Already aware that her clan was being targeted, Tsunade did not like the thought that someone had the guts to try anything sneaky with her. She thought that her reputation cowed many already. After all, Senju Clan was flourishing at the moment!

With the civilians having nothing to do in the clan and tending to their houses while enjoying their paid vacation made sure that the clan saw a steep rise in pregnancy rate and next year, the clan will have more than expected births. After all... Senjus are a passionate and vigorous bunch... which made her sigh a little.

She'd been royally fucked and not in the kind she would have wanted. Just these few months of serious management of the clan made sure that Tsunade would never want anything from it. She liked researching iryo ninjutsu way better than this!

Still, here she was... beating up healthy men for trying their chance with her and then lamenting the fact that nobody would man up to try his chance with her...

'Nawaki... grow up soon or your sis will really die a pure maiden...'

Read 30 advance chapters here—

Patre /Fanharem

And do vote some powerstones~

Report chapter Comments

The first thing they had to do was discreetly observe and locate any hidden nin that might become their enemy and eliminate him. While her Sharingan wasn't a complete sensory kind like Byakugan, Mikoto knew she could count on Kai for this. His sensory skills were honestly amazing and he was quite reliable... not that she wanted to admit to the smelly boy who was getting bolder and bolder due to the influence of the wrong company. But she put such thoughts aside, now wasn't the time to enter one of her usual bouts of the frustrated inner monologue about how the genius boy didn't have to follow the acts of a grown-up loser... ugh!

Like usual, she flickered around the forest and set up wired traps, and had her poisoned kunai gripped in her left hand. Her body moved quickly and nimbly, her strength growing every day by sparring with the beast who won't stop until he fell to the ground exhausted or luckily, paralyzed.

And she was done soon. The area was littered with traps and her team was already clear not to enter the location without any thoughts while she waited for them to lead any shinobi or Kunoichi here.

--

'My job is the hardest dattebane!' Kushina whined. It really wasn't. She just liked being a lazy kitty which meant others would have to do more work while she could kick back and relax but Mikoto wouldn't have it. Not to mention she just didn't feel generally good after Mito dropped that bomb on her and when she slowly realized the implications of what a Jinchuriki was... let's just say, the Tomato has never been more frustrated. Not for herself but the fact that the village expected Mito to just die and pass on the devil to her...

She suppressed the negative emotions she'd been feeling lately and tapped the tree again. She had started to learn the chakra sealing matrix from Mito and while she wasn't as quick as Kai, forming short-ranged detection seals with the transmitter tags on the rest of her team was right up her alley. The seal spread from the contact of her palm and the bark of the tree before disappearing. Of course, she also had to keep an eye out for the other traps this close to their base.

Much to her annoyance, she detected multiple Uzumaki traps that just made her more enraged. She did not like her clan's name being sullied in such a manner at all! Almost all their C-rank missions had something related to Uzumaki seals that enabled bandits to do horrible things and promoted a wave of unhinged merchants who simply revered money!

Disabling all these, Kushina continued to lay her own, decisively better seal marks without a hint of exhaustion in her chakra as she was simply built differently!

--

Her task, Nono felt, was the simplest. Well, she wondered if others would consider being called a bait the simplest but she had grown accustomed to it and felt that it may also be the reason why Mikoto chose her for the act. And a bait can be anything but dangerous. Safely keeping her forehead protector aside as it was also sealed with an identification mark meaning— losing the headband wouldn't do, Nono thought for a second and looked around before hiding behind a tree.

Transformation jutsu can be seen through easily so she changed out of her clothes. Her mesh top was kept on before she wore a faded light brown top over it and a lovely blue skirt that reached her thighs. Ruffling her hair somewhat, Nono took out a sealing tag from the storage seal and hesitated.

When dealing with bandits, she never needed to hide her chakra as they couldn't sense it but other shinobi can at a close range. The tag would suppress her chakra but also impede her from using the chakra, making her pass on as a civilian. Of course, the tag was expensive and had a short life but its value didn't make her hesitate. It was the thought of being completely defenseless in front of an enemy shinobi who just may NOT be another perverted freak of nature...

But she accepted the role of the bait.

Slapping the seal on her smooth stomach before rolling down her mesh shirt and brown top, the girl walked out with a nervous expression while hiding the small storage scroll she spent a fortune on within the sky-blue pouch slung diagonally over her torso.

And she continued to move aimlessly, making sure to yelp weakly at the slightest sound and trip out of nowhere, letting her skirt flip over her buttocks to reveal a pair of light green panties. She did get her pattern of tripping out of nowhere by doing this on missions to lure out a few bad apples constantly. Letting out a pained mewl and sitting up, she dusted herself off and pouted cutely before continuing and mumbling just in the right volume for her voice to spread out, "Mmmm... I'm lost... dad... mom... where are you?" Wasn't that the billion ryo question for an orphan like her?

"Hehe, don't worry girl~ Daddy found you!"

'Huh... amusing. So shinobi act the same way as bandits when they see a civilian girl or is it just to cause more damage to our land by demoralizing villagers and others by utilizing various forms of assaults as tactics?' Nono thought internally but a loud shriek escaped her lips!

--

"Aaaaaghhhhhhhh!" Kai heard the loud shriek and knew it was the signal. A part of him wondered if something really happened to Nono but he suppressed that part. He had been in enough missions to realize that the best way to help his teammates with the mission is by completing his part first in times like these.

Hidden well using a simple fuinjutsu trick that kept his chakra in check, the small piece of pebble suddenly poofed and Kai stood up with an eager expression before flickering away. He had felt Nono's presence grow quite weak before she started running in Mikoto's direction with two chakra signatures in tow. One of them was quite... relaxed. The other was hidden and kept a safe distance as if just observing the ninja chasing the helpless girl for his amusement.

Kai moved quickly, already having located the remaining two shinobi and a kunoichi who still guarded the hidden entrance in the unassuming location, and targeted the kunoichi. Kai was made to realize that kunoichi are generally more competent and focused even if not many fill the upper hierarchy of the Shinobi World. Of course, this realization came the hard way through Mito, Tsunade, Mikoto, and Kushina being badasses.

Thus, he moved stealthily, the tap of his foot on the branch not even shaking it as he flickered away the next second and weaved through the surrounding traps nearby before locating the dark-haired kunoichi in a reddish uniform wearing a brown flak jacket and a headband with Iwagakure's mark.

Her pupils contracted as the blow came too suddenly. She almost fell from the branch she stood and kept a lookout of felt an arm catching her and stopping her from making any noise during her last moment and as if not satisfied, the quick-acting but short-lasting paralyzing poison laced on the kunai made sure she stifled and disgruntled in her last moments.

Kai silently took out his kunai from the woman's heart and then back. Shinobi and kunoichi of another village have high value as their body may just hide a secret. A Kekkei Genkai that can be recovered, a special jutsu, a new weapon, a different body structure. Anything that can be useful will be salvaged. Not minding the blood, the woman's body disappeared with a soft poof after he set a small silence seal. Her corpse, of course, was placed into the small storage seal on his palm. Unlike the sealing scroll which lasts long, the seals on his body can, at most, be only temporary due to his lower expertise and had a time range before the seal and everything in it disappeared.

The other two Shinobi were huddled together, whispering amongst themselves softly.

"Damn... those two will have a lot of fun with the girl and she's pretty, too... sigh, just my luck. The slaves barely have any fight so it ain't fun and there's nothing else to do in this worthless land than taste delicacies."

As if empathizing, the other man patted his friend's back. A mistake.

Kai's kunai stabbed through the arm and into the other shinobi's back as they acted quickly but still too late when he let go of the kunai and snapped his arms in their direction as they retreated with one man tearing away his hand with a pained scowl. One had his temple pierced by four senbon needles while another four pierced the second shinobi's bran after accurately passing through the man's pupils in the same location one after another— Boom!

'Damn, I need to mark my Senbons better," Kai groaned and sealed both the men.

--

Boom*

The soft but very noticeable sound of an explosion made the red-uniformed shinobi's heart shudder. He instantly got into action and looked around vigilantly and realized that the girl was a bait and he didn't care about the man that much to warn him and let himself fall into an even weaker position.

Swish*

Four shurikens flew in his direction as the shinobi deflected them with his kunai and when he began to form hand seals, a kunai suddenly struck one of the wayward shurikens.

'What the?'

The shinobi couldn't react as the shuriken cut a small string and a board hidden within the leaves of the higher branch where he stood snapped down, throwing dozens of senbon needles in his direction.

'Fuck!' Growling, his hand changed and chakra coated his body before turning into a layer of thin but solid rock.

Thc*

Tch*

Thc*

The needles crashed into his body, barely piercing the rock armor when a small smoke bomb rolled down his feet and exploded in a very ridiculous pouf and not even a bang that could have alerted his teammate. They came prepared, the enemies. Shinobi realized and when he thought of spreading his awareness to the short-range it would, he suddenly buckled down and began vomiting his breakfast and shitting all at the sama time.

Kai's diarrheal smoke bomb... no shinobi would expect a prank cranked up this high as the pepper in the smoke started to burn his eyes.

Chhk*

A kunai firmly lodged into the man's head and if Mikoto had any thought of collecting his body, she refused to do that now, utterly nauseous not by the blood by other shit... literally.

'Damn... thank god Kai never used it on any of us or... I would kill him!' She snorted inwardly.

--

Nono gasped and huffed. The mission should be a great success by now and she was tired. As strong as her body was, she had to limit herself from running too quickly while exerting her muscles in a way that showed she was trying her best or her cover would be blown. This kind of running was also quite a bit exhausting as she leaned against the tree with no one in sight fully knowing that the shinobi chasing her wanted a dramatic flair and to give her a false sense of security.

A hand suddenly caught her wrist from behind before pinning her against the tree as she gasped and struggled with the man's depraved coo ringing behind her and his other hand keeping her face tilted and pushed against the tree, "Girl, you're gonna grow into a fine woman. Marry a good man, but I'll make sure you remember the fine taste of Iwa..."

His aggressive sniff against the nape of her neck suddenly made Nono smile secretly. She had seen such scenes in her genjutsu many times and now realized that she may be into getting pinned down, but it won't be by some Iwa filth and suddenly used the man's moment of enjoying her fresh scent to grip his balls with her hands already being THAT close. She also went ahead and used her stronger than a dame's body to grip the erect but pathetic shaft of his and break it in half!

The shinobi's expression froze before he shuddered and tumbled back, making Nono believe that despite being fully aware, many shinobi do NOT keep their balls protected and made her wonder why Kai did by having a crotch guard. Realizing that her curiosity was piqued at what kind of actions would lead him to make such protective decisions, Nono pulled her top up, making the Iwa nin ogle at her and glared at her while unable to cope with the pain of crushed castration and removed the seal on her stomach before chakra became her friend again and the next second, her shuriken became his forehead's friend.

"Nice work... I was planning to move the moment he did something to your clothes," Mikoto appeared as Nono smiled appreciatively and shook her head, "It wouldn't have been necessary than I could have strangled him but... thank you. I feel warm and fuzzy knowing someone is looking out for me."

"Then don't speak that with such a straight face!" Mikoto blushed slightly rubbing her forehead with a groan and looked away. The moment she looked back—

"What are you doing?!" Mikoto gasped as Nono was only in her panties with her nubile body made aware of Mikoto's eyes as Nono bent over and began taking out her clothes while speaking, "Without any other indicator, we are to assume that the perimeter is secured. I wished to change into an outfit that I could move better in."

"Then... cover yourself!"

"That's my intention by clothing myself."

--

The team of four soon unsealed the cavern and unleashed hell on the merchant by the name of Izu who was being funded by Iwagakure, the man admitted. But their mission, again, wasn't to capture the pawn but eradicate him and his goons. The location was empty with not a slave in sight but their intelligence was indeed correct about the slaves being shifted daily. It was clear that the shinobi on the mission cared more about the slaves than Izu and his 'bodyguards.'

This also meant...

Kai, Kushina, Mikoto, and Nono looked at their slightly trembling transmission tag, and the use of Kushina placing her seal finally came in as she growled, "If we kill the reinforcements, we can find their nearest outpost and possibly free those slaves!"

Nono looked amused but knew better than to show logic to an Uzumaki and kept her silence while Mikoto shook her head, "This isn't just a chain of slave trading but a chain of transportation. The moment the other shinobi in the link realized that the reinforcement, or rather, shinobi responsible for moving the slaves didn't return on the allotted time, they will leave."

Kushina bit her lips as Mikoto smiled, her Sharingan rotating into life as it glowed softly in the dim surroundings, "That said, we can release another batch of shinobi from their pathetic life."

The remaining trio smiled knowingly and got into action to surprise the enemy by leaving through the exit and ambushing them near the entrance.

--

Tsunade hummed a soft tune and looked at the four masked assailants in sleek grey masks with slits for their eyeholes and a familiar mark of Kirigakure on the top region of the mask. They wore grey flak jackets like most Anbu of various villages and wore black sleeveless shirts and matching pants.

But Tsunade knew better. If this assault really came from Kirigakure, the hidden bastards would have used means like creating a mist to make a favorable situation for themselves but these men didn't. They were still assessing her. It was small details like these that made Tsunade even more annoyed that being in council was making her smarter the wrong way. All she wanted was an inspiration for iryo nin. More iryo nin!

Still, these men were imitating Kirigakure's hunter-nin so that when their current mission will inevitably fail, the problem wouldn't reach their actual employer but Kirigakure.

"Well... I'll have to give Nono a thorough check-up after this," Tsunade smiled as the shinobi were on her the moment her lips parted and she fought while easily chuckling and talking. While a Jonin, others knew better than to consider Tsunade just an ordinary one. At the young age of 24, she was already hailed as the current strongest Senju for a reason.

Bang*

Her fist tore through the sharp sword from its blade and pierced out of the nearest shinobi the next second as blood leaked from under the mask of the man yet Tsunade only threw him away with a flick of her arm as he exploded in front of his comrades, creating a sudden smokescreen as the ground cracked the next second and trees were uprooted, making the remaining three shinobi jump up to where Tsunade waited for one of them!

It was an utter massacre as she didn't even try to keep them alive and torture them for more information because she wasn't an expert in that regard and most ninjas working in the shadows have seals on them preventing them from betraying their organization even if it meant life or death.

Shoutout to Mitsogon, Aliosman, and Victor Gonzalez!!

Read 30 advance chapters here—

Patre /Fanharem

And do vote some powerstones~

Report chapter Comments

The first thing they had to do was discreetly observe and locate any hidden nin that might become their enemy and eliminate him. While her Sharingan wasn't a complete sensory kind like Byakugan, Mikoto knew she could count on Kai for this. His sensory skills were honestly amazing and he was quite reliable... not that she wanted to admit to the smelly boy who was getting bolder and bolder due to the influence of the wrong company. But she put such thoughts aside, now wasn't the time to enter one of her usual bouts of the frustrated inner monologue about how the genius boy didn't have to follow the acts of a grown-up loser... ugh!

Like usual, she flickered around the forest and set up wired traps, and had her poisoned kunai gripped in her left hand. Her body moved quickly and nimbly, her strength growing every day by sparring with the beast who won't stop until he fell to the ground exhausted or luckily, paralyzed.

And she was done soon. The area was littered with traps and her team was already clear not to enter the location without any thoughts while she waited for them to lead any shinobi or Kunoichi here.

--

'My job is the hardest dattebane!' Kushina whined. It really wasn't. She just liked being a lazy kitty which meant others would have to do more work while she could kick back and relax but Mikoto wouldn't have it. Not to mention she just didn't feel generally good after Mito dropped that bomb on her and when she slowly realized the implications of what a Jinchuriki was... let's just say, the Tomato has never been more frustrated. Not for herself but the fact that the village expected Mito to just die and pass on the devil to her...

She suppressed the negative emotions she'd been feeling lately and tapped the tree again. She had started to learn the chakra sealing matrix from Mito and while she wasn't as quick as Kai, forming short-ranged detection seals with the transmitter tags on the rest of her team was right up her alley. The seal spread from the contact of her palm and the bark of the tree before disappearing. Of course, she also had to keep an eye out for the other traps this close to their base.

Much to her annoyance, she detected multiple Uzumaki traps that just made her more enraged. She did not like her clan's name being sullied in such a manner at all! Almost all their C-rank missions had something related to Uzumaki seals that enabled bandits to do horrible things and promoted a wave of unhinged merchants who simply revered money!

Disabling all these, Kushina continued to lay her own, decisively better seal marks without a hint of exhaustion in her chakra as she was simply built differently!

--

Her task, Nono felt, was the simplest. Well, she wondered if others would consider being called a bait the simplest but she had grown accustomed to it and felt that it may also be the reason why Mikoto chose her for the act. And a bait can be anything but dangerous. Safely keeping her forehead protector aside as it was also sealed with an identification mark meaning— losing the headband wouldn't do, Nono thought for a second and looked around before hiding behind a tree.

Transformation jutsu can be seen through easily so she changed out of her clothes. Her mesh top was kept on before she wore a faded light brown top over it and a lovely blue skirt that reached her thighs. Ruffling her hair somewhat, Nono took out a sealing tag from the storage seal and hesitated.

When dealing with bandits, she never needed to hide her chakra as they couldn't sense it but other shinobi can at a close range. The tag would suppress her chakra but also impede her from using the chakra, making her pass on as a civilian. Of course, the tag was expensive and had a short life but its value didn't make her hesitate. It was the thought of being completely defenseless in front of an enemy shinobi who just may NOT be another perverted freak of nature...

But she accepted the role of the bait.

Slapping the seal on her smooth stomach before rolling down her mesh shirt and brown top, the girl walked out with a nervous expression while hiding the small storage scroll she spent a fortune on within the sky-blue pouch slung diagonally over her torso.

And she continued to move aimlessly, making sure to yelp weakly at the slightest sound and trip out of nowhere, letting her skirt flip over her buttocks to reveal a pair of light green panties. She did get her pattern of tripping out of nowhere by doing this on missions to lure out a few bad apples constantly. Letting out a pained mewl and sitting up, she dusted herself off and pouted cutely before continuing and mumbling just in the right volume for her voice to spread out, "Mmmm... I'm lost... dad... mom... where are you?" Wasn't that the billion ryo question for an orphan like her?

"Hehe, don't worry girl~ Daddy found you!"

'Huh... amusing. So shinobi act the same way as bandits when they see a civilian girl or is it just to cause more damage to our land by demoralizing villagers and others by utilizing various forms of assaults as tactics?' Nono thought internally but a loud shriek escaped her lips!

