Chapter 23 – Sunagakure
"Life is like a journey," Yusuke began, voice calm as he stared into the distance. "It has a beginning... and eventually, an end. The length doesn't matter—it's the scenery along the way that does."
"But if a journey has only a beginning and no destination... if it just drags on aimlessly... it's no longer life. It's just existence. Like a walking corpse, soulless and forgotten. And if you're alone through it all... then who's there to witness that journey?"
He let out a long breath.
"…Such beautiful words, Yusuke. Mind if I write that in my next book?" Jiraiya said with unusual seriousness, as if mentally taking notes.
"…The scenery along the way, huh…" Tsunade murmured under her breath.
"Hatake Yusuke-kun, tell me," Orochimaru asked again, "how do you think one can achieve immortality?"
"There are two ways, I believe. The first... is becoming strong enough to transcend time itself. The second... is through the soul."
"…Thank you for your insight," Orochimaru replied, his tone sincere.
With that, their dinner came to a quiet end.
"Well then, I'll be heading off," Orochimaru said, rising from his seat.
"Come on, let's go together," Jiraiya chuckled, wrapping an arm around his old teammate as they left the izakaya.
Yusuke was just about to go home when—
"Hey, brat... walk with me for a bit," Tsunade said, her tone surprisingly calm.
"…Sure."
Without another word, the two left the restaurant and strolled through the softly lit streets of Konoha.
"…Kid, are you really just five years old?" Tsunade asked after a while, glancing at him curiously.
"Of course I am."
"It just feels... weird. You talk like someone who's lived a hundred years. Everything you say sounds so philosophical," she muttered, still a bit baffled.
"It's just a glimpse of life—born not from living, but from surpassing life itself," Yusuke replied flatly.
Smack!
"Ow! What was that for?!" he shouted, rubbing his head.
"Brat! You're impossible to understand sometimes!" Tsunade snapped.
"Y'know... the brain is kind of useful," Yusuke muttered, breaking into a run.
"You calling me stupid, huh?!" Tsunade shouted, immediately giving chase.
"Was that… Tsunade-sama?" whispered a passing villager.
"Maybe she's out on a mission?" another guessed.
The two chased each other through the quiet streets, laughter echoing behind them—a rare sound in a world built on war and grief. Since the death of her little brother, Tsunade hadn't felt this light-hearted in years.
Eventually, they found themselves at a small forest clearing by a crystal-clear stream. Both collapsed into the grass, staring up at the white clouds drifting through the twilight sky.
"Haaah… you're tougher than you look, kid," Tsunade said, catching her breath.
"You're the one who wouldn't stop chasing me," Yusuke replied with a tired sigh.
It was a rare, peaceful moment—just teasing between two shinobi from vastly different worlds.
"…Be honest, kid. Are you really ready for the Chūnin Exams?" Tsunade's voice shifted to something more serious.
"Of course. I'll be taking first place," Yusuke said confidently—no arrogance, just certainty.
"You're really that sure of yourself, huh… But you do realize what happens when you come out on top, don't you?" Tsunade stared at him, her tone heavy.
After the past few days observing him, she knew. This boy—this child—was already at Jōnin-level.
And if he used his Kekkei Genkai and Enma, he might even match some Elite Jōnin.
"I know. But that doesn't matter. If they see me as a threat and try to eliminate me... then they're the enemy. And if they're the enemy, I'll erase them."
He said it so casually, as if discussing the weather.
"…You do know your enemies come from the other Great Nations, right?" Tsunade warned.
Yusuke sat up, eyes shining with unwavering determination.
"To me… none of them are worth fearing."
So arrogant. So brazen. And yet… somehow, it was convincing.
Tsunade stared at the boy who sat beside her—far younger, but far bolder. For a moment, she questioned whether anyone could actually defeat this kid.
"…No enemies worth fearing," she whispered, repeating his words.
"What, are you falling for me now?" Yusuke teased, gently lifting her chin with a finger.
"Brat!" Tsunade's face flushed instantly, and—as expected—they started bickering again.
Yusuke's laughter echoed through the trees, bright and full of life.
— — —
The Next Day
Five squads from Konoha gathered for departure. The Three Legendary Sannin would be their escorts—each one possessing power on par with a Kage.
This time, Kakashi wasn't included.
Despite being strong enough, it was decided he would sit this one out—for his own safety. Especially since his father, Sakumo, had a personal grudge with Chiyo, the elder of Sunagakure.
It wasn't unlikely that someone would try to use the Chūnin Exams as a chance to get revenge.
(Note: In the original timeline, Kakashi became a Chūnin at age six. But in this version, he's not yet old enough. Please forgive the inconsistency—consider it author liberty.)
Yusuke's team was made up of his former ANBU squadmates—Hyūga Inaka, and another recently assigned member.
Aburame Shisei had already been promoted to Chūnin and wouldn't be participating.
"This desert weather is awful…" one of the kunoichi from another team complained.
As the Konoha squads traveled, the oppressive heat of the Land of Wind began to take its toll. Yusuke, however, only muttered quietly, "No wonder they're always starting wars. They've got every reason to."
"Oi, brat! Don't zone out!" Tsunade called over.
"What now?" Yusuke responded lazily.
"Don't go flashing your Kekkei Genkai around!" she scolded. He was really testing her patience.
"I know. I'm not gonna need it for Genin anyway," he replied nonchalantly.
"Don't underestimate them. This is a joint exam between all Five Great Nations—after the Second Great Ninja War, no less. Stay alert."
"…Why are you so naggy today, Tsunade?" Yusuke shot back. This wasn't like her.
"Shut it!" she snapped, hands on hips. She felt like a panicked palace maid trying to wrangle an unruly prince.
"…Hey, isn't that the brat that's always hanging around Tsunade-sama?"
"Yeah. Probably just sucking up to her."
"I heard he's Sakumo Hatake's son. Supposedly crazy talented."
Voices whispered among the other participants.
Most of the examinees were between 13 and 15. Yusuke's team was by far the youngest. Even his two teammates—both girls—were only ten, but already Chūnin-level.
"…Hmph." A young shinobi with the Uchiha clan's fan crest on his back snorted.
In his eyes, Yusuke was still just a nobody. The Hatake Clan, while respected, wasn't one of the great noble houses.
Eventually, after a full day of travel, the Konoha teams arrived in Sunagakure.
They were the last to arrive—due to their proximity to the host village, they had departed the latest.
"Welcome. I am a Jōnin from Sunagakure—Rasa. Please, follow me," said a ninja wearing Suna's headband.
"Thank you," Tsunade replied politely.
So that's the future Fourth Kazekage… Yusuke thought. Someone whose strength rivals the Sannin. And in his desert domain? Not even the Sannin could beat him easily.
"You will have two days to rest. The exam begins the day after tomorrow," Rasa announced with calm authority—an air befitting a future leader.
"Thank you, Rasa-san," Tsunade bowed in return.
After a short exchange, Rasa took his leave.
"Alright, all of you—get a good night's rest. And no stirring up trouble these next two days," Tsunade warned, giving a long side-eye to Yusuke.
He only shrugged, as if to say, We'll see. Tsunade could only sigh.
With that, Jiraiya, Orochimaru, and Tsunade returned to their inns for the night.
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