Days passed in a blur of routine. Training sessions with Nawaki consumed most of my time, a cycle of jutsu practice, sparring, and sweat that quickly dulled the days into sameness. Classes were manageable—boring, even. But today? Today broke the mold.
"Hey. Wanna come to my birthday party?"
Nawaki's voice came out of nowhere, snapping me out of my post-training daze. His casual question hit me like a surprise kunai—blunt, unexpected, and oddly personal.
I blinked, momentarily stunned, before offering a crooked smile. "It's your birthday tomorrow?"
October 30. Got it. Mental note saved for future reference. The kind you don't want to forget, especially when the person asking might just be the grandson of the First Hokage.
Nawaki beamed, his usual energy dialed up a notch. "Yup! Big sis wants to throw a small party. Just her, her teammates, and you."
Wait—Tsunade, Jiraiya, and Orochimaru? My brain hiccupped at the thought. All three of the Hokage's pupils under one roof? That's not just a party—that's a historic gathering.
"I'm… honored," I managed, trying to sound cool about it. "Are you inviting anyone else?"
He shook his head with a grin that said this is gonna be awesome.
"So after school tomorrow, we head to your place?" I confirmed.
"Exactly! Big sis said Jiraiya and Orochimaru are working on some crazy gifts for me—and games too. It's gonna be amazing!"
Gifts. Right. That's a birthday tradition I completely forgot about. I gave Nawaki a quick wave and a "See you tomorrow," then made a beeline for home, mind already buzzing.
Once inside, I wasted no time opening my inventory. If Nawaki was about to receive presents from two of the most powerful shinobi in the village, I needed to deliver something that stood out—but without drawing suspicion.
Weapons were too dangerous. Medical items too sketchy. Tsunade would never let him keep anything that smelled remotely like experimental tech.
"It has to be subtle. Useful. Disguised."
My fingers scrolled until they stopped on the perfect item.
[Lady Luck's Band – Grants revival and invisibility upon death. One-time usage.]
It was originally a gift for newbies—a crutch for reckless players who thought they could take on end-game bosses with starter gear. But now? It felt poetic. Fitting.
With a quick flick of my hand, the item materialized: a simple silver bracelet with a polished emerald set in the center. The gem pulsed faintly, as if aware of its purpose.
"This'll do. I'll tell him it's a good-luck charm. Something to keep close—always. Much better than Tsunade's cursed necklace, that's for sure."
I wrapped the bracelet in a neat little box after picking it up from the corner shop. Nothing too flashy. Just enough to make it feel special.
Tomorrow, I'd be stepping into a room with legends in the making. A mad scientist. A perverted sage. And a medic-nin who would one day punch her way into history as the Fifth Hokage.
And Nawaki?
He'll be the kid wearing a resurrection talisman on his wrist—just in case fate tries something stupid.