--

"Aaaaaghhhhhhhh!" Kai heard the loud shriek and knew it was the signal. A part of him wondered if something really happened to Nono but he suppressed that part. He had been in enough missions to realize that the best way to help his teammates with the mission is by completing his part first in times like these.

Hidden well using a simple fuinjutsu trick that kept his chakra in check, the small piece of pebble suddenly poofed and Kai stood up with an eager expression before flickering away. He had felt Nono's presence grow quite weak before she started running in Mikoto's direction with two chakra signatures in tow. One of them was quite... relaxed. The other was hidden and kept a safe distance as if just observing the ninja chasing the helpless girl for his amusement.

Kai moved quickly, already having located the remaining two shinobi and a kunoichi who still guarded the hidden entrance in the unassuming location, and targeted the kunoichi. Kai was made to realize that kunoichi are generally more competent and focused even if not many fill the upper hierarchy of the Shinobi World. Of course, this realization came the hard way through Mito, Tsunade, Mikoto, and Kushina being badasses.

Thus, he moved stealthily, the tap of his foot on the branch not even shaking it as he flickered away the next second and weaved through the surrounding traps nearby before locating the dark-haired kunoichi in a reddish uniform wearing a brown flak jacket and a headband with Iwagakure's mark.

Her pupils contracted as the blow came too suddenly. She almost fell from the branch she stood and kept a lookout of felt an arm catching her and stopping her from making any noise during her last moment and as if not satisfied, the quick-acting but short-lasting paralyzing poison laced on the kunai made sure she stifled and disgruntled in her last moments.

Kai silently took out his kunai from the woman's heart and then back. Shinobi and kunoichi of another village have high value as their body may just hide a secret. A Kekkei Genkai that can be recovered, a special jutsu, a new weapon, a different body structure. Anything that can be useful will be salvaged. Not minding the blood, the woman's body disappeared with a soft poof after he set a small silence seal. Her corpse, of course, was placed into the small storage seal on his palm. Unlike the sealing scroll which lasts long, the seals on his body can, at most, be only temporary due to his lower expertise and had a time range before the seal and everything in it disappeared.

The other two Shinobi were huddled together, whispering amongst themselves softly.

"Damn... those two will have a lot of fun with the girl and she's pretty, too... sigh, just my luck. The slaves barely have any fight so it ain't fun and there's nothing else to do in this worthless land than taste delicacies."

As if empathizing, the other man patted his friend's back. A mistake.

Kai's kunai stabbed through the arm and into the other shinobi's back as they acted quickly but still too late when he let go of the kunai and snapped his arms in their direction as they retreated with one man tearing away his hand with a pained scowl. One had his temple pierced by four senbon needles while another four pierced the second shinobi's bran after accurately passing through the man's pupils in the same location one after another— Boom!

'Damn, I need to mark my Senbons better," Kai groaned and sealed both the men.

--

Boom*

The soft but very noticeable sound of an explosion made the red-uniformed shinobi's heart shudder. He instantly got into action and looked around vigilantly and realized that the girl was a bait and he didn't care about the man that much to warn him and let himself fall into an even weaker position.

Swish*

Four shurikens flew in his direction as the shinobi deflected them with his kunai and when he began to form hand seals, a kunai suddenly struck one of the wayward shurikens.

'What the?'

The shinobi couldn't react as the shuriken cut a small string and a board hidden within the leaves of the higher branch where he stood snapped down, throwing dozens of senbon needles in his direction.

'Fuck!' Growling, his hand changed and chakra coated his body before turning into a layer of thin but solid rock.

Thc*

Tch*

Thc*

The needles crashed into his body, barely piercing the rock armor when a small smoke bomb rolled down his feet and exploded in a very ridiculous pouf and not even a bang that could have alerted his teammate. They came prepared, the enemies. Shinobi realized and when he thought of spreading his awareness to the short-range it would, he suddenly buckled down and began vomiting his breakfast and shitting all at the sama time.

Kai's diarrheal smoke bomb... no shinobi would expect a prank cranked up this high as the pepper in the smoke started to burn his eyes.

Chhk*

A kunai firmly lodged into the man's head and if Mikoto had any thought of collecting his body, she refused to do that now, utterly nauseous not by the blood by other shit... literally.

'Damn... thank god Kai never used it on any of us or... I would kill him!' She snorted inwardly.

--

Nono gasped and huffed. The mission should be a great success by now and she was tired. As strong as her body was, she had to limit herself from running too quickly while exerting her muscles in a way that showed she was trying her best or her cover would be blown. This kind of running was also quite a bit exhausting as she leaned against the tree with no one in sight fully knowing that the shinobi chasing her wanted a dramatic flair and to give her a false sense of security.

A hand suddenly caught her wrist from behind before pinning her against the tree as she gasped and struggled with the man's depraved coo ringing behind her and his other hand keeping her face tilted and pushed against the tree, "Girl, you're gonna grow into a fine woman. Marry a good man, but I'll make sure you remember the fine taste of Iwa..."

His aggressive sniff against the nape of her neck suddenly made Nono smile secretly. She had seen such scenes in her genjutsu many times and now realized that she may be into getting pinned down, but it won't be by some Iwa filth and suddenly used the man's moment of enjoying her fresh scent to grip his balls with her hands already being THAT close. She also went ahead and used her stronger than a dame's body to grip the erect but pathetic shaft of his and break it in half!

The shinobi's expression froze before he shuddered and tumbled back, making Nono believe that despite being fully aware, many shinobi do NOT keep their balls protected and made her wonder why Kai did by having a crotch guard. Realizing that her curiosity was piqued at what kind of actions would lead him to make such protective decisions, Nono pulled her top up, making the Iwa nin ogle at her and glared at her while unable to cope with the pain of crushed castration and removed the seal on her stomach before chakra became her friend again and the next second, her shuriken became his forehead's friend.

"Nice work... I was planning to move the moment he did something to your clothes," Mikoto appeared as Nono smiled appreciatively and shook her head, "It wouldn't have been necessary than I could have strangled him but... thank you. I feel warm and fuzzy knowing someone is looking out for me."

"Then don't speak that with such a straight face!" Mikoto blushed slightly rubbing her forehead with a groan and looked away. The moment she looked back—

"What are you doing?!" Mikoto gasped as Nono was only in her panties with her nubile body made aware of Mikoto's eyes as Nono bent over and began taking out her clothes while speaking, "Without any other indicator, we are to assume that the perimeter is secured. I wished to change into an outfit that I could move better in."

"Then... cover yourself!"

"That's my intention by clothing myself."

--

The team of four soon unsealed the cavern and unleashed hell on the merchant by the name of Izu who was being funded by Iwagakure, the man admitted. But their mission, again, wasn't to capture the pawn but eradicate him and his goons. The location was empty with not a slave in sight but their intelligence was indeed correct about the slaves being shifted daily. It was clear that the shinobi on the mission cared more about the slaves than Izu and his 'bodyguards.'

This also meant...

Kai, Kushina, Mikoto, and Nono looked at their slightly trembling transmission tag, and the use of Kushina placing her seal finally came in as she growled, "If we kill the reinforcements, we can find their nearest outpost and possibly free those slaves!"

Nono looked amused but knew better than to show logic to an Uzumaki and kept her silence while Mikoto shook her head, "This isn't just a chain of slave trading but a chain of transportation. The moment the other shinobi in the link realized that the reinforcement, or rather, shinobi responsible for moving the slaves didn't return on the allotted time, they will leave."

Kushina bit her lips as Mikoto smiled, her Sharingan rotating into life as it glowed softly in the dim surroundings, "That said, we can release another batch of shinobi from their pathetic life."

The remaining trio smiled knowingly and got into action to surprise the enemy by leaving through the exit and ambushing them near the entrance.

--

Tsunade hummed a soft tune and looked at the four masked assailants in sleek grey masks with slits for their eyeholes and a familiar mark of Kirigakure on the top region of the mask. They wore grey flak jackets like most Anbu of various villages and wore black sleeveless shirts and matching pants.

But Tsunade knew better. If this assault really came from Kirigakure, the hidden bastards would have used means like creating a mist to make a favorable situation for themselves but these men didn't. They were still assessing her. It was small details like these that made Tsunade even more annoyed that being in council was making her smarter the wrong way. All she wanted was an inspiration for iryo nin. More iryo nin!

Still, these men were imitating Kirigakure's hunter-nin so that when their current mission will inevitably fail, the problem wouldn't reach their actual employer but Kirigakure.

"Well... I'll have to give Nono a thorough check-up after this," Tsunade smiled as the shinobi were on her the moment her lips parted and she fought while easily chuckling and talking. While a Jonin, others knew better than to consider Tsunade just an ordinary one. At the young age of 24, she was already hailed as the current strongest Senju for a reason.

Bang*

Her fist tore through the sharp sword from its blade and pierced out of the nearest shinobi the next second as blood leaked from under the mask of the man yet Tsunade only threw him away with a flick of her arm as he exploded in front of his comrades, creating a sudden smokescreen as the ground cracked the next second and trees were uprooted, making the remaining three shinobi jump up to where Tsunade waited for one of them!

It was an utter massacre as she didn't even try to keep them alive and torture them for more information because she wasn't an expert in that regard and most ninjas working in the shadows have seals on them preventing them from betraying their organization even if it meant life or death.

Shoutout to Mitsogon, Aliosman, and Victor Gonzalez!!

Read 30 advance chapters here—

Patre /Fanharem

And do vote some powerstones~

Report chapter Comments

"This..." Nono looked lost for the first time in ever. She was bare naked and stood in front of Tsunade in one of the cheap inns they booked into with the rest of the team behind the other side of the door. Her emerald pupils were focused on the dimming seal mark on her left shoulder as she muttered, "Tsunade-san, as hard as it may sound to believe... I did not plant this seal on my body."

Looking at the nervous girl and realizing that a few things DID make her nervous, Tsunade merely chuckled darkly which didn't ease Nono's worries. She shifted in her position slightly and finally relaxed somewhat when the mark fully disappeared as Tsunade shook her head and spoke up, "I believe you just as you should believe me that now the mark is removed, whoever set this might realize it. Any sensible shinobi would assume that the cover is blown which, unfortunately for you, lass, means that whoever planted this seal on you would like you six feet under or burnt to ashes."

Nono uttered a disgruntled groan, taking the news way better than Tsunade expected her to, then again, she now knew how to handle quirky brats... and she did want someone intelligent not in her team for more than just ninja work. "Nono Yakushi... how about working for me as my capacity of being the Matriarch of the Senju Clan? The Clans have the right to employ any genin and under if they are willing."

"For you... would you teach me more iryo nin?" Nono's eyes glowed as Tsunade grinned, "Better, I'll teach you how to do paperwork!"

Needless to say, Tsunade wasn't even angry at whoever did this. She just got a gem in the rough and the said gem couldn't refuse even when Tsunade said it was willing employment. What a bunch of lies!

--

"Well done," Hiruzen smiled and looked at Team Tsunade in front of him alongside Nono Yakushi. He was done with the Mission Report and still hadn't opened the different scrolls Tsunade had placed on the table.

"Not only has Team Tsunade and Nono Yakushi eradicated the source of the sudden increase in slave bartering, but you have also provided the Intelligence Department with many Iwa Shinobi that can be used to understand the current trends of Iwagakure shinobi. The mission is fulfilled and I declare Mikoto Uchiha, Kushina Uzumaki, Kai, and Nono Yakushi as proud chunins of Konohagakure."

While he wasn't expecting applause, Hiruzen felt he at least deserved a bow in respect but the three stood with a weird expression while Nono Yakushi stepped up and finally gave a bow, "I respectfully decline this promotion, Hokage-sama. As of yesterday, I have accepted my employment in Senju Clan's Administrative Department."

Hiruzen's expression froze as he grew silent before nodding and smiling, "I understand, Genin Nono. I wish you luck in your endeavors."

While he had many questions, he knew Tsunade would provide answers and as her team and Nono left with her seal of approval to be granted the rank of chunin and the resultant rewards, he silently opened the second scroll and began to read through it with an increasingly cold expression.

"Any ideas?" Tsunade finally inquired as Hiruzen's frown tugged on his developing wrinkles and he muttered, "Not that I can currently think of. Is this the reason why you moved all your clansmen?"

"Somewhat like that," Tsunade nodded. Now that she was attacked and survived to tell the tale, she could officially bring this up to Hiruzen without it being dismissed as some nonsense like what happened when she tried to bring up the medic-nin reforms.

"And what role does Nono play in all this?" Tsunade, of course, did not in any capacity reveal that she suspected a traitor within. That would be utterly foolish. No, she would try to slowly unravel things and Nono was a very important clue for that.

"Oh, I took a liking to her, and even if she became a chunin, at best, someone might want to try and make a move on her for her talents and then bring her to a very persuasive union. But it doesn't happen often, right?" Tsunade smiled, easily relaying that she was still pissed about Dan yet the Hokage groaned and shut up. If letting Tsunade have Nono meant that she would let bygones be bygones, sure, he didn't mind it at all.

--

Kai had a short smirk over his lips.

[Konoha Chunin: Increases the favorability of the village towards the host moderately and reduces the condition of leveling up the skill from the C-Rank Jutsus skill tree by 10.]

[C-Rank Jutsus]

[Taijutsu]

[Might Fist (10/10)]

[Solid Bulldoze (10/10)]

[Leaf Twister (15/15)]

[Ninjutsu]

[Water Release: Water Bullets (20/20)]

[Water Release: Water Clone (10/10)]

[Wind Release: Wind Shuriken (25/25)]

[Earth Release: Quicksand Stream (20/20)]

[Earth Release: Earth Clone (10/10)]

[Fire Release: Fire Serpent (25/25)]

[Genjutsu]

[Horrible Vore (15/15)]

[Death Crucifixion (20/20)]

[Weaponry]

[Kunai Devil (20/20)]

[Name: Kai

Age: 5

Title: Tsunade's Apprentice

Gamer Traits: Skill Tree; Sleepless Gamer

Rank: Chunin

Hit Points: 100

Stamina: 100/100 (11.1/min)

Chakra: 16642.5 (4209 4755*250) (367.5/min) (105*250%/min)

Physique: 111 117/1000

Mental: 134/1000

Perception: 72 74/1000]

[Skill points: 508]

'Taijutsu and Genjutsu... hehe," Kai smirked happily. He was sure that completing a B-rank Mission accompanied by a promotion would also come with some time to train since they would need a long time to be even considered a chunin... but...

"What?" Kai slurped the last noddle in the ramen and inquired as Nono's gaze constantly wandered over to him time and again.

"Well, I am curious if anything would change now that you are the youngest recorded chunin of the village," Nono smiled, and then it hit Mikoto and Kushina, too!

"I forgot you're just 5-year-old!" Mikoto gasped as Kai smiled, "Well, don't you feel dumb now, Mikoto-chan."

"Hmph, anyway, so what?" Kushina snorted.

"So? Well, I would say he would be targeted by other shinobi villages once his information leaks out, and even within the village, he may attract bad publicity, too. Even if Kai-kun is protected under Tsunade-sama's care, he may get attacked in the village. In fact, I have again heard of a few unconfirmed rumors of these things," Nono smiled as Kushina pouted and snapped, "Just save it! And why are you even with us right now?!"

"Because I am Tsunade-sama's attendant and she asked me to stay with you until she comes to fetch me," She smiled and Kai noted a few irregular chakra signatures slowly coming and going at a varied frequency.

"Nono-san, do you remember your promise to help me understand the genjutsu activated by touch?"

"Of course," Nono livened up slightly and gushed, "Kai-kun, would you want to make me fulfilled right now?"

Kai's lips parted. Kushina's and Mikoto's gazes darted towards one another but before they could speak—

"Sure," Kai smiled and stood up as Nono held his wrist and dragged him towards the Senju Compound while the remaining two girls scowled and followed, clearly unhappy at the thought of their celebration cut short but Kai only cackled coldly as he felt the chakra signatures getting a little more frustrated... wait...

Wait!

Did he just correctly—

[Skill formed due to special action.]

[Chakra Empath (1/25): Allows the host to sense the general intent from the chakra of the target passively. Increases Perception by 1 stat at every level. Increases the range of sensing by 5 meters at every level. Current Range: 10 meters.

Next Level: Sense emotions of 1/500 individuals or 5 SP]

It was just a hint of empathy sensing from his side and would have taken him a long time to get a hang of it again but his trait made sure that none of that happened and granted him a sweet skill to grind.

He immediately tried it. As he expected, Nono was happy and satisfied as if her smile wasn't an indication of it. Mikoto and Kushina were angry and dissatisfied as if their thinned lips and angered glares weren't already indicating that.

Sweet!

Now he can at least be sure about it!

--

"What do you mean Nono Yakushi is now a part of the Senju Clan? You were well aware that I wanted to recruit her into Root once she became a chunin. Even with that knowledge, you let Tsunade take here away!" Danzo spoke with a stormy expression. He had been keeping an eye out on Nono from the moment she revealed her extraordinary talent. The only reason she was in Genin Corps was that she was the lone survivor of an incident where everyone except her team was ambushed by Kumo-nin and that, in itself, showed her abilities!

Yet...

"Did you extend an invitation to Nono Yakushi?" Hiruzen inquired calmly.

"Well..." Danzo faltered.

"Then this is the end of discussion. Now, I would love to chat with you but see this?" Hiruzen pointed at the stack of paperwork, "This is on my table because of you. Because you wanted the damn deal with Hanzo and now I have to arrange it in so much underground pile work that nobody gets a whiff of it! So, that's the door. He quick about it and prepare for Amegakure."

Danzo snorted and left. As he exited the building in a clearly annoyed mood, he soon flickered away and then made his way through a complex mechanism of seals and varied underground passaged before arriving in a spacious underground structure where three men waited for him.

"Where is Nono Yakushi?" Danzo inquired as the three masked men knelt silently and the one in the lead spoke in a monotone, "Nono Yakushi did not leave the side of Team Tsunade and entered Senju Compound promptly. We tried to infiltrate the compound but like our previous attempts, we were found by one of the resident shinobi and were forced to leave."

Danzo gritted his teeth silently and then sneered, "Hmm, no need to tail her for now."

'I've tried almost everything but the remaining Jonins and Chunins still active are armed to teeth and even four jonin-level anbu didn't return... did she realize something? The seal mark on Nono is disappeared already but Hiruzen doesn't seem to know anything about it... I could send more of my men as suicide-nin but it's more detrimental to me and the village can't have losses from both sides... the most viable option IS the war.

