"What an unexpected surprise."
Tsunade's lips curled into a smile as her eyes sparkled with contemplation, considering how to handle Sasame.
Leaving him at the orphanage risked him falling into Danzō's clutches.
He would undoubtedly be ruined.
As for Hiruzen Sarutobi, Tsunade harbored resentment toward him.
Perhaps I should adopt him myself?
Tsunade's return to Konoha wasn't solely for Minato and Kushina's funeral—she had another purpose.
To take Shizune with her.
During the Second Shinobi World War, Shizune had just been born.
Tsunade couldn't bring her along at the time.
But now she had graduated from the ninja academy and displayed promising medical talent.
Considering Shizune had no one else in Konoha, Tsunade planned to take her under her wing.
Adding Sasame to the mix seemed feasible as well.
According to Nonō, this child was remarkably mature and sensible.
Tsunade wouldn't need to fuss over his care—just teach him Wood Release.
Since her grandfather Hashirama's death, Wood Release had vanished for decades.
As the last remaining member of the Senju clan, Tsunade felt a sense of responsibility.
Perhaps it was time to remind the shinobi world of the terror once wrought by Wood Release—to rekindle memories of the Senju clan's former glory.
"Your ability to use Wood Release proves you carry Senju blood."
Tsunade's expression softened uncharacteristically as she asked, "Given that, you shouldn't remain in an orphanage—you belong with the Senju. Will you come with me?"
For some reason, Sasame suddenly recalled a certain phrase:
"Are you my goddamn Master?"
"I am one of the legendary Sannin, you know."
Misinterpreting his silence as hesitation, Tsunade proudly straightened her posture, declaring, "You won't regret following me."
Sasame's gaze flickered downward momentarily.
Indeed, no child would go hungry around her.
He nodded. "I'm willing."
Tsunade's face lit up with a radiant smile as she reached out to pinch his cheek playfully. "Smart decision, handsome."
"What about me?"
Kabuto couldn't help but interject.
Sasame was his closest friend at the orphanage—naturally, he was reluctant to see him leave.
"Kabuto, mind your manners!"
Nonō tensed, quickly adding, "Sasame is only moving out. You can still see him often."
Kabuto looked crestfallen but said nothing more.
Observing this, Sasame hesitated briefly before sticking to his original plan.
I'll arrange for Kabuto to "accidentally" reveal his talents later, ensuring Tsunade takes him as a student too.
Doing so now would seem far too coincidental and risk arousing Nonō's suspicions.
"Kabuto, I'll come visit you every day," Sasame promised with a warm smile.
This immediately lifted Kabuto's spirits.
Intelligent as he was, he understood Sasame stood to gain immensely from accompanying Tsunade.
"Nonō, I'll take him with me now."
Tsunade leaned forward slightly, extending her hand.
Sasame suddenly found himself facing overwhelming visual pressure as a certain deep valley dominated his field of vision.
Five words flashed through his mind:
"Bountiful and generous indeed."
"Let's go."
Without waiting for his reaction, Tsunade grasped his hand and strode toward the exit.
"Sasame, remember to visit me!" Kabuto called after them.
"I will!"
Sasame turned back to wave.
This premium tool isn't getting away.
Outside the orphanage, Tsunade lifted her gaze northward toward the Hokage Monument—the stone faces of past leaders carved into the mountainside.
Sasame instinctively rose onto his tiptoes, trying to follow her line of sight.
Damn, too short.
Noticing his effort, Tsunade couldn't help but chuckle.
At just seven years old with delicate features, his every movement exuded childish charm.
"I was looking at the Hokage Rock."
She resisted the urge to ruffle his hair. "At its base lies the Hokage Residence—our Senju clan grounds. The answers about your lineage await there."
Their journey north concluded at a secluded traditional house.
Nostalgia washed over Tsunade's features.
"This is where my grandparents lived—where I grew up."
It had been years since her last visit.
Her grandmother, Mito Uzumaki, had been the first Nine-Tails jinchūriki—hence the remote, guarded location.
