Naruto: A New Life with Tsunade

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The Art of Partial Multiplication

Natsume had mastered the art of Partial Multiplication in just a few days. What initially seemed like a complex technique became second nature to him through diligent practice.

Afterward, life settled into a predictable rhythm—simple and unremarkable.

Mornings were reserved for training in Sage Mode, as he honed his connection with natural energy.

Afternoons were spent snacking on grapes to replenish his chakra reserves, followed by exercises to strengthen his ocular powers.

At night, he served as Tsunade's pillow—her surrogate for comfort in moments of restlessness.

Occasionally, when the moon hung high, Natsume would slip out of the compound to check on Hinata Hyuga, ensuring her safety and well-being from the shadows.

Every so often, he'd pay a visit to Naruto Uzumaki and Sasuke Uchiha, his occasional reminders keeping their rivalry sharp and their ambitions alight.

Time passed. For shinobi, it moved quickly—like the fleeting flicker of a kunai in flight.

Three years had come and gone.

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Snapshots of the Present

Natsume adjusted the focus on his camera, observing Uzumaki Ena through the lens.

Seated on a plush couch, Ena's outfit paid homage to an unfamiliar character from another realm—a unique hobby she had cultivated over the years. She wore a pleated red sailor skirt, a matching red blouse, and knee-high black socks. Her twin ponytails were tied with black ribbons, framing her delicate features.

Today, she cosplayed as Tohsaka Rin, a character from a story she'd introduced him to: Fate/Stay Night. Rin was renowned for her confident, mischievous demeanor—and her legs, which often drew the spotlight.

Ena certainly lived up to the comparison.

Her shapely thighs and slender calves created an effortless elegance. As Natsume clicked the shutter, capturing a few candid moments, he stretched and set the camera aside.

"Done already?" Ena asked, her voice laced with curiosity.

"I could take more," Natsume teased, "but I wouldn't want to exhaust my model."

Ena's face turned crimson, but she quickly composed herself, brushing off his words. "If you're finished, then…"

Without warning, her sock-clad feet pressed gently against Natsume's back, awkwardly attempting to massage his shoulders. Her face was a mix of concentration and embarrassment.

"You don't have to do this," Natsume said with a soft chuckle.

"Just… sit still," she muttered, her determination outweighing her discomfort.

---

After a while, Ena's efforts faltered, her legs trembling as she struggled to maintain pressure. Beads of sweat glistened on her forehead.

"Alright, that's enough," Natsume said gently, turning to her. "Your turn now—let me help you relax."

Ena hesitated but eventually nodded. Natsume knelt before her, carefully removing her knee-high socks. Her porcelain-like feet twitched slightly as his hands worked, starting with her ankles and moving upward with precise, rhythmic motions.

The tension in her body melted away, and before long, Ena had fallen into a peaceful sleep.

"She must have been exhausted," Natsume thought, draping a blanket over her. He glanced at the clock—it was nearly noon.

Time to make lunch.

Natsume opened the refrigerator, finding it stocked with fresh ingredients. Spotting a tray of chicken, he recalled Hinata's love for the dish. A smile tugged at his lips.

"Saliva chicken it is," he murmured, referring to the popular Sichuan dish, kou shui ji.

As he worked in the kitchen, the rich aroma of spices filled the air. Ena eventually stirred, wandering in with curiosity.

"It smells amazing," she said, her eyes lighting up. "What's it called again?"

"Saliva chicken," Natsume replied casually.

Ena blinked. "That's… an odd name."

"Don't knock it until you try it." Natsume grinned, leaning in close to whisper something teasing. Ena's cheeks turned bright red as she quickly excused herself to wash her hands.

When they finally sat down to eat, the meal exceeded expectations. The tender chicken, bathed in a spicy, aromatic sauce, was a hit.

"Maybe I'll try shredded chicken next time," Natsume mused aloud.

---

Returning home, Natsume found Tsunade seated on the couch, lost in thought.

"Sis," he called softly, taking a seat beside her. "What's on your mind?"

Tsunade snapped out of her reverie. "When did you get back?"

"Just now," Natsume replied. "You look troubled. Is it something to do with the village?"

Tsunade hesitated before speaking. "I'm leaving for the Land of Fire tomorrow. There's a situation involving the Twelve Guardian Ninja. Sensei's son, Asuma, is part of the group. So he asked me to check on their affairs."

Natsume nodded thoughtfully, recalling the events of the past timeline. The Guardian Ninja had fractured due to conflicting loyalties—some siding with the Hokage, others pledging fealty to the Daimyo. The ensuing conflict had been brutal, but Asuma Sarutobi had ultimately emerged victorious.

Now, with Tsunade involved, the outcome could shift dramatically.

[Due to your actions, the fate of the Guardian Ninja has changed. You have gained 89 destiny points.]

Not bad, Natsume thought. It seemed even small actions could ripple outward, altering the course of history.

"Be careful out there," he said with a grin. "I'll manage here. Don't worry about me."

Tsunade looked at him, a hint of guilt flickering in her amber eyes. "I'll be back soon," she promised, though her tone carried an unspoken uncertainty.

Natsume watched her retreating figure, his resolve hardening.