Hiruzen doesn't see it at all. Senju, Uchiha, and Uzumaki... one of them have such bodies that even civilians have strength similar to a genin without training their entire life. Uchihas and their Sharingan are more than enough threat already with Madara Uchiha already being an example, unlike the Hyugas who are only going downhill. Uzumakis, too, have chakra reserves that could make the Senju and Uchiha envy alongside their sealing techniques being the only things capable of threatening Jinchurikis...

Sensei would surely see my way. Even he knew the threat the Uchiha posed. But Hiruzen is getting softer by the day. He... he's losing it. If he can't do anything about it, then I will.'

Danzo's eye narrowed down. He had already stirred the pond quite a bit but failed to have any meaningful catch. Any further and he might as well expose himself... but the war was around the corner. While Uzumakis have the safety net in the form of Mito, a little birdy did chirp outside the village which made them realize that Mito was not here for long...

--

"Damn your weary cunt, Mito! Stop using my chakra!"

Of all her accomplishments, Mito heard the roar of her failure but she had regained it... the flair for life and she would damn well make the fox submit to her in THIS life.

Within her room, the diamond-shaped mark on her forehead began to glow softly as a massive surge of chakra continued to emanate out of her but was contained by the sealing marks all around the room. As she expended chakra, it seemed to fill her surroundings and soon, her mark felt the pulsation of a new form of energy. Should anyone look at her now, they would see the wrinkles around her eyes receding while her dull hair falling out and vibrant red hair growing at an even quicker pace but soon... her condition reverted.

Yet, the smile on her aged lips grew wider.

"Oh, foxy... those idiots actually thought Jinchurikis will give them the best way to harness the power of a bijuu. As if! Are they all Mito Uzumaki? Hashirama Senju? Or Madara Uchiha... now that I think about it, darling, which one of us has been the gentlest with you?"

"Shut the fuck up! Hag!"

"Scared, are we? I suppose you never imagined things would turn out this way... hehe," she giggled mischievously.

"Just drop dead!"

Shoutout to Brody McDermott, and gnawingteeth!!

Read 30 advance chapters here—

Patre /Fanharem

And do vote some powerstones~

Join the discord for well... uh, dead chat room~

https : /discord.gg/egdFUe5

"This..." Nono looked lost for the first time in ever. She was bare naked and stood in front of Tsunade in one of the cheap inns they booked into with the rest of the team behind the other side of the door. Her emerald pupils were focused on the dimming seal mark on her left shoulder as she muttered, "Tsunade-san, as hard as it may sound to believe... I did not plant this seal on my body."

Looking at the nervous girl and realizing that a few things DID make her nervous, Tsunade merely chuckled darkly which didn't ease Nono's worries. She shifted in her position slightly and finally relaxed somewhat when the mark fully disappeared as Tsunade shook her head and spoke up, "I believe you just as you should believe me that now the mark is removed, whoever set this might realize it. Any sensible shinobi would assume that the cover is blown which, unfortunately for you, lass, means that whoever planted this seal on you would like you six feet under or burnt to ashes."

Nono uttered a disgruntled groan, taking the news way better than Tsunade expected her to, then again, she now knew how to handle quirky brats... and she did want someone intelligent not in her team for more than just ninja work. "Nono Yakushi... how about working for me as my capacity of being the Matriarch of the Senju Clan? The Clans have the right to employ any genin and under if they are willing."

"For you... would you teach me more iryo nin?" Nono's eyes glowed as Tsunade grinned, "Better, I'll teach you how to do paperwork!"

Needless to say, Tsunade wasn't even angry at whoever did this. She just got a gem in the rough and the said gem couldn't refuse even when Tsunade said it was willing employment. What a bunch of lies!

--

"Well done," Hiruzen smiled and looked at Team Tsunade in front of him alongside Nono Yakushi. He was done with the Mission Report and still hadn't opened the different scrolls Tsunade had placed on the table.

"Not only has Team Tsunade and Nono Yakushi eradicated the source of the sudden increase in slave bartering, but you have also provided the Intelligence Department with many Iwa Shinobi that can be used to understand the current trends of Iwagakure shinobi. The mission is fulfilled and I declare Mikoto Uchiha, Kushina Uzumaki, Kai, and Nono Yakushi as proud chunins of Konohagakure."

While he wasn't expecting applause, Hiruzen felt he at least deserved a bow in respect but the three stood with a weird expression while Nono Yakushi stepped up and finally gave a bow, "I respectfully decline this promotion, Hokage-sama. As of yesterday, I have accepted my employment in Senju Clan's Administrative Department."

Hiruzen's expression froze as he grew silent before nodding and smiling, "I understand, Genin Nono. I wish you luck in your endeavors."

While he had many questions, he knew Tsunade would provide answers and as her team and Nono left with her seal of approval to be granted the rank of chunin and the resultant rewards, he silently opened the second scroll and began to read through it with an increasingly cold expression.

"Any ideas?" Tsunade finally inquired as Hiruzen's frown tugged on his developing wrinkles and he muttered, "Not that I can currently think of. Is this the reason why you moved all your clansmen?"

"Somewhat like that," Tsunade nodded. Now that she was attacked and survived to tell the tale, she could officially bring this up to Hiruzen without it being dismissed as some nonsense like what happened when she tried to bring up the medic-nin reforms.

"And what role does Nono play in all this?" Tsunade, of course, did not in any capacity reveal that she suspected a traitor within. That would be utterly foolish. No, she would try to slowly unravel things and Nono was a very important clue for that.

"Oh, I took a liking to her, and even if she became a chunin, at best, someone might want to try and make a move on her for her talents and then bring her to a very persuasive union. But it doesn't happen often, right?" Tsunade smiled, easily relaying that she was still pissed about Dan yet the Hokage groaned and shut up. If letting Tsunade have Nono meant that she would let bygones be bygones, sure, he didn't mind it at all.

--

Kai had a short smirk over his lips.

[Konoha Chunin: Increases the favorability of the village towards the host moderately and reduces the condition of leveling up the skill from the C-Rank Jutsus skill tree by 10.]

[C-Rank Jutsus]

[Taijutsu]

[Might Fist (10/10)]

[Solid Bulldoze (10/10)]

[Leaf Twister (15/15)]

[Ninjutsu]

[Water Release: Water Bullets (20/20)]

[Water Release: Water Clone (10/10)]

[Wind Release: Wind Shuriken (25/25)]

[Earth Release: Quicksand Stream (20/20)]

[Earth Release: Earth Clone (10/10)]

[Fire Release: Fire Serpent (25/25)]

[Genjutsu]

[Horrible Vore (15/15)]

[Death Crucifixion (20/20)]

[Weaponry]

[Kunai Devil (20/20)]

[Name: Kai

Age: 5

Title: Tsunade's Apprentice

Gamer Traits: Skill Tree; Sleepless Gamer

Rank: Chunin

Hit Points: 100

Stamina: 100/100 (11.1/min)

Chakra: 16642.5 (4209 4755*250) (367.5/min) (105*250%/min)

Physique: 111 117/1000

Mental: 134/1000

Perception: 72 74/1000]

[Skill points: 508]

'Taijutsu and Genjutsu... hehe," Kai smirked happily. He was sure that completing a B-rank Mission accompanied by a promotion would also come with some time to train since they would need a long time to be even considered a chunin... but...

"What?" Kai slurped the last noddle in the ramen and inquired as Nono's gaze constantly wandered over to him time and again.

"Well, I am curious if anything would change now that you are the youngest recorded chunin of the village," Nono smiled, and then it hit Mikoto and Kushina, too!

"I forgot you're just 5-year-old!" Mikoto gasped as Kai smiled, "Well, don't you feel dumb now, Mikoto-chan."

"Hmph, anyway, so what?" Kushina snorted.

"So? Well, I would say he would be targeted by other shinobi villages once his information leaks out, and even within the village, he may attract bad publicity, too. Even if Kai-kun is protected under Tsunade-sama's care, he may get attacked in the village. In fact, I have again heard of a few unconfirmed rumors of these things," Nono smiled as Kushina pouted and snapped, "Just save it! And why are you even with us right now?!"

"Because I am Tsunade-sama's attendant and she asked me to stay with you until she comes to fetch me," She smiled and Kai noted a few irregular chakra signatures slowly coming and going at a varied frequency.

"Nono-san, do you remember your promise to help me understand the genjutsu activated by touch?"

"Of course," Nono livened up slightly and gushed, "Kai-kun, would you want to make me fulfilled right now?"

Kai's lips parted. Kushina's and Mikoto's gazes darted towards one another but before they could speak—

"Sure," Kai smiled and stood up as Nono held his wrist and dragged him towards the Senju Compound while the remaining two girls scowled and followed, clearly unhappy at the thought of their celebration cut short but Kai only cackled coldly as he felt the chakra signatures getting a little more frustrated... wait...

Wait!

Did he just correctly—

[Skill formed due to special action.]

[Chakra Empath (1/25): Allows the host to sense the general intent from the chakra of the target passively. Increases Perception by 1 stat at every level. Increases the range of sensing by 5 meters at every level. Current Range: 10 meters.

Next Level: Sense emotions of 1/500 individuals or 5 SP]

It was just a hint of empathy sensing from his side and would have taken him a long time to get a hang of it again but his trait made sure that none of that happened and granted him a sweet skill to grind.

He immediately tried it. As he expected, Nono was happy and satisfied as if her smile wasn't an indication of it. Mikoto and Kushina were angry and dissatisfied as if their thinned lips and angered glares weren't already indicating that.

Sweet!

Now he can at least be sure about it!

--

"What do you mean Nono Yakushi is now a part of the Senju Clan? You were well aware that I wanted to recruit her into Root once she became a chunin. Even with that knowledge, you let Tsunade take here away!" Danzo spoke with a stormy expression. He had been keeping an eye out on Nono from the moment she revealed her extraordinary talent. The only reason she was in Genin Corps was that she was the lone survivor of an incident where everyone except her team was ambushed by Kumo-nin and that, in itself, showed her abilities!

Yet...

"Did you extend an invitation to Nono Yakushi?" Hiruzen inquired calmly.

"Well..." Danzo faltered.

"Then this is the end of discussion. Now, I would love to chat with you but see this?" Hiruzen pointed at the stack of paperwork, "This is on my table because of you. Because you wanted the damn deal with Hanzo and now I have to arrange it in so much underground pile work that nobody gets a whiff of it! So, that's the door. He quick about it and prepare for Amegakure."

Danzo snorted and left. As he exited the building in a clearly annoyed mood, he soon flickered away and then made his way through a complex mechanism of seals and varied underground passaged before arriving in a spacious underground structure where three men waited for him.

"Where is Nono Yakushi?" Danzo inquired as the three masked men knelt silently and the one in the lead spoke in a monotone, "Nono Yakushi did not leave the side of Team Tsunade and entered Senju Compound promptly. We tried to infiltrate the compound but like our previous attempts, we were found by one of the resident shinobi and were forced to leave."

Danzo gritted his teeth silently and then sneered, "Hmm, no need to tail her for now."

'I've tried almost everything but the remaining Jonins and Chunins still active are armed to teeth and even four jonin-level anbu didn't return... did she realize something? The seal mark on Nono is disappeared already but Hiruzen doesn't seem to know anything about it... I could send more of my men as suicide-nin but it's more detrimental to me and the village can't have losses from both sides... the most viable option IS the war.

Hiruzen doesn't see it at all. Senju, Uchiha, and Uzumaki... one of them have such bodies that even civilians have strength similar to a genin without training their entire life. Uchihas and their Sharingan are more than enough threat already with Madara Uchiha already being an example, unlike the Hyugas who are only going downhill. Uzumakis, too, have chakra reserves that could make the Senju and Uchiha envy alongside their sealing techniques being the only things capable of threatening Jinchurikis...

Sensei would surely see my way. Even he knew the threat the Uchiha posed. But Hiruzen is getting softer by the day. He... he's losing it. If he can't do anything about it, then I will.'

Danzo's eye narrowed down. He had already stirred the pond quite a bit but failed to have any meaningful catch. Any further and he might as well expose himself... but the war was around the corner. While Uzumakis have the safety net in the form of Mito, a little birdy did chirp outside the village which made them realize that Mito was not here for long...

--

"Damn your weary cunt, Mito! Stop using my chakra!"

Of all her accomplishments, Mito heard the roar of her failure but she had regained it... the flair for life and she would damn well make the fox submit to her in THIS life.

Within her room, the diamond-shaped mark on her forehead began to glow softly as a massive surge of chakra continued to emanate out of her but was contained by the sealing marks all around the room. As she expended chakra, it seemed to fill her surroundings and soon, her mark felt the pulsation of a new form of energy. Should anyone look at her now, they would see the wrinkles around her eyes receding while her dull hair falling out and vibrant red hair growing at an even quicker pace but soon... her condition reverted.

Yet, the smile on her aged lips grew wider.

"Oh, foxy... those idiots actually thought Jinchurikis will give them the best way to harness the power of a bijuu. As if! Are they all Mito Uzumaki? Hashirama Senju? Or Madara Uchiha... now that I think about it, darling, which one of us has been the gentlest with you?"

"Shut the fuck up! Hag!"

"Scared, are we? I suppose you never imagined things would turn out this way... hehe," she giggled mischievously.

"Just drop dead!"

Shoutout to Brody McDermott, and gnawingteeth!!

Read 30 advance chapters here—

Patre /Fanharem

And do vote some powerstones~

Join the discord for well... uh, dead chat room~

https : /discord.gg/egdFUe5

Kai had... grown. A lot. Yet... Yet...

His chest heaved in utter anger. He was at his wit's end. He'd been promised again and again but no, he wasn't taught it even now. He'd mastered more genjutsu skills, and even created one of his own with Nono's help. He'd mastered Taijutsu skills and had his physique reach higher than ever. He could one-shot his previous life's self with a slap. He could damn heal someone and cut one open with the Chakra Scalpel Technique. His growth spurt and enhancements made it so that his chakra was tremendous for his age but it wasn't limiting to him because of the power he packed.

By now, he was aware that his body was fundamentally different even if he hadn't chosen Stat Physiology. His body WOULD grow if he trained. His chakra WOULD grow if he trained. In essence, there wasn't any biological and metaphysical limiter on him of any sort. Yet...

"Sensei... you WILL teach me nature transformation today." He growled as he stood in Training Ground 23 while not only Kushina, Mikoto, and Nono watched from the sidelines with amusement as Kai could feel their emotions at a heightened degree now, but also the two resident shinobi of the Senju enjoying the show. But more than them, Kai felt Tsunade's amusement.

His gaze trailed her. It was unusual for her to wear something like... this. She must have just woken up, Kai realized. Her waist-length hair was still in a high ponytail but he could notice the laze in her eyes. Her mesh shirt, like usual, barely contained her breasts as she wore a turquoise v-neck top with the slightest depth to it and a pair of pitch-black spats that threatened to distract him and pull his attention to her very thick but soft and supple thighs. She stood with her arms crossed and chuckled, "Is that a threat?"

"You said," Kai seethed a little and glared, "Have chunin-level chakra reserve. I did. You said, to master the chakra scalpel technique for better control before nature transformation. I did. You said, you said, and you said! Why won't you just teach me the damn theory and technique? What's with the village-wide block about it?!"

Tsunade let out an annoyed grumble. Of course, she knew all that. She would love to teach the boy the method and indeed, there was actually a village-wide block for any shinobi under 16 to learn elemental jutsus by their Jonin Senseis. The reason was quite simple but still a political mess. Konoha was formed to safeguard children from war. To nurture them. Any child under 16 MUST not enter the war and for this reason, during the war, there will be two types of missions— War missions, and the usual ranked ones.

Once anyone with enough ability know two elemental jutsu, they could become a Jonin with enough contributions but there are a few bad apples who would want to increase Konoha's war potential by hurriedly increasing the rank of the geniuses and send them out for the 'good' of the village. The village wasn't shorthanded in any manner but these people would do it still.

Tsunade didn't want her team to participate in wars and if there's a whiff that Kai is practicing nature transformation and given the current trend of his growth, may just master it, HE would do everything in his power to send him out.

Shinobi are paranoid by nature, most of the time. Geniuses are accepted but monsters are feared. And Tsunade knew given the situation of the War Council that Kai had managed to make one troublesome Elder fear his potential. That's why, even Yata didn't teach his daughter another elemental jutsu besides the Uchiha's basic Fireball Jutsu.

"Well?" Kai inquired, a little doubtful as he felt Tsunade experiencing... regret. This did put a damper on his anger somewhat. After all, she must have a reason given how complicated she felt after initial amusement.

"I will teach you... after three years," Tsunade sighed softly. Nature Transformation couldn't be just experienced. There are a series of steps one must master but that didn't mean Kai couldn't learn ninjutsu. After feeling despondent, he did purchase a ninjutsu but never trained it afterward because he instantly realized what Mito was talking about. That's why, even now [Water Release: Water Bullet Jutsu (1/15)] wasn't trained.

Her words did not please him and tired of acting like a boy for his needs and screwing away all empathetic reasons, he growled, "If you won't teach me nicely... I will find someone who can."

"Oh? Who? One announcement from me and everyone WILL reject teaching you. Youngest Chunin, my perky ass! Don't let that reputation get in your head. Be a good boy, and wait. Be patient. Why can't you just be obedient like 'em?" Tsunade frowned and pointed at the trio not far away.

Kai huffed deeply. "Fine then, I will just apply for the new sections of the missions," Kai frowned, "If I do get enough contributions, I can get relevant information, too, right?"

Tsunade's eyelids twitched as she kept her expression in check and drawled, "You will go nowhere near the openings."

"You can't stop me! I've done nothing but missions and practiced the same old thing for eight months. It's been a whole year since we graduated. Why the hell do you keep stopping me even when Mito-sama says it's alright?"

"Because she's out of her damned mind and you out of your depths! Wanna enter the new category of missions? Fine, I'll give you a taste of what you will enter yourself into now!"

Tsunade rushed forward promptly as Kai suddenly threw a smoke bomb on the ground, making Tsunade scoff, "That level of poison doesn't work on me!"

She instantly punched the boy's shocked form only for it to poof into a wooden log as Tsunade scowled at his impeccable body replacement technique and punched backward before her fist phased through his body. 'Damn Orochimaru for teaching the boy genjutsu!' Instantly starting to flare her chakra every other second, Tsunade clapped her palms, and the burst of wind whipped away the cover of smoke before she turned and gave the real a back-handed slap that shot him into the ground.

