BlackStar_BH:
More Power Stones and comments, guys!
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As the granddaughter of the First Hokage, everyone called her "the Princess." Since she and her younger brother were the last remaining members of the Senju bloodline, they were treated like royalty…
Tsunade didn't hate it, but she didn't like it either.
Yet for some reason, she especially disliked Rob calling her Princess. She wanted him to call her 'Sensei' instead… He was the first student she had ever taught, and he held a special place in her heart. When she heard that he had been on the brink of death, her heart was wrung with pain.
But yesterday, when she learned that he was still alive, she was so happy that she searched for him everywhere—only to find nothing.
And now he had shown up and treated her with distant formality, as if she were a stranger. She really didn't like that at all.
"Let's see what he's so proud of about this book…"
The moment Tsunade finished reading the first chapter, the very first thought that came to her mind was—
"Nawaki."
The resemblance between Naruto and her younger brother, Nawaki, was astonishing! They shared the same dream and nearly the same traits! Both of them wanted to become Hokage in the future.
"But this Naruto… he's an Uzumaki? Then why is his hair blond? As the Kyūbi's jinchūriki, that proves his terrifying compatibility as the Kyūbi's vessel—there's no doubt about his identity as an Uzumaki… but there's something strange here."
"Is this really just a fantasy story?"
Tsunade felt shocked as she moved from one chapter to the next. She had never felt such curiosity and addictiveness in her life before.
She was currently twenty-four years old. What hadn't she seen in this world already? She had read comics and romantic novels before, yet none of them even came close to Naruto's very first chapter!
The book in her hands truly represented the peak of art.
"Is this what comic art really is? Manga?"
Tsunade felt stunned and amazed as she read: how Naruto's story began, how he used jokes just to draw attention so he wouldn't feel lonely and abandoned, how Mizuki used him to steal the secret scroll, how the old Third Hokage allowed it, how Naruto mastered the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique, defeated Mizuki, and saved Iruka—the first person who truly accepted Naruto.
Tsunade couldn't say this story didn't move her. Just the first chapter alone forced a storm of emotions upon her: ups and downs, sadness and joy, shock and confusion, relief and anxiety. In a single chapter, Tsunade truly felt as if she were riding a roller coaster of rapid and breathtaking events—like she had stepped into a new world or traveled to the future of Konohagakure.
A future where her teacher, the Third Hokage, was extremely old—yet still held the position of Hokage and fulfilled his duties flawlessly, or so it seemed.
"Nawaki has to read this manga right now!" Overflowing with excitement, Tsunade ran off in search of her younger brother, eager to share the joy of discovering something so fascinating.
She didn't know that her brother had already discovered Naruto before her—he was among the academy kids who rushed into the Art Store after their class ended.
…
On a sickbed, an old woman with white hair stared at the ceiling in a daze.
From time to time, she saw the smiling face of Hashirama upon it. 'My dear, I think I'll be seeing you soon…' Uzumaki Mito smiled in relief as she thought about her impending death and going to meet her husband.
After safely transferring the Kyūbi to her most suitable successor, Kushina, she had completely put that matter behind her—the final burden weighing on her heart lifted.
After all, the village her husband had built was the last thing she cherished in this world. Failing to pass on the Kyūbi to the next heir or allowing it to be released in the midst of Konohagakure would have been a lethal sin—one Mito never wanted to commit.
That was why, ever since she had safely transferred the Kyūbi to Kushina, Mito had been at ease, counting her remaining days so she could depart this world without regret and reunite with the husband she missed so dearly.
"Hashirama…" She slowly raised her aged hand, as if trying to touch the ceiling—or rather, to touch Hashirama's face.
At that moment, a warm hand grasped hers. Rob looked at her with a gentle smile, yet in her eyes it felt as though a demon was staring back at her—interrupting her moment of contemplation and serenity with her husband's illusion.
"Grandma Mito, how are you? I hope you're doing well," Rob said softly.
Grandma Mito returned to reality upon hearing that familiar voice… "Rubirō, is that you?"
"That's right, Grandma. I won't die so easily, as you know."
"Rubirō-kun, I'm glad you're alive… You didn't leave Kushina-chan alone in this cold world…" Warm tears rolled down her wrinkled cheeks—these were truly tears of happiness. Seeing that Rubirō was still alive and hadn't died brought her great comfort.
