Picking on the New Students

The result, however, was beyond Shangguan Yue's expectations. In his fuzzy memories, Kushina had clearly said she wanted to become Konoha's first female Hokage.

But this time, she'd changed her answer. She simply said she wanted to be a housewife, and her wish was to catch someone's attention.

Shangguan Yue was completely baffled. Nawaki, standing nearby, was just as carefree and thickheaded as ever.

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

At Nawaki's question, Shangguan Yue inexplicably felt a wave of irritation. She didn't tell me either.

The other students had changed, too. No one gave Kushina a nickname or said she looked like a red persimmon. It seemed the nickname "Blood Red Pepper" was gone as well.

Instead, Kushina was delicate and sweet, winning everyone's affection. Shangguan Yue didn't realize that under his strong protection, she was gradually beginning to show her true nature.

She no longer had to be helpless and afraid like in the original story, hiding her anxiety behind her hot temper.

Shangguan Yue's heart tightened. What should I do? My arrival has changed so much after all. The butterfly effect is real.

Tsunade has been away for a year. Could my arrival have changed things for her, too?

Shangguan Yue hadn't been worried about Tsunade at all. How could anything happen to her? She'd lived to see the end of the story, after all.

But now he was afraid. Everything Kushina had gone through had changed because of his arrival.

Soon, the first-year students had finished introducing themselves, and class began. Shangguan Yue returned to Class A, second year.

Ignoring the lovestruck looks from the girls in his class and the pile of love letters spilling out of his desk,

Shangguan Yue sat in the classroom, lost in thought. For the first time in a year, he let his mind relax and simply sat there, staring into space.

Far away in the Land of Rain, Tsunade and the others were being pursued by Rain Ninja once again. After several clashes, Hanzo had learned all their tricks.

"Stop running, Hokage's disciples. I know who you are.

"You'll meet your end here today."

Hanzo was furious. For some time now, Orochimaru had been leading Tsunade and Jiraiya around Amegakure.

They'd accidentally foiled Hanzo's plans several times, making him both angry and exasperated with the three pests.

But Orochimaru was Orochimaru, a master of survival in the Ninja World. Under his leadership, they'd always managed to escape danger.

This time, the three of them had uncovered Hanzo's plans for Amegakure and were preparing to withdraw.

At the last moment, Tsunade wanted to ask him some questions. She deliberately revealed herself and was caught by Hanzo. After holding it in for a year, she couldn't take it anymore.

"Orochimaru, let's stop here for a moment. There are some things I need to ask him."

"All right."

Tsunade led the way. The three of them stopped and faced Hanzo from a distance.

"Well, well. Why have the little mice stopped running? I wasn't finished yet."

"Hanzo!!!"

Tsunade's sudden shout startled Hanzo.

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

"Hanzo, tell me: was it you who deliberately leaked that information about the Land of Whirlpools to me a year ago?"

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

"Damn you!"

Tsunade angrily raised her leg. "Heavenly Foot!"

She slammed her foot into the ground, cracking it apart and sending rocks flying. As dust billowed around them, the three formed Hand Seals. "Reverse Summoning Technique!"

They vanished from the spot in a cloud of white smoke, their whereabouts unknown.

The dust soon settled beneath the rain. When the Rain Ninja saw the three had disappeared, they searched the area for a while.

Hanzo spotted a tiny toad, a little snake, and a small Katsuyu on the ground. They were all animals without intelligence, and he seemed to realize something.

He said nothing, merely waving his hand. "Let's go back. They've escaped."

"Reverse Summoning Technique. What three extraordinary talents.

"I have no idea where they went through the Reverse Summoning Technique. But once they leave, they can't come back. They were quick to escape—and that suits me just fine."

At that moment, the three appeared in their respective summoning realms.

Orochimaru appeared in Ryūchi Cave. After confirming he was safe, he left. None of the summoning creatures stirred at his arrival.

Jiraiya appeared at Mount Myoboku. He was just about to leave when someone called out to him.

"Jiraiya, wait a moment. I've been waiting here for you."

"Huh? Lord Fukasaku, what are you doing here?"

"The Great Toad Sage said you'd appear here around this time. I need to teach you Sage Mode, so you'll be ready to search for the Child of Prophecy later."

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

"Sage Mode uses Natural Energy to enhance your ninjutsu, Taijutsu, and genjutsu.

"Our Sage Mode at Mount Myoboku requires the help of our Toad Oil. Otherwise, it's easy to lose control and turn to stone.

"I don't know about the Child of Prophecy either. The Great Toad Sage foresaw it, so it must exist. You'll have to find out for yourself, Jiraiya."

"Okay, I'll learn!"

After a year of being pursued, he felt an urgent need to grow stronger. On top of that, he couldn't stand always falling behind Orochimaru.

Tsunade arrived at Shikkotsu Forest and knelt on the ground, her gaze vacant.

"It's all my fault. If not for my information, the Land of Whirlpools wouldn't have been destroyed so easily."

For the past year, Tsunade had wanted to go back, but she was afraid—afraid to face Uzumaki Mito. She didn't know how to deal with any of it.

Tsunade wandered out of the summoning realm. The next moment, she appeared in the Land of Fire. She slowly walked down the street, heading in the direction of Konoha.

As for Shangguan Yue, after school, he went straight to the first-year classrooms. The students had only just started school, so they were still a novelty to him. He blocked the doorway.

The first-year students were trapped inside. Students from other grades saw what was happening and went around, afraid Shangguan Yue might set his sights on them.

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

There were also members of the Inuzuka Clan and the inconspicuous Aburame and Gekko Clans, among others. They were all minor players.

But as Shangguan Yue casually looked around, he spotted a red-haired little girl among the new students. She seemed to be in Class C.

"Are there other members of the Uzumaki Clan here?"

Shangguan Yue fell into thought. While everyone else stood uncertainly, Uchiha Mikoto was the first to step forward and demand an explanation.

"Hey, who are you? Why are you blocking us?"

"Haha, good question. Who am I?

"I'm the school bully, Shangguan Yue, known as the New Student Terminator—the Thunder Dharma King.

"My goal is simple: either you knock me down, or I knock you all down.

"Well, are you ready? The show's about to begin!!!"

Uzumaki Kushina lowered her head, her face flushed. Brother Yue, this is so embarrassing. Don't say you know me!