"Cough! Cough! Cough!"
Haruto doubled over, hacking violently.
He was on the verge of collapsing to his knees.
He refused to accept this.
How could such a person exist?!
Was this the legendary gambling addiction?
To the extent that she was willing to lower herself and apprentice under a twelve-year-old Genin just to learn gambling tricks?!
Haruto didn't understand.
Tsunade was too unpredictable!
Tsunade's Conditions
"Well… I suppose I could call you my teacher for the sake of learning gambling."
Tsunade dragged out her words, smirking.
"However—
I'll need to test your skills first.
If you claim to be the best gambler, then prove it.
Also—
Our relationship must remain secret.
I won't publicly acknowledge you as my master, and I refuse to perform any formal disciple rituals!"
Haruto immediately straightened up from his coughing fit.
His expression turned serious.
"I reject all of your conditions.
If you won't accept my teaching as-is—
Then forget it!"
Haruto Attempts to Escape
With that—
Haruto brushed past Tsunade and strode away.
Tsunade turned, watching him leave.
Her lips curled up into a smirk.
Then—
She vanished.
"You're really arrogant, kid!"
The next instant—
Tsunade reappeared right in front of him.
Haruto slammed into her, bounced back a meter, and barely kept his footing.
Tsunade stood there, hands on her hips, looking fierce.
Haruto gave her a deadpan stare, his expression screaming:
"What do you want now?!"
Tsunade grinned mischievously.
"Kid, let me remind you—"
An Interruption from the ANBU
Whoosh!
A shadow materialized behind Tsunade.
A kneeling ANBU ninja bowed his head and reported at high speed—
"Tsunade-sama, the Hokage has summoned you."
This was one of Konoha's elite ANBU, a force that held immense authority within the village.
Yet—
Even he had to kneel when speaking to Tsunade.
Tsunade's Exit
"Oh?"
Tsunade glanced at the ANBU operative, her voice indifferent.
"Got it."
"The Hokage requests your immediate presence."
With that—
The ANBU ninja vanished.
Tsunade looked back at Haruto, tilting her head with a playful smirk.
"Kid, looks like you got lucky today."
She grinned.
"At the casino, you introduced yourself as Haruto Saito, right?
Good. I'll remember that.
I'll come find you again soon.
See ya!"
She winked, then formed a hand seal—
And disappeared.
Haruto's Breakdown
Haruto stood frozen for a long time.
He stared at the spot where Tsunade had vanished.
Then—
After a long pause—
"WHAT THE HELL IS MY LIFE?!"
He felt completely defeated.
Konoha – Deep Within the Village
The sunset bathed the sky in a blood-red glow.
Deep within Konoha, past layers of security, sat a traditional estate.
Inside the dimly lit hall, candles flickered, casting shadows across the cold, expressionless ANBU mask of White Fang.
A Meeting with the Hokage
Kakashi's father, Sakumo Hatake, stood respectfully at the side of a long wooden platform.
At the center, a small square table held a teapot, two cups, and over a dozen intelligence scrolls—
All sealed shut.
A middle-aged man sat across from White Fang, kneeling with perfect posture.
His chiseled jawline was marked with a sharp goatee, giving him an austere and authoritative presence.
He was a man feared and respected across the shinobi world—
The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi.
The Hokage's Decision on Haruto
"Hokage-sama," White Fang began respectfully,
"Should I negotiate with the Hyuga Clan?"
"Negotiate?"
Hiruzen side-eyed his most trusted ANBU Captain.
Then, he lifted his teacup, took a slow sip, and sighed deeply.
After a moment, he said—
"No need."
He placed the teacup down and tapped his fingers lightly against the table.
"Haruto Saito killed a Hyuga ninja.
The Hyuga want revenge.
No matter how you frame it, they have a justifiable reason.
Even if you go as my representative and speak with them,
Will they truly stop?"
White Fang's Protest
"But—"
White Fang hesitated.
"This child…
He is far more valuable than any previous defector.
He has no past. No lingering attachments.
If we offer him Konoha's kindness, he will loyally serve us.
If he dies—"**
"That will be his own problem."
Hiruzen's voice was calm and unshaken.
"I hope he survives.
Only then will our Defector Recruitment Plan prove its viability."
White Fang's Disillusionment
White Fang fell silent.
He understood the politics at play.
Konoha wasn't just one entity.
It was a village made up of powerful clans, each governing themselves.
The Hyuga Clan, in particular, was one of Konoha's most powerful families.
If a Hyuga ninja was murdered, the clan didn't need anyone's permission to exact vengeance.
It was their right.
Even the Hokage couldn't interfere without sparking internal rebellion.
The Brutal Truth
Hiruzen could warn the Hyuga.
With his influence, he could halt their retaliation.
But would it be worth it?
For one kid?
For a nobody?
Absolutely not.
White Fang understood.
Yet, deep inside—
He couldn't help but think—
"Then what's the point of this plan?"
How could they expect Haruto to survive against the Hyuga Clan's repeated assassination attempts?
Even an Elite Jonin wouldn't last long against their relentless pursuit.
So what chance did a twelve-year-old Genin have?
Tsunade Arrives
Whoosh!
A whirlwind spun into the room.
A figure appeared out of thin air—
Tsunade.
She was one of the few people who dared to teleport directly into the Hokage's private chamber.
Hiruzen smiled faintly.
Among his three personal disciples, she was his only female student—
And the one he adored most.
"Teacher, you called?"
Tsunade strode forward, bowing.
Then, she noticed White Fang and smirked.
"White Fang, you here too?"
The Hokage's Warning
Hiruzen's smile vanished.
His voice turned serious.
"Tsunade—stay away from Haruto Saito."
Tsunade froze.
"What? Why?"
Hiruzen's voice was icy.
"The Hyuga Clan is going to kill him.
Do not interfere."**
Tsunade felt a chill.
For the first time, she realized—
Haruto Saito was already a dead man walking.