NARUTO: Starting with Hinata

Check out my patreon to read 100+ advance chapters.

Patreon: patreon.com/HAREMLOVER

__________

Shizune immediately looked toward Shiki.

"I'm going too."

Shiki answered promptly.

"Please prepare more money."

Tsunade swallowed her fried shrimp, licked the corner of her mouth, and said, "This time, I want to win back the money I lost last month."

"Lady Tsunade!"

Shizune suddenly raised her voice.

"Why are you yelling so loudly?"

Tsunade was startled.

"We have no money!"

Shizune said with an annoyed look on her face.

"How come we have no money?"

Tsunade was taken aback.

"When we were out there, we occasionally helped nobles treat their illnesses, but since returning to Konoha, we haven't earned a single ryo."

Shizune took a deep breath and asked with a forced smile, "So, where did you get the money from?"

Such a state of mind.

It reminded Shiki of the struggle of working six consecutive days after a holiday.

Following Tsunade, he'd been starving for nine meals over three days, enduring hardships and being chased by debt collectors.

Shiki adjusted his glasses, only to remember he wasn't wearing any.

Tsunade shrank back a little.

Shizune's quiet outburst was frightening, and Tsunade realized she was in the wrong. But giving up gambling was impossible for her. It was her lifestyle, after all.

Tsunade suddenly looked at Shiki.

Her eyes lit up.

This kid seems to be pretty wealthy.

"Shiki."

Tsunade cleared her throat and said, "Lend some money to your teacher, and I'll pay you back later."

"I'm not lending it."

Shiki refused without hesitation.

Expecting her to pay him back? Not likely. For all he knew, he'd have to wait until his future children were grown.

"Little brat!"

Tsunade put down her chopsticks and grabbed him, pulling him close to her.

Before Shiki could react, he found himself pressed against her.

What caught his eye was her skin with faint blue veins visible.

Shizune watched the whole ordeal, unsure whether to intervene or laugh.

"Teacher, I can't breathe."

Shiki struggled, only to be met with a playful bop on his head.

"If you agree to lend me the money, I'll let you go."

Tsunade clenched her fists, making her knuckles crack.

Shiki managed a couple of shallow breaths, but his nose was still pressed against her clothing.

Tsunade's body suddenly trembled.

Though there was clothing between them, she could feel his warmth.

Subconsciously, she let him go.

"How much do you want to borrow?"

Shiki gasped, catching his breath. His face was flushed from the suffocating hug.

"I'll give you a number."

Tsunade held up five fingers, "Five hundred thousand ryo."

"Fine."

Shiki regained his composure.

Tsunade looked at him, a little surprised.

So casual? This kid must be wealthier than she thought.

She made a mental note to "borrow" more in the future.

After all, she was Shiki's teacher, and the medical ninjutsu and physical skills she taught were worth far more than a mere 500,000 ryo.

Shiki didn't mind. The money had been gifted by Hinata and Ino, after all.

Wait a minute…

Who's the freeloader here?

Shiki glanced at Tsunade thoughtfully.

Looks like finding a way to make money is becoming necessary.

After dinner, Tsunade left the table.

Shiki was about to leave as well, but Shizune stopped him.

"Help me take these to the kitchen."

Shizune pointed at the dishes on the table.

"Okay."

Shiki took the dishes and followed her into the kitchen.

"Wait, I have something to tell you."

Shizune crouched down in front of him.

"What is it?"

Shiki glanced down instinctively.

Though her collar was slightly open, there wasn't much to see.

He sighed inwardly.

"Don't spoil Lady Tsunade too much."

Shizune said seriously.

Shiki looked at her in confusion.

"Tsunade loves drinking and gambling." Shizune said through gritted teeth, "If she keeps going like this, she'll end up completely broke. As her students, you and I have to persuade her to change."

In truth, Shizune had tried countless times before, with little success.

Now, with Shiki, she thought perhaps together they could make a difference.

"I see."

Shiki nodded thoughtfully.

Convincing Tsunade would be tough, though. Maybe when he got stronger, he could try some "direct" persuasion.

"Alright then."

Shizune smiled and patted his head, "I'll be counting on you."

Another head pat?

Alright, alright. You won't escape from this in the future.

Shiki mentally noted it down.

He turned and left the kitchen.

"Teacher."

Shiki approached the sofa where Tsunade was lounging, "Can you teach me a new ninjutsu?"

----

Uchiha clan residence.

"Mother!"

Sasuke burst through the door, asking eagerly, "Are Dad and Brother back?"

"No." Mikoto replied, reaching out to ruffle his hair.

Really, every time this little guy came home, he always looked for his father and brother first.

It was so unfair!

When would Sasuke come home looking for his mom first?

"Oh." Sasuke frowned slightly.

"What do you want with them?" Mikoto asked, feeling a bit left out, "Can't your mom help you?"

"Yeah, Mom, you're a ninja too." Sasuke realized, nodding, "I wanted to test my chakra properties."

"Wait here."

Mikoto pinched his cheeks playfully before leaving.

Soon, she took out a palm-sized piece of paper.

"Put chakra into it."

Mikoto introduced, "If it's fire attribute, the paper will burn. Water attribute will make it wet, lightning will wrinkle it, wind will tear it, and earth will cause it to crumble."

