Inside the classroom.
Gekko Ryun gazed out the window as Tsunade’s figure disappeared from view.
‘Blue Quality equipment…’
‘Damn, I really want it.’
This was the highest quality he had seen so far.
It was hard to imagine how much transformation a single piece of Blue Quality equipment could bring him.
But the moment he thought of the special condition, it felt like a bucket of cold water had been poured over his head.
According to the original story, Tsunade would give this necklace to Nawaki, likely after he graduated and officially became a ninja.
Even if he went to the battlefield and “coincidentally” “found” this necklace on Nawaki’s body…
He still couldn’t sneakily refine it into equipment.
[Special Condition: Personally gifted by Tsunade]
Just like the condition for Kushina’s red hair.
But the difficulty was worlds apart.
One was just a few strands of hair; the other was a relic of Senju Hashirama, its value beyond estimation.
He could say to Kushina: “Your hair is very beautiful, could you give me a strand?”
But he certainly couldn’t say to Tsunade: “Your necklace is really pretty, could you give it to me?”
‘Better to plan this carefully.’
Thinking of Tsunade’s monstrous strength punch…
he calmed down.
‘Look on the bright side, at least one thing is confirmed.’
Only items with special significance could become equipment materials recognized by the system.
Based on the few equipment materials he had come into contact with:
[Minato Namikaze’s Kunai]
The first kunai purchased by the future master of speed, possessing extraordinary commemorative significance.
[Kushina Uzumaki’s Red Hair]
Red hair is a bloodline trait of the Uzumaki clan, the reason for Kushina’s discrimination, and also the catalyst for her connection with Minato Namikaze in the original story.
[The Necklace Senju Hashirama Left for Tsunade]
As a relic of Senju Hashirama, this necklace contains his Chakra and has a certain suppressive effect on tailed beasts.
Not only that, in the original story, this necklace also seemed to carry a sense of “curse.”
Tsunade gave this necklace to Nawaki and later to Dan Kato, hoping it would help them achieve their dream of becoming Hokage, but both died in war.
Tsunade developed hemophobia, left the village, met Naruto in the future, gave him this necklace, and it was ultimately crushed during the Pain invasion.
This necklace connects the bonds from Senju Hashirama to Tsunade, Nawaki, and Dan Kato, all the way to the era of Uzumaki Naruto—its significance is profound.
‘That explains it.’
Though it was just speculation, he was almost certain this was correct.
Otherwise, it couldn’t explain why the system completely ignored all the strange items he had tried before.
The teacher’s lecture continued.
The sound of chirping insects drifted in from outside.
“What are you thinking about?”
Kushina waved her hand in front of his eyes.
He snapped back to reality, looked at the dazzling red hair before him, and shook his head.
“Nothing, just something about my uncle and Lady Tsunade’s mission.”
“Huh?
Really?
Are you worried about your uncle?”
He nodded.
With Tsunade leading the team, and the members having a minimum strength of Special Jonin, the mission rank must be extremely high.
It was highly likely they would clash with ninjas from other hidden villages.
Although, according to the original story, Gekko Hayate hadn’t been born yet, so his uncle should be safe.
But with his own appearance now, it was hard to say if a butterfly effect might occur.
Kushina tilted her head in thought and comforted him, “Don’t worry, Tsunade-nee is really amazing.”
She waved her small fist.
Seeing the girl’s adorable expression, he chuckled softly.
“Thank you.”
Kushina’s eyes curved into crescents, but then, as if remembering something, she tensed up again, twisting her hair with her fingers.
“What’s wrong?”
Seeing the familiar gesture, he knew the girl had something to say.
Kushina stammered, “Um…
there’s…
something…
Are you free half a month from now?”
“Half a month from now?
Is something happening?”
He was a bit puzzled.
Was there something special about that time?
“Um…
Grandma Mito wants to invite you over for a meal at home.”
Kushina steeled herself, blurted it all out in one breath, and lowered her head, not daring to look at him.
“Huh?”
He was taken aback.
Grandma Mito?
Mito Uzumaki?
He glanced at the nervous Kushina.
Wait, isn’t this moving a bit too fast?
Straight to meeting the family?
In the original storyline, it was only after Kushina was kidnapped by the Cloud ninja and Minato Namikaze rescued her that their relationship progressed rapidly.
Although he didn’t quite understand how the Cloud ninja managed to successfully kidnap the next Nine-Tails Jinchuriki under heavy surveillance.
