Starting as a Ninja in the Naruto World

"Lord Shigen is amazing..."

Little Tsunade continued praising Emiya Shigen's vast knowledge.

"..."

Emiya Shigen said nothing, nor did he respond to her chatter. As he left Konoha Hospital with little Tsunade, he didn't even glance back.

Orochimaru.

This boy, truly chosen by fate.

Even before Orochimaru was born…

Emiya Shigen, with his knowledge of the shinobi world's history from his past life, had already identified him.

If Tsunade was chosen by Emiya Shigen to inherit the Crystal Coffin, then Orochimaru was the one selected to ultimately use the coffin at the end of it all.

Orochimaru was a true genius.

Even at the tender age of five, Orochimaru had already begun, without any guidance, to experiment with using food toxins to defeat adults.

It was evident.

The boy's logical thinking was sharp, and his curiosity about knowledge was insatiable. In the future, he would undoubtedly seek to master a wide range of Konoha's forbidden jutsu.

Edo Tensei.

That technique was certain to be one of Orochimaru's goals.

When Orochimaru mastered Edo Tensei, it would mark the culmination of the plan Emiya Shigen had set in motion with the Crystal Coffin over a thousand years ago.

What's more…

The Crystal Coffin in Ryūchi Cave was unique.

It had been meticulously designed by Emiya Shigen specifically to be compatible with Orochimaru.

If the Crystal Coffin in the Senju Clan was simply bait left behind by Emiya Shigen, then the coffin in Ryūchi Cave represented his final hope for true resurrection.

At the same time…

Orochimaru was far too intelligent.

Emiya Shigen was careful not to directly interact with Orochimaru or form any meaningful connection with him. Too much contact risked arousing Orochimaru's suspicions as he grew older.

Emiya Shigen avoided any face-to-face interaction to prevent Orochimaru from piecing together his resurrection as part of a larger, orchestrated conspiracy.

Even though Emiya Shigen was revived in this era via Edo Tensei and lived a life of purpose, he still prepared a safety net for the future. Orochimaru was that safety net.

Tsunade.

Shimura Danzō.

Sarutobi Hiruzen.

These individuals, who would all play roles in Orochimaru's life, were selected in this era to carry the memory of Emiya Shigen's kindness.

When Orochimaru, the prodigy, matured, these individuals would weave a thread of fate that would constantly orbit his life, influencing his path.

"That guy is so clumsy…"

Tsunade had no idea that she would one day cross paths with Orochimaru again. She muttered about his past: "I saw him when I came here with Grandpa once—he ended up in the hospital after eating something weird..."

"Tsunade," Shigen gently patted her head and advised, "If you dislike someone, you should tell them to their face, not talk about them behind their back."

"Really?"

Tsunade nodded but then quietly retorted, "But I don't even dislike him that much. His brain just seems a little silly—he keeps eating weird things and getting food poisoning and coming to the hospital..."

"..."

Emiya Shigen fell silent for a moment.

Should he check her eyesight?

In this world, anyone could call Orochimaru wicked or even a bit overconfident, but stupid? That was a first.

"Ugh…"

"I heard he's about my age too…"

Tsunade sighed, a habit unusual for someone so young. She began worrying aloud, "I'm going to school soon too. What if he ends up being my classmate? I just hope he gets smarter by then—otherwise, I might have to protect him from bullies..."

"..."

Emiya Shigen wondered if his Edo Tensei-enhanced hearing was faulty.

Orochimaru? Needing protection from others?

He himself had spent over a millennium scheming to deceive Orochimaru; was there really anyone in this world who could outwit him? Orochimaru, if anything, was more likely to toy with people like pawns.

Still…

Kindness was worth encouraging.

And fortunately, this kindness would not bring Tsunade harm.

Emiya Shigen picked Tsunade up and placed her on his shoulders, carrying her toward Konoha's bustling commercial street. He didn't discourage her, choosing instead to encourage her good intentions.

"You can have a drink even sweeter than chestnut juice today."

"Eh? Why?"

Tsunade curiously touched her baby teeth.

"Just remember to brush your teeth afterward."

Shigen's voice remained calm, as if this were just a casual whim. He didn't explain the reason for his gesture.

"Lord Shigen is the best!"

Tsunade cheered and hugged his head tightly.

"..."

