Konoha: Gu Master

The door burst open.

Shinho didn't need to look up to know who it was—only two people in all of Konoha would skip the courtesy of knocking on Hokage's door: himself and Tsunade.

"Brat, what did you do to my body?" Tsunade demanded, her hands pressed down firmly on the Hokage's desk, glaring at him.

Looking up at her, Shinho could tell she was serious, and intimidating.

"Wasn't it a good thing?" he replied, smiling slightly.

"So it really was you!" Tsunade caught on to his calm response, her suspicions confirmed.

But now that she knew, she felt a little relieved. If it was Shinho, she knew he wouldn't hurt her.

"Explain it, then," she said, her tone softening a bit.

"It's a unique insect-based item," Shinho began, choosing his words carefully. "I found that it contains a significant amount of life force."

"A significant amount of life force?" Tsunade was stunned, and a moment later, a look of astonishment spread across her face. "Are you saying it extends lifespan?"

"You could think of it that way." Shinho nodded.

"Something that can increase lifespan? Impossible," Tsunade said, still incredulous.

This was beyond anything she'd ever known. Countless people had tried to find ways to extend their lives since the beginning of the shinobi world, all without success. 

Even her old teammate Orochimaru had failed, and his approach merely transferred his soul into new hosts, essentially borrowing others' lives.

"To be honest, I find it pretty unbelievable too," Shinho said with a chuckle. "I guess it's just one of the mysteries of these special insects."

Tsunade studied his expression, looking for any sign of deceit.

"I understand the toll the Yin Seal takes, so I thought it would be perfect for you," he said, his tone calm.

"How many of these… insects are there?" Tsunade asked, serious.

"Just one," he answered.

That was a small lie. If the knowledge of such a lifespan-extending insect spread, it would endanger Tsunade herself.

"Only one?" Tsunade was momentarily speechless.

"Something this valuable only existing once isn't all that surprising, is it?" he asked in return.

Tsunade was quiet for a few seconds, then asked, "Why didn't you use it yourself?"

"I'm young; I don't need it," Shinho replied without hesitation.

Tsunade looked like she wanted to say something but held back.

The allure of increased lifespan was immense, no matter one's age. Youth was hardly a reason to turn down such a gift.

"Why didn't you tell me?" she asked, biting her lip.

"We're close, aren't we? It's not really something that needs explaining," Shinho replied with a bright smile. "And besides, you're my strongest support."

Tsunade looked at him, her expression softening.

A lifespan-extending item—it was something so precious that even closest family would hesitate to part with it.

"You really are a fool," she said, reaching out to ruffle his hair.

"Hey, that's a bit much!" Shinho scowled at her, but he didn't stop her.

"I'll protect you till I breath my last, that's my promise," Tsunade said, a smile breaking across her face.

"Then you'll be protecting me for a long time, because you gained an extra sixty-six years," Shinho said, putting down the document he was holding.

"Sixty-six years?!" Tsunade froze.

"Time to clock out, Sensei," Shinho said with a grin.

After a brief pause, Tsunade gave his face another playful squeeze. "Fine, you can go."

Shinho narrowed his eyes at her, suspicious. "You're getting a bit too used to that."

In one quick move, he reached up, ruffled her cheeks just as she had his, then disappeared in a flash.

It took a few seconds after he left for Tsunade to fully realize what had happened, her hand reaching up to the spot he had touched.

"What a fool," she murmured, but with a small smile. 

Giving her all those extra years—it really was a foolishly kind gesture.

Once the office was quiet again, it felt as if nothing had happened.

[Achievement Unlocked: Tsunade's Life and Death Promise. Reward: Bamboo Gentleman.]

As Shinho walked out of the Hokage Building, he paused in surprise. This achievement had come suddenly. Was it because of Tsunade's words?

It seemed she had meant every word. This wasn't just a simple promise.

The real gain here, though, wasn't the achievement or the Gu—it was knowing that, no matter what happened in the future, she wouldn't back down on him.

The Bamboo Gentleman Gu was a small, round bamboo-colored insect, capable of detecting lies. 

Its color would shift from green to another hue if its host lied, making it invaluable in discerning truth from falsehood.

Though it wasn't a combat tool, its practical uses couldn't be overlooked, especially for someone like Shinho.

