Bullying Freshmen

The result, however, exceeded the expectations of Shangguan Yue. In his hazy memories, Kushina had clearly stated that she wanted to become the first female Hokage of Konoha.

But this time, she had changed her tune, stating quite plainly that she wanted to be a housewife, and her wish was simply to attract the attention of a certain someone.

Shangguan Yue was left completely bewildered, while Nawaki, standing to the side, remained as careless and carefree as ever.

"Brother Yue, has Kushina fallen for someone? She didn't tell me, do you know?"

Hearing Nawaki's question, Shangguan Yue felt an inexplicable wave of irritation; she hadn't told him either.

The other classmates had changed as well; there were no nicknames for Kushina, no one calling her a red tomato, and the "Bloody Habanero" moniker seemed to have vanished entirely.

Instead, the soft and delicate Kushina drew everyone's affection. Shangguan Yue did not realize that under his strong protection, Kushina was slowly revealing her true nature.

She no longer needed to be like the original version—helpless, fearful, and using a volatile temper to mask her own insecurity.

Shangguan Yue's heart tightened. What do I do? My arrival has ultimately changed so much; the butterfly effect is in play.

Tsunade has been away for a year now; will she be changed because of my arrival?

Shangguan Yue had originally not worried about Tsunade at all. After all, how could anything happen to her? She was someone who survived until the very end of the story.

But now he was afraid. Everything Kushina had encountered had changed because of his appearance.

Soon, the first-year introductions concluded and classes began, and Shangguan Yue returned to Class 2-A.

He ignored the gazes of the infatuated girls in the class, as well as the pile of love letters that were overflowing from his desk.

Shangguan Yue sat in the classroom, lost in thought. This was the first time in a year that he had relaxed his mind, just sitting there in a quiet daze.

Far away in the Land of Rain, the trio of Tsunade, Orochimaru, and Jiraiya were once again being pursued by Rain Ninjas. After several skirmishes, Hanzo had gained a thorough understanding of the trio's methods.

"Stop running, disciples of the Hokage. I have already grasped your identities."

"Today, you shall meet your end here."

Hanzo was currently extremely annoyed. During this period, Orochimaru had led Tsunade and Jiraiya on a chase throughout Amegakure.

They had accidentally ruined several of Hanzo's plans, making him both angry and frustrated with the three clingy pests.

However, Orochimaru was, after all, Orochimaru—the Ninja World's master of self-preservation. Under his leadership, the group had escaped every time without serious incident.

This time, the trio had already grasped the schemes of the Rain Ninjas and Hanzo, and were preparing to withdraw.

Finally, wanting to ask a few questions, Tsunade intentionally exposed herself to be caught by Hanzo. Having endured for a year, she could no longer hold back.

"Orochimaru, let's stop here. There are some things that need to be cleared up."

"Very well."

Tsunade took the lead, and the three stopped, looking at Hanzo from a distance.

"Yo, why aren't the little mice running anymore? I haven't had my fill yet."

"Hanzo!!!"

Tsunade's sudden loud shout startled Hanzo.

"Why are you shouting so loudly? You'll scare the flowers and plants. What is it?"

"Hanzo, I ask you, was the intelligence regarding the Land of Whirlpools a year ago intentionally leaked to me by you?"

"You figured it out? Yes, I didn't expect you to be so easy to deceive."

"Damn it."

Tsunade angrily raised her leg. "Heavenly Foot."

Tsunade stomped onto the ground, causing it to crack instantly. Gravel flew everywhere, kicking up a cloud of dust. Under the cover of the dust, the three performed hand seals simultaneously: "Reverse Summoning Technique."

The three turned into white smoke and vanished from the spot, their whereabouts unknown.

The kicked-up dust soon dissipated under the curtain of rain. Seeing that the three had vanished, the Rain Ninjas searched for a moment.

Hanzo saw a small toad, a small snake, and a small slug left on the ground—all mindless animals—and realized what had happened.

Without saying another word, he waved his hand. "Let's go, head back. They've escaped."

"Reverse Summoning Technique; they truly are three brilliant individuals."

"Where they went through the Reverse Summoning, I cannot know. But once they leave, they cannot return. Consider yourselves lucky to have run away, though, it suits my purposes just fine."

At this moment, the three appeared in their respective summoning sanctuaries.

Orochimaru appeared in Ryūchi Cave. He confirmed he was safe and left; no summon beasts stirred at his arrival.

Jiraiya appeared on Mount Myoboku. Just as he was about to leave, he was called out.

"Jiraiya, wait a moment. I have been waiting here for a long time."

"Eh? Lord Fukasaku, why are you here?"

"The Great Toad Sage said you would appear here during this time. I need to teach you Sage Mode to facilitate your future search for the Child of Prophecy."

"Sage Mode? Is it very strong? Does the Child of Prophecy really exist?"

"Sage Mode absorbs natural energy to enhance one's ninjutsu, taijutsu, and genjutsu capabilities."

"The Sage Mode of my Mount Myoboku requires the aid of our toad oil; otherwise, it is very easy to lose control and turn into stone."

"As for the Child of Prophecy, I do not know either. Since the Great Toad Sage foresaw it, it must exist, but that will depend on you, Jiraiya."

"Fine, I'll learn it!"

Having just endured a year of being hunted, he now felt an urgent need for strength, compounded by the lingering resentment of always falling behind Orochimaru.

Meanwhile, Tsunade arrived at Shikkotsu Forest, kneeling on the ground with a vacant gaze.

"It is all my fault. If not for my intelligence, the Land of Whirlpools would not have been destroyed so easily."

For the past year, Tsunade had wanted to return, but she was afraid—afraid to face Uzumaki Mito. She did not know how to handle any of this.

Tsunade wandered aimlessly out of the sacred ground, appearing the next moment within the borders of the Land of Fire. She walked slowly down the street, heading in the direction of Konoha.

On Shangguan Yue's side, once classes ended, he went straight to the first-year wing. After all, they were fresh recruits, and he blocked the doorway directly.

The first-year students were trapped inside, while students from other grades saw the situation and gave them a wide berth, terrified of being targeted by Shangguan Yue.

Scanning the crowd, Shangguan Yue spotted Uzumaki Kushina, Uchiha Mikoto, Minato Namikaze, and the new generation of the Ino-Shika-Cho trio: Nara Shikaku, Yamanaka Inoichi, and Akimichi Choza.

There were also members of the Inuzuka Clan, the inconspicuous Aburame Clan, the Gekko Clan, and others—all minor characters.

However, as Shangguan Yue swept his gaze casually, he actually noticed another little girl with red hair among the freshmen, who appeared to be in Class C.

"Are there more members of the Uzumaki Clan?"

Shangguan Yue fell into deep thought. While everyone else was at a loss, Uchiha Mikoto was the first to step forward and challenge him.

"Hey, who are you? Why are you blocking our way?"

"Haha, well asked. Who am I?

I am the bully of the Ninja Academy, known to all as the Freshman Terminator, Shangguan Yue—the Thunder Dharma King himself.

My goal is simple: either you beat me into the ground, or I beat all of you into the ground.

How about it? Are you ready? The show is about to begin!!!"

Uzumaki Kushina lowered her head, her face flushed red. Brother Yue is so embarrassing, please don't let anyone know I know him!