"Hmph, is that it?... Kai?"

She looked at his unflinching form and frowned. She knew of his strength and had kept hers in check but... Kai should at least be groaning and twitching. She hurriedly crouched down over him and checked his condition before paling.

"Kai, damn it! I'll have to get him to the hospital. Now you fucking understand? Worst could happen in a war—"

Her expression froze before she growled and flared her chakra again which wasn't happening for a few seconds now and looked at the real Kai towering over her kneeling figure with his left cheek blue and bruised.

"It was a quick one even for a touch-based genjutsu," Tsunade narrowed her eyes but Kai spoke simply, "Worse won't happen in war if you train me properly. I thought... I had proved that long ago." His mutter was soft and Tsunade's eyes widened and she looked over to the trio who still looked clueless.

"You don't understand," still kneeling, Tsunade let out an exhausted sigh.

"Someone wants to kill me? That happens every mission. But if I know nature transformation and can adapt to the situation, I will become strong enough. I promise, I won't die and waste all your efforts. So if you could..."

Kai grumbled. He truly thought Tsunade of all people would understand that since Mito did, too.

Tsunade's gaze flickered as she looked a little sullen, an expression she had never formed for any of her students but here she was. "Any 6-year-old would be scared of it."

"Oh, please. Think of it this way. You can take me WITH you given that I am technically your Guardian. Of course, I wouldn't want a nanny as it would harm my reputation and other 6-year-old chicks would laugh about it but... wouldn't that be better?"

"Hardly," Tsunade chuckled and stood up before ruffling his head and looking at Nono with a glare, "Did you teach him that touch-based genjutsu?"

The speed with which Kai cast it would make him a nightmare for most Taijutsu users.

"Uh... no," Nono giggled, "He was experiencing the effects of my Last Harlot technique... hehe, he actually seems to know quite a bit," Nono winked at him, "And then he formed a genjutsu technique of his own related to another primal emotion after mastering Last Harlot."

"Excuse me? You two did what?" Tsunade smiled but the coldness in her gaze made Nono wince as she cursed her big mouth while Kai took a slow and steady step back.

"Where are you going?" Tsunade's head snapped in his direction while Kushina and Mikoto helped Tsunade by grabbing and keeping Nono in her place with their glares turning colder, too.

"I did it... for the science of Genjutsu," Kai mumbled weakly.

"He's right, Tsunade-sama," Nono hurriedly explained.

"Shut up, both of you. Before nature transformation, I will teach you a bit about character transformation on my knees," she stated coldly as Kai and Nono already felt the pain on their cheeks.

Ass cheeks.

--

[Touch of Revelation (20/20): A touch-based genjutsu that traps the target into an elusive scene where they eventually reveal their honest thoughts. Mental Stat increased by 1 at every level. Reduce chakra consumption by 2.5 at every level. Current Consumption: 100/sec]

[Last Harlot (15/15): A touch-based genjutsu that rouses the lust of the target for the user and traps them in a world where they can't have enough of you. Mental Stat increased by 1 at every level. Reduce Chakra Consumption by 0.6 at every level. Current Consumption: 90/sec]

[Horrible Vore (15/15): A smell-based genjutsu that requires the scent of a boar's lining to pull the target into a horrible experience of getting swallowed by a boar. Mental Stat increased by 1 at every level. Reduce chakra consumption by 0.6 at every level. Current Consumption: 90/sec.]

[Stats mitigated due to limit of skill's quality.]

[Death Crucifixion (20/20): A taste-based genjutsu that utilizes the ashes of anything to pull the target upon their own Crucifixion and agonizes them deeply. Mental stat increased by 0.8 at every level. Reduces Chakra Consumption by 2.5 at every level. Current Consumption: 100/sec]

[Might Fist (10/10): Train's fists to be as hard as a rock by punching the rock 1000 times every day. Increases strength by 1 at every level. Stamina Consumed: 20/min]

[Solid Bulldoze (10/10): Train the whole body by smashing into walls. Increases strength by 1 at every level. Stamina Consumed: 20/min]

[Leaf Twister (15/15): A kicking style that resembles a devastating twister. Increases strength by 1 at every level. Stamina Consumed: 20/min]

[Kunai Devil (20/20): A series of two-handed kunai styles imitating a short sword to deal vital damage to the enemy]

[Chakra Scalpel (15/15): Coats the hands in a controlled amount of chakra that can dissect into the body without excessive bloodshed. Reduce chakra wastage by 0.33 for every level. Reduces chakra consumption by 3.3 at every level. Chakra Consumption: 470/min]

[Chakra Empath (25/25): Allows the host to sense the general intent from the chakra of the target passively. Increases Perception by 1 stat at every level. Increases the range of sensing by 5 meters at every level. Current Range: 130 meters]

[Intermediate Chakra Poison (30/30): A skill that mixes chakra with poisons potent enough to demolish a village]

The level of grind was amazing for him despite his complaints and the skills rewarded to the team when they became a chunin happened to be Death Crucifixion, Might Fist, and the Wind Release: Wind Shuriken which allowed Kai to save 100 SP on the purchases!

[Name: Kai

Age: 6

Title: Konoha Chunin

Gamer Traits: Skill Tree; Sleepless Gamer

Rank: Chunin

Hit Points: 100

Stamina: 100/100 (17.1/min)

Chakra: 26134.5 (4209 7467*250) (525/min) (150*250%/min)

Physique: 117 175/1000

Mental: 134 203/1000

Perception: 74 101/1000]

[Skill points: 509]

[Skills]

[Water Release: Water Bullet Jutsu (1/15)]

[Reduction of Chakra Wastage: 50]

Funnily enough, his SP completely netted out the same with expenditure and earnings including the missions but it did worry him for B-ranked Jutsu and higher.

And his control over chakra seemed to have hard-capped at 50. That's why he wanted to know another foundational way to mold chakra so that he could increase that stat.

And at the moment, he has really become the Genjutsu expert of the team as his mental stat also passed over the threshold for 200. But he was aware that the 200 mark didn't mean he had jonin-level skills. Jonins... were just too far. These eight months were enough for him to realize that Jonins may have at least one stat close to 300 much less an elite like Tsunade. Also, his chakra reserve was still in the mids of chunin so despite what he said, he really didn't care about the reputation of the youngest chunin and even within the flock of chicks hawing over his might, only Tsume's bark managed to attract him.

Still, he was happy. It took some time but Tsunade agreed to start the practice tomorrow.

But as he reached the Uzumaki Compound, his expression grew slightly worried while the constantly nagging Kushina who couldn't believe he, to quote her, did unspeakable things to Nono in a genjutsu world, grew silent. Both their expressions grew somber as they entered their home and made way to a particular room, not wanting to leave her side at all.

Shoutout to Eros, joseph m teti, Cody, and Jrod!!

Read 30 advance chapters here—

Patre /Fanharem

And do vote some powerstones~

Join the discord for well... uh, dead chat room~

https : /discord.gg/egdFUe5

Kai had... grown. A lot. Yet... Yet...

His chest heaved in utter anger. He was at his wit's end. He'd been promised again and again but no, he wasn't taught it even now. He'd mastered more genjutsu skills, and even created one of his own with Nono's help. He'd mastered Taijutsu skills and had his physique reach higher than ever. He could one-shot his previous life's self with a slap. He could damn heal someone and cut one open with the Chakra Scalpel Technique. His growth spurt and enhancements made it so that his chakra was tremendous for his age but it wasn't limiting to him because of the power he packed.

By now, he was aware that his body was fundamentally different even if he hadn't chosen Stat Physiology. His body WOULD grow if he trained. His chakra WOULD grow if he trained. In essence, there wasn't any biological and metaphysical limiter on him of any sort. Yet...

"Sensei... you WILL teach me nature transformation today." He growled as he stood in Training Ground 23 while not only Kushina, Mikoto, and Nono watched from the sidelines with amusement as Kai could feel their emotions at a heightened degree now, but also the two resident shinobi of the Senju enjoying the show. But more than them, Kai felt Tsunade's amusement.

His gaze trailed her. It was unusual for her to wear something like... this. She must have just woken up, Kai realized. Her waist-length hair was still in a high ponytail but he could notice the laze in her eyes. Her mesh shirt, like usual, barely contained her breasts as she wore a turquoise v-neck top with the slightest depth to it and a pair of pitch-black spats that threatened to distract him and pull his attention to her very thick but soft and supple thighs. She stood with her arms crossed and chuckled, "Is that a threat?"

"You said," Kai seethed a little and glared, "Have chunin-level chakra reserve. I did. You said, to master the chakra scalpel technique for better control before nature transformation. I did. You said, you said, and you said! Why won't you just teach me the damn theory and technique? What's with the village-wide block about it?!"

Tsunade let out an annoyed grumble. Of course, she knew all that. She would love to teach the boy the method and indeed, there was actually a village-wide block for any shinobi under 16 to learn elemental jutsus by their Jonin Senseis. The reason was quite simple but still a political mess. Konoha was formed to safeguard children from war. To nurture them. Any child under 16 MUST not enter the war and for this reason, during the war, there will be two types of missions— War missions, and the usual ranked ones.

Once anyone with enough ability know two elemental jutsu, they could become a Jonin with enough contributions but there are a few bad apples who would want to increase Konoha's war potential by hurriedly increasing the rank of the geniuses and send them out for the 'good' of the village. The village wasn't shorthanded in any manner but these people would do it still.

Tsunade didn't want her team to participate in wars and if there's a whiff that Kai is practicing nature transformation and given the current trend of his growth, may just master it, HE would do everything in his power to send him out.

Shinobi are paranoid by nature, most of the time. Geniuses are accepted but monsters are feared. And Tsunade knew given the situation of the War Council that Kai had managed to make one troublesome Elder fear his potential. That's why, even Yata didn't teach his daughter another elemental jutsu besides the Uchiha's basic Fireball Jutsu.

"Well?" Kai inquired, a little doubtful as he felt Tsunade experiencing... regret. This did put a damper on his anger somewhat. After all, she must have a reason given how complicated she felt after initial amusement.

"I will teach you... after three years," Tsunade sighed softly. Nature Transformation couldn't be just experienced. There are a series of steps one must master but that didn't mean Kai couldn't learn ninjutsu. After feeling despondent, he did purchase a ninjutsu but never trained it afterward because he instantly realized what Mito was talking about. That's why, even now [Water Release: Water Bullet Jutsu (1/15)] wasn't trained.

Her words did not please him and tired of acting like a boy for his needs and screwing away all empathetic reasons, he growled, "If you won't teach me nicely... I will find someone who can."

"Oh? Who? One announcement from me and everyone WILL reject teaching you. Youngest Chunin, my perky ass! Don't let that reputation get in your head. Be a good boy, and wait. Be patient. Why can't you just be obedient like 'em?" Tsunade frowned and pointed at the trio not far away.

Kai huffed deeply. "Fine then, I will just apply for the new sections of the missions," Kai frowned, "If I do get enough contributions, I can get relevant information, too, right?"

Tsunade's eyelids twitched as she kept her expression in check and drawled, "You will go nowhere near the openings."

"You can't stop me! I've done nothing but missions and practiced the same old thing for eight months. It's been a whole year since we graduated. Why the hell do you keep stopping me even when Mito-sama says it's alright?"

"Because she's out of her damned mind and you out of your depths! Wanna enter the new category of missions? Fine, I'll give you a taste of what you will enter yourself into now!"

Tsunade rushed forward promptly as Kai suddenly threw a smoke bomb on the ground, making Tsunade scoff, "That level of poison doesn't work on me!"

She instantly punched the boy's shocked form only for it to poof into a wooden log as Tsunade scowled at his impeccable body replacement technique and punched backward before her fist phased through his body. 'Damn Orochimaru for teaching the boy genjutsu!' Instantly starting to flare her chakra every other second, Tsunade clapped her palms, and the burst of wind whipped away the cover of smoke before she turned and gave the real a back-handed slap that shot him into the ground.

"Hmph, is that it?... Kai?"

She looked at his unflinching form and frowned. She knew of his strength and had kept hers in check but... Kai should at least be groaning and twitching. She hurriedly crouched down over him and checked his condition before paling.

"Kai, damn it! I'll have to get him to the hospital. Now you fucking understand? Worst could happen in a war—"

Her expression froze before she growled and flared her chakra again which wasn't happening for a few seconds now and looked at the real Kai towering over her kneeling figure with his left cheek blue and bruised.

"It was a quick one even for a touch-based genjutsu," Tsunade narrowed her eyes but Kai spoke simply, "Worse won't happen in war if you train me properly. I thought... I had proved that long ago." His mutter was soft and Tsunade's eyes widened and she looked over to the trio who still looked clueless.

"You don't understand," still kneeling, Tsunade let out an exhausted sigh.

"Someone wants to kill me? That happens every mission. But if I know nature transformation and can adapt to the situation, I will become strong enough. I promise, I won't die and waste all your efforts. So if you could..."

Kai grumbled. He truly thought Tsunade of all people would understand that since Mito did, too.

Tsunade's gaze flickered as she looked a little sullen, an expression she had never formed for any of her students but here she was. "Any 6-year-old would be scared of it."

"Oh, please. Think of it this way. You can take me WITH you given that I am technically your Guardian. Of course, I wouldn't want a nanny as it would harm my reputation and other 6-year-old chicks would laugh about it but... wouldn't that be better?"

"Hardly," Tsunade chuckled and stood up before ruffling his head and looking at Nono with a glare, "Did you teach him that touch-based genjutsu?"

The speed with which Kai cast it would make him a nightmare for most Taijutsu users.

"Uh... no," Nono giggled, "He was experiencing the effects of my Last Harlot technique... hehe, he actually seems to know quite a bit," Nono winked at him, "And then he formed a genjutsu technique of his own related to another primal emotion after mastering Last Harlot."

"Excuse me? You two did what?" Tsunade smiled but the coldness in her gaze made Nono wince as she cursed her big mouth while Kai took a slow and steady step back.

"Where are you going?" Tsunade's head snapped in his direction while Kushina and Mikoto helped Tsunade by grabbing and keeping Nono in her place with their glares turning colder, too.

"I did it... for the science of Genjutsu," Kai mumbled weakly.

"He's right, Tsunade-sama," Nono hurriedly explained.

"Shut up, both of you. Before nature transformation, I will teach you a bit about character transformation on my knees," she stated coldly as Kai and Nono already felt the pain on their cheeks.

Ass cheeks.

--

[Touch of Revelation (20/20): A touch-based genjutsu that traps the target into an elusive scene where they eventually reveal their honest thoughts. Mental Stat increased by 1 at every level. Reduce chakra consumption by 2.5 at every level. Current Consumption: 100/sec]

[Last Harlot (15/15): A touch-based genjutsu that rouses the lust of the target for the user and traps them in a world where they can't have enough of you. Mental Stat increased by 1 at every level. Reduce Chakra Consumption by 0.6 at every level. Current Consumption: 90/sec]

[Horrible Vore (15/15): A smell-based genjutsu that requires the scent of a boar's lining to pull the target into a horrible experience of getting swallowed by a boar. Mental Stat increased by 1 at every level. Reduce chakra consumption by 0.6 at every level. Current Consumption: 90/sec.]

[Stats mitigated due to limit of skill's quality.]

[Death Crucifixion (20/20): A taste-based genjutsu that utilizes the ashes of anything to pull the target upon their own Crucifixion and agonizes them deeply. Mental stat increased by 0.8 at every level. Reduces Chakra Consumption by 2.5 at every level. Current Consumption: 100/sec]

[Might Fist (10/10): Train's fists to be as hard as a rock by punching the rock 1000 times every day. Increases strength by 1 at every level. Stamina Consumed: 20/min]

[Solid Bulldoze (10/10): Train the whole body by smashing into walls. Increases strength by 1 at every level. Stamina Consumed: 20/min]

[Leaf Twister (15/15): A kicking style that resembles a devastating twister. Increases strength by 1 at every level. Stamina Consumed: 20/min]

[Kunai Devil (20/20): A series of two-handed kunai styles imitating a short sword to deal vital damage to the enemy]

[Chakra Scalpel (15/15): Coats the hands in a controlled amount of chakra that can dissect into the body without excessive bloodshed. Reduce chakra wastage by 0.33 for every level. Reduces chakra consumption by 3.3 at every level. Chakra Consumption: 470/min]

[Chakra Empath (25/25): Allows the host to sense the general intent from the chakra of the target passively. Increases Perception by 1 stat at every level. Increases the range of sensing by 5 meters at every level. Current Range: 130 meters]

[Intermediate Chakra Poison (30/30): A skill that mixes chakra with poisons potent enough to demolish a village]

The level of grind was amazing for him despite his complaints and the skills rewarded to the team when they became a chunin happened to be Death Crucifixion, Might Fist, and the Wind Release: Wind Shuriken which allowed Kai to save 100 SP on the purchases!

[Name: Kai

Age: 6

Title: Konoha Chunin

Gamer Traits: Skill Tree; Sleepless Gamer

Rank: Chunin

Hit Points: 100

Stamina: 100/100 (17.1/min)

Chakra: 26134.5 (4209 7467*250) (525/min) (150*250%/min)

Physique: 117 175/1000

Mental: 134 203/1000

Perception: 74 101/1000]

[Skill points: 509]

[Skills]

[Water Release: Water Bullet Jutsu (1/15)]

[Reduction of Chakra Wastage: 50]

Funnily enough, his SP completely netted out the same with expenditure and earnings including the missions but it did worry him for B-ranked Jutsu and higher.

And his control over chakra seemed to have hard-capped at 50. That's why he wanted to know another foundational way to mold chakra so that he could increase that stat.

And at the moment, he has really become the Genjutsu expert of the team as his mental stat also passed over the threshold for 200. But he was aware that the 200 mark didn't mean he had jonin-level skills. Jonins... were just too far. These eight months were enough for him to realize that Jonins may have at least one stat close to 300 much less an elite like Tsunade. Also, his chakra reserve was still in the mids of chunin so despite what he said, he really didn't care about the reputation of the youngest chunin and even within the flock of chicks hawing over his might, only Tsume's bark managed to attract him.

Still, he was happy. It took some time but Tsunade agreed to start the practice tomorrow.

But as he reached the Uzumaki Compound, his expression grew slightly worried while the constantly nagging Kushina who couldn't believe he, to quote her, did unspeakable things to Nono in a genjutsu world, grew silent. Both their expressions grew somber as they entered their home and made way to a particular room, not wanting to leave her side at all.

