---

  Monday morning arrived with its usual routine. Hanekawa completed his run and moved through his sword practice with mechanical precision, his mind already elsewhere.

  The Konoha Knowledge Bookstore had good news waiting for him.

  Tsuchihashi had found a novelist willing to serialize Taimanin. According to the outline, the work would span three volumes—upper, middle, and lower. If production stayed on schedule, the first volume might hit shelves by next week.

  Not bad, Hanekawa thought, already calculating potential earnings. The adult market's more reliable than I expected.

  After his bath and a quick breakfast with Kurenai, they arrived at the academy early. The classroom was only a third full, with most early arrivals frantically copying homework from classmates. Hanekawa took his seat and opened a medical textbook, settling in to read.

  "Um... could I ask you something?"

  Hanekawa looked up to find Rin Nohara standing beside his desk, her eyes drifting curiously toward his book.

  "Sure. What's the question?"

  He was mildly surprised. Unlike Obito, Rin consistently ranked in the top three on theoretical exams. She didn't usually need help.

  "This problem." She bent down, opening her notebook. "I found four different solutions, but I'm not sure which one is correct."

  Hanekawa picked up a pen and walked her through each approach methodically. "This method works. So does this one. And this. And this."

  Rin's eyes widened. "There are actually four valid solutions?"

  "Anything else?" he asked, tapping his notebook to conclude.

  "No... thank you." She returned to her seat, but Hanekawa caught her glancing back at him several times, her gaze lingering on the medical text.

  Probably wondering why a first-grader is studying advanced medical theory, he mused, returning to his reading.

  The bell rang. Obito arrived late, as always.

  Today's lesson was "The Ninja Code"—the importance of steel will, the necessity of eliminating temptation during missions. The instructor droned on about duty and sacrifice.

  In the name of God, I will never forsake gambling and drugs, Hanekawa thought wryly. The irony is delicious.

  As the final bell approached, restlessness rippled through the classroom. Students could barely focus, eager for dismissal.

  This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

  Asuma Sarutobi kept glancing at Hanekawa and Kurenai, his jaw clenched. He wanted another sparring match—but only when victory was certain. He'd been training with his father, the Third Hokage, waiting for the right moment to challenge Hanekawa again. Until then, he had to endure.

  Is this what growing up feels like? Asuma sighed internally.

  Then a figure appeared in the doorway.

  The classroom fell silent.

  Under the fading afternoon sunlight stood a woman whose mere presence commanded attention. She didn't need to speak. Everyone simply... noticed.

  "It's Lady Tsunade," Kakashi said quietly, his usual composure momentarily shaken.

  Rin's hand flew to her mouth. The legendary Tsunade? Here?

  "Tsuna... Tsuna..." Shizune grabbed Hanekawa's arm, rendered speechless.

  "Is it really that impressive?" Hanekawa asked mildly.

  "That's Lady Tsunade!" Shizune stared, starstruck. "The greatest ninja in the entire ninja world!"

  Greatest is generous, Hanekawa thought. But sure, top three.

  The classroom erupted in whispers. Asuma remained calm—as the Hokage's son, he'd seen the Legendary Sannin before. But watching his classmates gawk with wonder gave him a small sense of pride.

  Tsunade's eyes scanned the room until they found Hanekawa.

  "How much longer until class ends?" she asked their instructor.

  "You can take him now," the teacher said quickly, clearly flustered by her presence.

  "I'm looking for Hanekawa," Tsunade announced.

  The classroom froze. Asuma's expression crumbled.

  Why is it always Hanekawa?

  "Hanekawa!" the instructor called. "Come here."

  Kakashi's frown deepened. Medical ninjutsu? If he's studying that too...

  Rin's mind flashed back to the medical textbook. Her admiration for Hanekawa deepened into something more complex—respect mixed with awe.

  Hanekawa walked to the door under the weight of every eye in the classroom.

  "Let's go," Tsunade said, already turning to leave.

  He followed without comment.

  Behind them, the classroom erupted the moment they disappeared.

  "What does Lady Tsunade want with Hanekawa?"

  "Is she teaching him medical ninjutsu?"

  "Hanekawa-san is incredible!"

  Asuma couldn't take it anymore. He stood up abruptly. "What's the big deal?!"

  His classmates stared at him with expressions ranging from confusion to pity.

  Asuma's face burned. Just wait. Next time I'll show you what the Hokage's son can do.

  ---

  The casino was their destination, as Hanekawa had predicted.

  "How does it feel being the center of attention?" Tsunade asked playfully as they walked. "Getting dizzy from all that admiration?"

  "Not particularly," he replied casually.

  A room full of six-year-olds wasn't exactly thrilling.

  Tsunade stopped walking and reached over to ruffle his hair vigorously. "Why do you always sound like you're forty?"

  "I'm being honest."

  "I lost five hundred thousand ryō today," she said, rolling her eyes. "You better win it back for me, or I'm spanking you."

  "No problem." Hanekawa nodded with confidence.

  Back in his previous life, he'd turned 3,700 ryō into 20 million. Winning back 500,000 ryō would be trivial.

  I'm not a gambling monster, he thought with a slight smirk. I'm the god of gambling.