Tsunade fell silent.
Hearing that Shinho had been alone in Roran for three years, her heart gave an involuntary jolt. A foreign land, with no friends—how he must have suffered through such a lonely stretch of time.
"I'm fine," Shinho said indifferently. "It was just a bit of hardship, nothing more."
"You brat!" Tsunade snapped, a trace of anger in her voice. "Do you understand how dangerous that was?"
Returning after only three years was a stroke of luck. But what if he had crossed further back? Ten years? Thirty? A hundred? By then, he'd have aged and died, with no chance of return.
And if that happened… what would she do?
"Sorry," Shinho replied quickly. "I swear, I won't let anything like this happen ever again."
"You think there will be a next time?" Tsunade grabbed his collar and leaned down, her fierce brown eyes staring into his, gleaming with promised danger.
Shinho felt his eye twitch. His entire vision was filled with a pure, endless whiteness, crossed only by the faintest line of shadow.
"There won't be a next time!" he promised loudly. "From now on, I'll do exactly what you tell me to, Whatever you want, you just have to tell me!"
Shinho's bottom line was quite flexible.
Tsunade scoffed, releasing him and taking two steps back. She had noticed where his gaze lingered, it was painfully obvious. This kid was getting bolder by the day!
If he hadn't just returned, she would have made sure he regretted it.
"I'm starving, sensei," Shinho said, smiling.
"Wait here," Tsunade replied, giving him a mock exasperated look as she strode away, leaving him with the elegant impression of her retreating figure.
Shinho sighed in relief.
As in the original timeline, he'd spent three years in the past, while only three days had passed here. If time had flowed equally, that would've caused all kinds of problems.
Closing his eyes, he reflected. Those three years had been dedicated to training, and he was now at the peak of the fourth rank—a rate of progress most would call extraordinary. His secret? Pure hard work without distractions.
Of course, cultivation as a Gu Master is most reliant on powerful Gu worms. In addition to the newly acquired Djinn Mind Gu, he now had five others:
[Achievement Unlocked: "Veteran Shut-In" – Reward: Momentum Gu]
[Momentum Gu: A Rank 4 Gu worm that accumulates all physical strength and unleashes it in a single, explosive strike.]
[tl/n: I couldn't find this gu on wiki, If anyone knows the alternate name, please leave a comment.]
This achievement had triggered after Shinho's three-year stay in Roran. The Momentum Gu was an apt prize, enabling him to focus his power into one tremendous blow.
For instance, it would allow a person to channel every ounce of their strength with devastating precision.
With Shinho's current strength, there would only be a few people who could block that blow.
The only downside was that it took time to gather the energy. Fortunately, he could move while charging up the power.
[Achievement Unlocked: "Tsunade's Thoughts Across Time" – Reward: Djinn Heart Gu]
[Djinn Heart Gu: A Gu that triples the Gu Master's mental power and combines with the Giant Spirit Body Gu and Giant Spirit Intent Gu to form the ultimate technique, "Djinn Transformation."]
This was unlocked during his second year in Roran. Shinho chuckled; the system's choice of words, "thoughts across time," was apt—denoting longing instead of yearning, which was a step below.
He hadn't expected his disappearance to bring them closer, yet here was proof. With the Djinn Heart Gu, his mental strength for controlling other Gu worms was now tripled.
[Achievement Unlocked: "Great Villain" – Reward: Djinn Body Gu]
[Djinn Body Gu: Triples the Gu Master's physical strength and completes the combination needed for "Djinn Transformation."]
Shinho had unlocked this achievement by allowing Anrokuzan to exploit the Dragon Vein. The Giant Spirit Body Gu was simple and effective, and its true potential was realized in combination with his other two Gu for the Djinn Transformation.
When activated, this technique would magnify his physical and mental powers threefold, his body radiating a divine aura. With Djinn Transformation, he would look like a celestial being on the battlefield.
[Achievement Unlocked: "Rebellion of An and Shi" – Reward: Sky Vault Gu]
[Sky Vault Gu: A storage Gu worm with immense capacity, capable of holding numerous items with swift access.]
The achievement title and reward were both amusing, yet the Sky Vault Gu was invaluable—a storage space reminiscent of the classic "storage rings" in cultivation worlds, allowing him to carry anything he might need on his travels.