But that was long ago.
Sasame surveyed their surroundings.
Honestly?
Rather plain.
Just an ordinary Japanese-style wooden house.
Inside, however, everything was immaculate—clearly maintained regularly.
And not just cleaned.
ANBU operatives still patrolled the perimeter.
Without Tsunade, Sasame would have been intercepted immediately.
"Nothing here..."
Tsunade opened the refrigerator to find it empty and sighed.
She'd hoped to offer Sasame milk—growing children needed nutrients—but settled for water.
"Wait here. I'll fetch something."
After handing him a glass, she ascended the stairs, returning with two scrolls.
"Can you read?"
"The director taught me."
"This is the Senju clan registry. See if any names seem familiar."
She settled on the opposite couch, crossing her long, pale legs as she watched him with interest.
Quite the view.
Like spotting an elegant white cat—you just wanted to pet it.
Sasame perused the genealogy.
Beyond Hashirama and Tobirama, all names were unfamiliar.
"I don't remember my past," he admitted, feigning sadness. "None of these names seem familiar."
"Then let the past remain buried."
Tsunade's heart ached at his downcast expression.
So tragic, yet so mature.
"From now on, you'll learn ninjutsu from me."
She unsealed the second scroll. "While I lack Wood Release, Grandfather left detailed notes—more than sufficient for your training."
"Thank you, Lady Tsunade."
His gratitude was genuine this time.
Mastering Wood Release—even just to Yamato's level—would be significant.
Sure, Yamato got memed as "Konoha's landscaper," but his skills were legitimate.
A solid elite jōnin.
"None of this 'Lady' nonsense. Call me big sis when we're alone."
A rare hint of nervousness tinged her voice—as if fearing rejection.
Logically, they'd just met. This warmth was unusual.
But between Sasame's adorable looks and his earlier speech about protecting everyone?
She was hooked.
"Tsunade-nee!"
Sasame played along without hesitation.
Sugar mama acquired.
Wait—scratch that. More like debt mama.
"How about a new name? 'Natsuki' has a nice ring."
Leaning closer, her floral perfume enveloped him.
Oh no. I've become the replacement!
Though he'd engineered this, the name change caught him off guard.
And "Natsuki"? Hard pass.
It reminded him of Mogi Natsuki—the Initial D heroine infamous for her "generous uncle."
Young him had envied her "allowance."
Adult him knew better.
("I bought a sexy swimsuit~" flashed through his mind.)
Sasame shook his head. "Tsunade-nee, 'Sasame' is all my parents left me. I'd like to keep it."
Rather than anger, Tsunade's eyes softened with pity.
She stroked his hair. "Then keep it. What would you like for dinner? I'll go shopping."
"Barbecue."
Orphanage meals were frugal at best.
"Study the scroll first. I'll return shortly."
The moment she left, Sasame unfurled the teachings.
First technique: Wood Release: Wood Clone Substitute.
An enhanced version of the basic Replacement Technique—using wooden clones instead of logs.
Perfect for his current level.
Hokage Office.
With Minato deceased, Hiruzen had reluctantly resumed office to stabilize the village.
"What a mess..."
He exhaled smoke, eyeing intelligence reports with exhaustion.
Returning to power should have been joyous.
So why couldn't things stay peaceful?
Cloud Village was already probing their borders post-Nine-Tails attack.
"Hokage-sama."
A toad-masked ANBU appeared. "Lady Tsunade has taken an orphan named Sasame to the First Hokage's residence."
"Sasame? Who's that?"
Hiruzen tapped his pipe. "Any relation to her?"
"None confirmed. They met today for the first time."
A contemplative smoke ring drifted upward.
First meeting, yet visiting Hashirama's home?
Something was amiss.
That boy had to be special.
But compared to Tsunade? A minor concern.
What truly interested Hiruzen was this:
Using Sasame to keep Tsunade in Konoha.
Their earlier reunion made it clear she planned to leave again.
Yet with the village weakened, her presence would bolster morale and deter enemies.