Haruya didn't rush into practicing Wood Release yet.With his current foundation, he'd just end up hurting himself.If Tsunade were here, she could patch him up—as long as he wasn't blown to pieces, anyway.
He'd only started learning ninja basics from Nonoyu last year.But his talent wasn't anything special.He hadn't even mastered the Three Basic Techniques yet; he had only learned one chakra extraction method.
The door opened.
Haruya lifted his head and called out sweetly, "Sister Tsunade."
Tsunade's normally cool, beautiful face softened instantly.So cute. So polite.
Irresistibly pinchable.
Nobody can resist a cute kid—not even her.
"Let's eat first," she said, lifting a plastic bag filled with take-out barbecue.
"Okay."
Haruya answered obediently.
Tsunade headed to the kitchen, took out two sets of tableware and four plates, and rinsed them clean. Afterward, she divided the barbecue and rice neatly.
She could cook herself.Back when her younger brother Nawaki was alive, she used to make meals for him—and found it hilarious watching him struggle to keep a straight face.
Because her cooking was… questionable. Two words: inedible.But she'd loved doing it anyway, because Nawaki's attempts to eat it made her feel their bond as siblings.
She set the dishes on the table and then shrugged off her tea-green coat.Underneath, she wore a loose, sleeveless top resembling a kimono. A generous expanse of pale skin was suddenly visible.
"Haruya, dinner," she called, waving him over.
"Okay."
Haruya put down the scroll and looked up—then froze.
Without her coat, her figure was even more striking.
Big. White. Dangerous.
He was honestly worried that thin top wouldn't hold.He kind of wanted to help support it.
"What are you standing there for?" Tsunade arched an eyebrow. "Come on."
"Oh."Haruya hurried over and sat down. He inhaled. "It smells amazing!"
His mouth watered instantly.
By the gods… three years. Do you know how I survived three years?Fermented beans, rice balls, instant noodles.Not even as good as my old school cafeteria.
Now?Barbecue. Real barbecue.Happiness. Pure happiness.
Tsunade couldn't help smiling.Propping her chin in one hand, she watched Haruya devour the food and found it… oddly charming.
The Senju home hadn't felt lively in a long time.
She drifted off in thought.When she came back to herself, she saw Haruya staring at her.
"Sister Tsunade, why aren't you eating?"
"I am." She picked up her chopsticks gently. "If you like it, eat plenty."
"Mhm."
Haruya looked away—but not before memorizing her delicate face, the deep curve of her necklace, the elegant lines of her body.
Beautiful. And delicious.He transformed into a rice-eating machine and polished off two big bowls.
"I'm full!"He dropped the bowl and leaned back, stomach round.
Tsunade nodded.The kid could eat.And remembering his orphanage meals, her bright brown eyes softened with sympathy.He must've had some hard days.
"What are you doing?" she asked when she saw him reaching for her dishes.
"Washing up."Haruya was perfectly serious. "You went out to buy food, so I'll handle the cleaning."
Tsunade stared for two seconds.Then she broke. She reached over and pinched his cheek hard.
A warm affection bubbled inside her.
"Put it down. Big sister will do it."She snatched the dishes. "You're still young. Later on, when I'm old, then you can take care of me."
"No."Haruya shook his head earnestly. "Sister will never grow old."
Tsunade's eyes widened.
She'd been flirted with.By a child.
"You've got quite the tongue," she muttered, tapping his forehead with one finger. "All right, go study. Sister's going to test you later."
Not giving him a chance to argue, she strode into the kitchen with the dishes.
Soon the sound of running water echoed through the house.
Haruya nodded inwardly.
Her acting was on point.
His face helped a lot, too—small, harmless, unguarded.People dropped their guard around him twice as fast.
Before long, Tsunade returned and sat beside him.
She glanced at the scroll. "Has Nonoyu taught you the basics of chakra?"
Haruya looked up. From his height, he could just see… the scenery beneath her collarbone.
A ridge from one angle, a mountain peak from another.
"She taught me," he answered.
"Good. Saves me the trouble."Tsunade thought for a moment, then pulled out a small square of chakra test paper. "Since you've extracted chakra, let's test your nature affinity."
"Okay."
Haruya held the paper and channeled chakra into it. After ten seconds, the sheet changed.
Half of it dampened as if soaked.The other half cracked and crumbled like snowflakes.
"Just as expected—water and earth attributes," Tsunade said. "Wood Release is formed by combining those two chakras. From now on, Wood Release will be your main focus, but you still need to learn Water and Earth Release separately."
A proper jonin always knew multiple natures.More elements meant fewer weaknesses.
"Also—don't reveal your Wood Release to anyone."
Tsunade's tone grew serious.
Wood Release meant too much to the village.Hiruzen and Danzo would absolutely fight over the boy if they learned.Tsunade wasn't scared of them—but she definitely didn't want the headache.
"Got it."
Haruya was already planning to keep it hidden.As an experienced schemer in his past life, concealment was his specialty.
"Good boy."Tsunade smiled warmly. "Next, sister needs to check your body. Don't resist."
No, sister—wait!
Haruya's eyes widened in innocent alarm.
But Tsunade didn't explain. She simply placed her hand on his abdomen through his shirt.
After a moment she said, "Your chakra reserves are very small."
Chakra refining had three stages:
First: mixing physical and spiritual energy.Second: converting that mixture into chakra.Third: circulating it through the body and storing it in the organs.
By examining him, Tsunade could feel his current limits.Right now, he could manage maybe two or three uses of the basic Three Techniques before collapsing.
So she would teach him gradually—carefully—to avoid damaging him.
"You're still young. It's normal to have little chakra. You'll build it up as you grow."Tsunade picked up the scroll. "Let's start with the basic Wood Release and the Three Body Techniques."
Haruya nodded.Thinking of Naruto Uzumaki, he felt a sting of envy.Same age—but with the Nine-Tails, Naruto basically had chakra in bulks.
By the time they stopped at nine that night, Haruya was drenched in sweat and completely drained.
"That's enough. Don't push it," Tsunade said, lifting him gently by the waist.Seeing him hold himself together without complaint awakened her maternal instincts.
She pulled him straight into her arms.
Being too well-behaved was heartbreaking.
Help. Sister, this isn't how you hold a child. You're going to kill me.
Thankfully it only lasted three seconds.
Tsunade carried him to a bedroom, set him down, and said softly, "Rest well. Tomorrow, you're coming with me to meet someone."