Time flowed on without pause.
It wasn't until the maple leaves in the courtyard suddenly turned red that Uchiha Ran finally realized—
Autumn of Konoha Year Forty-Seven had arrived.
Everything was progressing steadily, just as planned.
And so, Ran decided to reward himself with a single day off.
Upstream of the Naka River—more precisely, at its very source—stood Naka Mountain.
At the foot of the mountain lay a secluded deep pool.
The water was unfathomably dark, winding along the mountain's contours in gentle curves, like a jade ribbon wrapped around its base. Standing by the shore, one couldn't see where the pool truly ended.
This place was nothing more than a quiet, forgotten corner of Naka Mountain.
Every morning at sunrise, the surface of the pool reflected the sunlight. Bathed in the soft glow of dawn, it naturally lifted one's spirits.
The Naka River originated here. Melted snow from the mountain peak gathered and flowed downward, forming small streams, cascading into waterfalls, pooling into deep basins—before finally becoming the Naka River that passed through Konoha.
That morning, after noticing the crimson maple leaves near his home, Ran felt exceptionally cheerful and deliberately came to this rarely visited pool to fish.
Early hours meant silence.
Aside from birdsong, there were only the occasional dragonfly or butterfly flitting by—small, lively creatures that added to the tranquility.
"Fishermen never come back empty-handed…" Ran laughed as he flicked his rod and pulled it back. "Another one! What a haul~"
Even without an audience, he was genuinely happy. Simple pleasures—that was the joy of fishing.
"Hmm, this one's got to be at least fifteen jin," he muttered thoughtfully. "I should carry it around Konoha later, just to make a lap."
He could already imagine the villagers' shocked expressions and endless questions. The thought made the corners of his lips curl upward.
What a great day to be a fisherman.
—
On the opposite side of the pool.
A kunoichi with long golden hair tied into a thick ponytail arrived at the water's edge. A violet-blue diamond mark rested on her forehead. Her clothing was loose and casual, revealing smooth, slender legs beneath the hem.
"Perfect," she said with satisfaction. "I knew that even after being gone for so long, no one would come to a place like this. Since I'm finally back in Konoha… I'll take a bath first."
If Orochimaru were present, he would have immediately recognized her—
Tsunade, who hadn't returned to Konoha in many years.
There was clearly no one around.
Tsunade stretched lazily, then removed her outer robe. Her skin, flawless and pale as polished jade, was revealed to the mountain air.
A gentle breeze passed through the forest, carrying scattered osmanthus blossoms that drifted down onto her shoulders.
She didn't move, letting the petals rest there.
Raising a hand, she brushed aside the loose strands of hair by her cheek, quietly feeling the lingering warmth of Konoha's autumn.
Her gaze grew distant, filled with emotion.
After a long while, she murmured softly,
"…After all these years, I'm finally back."
Her sigh scattered with the falling blossoms.
Tsunade closed her eyes, memories flooding her mind—Orochimaru, Jiraiya, the Third Hokage… Nawaki… even Dan.
Each recollection hurt.
Yet at the same time, they made her feel whole.
—
Meanwhile, Ran was starting to feel tired from fishing.
"Alright, alright," he said contentedly. "A place this nice—I'd better go for a swim."
He abandoned the rod, stripped down without hesitation, and dove straight into the pool.
Splash.
With a ripple of water, he vanished beneath the surface.
—
Elsewhere in the pool…
Tsunade was still enjoying her relaxation when a strange sensation brushed against her.
She frowned and opened her eyes.
"…Hm?"
Lowering her gaze, she saw a small golden fish swim past her.
"What kind of fish is this?" she muttered, catching it briefly to examine it. "Ah—so it's a Golden Dragon Carp. I thought these only lived near the islands of the Land of Water."
She released it back into the pool.
"So comfortable…"
Her body relaxed completely as she floated on the surface.
Drifting along, she admired the scenery lining the pool. Vast stretches of maple trees had turned red, their colors glowing even more vividly under the sunlight. It was breathtaking.
Ran, having finished his swim, rested against a rock at the edge of the pool, soaking in the warmth of the sun.
"Perfect," he sighed. "The Third Hokage can't monitor this place, and it's great for cultivating both body and mind. Pure enjoyment~"
Just as he closed his eyes, a woman's voice drifted over.
"Feels amazing… If the entire ninja world were as peaceful as Konoha, I could just gamble and soak in hot springs every day."
Ran responded without thinking,
"Konoha isn't that peaceful. Border conflicts never stop. Sooner or later, the flames of war will reach here too."
The moment the words left his mouth, he froze.
"…There's someone else here?"
His eyes snapped open—and immediately locked onto an unbelievable sight.
On the water's surface, something pale and striking drifted into view.
Ran's throat bobbed as he swallowed.
The air itself seemed filled with a sweet, intoxicating fragrance.
Uchiha Ran had spent his life doing good deeds—uniting clan and village, treating others with kindness and sincerity.
Surely, this was the karmic reward he deserved.
—
Tsunade, drifting along, took a moment to process Ran's words.
"…There's someone here?!"
She hadn't realized she was still in the water.
Instinctively, she sprang upright.
The movement was sudden. The splash was dramatic. Fate, it seemed, was being particularly mischievous.
Her entire figure was exposed in an instant.
"—Wha—!"
Ran's eyes went wide, his mind going blank. He nearly burst into a nosebleed on the spot.
This was… unreal.
Those unmistakable features—
It had to be Tsunade.
The infamous "legendary fat sheep" of Konoha—yet at this age, she looked no different from a young woman.
Ran's heart thundered.
At the same time, Tsunade finally noticed something she absolutely shouldn't have.
A clearly underaged boy—completely unclothed—standing right there.
Her face darkened.
"Brat!" Tsunade roared. "Where did you come from?! How dare you stare?!"
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