76: Cultivation! Konoha 36 Years

Days passed one by one.

Joa, who outwardly appeared as a child but possessed an overly mature mind, deliberately showcased his intelligence.

Hashirama Senju, Tobirama, Mito Uzumaki, and Little Tsunade's Parents.

Soon, they developed a strong fondness for Joa, the adorable child.

Spring turned to autumn, and two years passed.

With Little Tsunade's repeated calls of "Joa."

The two of them grew a bit older.

This period was Tsunade's most carefree time.

Joa always stayed by Tsunade's side.

Their bond grew increasingly intimate.

They ate together, studied together, laughed together, went to school together, and met new friends together.

Until…

One day in Konoha Year 16, Hashirama Senju passed away.

At the same time, a rumor that Hashirama Senju's head had been taken by the God of Death spread widely.

This matter caused a great stir, and no one knew the truth except for the Konoha high-ranking officials.

Tsunade, who had just turned six, experienced the sorrow of losing a loved one for the first time.

It was also the first time she cried uncontrollably in Joa's arms.

"Joa, Grandpa's head is really gone. I'm so scared. Is there really a God of Death in this World?"

In response, Joa assured Little Tsunade unequivocally.

It was definitely not taken by the God of Death.

Nor was it taken after he passed away.

Although Little Tsunade was puzzled, being young and overwhelmed by grief and fear, her small mind couldn't process too much.

So she didn't press further.

However, Hashirama Senju's death was just the beginning of Tsunade's life of tragedy…

With the fall of the God of Shinobi.

The gears of fate began to turn once more.

Konoha Year 17.

The First Ninja World War broke out.

This year, Tsunade was seven, and Joa's age was unknown.

The war was protracted.

People constantly died.

Three years later, in Konoha Year 20, Tobirama Senju and others, who had led people to the Hidden Cloud Village to negotiate peace and form an alliance, were pursued by the Gold and Silver Brothers, who had launched a coup and killed the Second Raikage during the meeting.

The incident was sudden, and Tobirama Senju chose to stay behind to cover their retreat.

At the same time, he appointed Hiruzen Sarutobi as the Third Hokage.

Upon returning to Konoha, Hiruzen Sarutobi, with the support of Mito Uzumaki, quickly stabilized the situation.

He organized a counterattack against the Hidden Cloud Village.

They recovered Tobirama Senju's headless corpse.

He initially displayed the demeanor of a Ninja Hero.

And the Konoha F4 also stepped onto the stage of the Ninja World.

In this year, Tsunade was ten, and Joa's age was unknown.

"Joa, why is Great-Grandpa's corpse like this too?"

This time, Joa remained silent, comforting Tsunade wordlessly.

'It's not just your two Grandpas.'

The war continued, and casualties steadily increased.

But as the four Shadow Kages of Lightning, Fire, Water, and Earth successively died in the war,

The major nations, unable to bear the losses, reached a truce agreement.

The Ninja World finally ushered in a brief period of peace.

Tsunade, who had successively lost loved ones, could also temporarily catch her breath and live a peaceful life for a while.

Graduation, team assignments, and becoming a disciple of Hiruzen Sarutobi.

Time flew by, and in a blink of an eye, six years passed.

Konoha Year 26.

This year, Tsunade was 16, and Joa's age was unknown.

"I really envy you."

"You don't have to go out on missions."

"Haha, missions?"

"You go ask that old man Hiruzen if he dares to let me do missions."

"Tch!"

"Tsk, don't make that face. Do you want me to talk to Old Man Hiruzen? That way you won't have to do missions either."

"…Forget it, I don't want to be cooped up at home all day."

"I'm not talking to you, you lazy bum. I'm going to find my adorable little brother."

This year, Nawaki was 3 years old.

And the death knell was about to toll.

"Wuwuwu! Joa! Why?!"

"Why are even my Tsunade's Parents' heads…"

"Why are all the people connected to me…"

"They promised to see us get married…"

Rain mixed with tears dripped onto the ground.

Joa hesitated a little.

"Just sleep it off. You'll feel better after a good sleep."

In the days that followed, every time she fell asleep,

Tsunade would find herself in a strange place.

The sky in that place was crimson, and the ground was black.

The air was also filled with dense black mist.

At first, she drifted there like a phantom.

Unknowing of her origin, unknowing of her destination.

Until…

"Great-Grandpa! Second Grandpa!"

"Father! Mother!"

"I miss you so much…"

……

Konoha Year 28, 18-year-old Tsunade, Joa played house and built blocks with her for the first time.

……

Konoha Year 36.

The atmosphere of war intensified once again.

Tsunade, now 26, found her missions gradually increasing.

Early morning.

"No way~ Joa, I have a mission today."

"Wait until I come back tonight."

"And you have class today, right? Get up early, don't be late every day."

After a light peck on his cheek, Tsunade got out of bed.

He watched intently until Tsunade was fully dressed.

Only then did Joa stretch contentedly, sit up, and smile at Tsunade.

"It's fine to be a little late, and… look, I've already prepared the blocks."

Hearing this, Tsunade looked back, then her gaze fell on the blocks.

"You really are…"

She secretly spat, Tsunade rolled her eyes, and said helplessly.

"You're truly a pain! Wait for me to brush my teeth!"

……

"Have someone buy some papayas."

Hearing this, Tsunade spit out a block and looked up at Joa.

"Less nonsense! If you say another word, I won't play with you anymore."

"And! No stalling, I'm in a hurry to do my mission."

With that, Tsunade lowered her eyes and sped up her building and dismantling of the blocks.

……

"Don't… I just bought these clothes."

……

"Sigh!"

"I still have to take a bath!"

……

The sun was high in the sky.

Konoha Village main gate.

Jiraiya complained idly.

"What's going on? Why isn't Tsunade here yet?"

Orochimaru, who was beside him, sneered upon hearing this.

"Heh, idiot."

"Hey! What do you mean?"

Jiraiya was about to argue with Orochimaru.

A voice sounded, approaching from a distance.

"Sorry! I'm late!"

"We can go now!"

Hearing the voice, Jiraiya and Orochimaru turned to look at the dusty Tsunade.

"Why are you just arriving?"

Jiraiya's complaint immediately annoyed Tsunade, who was already forced to be late.

"None of your business! Idiot Jiraiya!"

Having been retorted, Jiraiya chuckled awkwardly and said nothing more.

He looked at Orochimaru's expression, which was like looking at an idiot.

Jiraiya belatedly realized.

'Tsunade is late again and full of anger, could it be because…'

'Damn it! I'm so envious of Joa!'

Ever since they started school and he met Tsunade and Joa, Jiraiya had noticed.

Tsunade had completely different attitudes towards others compared to Joa.

When facing others, Tsunade never reined in her temper; if someone annoyed her, she would hit and scold them.

But when facing Joa, Tsunade seemed to have no temper at all; although she would express dissatisfaction, she would absolutely comply with his every request.

The first thing Tsunade would do after getting hold of something delicious or fun was to give it to Joa.

'Damn it! I'm so jealous!'

Envy was envy.

But Jiraiya completely dared not do anything extra.

Joa was the Daimyo's son, with noble status.

That was secondary.

The main reason was that he really couldn't beat Joa.

From school until now, he had never won once.

He had even developed a psychological trauma from being beaten by Joa and Tsunade for his loose tongue.