Naruto: Starting with Tsunade-san

"Of course," replied both Young Tsunade and Tōshirō in unison, their gazes firm with determination.

"Tsunade-sama, if we do this, won't we…"

Shizune didn't finish her sentence, but the implication was clear. If these two were to change the future, their very existence might come into question.

Big Tsunade gave a bitter smile. "I'm sorry for making this decision on my own."

Shizune stayed silent for a moment before shaking her head. "If what Tsunade-sama says is true, then changing history is already inevitable. If that's the case, let's at least steer history in a way that benefits us. Isn't that a good thing?"

After saying this, she glanced at Young Tsunade and smiled warmly. "If possible, I'd like to continue being Tsunade-sama's apprentice."

"Of course, you will be," Young Tsunade assured her.

In her era, it seemed Shizune hadn't even been born yet.

After this, Young Tsunade and Tōshirō exchanged glances but remained silent.

If they were to return and alter history, it meant that the two before them would fundamentally change as well.

Tōshirō's presence in this timeline was already a glitch. If he were to return, who could say whether the timeline itself might "self-correct," altering a past without him into one where he existed?

After spending so much time together, they had already come to see these two as friends.

For Young Tsunade, Big Tsunade was no longer just her future self but more like a mentor and a companion.

The atmosphere grew heavy until Big Tsunade broke the silence by playfully punching everyone on the head. She laughed heartily, "Why the long faces? Let's go, I'm treating everyone to barbecue!"

The group quickly realized there was no use being sad. Instead, they chose to enjoy the present while they could. Together, they headed to a barbecue restaurant.

Big Tsunade spared no expense, ordering the most expensive dishes. After all, once Young Tsunade returned to the past, Big Tsunade might no longer exist as herself. So why hold back?

Young Tsunade's eyes sparkled. "Everything looks so delicious!"

Big Tsunade rested her chin on one hand, gazing at her younger self with affection. Teasingly, she said, "You better eat a lot and gain some weight. If you stay like this, Tōshirō might just run off with some big-chested girl in the future."

"He wouldn't dare!"

Young Tsunade raised her small fists in mock anger, threateningly.

Tōshirō muttered under his breath, "Tsunade, just because I like you doesn't mean you can do whatever you want. If we really fought, you might not even win."

Young Tsunade pouted, her eyes curving into mischievous crescents, completely fearless.

Big Tsunade watched them with a twinge of envy. "Ah, young people these days."

Young Tsunade turned to her future self. "At your age, why are you still single?"

Big Tsunade gave a tight-lipped smile, her eyes narrowing. "What did you just say?"

Young Tsunade pressed her lips together, not daring to speak further. One wrong word might earn her another forehead flick.

Big Tsunade glanced at Tōshirō , her gaze dropping before she smiled faintly.

Find someone else? Her 'love' wasn't that cheap.

As if shaking off her lingering sorrow, she gave her head a firm shake and said, "Alright, enough about me. Let's talk about your dreams. I'm curious."

Tōshirō paused mid-bite, lifted his head, and replied with determination in his eyes, "I want to be the man who becomes Hokage."

This declaration stirred something in Big Tsunade. In the depths of her eyes, a shadow—both large and small—overlapped with the boy before her. A smile as pure as a baby's bloomed on her face. "That's a wonderful dream."

If it had been anyone else, Big Tsunade might have scoffed without hesitation. But when it came from Tōshirō, it was different. In him, she saw traces of someone she had lost.

Young Tsunade was so surprised she stopped mid-bite, her pretty brown eyes wide with shock. "Huh? Since when did you have that dream? I thought you hated being a ninja the most!"

"Just recently," Tōshirō replied casually.

"Well then, I guess we're rivals now."

Young Tsunade wasn't the type to give up her dream just because her boyfriend wanted to become Hokage.

Tōshirō playfully dragged out the word "idiot" with a teasing smirk. "How does me wanting to be Hokage's man conflict with my dream?"

"You're the idiot here. There can only be one Hokage, so of course there's a conflict."

Young Tsunade puffed out her cheeks like a hamster stuffing its mouth with food.

Tōshirō smirked mischievously and winked. "Wanting to be the Hokage's man doesn't seem to conflict with you becoming Hokage."

Young Tsunade froze for a moment, then turned her head to hide her blushing cheeks. "Smooth talker. So insincere."

