Takayama Haru never expected that just lying low like a good-for-nothing would end up causing so many misunderstandings.
But seeing how much Kushina Uzumaki and especially the elderly Uzumaki Mito cared about him—even going so far as to call in Shizune for a check-up—warmed his heart.
This kind old lady really did treat him like her own grandson.
"Let me take a look…"
Shizune walked over and took hold of Haru's hand, running her fingers lightly over his arm.
"Uh…"
Haru instinctively took a few steps back.
"Haru-kun, if you're injured, don't move! Let me examine your body properly…"
Shizune reached out and grabbed him, making Haru shut his eyes.
"Well, if Shizune-chan insists on checking me out… I'll just leave it to you, then."
"Pfft!"
Shizune blinked at him, her expression a mix of disbelief and amusement. The way this guy talked, you'd think she was about to do something scandalous to him.
Kushina covered her mouth, stifling a laugh.
"Hmph! Serves you right for saying stuff like that!"
Shizune twisted the soft flesh at Haru's waist. Even for a ninja, that spot hurt like hell.
It was a trick she'd picked up when some sleazy patients tried to get handsy in the past.
But then, Shizune pulled her hand back in surprise.
So tough!
Ahem. What a ridiculously strong body…
Shizune was momentarily stunned, but quickly composed herself and started examining Haru seriously.
"His body is incredibly healthy—not a scratch on him. His chakra levels… are amazing."
As a medical ninja, Shizune knew human anatomy inside and out. What shocked her was how much chakra Haru had for someone so young.
This kind of chakra reserve rivaled even seasoned jonin.
A few minutes later, she finished her check.
"Lady Mito," she said respectfully, "his body's in perfect condition. Doesn't seem injured at all. If he is, it's something I can't detect. Maybe we should let my teacher take a look sometime?"
Off to the side, Haru twitched. Wait—Shizune had just seen his body, and now Tsunade might too?
Uzumaki Mito lit up. "Tsunade-hime? Is she back?"
She hadn't seen her granddaughter in years—partly to protect Tsunade, partly because Tsunade didn't want to return to the village that brought her so much grief.
"I'm not sure… should Haru go find her?" Shizune offered.
Mito immediately shook her head. "Not now. Things are too dangerous. Kushina was just kidnapped, and Haru is the last known heir of the Senju clan. We can't be careless."
Shizune nodded in understanding. "Of course, Lady Mito. I'll pass the message along when I return."
"Take care on the road."
—
At the gate of the Uzumaki compound, a little kid had spent the entire day playing with ants. People came and went all day, but he never saw Haru come out.
Eventually, he saw Kushina leave.
The boy grabbed a twig. Tiny green buds sprouted at the tip, forming words:
"Kushina out."
He casually tossed the twig into a nearby alley.
Later, Kushina returned with Shizune in tow.
The boy threw another twig:
"Kushina + Shizune back."
Then, a while later, Shizune left alone.
The kid tossed another twig.
Soon, this series of updates reached Root Headquarters and Danzo.
"Haru hasn't left? Wasn't Kushina supposed to take him to visit Minato and Sakumo?"
"So quiet… could he be injured?"
"You hurt Haru last night?" Danzo asked someone in the office.
Aside from Danzo, Orochimaru was also present.
Orochimaru shrugged, licking his lips. "No. My master and the old man showed up. What's this about?"
"Shizune entered the Uzumaki compound. Haru might be injured."
"Maybe he got hurt rescuing Kushina."
Orochimaru didn't deny it. "Maybe. Anyway, where's my lab?"
"Here in Konoha," Danzo replied.
Danzo had agreed to build a new lab for Orochimaru. With Orochimaru back in the village, Danzo clearly had more he wanted from him.
Orochimaru didn't mind. He nodded. "I heard one of the test subjects from the experiment five years ago survived. Name's Yamato, right?"
Danzo nodded, producing two small twigs. "See the markings? It's wood release."
Orochimaru's eyes gleamed with a beastly hunger. He nodded slowly. "Excellent. I'll start with him."
"When you capture Haru, send him over too," Danzo added.
"But don't go too far! Last time, your experiments got banned for a reason."
Orochimaru's grin widened, his eyes glowing. "Relax. I just want a little of their blood. It won't kill them."
With that, he turned and left.
Fools. All talk and no sense—easily manipulated.
—
Two more days passed.
Back at the Uzumaki compound, the Root children had all been swapped out.
The unit assigned to surveil Haru still waited, hidden.
But even after two full days, Takayama Haru hadn't stepped outside once.
"Isn't this the guy who was supposed to be grounded for a whole month?"
"He's wasting our time."
Even Danzo at Root HQ was starting to lose patience.
"One more day. If he doesn't show by 3 a.m. tomorrow, we pull back."
Danzo didn't know what Haru was planning, but keeping the elite Root Ten locked in place was holding up too many other missions.
That boy was sly. Far too sly.
—
Inside the room, Haru checked his system: fusion level had reached 20%.
He opened his Attributes Panel.
[Name: Takayama Haru]
[Rank: Elite Jonin]
[Role: Shinobi]
[Character Card: SSS-tier Hashirama Senju (Fusion: 20.09%)]
[Kekkei Genkai: Divine Wood Release (tied to character card)]
[Ninjutsu: Flying Thunder God Lv3, Dust Reincarnation Lv3, Lightning Chidori Lv3, Omolenka Lv3]
No denying it—having his fusion speed multiplied by 30 was insane.
Even during his "slacker" phase, his ninjutsu was leveling up.
Now all four major jutsu had reached Level 3—fully mastered at a foundational level.
At 20% fusion, even Orochimaru likely couldn't hurt him.
He finally had enough power to protect himself. Which meant—
Takayama Haru's brief slacker life was coming to an end.
It was time to step outside and face the world.