Shoutout to Eros, joseph m teti, Cody, and Jrod!!

Read 30 advance chapters here—

Patre /Fanharem

And do vote some powerstones~

Join the discord for well... uh, dead chat room~

https : /discord.gg/egdFUe5

A heavy silence hung in Mito's room as she looked frailer than yesterday. Her situation seemed to have gotten worse by the day as Tsunade would drop in more frequently. Kushina embraced the woman tenderly. She wanted to hug her tightly but feared that Mito might get hurt and didn't exert any form of force. Meanwhile, even Kai stopped using even the slightest force during his massage and gently caressed her worn feet and toes.

Mito still had a full smile which made his heart ache. It was at times like these that he wished his Gamer Mind back. Yet, he just couldn't help but feel the contentment Mito felt at the moment as if she had achieved everything. Of course, getting the chakra empath had also revealed the chaotic and perpetually aggressive being within Mito. The Bijuu... he sighed softly and felt worse. His mind knew that he couldn't do anything but be there for Kushina when she becomes Mito's successor but his instincts wanted to grind and grind until he eventually finds a method within this year itself.

"Mito-sama, I managed to convince Tsunade Sensei today," Kai smiled slightly as Mito slowly opened her eyes and let out a slow hum, "Good... the lass was wasting your talents because of her own fears..." Then exerting herself slightly, she leaned forward and questioned, "What about Nawaki?"

Kai sadly shook his head while Kushina pursed her lips in displeasure. The moment Nawaki realized about Mito's situation, he stopped visiting. Again, Kai knew that the boy barely knew his grandmother and only came out of fear of getting beaten otherwise... but still! How could he not visit a Grandma as cool as Mito?!

"Hehe... no worries. We Uzumaki are selective. I had 12 siblings, one father, and 7 mothers... but I only cried when my son died. Nawaki has my blood... he's stubborn alright." Mito smiled and leaned back once again.

"Don't you have to train? Go on..." Mito added but Kai and Kushina stayed. The grind was only a means to his objective and while Kai loved the grind and seeing visible growth, he probably held an even greater affection for Mito despite knowing her for a little while. He would rather stay until she sleeps and then leaves so that she doesn't feel all that lonely.

"Grandma," Kushina muttered.

"Hn? What is it dear?"

"Isn't there any other way to stop this?" She whispered as Mito chuckled, "Scared of the big bad fox?"

"No..." she looked up and smiled with tears rolling down her cheeks which she promptly wiped away, "It's just... Tsunade Sensei said that a Jinchuriki may lose control... what if I harm someone? What if I harm Kai?"

"He'll manage, won't you?" Mito looked at Kai who nodded quickly while she added, "Jinchurikis face some troubles, yes, but don't let it affect you. You already have a good team."

Kushina finally couldn't help but break into sobs as Mito shook her head and seeing that they were being more of a bother to her than a good company, Kai dragged Kushina out which happened a fair amount of times.

"Let's just wash up and eat. I'll bring food to Mito-sama later," Kai sighed and ruffled her hair as they were both of the same height now despite the age gap, "Go ahead. I'll be—"

"Why... don't you help me?" Kushina inquired with her expression full of sadness, "I don't want to be away from Kai-chan so let's just bathe together."

Kai may have been quite infamous in his last life but he hadn't ever taken advantage of a victim of sadness... well, he did, but not in a way Kushina was reluctantly giving into. Staring at her for some time until she silently shifted a little where she stood, Kai smiled, "Let's skip the bathe. I just feel like sleeping. Let's go!"

"W-where?!" Kushina squeaked as Kai shrugged, "My room!"

--

'Worst. Idea. Ever.' Kai looked at the ceiling with a dull gaze. Unlike his previous room, the new room given to him was not only spacious but had a connecting bathroom and another great facility known as a snack corner. He lay on his bed, heavily constricted as Cinnamon, still pinky-sized, had her tiny body coiled over his forehead as she slept soundly.

He couldn't move. One arm passed through his chest and buried under his body while the other one was buried from under the side close to her through his pit and hugged him way too tightly for his taste. Her red hair covered her AND him to a certain extent as she lay on top of him, her legs similarly crossed around his thighs while she snored softly. Every snore caused her lips to part somewhat and made her slobber more of his well-trained pecs. He may still be a child but he was a hunk of it and seeing his temple of a body being drowned by spit did not amuse him at all. Under the right context, it would have. Sadly, this wasn't it.

Yet, the dried tear stains on her supple cheeks made him stay his hand.

'Fuck... tomato bitch is already an expert in emotional manipulation... logic says, fuck her and grind but...' Kai looked at the girl's face and recalled how broken she was last night. It has become a daily occurrence these few weeks as one look at Mito would make Kushina bawl continuously. Maybe the Uzumaki really is a selective bunch, Kai thought and wondered if she'd be such a mess if something happened to him...

'Well, of course. It's not like you can be friends with the youngest chunin ever... she'd be devastated,' Kai snickered at the thought of it and just closed his eyes. 'Hmm... so even Tsunade is worried about war then despite what I said, I need to grind more. Wonder what kind of monsters are in other shinobi villages... still, Nature Transformation... finally!'

He had seen Orochimaru use an elemental jutsu. Even Mikoto's fireball jutsu was a wondrous sight! The ability to mold chakra into elements and more... it was just amazing, really. Too bad most of it was used in conflicts in his humble opinion. The people here can generate electricity, last he checked, power plants were profitable ventures! But Kai wasn't about to bring his amateurish knowledge regarding the subject. He was here to breathe fire and fart thunder!

Prrt*

Kushina shuffled slightly, her nose scrunching up as Kai's face was bleak. Speaking of farts, he'd had enough of this little fart machine. But the struggle was futile as he was caught between wanting to move away and not waking her up... 'And the solution was... this simple.'

Kai just sent Kushina to a short Genjutsu, a simple illusion from touch which would fade in an hour or the moment she woke up, causing her chakra to move even the slightest bit in excitement, and rolled her away on the bed before setting Cinnamon on the table as she raised her head before coiling even tighter and sleeping until demanded otherwise.

'Time for my morning grinding!' Kai grinned, cheering himself up.

--

"Listen up," Tsunade looked at four of her rising apprentices. Three from Team Tsunade and one Paperwork Bitc— ehm, Administrative Secretary. While Nono had indeed left the shinobi force, her training had only grown from the two iryo ninjutsu— Mystical Palm Technique and Chakra Scalpel— to a few Senju taijutsu techniques to cover her weakness in closed quarter combat and as many genjutsu techniques as Tsunade could find since Orochimaru wasn't interested in teaching another one of her apprentices.

Still, they weren't in the training ground. As secure as that location is, she wanted to keep the secret of her testing her apprentices chakra nature for as long as she can. She was obligated to report these kinds of things but she could stretch that obligation for a little while.

"A ninjutsu consists of two things. Giving chakra a shape, and changing its nature. For instance, Mikoto's Fireball Jutsu is shaped into a giant sphere and her chakra is shifted to the element of fire. Well, shape manipulation and nature transformation, mostly, are prevalent in Elemental Ninjutsu. Iryo Ninjutsu only has the slightest bit of Nature Transformation of yin and yang, too little to be exactly considered one. So, that brings another question. Why can genins and chunins practice ninjutsu without the training in shape manipulation or nature transformation?"

Tsunade looked at them and let them digest what she wanted to convey. The topic could be both complicated and simple at times so it really depended on the other party to perceive her words correctly.

"Hand seals?" Mikoto, the only one in the group who knew one elemental jutsu mustered up.

"Exactly," Tsunade smiled. "Hand seals are a common occurrence in Ninjutsu. The function of the hand seal is to mold chakra and transform its nature into an already predetermined path. This is also the reason why more experienced jonins can reduce the number of hand seals needed to perform a jutsu because they can mold the chakra needed and transform its nature to a certain extent without the hand seals as a crutch. That's what hand seals are— an effective way to train a large number of shinobi to perform ninjutsu but most theories and applications of WHY it happens are given only to the accomplished ones from the bunch."

The four of them nodded while Tsunade added, "And that is why Grandma Mito wanted you two to start from the basics even if it meant going down the harder path. The training for nature transformation is unholy! But, if you master it, the potency of your techniques will rise. Mastering shape manipulation after that WILL allow you to not only modify already established ninjutsu but also form your own."

As she saw their eyes lit up, Tsunade grinned, "And to let you know how hard this is, I have managed to master shape manipulation to a certain extent. If it's a total of 100 then my mastery is about 60 and as for nature transformation of all my chakra nature, I barely mastered Yin release last year and this is the proof of that," she pointed at the diamond-shaped mark on her forehead. And as expected, everyone aside from Kai looked a bit intimidated. Why wouldn't they? They revered Tsunade for her strength, technique, and her care for them yet Kai beamed, "Awesome! When can we start?"

Tsunade smiled, actually a little happy now that she was willing to teach, he didn't back down after hearing and understanding everything.

"Now," Tsunade smiled, taking out four slips of square paper from her drawer and explained, "This is chakra paper. I'm sure you know of it Mikoto. Still, every shinobi has a natural affinity with one of the five elements, or even yin and yang. This paper perceives the slightest hint of the element that our body naturally exudes and reacts to it. Affinity with fire causes the paper to catch on fire. Affinity with lightning causes it to wrinkle. Water makes it damp. Earth makes it crumble. The element of wind makes it cut apart. Yin and Yang have special reactions as they color the paper black or white. Now, the chakra paper only reveals the affinity of the highest order.

If you have an affinity with fire nature, and earth nature, it will only show two reactions if both the affinities are on a somewhat same level."

They nodded and Tsunade handed Mikoto her slip, "Show them how it's done."

"Yes, Sensei," Mikoto smiled and held the slip of paper in her palm before exerting her chakra and revealing the paper catching on fire.

"Uchiha clan usually always has a high affinity with fire nature," Mikoto smiled, "The second being lightning."

"My turn!" Kai couldn't wait but Tsunade smirked teasingly and drawled, "Nono, have a go at it."

Nono smiled and took the paper as Kai deflated, much to their sadistic joy. Holding the paper in between her hands, Nono exerted her chakra and once she opened her palms, they saw the beige slip of paper completely black!

Tsunade raised her brows at that, honestly a little pleased and making even more plans to torture... train Nono as a good paperwork secretary!

"Huff, alright... Yin nature. I can't say it's not unexpected given my attunement with Genjutsu and—"

"Yeah, yeah! Whatever! My turn!" Kai stood up from his chair again as Tsunade's smirk widened, "Kushina, get up here."

"Oh, come on!" Kai rolled his eyes as Kushina grinned and bounced up before taking the slip of paper and pushing in a huge amount of chakra, making Tsunade roll her eyes.

Opening her palms revealed her paper to be cut in half with one of the halves now wet.

"Oh, wind and water... that's good." Tsunade smiled as Kushina grinned, "I know dattebane!"

Tsunade smiled and looked at Kai who had his arms crossed while he sneered, "Oh? Is it my turn already?"

"You don't want to?" Tsunade chuckled in reply and questioned as Kai scoffed, muttering under his breath and walking towards her desk on which she leaned her stupid butt and snatched the paper.

Kai held the paper in his palms, and exerted his chakra before opening it when several notifications popped in front of him.

[Chakra Nature Identified. Adding chakra nature mastery stats.]

[Fire Nature added.]

[Wind Nature added.]

[Water Nature added.]

[Earth Nature added.]

[Lightning Nature added.]

[Yin Nature added.]

[Yang Nature added.]

Meanwhile, the other women in the room looked at Kai's chakra paper getting split into six halves as one burned off, the other stuck to his palm being damp, another portion crumbled, a portion wrinkled up, one of them turned white, and the last one black.

'Uh... sweet.'

Kai blinked.

--

'Train a genius they said... it'll be fun they said.' Tsunade had a scowl on her face as Orochimaru looked at her with a tinge of amusement in his lab, "Yang Transformation training... hmm, I can understand that your iryo-ninjutsu will benefit by mastering that transformation nature but sadly, even I am only aware of Yin Transformation practice, and that, too, because of you."

"Fuck..." Tsunade growled and for a good reason.

"Did you ask your grandmother? Mistress Mito was quite the foundation for you to develop your iryo nin," Orochimaru inquired off-handedly as Tsunade shook her head, "She's barely awake these days... and whenever she is, I don't want her time to be occupied by this." Her expression grew a bit sullen while Orochimaru grew silent for a second and whispered, "I'm sorry."

"Nah, don't worry." She sighed.

"Hmm, right. Did you try Akimichi Clan? Their jutsus are entirely dependent on Yang Release," Orochimaru mused.

"I did, but according to their clan leader, their Yang Release is more... how do I put it..."

"Instinctual? Even if they aren't a Kekkei Genkai clan, their training in converting calories should be similar to how we train the yin nature during iryo-nin. Seals of some kind. And they wouldn't want that spreading out."

"So..." Orochimaru chuckled, "That leaves you only with..."

"That's why... fuck..." Tsunade grumbled as Orochimaru shook his head and handed her a stack of paper which she went through with a pout before her expression started to brighten.

"It's not what you wanted to create but it's quite close to the concept... damn, Orochimaru, you're a madman to have thought of it this! Looks like your research into snakes paid off."

"Somewhat," Orochimaru smirked as Tsunade hummed thoughtfully, "This... actually gave me an idea, too. Who would have thought of skin as an organ in such a manner?... Nice!" Tsunade stood up before groaning, "Would you go to him and ask if he knows any?"

"Nope~!" Orochimaru chortled as Tsunade snorted and left, leaving Orochimaru to chuckle and get back at his work. Time waits for no one, after all!

Shoutout to Aiden, Krawn, and Nitorxs!!

Read 30 advance chapters here—

Patre /Fanharem

And do vote some powerstones~

Join the discord for well... uh, dead chat room~

https : /discord.gg/egdFUe5

A heavy silence hung in Mito's room as she looked frailer than yesterday. Her situation seemed to have gotten worse by the day as Tsunade would drop in more frequently. Kushina embraced the woman tenderly. She wanted to hug her tightly but feared that Mito might get hurt and didn't exert any form of force. Meanwhile, even Kai stopped using even the slightest force during his massage and gently caressed her worn feet and toes.

Mito still had a full smile which made his heart ache. It was at times like these that he wished his Gamer Mind back. Yet, he just couldn't help but feel the contentment Mito felt at the moment as if she had achieved everything. Of course, getting the chakra empath had also revealed the chaotic and perpetually aggressive being within Mito. The Bijuu... he sighed softly and felt worse. His mind knew that he couldn't do anything but be there for Kushina when she becomes Mito's successor but his instincts wanted to grind and grind until he eventually finds a method within this year itself.

"Mito-sama, I managed to convince Tsunade Sensei today," Kai smiled slightly as Mito slowly opened her eyes and let out a slow hum, "Good... the lass was wasting your talents because of her own fears..." Then exerting herself slightly, she leaned forward and questioned, "What about Nawaki?"

Kai sadly shook his head while Kushina pursed her lips in displeasure. The moment Nawaki realized about Mito's situation, he stopped visiting. Again, Kai knew that the boy barely knew his grandmother and only came out of fear of getting beaten otherwise... but still! How could he not visit a Grandma as cool as Mito?!

"Hehe... no worries. We Uzumaki are selective. I had 12 siblings, one father, and 7 mothers... but I only cried when my son died. Nawaki has my blood... he's stubborn alright." Mito smiled and leaned back once again.

"Don't you have to train? Go on..." Mito added but Kai and Kushina stayed. The grind was only a means to his objective and while Kai loved the grind and seeing visible growth, he probably held an even greater affection for Mito despite knowing her for a little while. He would rather stay until she sleeps and then leaves so that she doesn't feel all that lonely.

"Grandma," Kushina muttered.

"Hn? What is it dear?"

"Isn't there any other way to stop this?" She whispered as Mito chuckled, "Scared of the big bad fox?"

"No..." she looked up and smiled with tears rolling down her cheeks which she promptly wiped away, "It's just... Tsunade Sensei said that a Jinchuriki may lose control... what if I harm someone? What if I harm Kai?"

"He'll manage, won't you?" Mito looked at Kai who nodded quickly while she added, "Jinchurikis face some troubles, yes, but don't let it affect you. You already have a good team."

Kushina finally couldn't help but break into sobs as Mito shook her head and seeing that they were being more of a bother to her than a good company, Kai dragged Kushina out which happened a fair amount of times.

"Let's just wash up and eat. I'll bring food to Mito-sama later," Kai sighed and ruffled her hair as they were both of the same height now despite the age gap, "Go ahead. I'll be—"

"Why... don't you help me?" Kushina inquired with her expression full of sadness, "I don't want to be away from Kai-chan so let's just bathe together."

Kai may have been quite infamous in his last life but he hadn't ever taken advantage of a victim of sadness... well, he did, but not in a way Kushina was reluctantly giving into. Staring at her for some time until she silently shifted a little where she stood, Kai smiled, "Let's skip the bathe. I just feel like sleeping. Let's go!"

"W-where?!" Kushina squeaked as Kai shrugged, "My room!"

--

'Worst. Idea. Ever.' Kai looked at the ceiling with a dull gaze. Unlike his previous room, the new room given to him was not only spacious but had a connecting bathroom and another great facility known as a snack corner. He lay on his bed, heavily constricted as Cinnamon, still pinky-sized, had her tiny body coiled over his forehead as she slept soundly.

He couldn't move. One arm passed through his chest and buried under his body while the other one was buried from under the side close to her through his pit and hugged him way too tightly for his taste. Her red hair covered her AND him to a certain extent as she lay on top of him, her legs similarly crossed around his thighs while she snored softly. Every snore caused her lips to part somewhat and made her slobber more of his well-trained pecs. He may still be a child but he was a hunk of it and seeing his temple of a body being drowned by spit did not amuse him at all. Under the right context, it would have. Sadly, this wasn't it.

Yet, the dried tear stains on her supple cheeks made him stay his hand.

'Fuck... tomato bitch is already an expert in emotional manipulation... logic says, fuck her and grind but...' Kai looked at the girl's face and recalled how broken she was last night. It has become a daily occurrence these few weeks as one look at Mito would make Kushina bawl continuously. Maybe the Uzumaki really is a selective bunch, Kai thought and wondered if she'd be such a mess if something happened to him...

'Well, of course. It's not like you can be friends with the youngest chunin ever... she'd be devastated,' Kai snickered at the thought of it and just closed his eyes. 'Hmm... so even Tsunade is worried about war then despite what I said, I need to grind more. Wonder what kind of monsters are in other shinobi villages... still, Nature Transformation... finally!'