"I see!"

Sasuke began to channel chakra into the paper with an expectant look on his face.

After a few seconds, the paper split into two halves: one half burned, and the other half wrinkled.

"Fire and lightning," Mikoto noted with a hint of surprise, "It's a rare dual attribute."

"Only two, unfortunately." Sasuke replied, slightly raising the corners of his mouth in a calm tone.

This kid is too cocky, Mikoto thought with a smile. She asked, "Tell me, why do you want to test your chakra nature?"

"I want to learn Lightning Release Ninjutsu." Sasuke replied, "Do we have any here at home?"

"We do." Mikoto nodded. One of the main functions of the Sharingan is copying techniques. Kakashi learned a thousand jutsu with it and became Konoha's top technician.

"But you should focus on fire ninjutsu." Mikoto said with slight hesitation. The Uchiha clan's two symbols are the Sharingan and Fire Release, and she knew Fugaku's temperament. He might not be pleased with Sasuke focusing on lightning techniques.

"I'll just give it a try." Sasuke responded nonchalantly.

"Alright." Mikoto turned and went to another room. Moments later, she returned with a scroll.

"Lightning Style: Flash. It's a C-rank jutsu, relatively simple." She explained, "Typically, it can be learned in three days."

Sasuke studied the scroll carefully and started making hand seals. In an instant, flashes of lightning appeared in his palm, illuminating the room.

Mikoto squinted slightly at the sudden brightness, and when she realized what had happened, she couldn't help but exclaim, "You learned it so quickly? That's incredible."

Sasuke stared at the lightning in his hand, feeling a sense of accomplishment. Was he better suited for Lightning Release than he thought? Did Shiki know this when he suggested it? Was it just a guess or intentional?

"Mother!" Sasuke refocused and said excitedly, "I need more lightning ninjutsu."

Mikoto hesitated but eventually nodded, "Alright, I'll look for some."

"Thanks, Mom! See you tomorrow!" Sasuke took the scroll and returned to his room.

"This child." Mikoto murmured, smiling as she watched him leave.

Meanwhile, at the Senju residence…

When Tsunade heard Shiki's question, she sat up straighter, her white legs crossed and her bare feet swaying in the air.

"You've mastered super power?" Tsunade's expression became thoughtful. Though she had expected this, it still amazed her that it happened so quickly. Back in her youth, her progress wasn't nearly as swift.

"Yes." Shiki nodded.

"What do you want to learn?" Tsunade's tone was warm, given that Shiki was her biggest creditor. Teaching him a skill now could mean borrowing money later – a win-win situation.

"The Palm Healing Technique." Shiki answered after a moment's thought.

The Palm Healing Technique channels chakra from the hands to enhance healing on wounds or injured areas. In the original lore, it's incredibly versatile, covering external and internal injuries far better than basic medical ninjutsu.

"Given your current level, you can give it a try." Tsunade mused, tapping her lips with her finger, "Go to the kitchen and get a fish."

Shiki went to the kitchen, choosing a "lucky" fish for practice.

"The Palm Healing Technique demands precise chakra control and knowledge of human anatomy." Tsunade continued, picking up a fruit knife and handing it to Shiki, "It's easier to treat external injuries, so let's start there."

Shiki was momentarily surprised before he caught on.

Tsunade, likely due to her hemophobia, wouldn't be able to stomach the sight of blood.

"Let me show you first." Tsunade said, putting down the knife and forming a seal. Green chakra glowed around her hands as she directed it toward the fish, which, without any injuries, showed no visible effect.

"Did you get a good look?" Tsunade asked afterward, her tone casual.

Shiki nodded. Sorry, fish. With a calm expression, he made a small incision.

Turning away, Tsunade looked towards the TV, but the faint smell of blood made her body tremble slightly.

Just then, Shizune came out of the kitchen, pausing at the sight. Has he already started learning the Palm Healing Technique? A wave of melancholy washed over her. It seemed inevitable that Shiki would soon surpass her.

Not if she could help it.

Shizune clenched her fists, determined. She wasn't going to let herself fall behind her junior so easily.

Time passed.

At ten o'clock, Shiki went to bed as usual.

The next day—Sunday.

After breakfast, Shiki returned to the Aburame clan's residence.

"Brother!"

Shino, who was in the courtyard, spotted him and ran over immediately.

"Take out your insects." Shiki said casually, "I learned a new use for natural energy from my teacher."

He had only mentioned the concept of natural energy to Shino, keeping details about Sage Mode and Sage Chakra to himself. The risks associated with natural energy are considerable; a mistake could have dangerous consequences.

"What's that?" Shino asked, intrigued.

"Maintain a 1:1 ratio of natural energy and chakra in the insects' bodies." Shiki instructed.

"Is there a particular effect of natural energy on chakra?" Shino wondered.

"There is." Shiki replied, "You'll see if you try it."

Shino summoned a few modified insects.

"Wait." Shiki stopped him, "Let's go somewhere else."

He was reminded of Jugo, born with the ability to absorb natural energy but prone to losing control and becoming violent. Jugo's condition had inspired Orochimaru's cursed seal.

If Shino's insects went berserk and caused havoc, it wouldn't be ideal.