Ordinary Days

"System, draw."

"Congratulations, host. You have obtained a Fire Style Ninjutsu Pack (S-rank), containing Fire Style: Great Fireball Technique (C-rank), Fire Style: Dragon Flame Jutsu (C-rank), Fire Style: Phoenix Flower Claw Crimson (C-rank), Fire Style: Phoenix Flower Jutsu (C-rank), Fire Style: Great Dragon Flame Jutsu (B-rank), Fire Style: Fire Dragon Flame Bullet (B-rank), Fire Style: Majestic Destroyer Flame (A-rank), Fire Style: Great Fire Annihilation (A-rank), and Fire Style: Dragon Flame Song Technique (A-rank)."

"Whoa, did I just go from unlucky to ridiculously lucky?"

Yueshu froze for a moment. He had only used the draw he'd obtained earlier after dueling Minato Namikaze because he was bored. He hadn't expected his luck to explode like this.

"Perfect. Right now, I don't know anything besides Rasengan, so this fills in my weaknesses nicely."

Yueshu smiled. His strength would probably take another huge leap now.

"Stats."

He hadn't checked his strength in a while, so Yueshu took the opportunity to have a look.

Name: Himeshima Tsuki

Status: Normal

Abilities: Rasengan (A-rank), Three-Tomoe Sharingan (B-rank), Senju Bloodline (Unawakened) (A-rank), Sword Mastery (C-rank), Fire Style Ninjutsu Pack (S-rank)

Combat Strength: Chunin (??)

His combat strength had risen from below average to Chunin. He still didn't know how he ranked among the Chunin, but Yueshu had made remarkable progress in just a few months. He had to admit, having a cheat was really nice.

Yueshu stared at the stats panel, a hint of puzzlement in his eyes. It had been a long time, but those question marks still appeared after his combat strength. He couldn't make sense of them.

Unfortunately, the system wasn't much help. It had fallen asleep as soon as it appeared, so asking it now probably wouldn't get him an answer.

"Whatever. Maybe it's just a bug."

Yueshu let it go. There were two other things he wanted to do more.

First, he wanted to find a decent sword so he could put his Sword Mastery to use.

Second, he wanted to try out the Fire Style jutsu he'd just drawn. It was bound to feel amazing.

As he pondered, a clear voice came from outside his room.

It was Tsunade.

"Yueshu, I'm going out for a while. Want to come with me?"

"Just a second. I'll be right there."

Yueshu answered immediately. After the Second Ninja War, Tsunade had developed hemophobia. That might not have mattered much to other people, but for a medical ninja like Tsunade, it was devastating. So even though they'd been back in Konoha for several months, Tsunade had spent most of her time idle.

She was practically a couch potato. Yueshu took care of things around the house, while Tsunade spent her days drinking tea and sleeping. Life couldn't have been more relaxing.

"Then hurry up."

Tsunade replied and walked away with light footsteps.

Yueshu took a deep breath. Then, in the blink of an eye, his eyes transformed into the Three-Tomoe Sharingan.

"I almost forgot. I need to cover this up, or I'll be in serious trouble if anyone sees it."

His Three-Tomoe Sharingan was currently the most useless thing he had. The Sharingan was the Uchiha Clan's exclusive Kekkei Genkai. If an ordinary person like Yueshu was discovered to have one, he'd be in more than a little trouble.

"I'll see if I can find something to cover it up while we're out. I need to find a weapon, too."

He blinked again, and his blood-red Sharingan returned to its original black.

After tidying himself up, Yueshu headed out with Tsunade.

"You must have something in mind, or you wouldn't have come out with me."

As they walked down the street, Tsunade turned to Yueshu.

"I suppose I do. I want a decent weapon."

"A weapon?"

"Something like a blade, though I'd prefer a sword."

"Oh? You want to learn swordsmanship? If so, I'd recommend asking Senior Sakumo. His swordsmanship is famous."

Yueshu froze. He'd suddenly remembered the man known as the White Fang of the Leaf. Sakumo Hatake had a sword style called the Hatake Sword Technique, and it was what had made him famous. People called him the White Fang of the Leaf.

Yueshu had only just remembered that such an important figure was around. What a waste of an opportunity!

"Take me to see Senior Hatake later."

