Naruto: A New Life with Tsunade

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If it weren't for Tsunade, Natsume wouldn't have been able to team up with Shizune and Kabuto Yakushi. Normally, these two wouldn't be placed on the same team—both are medical-nin, and it's rare for a squad to have more than one. In fact, some teams don't even have a single medical-nin because they're so scarce.

Furthermore, Shizune was already a Chūnin at seventeen, not a Genin. Typically, Chūnin aren't reassigned to teams with Genin. However, Tsunade had the authority to bend the rules, and with the approval of the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, no one raised any objections.

Natsume didn't mind the arrangement. With two skilled medical-nin by his side, he felt incredibly safe. Very safe, he thought. Unlike most medical-nin, both Shizune and Kabuto were combat-capable, a rare trait that set them apart. At this stage, they were stronger than early Naruto. After all, Sakura Haruno had struggled with her abilities, and Sasuke Uchiha was often too prideful to focus on teamwork.

In the original timeline, Tsunade had taken Shizune and wandered the world, living a life of gambling and solitude. But now, she had a new priority—ensuring Natsume's combat growth while keeping him safe. Natsume, Shizune, and Kabuto weren't ordinary Genin, so simple missions wouldn't be enough, but the dangerous ones posed too much risk. If Tsunade had to intervene, it would defeat the purpose of training.

It had been a long time since Tsunade felt so conflicted. After losing her younger brother, Nawaki, she couldn't bear the thought of losing Natsume in the same way.

With no academy responsibilities, Natsume often found reasons to leave the village, usually using the orphanage as his alibi. Fortunately, Tsunade trusted him and didn't pry into his affairs.

Meanwhile, at Gunma Casino, business had flourished over the past two and a half years, making it the largest casino on Tanzaku Street. Other casinos had tried to intimidate them with hired muscle, but they clearly underestimated Natsume's growing strength. No mercenaries posed a threat when Tsunade was supporting him from the shadows.

As the casino's influence expanded, its reputation spread across the Land of Fire.

"Big brother!" A familiar voice called. Natsume turned to see a young girl with fiery red hair running towards him. It was Karin Uzumaki, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

"Brother, I want a hug!" she said, arms outstretched.

Natsume smiled and picked her up. "Have you been good for your mom today?"

Though known for her fiery temper, Karin was always sweet and well-behaved around Natsume.

"Of course! I always listen to my big brother," Karin said proudly.

"Good girl," Natsume praised, ruffling her red hair. "Where's Mom?"

"She's practicing her sealing techniques," Karin answered quickly.

"Alright, I'll go see her. Stay here and keep reading, okay?"

Karin pouted, clearly frustrated. The books Natsume had given her were difficult to understand, and she wasn't too keen on studying the complex symbols of sealing techniques.

"Be good," Natsume said, playfully pinching her cheeks. Karin's mood brightened, and she nodded.

To the north of Tanzaku Street, a small grove belonged to Gunma Casino, purchased specifically for Uzumaki Ena's training. The secluded area allowed her to practice her sealing jutsu in peace. A warning barrier surrounded the grove, but Natsume knew the safe entry points.

As he entered, Ena Uzumaki dispersed the chakra in her hands and turned toward him, a gentle smile on her face.

The Uzumaki clan's incredible chakra reserves were legendary. Even after years of inactivity, Ena's strength had grown rapidly, especially in sealing techniques. She was now twenty-three, having given birth to Karin at twenty, and her skill in the sealing arts continued to impress Natsume.

"Natsume, congratulations on your graduation," Ena said softly, walking over to him. She gently brushed his hair as if he were a precious treasure.

"Do you have a gift for me?" Natsume asked with a grin.

Ena wiped her hands and retrieved a small omamori (protective charm). "Here, for peace and joy," she said, offering it to him.

Natsume took the omamori and read the embroidered words: Peace and Joy. The charm was pink—definitely not a color he'd normally pick—but he didn't mind. Real men can like pink, he mused.

"Do you like it?" Ena asked, a bit of nervousness in her voice.

"Yes, I do. Thank you," Natsume said earnestly, nodding.

Ena's serene smile returned. While her temperament was different from Tsunade's, there was a quiet strength in her. Tsunade was fierce and bold, while Ena was soft-spoken but resolute in her own way.

"I have something for you too," Natsume said, pulling out a scroll. "This is a gift. Memorize it, then destroy it."

Ena blinked, her curiosity piqued. Carefully, she unrolled the scroll. Written within was the Yin Seal, an S-rank medical sealing technique that stores and regulates chakra, used for both healing and boosting physical abilities. It also slows aging and helps maintain youth.

Natsume hadn't stolen it—Tsunade had openly shared it while teaching Shizune. Unfortunately, Shizune hadn't mastered it yet. But with Ena's immense chakra reserves, Natsume believed she might succeed.

"This technique is priceless," Natsume said, gently pressing a finger to her lips to stop any protests. "The best way to thank me is to master it."

Ena's eyes softened, and she nodded, clutching the scroll. She understood the gravity of the gift.

"I'll be training later, but first I have some business to take care of. I'll be back soon," Natsume said, turning to leave.

---------------

"Move, Hinata!"

Hinata's face went pale with fear, tears welling in her wide, pale eyes. As the heir to the Hyūga Clan, she knew she should act, especially after hearing such cruel insults about the Byakugan. But her mind went blank, her limbs felt heavy, and all the taijutsu she'd learned seemed to vanish, leaving her frozen.

