Kaguya and Tsunade

After one night, Wuye was full of life again.

Ninjas had strong recovery abilities, but unfortunately, his body would not accelerate cell division just because of fatigue. Only wounds that needed healing would trigger it, so he could not train without end.

Konoha's mornings were quiet and peaceful.

On the street, two tofu-white figures walked one after the other.

"Big sister, where are you taking me?" the shorter pale figure asked.

Calling her "big sister" had still felt awkward yesterday, but today, it rolled off his tongue much more naturally.

Kaguya walked a few more steps before suddenly stopping in front of a flower shop.

"Pick out a bouquet. We're going to Konoha Cemetery," she said softly.

Wuye froze for a moment, then silently stepped forward. At the clerk's suggestion, he chose yellow and white chrysanthemums, paired with plain-colored carnations and white calla lilies.

Konoha Cemetery stood on a hillside at the edge of the village.

Whenever the wind blew, unknown snow-white petals and leaves from the slope would drift down, dancing among the cold rows of gravestones and lending them a trace of life.

Hyuga Kotone's gravestone was very new, clearly erected only within the past few days.

Wuye stood silently before the marker where she slept. The bouquet rested atop it, giving off a faint fragrance.

Sometimes, Wuye could not help thinking that perhaps he was simply destined to be an orphan. After all, for a transmigrator, parents dying was practically standard issue.

But at other times, he felt terribly lonely, with no sense of belonging.

Hyuga Kotone, his mother in this life, had truly treated him very, very well.

It was just that her kindness had been silent, a heartfelt devotion that had protected him quietly across the distance.

Though he was not overwhelmed by unbearable grief, the deepest bond he had in this world had been severed just like that, leaving his heart abruptly hollow.

"Things... will get better..."

As if sensing Wuye's state of mind, Kaguya's fair hand gently rested on his shoulder.

After a moment of silence, he asked softly, "How did she die?"

Hyuga Naoya had been the indirect cause. Then who had been the direct cause?

Even if it was only because she had spared him from being branded with the Caged Bird, he should avenge her.

Not to mention the debt of giving birth to him and raising him.

"On our last S-rank mission, we encountered the leader of the Land of Rain, the ninja hailed as a demigod for the past ten years—Salamander Hanzo." A flicker of lingering fear crossed Kaguya's eyes. "My abilities had not awakened yet. We barely survived."

"Salamander... Hanzo."

Wuye repeated the name quietly.

He knew the weight that name carried. By his calculations, the Second Shinobi World War would erupt in around two years. At that time, Hanzo would crush the young trio of Tsunade, Orochimaru, and Jiraiya so thoroughly they could barely lift their heads, and he would grant them the title of the Three Sannin.

Given enough time, surpassing Hanzo would always be possible. But stealing the kill before Nagato did would not be easy.

When it came to cheat powers, Nagato's was still more useful... for now.

"You don't need to worry about this. Just focus on defeating Hyuga Naoya within five years," Kaguya said, cold light flashing in her eyes. "Once I train for another two years, I may not necessarily lose if I meet him again!"

Great, now big sis wanted to steal the kill too.

If she awakened enough to fire off a Divine Void Strike, Salamander would probably turn into a dead fish.

She was this fierce—how was anyone supposed to date her... damn it!

"Who's there?!"

At that moment, Kaguya suddenly moved in front of Wuye, her Byakugan activating instantly.

In her black-and-white vision, a figure sped away at high velocity. In mere moments, it was already several kilometers away.

She could not make out who it was, but the chakra focused in the opponent's eyes made her react immediately. "Sharingan! The Uchiha Clan!"

"Did the Uchiha Clan send someone to follow us?" Wuye asked.

That did not surprise him. After losing face so badly, it would be strange if the Uchiha Clan had not reacted.

"It wasn't surveillance. That person has an enormous amount of chakra, and all of it was focused on the eyes. They were clearly preparing to use genjutsu," Kaguya snorted.

"Don't leave my side for the time being," she warned. "This person is strong. They split directly into many shadow clones and escaped the Byakugan's field of vision."

Wuye nodded.

"What an impressive Hyuga Clan Head!"

A figure in black robes appeared in a corner of the street. Beneath the hood, a pair of three-tomoe Sharingan turned quietly.

"Good. This way, his safety is guaranteed."

"After this, they'll be even more vigilant next time."

His low voice carried a hint of relief and melancholy.

"Kotone..."

"You fool..."

The man's voice slowly choked up, and all his bitter sorrow melted into the cool air.

"Wouldn't it have been better to fake your death and leave with me? Why did you insist on staying with the Hyuga Clan? Konoha... is the home of all of us..."

"What do you think, Tsunade?"

After leaving Konoha Cemetery, Kaguya led Wuye into the bustling district.

It was nearing noon, and the streets were beginning to grow busy and lively.

Kaguya walked straight into a barbecue restaurant.

Wuye looked up at the sign... Torifu Barbecue.

To his surprise, the young Lady Tsunade was sitting alone by the window, drinking.

And Kaguya simply strode over without even sitting down, getting straight to the point. "Take Hyuga Wuye as your disciple, Tsunade. What do you think?"

Tsunade propped up her head, clearly already tipsy.

She pointed across the table. "You're asking for a favor with that attitude? Just how arrogant are you? Sit down and drink with me."

Kaguya frowned. "Wuye and I are both underage. We can't drink with you."

"One Kaguya, one Wuye. Your names match pretty well. You sound like siblings."

Tsunade's cheeks were flushed, and it was impossible to tell how much sobriety she still had left.

Kaguya remained expressionless. "I have already taken him as my younger brother."

"Huh?"

Tsunade's moist eyes flickered. "You actually sent your own little brother to me for training? Aren't you afraid I'll ruin him?"

"Don't forget that you still owe me a favor." Kaguya looked her directly in the eye. "The great Senju Clan princess, Lady Tsunade of the Land of Fire, wouldn't mess around, would she?"

"You're actually... using that favor to make me teach him?"

Tsunade picked up the bottle, tipped back her beautiful jade-white neck, and took several large gulps.

Clack.

The empty bottle landed on the table, and the flush on her face deepened.

"Come on, kid. Lift your head and let me take a look."

Suddenly, a slender finger reached out and lifted Wuye's chin. Tsunade grinned. "Let me inspect the goods..."

Looking at his delicate little face, she paused slightly before flashing an exaggerated grin. "Not bad-looking, kid... sunnier than Orochimaru, more serious than Jiraiya..."

Hyuga Wuye... stiffened.

Smack!

Frowning, Kaguya slapped Tsunade's finger away, then pointed at Wuye. "His mother just died, yet he hasn't indulged himself like you have."

Clearly, she had already seen through Tsunade. Teasing Wuye was fake; venting her grief was real.

"What do you know... oh, right. Actually, you do know. Both parents dead, all your elders gone..."

Tsunade stared numbly at the tabletop. "The Senju Clan is gone. What kind of Senju Clan princess is there left to be?"

Kaguya remained silent.

"Hey, kid!"

Tsunade suddenly looked up at Wuye. "As far as I know, you don't even know who your father is, so your mother was your last remaining family. Why aren't you sad?"