At the entrance of the Sawada household on a Saturday morning, a boy crouched down, tying his shoelaces with his head lowered.
Once finished, he rose from the floor of the entryway.
"Crack!"
The door swung open, and a ray of sunlight poured in, shining across his face. The dazzling brightness forced him to squint, his eyes slowly opening only after a long moment.
"The sun's already so bright this early…"
The moment the door opened, the droning of cicadas from outside filled the air, sharp and clear.
"It gets so noisy in summer."
The boy muttered with slight annoyance, then shook his head and reached for the large black backpack sitting by the entrance. It was nearly half his height, bulging at the seams, though it was impossible to tell what was packed inside.
He shouldered it with ease, adjusting the straps until they sat snug against him. Then he picked up a fishing rod and a small tool box.
"Tsuna."
Just as he was about to step out, a gentle voice called from inside the house.
He turned to see a graceful woman in simple home clothes, a bright smile ever present on her face. It was the kind of smile that could soften anyone's temper.
"Tsuna, how long will you be gone on this camping trip?"
"Three days, most likely."
"Did you prepare the food?"
"Yeah. Aside from the fish we'll catch, I packed plenty of ingredients. Enough for three days, easily."
As he spoke, he patted his swollen backpack proudly. Everything was ready.
"Don't worry, Mom. I know that mountain like the back of my hand. If anything comes up, I'll just come home early."
Seeing her son so well-prepared, Nana Sawada's worry eased a little. She stepped closer and ruffled his hair.
"Just be careful, okay?"
"I know."
He flushed with embarrassment. Even at thirteen, being patted on the head by his mother felt childish. He didn't like it—but he couldn't bring himself to brush her hand away.
"I'll be going now."
With that, he turned and left with his rod and tool box.
"This child…"
Nana shook her head with a smile, closing the door before turning back to her chores.
Outside, the boy walked under the blazing summer sun, humming with energy. He wasn't excited because it was a camping day. No—today was different.
Today marked the end of six long years of effort. Today, he would finally reap the reward of his persistence.
His name was Sawada Tsunayoshi. And ever since birth, he carried with him the memories, knowledge, and consciousness of his previous life.
He remembered it clearly—thirty-three years lived in another world, ending in death from a gas leak at home.
But death had not been the end.
He had awoken reborn… inside the world of an anime he had once watched.
Tutor.
The moment he learned his new name, he understood where fate had cast him, and what kind of life lay ahead. Tortuous, dangerous… and inescapable.
At first, as a helpless infant, he had no way to resist destiny. But on his seventh birthday, everything changed.
Strange words appeared before his eyes:
[Eat well] [Exercise after meals] [Go to bed early]
Each of these words became a goal. When he accomplished them, the words turned green.
And every time all three were complete, a red number appeared above them.
This was his "golden finger." His cheat.
At first, Tsunayoshi had doubts. The effect was laughably small—barely a trace of stamina, a slight improvement in strength. Nothing like the overwhelming powers he'd read about in novels or seen in shows.
But he persisted. Day after day, year after year.
He ate well. He exercised after meals. He went to bed early.
One cycle after another, until—six years later—he had accumulated 2,160 completions.
And then, yesterday, something new appeared.
After the goals turned green, a red-bordered gift box manifested beneath them, along with a counter:
[2190/2191]
Tsuna realized then. Six years of perseverance had all led to this.
Tomorrow—today—the box would open.
"What could it be?"
He muttered, a flicker of excitement tugging at his lips. He had been waiting for this moment since dawn.
With eager anticipation, he carried his backpack, rod, and box up the trails of Mount Namimori.
Namimori Mountain stretched vast and wild, its slopes blanketed in lush vegetation. Beasts roamed within—at least according to local legend. Some whispered that even bears lurked in those woods.
No one had ever proved it. Or perhaps those who did… ended up as a bear's meal.
Either way, Tsunayoshi was no fool. At thirteen, even with six years of disciplined growth, he was still just a boy. To a bear, he would be nothing more than a chewy morsel.
So he chose a campsite far from the rivers and deeper woods, in a place high and secure—far from unnecessary risks.
(End of Chapter)
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