Tōshirō looked aggrieved. "Tsunade, that was straight from my heart. Why are you scolding me? How strange."

Young Tsunade replied immediately, "What's strange about me?"

"You're strangely adorable."

Young Tsunade couldn't handle the teasing anymore. Her face turned bright red, almost steaming.

The two older single women nearby were caught off guard by this public display of affection. "Can you two take our feelings into consideration?"

"Sorry."

Tōshirō apologized sincerely, realizing he'd forgotten about the two single women next to him.

Big Tsunade was visibly frustrated. The consequences were serious—she grabbed Tōshirō's orange juice, downed it in one gulp, and complained, "Seriously, you two being all lovey-dovey makes even orange juice taste bitter."

Shizune, always ready to stir the pot, chimed in indignantly, "Exactly!"

Tōshirō grinned. "Young Tsunade, why don't you smile?"

Young Tsunade blinked in confusion. "Why?"

Tōshirōreplied with a playful smile, "Because I think your smile is sweet enough to sweeten their orange juice."

"Can I hit him? Seriously, I'm not joking," Big Tsunade said, cracking her knuckles.

"Don't worry, I won't kill him," Shizune added, rolling up her sleeves.

The two single women, visibly enraged, looked like they were ready to pounce. Tōshirō, sweating and pale, realized he might have gone a bit too far trying to lighten the mood.

Just as the two women prepared to exact their revenge on Tōshirō, a surprised voice called out from nearby:

"Ah, Tsunade! What are you doing here?"

Both Tsunades instinctively turned toward the voice, unsure who was being addressed. They saw a tall, middle-aged man with white hair, a somewhat greasy appearance, and an ordinary face standing in the distance.

The tall man was stunned to see two identical Tsunades, rubbing his eyes in disbelief. What was going on? How were there two Tsunades—one big and one small?

Big Tsunade squinted slightly, recognizing the man. She pointed at him in surprise. "Jiraiya—!"

Hearing this, Young Tsunade and Tōshirō also froze, studying the man. Despite his changed appearance, the white hair, mole on his nose, and that greasy vibe left no doubt—it was their old classmate, Jiraiya.

"Hey, Tsunade, what's going on here?"

Jiraiya immediately demanded an explanation. He was so shocked by Young Tsunade's appearance that he completely forgot to bring up his business with Big Tsunade about the Hokage position.

Big Tsunade glanced at Young Tsunade standing beside her and, with a mischievous grin, said, "Oh, her? She's my daughter. Her name is Rangiku."

"What?!"

Jiraiya clutched his head in disbelief, as if struck by lightning.

What was going on? After all these years, how had she suddenly ended up with a kid?

Young Tsunade: …

Tōshirō: …

Shizune: …

Jiraiya then noticed the black-haired boy nearby and pointed at him. "And what about him? Don't tell me he's your son?"

"Oh, no, he's not."

Jiraiya heaved a sigh of relief, only to hear something even more shocking.

"He's my new boyfriend," Big Tsunade added, stepping closer to Tōshirō. She bent down, kissed him lightly on the forehead, and flashed a sly, teasing smile.

Young Tsunade stared in disbelief, her eyes wide.

"Ahhh! You kissed Tōshirō! I haven't even done that yet! I was here first!"

Big Tsunade smirked and teased, "Does it matter? After all, we're… well, you and I don't need to stand on ceremony, do we?"

Listening to their exchange, Jiraiya felt his scalp tingle.

"Mother and daughter… sharing?!"

He had always thought he was wild, but Tsunade was clearly on another level.

What had Tsunade been through all these years?!

Devastated, he exclaimed in anguish, "Tsunade, you've fallen so far! How could you go for younger guys like this?"

(P.S. Author: I originally planned for the characters to return to their timeline immediately, but several readers suggested it might be better to linger for a while. This could allow Young Tsunade to gain a deeper understanding of politics.)

(End of Chapter)

────────────────────────────────────

"If you're interested, please support me in my other novel [One Piece: General Blue]."

"If you're interested, please support me in my other novel [Battle Through the Heavens: Heavenly comprehension]."

"If you're interested, please support me in my other novel [Soul Land 2: Golden Dragon King]."

"If you want an early access join my patreon:- patreon.com/BaDwYGaMeR"