Naruto: Reborn with the Tenseigan

At this point in time, the famous "Ichikaru Ramen" has yet to make its debut. The young boy who would one day carry the name was still just a kid, only able to follow his father around and help with small tasks.

And as for his father's skills—well, they were average at best.

Edible, but not exactly memorable.

After finishing his ramen, Takashi strolled around, bought a few clothes, and then finally headed home.

When he reached the small park some distance from the Hyuga clan's territory, he paused.

Two ninjas in Anbu attire blocked his path.

"Hyuga Takashi, Lord Danzo requests your presence."

Danzo?

What does that old guy want with me?

Was he trying to recruit me because of my talent, or was he here to warn me because of Kushina?

Thinking it over, Takashi turned and walked into the small park.

The park was quiet, with only Danzo waiting there.

"Hyuga Takashi, do you know what you're doing?"

"???"

Shimura Danzo opened with an imposing question.

Takashi blinked in confusion, tilting his head thoughtfully. He waited until the atmosphere Danzo tried to create had faded somewhat before replying, "I'm not sure what Lord Danzo means. As a part of Konoha, don't I have the right to go out, have ramen, and buy clothes?"

Is that what I'm talking about?

Are you pretending to be dumb?!

"Hyuga Takashi, keep away from Kushina. The Nine-Tails Jinchuriki is not someone you should be involved with."

Seeing Takashi play dumb, Danzo decided to be direct.

"Oh, alright."

Takashi replied earnestly.

After all, he hadn't been the one seeking out Kushina; she was the one approaching him, and Tsunade had personally introduced them.

Tch, if you've got the guts, go find Tsunade. Or even Uzumaki Mito.

"If there's nothing else, I'll take my leave."

With that, Takashi turned and left.

Danzo stood there, stunned.

It seemed like the boy had agreed, but something didn't feel right.

Moreover, his reaction was overly calm.

Could it be that—

Shimura Danzo's face grew darker as his mind started to spin.

"Damn it! Why should she, an old—"

Realizing his thoughts were bordering on disrespect, Danzo quickly stopped.

At this stage, Danzo wasn't nearly as arrogant as he'd later become.

For now, he was merely an assistant to the Hokage, a man with little power but overflowing ambition.

Root hadn't been established yet, nor had the Third Hokage granted him any authority.

At this point, Takashi had no need to worry about what Danzo might do.

Besides, he had backing.

Neither the Hyuga clan nor Tsunade would allow Danzo to harm him.

Shimura Danzo could only bluster—so what was there to fear?

It's not like he's from the Uchiha clan.

You're warning me to stay away from Kushina? Fine, I'll agree.

But since it's always Kushina who approaches me first, doesn't that just get under your skin? Feel mad yet?

"Ha ha ha!"

As he walked out of the park, Takashi couldn't help but laugh out loud.

Back in the park, Danzo found the laughter painfully grating.

Hyuga Takashi!

You just wait!

Don't think that with the Hyuga clan and Uzumaki Mito as your backing, you can stay untouchable forever. Backers can fall.

Whether or not his backers would fall didn't particularly bother Takashi.

Danzo wouldn't be able to rise to power anytime soon.

As long as I make my moves first, Danzo won't be a threat.

---

Early the next morning, Takashi arrived at Konoha Hospital.

Tsunade had been on duty last night and hadn't gone home. She took the opportunity to show Takashi around and introduce him to some people.

After all, Takashi had spent a long time helping out in the hospital, so he was already familiar with many faces.

The official appointment was just a formality.

"Not a wasted effort. You actually had the decency to bring me some food."

Tsunade hadn't slept all night and was both hungry and tired.

"No need to go over procedures on receiving patients or treating them; we won't waste time on that. The scroll for the Strength Enhancement Jutsu is in the closet; grab it yourself later. After you learn it, return it directly to me—don't leave it here at the hospital."

After a few instructions, Tsunade was ready to leave.

The Strength Enhancement Jutsu was a reward she had promised to Takashi, granted once he passed the medical ninja assessment.

"Wait."

Takashi called out to Tsunade as she was about to slip away.

"What?" Tsunade wiped her mouth, annoyed. "You're not going to make me sleep in the lounge, are you?"

"No, no, go home and rest."

Takashi waved his hand, saying, "I just wanted to tell you that last night our dear Hokage advisor warned me to stay away from Kushina, the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, which really puts me in a difficult position."

"That old fart!"

Tsunade couldn't hold back a curse, "Ignore him. I'll have a word with Granny. Treat Kushina as you always have, nothing needs to change."

Danzo, your reach is stretching too far.

Watching Tsunade storm off in anger, Takashi smirked to himself.

What's the point of having backup if you don't use it?

A warning for me?

I'll report you right away.

Upon returning home, Tsunade immediately relayed the incident to Mito Uzumaki.

"Granny, Danzo is going overboard, trying to interfere in everything. He still hasn't given up his thoughts on imprisoning Kushina—it's outrageous!"

"Go rest; I'll handle this personally."

Mito Uzumaki's expression remained calm, revealing no hint of anger or indifference.

"Fine, I'll go get some sleep. This all-nighter was brutal."

With Mito handling it, Tsunade was no longer concerned. Besides, she couldn't do much against Danzo herself other than vent her frustration and give him a scolding.

To Shimura Danzo, that was barely a scratch.

But with Mito personally stepping in, things were different.