Naruto: The Sage Body of Konoha

In Heiyan's current combat system, Sage Art was an absolute must-have ultimate weapon. It allowed him, who already possessed Kage-level strength, to briefly step into the Transcendent Kage tier.

However, the biggest drawback of Sage Mode was its long activation time—he had to sit perfectly still for ten minutes first, gathering enough Natural Energy before he could enter it.

On a battlefield where life and death hung in the balance, enemies would obviously not give Heiyan such an opportunity.

Therefore, Heiyan decided to use the Flying Thunder God technique to maneuver around and distract opponents, thus buying himself time to activate Sage Art.

For instance, when facing a powerful foe, he'd first use the Flying Thunder God to retreat to safety, activate Sage Mode during the escape, and then leap back into battle using the same jutsu.

This indirect method effectively solved the weakness of Sage Mode.

Of course, Heiyan knew this approach wasn't a permanent solution.

The ideal Sage Art he envisioned should be like that of the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju—wherever and whenever needed, just clapping his hands together would instantly unleash world-shattering techniques.

So convenient.

Heiyan was very curious about Hashirama's Sage Art. After all, both he and Hashirama possessed the Sage Transformation, making them similar types of ninja.

How did the First Hokage even learn his Sage Arts? Could it have something to do with the Shikkotsu Forest?

The more he thought about it, the more eager he became to uncover the answer.

At this moment, one person came to mind.

Mito Uzumaki.

As Hashirama Senju's wife, she had appeared at a recent high-ranking elder meeting in Konoha. Although they hadn't spoken directly, through smiles and glances, she had shown him kindness.

Heiyan was certain that Mito already knew his hidden identity as a member of the Uzumaki clan.

"It seems it's time to pay this lady a visit."

He murmured softly to himself.

Night fell.

Heiyan finished his day's training and returned to the village.

On his way home, he stopped by to check on his family's businesses.

Due to the rumors labeling him as the "Omen of Misfortune,"

recently, nearly all the shops bearing his name—hotels, ninja tool shops, hot springs, and even Ichiraku Ramen—had seen drastically fewer customers.

Finally, when he arrived at the izakaya, he found the elderly manager standing anxiously at the entrance, seemingly waiting for someone.

"Master Heiyan!"

Upon seeing him, the manager was overjoyed and hurried over to greet him.

"What's going on?" Heiyan asked, clearly taken aback.

"It's Tsunade-sama." The manager sighed, wearing an expression of helplessness.

It turned out that since Nawaki's funeral, Tsunade had been coming alone to drink heavily at the izakaya almost every night, often staying extremely late. The past few days had been better, but today she finally got completely drunk. Even though already barely conscious, she insisted on continuing to drink, ignoring all attempts to stop her. When denied alcohol, she even threatened to smash up the place, greatly frightening the manager.

"I've already sent someone to notify Jiraiya-sama, but I don't know when he'll arrive."

While explaining the situation, the manager led Heiyan upstairs to a private room.

"Bang!"

As soon as Heiyan slid open the wooden door to the private room, a strong smell of sake rushed out, causing him to frown slightly.

Inside the room, over a dozen empty sake bottles were scattered haphazardly across the floor. Tsunade lay sprawled barefoot on the tatami mats, her face flushed bright red from excessive drinking.

"Manager, could you step out for a moment?"

Heiyan noticed that Tsunade's clothes were slightly disarrayed. Immediately, he positioned himself in front of her to block the manager's view and asked him to wait outside.

Then he sighed deeply, approached Tsunade, and carefully slipped her shoes on while gently adjusting her clothing.

"Don't touch me!"

Mumbling incoherently, Tsunade's eyes suddenly sharpened as she grabbed Heiyan's arm with immense strength.

A sharp pain shot through his arm instantly.

Thankfully, he possessed the Sage Transformation; if he had been an ordinary person, his arm would have been rendered completely useless.

"Onee-san, it's me."

He murmured gently yet firmly, channeling a steady stream of Lightning Release chakra into her palm—the sensation was like tiny needles prickling her skin.

"Hmm..."

At these words, Tsunade's hazy gaze finally regained some clarity. After sensing Heiyan's chakra, she released her grip and pressed her hand against her forehead, clearly suffering from a hangover headache.

Just at this moment—

"Tsunade! Tsunade, where are you! I'm here!"

Jiraiya's loud, boisterous voice echoed from just outside the private room.

Heiyan turned toward the sound and saw Jiraiya enter—his hair still damp, wearing only slippers from the bathhouse, and reeking heavily of alcohol.

Judging by his appearance, he must've rushed straight over after receiving news, barely making time to leave the spa he'd been at.

