The Senju Estate…
An hour ago, Shiranui Itsuki could never have imagined he'd end up at the estate of the man known as the God of Shinobi—Senju Hashirama—so quickly.
The courtyard was vast, a perfect blend of elegance and power. Flowers and rare herbs filled the air with fragrance, jagged rock formations framed winding paths, and priceless treasures were scattered throughout, catching the morning light. The Senju estate was like a noble matron—graceful, serene, and majestic.
Yet Itsuki kept his head bowed, following closely behind Tsunade. He dared not lift his gaze, because he knew that beneath the estate's calm surface, countless shinobi were hidden in the shadows, watching him intently.
The news that Hashirama was still alive stunned Itsuki. According to the records of his previous life, by Konoha Year Twelve, Hashirama should have been long dead. Yet here he was, alive and well?
Itsuki quickly adjusted his mindset. After all, Konoha Year Twelve was a blurry period in the records. That Hashirama might have survived longer than expected… wasn't so strange after all.
Lost in thought, Itsuki was jolted when Tsunade suddenly stopped, a cheerful smile on her face.
"We're here!"
Sliding open the paper doors, a bright tatami room appeared. A young, handsome Hashirama sat at a low table, smiling as he extended a hand toward Tsunade.
"小Tsunade, what brings you here today? Causing trouble again?"
His gaze flicked meaningfully toward Itsuki, taking in the boy with amused curiosity.
Tsunade wriggled into Hashirama's embrace like a little eel, whining playfully. "First Grandpa, I'm fine! Can't I just come see you? I… missed you…"
Itsuki lowered his head even further. Never would he have imagined that the "Mother Tyrannosaurus" Tsunade could act this spoiled. He shuddered slightly at the thought of adult Tsunade acting the same way with Jiraiya… a nightmare scenario.
Still, Hashirama seemed well accustomed to his little granddaughter's antics, shaking his head with a chuckle. "Don't try to fool me, girl. What is it? Did you hit a Uchiha? Break some treasure?"
"Neither…"
Tsunade hopped down, giggling. "I was just playing dice. Lost a little something."
"Dice?"
Hashirama's eyes widened in surprise. "Who taught you this?"
Without hesitation, Tsunade pointed to Itsuki, selling him out immediately.
"It… was me," Itsuki said, raising his head, a wry, comical smile on his small face.
Hashirama choked on his tea, almost spraying it everywhere. "So this little guy beat me to it…"
It turned out Hashirama had a gambling streak too—and terrible luck, just like Tsunade. Perhaps her obsession with games of chance was entirely his doing. Even after his resurrection, seeing Tsunade inherit his "gambling will" delighted him immensely.
"I didn't expect you, kid, to act faster than me," Hashirama muttered, shaking his head, glancing at Itsuki oddly. "If Tobirama knew about this… you'd be in big trouble!"
Itsuki forced an awkward smile. He dared not speak casually in front of Hashirama. Unlike the playful Hashirama, Tobirama was rigid and proper. If Tobirama found out about this little incident… disaster.
"Alright, tell me—what exactly did you win from our little Tsunade?"
Hashirama slapped the table, laughing. "If it's her heart, go ahead and take it…"
Itsuki grimaced slightly. This guy… truly lived up to the rumors. Charming, capable, but with a mischievous streak a mile wide.
"It's her enrollment!" Tsunade interrupted, her face red, cutting off her grandfather's lewd joke. "He wants to enter Second Grandpa's Ninja Academy to learn ninjutsu!"