Rob gently wiped her tears away. "Grandma, you'll stay with us a little longer too…" Rob felt the strength of her vitality, which was weakening with every passing second, and panic seized him. She was dying… she was dying right now!
(System! Emergency! Give me something from the shop that can extend the vitality of a dying human—quickly!)
A list of various items appeared before him. Their prices made his jaw drop. There were even items that could grant immortality—but their costs were in the billions or even trillions. Even if he accumulated Art Coins for his entire life, he would never be able to afford them.
(Only show me what I can buy with the coins I have! Hurry!) He commanded in his mind.
[System Shop]
[Rejuvenation Elixir: 15,000 Art Coins]
[Vitality Pills: 1,600 Art Coins]
[Fruit of Life: 11,150 Art Coins]
[One Extra Day of Life Injection: 1,000 Art Coins]
[One Extra Month of Life Injection: 10,000 Art Coins]
[…]
[Art Coins: 55,030]
His eyes fell on a single item—the One Extra Month of Life Injection. Its effect was clear from its name alone… once used, the person would gain an additional month of life, regardless of their condition! As long as they were still alive—even if only a single thread of vitality remained.
Rob didn't hesitate and immediately spent 10,000 coins. He felt no pain over the heavy expense; the situation was truly urgent.
Almost instantly, he pressed the injection—now magically appearing in his hand—into his grandmother's arm.
The magical solution inside the needle flowed into Grandma Mito's body, and its effect manifested almost immediately. Vitality appeared within her body out of nowhere.
"Grandma Mito, I won't let you die," Rob murmured with a smile. 'At least until you finish reading the Naruto manga.' He didn't say that last part aloud.
…
"This day has finally come, my dear Hashirama. At last, I'll stay with you here forever."
Mito spoke, appearing young and full of vitality in this space. Beside her, Hashirama looked at her with a gentle expression. "My dear, I think you're mistaken… You haven't died yet."
Her body began to turn hazy. Her eyes widened as she saw herself transform into clusters of light and slowly fade from the space beside her husband.
"This isn't supposed to happen…" she said. She was certain she had been dying—no one knew her condition better than herself.
"Perhaps… today simply isn't the day," Hashirama said softly with a smile.
…
Mito opened her eyes. Rob was still sitting quietly beside her bed.
Unusually, she felt an unexpected vitality coursing through her body. When she had awakened that morning, she clearly sensed her life force rapidly leaving her—she knew that day was supposed to be the day she died. She had been ready, and even happy.
But what happened now? Why hadn't she died?
"Grandma Mito, it seems your condition has stabilized…" Green medical chakra glowed from Rob's hand as he held her wrist. As a skilled medical ninja, he could easily tell that her life force had stabilized.
"Rubirō-kun… why are you here…" Grandma Mito didn't think too deeply about it. If she hadn't died today, then it just meant she would die tomorrow or the day after… She felt no suspicion toward Rob, nor did she think the extra vitality in her body came from him.
"I came to share good news about my future with you, Grandma."
Rob called Mito Grandma because she was the princess of his clan—not because she was his actual grandmother. After all, to every Uzumaki, Uzumaki Mito was their ancestor. She was the clan's princess.
"Tell me…" Grandma Mito asked gently, smiling.
Rob took out the manga volume and handed it to her.
"I opened an art store that sells comics. This is the story of Naruto—he dreams of becoming Hokage. You'll enjoy your time reading its chapters," Rob said as he placed the volume in her hands.
"Oh… how interesting. Let me see what my good grandson is so proud of." Old Mito maintained her gentle expression as she opened the manga volume.
The first thing that caught her attention was the face of the First Hokage carved into Konoha's mountain.
"Why are there four faces instead of three?"
That was the first question Uzumaki Mito asked as she read the first chapter.
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Upcoming chapter titles (spoilers):
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Chapter 25: Uzumaki Mito's Reaction. Sakumo appears!
Chapter 26: The Third Hokage's Grandson, Konohamaru!
Chapter 27: You don't get it just because you want it.
Chapter 28: The Fourth Hokage — Konoha's Hero.
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BlackStar_BH:
The chapters currently available on Patreon are up to Chapter 34.
There are 12 advanced chapters available now:
5 chapters in the Silver tier ($5 subscription) and 5 more chapters in the Gold tier ($10 subscription).
On Patreon and Ko-fi, too.
In the coming days, chapters will be made available for all tiers, reaching up to 50 advanced chapters… Enjoy!