Ordinary Days

"System, draw a prize."

"Congratulations to the host for obtaining the Fire Style Ninjutsu Gift Pack (S-rank). It contains: Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu (C-rank), Fire Style: Dragon Fire Jutsu (C-rank), Fire Style: Phoenix Sage Flower Nail Crimson (C-rank), Fire Style: Phoenix Sage Fire Jutsu (C-rank), Fire Style: Great Dragon Fire Jutsu (B-rank), Fire Style: Fire Dragon Flame Bullet (B-rank), Fire Style: Majestic Destroyer Flame (A-rank), Fire Style: Majestic Demolisher (A-rank), and Fire Style: Dragon Flame Song Jutsu (A-rank)."

"Whoa, did my luck just turn around?"

Himeshima Tsuki was stunned for a moment. He had only been bored and decided to use the draw chance he'd earned from his duel with Minato Namikaze, never expecting such an explosion of good fortune.

Since I don't know anything besides the Rasengan, this is the perfect way to cover my weaknesses.

Tsuki smiled; his strength would likely take another leap forward now.

"Status."

He hadn't checked his own power level in a while, so he decided to take a look now.

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 Gift Pack (S-rank)

Combat Power: Chunin (??)

His combat power had risen from bottom-tier to Chunin. Although he didn't know exactly where he stood within that rank, he had made such massive progress in just a few months that he had to admit, his cheat code was truly comfortable.

Tsuki stared at the status panel with a hint of confusion. The question marks trailing his combat power had been there for a long time, and he still couldn't figure them out.

Unfortunately, the system wasn't reliable; it had fallen into a deep sleep right after appearing, and asking it now would likely yield no response.

"Forget it, maybe it's just a bug."

Tsuki didn't dwell on it. Compared to that, there were two things he really wanted to do right now.

One was to find a decent sword so he could put his Sword Mastery to use.

The other was to test out the Fire Style ninjutsu he had just drawn; that was bound to be satisfying.

As he thought about it, a beautiful voice drifted in from outside his room.

It was Tsunade.

"Tsuki, I'm heading out. Do you want to come along?"

"Wait a second, I'll be right there."

Tsuki responded immediately. After the Second Shinobi World War, Tsunade had developed hemophobia. While it might not have been an issue for others, it was catastrophic for a medical ninja like her. Having been back in the Leaf for several months, she was essentially idle.

She was practically a salted fish; with Tsuki taking care of their daily life, Tsunade usually just drank tea and slept. It was incredibly laid back.

"Then hurry up."

Tsunade replied, her light footsteps gradually fading away.

Tsuki took a deep breath, then blinked, his eyes instantly shifting into the Three-Tomoe Sharingan.

Almost forgot, I have to cover this up. It'll be a huge headache if someone sees it.

Tsuki's Three-Tomoe Sharingan was currently his most useless asset. The Sharingan was the bloodline limit exclusive to the Uchiha clan; if he, an outsider, were discovered to possess it, the trouble would be far more than just a little.

I'll look for something to cover my eyes while I'm out, and I need to find a weapon too.

He blinked again, and the blood-red eyes returned to their original black.

After tidying himself up, Tsuki headed out with Tsunade.

"You must have something you want to do, otherwise you wouldn't have tagged along."

As they walked down the street, Tsunade turned her head to ask Tsuki.

"I suppose you could say that. I want a better weapon."

"A weapon?"

"Something like a blade, though a sword would be best."

"Eh? You want to learn swordsmanship? If so, I suggest you go find Sakumo Hatake. His swordsmanship is quite famous."

Tsuki paused. He suddenly remembered the man known as the White Fang of the Leaf. Sakumo Hatake possessed a style called the Hatake Sword Technique, and it was through this that he had made his name.

I have such a big shot in my own village, and I only just remembered? What a waste of resources!

"Take me to find Sakumo Hatake in a bit."

Having made up his mind, Tsuki decided to pay a visit to the renowned White Fang of the Leaf, whose strength was said to be second only to the Hokage.