[Achievement Unlocked: "Most Pitiful Villain" – Reward: Multiple Sword Shadow Gu]
Multiple Sword Shadow Gu: A Rank 4 Gu worm that creates overlapping shadowy blades, fanning out in a deadly array like the tail of a black peacock.
This achievement came from Anrokuzan's defeat. The Multi-Blade Shadow Gu was a purely offensive Gu worm, perfect for crowd control and dealing with multiple opponents.
Out of all these rewards, the Djinn Transformation was the most valuable by far, tripling his strength in every area.
Combined with his Golden True Essence, he could now contend with Kage-level(S-Rank) opponents. But for foes like the Ten-Tails Jinchūriki or Kaguya Ōtsutsuki, he would need to grow even stronger.
Shinho wasn't worried, though. He'd reached only six achievements in Roran due to the lack of events he could engage with in the original plot.
Now that he was back in the Shinobi World, there were more achievements to unlock. By the end, he could even hope to ascend to the immortal ninth rank.
"Get up and eat," Tsunade said, stepping back inside with a bowl of ramen in hand. "The conditions here are lacking, so bear with this."
"Did you make it, sensei?" Shinho asked, sitting up to take the bowl.
"Shizune made it," she replied, giving him a sidelong look. "Would you dare eat something I cooked?"
"Of course I would!" Shinho grinned. "It'd be an honor to try something my sensei made."
"You're so full of it." Tsunade's lips twitched upward as she brushed a strand of hair back. "Three years, and you haven't changed a bit."
"I've grown bigger!" Shinho stopped, then clarified, "I mean, I've gotten taller."
"Watch it!" Tsunade's fist tightened, her look threatening. "If you turn into another Jiraiya, you're no longer my student."
"I'll be perfectly respectable from now on," Shinho said quickly, though he could feel his cheeks heat up slightly.
"Good. I'm not one of those schoolgirls like Hinata…haah, Forget it, just eat your fill," She trailed off, realizing she had little else to say, and left the tent.
Once outside, Tsunade stood looking out at the endless desert, lost in thought.
After the events of the Leaf Destruction Plan and the Dragon Vein, she was certain of Shinho's importance to her.
Yet the affection between them seemed to have evolved, adding an unanticipated complexity.
Shinho scratched his head, sensing something odd about Tsunade's demeanor. Then again, he thought, maybe this was a good thing.
He finished the bowl of ramen, and just as he put it down, Shizune entered the tent instead of Tsunade.
"Shizune-nee," he greeted with a smile.
"I'm still getting used to it," she said, crouching beside him, examining his face. "But you do seem more mature."
Suddenly, she blinked and turned her face away, trying to hide a faint blush that had crept onto her cheeks.
Shizune quickly took the empty bowl and chopsticks from Shinho and hurried out of the tent, as though in escape.
"…?" Shinho stared after her, puzzled. What was that about?
"Shinho-nii!" Before he could think further, Karin burst into the tent, running right into his arms without a second thought.
"Ah, this feels great." She hugged him tightly, looking thrilled.
Karin was only about five feet tall, and in Shinho's embrace, she seemed like a little bird finding shelter.
"Where's the Dragon Vein?" he asked with a resigned smile.
"It's right here!" Karin pulled out a scroll.
Shinho reached his arm around her waist to open the scroll, and moments later, the jade-carved, dragon-shaped talisman of the Dragon Vein appeared in his hand.
"Bit of a pity," Shinho murmured, feeling a twinge of regret.
Though the Dragon Vein's energy was unique, it was ultimately still chakra, not natural energy. He made a mental note to visit the Shikkotsu Forest someday.
Tsunade had once told him that after he mastered the Yin Seal, Katsuyu could teach him Sage Mode.
Shinho wasn't particularly interested in Sage Mode, but the natural energy aspect certainly interested him.
If Sage Mode could enhance his absorption of natural energy, it would be immensely beneficial.
And during his three years in Roran, Shinho had, of course, mastered the Yin Seal.
"What's the pity?" Karin asked, puzzled.
"Nothing important," Shinho said with a shrug. "I don't need it that much, actually. Maybe we should give it to Kakashi-sensei."
With the Dragon Vein's energy, Kakashi would no longer be hindered by chakra limitations, making him much stronger than his original storyline self.
And maybe it would trigger an achievement for Shinho as well.
"What do you want instead, Shinho-nii?" Karin asked, her eyes shining with enthusiasm. "We can go get it!"