Shigen carefully pried her little hands off his face to clear his vision and asked, "Are you going to gamble with Hashirama again tonight?"

"Of course!"

Tsunade answered with unshakable determination.

The little girl had already been corrupted by the bad habits of her unreliable elders.

Though Emiya Shigen's lessons had become her favorite part of life, gambling with her grandpa remained her most cherished entertainment.

As they returned home with sweet sugarcane juice in hand, they saw young Jiraiya walking down the street. He was grinning from ear to ear, chatting animatedly with a woman at least twenty years older than him, a glimmer of mischief in his smile.

It seemed…

Perhaps that was his talent.

Jiraiya, Tsunade, Orochimaru.

The "Legendary Three Ninja" of Konoha from Shigen's past-life memories each possessed innate gifts that revealed themselves early in life, carving paths toward their unique destinies.

"I'm definitely going to beat Grandpa this time!"

Tsunade clenched her tiny fists in excitement.

As a gambling prodigy, she already knew all the tricks by age five, from simple dice rolls to complicated card games. Today, she planned to try something new—certain she would win!

"..."

Emiya Shigen sighed softly.

When it came to Tsunade's luck, he didn't know what to say.

At Hashirama's house.

"Grandpa, I'm going to win today!"

"Hahaha! Alright, I believe you..."

Hashirama laughed heartily, reaching into his hand and pulling out a pendant.

"However…"

With a magician's flourish, he closed his hand into a fist, then reopened it to reveal a beautiful green gem dangling from a necklace.

"Wow, it's so pretty! Is this for me?"

Hashirama smiled warmly and fastened the necklace around her neck.

"Of course, it's for my little Tsunade. Now, go set up—we've got a big game ahead!"

"Okay!"

Tsunade eagerly ran off to arrange the gambling mat, brimming with confidence.

But something felt different tonight.

Tobirama was unusually present, sitting with a tense expression. Mito Uzumaki and the rest of the family had also gathered, their faces solemn.

Around the house, the usual protective guard had multiplied, with additional ANBU ninja stationed nearby.

"It seems…"

Emiya Shigen cast a meaningful glance at Hashirama and then at Tobirama, who wore a grim expression.

"Tonight, we'll stay as guests here."

"..."

Tobirama's face tightened.

His usually calm voice carried a note of pain. "I just hope… that tomorrow, I'll still be able to visit my brother here as a guest."

Time was running out.

Hashirama's life was nearing its end.

And yet, the First Hokage himself seemed unfazed. With boundless energy, he threw himself into the gambling mat, happily stacking up all his savings and urging his granddaughter to begin.

"Four, six, six. Big!"

"Tsunade, you lost again!"

"Three, one, one. Small!"

"Tsunade, another loss!"

"Ugh…"

As her pile of money dwindled, Tsunade pouted in frustration. Her lips stuck out further and further, as if her terrible luck might explode out of her at any moment.

"Tsunade… this is the final round," Hashirama declared, his tone both cheerful and decisive.

"If you win this one, I'll wipe away all your debts, and everything here will be yours!"

"Really?"

Stars lit up in Tsunade's eyes.

If she won, she'd make a huge fortune and never have to worry about gambling stakes again! Maybe she'd even lend money to Grandpa—with interest, of course!

She brushed her fingers against the gem on her chest, mulling over her strategy.

Hmm…

Maybe she wouldn't charge interest this time, as a thank-you for the gift!

The dice rattled in the cup.

Tsunade squinted, listening intently to the sound and watching Hashirama's every move, unwilling to miss this chance to win big.

"Small!"

She placed her bet with conviction.

"Alright, then I'll take big!" Hashirama chuckled, revealing the dice beneath the cup.

Two, two, one.

The dice showed all low numbers.

"Hahaha, I won!"

Tsunade leapt up, snatching up the mountain of coins and counting them gleefully, her joy brimming over as she relished the sweet taste of victory.

"..."

Hashirama, still smiling warmly, suddenly collapsed onto the mat. His body fell heavily, striking the ground with an alarming thud.

"Grandpa?"

"Grandpa!"

Tsunade froze, her joy replaced with utter shock.

This man—her godlike protector, her kind and invincible grandpa—had fallen, his powerful presence reduced to a fragile figure sprawled helplessly on the floor.

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Powerstones?

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