If he were to become Hokage, such an ability would be invaluable in interrogations, saving him considerable amount of time.

Strolling through the bustling streets of Konoha, Shinho noticed the village's liveliness had returned. 

The first round of the Chunin Exams had attracted many visitors, but Orochimaru's attack had quickly scattered them. 

Yet with the announcement of a rescheduled exam, traders and merchants had flooded back, demonstrating the allure of business.

He wandered around the market, buying a few treats. Okonomiyaki—essentially savory pancakes with egg, beef, and green onions—caught his eye, along with some candy.

Since the Inuzuka Team Eight had returned to Konoha the previous evening, he thought it was a perfect opportunity to bring something over to Hinata. The candy was for her little sister, Hanabi.

….

At the Hyuga Compound

With a casual wave to the Hyuga clan's gatekeepers, Shinho made his way into the courtyard. As he approached, he spotted Hinata and Neji sparring.

Watching them, Shinho had to laugh inwardly. Both the Uchiha and Hyuga clans seemed to thrive on internal duels.

The Uchiha's Sharingan granted them enhanced perception, and battles between them often went like;

:- I predicted your next ten moves,

:- haha, fool, I predicted your prediction, 

:- hoho conceited bastard, I predicted you'd predict my prediction.

And so on, in short, it there battle was a mind numbing game of chess, each participant playing mind games and the like to gain an edge on their opponent.

Similarly, the Byakugan clan's confrontations, like this one between Hinata and Neji, gave Shinho the impression of watching a high-stakes chess match.

Moments later, Neji caught an opening in Hinata's defenses, and the match ended.

"You lost focus, Hinata," Neji remarked, glancing briefly at Shinho.

"Sorry, Neji-nii," Hinata said, a little embarrassed.

"That's enough for today." Neji nodded and took his leave.

"Shinho-kun!" Hinata hurried over to him, her face lighting up with a soft smile.

She looked happy, with gentle bangs framing her face. After a morning of training, a light sheen of sweat on her skin caught the sunlight, giving her a radiant glow.

"Nice work, Hinata," Shinho said, lifting the bag in his hand. "It's just about lunchtime, so I brought some okonomiyaki for us."

"Thank you, Shinho-kun!"

Hinata felt her heart leap with happiness. She liked Shinho, and she loved snacks—especially when they were treats he'd brought, making it twice as enjoyable.

"Uncle Hiashi," Shinho greeted, noticing Hiashi Hyuga watching them from a distance and gave him a friendly wave.

After receiving a nod of acknowledgement, he continued on with Hinata to her room.

Hiashi's eye twitched as he watched them go. 

This kid is getting a bit bold! But despite any irritation, Hiashi was secretly pleased with Shinho. 

He was well aware that Tsunade had entrusted him with Hokage duties on several occasions, something Hiashi viewed as a clear signal: it wouldn't be long before Shinho took on the mantle himself.

Inside Hinata's room, Shinho glanced back to see Hinata slipping off her shoes at the entrance, revealing her delicate, fair feet.

Exquisite, he thought, the word instantly coming to mind.

[tl/n: "..."]

"Sorry to keep you waiting, Shinho-kun," Hinata said as she stepped gracefully over to the table, her movements as elegant as ever.

He couldn't help but smile as he opened the bag he'd brought. A delicious aroma filled the room, and Hinata instinctively swallowed, her face lighting up at the smell.

"Help yourself," Shinho said, pushing the plate of okonomiyaki towards her.

Hinata picked up a piece and took a small bite, her soft lips catching a slight sheen of oil.

"Hold still," Shinho said, pulling out a napkin and gently wiping away the oil.

Hinata froze, cheeks flushing with pink, then lowered her head shyly, nibbling on her snack in small, hamster-like bites.

"When did you get back?" Shinho asked, taking a bite of his own.

"Last night," Hinata replied, licking a bit of sauce from her lips. "Around nine in the evening."

"Then have you heard about the Chunin Exams?" he asked, amused by her small gestures.

"The Chunin Exams?" she echoed, surprised. "Is it happening again?"

"Exactly," he nodded. "it's set to resume in a month."

Hinata bit her lip. She had won her last round against Kiba, which qualified her for the next stage—which a good thing. 