"If you lack respect, you deserve to be punished!" A sharp voice cut through the tension, jolting Hinata out of her daze.

Hinata instinctively looked up and saw something she would never forget. Three streams of water shot through the air like whips, striking the boys who had been mocking her. Their cries of pain echoed as the water struck, leaving deep welts on their skin.

Hinata blinked, trying to process what had just happened. Her eyes focused on the person, the boy who has stepped in.

He looks... amazing.

The thought surfaced unbidden. She had always thought her cousin Neji was strong and handsome, but this... boy had an entirely different presence. Her heart pounded in her chest.

"Are you alright?"

His voice snapped her out of her thoughts. He noticed the way she stared at him, and a small frown crossed his face. Was she still in shock?

Before he could ask, Hinata's face turned a deep red, her hands fidgeting nervously. She looked down, tapping her index fingers together as she often did when she was flustered.

"Th-thank you..." she murmured, her voice barely louder than a whisper.

Natsume, with his sharp shinobi senses, caught her quiet words. He smiled inwardly, noting her bashfulness.

[Due to your actions, Hinata Hyūga's fate has changed. You have earned 100 destiny points.]

That was... easy? Natsume thought, slightly taken aback by the voice from the Holy Ring of Destiny. Could it really be that simple? Then again, considering how shy Hinata had always been, perhaps it wasn't surprising. In the original timeline, Naruto had saved her in a similar way. Now, Natsume had stepped into that role, and given his presence, it seemed he had made an impact.

[Due to your actions, Uzumaki Naruto's fate has changed. You have gained 39 destiny points.]

Only 39? Natsume mused. It made sense though. Naruto losing Hinata didn't drastically alter his path. His fate was shaped by much larger events, even after becoming Hokage.

Meanwhile, Hinata stood awkwardly in front of him, stealing glances at his face before looking away, her cheeks still flushed.

"What's your name?" Natsume asked, his tone soft as he tried to ease the awkwardness.

"H-Hinata... Hyūga," she answered, barely audible.

"You know, it's not good for your posture to keep looking down like that." Natsume knelt slightly to meet her gaze, giving her a reassuring pat on the back.

Hinata trembled at the touch, her blush deepening. Slowly, she raised her head, but the overwhelming warmth in her body made her legs weak. She stumbled.

Natsume quickly caught her before she could fall.

"Are you okay?" he asked, steadying her.

"I-I'm fine..." Hinata stammered, trying to regain her balance.

"Where's your home? I'll walk you back," Natsume offered, concerned she might faint again.

"M-my home... I..." Hinata's face turned even redder, and she fiddled with the hem of her sleeve. "I-I don't remember the way," she confessed, her voice barely a whisper.

Natsume blinked. She's lost? Then he remembered—Hinata had always been a bit directionally challenged, even with the Byakugan. It was... oddly endearing.

Before he could respond, a figure landed in front of them.

"Lady Hinata, are you alright?" Tokuma Hyūga, one of her bodyguards, appeared, his sharp eyes assessing Natsume. His gaze softened slightly upon seeing Natsume's Konoha headband.

Hinata quickly shook her head, reassuring Tokuma that she was fine.

"Looks like your escort is here," Natsume said, offering a kind smile. "Try not to get lost again."

He turned to leave, but Hinata, in a moment of panic, took a small step forward as if to call after him. The words, however, stuck in her throat, and she watched silently as he disappeared from view.

"Lady Hinata, we should return," Tokuma urged, casting a glance in the direction Natsume had gone.

Hinata nodded slowly, a strange feeling of loss lingering in her heart.

Who are you?

---

As Natsume made his way back to the Gunma Casino, he couldn't help feeling a bit disappointed. He had hoped to run into Uzumaki Naruto, but the young Jinchūriki was always under the watchful eye of the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen. Opportunities for casual interaction were rare.

Natsume had once asked Tsunade if they could adopt Naruto. With her close connection to Kushina Uzumaki, it seemed like a natural idea. But Tsunade had explained that Sarutobi Hiruzen would never allow it. Naruto's upbringing was too closely monitored, and only those trusted with the Will of Fire, like Kakashi and Jiraiya, were allowed near him.

As for Danzō, he had long sought to recruit Naruto into the Foundation, but his efforts were constantly thwarted by Hiruzen.

"Hiruzen, you'll regret this," Danzō often muttered darkly.

"Hokage's orders," Hiruzen would reply, shutting down the conversation.

Natsume knew that approaching Naruto would require timing and patience. A chance encounter would be ideal, avoiding the Third Hokage's attention.

---

"Big brother!" a cheerful voice called out, snapping Natsume from his thoughts. Karin ran toward him, dropping her book in her excitement.

Natsume bent down to pick her up, smiling. "How's your studying going today? Ready for a little test?"

Karin scrunched her face, determined. "Bring it on!"

"What does the saying from the Analects of Confucius, 'Those who are not strong enough, give up halfway,' mean?"

Karin clenched her fist, her eyes gleaming with mischief. "It means anyone weaker than me gives up before they even try!"

Natsume laughed. "Master Kong would be proud... or maybe a little scared."

(A/N:-Master Kong was a fifth-century BCE Chinese thinker whose influence upon East Asian intellectual and social history is immeasurable.)

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