"If this timeline is mine to shape," he thought, "then I'll make sure no one I care about gets left behind."

---

Tsunade had said she would leave tomorrow, but she had already departed before dawn, not even bothering to say goodbye.

When Natsume awoke, he found the spot beside him empty.

"Heartless woman," he muttered, shaking his head. "Not only is her heart hard, but her mouth too." He smirked to himself. "One day, I'll find out just how hard."

Catching the faint scent she had left behind, he sighed and got up. After dressing, Natsume glanced at the empty room once more. With Tsunade gone, it was time for him to plan his own way to Kirigakure.

In Konoha, there were only two ways for a shinobi to leave the village: with the Hokage's approval for a mission or by defecting.

Fortunately, Natsume had his own methods. If he needed to leave, he could simply have Gunma Trading Company assign him a mission. As long as Konoha received payment, the village wouldn't care about his destination—unless he had treacherous intentions, of course.

His first stop of the day was the Ninja Academy. There, he wanted to say goodbye to Naruto Uzumaki. Naruto, now almost seven, was far stronger than he had been in the original timeline. Rumor had it that his skills were approaching those of a Special Jonin, though his chakra control still needed refinement. If he could master that, he'd likely become a full-fledged ninja in no time.

However, Naruto's situation in the village remained grim. As his power grew, so too did the villagers' fear of him. They no longer saw him as a mischievous child; now, he was a ninja, and therefore a potential threat. Many whispered that he might one day seek revenge.

At least life at the Academy was better for him. Naruto had made a few friends: Sasuke Uchiha, Rock Lee, Neji Hyuga, Shikamaru Nara, and Choji Akimichi.

As always, Sakura Haruno could be found trailing after Sasuke. Naruto, however, didn't seem interested in her—Sasuke's attention was solely on Naruto, and the two constantly competed. It seemed women were little more than distractions for them.

Natsume's thoughts shifted to the Uchiha clan, who had been unusually quiet. In the original timeline, their rebellion had been delayed by Uchiha Shisui's death. Now, however, a mysterious ninja had appeared, and Uchiha Fugaku had learned of Shisui's Mangekyo Sharingan ability, Kotoamatsukami. This external threat had forced the Uchiha to postpone their plans while they searched for Shisui and the mysterious figure.

Meanwhile, Sarutobi Hiruzen had been forced to act. Danzo had exposed his use of Mokuton (Wood Release), implicating Orochimaru in the process. Orochimaru, in turn, had handed over the technology for Hashirama's cell transplants. Surprisingly, Hiruzen had forgiven him.

Though the details were murky, the outcome was clear: Konoha had gained several new Mokuton users through these experiments. Natsume only knew because Tsunade had confided in him. Hiruzen had even considered naming her his successor, trusting her with information that few others knew.

After bidding Naruto farewell, Natsume made his way to the Hyuga estate. Visiting Hinata Hyuga always felt... odd.

In his past life, many believed Naruto didn't truly love Hinata, just as Sasuke didn't genuinely care for Sakura. Naruto's marriage to Hinata seemed born out of gratitude, while Sasuke's union with Sakura felt like a duty to restore the Uchiha bloodline.

Hinata was startled when Natsume arrived.

"Natsume?" she stammered, her cheeks turning pink.

"Good morning," he said with a warm smile. "Are you hungry?"

Hinata's blush deepened as she nodded shyly.

"Good, because I brought ramen." Natsume opened a stack of takeout boxes. "Eat up. I've got something to discuss with you."

Hinata picked up her chopsticks, her nervousness evident, but she seemed grateful. As she ate, Natsume sat across from her, smiling amusedly.

Her pale, activated Byakugan caught his eye.

"That... isn't very pretty, is it?" Hinata asked nervously, noticing his gaze.

Natsume chuckled, ruffling her hair. "I think it's cute. You're cute too."

"Eep!"

Hinata turned scarlet, nearly dropping her chopsticks as steam seemed to rise from her head.

"Alright, eat before it gets cold," he said, cutting the teasing short. She had training soon, and he didn't want to delay her.

Once she finished, Hinata set her chopsticks down with an air of quiet elegance and looked at him expectantly.

"I have to go on a mission," Natsume began, getting to the point. "It'll be a long one—several months at least. So, I won't be able to bring you food every day."

Hinata's wide eyes betrayed her surprise, but she quickly lowered them, her hands clutching her lap. "Please be careful," she whispered after a pause.

"I will," Natsume assured her, smiling as he playfully pinched her cheek. "Don't worry, I'll be back as soon as I can."

He was half-serious. With the reverse summoning technique, he could return to Konoha at any time, but better to prepare her in case something kept him away.

"See you next time," he added, standing to leave.

Suddenly, Hinata rushed forward and hugged him, her face glowing red as she rested her head against his chest. The gesture was bold—almost out of character for her.

Natsume blinked in surprise, but before he could say anything, Hinata pulled away and darted into her room, diving under her blankets. Only the tips of her shoes poked out from under the covers.

Chuckling softly, Natsume muttered, "Cute."

With a puff of smoke, he performed the reverse summoning jutsu, vanishing from the Hyuga estate and reappearing at the Konoha Orphanage. He wasn't there for Kabuto, though—his meeting was with Uchiha Shisui.

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