Naruto: A New Life with Tsunade

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Natsume had graduated from the Academy in just two and a half years, simply because he was that good.

Thanks to Ena Uzumaki's guidance and the Wood Release-enhancing potion, his body was in peak condition. In terms of chakra reserves, he was already comparable to an average Jōnin.

However, one glaring weakness remained: his lack of real combat experience.

Since arriving in this world, Natsume had yet to face a true life-and-death battle. Without that experience, he was at a significant disadvantage.

There was a vast difference between a seasoned ninja and an inexperienced one.

Take Uchiha Itachi, for example. After graduating the previous year, Itachi joined a team alongside Orochimaru's other students, Mitarashi Anko and Uzuki Yugao. Together, they had maintained a flawless mission completion rate, successfully executing several A-rank missions. Their team was already hailed as Konoha's strongest Genin squad.

In theory, Natsume could hold his own against Itachi, even with the Uchiha prodigy's awakened Sharingan. His Wood Release gave him that edge. But in reality, it wouldn't be so simple.

That was the difference experience made.

Unless he could overpower his opponent with sheer strength, Natsume knew the fight wouldn't favor him. Even Naruto Uzumaki, with his immense chakra reserves, had struggled under similar circumstances when facing more experienced foes.

Despite still being a Genin, Natsume's overall strength was on par with a Chūnin's. Given time, there was no doubt he would rise to the rank of Jōnin.

His rapid progress could only be matched by a few geniuses, Itachi being one of them.

"Natsume, congratulations on graduating."

Tsunade had been waiting for him outside the assessment room. As soon as she saw him emerge, wearing his newly-earned Genin forehead protector, she smiled warmly.

Even though she had known he would pass the exam, her 'motherly' instincts had still made her nervous.

"I'm one step closer to becoming Hokage!" Natsume grinned, raising his thumb and tapping his forehead protector with pride.

He had learned how to play into Tsunade's personality. He knew exactly how to make her happy.

And it worked.

Tsunade felt a wave of nostalgia, remembering her own graduation from the Shinobi Academy. His expression now mirrored her own from back then.

The cycle was repeating itself.

"Today is your special day, so I have a gift for you," Tsunade said.

"Really?" Natsume's eyes lit up with excitement. He loved receiving gifts.

Tsunade smiled as she gently removed the necklace she wore around her neck. She placed it around his.

The necklace felt warm against his skin, not cold as he expected.

Natsume shivered slightly, thinking about the necklace's infamous history. In the original series, everyone who wore it had met a tragic end, including Naruto Uzumaki.

But Naruto, being the protagonist, didn't stay dead for long.

"This was my grandfather's necklace," Tsunade explained, softly patting Natsume's head. "It holds his Wood Release chakra, so it will be helpful for you."

Natsume considered refusing—Tsunade had already done so much for him—but he couldn't deny the potential of the necklace. It had been strong enough to suppress even the Nine-Tails' chakra, which meant it carried a tremendous amount of Wood Release chakra.

For someone like him, who had already awakened Wood Release, this was an incredible gift.

As for the so-called curse of death? Natsume smirked inwardly. He had his own unique advantages—there was nothing to fear.

"Tsunade-sama."

An ANBU suddenly appeared before them, kneeling. "Hokage-sama requests your presence, along with Natsume."

The warm moment was interrupted. Tsunade's smile faded as she frowned. "What does that old man want now?"

"Hokage-sama didn't inform me," the ANBU answered respectfully.

Tsunade sighed and waved him off. The ninja vanished as swiftly as he had come.

"Let's go," she said, taking Natsume's hand. "Let's see what the old man wants."

---

In the Hokage's office, Sarutobi Hiruzen quickly covered the crystal ball on his desk as the door flew open. He cleared his throat, masking his slight embarrassment.

"Tsunade," he said, tapping his pipe, trying to maintain his usual calm demeanor. "When did you start barging in like Danzo?"

"Cut the pleasantries, old man. What do you want?" Tsunade flopped down on the sofa, completely unconcerned with decorum.

Sarutobi chuckled, used to her brash attitude by now. His gaze shifted to Natsume, and his expression softened. "I heard my young student graduated today. I wanted to offer my congratulations."

"Grandpa Hokage," Natsume greeted him with respect.

"What a fine boy," Sarutobi said, nodding approvingly.

Over the past two and a half years, Natsume had excelled in his studies, consistently achieving perfect scores. His understanding of the Will of Fire was unusually deep—so much so that even Sarutobi had been enlightened by the boy's insights at times.

He had high hopes for Natsume, much like he had for Itachi.

"Alright, let's get to the point," Tsunade cut in, clearly impatient.

Sarutobi sighed dramatically. "You grow up, and now you don't even have time for your old teacher."

He leaned back in his chair. "Now that Natsume has officially become a ninja, it's time to assign him a team. I have a few suggestions—"

"No need," Tsunade interrupted. "I'll be leading his team. His teammates will be Shizune and Kabuto Yakushi."

Sarutobi raised an eyebrow. "And your hemophobia?"

"I'm over it," Tsunade said confidently. To prove her point, she took a kunai and sliced her palm. Blood welled up, but her expression didn't falter.

Sarutobi's eyes widened in delight. A fully recovered Tsunade could shift the balance of power in Konoha significantly. Her return was an immense asset.

"Why didn't you tell me sooner?" he asked, though his tone was more jubilant than accusatory.

"If I let you worry a bit, maybe you'd quit smoking that pipe," Tsunade teased.

Sarutobi chuckled. "Very well, Tsunade. If you're truly back to full strength, I have no objections. You can lead the team."

He paused, his expression turning more serious. "But remember, Natsume and the others are shinobi now. They need experience in the field. You can't protect them forever."

"I know," Tsunade admitted, though her voice held a trace of reluctance. As much as she hated the idea, she understood the truth in Sarutobi's words.

"Take them out into the world," Sarutobi advised. "The war with Kumogakure is nearing its end. Your presence on the battlefield might speed up the peace talks."

"Is that your real goal, old man?" Tsunade smirked, though she didn't refuse. "I'll handle it. Don't worry."

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