Chương 43: The Unexpected Activation
Haruto sat cross-legged on the floor of his modest apartment, looking out over the bustling streets of Konoha. The academy break had just begun, a month where the students could rest, relax, or hone their skills before returning to the grind of the academy. He had planned to spend the time training, perfecting his shuriken throwing, and continuing his chakra exercises. But as he was settling into his usual meditation, something stirred inside him.
It started as a faint pulse, a familiar hum in his chest. At first, he thought it was the usual six-month cycle of the system activating, but that wasn't due for another month. **Then it hit him—**the system was awakening early.
Suddenly, the interface appeared before his eyes, text glowing in front of him:
Mission: Graduate from the Ninja Academy in one year.
Reward: Golden Reward
Failure: Loss of System
Haruto blinked, rereading the words several times to ensure he hadn't misunderstood. Graduate in one year? His breath caught in his throat as the implications sank in. The system wasn't giving him a leisurely path anymore. This was a direct order: push beyond the normal course of a six-year academy life, or lose the system forever.
His chest tightened at the thought. The system had been his one edge, his tool for methodically improving his body and skills in this world. Losing it would cripple his growth, leaving him vulnerable. He took a deep breath, trying to steady his thoughts.
"No more turtling through the academy until I'm twelve," he muttered under his breath. "I have to step up. Failure is not an option."
He glanced toward the corner of the room where the shabby mirror hung, his parents' photo pinned to it. Their legacy in the village was a distant echo, and Haruto knew he couldn't rely on the reputation of two long-dead chunin to carry him through the ranks. He had to forge his own path, and with this new mission, that path just became a lot more treacherous.
But that wasn't the worst of it. The real threat loomed in the shadows—Danzo.
Haruto shuddered involuntarily. He knew enough about this world, thanks to the anime, to understand that without proper backing, Danzo's ROOT would swoop in the moment he displayed too much talent without protection. No doubt, he'd find himself gagged with a curse mark on his tongue, bound to Danzo's twisted version of loyalty.
He gritted his teeth. "I can't let that happen."
Haruto's mind raced as he considered his options. The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, would be the obvious choice for protection, but that wasn't feasible. The Hokage couldn't afford to pay special attention to a random orphan unless they had something significant to offer him. He needed backing from someone with enough clout to protect him from Danzo but also with an interest in helping him grow. Someone who could take him in as their own student, giving him the training and mentorship that would shield him from unwanted attention.
Haruto closed his eyes, mentally rifling through the list of notable characters in the anime. Kakashi? No, he was too young, still focused on his own early graduation and missions. Guy's dad, Duy? Kind-hearted, but not influential enough to counter Danzo's pull. The Third Hokage's children? Possible, but no guarantee.
Then, like a spark of lightning, it hit him. Tsunade.
He straightened, the realization dawning on him. Yes, Tsunade. One of the legendary Sannin, granddaughter of the First Hokage, and more importantly, someone with enough clout to tell Danzo to back off. She was respected and feared in equal measure, a medical genius, and though she wasn't in her prime due to her fear of blood, she was still in the village—for now.
Haruto's mind raced as he recalled her timeline from the anime. She wouldn't leave the village until after the Third Great Ninja War, meaning she was still around, even if she wasn't actively taking students or participating in battles. If he could convince her to take him on as her protégé, he would have both the protection and training he needed to succeed in his mission and, ultimately, avoid falling into Danzo's hands.
But how?
"She's traumatized," he muttered to himself, remembering Tsunade's aversion to blood after losing her brother and lover in the war. "But she hasn't given up entirely… yet." She would eventually leave the village, disillusioned, but that hadn't happened yet. This was his window, his chance to get close to her before she turned her back on Konoha for good.
Haruto stood up, pacing across the room as he planned. The key would be to appeal to her medical expertise. He already had a talent for chakra control and had been refining his body and mind for months. If he could show her his potential in medical ninjutsu, or even his stamina and resilience—something that no ordinary academy student would have—she might see him as worth training.
He stopped by the window, gazing out at the Hokage Monument in the distance. The faces of the First, Second, and Third Hokage were carved into the mountain, watching over the village. His future was uncertain, but he couldn't waste this chance.
"Tsunade," he whispered, nodding to himself. "She's my best shot. If I can become her student, I'll have the backing I need to survive Danzo, graduate the academy early, and earn that Golden Reward."
A small smile crept onto his face, confidence growing within him. It wouldn't be easy—Tsunade wasn't the type to take on students lightly—but he had no choice. He would train harder than ever before, focusing on chakra control, medical knowledge, and taijutsu, anything that could catch her attention.
The mission was set. The system's deadline had thrown his plans into disarray, but it had also clarified his path. One year to graduate, with his entire future on the line.
And the first step was finding a way to impress Tsunade.
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