She sounded oddly like a bandit. Shinho couldn't help but wonder who she'd been learning from.
He gently patted her back. "Alright, let's go see Kakashi-sensei."
If tsunade walked in and saw what they were doing, he'd be speechless.
The two of them headed to Kakashi's tent, where they found him sitting with Sasuke.
"Looks like the dragon vein had quite an effect on you." Kakashi remarked as he looked Shinho up and down, noting the subtle changes.
Sasuke, on the other hand, looked sullen. It was bad enough that Shinho was already stronger, but now he'd stolen a three-year head start. Wasn't this a bit unfair?
Cheating, even!
Kakashi and Sasuke had already been briefed by Tsunade on what had happened in the Dragon Vein. Of course, certain details were left out, like meeting Minato.
The simplified version was that Shinho had traveled three years back, while they arrived later, and together they'd defeated Mukade before returning to the present.
As for the memory loss, Tsunade had explained it as a side effect of time travel. Given her authority, Kakashi and Sasuke accepted this without much question.
"Kakashi-sensei, here," Shinho said, handing him the jade dragon talisman containing the Dragon Vein's essence.
"You're really giving this to me?" Kakashi's eyes sparkled with excitement.
"Of course," Shinho replied. "Just have the Sealing Corps bind it to your body when we get back."
The idea was to treat the Dragon Vein's chakra core almost like a Tailed Beast, a bound power source.
"Thank you," Kakashi said sincerely. This was a solution he'd never expected. From now on, he wouldn't have to limit himself in battle due to chakra constraints.
[Achievement Unlocked: "It was Worth It For the Dragon, " – Reward: Dragon-Elephant Strength Gu]
[Dragon-Elephant Strength Gu: A Rank 4 Gu that strengthens the Gu Master's physical abilities, manifesting a dragon-elephant beast phantom in battle.]
Shinho blinked. The achievement came fast—faster than he'd expected. But he certainly wasn't complaining; it was a powerful reward.
The strength of a dragon and an elephant—this was far beyond ordinary beast Phantoms strength.
They chatted briefly until Shizune entered to inform them that they would soon depart for the Hidden Sand Village. Within ten minutes, they had disassembled the tents and were packed to leave.
Shinho glanced back at the Dragon Vein's sealed area. Now that they'd taken the Dragon Vein's core, it might take many years before enough chakra accumulated for another time shift—if ever. That suited him just fine. No more unintended time travel meant fewer unpredictable outcomes.
"Lady Tsunade, It's been a long time."
Back at the Kazekage's office, Tsunade was speaking to an elderly woman with narrow eyes and a small stature.
"Lady Chiyo," Tsunade greeted her, tone tinged with irritation. "Finally showing yourself after hiding for so long?"
There was no shortage of tension between the two. They'd clashed during the Second Shinobi World War, Tsunade as the antidote master against Chiyo's poisons.
Tsunade had ultimately won, but Chiyo had left a lasting impression on her.
"It wasn't hiding. It's called retirement," Chiyo replied casually. "I heard Gaara became Kazekage, so I thought I'd take a look."
In truth, Chiyo had been called out of retirement because Maki, a high-ranking Sand Village official, feared Tsunade might retaliate over Shinho's disappearance.
Besides, with the current turmoil in the Sand, her presence would help stabilize things, given her influence.
"Well, if you're retired, why not stay retired?" Tsunade quipped. "It's the young people's world now."
"So it is," Chiyo responded without missing a beat, ignoring Tsunade's sour expression. "And you're no exception."
"My teacher's still quite young," Shinho interjected calmly, "and she has me by her side."
"..."
Chiyo's mouth twitched, but she couldn't refute him. Shinho had proven capable of beating Gaara. Any objection would be futile.
Satisfied, Tsunade's smile returned.
"Ahem." Gaara cleared his throat, stepping in to ease the atmosphere. "The safe return of Team Seven is of great relief."
Though Shinho had certainly changed in his absence.
"Now then, I'll take my leave," Chiyo said, glancing at Shinho before departing from the Kazekage's office.
"Uh… Lady Hokage," Gaara said, hesitating. "I've heard that the Chūnin Exams are set to resume in a month. Would it be possible for the Sand Village to send a few candidates?"
"Of course," Tsunade replied casually. With Shinho on her side, she wasn't particularly concerned about the competition.
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