He had seen Orochimaru use an elemental jutsu. Even Mikoto's fireball jutsu was a wondrous sight! The ability to mold chakra into elements and more... it was just amazing, really. Too bad most of it was used in conflicts in his humble opinion. The people here can generate electricity, last he checked, power plants were profitable ventures! But Kai wasn't about to bring his amateurish knowledge regarding the subject. He was here to breathe fire and fart thunder!

Prrt*

Kushina shuffled slightly, her nose scrunching up as Kai's face was bleak. Speaking of farts, he'd had enough of this little fart machine. But the struggle was futile as he was caught between wanting to move away and not waking her up... 'And the solution was... this simple.'

Kai just sent Kushina to a short Genjutsu, a simple illusion from touch which would fade in an hour or the moment she woke up, causing her chakra to move even the slightest bit in excitement, and rolled her away on the bed before setting Cinnamon on the table as she raised her head before coiling even tighter and sleeping until demanded otherwise.

'Time for my morning grinding!' Kai grinned, cheering himself up.

--

"Listen up," Tsunade looked at four of her rising apprentices. Three from Team Tsunade and one Paperwork Bitc— ehm, Administrative Secretary. While Nono had indeed left the shinobi force, her training had only grown from the two iryo ninjutsu— Mystical Palm Technique and Chakra Scalpel— to a few Senju taijutsu techniques to cover her weakness in closed quarter combat and as many genjutsu techniques as Tsunade could find since Orochimaru wasn't interested in teaching another one of her apprentices.

Still, they weren't in the training ground. As secure as that location is, she wanted to keep the secret of her testing her apprentices chakra nature for as long as she can. She was obligated to report these kinds of things but she could stretch that obligation for a little while.

"A ninjutsu consists of two things. Giving chakra a shape, and changing its nature. For instance, Mikoto's Fireball Jutsu is shaped into a giant sphere and her chakra is shifted to the element of fire. Well, shape manipulation and nature transformation, mostly, are prevalent in Elemental Ninjutsu. Iryo Ninjutsu only has the slightest bit of Nature Transformation of yin and yang, too little to be exactly considered one. So, that brings another question. Why can genins and chunins practice ninjutsu without the training in shape manipulation or nature transformation?"

Tsunade looked at them and let them digest what she wanted to convey. The topic could be both complicated and simple at times so it really depended on the other party to perceive her words correctly.

"Hand seals?" Mikoto, the only one in the group who knew one elemental jutsu mustered up.

"Exactly," Tsunade smiled. "Hand seals are a common occurrence in Ninjutsu. The function of the hand seal is to mold chakra and transform its nature into an already predetermined path. This is also the reason why more experienced jonins can reduce the number of hand seals needed to perform a jutsu because they can mold the chakra needed and transform its nature to a certain extent without the hand seals as a crutch. That's what hand seals are— an effective way to train a large number of shinobi to perform ninjutsu but most theories and applications of WHY it happens are given only to the accomplished ones from the bunch."

The four of them nodded while Tsunade added, "And that is why Grandma Mito wanted you two to start from the basics even if it meant going down the harder path. The training for nature transformation is unholy! But, if you master it, the potency of your techniques will rise. Mastering shape manipulation after that WILL allow you to not only modify already established ninjutsu but also form your own."

As she saw their eyes lit up, Tsunade grinned, "And to let you know how hard this is, I have managed to master shape manipulation to a certain extent. If it's a total of 100 then my mastery is about 60 and as for nature transformation of all my chakra nature, I barely mastered Yin release last year and this is the proof of that," she pointed at the diamond-shaped mark on her forehead. And as expected, everyone aside from Kai looked a bit intimidated. Why wouldn't they? They revered Tsunade for her strength, technique, and her care for them yet Kai beamed, "Awesome! When can we start?"

Tsunade smiled, actually a little happy now that she was willing to teach, he didn't back down after hearing and understanding everything.

"Now," Tsunade smiled, taking out four slips of square paper from her drawer and explained, "This is chakra paper. I'm sure you know of it Mikoto. Still, every shinobi has a natural affinity with one of the five elements, or even yin and yang. This paper perceives the slightest hint of the element that our body naturally exudes and reacts to it. Affinity with fire causes the paper to catch on fire. Affinity with lightning causes it to wrinkle. Water makes it damp. Earth makes it crumble. The element of wind makes it cut apart. Yin and Yang have special reactions as they color the paper black or white. Now, the chakra paper only reveals the affinity of the highest order.

If you have an affinity with fire nature, and earth nature, it will only show two reactions if both the affinities are on a somewhat same level."

They nodded and Tsunade handed Mikoto her slip, "Show them how it's done."

"Yes, Sensei," Mikoto smiled and held the slip of paper in her palm before exerting her chakra and revealing the paper catching on fire.

"Uchiha clan usually always has a high affinity with fire nature," Mikoto smiled, "The second being lightning."

"My turn!" Kai couldn't wait but Tsunade smirked teasingly and drawled, "Nono, have a go at it."

Nono smiled and took the paper as Kai deflated, much to their sadistic joy. Holding the paper in between her hands, Nono exerted her chakra and once she opened her palms, they saw the beige slip of paper completely black!

Tsunade raised her brows at that, honestly a little pleased and making even more plans to torture... train Nono as a good paperwork secretary!

"Huff, alright... Yin nature. I can't say it's not unexpected given my attunement with Genjutsu and—"

"Yeah, yeah! Whatever! My turn!" Kai stood up from his chair again as Tsunade's smirk widened, "Kushina, get up here."

"Oh, come on!" Kai rolled his eyes as Kushina grinned and bounced up before taking the slip of paper and pushing in a huge amount of chakra, making Tsunade roll her eyes.

Opening her palms revealed her paper to be cut in half with one of the halves now wet.

"Oh, wind and water... that's good." Tsunade smiled as Kushina grinned, "I know dattebane!"

Tsunade smiled and looked at Kai who had his arms crossed while he sneered, "Oh? Is it my turn already?"

"You don't want to?" Tsunade chuckled in reply and questioned as Kai scoffed, muttering under his breath and walking towards her desk on which she leaned her stupid butt and snatched the paper.

Kai held the paper in his palms, and exerted his chakra before opening it when several notifications popped in front of him.

[Chakra Nature Identified. Adding chakra nature mastery stats.]

[Fire Nature added.]

[Wind Nature added.]

[Water Nature added.]

[Earth Nature added.]

[Lightning Nature added.]

[Yin Nature added.]

[Yang Nature added.]

Meanwhile, the other women in the room looked at Kai's chakra paper getting split into six halves as one burned off, the other stuck to his palm being damp, another portion crumbled, a portion wrinkled up, one of them turned white, and the last one black.

'Uh... sweet.'

Kai blinked.

--

'Train a genius they said... it'll be fun they said.' Tsunade had a scowl on her face as Orochimaru looked at her with a tinge of amusement in his lab, "Yang Transformation training... hmm, I can understand that your iryo-ninjutsu will benefit by mastering that transformation nature but sadly, even I am only aware of Yin Transformation practice, and that, too, because of you."

"Fuck..." Tsunade growled and for a good reason.

"Did you ask your grandmother? Mistress Mito was quite the foundation for you to develop your iryo nin," Orochimaru inquired off-handedly as Tsunade shook her head, "She's barely awake these days... and whenever she is, I don't want her time to be occupied by this." Her expression grew a bit sullen while Orochimaru grew silent for a second and whispered, "I'm sorry."

"Nah, don't worry." She sighed.

"Hmm, right. Did you try Akimichi Clan? Their jutsus are entirely dependent on Yang Release," Orochimaru mused.

"I did, but according to their clan leader, their Yang Release is more... how do I put it..."

"Instinctual? Even if they aren't a Kekkei Genkai clan, their training in converting calories should be similar to how we train the yin nature during iryo-nin. Seals of some kind. And they wouldn't want that spreading out."

"So..." Orochimaru chuckled, "That leaves you only with..."

"That's why... fuck..." Tsunade grumbled as Orochimaru shook his head and handed her a stack of paper which she went through with a pout before her expression started to brighten.

"It's not what you wanted to create but it's quite close to the concept... damn, Orochimaru, you're a madman to have thought of it this! Looks like your research into snakes paid off."

"Somewhat," Orochimaru smirked as Tsunade hummed thoughtfully, "This... actually gave me an idea, too. Who would have thought of skin as an organ in such a manner?... Nice!" Tsunade stood up before groaning, "Would you go to him and ask if he knows any?"

"Nope~!" Orochimaru chortled as Tsunade snorted and left, leaving Orochimaru to chuckle and get back at his work. Time waits for no one, after all!

Shoutout to Aiden, Krawn, and Nitorxs!!

Read 30 advance chapters here—

Patre /Fanharem

And do vote some powerstones~

Join the discord for well... uh, dead chat room~

https : /discord.gg/egdFUe5

The addition of new stats only slightly changed a few things for Kai. The iryo-ninjutsu skills do have a yin and yang nature but the ninjutsu themselves do not have any reason to improve nature transformation because, as Tsunade stated, they did not actively mold their chakra in that manner but used a crutch. So, his Yin and Yang were barely higher than other natures.

BUT the skill he gained later was a game-changer when Tsunade gave everyone a slip of normal paper and asked them to exert their chakra on that paper. Unlike chakra paper which was too sensitive to the elements in chakra, the regular slip of paper barely showed any reaction at all and that was their task entirely. To make the paper go through a similar reaction as the chakra paper but for Kushina, it was a step harder. Tsunade wanted her to make the paper entirely damp by trying and focusing on water. Chakra being part physical and part spiritual would show a reaction to her focus but again, it would be hard since even Mikoto, who could Ninjutsu, barely made her paper the slightest bit toasty.

And given the fact he already had a water ninjutsu purchased and waiting to be trained, Kai chose to start with Water Nature Transformation, too.

[Water Nature Transformation (1/50): Convert chakra extended out of the body into the element of water. Increases the mastery of water stat by 0.4 at every level. Reduces chakra wastage by 0.06 at every level.

Next Level: Convert 5643/7000 chakra points into the element of water or 14 SP]

Just the basics were similar to a B-ranked Jutsu and there was still 6 more nature transformation left which meant another 300 SP!

Oh goody!

As such, away from prying eyes, Kai, Mikoto, Kushina, and Nono sat in Tsunade's bedroom and continued to pull a reaction out of the damn paper!

It's been 2 days already but Kai was close to the first level up. The moment he levels up, he would get another dose of knowledge and the grind would grow stronger!

But... again, they were in Tsunade's room and Kai was a boy with a man's healthy and imaginative mind. He couldn't help but look around as the girls had concentrated expressions and he lamented a lack of a proper friend. His connection with Minato gradually broke off due to him being busy with missions and Minato growing more and more closeted with his lust for seals. It wasn't love but full-on lust!

Besides, Kai had a reason to doubt that Minato may not share his interest in Tsunade's— Senju's Secret.

Looking at the slightly damp paper in his hands, Kai climbed down Tsunade's massive bed when Mikoto perked up and asked suspiciously, "Where are you going?"

"Throwing this in the dustbin," Kai smiled sincerely and met her suspicious gaze. Kushina paid them no heed since her task was much harder while Nono was making a good amount of progress, too.

"You remember what Sensei said, right? No rummaging through her stuff!" Mikoto glared at the boy as Kai blinked and looked around. Aside from the large bed and a dressing table to its side, there was one wardrobe and two drawers next to it. "Of course, I remember that," Kai muttered, "And why would you think I would do something like that?"

"Why are you inching closer to that drawer?" Mikoto raised her brows as Kai frowned, "It's your imagination."

"Kai-chan, don't do it," Mikoto warned with a threatening glare as Nono smirked and looked up. But instead of Kai in front of them, she looked towards the wardrobe discreetly as Kai inched ever so slowly towards the drawer.

"I'll tell Sensei!" Mikoto glowered.

"Tch, you're no fun," Kai just disappeared into thin air as Mikoto blinked and snapped her gaze in his direction as he was still sitting on the bed with the paper in his hands.

"Did you..." she inquired as Kai shrugged, "Of course, not. I was just waiting here."

Nono's smirk widened as Kai looked in her direction and winked. Oh, he wasn't the least bit worried she found him opening the doors to heaven and Kai realized maybe he didn't need to long for a guy friend. Nono had a built-in bro-code archive as she chuckled, "He was sitting there the entire time. Don't worry."

Mikoto still looked a little suspicious but nodded nonetheless, "Fine... and you should focus on training, Kai-chan... we're all stuck here because of you in the first place."

"Yes, yes, Mikoto-chan," Kai grinned as the girl pouted sourly and continued with the training.

"So?" More curious about her Sensei's and employer's wardrobe, Nono shifted closer to Kai and inquired in a hushed whisper.

"It was great," Kai grinned, "I'll create an illusion for you to see it."

"Hehe," Nono giggled softly, both of them huddled together and continued to discuss the holy number while Kushina and Mikoto stopped their training and looked at the duo. They were incensed, no doubt. From Kai and Nono! He was their friend first and then Nono came but the minx's hold of their Kai-chan displeased them greatly and Kushina finally decided to interject, "Hmph, I'm sleeping with him!"

Her words froze everyone's expression. With a short smirk then, Kushina refused to elaborate and began her training again.

--

"Hoho! How does my team look, hmm, Tsunade?" Jiraiya inquired with a grin in Training Ground 11. He tried to get Training Ground 69 but failed...

"Eh," Tsunade shrugged as she saw Noha and Hiro sparring while Minato was cross-legged on the ground, scribbling seals and trying to form them again with chakra itself. The boy wasn't too talented in this regard but he had the appropriate drive and creativity for it.

Compared to this team, hers was just too far beyond at the time. It wasn't just their talent, Tsunade worked the three to their bones while the fourth, one and only boy, was happy to even suffer a hundred times the usual amount if it meant another level of progress for the day. Honestly, it was that craziness of his slowly affecting the team but Tsunade knew how to keep things balanced.

Jiraiya instantly rolled his eyes at her reaction and inquired, "So? Are finally going on a date~"

"Date with castration, maybe." He winced at her words as she continued, "I'm here to ask if you have any methods of training Yang Nature Transformation?"

"Hoh? Did someone from your team get that affinity?"

"No," Tsunade sighed, "It's for me. I got an idea from Orochi's research and want to raise my mastery in Yang Transformation," she was honest for the most part.

"Another jutsu, huh... let's see. My summons has some form of training for all the nature transformation but they wouldn't want it known to others. But I think I can get a few hints!" Jiraiya beamed and looked at Tsunade before wagging his brows.

Groaning in exasperation, she questioned, "Fine, what is it?"

"Heh, a—"

Before Jiraiya could place his price, Minato chimed, "Sensei, are you talking about Nature Transformation? I completed your assignment on it."

Minato grinned and stood up while jogging towards Jiraiya.

"You're teaching him nature transformation?" Tsunade raised her brows.

"Nah, I just gave him some homework to think for himself and cleared the theory part. You know, hand seals being a crutch and all. Besides, if I want to send him there for training and keep him away from war... better to be a good Sensei now."

Tsunade blinked owlishly as Minato bowed towards Tsunade slightly and spoke up, "The best way to practice nature transformation, as you asked of me, would be a repetition of the reactions caused by the most sensitive chakra paper to the least sensitive item."

Jiraiya nodded, "Yes, yes, good work, Minato-kun. I'm a little busy with—"

"What about Yin and Yang? Chakra paper and normal paper can be colored black and white but what about higher practices?" She had an amused expression, not really expecting an answer but Jiraiya felt a little ominous as he saw Minato's blue eyes light up.

"Yin is shaping of spirituality and yang is giving form to the said spirituality in its most basic sense. I think the best way to train yin nature is with the state of the chakra itself. If the spiritual aspect of chakra can be isolated or fully converged for the time being... possibly. As for yang, it is a bit more complicated since every ninjutsu utilizes a portion of yang application by giving nature-attributed-chakra a form so, my take on it would be through Shape Transformation of Chakra."

Jiraiya's eyes were dim now. His student was too smart but also too dumb as he didn't even know that he cockblocked his master!

Yet, Tsunade's eyes glowed, "Or approaching Yang Nature Transformation in the same way as Shape Transformation and giving chakra a substance like making yin more elusive!"

Minato was surprised before he beamed, "That's better!"

--

"Who... opened my wardrobe?" Tsunade questioned the moment she entered as Nono's and Kai's peaceful expressions paled just a tiny bit and their cheeks stung slightly but Nono wouldn't rat him out.

"It was Kushina," Kai spoke up as Kushina's eyes widened.

"I saw her indeed," Nono nodded with her pupil-less green eyes showing utter sincerity. Yet, with a dark expression, Tsunade spoke chillingly, "Kai, why did you touch my crotchless black panties?"

"There—" Kai's breath hitched. Where the hell was that kind of treasure?! Yet... he realized his fatal mistake as Tsunade's amber pupils bore into his pitch-black orbs and she smiled, revealing her biting canines.

"Didn't find them, huh?" Tsunade cracked a brutal pop from her knuckles while Kai frowned and spoke seriously, "Sensei, may I say something."

"It would be rude of me not to let YOU speak your final words," Tsunade's hand whipped out and caught the real Kai sneaking out while the one on the mattress disappeared, much to the other girls chagrin as he was becoming more and more 'dangerous.'

"I... regret nothing," Kai remarked calmly, accepting his fate. He could struggle... he COULD... but that would just increase his sentence.

"Spoken like a true man," Tsunade admired, "A dead man. Even Jiraiya would piss his panties in your situation."

"I'm just... better," Kai shrugged.

--

"You HAD to do it, didn't you, Kai-chan," Mikoto smirked and poked his bruised cheek as he hissed. Unlike them, Nono currently couldn't leave the Senju Compound and couldn't enjoy the deliciousness of Ichiraku Ramen.

"Serves him right!" Kushina slurped the bowl clean and scoffed.

"You know... I'm beginning to understand the reason behind your stinking farts," Kai scowled, "You eat too much ramen!"

Blushing beet red and enranged, Kushina glowered, "Girls don't fart!"

"Um... they do," Teuchi spoke from the side while preparing more ramen as Kushina shot the youth a deadly glare as he replied with a sheepish smile.

"Still, I think Sensei went easy on her favorite student," Mikoto giggled and poked his cheek again, making him suck in a breath of cold air as Tsunade forbade him from using the Mystical Palm Technique to heal.