But her next opponents would undoubtedly be tough. It would be hard to progress further, and she didn't want to let down Shinho or her clan.

"Worried you're not strong enough?" Shinho said, easily reading her expression.

Hinata nodded honestly. She never hid anything from Shinho.

"In truth, you're already stronger than most people your age," he said, reaching over and patting her head gently.

Hinata's heart skipped a beat, and she instinctively brought her hands together, her fingers fidgeting shyly.

She knew her progress was evident, but she wanted to catch up to Shinho. 

Ever since she had seen him fight Gaara, she realized the distance between them was only growing. If this continued, she would hardly be able to keep up, let alone help.

"There might be a way," Shinho said after a moment of thought, "but I'm not sure…"

"I'll do it!" Hinata exclaimed, looking up with resolve before he could even finish. Then, realizing her boldness, she quickly looked away, her cheeks turning pinker.

"The Hyuga clan excels at taijutsu, but taijutsu alone has its limitations," Shinho explained, holding out his hand to reveal a small, glistening insect. 

"This is a Snow Fairy Gu. It can give you ice-based abilities, similar to a bloodline limit. You've heard of Ice Release, right?"

The Snow Fairy Gu would transform the user into a Snow Fairy, allowing control over ice and the ability to take on an ice form. 

Shinho had long considered who should inherit this ability, weighing its compatibility with each of his friends. 

With Ino already gaining benefits from Idō, and her frequent work with Shikamaru and Chōji, the Snow Fairy Gu seemed like it would better suit Hinata, providing her with a unique advantage in combat.

"Ice Release?" Hinata tilted her head, thinking. "I've heard there's a clan in the Hidden Mist that can use it."

Shinho paused, recalling the Hyuga clan's annual visits to the Hidden Mist for diplomatic exchanges. It made sense that she'd know.

"With this Gu, you'd be able to use similar abilities," Shinho explained.

"What?!" Hinata's eyes widened in amazement. 

Ice Release was a kekkei genkai, a bloodline limit that could only be passed down through family. This was nothing short of miraculous.

"It's too valuable!" she protested, holding up her hands. "You should use it yourself, Shinho-kun."

"I don't need it," Shinho replied. "Besides, only girls can use it."

"Only… girls?" She looked at him skeptically, finding this restriction hard to believe.

Before she could ask further, Shinho took her hand, activating the Snow Fairy Gu.

Instantly, the temperature around them dropped.

Shinho stepped back to give her space. Hinata stared down at herself in shock as her clothes, skin, and even her body transformed, all covered in a layer of shimmering frost. 

In a matter of seconds, she had taken on the appearance of a Snow Fairy from legend—her hair had turned silvery white, her eyes a striking shade of icy blue, and her skin was as pale as fresh snow, exuding a faint chill. 

Her usual white training clothes had changed into a light, opaque blue kimono.

Shinho couldn't help but reach out and gently poke her cheek. Contrary to his expectation, her skin felt soft, yet there was an unusual coolness to it.

As he marveled at her transformation, her skin suddenly hardened into crystalline ice.

"Oh, so you can control it," Shinho observed, then took out a kunai. "Try blocking this."

Hinata hesitated for a moment before slicing the kunai along her forearm.

The kunai clanged off her arm, leaving her unharmed.

"Can you still use the Byakugan?" Shinho asked.

Hinata activated her Byakugan, and her eyes flared with power. But unlike usual, the veins around her temples did not stand out, making her transformation even more striking.

"Not bad," Shinho remarked with a smile. "Spend the next month getting used to your new abilities."

"Thank you, Shinho-kun!" Hinata said, taking a deep breath. "I… I don't even know how to thank you enough."

"It's nothing, really," he replied, shrugging.

Though he had gifted her the Snow Fairy Gu, he was still its master. That meant he had the power to take it back if needed.

[Achievement Unlocked: Master of Snow Fairys. Reward: Immobilization Gu.]

[Immobilization Gu: A rank-4 insect that can freeze an opponent in place.]

Wait—what? Shinho raised an eyebrow, noticing the description.

System, are you serious right now?

Shinho's eye twitched at the absurdity of the Achievement's implication.

join my patreon for 125+ advanced chapters: patreon.com/HyppoTL