Konoha Year 38, early in the year.
The winter wind, sharp and biting with snowflakes, lashed against Itoshiki Furukawa's face like the sting of a blade. It had been two weeks since he returned from the Rain Country battlefield, coming back to the familiar streets of Konoha Village.
The snow, which had been delayed, now fell heavily, blanketing the village in a layer of silver. It was the kind of snowfall that came with the New Year, giving a fleeting sense of calm. The war's smoke, lingering in the air for so long, seemed to dissipate, if only for a brief moment, under the weight of the snow.
A week ago, Furukawa had discussed sending Senju Nawaki to the River Country battlefield with Tsunade. The news that followed a few days later was grim. The River Country front had become increasingly strained. After Konoha's peace with the Rain Country, Sunagakure had also signed a peace agreement and shifted all its forces to the River Country front.
Now, only Iwagakure remained entrenched in the Rain Country battlefield, while Hanzō's objectives had nearly been completed. As Sunagakure withdrew its forces from the Rain Country, Konoha's own forces in the River Country were spread thin. Even with Orochimaru leading the reinforcements, they were still half of what Sunagakure had committed.
The River Country defense line was barely holding, propped up by the combined might of Hatake Sakumo and Orochimaru—two of Konoha's most powerful shinobi. But even with these heavyweights, it was clear that this delicate balance would soon collapse. Sunagakure's experts would return to the front lines soon, and the River Country would likely fall.
But for now, none of this seemed to concern Furukawa. There was still time before Konoha would be forced to commit more troops, at least a month, after Sunagakure had fully pulled back from the Rain Country.
As the snowfall continued, Konoha was blanketed in thick layers of snow. The streets, though picturesque, were filled with the hurried footsteps of genin, tasked with clearing the snow. They moved back and forth, diligently working to keep the village functional.
The genin, often invisible in the larger workings of Konoha, were essential to the village's daily operations. They were like cogs in a machine—small, yet vital to its smooth running. Whether it was patrolling, running errands, or cleaning the streets, they did it without question, with little fanfare.
Even in the midst of war, they remained committed to these tasks. For them, it was a small blessing to be distanced from the brutality of the front lines. But Furukawa knew—perhaps better than anyone—that the day would come when they too would be thrust into battle, and they would long for the days when their biggest worry was clearing snow.
The New Year had arrived in Konoha, but the war cast a long shadow. Despite the ongoing conflict, the village had not been entirely consumed by the flames of war. Families still celebrated, albeit with a quiet undertone of longing for those on the front lines. Even the poorest families found reasons to gather and hope for a better year, for an end to the war.
Furukawa, however, felt little of that festive warmth. In his past life, he had been an orphan, and in this life, he still was. His parents had died during his time at the Ninja Academy, leaving him with only the silence of an empty house and cold, unfeeling tombstones.
The weight of this isolation felt heavier than the snow as Furukawa stepped onto the snowy streets, his hands tightly clutching the money bag he carried. He moved toward Konoha's commercial district, hoping to find a restaurant still open. Cooking had never been a skill he acquired, in either life. But a ninja's pay ensured he could afford eating out regularly, without much concern for the cost.
As he passed by the stairwell leading to the street, a familiar figure caught his eye. A blonde woman, her figure striking against the dull backdrop of the winter street, was heading up the stairs toward him.
"Yo, my lovely subordinate," Tsunade's voice rang out, clear and bright like the chime of a bell.
"Did you know I was coming to find you, and decided to greet me like this?" she teased, a playful glint in her eyes. Her smile was as radiant as always, though there was a flicker of mischief hidden behind it.
Furukawa couldn't help but feel a slight tug at his lips, but the smile was fleeting. Tsunade's presence had always had this effect on him—bringing a spark, yet never quite reaching the depth of warmth he craved. Still, it was a rare moment of connection in a world that often felt like it had little to offer.
"I'm fortunate to have Lady Tsunade visit. How could I possibly not come out to greet you? Anything you command, I will do—whether it's reaching the heavens or digging into the earth." Itoshiki Furukawa patted his chest exaggeratedly, making a solemn vow.
Tsunade was amused by his theatrics, and a soft laugh escaped her lips. She walked up to him, her steps light and graceful.
Furukawa, still in his developmental stage, was noticeably shorter than Tsunade. His height barely reached her shoulder.
Tsunade bent down slightly, resting her hand on her knee to bring her eyes level with his. With a gentle touch, she placed her hand on his shoulder, her smile both warm and teasing. "Then let's go. Come home with me. There's still much to do."
"Ah?" Furukawa's mind froze for a moment, his thoughts scrambling. This... wasn't this a bit too fast? He felt a wave of embarrassment, his heart quickening. His face flushed at the suddenness of it all.
"What are you standing there for?" Tsunade's voice was soft yet carried a playful edge. "Come on, let's go."
With a gentle flick of her finger, she tapped his forehead. The gesture was both tender and teasing, and there was something maternal in her tone. "The house still needs tidying up, and the food hasn't been prepared yet. How are we supposed to celebrate the New Year if we don't get moving?"
She turned, starting to walk toward the Senju clan grounds. But after a few steps, she glanced back, noticing Furukawa still standing there, stunned.
"Hey, hurry up and follow me," she called, her voice both affectionate and amused. "Why are you acting like a child, needing an adult to guide you?"
Her outstretched hand was warm and inviting. Furukawa's heart swelled at the gesture. For a moment, he stood still, absorbing the warmth she offered without a word. Finally, he reached out and took her hand, the warmth and softness of it grounding him.
"If you're this nice to me," he murmured to himself, his voice low and gentle, "how could I resist? Shouldn't I be the one trying to win you over?"
The feeling of loneliness he had carried into the New Year—isolated and alone—faded away in that moment. Tsunade's presence dispelled the cold emptiness, filling the space around him with something warm. A sense of hope, however small, bloomed in his chest.
Tsunade began walking again, and Furukawa quickly caught up. For a moment, he lagged behind, but soon enough, he walked alongside her, their steps synchronized in quiet harmony.
Tsunade noticed the subtle change in his movements, and her eyes softened. A small, genuine smile curled at the corner of her lips as she glanced at him.
The snow fell gently, blanketing the world in serene silence. The two of them walked side by side, their figures gradually fading into the silver-white landscape, blending with the peaceful snowfall.
.... hello readers, been sick last week, spent a lot of time in the hospital that's why I haven't been dropping chapters , thought I'd give a bonus for today , anyway, go to my patreon Seasay for more advanced chapters at only a subscription of 5 dollars or if you are generous enough you can pledge to your liking.The fanfic is currently at 100 chapters together with another great Naruto fanfic about Otsususki bloodline which is also at 100 chapters.Kindly support me. Thank you and have a lovely week. I'll get to answer any questions and engage readers .