But based on the facts, Minato Namikaze did single-handedly take care of several Cloud ninja.
‘Rounding it off, I drove away a few rude local boys—that counts as a heroic rescue…
right?’
‘The troublemakers of Konoha are no less troublesome than Cloud ninja.’
A few seconds felt as long as several centuries.
Kushina looked up at the silent Gekko Ryun, her eyes gradually dimming, her mood sinking to the bottom.
She forced a smile, “Ah, it’s okay if you don’t have time.”
“I have time.”
“I don’t blame you…
Wait, no, hold on, you agreed?”
He shrugged, as if it were obvious, “Although I don’t know why I’m being invited, I think you’d want me to go, right?”
It was just a calm gaze and voice.
But Kushina’s mood suddenly surged with excitement, her eyes sparkling.
She nodded repeatedly like a chick pecking at rice, her long red hair bouncing lightly.
“Mhm!”
He voiced his confusion, “Why half a month from now?
Which specific day?”
“Well, actually, it was supposed to be today.”
Kushina’s excitement hadn’t settled yet, “But because Tsunade-nee has a mission, Grandma Mito decided to wait until Tsunade-nee returns before inviting you.”
Gekko Ryun nodded.
So that was it.
His duel with Minato Namikaze had involved his uncle due to learning Ninjutsu, and his uncle’s mission captain was Tsunade.
For some reason, Mito Uzumaki wanted to meet him but postponed it because of Tsunade’s mission.
Thinking about this, he suddenly felt a subtle sensation.
Indescribable, unclear.
As if he had gained a more grounded sense of “reality” in this world.
Unknowingly, a soul from another world had already entered the sight of Konoha’s highest echelons of power.
By now, his information was probably already on the Hokage’s desk…
‘When I unintentionally got involved with Kushina Uzumaki, I was already prepared for this, wasn’t I?’
‘This step was bound to come sooner or later.’
His mind raced with various thoughts.
Regardless, this was a good thing.
As long as he passed Mito Uzumaki’s test, even if he acted a bit out of line, Danzo wouldn’t be able to touch him.
…
After school.
Gekko Ryun politely declined Kushina’s invitation to train together.
He still had important matters to attend to.
Carrying the manuscript he had hurriedly written during class over the past two days, he entered the publishing house located on Konoha’s commercial street.
It was called “Ninja Literature Society.”
After reading the manuscript, the owner looked astonished and said with lingering interest, “The emotions are rich, and the characters’ feelings are perfectly captured.
It’s just a bit short.
Which renowned author’s work is this?”
In just two days, even if he had three heads and six arms, he couldn’t have finished a full-length novel.
This was only a small part.
“A friend of mine.”
“A friend?” The owner nodded.
Those in this line of work knew better than to pry.
After all, although they were a legitimate publishing house, they catered to the mass market…
“Does he have a pen name?”
Gekko Ryun thought for a moment and casually replied, “Toad Literary Master.”
It’s decided—you’re the one, Jiraiya!
Making money isn’t shameful.
But for content that would be socially disastrous if exposed, it was better to let Jiraiya bear the “praise” of the fans.
“A strange name,” the owner muttered before asking the most pressing question, “Is there more content to follow?”
“The follow-up…
cough…
I’ll have to go back and ask my friend.”
“Alright.”
The owner’s eyes shifted.
“If possible, please hurry.
We can offer a more favorable royalty split.”
“Oh?” He glanced at the owner, having never seen someone conduct business like this before.
The owner sensed his confusion and explained helplessly, “Ever since the Land of Snow came up with something called ‘movies,’ the publishing industry hasn’t been doing well.
We’re in desperate need of excellent manuscripts, especially ones like yours…
er, your friend’s.”
He remained calm and unflustered.
It didn’t matter if he was found out.
If a three-year-old could go to war, what was wrong with a nine-year-old writing a book?
However, one particular term caught his attention, and his eyes flickered.
The Land of Snow?
There was a movie about the Land of Snow.
If he remembered correctly, the Land of Snow had a miraculous creation called Chakra Armor.
It had the effect of amplifying Chakra and enhancing the power of Ninjutsu.
‘Amplifying Chakra, what a good thing!’
‘I lack Chakra, and Chakra Armor just happens to amplify Chakra.
Could there be such a coincidence in the world?’
‘The Land of Snow…
it’s at least connected to Naruto.
Could it be equipment material recognized by the system?’
He made a mental note of the information about the Land of Snow’s Chakra Armor.