The Senju clan estate…
An hour ago, Hatake Sora never would have imagined that he would so quickly find himself inside the family residence of the man revered as the God of Shinobi.
Within the vast courtyard, the fragrance of flowers filled the air. Artificial rock formations rose in elegant clusters, and rare treasures were scattered throughout, dazzling the eye at every turn.
The Senju estate was like a dignified noblewoman—serene, gentle, and suffused with quiet prestige.
Yet Hatake Sora walked closely behind Tsunade, barely daring to lift his head. He knew very well that beneath the estate's peaceful surface, countless ninja were hidden in the shadows, watching his every move.
Still, the fact that Senju Hashirama was alive truly shocked him.
According to what Hatake Sora remembered from his past life as a Naruto fan, by Konoha Year Twelve, Senju Hashirama should have been dead for quite some time.
And yet now, the man who was supposed to be long gone was very much alive—and well.
Hatake Sora quickly adjusted his mindset.
After all, the entirety of Konoha Year Twelve was a hazy period in Naruto's records. If Hashirama had lived a little longer than expected, that wasn't truly so strange.
Just as he was thinking this, Tsunade suddenly stopped with a mischievous smile.
"We're here!"
She slid open the paper door.
On the bright tatami mats inside, a young and handsome Senju Hashirama sat properly at a low table. Smiling warmly, he stretched out his arms toward Tsunade.
"Little Tsunade, what brings you to see Grandpa today? What kind of trouble did you cause this time?"
As he spoke, Hashirama cast an amused glance at Hatake Sora.
Tsunade dove straight into Hashirama's arms, wriggling like a little loach as she pouted and acted spoiled.
"Great-Grandpa, do I need to cause trouble just to come see you? I just missed you…"
Seeing this, Hatake Sora instinctively lowered his head even further.
Who would have thought that Tsunade—normally like a violent little tyrannosaurus—could act so coquettish?
Unconsciously, Hatake Sora imagined an adult Tsunade acting like this in Jiraiya's arms.
He shuddered.
That was pure nightmare fuel.
The sense of dissonance was overwhelming.
But Hashirama clearly understood his great-granddaughter very well. He laughed and shook his head.
"Don't try to sweet-talk me. Just say it—what happened this time? Did you beat up someone from the Uchiha clan? Or did you break another treasure?"
"Neither…"
Tsunade jumped out of Hashirama's arms, giggling.
"I just played some dice and lost a little something."
"Dice?"
Hashirama's eyes widened in shock.
"Who taught you how to gamble?"
Without the slightest hesitation, Tsunade immediately sold out the person standing beside her.
"Him."
"…Me."
Hatake Sora lifted his head, a helpless, awkward smile plastered across his small face.
Seeing this, Hashirama involuntarily spat out a mouthful of tea and shouted in astonishment:
"So this little brat beat me to it?!"
Hashirama had always loved gambling—and his luck was famously terrible. In fact, Tsunade's addiction to gambling was entirely his doing. Even later on, when Hashirama was resurrected and saw that Tsunade had inherited his "Will of Gambling," he was actually quite pleased.
"I never thought you'd make your move faster than me, kid."
Hashirama muttered as he shook his head, giving Hatake Sora a strange look.
"Boy, if Senju Tobirama ever finds out about this, you'll really be in deep trouble."
In front of Hashirama, Hatake Sora naturally didn't dare say anything reckless. He could only smile awkwardly.
Compared to the easygoing and eccentric Hashirama, Tobirama was a rigid traditionalist. If he found out about this…
"Well then," Hashirama said, suddenly clapping the table and laughing loudly, "tell me—what exactly did you win from our little Tsunade?"
"If it's her heart, you can just take it!"
Hearing this, Hatake Sora couldn't help twitching his lips.
What on earth was this guy saying?
The First Hokage's personality really was exactly as rumored. How should one put it… unserious? Extremely so.
"It's enrollment!"
Blushing furiously, Tsunade interrupted her grandfather's malicious teasing.
"He wants to enter Second Grandpa's ninja academy—to learn ninjutsu!"