"Well... you guys should enjoy as much ramen as you can by the end of the month. My supply is being suspended for an indefinite time as there's quite the unrest outside of the village, rumors of war and stuff." Teuchi placed the bowl in front of Kushina, "So, I'm planning to work under Administrative Canteen till the situation becomes normal."

"Damn it!" Kushina sulked.

"I'm sorry to hear that, Teuchi-san."

"No worries, my darling is already working at the canteen and says that while we cannot cook our favorite stuff, the pay is good enough to keep up with the rising prices."

Kai smiled, "Well, hopefully, the war will end quickly if it even occurs in the first place. Your stall still kept the same prices so you're kind of a saint in the market."

"Hehe, the youngest chunin praising me, eh? Oh, by the way, I don't see that Tsume girl? Hasn't she returned?"

"Oh, she became a genin and has her own missions. Said that she wanted to be the second youngest chunin so she barely rests nowadays," Kai shrugged as he recalled Tsume and her Iron Hound Ninken.

"Ah, that must be exhausting," Teuchi shook his head.

The group soon concluded their meal and returned to their respective compounds, silently accompanying a sleeping Mito for an hour, Kai found Kushina entering his room before him and plopping down on her bed in short sobs as Kai's lips twitched.

"I have to train, Kushina-chan..." Kai grumbled. One day of postponing his grind was enough but Kushina had started to enter his room daily now. Not that he really minded but... it was still somewhat distracting to see her curled up on his bed crying like a pitiful girl while he trains without respite... it just gave a wrong sense of things...

"Then train..." Kushina choked between her sobs, "But I won't let you leave me like Grandma is leaving us..."

'I mean... we're all bound to die someday unless Orochimaru finds some immortality jutsu in his quest for learning it all,' Kai shrugged and spoke calmly, "And why the hell would I leave my own home? Just sleep..."

"And you'll be in bed on time?" Kushina inquired with tears still spilling out as Kai pouted, "Yeah... I'll be there. Before that, you better brush your teeth and bathe. You stink!"

"Shut it..." Kushina hissed and rushed into the bathroom.

Meanwhile, Kai took out the paper and started the grind. On the other hand, Kushina, despite saying she would sleep, also took out a stack of papers and distracted herself with training. Both of them just enjoyed each other's silent company until she did fall asleep and Kai climbed up the bed, letting himself be used as a pillow for the girl while still holding one hand out and turning the water wet.

Hey, it's just practice for the future. He would want to turn many things wet with just a touch later on!

Shoutout to Temnizziv and shadow!!

Read 30 advance chapters here—

Patre /Fanharem

And do vote some powerstones~

Join the discord for well... uh, dead chat room~

https : /discord.gg/egdFUe5

The addition of new stats only slightly changed a few things for Kai. The iryo-ninjutsu skills do have a yin and yang nature but the ninjutsu themselves do not have any reason to improve nature transformation because, as Tsunade stated, they did not actively mold their chakra in that manner but used a crutch. So, his Yin and Yang were barely higher than other natures.

BUT the skill he gained later was a game-changer when Tsunade gave everyone a slip of normal paper and asked them to exert their chakra on that paper. Unlike chakra paper which was too sensitive to the elements in chakra, the regular slip of paper barely showed any reaction at all and that was their task entirely. To make the paper go through a similar reaction as the chakra paper but for Kushina, it was a step harder. Tsunade wanted her to make the paper entirely damp by trying and focusing on water. Chakra being part physical and part spiritual would show a reaction to her focus but again, it would be hard since even Mikoto, who could Ninjutsu, barely made her paper the slightest bit toasty.

And given the fact he already had a water ninjutsu purchased and waiting to be trained, Kai chose to start with Water Nature Transformation, too.

[Water Nature Transformation (1/50): Convert chakra extended out of the body into the element of water. Increases the mastery of water stat by 0.4 at every level. Reduces chakra wastage by 0.06 at every level.

Next Level: Convert 5643/7000 chakra points into the element of water or 14 SP]

Just the basics were similar to a B-ranked Jutsu and there was still 6 more nature transformation left which meant another 300 SP!

Oh goody!

As such, away from prying eyes, Kai, Mikoto, Kushina, and Nono sat in Tsunade's bedroom and continued to pull a reaction out of the damn paper!

It's been 2 days already but Kai was close to the first level up. The moment he levels up, he would get another dose of knowledge and the grind would grow stronger!

But... again, they were in Tsunade's room and Kai was a boy with a man's healthy and imaginative mind. He couldn't help but look around as the girls had concentrated expressions and he lamented a lack of a proper friend. His connection with Minato gradually broke off due to him being busy with missions and Minato growing more and more closeted with his lust for seals. It wasn't love but full-on lust!

Besides, Kai had a reason to doubt that Minato may not share his interest in Tsunade's— Senju's Secret.

Looking at the slightly damp paper in his hands, Kai climbed down Tsunade's massive bed when Mikoto perked up and asked suspiciously, "Where are you going?"

"Throwing this in the dustbin," Kai smiled sincerely and met her suspicious gaze. Kushina paid them no heed since her task was much harder while Nono was making a good amount of progress, too.

"You remember what Sensei said, right? No rummaging through her stuff!" Mikoto glared at the boy as Kai blinked and looked around. Aside from the large bed and a dressing table to its side, there was one wardrobe and two drawers next to it. "Of course, I remember that," Kai muttered, "And why would you think I would do something like that?"

"Why are you inching closer to that drawer?" Mikoto raised her brows as Kai frowned, "It's your imagination."

"Kai-chan, don't do it," Mikoto warned with a threatening glare as Nono smirked and looked up. But instead of Kai in front of them, she looked towards the wardrobe discreetly as Kai inched ever so slowly towards the drawer.

"I'll tell Sensei!" Mikoto glowered.

"Tch, you're no fun," Kai just disappeared into thin air as Mikoto blinked and snapped her gaze in his direction as he was still sitting on the bed with the paper in his hands.

"Did you..." she inquired as Kai shrugged, "Of course, not. I was just waiting here."

Nono's smirk widened as Kai looked in her direction and winked. Oh, he wasn't the least bit worried she found him opening the doors to heaven and Kai realized maybe he didn't need to long for a guy friend. Nono had a built-in bro-code archive as she chuckled, "He was sitting there the entire time. Don't worry."

Mikoto still looked a little suspicious but nodded nonetheless, "Fine... and you should focus on training, Kai-chan... we're all stuck here because of you in the first place."

"Yes, yes, Mikoto-chan," Kai grinned as the girl pouted sourly and continued with the training.

"So?" More curious about her Sensei's and employer's wardrobe, Nono shifted closer to Kai and inquired in a hushed whisper.

"It was great," Kai grinned, "I'll create an illusion for you to see it."

"Hehe," Nono giggled softly, both of them huddled together and continued to discuss the holy number while Kushina and Mikoto stopped their training and looked at the duo. They were incensed, no doubt. From Kai and Nono! He was their friend first and then Nono came but the minx's hold of their Kai-chan displeased them greatly and Kushina finally decided to interject, "Hmph, I'm sleeping with him!"

Her words froze everyone's expression. With a short smirk then, Kushina refused to elaborate and began her training again.

--

"Hoho! How does my team look, hmm, Tsunade?" Jiraiya inquired with a grin in Training Ground 11. He tried to get Training Ground 69 but failed...

"Eh," Tsunade shrugged as she saw Noha and Hiro sparring while Minato was cross-legged on the ground, scribbling seals and trying to form them again with chakra itself. The boy wasn't too talented in this regard but he had the appropriate drive and creativity for it.

Compared to this team, hers was just too far beyond at the time. It wasn't just their talent, Tsunade worked the three to their bones while the fourth, one and only boy, was happy to even suffer a hundred times the usual amount if it meant another level of progress for the day. Honestly, it was that craziness of his slowly affecting the team but Tsunade knew how to keep things balanced.

Jiraiya instantly rolled his eyes at her reaction and inquired, "So? Are finally going on a date~"

"Date with castration, maybe." He winced at her words as she continued, "I'm here to ask if you have any methods of training Yang Nature Transformation?"

"Hoh? Did someone from your team get that affinity?"

"No," Tsunade sighed, "It's for me. I got an idea from Orochi's research and want to raise my mastery in Yang Transformation," she was honest for the most part.

"Another jutsu, huh... let's see. My summons has some form of training for all the nature transformation but they wouldn't want it known to others. But I think I can get a few hints!" Jiraiya beamed and looked at Tsunade before wagging his brows.

Groaning in exasperation, she questioned, "Fine, what is it?"

"Heh, a—"

Before Jiraiya could place his price, Minato chimed, "Sensei, are you talking about Nature Transformation? I completed your assignment on it."

Minato grinned and stood up while jogging towards Jiraiya.

"You're teaching him nature transformation?" Tsunade raised her brows.

"Nah, I just gave him some homework to think for himself and cleared the theory part. You know, hand seals being a crutch and all. Besides, if I want to send him there for training and keep him away from war... better to be a good Sensei now."

Tsunade blinked owlishly as Minato bowed towards Tsunade slightly and spoke up, "The best way to practice nature transformation, as you asked of me, would be a repetition of the reactions caused by the most sensitive chakra paper to the least sensitive item."

Jiraiya nodded, "Yes, yes, good work, Minato-kun. I'm a little busy with—"

"What about Yin and Yang? Chakra paper and normal paper can be colored black and white but what about higher practices?" She had an amused expression, not really expecting an answer but Jiraiya felt a little ominous as he saw Minato's blue eyes light up.

"Yin is shaping of spirituality and yang is giving form to the said spirituality in its most basic sense. I think the best way to train yin nature is with the state of the chakra itself. If the spiritual aspect of chakra can be isolated or fully converged for the time being... possibly. As for yang, it is a bit more complicated since every ninjutsu utilizes a portion of yang application by giving nature-attributed-chakra a form so, my take on it would be through Shape Transformation of Chakra."

Jiraiya's eyes were dim now. His student was too smart but also too dumb as he didn't even know that he cockblocked his master!

Yet, Tsunade's eyes glowed, "Or approaching Yang Nature Transformation in the same way as Shape Transformation and giving chakra a substance like making yin more elusive!"

Minato was surprised before he beamed, "That's better!"

--

"Who... opened my wardrobe?" Tsunade questioned the moment she entered as Nono's and Kai's peaceful expressions paled just a tiny bit and their cheeks stung slightly but Nono wouldn't rat him out.

"It was Kushina," Kai spoke up as Kushina's eyes widened.

"I saw her indeed," Nono nodded with her pupil-less green eyes showing utter sincerity. Yet, with a dark expression, Tsunade spoke chillingly, "Kai, why did you touch my crotchless black panties?"

"There—" Kai's breath hitched. Where the hell was that kind of treasure?! Yet... he realized his fatal mistake as Tsunade's amber pupils bore into his pitch-black orbs and she smiled, revealing her biting canines.

"Didn't find them, huh?" Tsunade cracked a brutal pop from her knuckles while Kai frowned and spoke seriously, "Sensei, may I say something."

"It would be rude of me not to let YOU speak your final words," Tsunade's hand whipped out and caught the real Kai sneaking out while the one on the mattress disappeared, much to the other girls chagrin as he was becoming more and more 'dangerous.'

"I... regret nothing," Kai remarked calmly, accepting his fate. He could struggle... he COULD... but that would just increase his sentence.

"Spoken like a true man," Tsunade admired, "A dead man. Even Jiraiya would piss his panties in your situation."

"I'm just... better," Kai shrugged.

--

"You HAD to do it, didn't you, Kai-chan," Mikoto smirked and poked his bruised cheek as he hissed. Unlike them, Nono currently couldn't leave the Senju Compound and couldn't enjoy the deliciousness of Ichiraku Ramen.

"Serves him right!" Kushina slurped the bowl clean and scoffed.

"You know... I'm beginning to understand the reason behind your stinking farts," Kai scowled, "You eat too much ramen!"

Blushing beet red and enranged, Kushina glowered, "Girls don't fart!"

"Um... they do," Teuchi spoke from the side while preparing more ramen as Kushina shot the youth a deadly glare as he replied with a sheepish smile.

"Still, I think Sensei went easy on her favorite student," Mikoto giggled and poked his cheek again, making him suck in a breath of cold air as Tsunade forbade him from using the Mystical Palm Technique to heal.

"Well... you guys should enjoy as much ramen as you can by the end of the month. My supply is being suspended for an indefinite time as there's quite the unrest outside of the village, rumors of war and stuff." Teuchi placed the bowl in front of Kushina, "So, I'm planning to work under Administrative Canteen till the situation becomes normal."

"Damn it!" Kushina sulked.

"I'm sorry to hear that, Teuchi-san."

"No worries, my darling is already working at the canteen and says that while we cannot cook our favorite stuff, the pay is good enough to keep up with the rising prices."

Kai smiled, "Well, hopefully, the war will end quickly if it even occurs in the first place. Your stall still kept the same prices so you're kind of a saint in the market."

"Hehe, the youngest chunin praising me, eh? Oh, by the way, I don't see that Tsume girl? Hasn't she returned?"

"Oh, she became a genin and has her own missions. Said that she wanted to be the second youngest chunin so she barely rests nowadays," Kai shrugged as he recalled Tsume and her Iron Hound Ninken.

"Ah, that must be exhausting," Teuchi shook his head.

The group soon concluded their meal and returned to their respective compounds, silently accompanying a sleeping Mito for an hour, Kai found Kushina entering his room before him and plopping down on her bed in short sobs as Kai's lips twitched.

"I have to train, Kushina-chan..." Kai grumbled. One day of postponing his grind was enough but Kushina had started to enter his room daily now. Not that he really minded but... it was still somewhat distracting to see her curled up on his bed crying like a pitiful girl while he trains without respite... it just gave a wrong sense of things...

"Then train..." Kushina choked between her sobs, "But I won't let you leave me like Grandma is leaving us..."

'I mean... we're all bound to die someday unless Orochimaru finds some immortality jutsu in his quest for learning it all,' Kai shrugged and spoke calmly, "And why the hell would I leave my own home? Just sleep..."

"And you'll be in bed on time?" Kushina inquired with tears still spilling out as Kai pouted, "Yeah... I'll be there. Before that, you better brush your teeth and bathe. You stink!"

"Shut it..." Kushina hissed and rushed into the bathroom.

Meanwhile, Kai took out the paper and started the grind. On the other hand, Kushina, despite saying she would sleep, also took out a stack of papers and distracted herself with training. Both of them just enjoyed each other's silent company until she did fall asleep and Kai climbed up the bed, letting himself be used as a pillow for the girl while still holding one hand out and turning the water wet.

Hey, it's just practice for the future. He would want to turn many things wet with just a touch later on!

Shoutout to Temnizziv and shadow!!

Read 30 advance chapters here—

Patre /Fanharem

And do vote some powerstones~

Join the discord for well... uh, dead chat room~

https : /discord.gg/egdFUe5

One would think that the Hokage has it all. Strength, power, probably women aside from their wife or at times, wives, wealth beyond belief. But not him. Not the Hokages it would seem as Hiruzen felt cursed. He'd had a boy last year, Asuma Sarutobi, and what he wouldn't give away to be with him... what he knowingly refused to give away. Hiruzen was aware of his vices by now.

He had strength, yes, but it was shackled by a desk and a hat of power. He had political power, sure, but it was shackled by the council of clans and the Daimyo of the Land of Fire. He had a wife, yes, but keeping them parted was a mountain of paperwork that he CHOSE to do. He had wealth, not beyond belief, but he and his clan were certainly rich yet, he couldn't spend it on himself or shower his family with the love they deserved.

He chose to be here. He would argue, for the good of the clan. But Hiruzen was being increasingly perceptive that the reason was a bit too personal... a bit too selfish. He enjoyed this. The frustration in his veins as he sat in front of the three elders, his comrades from war, as they bickered about anything and everything. He was innocent before but... that's power for you. It's seductive, far beyond his wife's touch. It's corruptive, far beyond an Uchiha's Sharingan. Hiruzen felt he could keep it at bay and he was succeeding at that, but the fact that he refused to give it up even after more than 10 years with already quite several prospective candidates ready to take over the position made it clear... he had changed.

When? Sarutobi didn't know.

But he had changed.

"I propose to enlist Chunin Kai into war missions," Danzo's words broke Hiruzen out of his thoughts as Homura and Koharu grew silent. They... had their fears about the boy. His growth was monstrous and their little control over him due to his affiliations with the Uzumaki Clan and the Senju Clan. But they knew that Hiruzen won't take the news kindly. All of them could perceive his changes but a few things remained the same.

The Will of Fire, as dictated to others, also remained in Hiruzen Sarutobi but he wondered if it had been twisted. It couldn't be, right? The thought of sending a child... to a war...

"And I propose you're out of your goddamn mind!" Hiruzen narrowed his eyes, obviously aware of the fears of his friends but before they could berate him, he added coldly, "And I also propose one Anbu unit is enough under the Hokage as all Root does anything different is the added seal mark that I allowed you to put on the men and women of Konohagakure. I also propose that men and women ill in mind be removed from the Advisory Council of the Elders because if you're suggesting to send a child to war, contradicting the very thing that formed this village, then you're out of your damn minds!"

Danzo, Koharu, and Homura instantly felt stifled with his chiding, fully knowing that there are a few things Hiruzen would never budge for or would be persuaded in favor of. Danzo frowned and gritted his teeth, "Kai killed his first prisoner without an ounce of trauma. He has shown enough talent and my sources are 20 sure that Team Tsunade has already started to train in Nature Transformation and if his previous record and growth indicate anything is that he will be ready for war. Would you keep away such a prospective jonin away from war when he could work for the village and save as many allies as possible?"

But sweet and flowery words won't have any effects as Hiruzen inhaled the 'stuff' from his pipe to calm his nerves before he does something stupid like stripping Danzo of his position and spoke a bit more calmly now, "Yes, I would keep away such a boy from the impending war."

The straight refusal made Danzo feel a little bitter. But he only felt like that for a second as Koharu frowned and added, "Hiruzen... as much as I understand your concerns. The war may make us lose sight of some internal problems. The Uzushiogakure has refused our call for assistance and refuses to participate in a war, claiming that they will have no hand in another wave of bloodshed. And given how the other three villages have long torn away from the pretenses, they are fortifying their borders quicker than we are... and now there's the problem of Uchiha."

