Naruto: Starting By Saving Mikoto

Hiro left the cave with a sense of purpose, but no clear destination. His mind was cluttered with thoughts, plans, and memories, yet none of them seemed to form a path forward. So, he just wandered.

For weeks, Hiro traveled across different regions, passing through small villages and quiet forests. He didn't rush. Each night he camped beneath the stars, sometimes finding shelter in modest inns. 

After weeks of traveling, Hiro found himself in a lively village. With no particular destination in mind, he decided to stop and try his luck in gambling. He had a simple plan—earn some quick cash, move on, and avoid unnecessary entanglements. 

As a ninja, winning at these games wasn't exactly difficult.

He entered the village's main gambling hall, blending into the crowd. 

The air was thick with excitement, the sounds of dice and cards being shuffled filling the room. 

Men and women laughed and groaned over their wins and losses, but Hiro's eyes scanned the tables with quiet confidence.

Spotting a game of dice, Hiro casually joined in, his expression calm and detached. 

It didn't take long for him to start winning, using his sharp reflexes and keen perception to tip the odds in his favor. 

His stack of winnings grew with each round, though he kept his demeanor neutral, careful not to draw too much attention to himself.

As the night wore on, however, one person did catch his attention—a woman sitting at a nearby table. Her blonde hair was unmistakable, as was her intensity. 

She threw down her cards with frustration, a string of curses leaving her lips as she lost yet another round.

Tsunade.

Hiro recognized her instantly. The famed Sannin with a notorious reputation for both incredible strength and terrible luck at gambling. He couldn't help but smirk slightly at the irony. Here he was, about to take advantage of the very thing she was infamous for: losing.

But Hiro didn't approach her. He wasn't interested in making a scene or revealing that he knew who she was.

Instead, he kept his focus on the dice in front of him, winning just enough to keep things interesting but not enough to draw suspicion.

It wasn't until much later, after Tsunade had lost yet another pile of coins, that their paths finally crossed.

As Hiro was collecting his winnings, he noticed Tsunade watching him from across the room, her brow furrowed. She stood up, clearly frustrated, and marched over to where he sat. Hiro's eyes met hers for a brief moment, but he kept his expression neutral, as if he didn't know who she was.

"You've been winning a lot," she said, her tone sharp. "Almost too much for a guy just passing through."

Hiro shrugged, his voice calm. "luck, I guess."

Tsunade narrowed her eyes, clearly not convinced. She leaned over the table, her presence commanding. "No one has that kind of luck. Not unless they're hiding something."

Hiro remained unfazed, casually stacking his winnings. "I'm just good with dice and you are not."

Tsunade let out a small, humorless laugh. "Right. Sure." She studied him for a moment longer, her sharp eyes scanning him as if trying to figure him out. 

Hiro knew she wouldn't recognize him—he had kept a low profile for a reason—but she was sharp, and he could tell she wasn't going to believe him.

"You don't seem like the gambling type," Tsunade said, folding her arms. "Why are you really here?"

Hiro met her gaze, calm and controlled. "Just passing through. Thought I'd make some money before I move on."

She raised an eyebrow. "You don't look like someone who needs money that badly."

Hiro smiled faintly, though his eyes remained cold. "Everyone needs money."

For a moment, Tsunade was silent, her eyes locked on his. Hiro could feel her analyzing him, trying to see past the facade. But he didn't flinch, maintaining his composure.

Finally, Tsunade straightened up, her lips curving into a sly smile. "You're not bad. But don't think I haven't noticed. 

You're winning way too easily." She tossed a coin onto the table, the metallic sound ringing through the air. "Care to test your luck with me?"

Hiro raised an eyebrow, pretending not to recognize the challenge. He wasn't about to reveal that he knew exactly who she was and what she was capable of. "Sure," he said, matching her calm tone. "Why not?"

They sat down across from each other, the tension palpable as they prepared for the game. 

The dealer rolled the dice, and Hiro could feel Tsunade's eyes on him the entire time, watching for any sign of deception. But he kept his movements smooth, his wins just barely outpacing hers. 

He didn't want to humiliate her outright; after all, he wasn't here to make enemies, just money.

After several rounds, the inevitable happened—Tsunade lost. Again.

She groaned, running a hand through her blonde hair, clearly frustrated but not entirely surprised. 

"I swear, you've got some kind of trick up your sleeve," she muttered, though there was a hint of amusement in her voice.

Hiro stood up, gathering his winnings. "Maybe I just have good luck," he said with a smirk, though he knew it was more than that.

Tsunade gave him a hard look, then shook her head with a resigned smile. "You're an interesting one. I don't know what your deal is, but you've got my attention."

Hiro nodded, pocketing his earnings. "Thanks for the game."

As he turned to leave, Tsunade called after him, "Don't think this is over, though. I'll figure you out sooner or later."

Hiro glanced back, offering her a small, knowing smile. "We'll see."

And with that, he walked out of the gambling hall, leaving Tsunade behind.

He knew this wouldn't be the last time their paths crossed, but for now, he had what he came for—a pocket full of cash and a clean exit.

Late that night, Hiro prepared to leave quietly, his bag packed and ready.

The streets were silent, the kind of silence that only came deep in the night when the world seemed to hold its breath.

But just as he reached the exit of the inn, a figure blocked his path.

Just as he passed the last inn on the street, a voice rang out from behind him.