Sora's subtle movements didn't escape Tenten — but she simply thought she was holding him too roughly.
"Sorry… did I hurt you?"
"Just hang in there. We'll be at Konoha Hospital soon."
Tenten turned her face slightly, offering Sora a gentle smile — one that shimmered like moonlight under the night sky.
Looking at that familiar yet distant face, Sora felt an overwhelming tide of emotions.
There were a thousand things he wanted to tell, but all he could say was:
"…Thank you."
"You're welcome. Just close your eyes and rest. I'll stay with you until dawn."
Noticing his emotions shift, Tenten assumed he was still scared. She decided to stick with him through the night.
Besides, she had at least a week off — and accompanying Sora didn't feel like a burden.
And truthfully?
Tenten had to admit — the boy in her arms was kind of handsome.
For a girl her age, being a little shallow wasn't that strange, right?
They soon arrived at Konoha Hospital.
Even on the hospital bed, the unconscious Sora still wouldn't let go of Tenten's hand.
Tenten didn't have the heart to pry him off. Instead, she kept holding on while apologizing profusely to the doctors, explaining the situation with an embarrassed smile.
Given Sora's status and the severity of his injuries, he didn't qualify for healing jutsu like Mystical Palm Technique.
So the medics opted to apply ointments and secure his neck with a brace.
Once everything was done, Tenten noticed Sora had fallen fast asleep.
She glanced at the clock — 2:00 AM.
Exhaustion swept over her. With a yawn and a stretch, she kicked off her sandals and settled into the companion chair to grab a few hours of sleep.
Not long after, her soft breathing filled the room.
That was when Sora slowly opened his eyes.
He turned toward Tenten's sleeping figure… and in front of his eyes, strange glowing text began to flicker:
[Ding! You've maintained contact with a high-potential kunoichi for over one hour.
Family Simulation System now bound.]
[This system will assist the host in simulating future life paths and guide you toward producing offspring with the kunoichi.]
[Upon successful offspring birth, their bloodline talents will be copied and transferred to the host.]
[You may also gift these bloodline talent templates to the kunoichi, provided she willingly accepts them. Increased favorability improves outcomes.]
[Current Simulations Available: 1
[Available Target: 1]
[To unlock more simulations: maintain deeper physical/relational contact with Tenten, or spend over one hour with a new high-potential kunoichi.]
[Start simulation now?]
Sora chose yes without hesitation.
Even if this was a dream — or some genjutsu — he didn't care.
What he wanted was power. A way to change his fate.
Otherwise, next time… he might just die quietly in some alley.
Forgotten. Nameless.
[Simulation Initiated]
[Remaining Simulations: 0]
[Target: Tenten]
[Initial Affection: She likes your face.]
Sora instinctively touched his face.
Tenten… likes the way I look?
This life, his face was sharp but thin — sickly pale from years of malnutrition. He'd never once considered himself "good-looking."
But apparently, this was her type?
Then a memory surfaced.
At 13, he had desperately searched for part-time work.
But being so frail, most shopkeepers turned him down.
Until that one barbecue shop owner gave him a chance.
…Had she also hired him for his face?
The thought left him with mixed feelings.
Sure, living off looks was one path. But it was flimsy.
He didn't know how to seal his youth like a Hyuga or cast a preservation jutsu.
Power was still the more reliable route.
[Ding! Simulation requires direction.
You have 3 free simulation path suggestions. To unlock more, you must spend future simulations.]
[Would you like to choose a path now?]
Path direction? What did that mean?
The system anticipated his confusion and presented three options:
1. You're eternally grateful to Tenten. You treat her as your savior and use that bond to draw closer.
2. You adopt a cold, aloof demeanor — the cool Uchiha Sasuke type — to intrigue Tenten.
3. Customize your own unique persona.
Sora quickly understood.
This was… a dating sim mechanic.
Before transmigrating, he'd played plenty of these games.
Now it was all about strategy.
But Tenten wasn't a simple girl to "conquer."
From what he remembered, even by the Boruto era, she remained single — only interested in ninja tools.
She'd opened a ninja weapons shop and designed specialty kunai, like the onsen-use-only ones, that became hits with nobles and socialites.
In short: a brilliant, rich kunoichi with niche interests.
How was someone like him supposed to win her over?
After some thought, Sora finally touched his face again.
Well… if this was a lifestyle, not a contest, who's to say one was better than the other?
If she liked this type, then he'd stick with it.
Still, the details needed refinement.
He set a custom personality.
[Ding! You've chosen:
"Calm, literary youth with a frail and melancholic air."
Simulation will proceed.
Remaining guidance options: 2]
Sora flushed slightly reading that.
Good thing only he could see this.
[You awaken in the hospital bed.
Tenten has already woken and greets you.
Your first conversation begins.]
[You tell her what happened. She's furious on your behalf — and charmed by your soft-spoken, articulate manner.
You explain how, though you never attended the ninja academy, you study on your own, hoping to write a book one day.]
[Tenten is impressed. She pays your medical bill using the money extorted from Mihara Ichijō… and then quietly leaves without even giving you her contact.]
[Your carefully crafted persona doesn't seem to have made much impact.]
Reading that…
Sora's heart tensed.