The next morning.
"Damn you, Danzo… you won't even leave me alone in my dreams!"
Naruto rolled out of bed with a scowl.
While brushing his teeth, he replayed the nightmare in his mind.
In the dream, Shimura Danzo had led Root to capture him, forcing him to open his mouth so they could brand him with the Cursed Tongue Eradication Seal—the control seal used on Root members.
Naruto shivered.
Being targeted by someone like Danzo—a man who moved like a snake in the shadows—was no small matter.
Right now, he was no match for him.
Danzo possessed Hashirama's cells and relied on Izanagi, a forbidden technique of the Sharingan that allowed him to rewrite reality at the cost of an eye.
People mocked Danzo for stabbing Susanoo with a kunai.
But that didn't change the fact that he was one of Konoha's strongest Wind Release users. In his fight against Mangekyō Sharingan Sasuke, nearly every attack landed. He pushed Sasuke to the brink.
If Obito hadn't intervened, the outcome might have been different.
Naruto exhaled slowly.
Could political protection help?
If he formed strong ties with a major clan… perhaps that would deter Danzo?
He immediately dismissed the idea.
Danzo's influence within Konoha's leadership was immense—second only to the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen.
Even the Aburame clan had been forced to hand over Aburame Torune under Danzo's pressure.
The only person Danzo truly feared…
Was probably Hiruzen.
Naruto had no interest in relying on that indecisive old man.
Konoha Hospital
Before Academy classes, Naruto had been studying medical ninjutsu under Yakushi Nonou.
"So impressive, Naruto!"
Yakushi Nonou smiled warmly.
"You've improved your Mystical Palm Technique so quickly. You must be practicing diligently at home."
Naruto sat quietly, accepting the praise.
She really was good with children. No wonder she had once run the Konoha Orphanage.
But Naruto knew her background.
Former Root elite.
Former operative known as the "Wandering Shrine Maiden."
Danzo would not tolerate her independence forever.
After praising him, Nonou handed him several thick textbooks on anatomy and chakra pathways.
"Study these carefully. A medical ninja must understand the body before healing it."
Naruto stared at the stack.
No wonder they say convincing someone to study medicine is like striking them with lightning.
Konoha was the birthplace of modern medical ninjutsu, yet there was still a severe shortage of skilled medical-nin.
Especially someone as dedicated as Nonou—she was constantly busy and couldn't always supervise him personally.
Just as she rose to attend to hospital duties, hurried footsteps echoed outside.
The door slid open.
"Nonou-san! Someone from the Inuzuka clan is here. We need you immediately!"
A young woman entered briskly.
She wore a black cloak over medical attire, with high boots and dark fishnet stockings beneath—standard shinobi undershirt material.
She had shoulder-length black hair, sharp black eyes, and an intelligent, reliable aura.
Naruto blinked.
Wait.
Black hair.
Medical-nin.
Fishnet undershirt.
Could it be—
The woman noticed Naruto and instantly softened.
"Oh? And who is this?"
She crouched down, smiling brightly, and gently patted his head.
Naruto's eye twitched.
Why does everyone treat me like I'm in some kind of Head-Patting Village?
The woman tilted her head.
"Nonou-san, is he one of the—"
She stopped midway, realizing what she was implying.
Yakushi Nonou smoothly intervened.
"Naruto, this is a highly skilled medical ninja who recently arrived at the hospital. You can call her Shizune-nee-san."
"If you have any questions, you can ask her."
Naruto froze.
Shizune?
As in… Tsunade's apprentice?
The one who always traveled with Tsunade and carried Tonton?
Why was she in Konoha?
In the original timeline, Tsunade only returned after Orochimaru's invasion and Hiruzen's death.
If Shizune was here…
Did that mean Tsunade had returned early?
Shizune studied Naruto more closely.
"Uzumaki Naruto…?"
She muttered quietly.
Tsunade-sama mentioned a child by that name…
Her expression softened further.
So this is Kushina-sama's son…
Naruto inwardly panicked.
Why does she look at me like that?!
After the brief introduction, Nonou urged,
"Shizune, you said the Inuzuka clan arrived? Let's not keep them waiting."
Shizune waved casually.
"It's not urgent. One of their ninken is pregnant—they just want a checkup."
Nonou relaxed slightly.
After whispering something to Shizune, the two hurried away.
Naruto adjusted his Academy bag and stepped into the hospital lobby.
He was about to head toward the Academy—
"Naruto!"
An energetic, familiar voice called out.
"What are you doing here?!"
Naruto turned.
And saw—