As Hiruzen had expected before, Uchiha would want to support the village when Tsunade's actions of funding the village through the Senju Treasury became apparent. Hiruzen thought he knew the deeper problem that the Senju clan was being targeted by mysterious forces. The Uchihas stepped up by enlisting their young chunins for war forces. Well, it was clear that Hiruzen was just a few months away from ordering them either way, but their act of voluntarily doing this made the elders curse Uchihas. This wouldn't have happened if the Senju and the Uchiha weren't showing signs of cordiality most beneficial for the village but... terrible news for the elders.

Hiruzen narrowed his eyes. Cordial or not... Uchiha had a complicated history. A past that made the present fear them. After all, they were just one Madara away from destroying the village and from what it looks like, a new Hashirama is too rare to come by again.

'No... there already are a few candidates that WILL surpass me...' The first thought of Hiruzen went towards his own three disciples.

Tsunade with her Iryo-nin and massive strength threatening even the likes of Kages alongside her naturally strong body and healing factor due to her Senju Kekkei Genkai.

Orochimaru with his unorthodox and unpredictable fighting style that makes it harder to counter him and his interest in jutsus unheard of makes him a threat to the uninformed.

And Jiraiya. Call him whatever you want but Hiruzen, Orochimaru, and Tsunade were well aware that the man of white mane had the potential to learn something that only the first Hokage ever mastered and his training was going well. Jiraiya's strength lay in his luck. If Tsunade is a gambling hellhole then Jiraiya will remain the ace that best all the cards when it matters the most.

Then Hiruzen recalled the reports on their disciples.

The first and the most unassuming— Nawaki. A solid chunin candidate that will become a Jonin in time. Deep clan heritage and he had inherited only the good things from his clan as his body's resilience was second to none among his clan peers and Orochimaru's training only enhanced the boy's good qualities while covering the most glaring holes.

Then came Minato. Jiraiya had some rather stellar hopes for the boy and was already preparing him in a way that would allow Minato to learn THAT skill more easily, something Jiraiya wished he did while growing up. Minato also showed a good amount of Fuinjutsu talent and managed to gain some form of improvement from Lord Second's scroll. Hiruzen figured that Tsunade would come knocking and demand the scroll for her disciples, too, something he would have provided but... she never did.

Last but surely not the least was Kai. Hiruzen didn't know where to start in a rare moment of speechlessness. If Minato had stellar hopes riding on his shoulders then Kai had those hopes surpassed already in more ways than one. Reports from Tsunade were clear enough. Training ethic, unmatched. Mission ethic, too good. Taijutsu at the level that Tsunade wondered if he stole the Senju Clan's knowledge. Ninjutsu and sensory skills being top-notch. Fuinjutsu skills that would allow him to set up a business venture related to the shinobi tools easily. Orochimaru praised the boy for his Genjutsu expertise more. One thing that did put a blemish was his... and Jiraiya's acts of cordiality, they say. Exchanging magazines and stuff... some of which even Hiruzen was envious of.

But nobody is perfect.

Then came the two rather contentious candidates.

Kushima Uzumaki and Mikoto Uchiha. Kushina... could never replace him, not with the role she was brought in Konoha to fulfill. Meanwhile, Mikoto's ancestry did make things harder for her but not impossible. Not with the Uchiha's current reputation that grew with the knowledge of them voluntarily enlisting their men to preserve the peace outside as they would do inside.

The reality was that even now, nobody would admit publicly that a war is brewing. None would.

Hiruzen leaned back on his chair, arms crossing as he set his pipe on the table meaning that their 'informal' chat was coming to an end, "If all you three are here to do is complain and fuss over things then I believe we have a war to prepare. Anything else?"

They grew silent and eventually shook their heads, making Hiruzen wonder what even they really wanted from him? Should he just wipe the Uchiha and Senju just because they can sleep easily? Hiruzen... failed to even see the shadow of his comrades that Homura and Koharu were once while Danzo... for all his strength and abilities to get work done, his radical mindset was starting to become the slightest more bothersome.

But that wasn't the end of it. The elders had a... habit of having a word with him before the actual council so that they could have things go a bit in their favor and Hiruzen knew he was a bit biased in their favor for unimportant things. Soon, he walked out, too. Walking down the familiar hall in the Hokage Building, he soon entered the room filled with the elders he just dismissed and the clan leaders.

Settling down and taking a breath, Hiruzen looked over to the Village's Jonin Commander— Shikudo Nara as he sat straight in one of the rare moments of attentiveness, "Commander Nara... did you set up the 'Diplomatic' Missions Center?"

"It was set up today, Lord Hokage," Shikudo revealed as others looked at him, "These Diplomatic Missions will all be considered at least B-rank missions with the number of shinobi and kunoichi expected entirely dependent on the Hokage's discretion. That is what will be published outside. The war missions will range from the assassination of high profile targets based on our intelligence and setting up outposts in Amegakure."

"As everyone here is informed already, Hanzo of Amegakure will allow the war to occur on the outskirts of his land. For every village destroyed, he expects payment in the form of Shinobi tools, seal, and of course, money."

"But this is only one such case. Hanzo is a man too strong to be antagonized and if he is offering a method for us to deal with our problems, it is expected we take it. Such conditions, however, cannot be expected from the Land of Rice, Waterfall, Grass, and Hotsprings. The Diplomatic Missions will be focused on these lands and a few missions we must complete for Hanzo free of charge that will involve... the liberation of some occupied lands in Amegakure..."

The meaning was clear. They'd have to act like Hanzo's butcher and cull the populace against his tyranny while they themselves will be the tyrant who will have to occupy some advantageous locations...

"You're suggesting that Konoha starts the war," As usual, quick to pick on and not beating around the bush, the Aburame clan head concluded calmly.

There was silence in the council at the moment. Hiruzen noted the flashes of silent indignation on many. Most notable of them came from the Akimichi head, Tsunade, Yamanaka, and Shikudo himself. But Hiruzen knew that everyone on the table understood one thing. The moment the enemy finds their sweet time to start the war, they will be utterly prepared. Konohagakure is strong. Arguably, the strongest. But if the three manage to reach the level of preparation they felt enough to face Konoha, then Hiruzen felt they would have to face tremendous losses while defending themselves.

"The First Hokage," Hiruzen looked a little thoughtful. He wouldn't have done this but things were shifting and if he wanted to remain on top of it... he must give the credit when deserved, "And Madara Uchiha created the village so that no child faces a war without them meaning to."

Many shuffled in their seats and even Yata Uchiha looked a bit speechless before a gratifying smile touched his lips which were in stark opposition to Danzo's thinned lips and his eye narrowed in a reproachful look.

"The Second Hokage appointed me the Third Hokage before sacrificing his life against the forces deployed by Third Raikage during his coup against the Second Raikage. Konoha is built on the spirit of sacrifice and if it means sacrificing our morals, our values, and even our lives to protect the lives of our future generation so they may grow safely... we must do what is necessary."

Hiruzen took a deep breath. He had witnessed large battles but never had he witnessed or even initiated a war. Yet, here he was.

Strangling the last bit of hesitation, Hiruzen remarked unexpectedly quietly for such a shaking action, "Prepare the men for the Diplomatic Missions. All of you will now answer to the orders related to war and the relevant clan privileges will cease until the war is successfully passed. Every A-rank and above Diplomatic mission must be completed successfully with failure not being an option."

His cold words filled the room in chilling silence as they all quietly stood up and bowed, indicating their acceptance of the situation without any squeak of resistance.

Shoutout to Sam and AgentBoin!!

Read 30 advance chapters here—

Patre /Fanharem

And do vote some powerstones~

Join the discord for well... uh, dead chat room~

https : /discord.gg/egdFUe5

One would think that the Hokage has it all. Strength, power, probably women aside from their wife or at times, wives, wealth beyond belief. But not him. Not the Hokages it would seem as Hiruzen felt cursed. He'd had a boy last year, Asuma Sarutobi, and what he wouldn't give away to be with him... what he knowingly refused to give away. Hiruzen was aware of his vices by now.

He had strength, yes, but it was shackled by a desk and a hat of power. He had political power, sure, but it was shackled by the council of clans and the Daimyo of the Land of Fire. He had a wife, yes, but keeping them parted was a mountain of paperwork that he CHOSE to do. He had wealth, not beyond belief, but he and his clan were certainly rich yet, he couldn't spend it on himself or shower his family with the love they deserved.

He chose to be here. He would argue, for the good of the clan. But Hiruzen was being increasingly perceptive that the reason was a bit too personal... a bit too selfish. He enjoyed this. The frustration in his veins as he sat in front of the three elders, his comrades from war, as they bickered about anything and everything. He was innocent before but... that's power for you. It's seductive, far beyond his wife's touch. It's corruptive, far beyond an Uchiha's Sharingan. Hiruzen felt he could keep it at bay and he was succeeding at that, but the fact that he refused to give it up even after more than 10 years with already quite several prospective candidates ready to take over the position made it clear... he had changed.

When? Sarutobi didn't know.

But he had changed.

"I propose to enlist Chunin Kai into war missions," Danzo's words broke Hiruzen out of his thoughts as Homura and Koharu grew silent. They... had their fears about the boy. His growth was monstrous and their little control over him due to his affiliations with the Uzumaki Clan and the Senju Clan. But they knew that Hiruzen won't take the news kindly. All of them could perceive his changes but a few things remained the same.

The Will of Fire, as dictated to others, also remained in Hiruzen Sarutobi but he wondered if it had been twisted. It couldn't be, right? The thought of sending a child... to a war...

"And I propose you're out of your goddamn mind!" Hiruzen narrowed his eyes, obviously aware of the fears of his friends but before they could berate him, he added coldly, "And I also propose one Anbu unit is enough under the Hokage as all Root does anything different is the added seal mark that I allowed you to put on the men and women of Konohagakure. I also propose that men and women ill in mind be removed from the Advisory Council of the Elders because if you're suggesting to send a child to war, contradicting the very thing that formed this village, then you're out of your damn minds!"

Danzo, Koharu, and Homura instantly felt stifled with his chiding, fully knowing that there are a few things Hiruzen would never budge for or would be persuaded in favor of. Danzo frowned and gritted his teeth, "Kai killed his first prisoner without an ounce of trauma. He has shown enough talent and my sources are 20 sure that Team Tsunade has already started to train in Nature Transformation and if his previous record and growth indicate anything is that he will be ready for war. Would you keep away such a prospective jonin away from war when he could work for the village and save as many allies as possible?"

But sweet and flowery words won't have any effects as Hiruzen inhaled the 'stuff' from his pipe to calm his nerves before he does something stupid like stripping Danzo of his position and spoke a bit more calmly now, "Yes, I would keep away such a boy from the impending war."

The straight refusal made Danzo feel a little bitter. But he only felt like that for a second as Koharu frowned and added, "Hiruzen... as much as I understand your concerns. The war may make us lose sight of some internal problems. The Uzushiogakure has refused our call for assistance and refuses to participate in a war, claiming that they will have no hand in another wave of bloodshed. And given how the other three villages have long torn away from the pretenses, they are fortifying their borders quicker than we are... and now there's the problem of Uchiha."

As Hiruzen had expected before, Uchiha would want to support the village when Tsunade's actions of funding the village through the Senju Treasury became apparent. Hiruzen thought he knew the deeper problem that the Senju clan was being targeted by mysterious forces. The Uchihas stepped up by enlisting their young chunins for war forces. Well, it was clear that Hiruzen was just a few months away from ordering them either way, but their act of voluntarily doing this made the elders curse Uchihas. This wouldn't have happened if the Senju and the Uchiha weren't showing signs of cordiality most beneficial for the village but... terrible news for the elders.

Hiruzen narrowed his eyes. Cordial or not... Uchiha had a complicated history. A past that made the present fear them. After all, they were just one Madara away from destroying the village and from what it looks like, a new Hashirama is too rare to come by again.

'No... there already are a few candidates that WILL surpass me...' The first thought of Hiruzen went towards his own three disciples.

Tsunade with her Iryo-nin and massive strength threatening even the likes of Kages alongside her naturally strong body and healing factor due to her Senju Kekkei Genkai.

Orochimaru with his unorthodox and unpredictable fighting style that makes it harder to counter him and his interest in jutsus unheard of makes him a threat to the uninformed.

And Jiraiya. Call him whatever you want but Hiruzen, Orochimaru, and Tsunade were well aware that the man of white mane had the potential to learn something that only the first Hokage ever mastered and his training was going well. Jiraiya's strength lay in his luck. If Tsunade is a gambling hellhole then Jiraiya will remain the ace that best all the cards when it matters the most.

Then Hiruzen recalled the reports on their disciples.

The first and the most unassuming— Nawaki. A solid chunin candidate that will become a Jonin in time. Deep clan heritage and he had inherited only the good things from his clan as his body's resilience was second to none among his clan peers and Orochimaru's training only enhanced the boy's good qualities while covering the most glaring holes.

Then came Minato. Jiraiya had some rather stellar hopes for the boy and was already preparing him in a way that would allow Minato to learn THAT skill more easily, something Jiraiya wished he did while growing up. Minato also showed a good amount of Fuinjutsu talent and managed to gain some form of improvement from Lord Second's scroll. Hiruzen figured that Tsunade would come knocking and demand the scroll for her disciples, too, something he would have provided but... she never did.

Last but surely not the least was Kai. Hiruzen didn't know where to start in a rare moment of speechlessness. If Minato had stellar hopes riding on his shoulders then Kai had those hopes surpassed already in more ways than one. Reports from Tsunade were clear enough. Training ethic, unmatched. Mission ethic, too good. Taijutsu at the level that Tsunade wondered if he stole the Senju Clan's knowledge. Ninjutsu and sensory skills being top-notch. Fuinjutsu skills that would allow him to set up a business venture related to the shinobi tools easily. Orochimaru praised the boy for his Genjutsu expertise more. One thing that did put a blemish was his... and Jiraiya's acts of cordiality, they say. Exchanging magazines and stuff... some of which even Hiruzen was envious of.

But nobody is perfect.

Then came the two rather contentious candidates.

Kushima Uzumaki and Mikoto Uchiha. Kushina... could never replace him, not with the role she was brought in Konoha to fulfill. Meanwhile, Mikoto's ancestry did make things harder for her but not impossible. Not with the Uchiha's current reputation that grew with the knowledge of them voluntarily enlisting their men to preserve the peace outside as they would do inside.

The reality was that even now, nobody would admit publicly that a war is brewing. None would.

Hiruzen leaned back on his chair, arms crossing as he set his pipe on the table meaning that their 'informal' chat was coming to an end, "If all you three are here to do is complain and fuss over things then I believe we have a war to prepare. Anything else?"

They grew silent and eventually shook their heads, making Hiruzen wonder what even they really wanted from him? Should he just wipe the Uchiha and Senju just because they can sleep easily? Hiruzen... failed to even see the shadow of his comrades that Homura and Koharu were once while Danzo... for all his strength and abilities to get work done, his radical mindset was starting to become the slightest more bothersome.

But that wasn't the end of it. The elders had a... habit of having a word with him before the actual council so that they could have things go a bit in their favor and Hiruzen knew he was a bit biased in their favor for unimportant things. Soon, he walked out, too. Walking down the familiar hall in the Hokage Building, he soon entered the room filled with the elders he just dismissed and the clan leaders.

Settling down and taking a breath, Hiruzen looked over to the Village's Jonin Commander— Shikudo Nara as he sat straight in one of the rare moments of attentiveness, "Commander Nara... did you set up the 'Diplomatic' Missions Center?"

"It was set up today, Lord Hokage," Shikudo revealed as others looked at him, "These Diplomatic Missions will all be considered at least B-rank missions with the number of shinobi and kunoichi expected entirely dependent on the Hokage's discretion. That is what will be published outside. The war missions will range from the assassination of high profile targets based on our intelligence and setting up outposts in Amegakure."

"As everyone here is informed already, Hanzo of Amegakure will allow the war to occur on the outskirts of his land. For every village destroyed, he expects payment in the form of Shinobi tools, seal, and of course, money."

"But this is only one such case. Hanzo is a man too strong to be antagonized and if he is offering a method for us to deal with our problems, it is expected we take it. Such conditions, however, cannot be expected from the Land of Rice, Waterfall, Grass, and Hotsprings. The Diplomatic Missions will be focused on these lands and a few missions we must complete for Hanzo free of charge that will involve... the liberation of some occupied lands in Amegakure..."

The meaning was clear. They'd have to act like Hanzo's butcher and cull the populace against his tyranny while they themselves will be the tyrant who will have to occupy some advantageous locations...

"You're suggesting that Konoha starts the war," As usual, quick to pick on and not beating around the bush, the Aburame clan head concluded calmly.

There was silence in the council at the moment. Hiruzen noted the flashes of silent indignation on many. Most notable of them came from the Akimichi head, Tsunade, Yamanaka, and Shikudo himself. But Hiruzen knew that everyone on the table understood one thing. The moment the enemy finds their sweet time to start the war, they will be utterly prepared. Konohagakure is strong. Arguably, the strongest. But if the three manage to reach the level of preparation they felt enough to face Konoha, then Hiruzen felt they would have to face tremendous losses while defending themselves.

"The First Hokage," Hiruzen looked a little thoughtful. He wouldn't have done this but things were shifting and if he wanted to remain on top of it... he must give the credit when deserved, "And Madara Uchiha created the village so that no child faces a war without them meaning to."

Many shuffled in their seats and even Yata Uchiha looked a bit speechless before a gratifying smile touched his lips which were in stark opposition to Danzo's thinned lips and his eye narrowed in a reproachful look.

"The Second Hokage appointed me the Third Hokage before sacrificing his life against the forces deployed by Third Raikage during his coup against the Second Raikage. Konoha is built on the spirit of sacrifice and if it means sacrificing our morals, our values, and even our lives to protect the lives of our future generation so they may grow safely... we must do what is necessary."

Hiruzen took a deep breath. He had witnessed large battles but never had he witnessed or even initiated a war. Yet, here he was.

Strangling the last bit of hesitation, Hiruzen remarked unexpectedly quietly for such a shaking action, "Prepare the men for the Diplomatic Missions. All of you will now answer to the orders related to war and the relevant clan privileges will cease until the war is successfully passed. Every A-rank and above Diplomatic mission must be completed successfully with failure not being an option."

His cold words filled the room in chilling silence as they all quietly stood up and bowed, indicating their acceptance of the situation without any squeak of resistance.

Shoutout to Sam and AgentBoin!!

Read 30 advance chapters here—

Patre /Fanharem

And do vote some powerstones~

Join the discord for well... uh, dead chat room~

https : /discord.gg/egdFUe5