Having made up his mind, Yueshu decided to pay a visit to the famous White Fang of the Leaf. They said his strength was second only to the Hokage.

The two walked until they reached the Hokage Building. With Tsunade leading the way, the Anbu let them pass without a word.

There, Yueshu met the Third Hokage in his prime—not the old and feeble man from the original story.

"Tsunade, you're here."

The Third Hokage looked full of energy, and his voice was strong.

"Teacher, did you need something?"

Tsunade clearly respected the Third Hokage; it showed in her words.

"I do."

The Third Hokage looked at Tsunade. After a long pause, he spoke again.

"I understand your situation now. Of course, that doesn't mean you did anything wrong. On the contrary, you're a hero of Konoha."

The Third Hokage spoke slowly. Tsunade stood before him, her delicate hand clenching slightly.

"For now, just rest and take it easy. You've already done more than enough. But I have no choice, Teacher still needs to ask you for one more favor."

"Go ahead, Teacher."

As Tsunade and the Third Hokage spoke, Yueshu silently admired the man's skill.

The Third Hokage had mixed praise with a heartfelt appeal, then capped it off with a request. Tsunade surely wouldn't be able to refuse.

Brilliant. Truly brilliant.

Yueshu couldn't help thinking that politics really was a deep pool.

"You're the best medical ninja in Konoha, without exception. I'd like you to teach a child. You may know her already."

A flicker of confusion crossed Tsunade's eyes. The Third Hokage called out toward the door.

"Come in."

As soon as he spoke, someone entered through the doorway. Yueshu and Tsunade both turned to look.

A girl with short black hair and delicate features, dressed all in black. She was older than Yueshu, and looked to be in her teens.

Yueshu knew her. Tsunade did, too.

Yueshu turned to Tsunade. He saw her pupils contract, her lips tremble uncontrollably, and even her hands begin to shake.

Tsunade's breathing grew heavier. Of course she recognized the girl before her. She was Shizune Kato, the niece of Tsunade's first love, Dan Katō.

The moment she saw her, Tsunade remembered hearing the news of Dan Katō's death, and of the death of his younger brother, Nawaki Senju.

She couldn't bear to experience that kind of despair again!

A faint sensation came from her hand. Tsunade took a light breath and looked to the side. Yueshu was gazing at her with bright eyes, his small hand gripping hers tightly.

Nawaki—

Tsunade calmed down. For an instant, it was as if she saw Nawaki, and her heart suddenly grew still.

This kid.

Tsunade composed herself, the corners of her mouth lifting.

"Nice to meet you. I'm Shizune Kato. Lady Tsunade, please let me study under you."

The black-haired girl seemed nervous; her words came out a little haltingly.

"All right."

Tsunade spoke softly. Yueshu was holding her hand, and she felt very calm now.

"Th-thank you so much!"

Shizune's voice brimmed with joy, and her happy expression showed on her little face.

"Then I'll leave Shizune in your care, Tsunade."

The Third Hokage nodded as he watched them.

"Of course, Teacher."

After replying, Tsunade and Yueshu left the Hokage's office with Shizune.

After that, Tsunade took Yueshu to visit the White Fang of the Leaf at his home.

At this point in time, Kakashi Hatake hadn't been born yet. Sakumo Hatake was still a bachelor, and his house had nothing in it but swords.

After Yueshu explained what he wanted, Sakumo Hatake cheerfully agreed to take him on, apparently delighted that someone was interested in swordsmanship.

It was worth mentioning that, on top of that, Sakumo Hatake also gave Yueshu a short sword. It was sixty or seventy centimeters long—not too long, not too short, and just right. Now Yueshu could finally put his Sword Mastery to use.

From then on, Yueshu could also ask Sakumo Hatake for advice about swordsmanship. And there was another new addition to Yueshu's home: Shizune Kato moved in with Tsunade and Yueshu, which took a lot of the housework off Yueshu's hands.

The days at school went on one after another. They mainly focused on Kunai practice, and they hadn't been taught the Three Basic Jutsu yet. With Yueshu's help, he and Kushina grew closer, while Minato Namikaze, who often came over to hang out, gradually became closer to Kushina, too.

Everything kept moving along steadily, peaceful and beautiful.