He was not from the ninja world.
Three years ago, he had woken up here, having become a child named Araki.
At the time, Araki's parents had died on a mission.
Judging by the timing, he thought Araki had suffered a severe shock upon learning of his parents' deaths, and by some twist of fate, his soul had transmigrated into the boy's body.
From that moment on, he had become Araki and lived as him ever since.
Unlike other transmigrators, Araki's transmigration had been rather strange. Not only did he lack a system that could defy the heavens and change his fate, but he had not even inherited the original owner's memories.
Had he not watched the Naruto anime before, he probably would not even have known where he was.
This had forced him to pretend he had suffered psychological trauma, using that time to learn the ninja world's language and writing while doing everything he could to avoid exposing his identity as a transmigrator.
During that time, Araki had discovered something that both shocked and delighted him...
He actually possessed the same Wood Release kekkei genkai as the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju.
He did not know what the original owner had been like...
Had the boy possessed it all along, or had it been a change brought about by his transmigration?
There was simply no answer!
For Araki, however, this powerful talent had instead become a blessing that brought its own troubles.
Wood Release had an incredibly high ceiling, but unlike the Sharingan, it could not immediately improve his basic combat strength. As a complete novice in the ninja world, Araki had not even figured out how to use chakra, let alone control such a top-tier kekkei genkai.
Possessing a treasure was a crime in itself!
Araki understood that principle very well. He knew that without absolute strength, exposing his Wood Release would, at best, make him a thorn in many people's sides, and at worst, get him dragged straight into Orochimaru's laboratory.
Araki had been a fairly levelheaded person even before his transmigration. Now that he had entered a ninja world filled with slaughter and schemes, he had immediately made a plan: cautiously build up his strength, and never let anyone know he could use Wood Release until he had fully mastered his Wood Release kekkei genkai!
As he thought, Araki had already walked back to his home. He planned to put down his schoolbag, eat something to replenish his nutrients, and use the hours after dark to train.
To him, increasing his chakra was the only tangible thing. Everything else was empty.
"Huh?!"
When Araki reached his front door, his brows immediately knitted together. He discovered that his door was ajar and could faintly hear a woman's voice inside, instantly sending his vigilance to its limit.
Chapter 3: Roommate
What was going on?
A thief?
A woman, at that?
Araki stared intently at the half-open door, his eyes filled with caution. He knew there was nothing valuable in his home. It was the sort of place that would make even a thief shed tears.
In terms of risk versus reward, his home was not worth the trouble of robbing, especially for a female thief...
Hadn't she done any market research before coming?
Or...
Was she not after money at all?
At that thought, Araki quietly backed away. As a boy living alone, he still had a basic sense of precaution. He had to protect himself in an unfamiliar place.
Creak-
But just as Araki wavered, wondering whether he should leave and get the Konoha Military Police Force to handle it, the half-open door swung open.
What greeted him was a middle-aged woman in simple, practical clothing. Her hair was tightly bound, her face stern and expressionless. She looked rather cold.
Was this...
Biwako?!
Araki's gaze settled on the middle-aged woman, and he felt a faint sense of familiarity. He must have seen her while watching the anime.
But this was his first time seeing her in the ninja world.
He was not quite certain.
After all, Biwako was the Third Hokage's wife, hardly someone an ordinary nobody like him could easily meet.
It had to be said...
Her status practically made her Konoha's first lady.
Had she discovered that he could use Wood Release?
Otherwise, why would she enter his room for no reason?
In that moment, Araki considered many possibilities. No complicated emotions showed on his face, but inwardly, he was exceedingly cautious.
"Araki, you're back!"
A trace of a smile blossomed across Biwako Sarutobi's impassive face like a smile on an iceberg. Her suddenly gentle tone gave Araki goosebumps all over.
For a moment, Araki grew even more alarmed.
"We've found a tenant for the house you asked us to help you rent out!"
Biwako Sarutobi spoke on her own, seemingly paying attention to Araki's reaction, but in truth, she was putting on a one-woman show.
"???"
A whole pile of little question marks immediately popped up in Araki's head. He had absolutely no idea what Biwako was talking about.
What request?
What tenant?
When did I say I wanted to rent this house out?
Where would I live if it was rented out?
What did any of this even mean?
How had I suddenly become someone who had asked to rent his house out?
Picking on an honest person, were you?!
After a brief moment of bewilderment, Araki immediately realized that Biwako probably thought there was something wrong with his mind. Since he could neither understand nor explain himself anyway, she had simply started taking advantage of him.
What a slick move, inventing a request on his behalf!
He couldn't even voice his grievances!
Araki immediately understood her meaning. Even if he wanted to deny it now, he had already established his persona and could not speak up. Otherwise, his three years of pretending would go to waste.
Of course, he did not think Biwako had seen through his true nature. This was simply bullying.
"This is the tenant who'll be staying in your home!"
Biwako Sarutobi paid no attention to Araki at all. To her, every change in his expression was normal. This child understood nothing and could easily be squeezed for a little benefit. Whatever she could squeeze out of him was a gain.
"I've already paid ten years of rent for her. You don't come back to sleep in your room at night anyway, so let her have it!"
As Biwako Sarutobi spoke, she pushed Kushina out from behind her.
"Oh, right, I almost forgot. Her name is Kushina Uzumaki!"
Biwako Sarutobi added one last remark. When she finished, the corners of her lips faintly lifted into a smile.
For Konoha, this was the best outcome.
After all, Kushina had come here for a special purpose. She was a very important tool, and arranging things for someone in that position was not so easy.
If her accommodations were too extravagant, they would not only arouse Kushina's suspicions but also draw the attention of the many eyes watching Konoha.
Placing her in the home of such an unremarkable child was instead the best way to protect a functional vessel like Kushina.
With that said.
Biwako Sarutobi said nothing more.
She left immediately.
"..."
Araki stared blankly at everything unfolding before him. He nearly shouted, but held himself back. If he reacted too strongly, he might very well expose himself.
But...
This girl...
Kushina Uzumaki!
Oh, heavens!
After crying out inwardly, Araki felt a headache coming on. Living in Konoha, he wanted nothing to do with any trouble.
To outsiders, he was merely a child who had suffered psychological trauma. This was an excellent disguise, one that could let him quietly improve his strength until he could control his Wood Release kekkei genkai.
But...
Kushina Uzumaki's arrival had disrupted Araki's plans!
Araki knew very well why Kushina had come to Konoha at this particular point in time.
After all, there was a very outstanding student in his class at the Ninja Academy, named Minato Namikaze.
Not long ago, Araki had been calculating whether it was almost time for Kushina to transfer into their school. Now she was standing right before him, a lovely young girl. He had deliberately avoided contact with Minato precisely because he wanted nothing to do with the Nine-Tails, so as to avoid his Wood Release being exposed.
And now look...
Kushina had actually moved into his bedroom, becoming his roommate outright.
He believed it would not be long before Kushina succeeded Mito as the new Nine-Tails Jinchuriki.
A headache.
Just thinking about it gave him a headache.
Araki stood at the doorway, staring blankly at Kushina. On the surface, he was looking at her, but inwardly, he considered countless countermeasures, none of which he could carry out. The most suitable approach seemed to be accepting her first, then slowly responding as the situation developed.
"Um..."
Kushina studied Araki as he stood dumbly at the doorway. She recalled what Biwako had told her about the psychological blow this boy had suffered, then thought of the mission she might bear to save him. Pressing her lips together, she stepped forward and came up to Araki.
"Hello, Araki. My name is Kushina. It's nice to meet you. From now on, we're friends!"