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

Soon, Tsuki met the Third Hokage in his prime—not the old, powerless Third Hokage from the original story.

"Tsunade, you're here."

The Third Hokage's spirit looked excellent, and his voice carried great authority.

"Master, is there something you need?"

Tsunade still held the Third Hokage in high regard, which was evident in her tone.

"There is indeed something."

The Third Hokage looked at Tsunade, and it was a long while before he spoke again.

"I am already clear on your situation. Of course, this is not to say you have done anything wrong; on the contrary, you are a hero of the Leaf."

The Third Hokage spoke slowly. Tsunade stood before him, her fair hands tightening slightly.

"For now, just rest well and set your mind at ease. You have already done more than enough, but I have no choice—I must ask one more thing of you, my student."

"Please, Teacher, tell me."

As Tsunade and the Third Hokage conversed, Yueshu watched from the side, silently impressed by the display.

The Third Hokage's words were a mix of bitter and sweet, and by ending with a request, he made it impossible for Tsunade to refuse.

High-level, truly high-level.

Yueshu couldn't help but sigh at how deep the waters of politics ran.

"You are the best medical ninja in the Leaf, bar none. I would like you to teach a child—a child you might already know."

A flicker of confusion crossed Tsunade's eyes, and at that moment, the Third Hokage called out toward the door.

"Come in."

No sooner had the words fallen than a sound came from the entrance. Yueshu and Tsunade both turned to look behind them.

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

Yueshu recognized her, and so did Tsunade.

Yueshu turned his head to look at Tsunade, only to see her pupils contract. Her mouth trembled uncontrollably, and even her hands began to shake.

Tsunade's breathing grew heavy. Of course she recognized the girl before her; this was the niece of her first love, Dan Kato—Shizune Kato.

The moment she saw her, Tsunade was flooded with the memory of the news of Dan Kato's death and the death of her younger brother, Nawaki Senju.

That kind of despair—she never wanted to experience it again!

A sensation came from her hand. Tsunade gasped softly and looked to her side. Yueshu was gazing at her with bright eyes, his small hand gripping hers tightly.

Nawaki—

Tsunade calmed down. In that instant, she felt as if she had seen Nawaki, and her heart suddenly grew still.

This little brat.

Tsunade recovered, the corners of her mouth lifting slightly.

"Nice to meet you. I am Shizune Kato. Lady Tsunade, please let me learn by your side."

The black-haired girl seemed somewhat nervous, her speech not entirely fluid.

"Very well."

Tsunade spoke softly. With Yueshu holding her hand, she felt incredibly calm.

"Thank—thank you very much!"

Shizune's voice was filled with joy, and the happiness on her small face was plain to see.

"Then I shall leave Shizune in your care from now on, Tsunade."

The Third Hokage watched this unfold and nodded.

"Understood, Teacher."

After replying, Tsunade and Yueshu took Shizune and walked out of the Hokage's office.

Afterward, Yueshu was taken by Tsunade to the home of the White Fang of the Leaf.

At this point in time, Kakashi Hatake had not yet been born, and Sakumo Hatake was still a bachelor; his home was filled with nothing but blades.

After some explanation, Sakumo Hatake cheerfully took Yueshu in, seemingly happy that someone else had an interest in swordsmanship.

It is worth mentioning that, in addition to this, Sakumo Hatake gifted Yueshu a short blade. It was sixty or seventy centimeters long—neither too long nor too short—but it was enough. Now, Yueshu's Sword Mastery could finally be put to use.

In the time that followed, Yueshu could consult Sakumo Hatake on matters of swordsmanship. Beyond that, there was a new addition to Yueshu's home; Shizune Kato moved in with Tsunade and Yueshu, which lightened Yueshu's share of the housework considerably.

Days at the academy passed one after another, focusing mainly on the use of kunai. The Three Body Technique had not yet been taught. Under Yueshu's influence, his relationship with Kushina grew even closer, and Minato Namikaze, who often came around to mingle, also gradually grew much closer to Kushina.

Everything was moving along steadily, peaceful and beautiful.