Great, another unreliable one.

Heiyan exchanged glances with the izakaya's manager standing behind Jiraiya, both thinking the exact same thing simultaneously.

"Oh, Heiyan, you're here too."

Spotting Heiyan, Jiraiya blinked in surprise, appearing slightly more sober for a moment. Then, scratching the back of his head, he cast an apologetic look toward Heiyan.

He regretted deeply having left Heiyan alone at Mount Myoboku before, forcing the boy to endure insults and bullying by Gamabunta.

Moreover, it was he who had spread word of Heiyan's "death prophecy" throughout Konoha upon returning.

Standing before Heiyan now, guilt weighed heavily on him.

Of course, if Jiraiya knew that during his stay at Mount Myoboku, Heiyan had actually given Gamabunta a brutal thrashing, the look on his face would have transformed from guilt to sheer shock.

"Jiraiya-sama," Heiyan said softly at that moment, stepping aside with a courteous motion.

"Since you're here now, I'll leave Onee-san to you."

Without further explanation, he stepped aside and exited the private room.

Heiyan knew his place in the world.

Despite all his shortcomings, Jiraiya had been Tsunade's closest friend for over a decade. Their bond ran far deeper than the relationship between himself and Tsunade.

As soon as Heiyan stepped out, Jiraiya let out a soft "heh," instantly slipping back into his usual self.

"Heh heh, Tsunade, let me help you home."

With a lecherous grin stretched across his face, and fueled by liquid courage, he extended his wandering hands, hoping to take advantage of the situation.

"Huh?"

Instinctively sensing danger, Tsunade lifted her head—and right in front of her was Jiraiya's grinning face, staring down at her.

"J-I-R-A-I-Y-A... get your hands off me!"

She let out a sharp cry, unleashing a burst of air from her body. Clenching her right fist, she struck Jiraiya's face with lightning speed.

[Monster Strength!]

"Ahhh!"

Jiraiya screamed in pain as he flew backward through the window, soaring over ten meters through the air and crossing the Hot Spring Street. With a loud splash, he landed headfirst into the distant Konoha River.

This should sober him up completely.

"..."

Heiyan stood nearby, unsure of what to say about what just happened.

That guy Jiraiya had barely recovered from being seriously injured by Tsunade not long ago. He'd only left the hospital a few days back yet already forgotten his wounds.

Truly a Perverted Sage—living life for nothing but perversion.

Watching Jiraiya flailing about in the river, Heiyan silently shook his head.

"Heiyan-sama, what should we do now?" 

The izakaya owner approached quietly and asked.

"I guess there's no choice. Tsunade will have to stay here tonight. Go get a blanket." 

Heiyan thought for a moment before giving instructions.

"No way!" 

Unexpectedly, Tsunade had overheard their whispers. Drunk and reeking of alcohol, she ordered Heiyan with an unyielding tone, "Come here. Carry me home."

"...Alright then." 

With a reluctant sigh, Heiyan approached, squatted down, and carefully hoisted Tsunade onto his back.

She was heavier than she looked.

Feeling a sudden weight on his back, Heiyan was surprised that this woman who barely weighed over a hundred pounds felt so unbearably heavy—was it because she was drunk?

"Lift your arms around my neck and try not to move too much." 

In a soft voice, he gently hooked an arm under her knees and stepped outside the izakaya.

Tsunade lived in a grand estate handed down by the First Hokage. Fortunately, it wasn't far from the izakaya. After carrying her for about ten minutes, Heiyan finally reached the doorstep.

Inside the house, he helped Tsunade sit at the edge of the bed and prepared a cup of hangover tea along with hot water and a towel.

"Little Heiyan, thank you..." Lying flat on the bed, Tsunade mumbled incoherently.

Goodnight.

Seeing she was doing okay, Heiyan turned to leave.

"Wait!" Tsunade suddenly grabbed his hand, stopping him.

"Tsunade-oneesan, anything else?" Heiyan asked curiously.

"My Grandmother Mito... told me to give you a message... asking you to go... see her." Tsunade finally managed to say between slurred sentences.

Oh?

Upon hearing this, Heiyan's eyes lit up.

So that was why Tsunade wanted him to carry her home—it had been a secret way to pass along this information privately.

<><><><><><><><>

Thank you for reading! Your support will keep me updating!

~ Every 50 Powerstones = **4 Bonus Chapters** this weekend!

<><><><><><><><>

~ 100+ Advanced Chapters Available on Patreon!

~ More *Free* Chapters and Books Available on Patreon!

patreon.com/Tansnovel

<><><><><><><><>