Chapter Fifty-Three: Dreams Come True?

Early the next morning, Kato Mikaze’s internal clock woke him at his usual hour. Still groggy, he glanced down with a trace of resignation at his spirited companion below the waist; a vague notion lingered in his mind, a sense that he’d had a particularly pleasant dream.

He remembered only that it involved Tsunade. In the dream, as on the previous night, Tsunade was utterly drunk and unconscious; he had carried her home in his arms. Unlike reality, where he’d shown restraint, in the dream he had acted with far less virtue…

At the dream’s end, it was dawn. Kato Mikaze gazed with tenderness upon Tsunade, whose face, tinged with a charming flush, looked particularly adorable.

As Tsunade slept, she shifted slightly, and her shoulder on the side nearest the window slipped free from the fine silk quilt, gleaming in the first golden shafts of sunlight spilling through the bedroom window from behind the Hokage Rock.

Her fair, smooth shoulder and the barest hint of the same snowy skin beneath the silk covering, glowed softly in the dawn’s gentle light, tangled just so with her golden hair.

In the dream, Kato Mikaze lay with his arm beneath his head, simply watching her.

Tsunade’s long lashes fluttered as she opened her eyes. The morning sun dazzled her. She resisted the urge to squint, raised a hand to shield her face, and yawned.

Then, suddenly, she froze, as if recalling something. She turned her head quickly and saw Kato Mikaze watching her with open eyes.

He smiled at her, eyes narrowing slightly, his signature pale blue hair not rumpled by sleep but shining in the morning sunlight.

From Tsunade’s perspective, he looked even more radiant. She squinted again, rubbing her eyes with the back of her hand.

As the dream Tsunade fully awakened and took stock of her situation, she didn’t become gentle or affectionate because of their changed relationship. Nor did she react like most girls might, with panic or shrieks.

Instead, true to her reputation as the Princess of Konoha, she summoned chakra and channeled her monstrous strength, landing a solid punch to Kato Mikaze’s chest as he continued to gaze at her.

In the dream, this was Tsunade’s characteristic way of saying good morning.

His chest exploded with pain, and he began to wake. Though it hurt, this time he wasn’t left battered and bruised as usual after one of Tsunade’s beatings.

Instead, a surge of vital energy immediately welled up inside him, repairing the damage. It still ached, but much less than before.

...

As he recalled the sensation of that vital energy, Kato Mikaze realized he was in his own bedroom, not Tsunade’s. Last night, he had not crossed any lines. Instead, after absorbing that fragment of green soul energy, he’d gained a special constitution from the ninja system—the Vital Life Constitution.

With this thought, Kato Mikaze shook off the lingering haze of his dream.

He got up, dressed, and began his usual morning training, paying special attention to any changes in his body. He noticed nothing remarkable or out of the ordinary.

It seemed the Vital Life Constitution from the ninja system remained inactive for now. The fact that he’d absorbed that green energy and, after a night’s rest, felt perfectly normal was the best possible outcome.

With his worries set aside, Kato Mikaze began to prepare for the next phase of the New Year Mission, following the plan he’d devised the night before.

After a shower and breakfast, he donned his jonin gear. Before leaving, he paused at the mirror in the entryway to straighten his forehead protector and tidy his hair.

...

He didn’t hurry to the underground base, but instead decided to visit the Hokage’s Residence first.

It was still early, so there was no need to use Wind Style: Light Step to speed his journey.

Passing a breakfast shop near his home, he bought a nutritious, easily digestible meal and sealed it inside a small custom-made scroll—a favor from a friend in the Sealing Corps—designed for short-term food storage.

Convenient and quick, it kept the food’s temperature and flavor intact.

He’d already eaten, but Tsunade had been drunk the night before and likely hadn’t gotten up yet.

With that in mind, Kato Mikaze performed the Spirit-Splitting Technique, sending his soul avatar out of his body.

He made sure not to reveal the avatar in public, concealing its presence as it sped toward Tsunade’s house.

Meanwhile, his physical body continued at a leisurely pace toward the Hokage’s Residence. He planned to look for his acquaintance Jin Furudani at the Mission Management Office to ask a few questions.

If time permitted, he would also call on the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, to maintain their rapport.

After all, at the underground base yesterday, setting aside the ninja system’s secrets, there were matters he could report to Hiruzen.

Although he was now temporarily working under Danzo Shimura for the New Year Mission, Kato Mikaze’s true loyalties in Konoha lay more with the Third Hokage.

Even through his connection with Tsunade, he owed more to Hiruzen Sarutobi.

...

While Kato Mikaze’s body made its way to the Hokage’s Residence, his soul avatar swiftly reached Tsunade’s home.

The avatar slipped through the walls with practiced ease. Although he had restrained himself last night, he had thoroughly memorized the layout of Tsunade’s rooms—always wise to be prepared for future opportunities.

There was no sign of Nawaki, Tsunade’s younger brother; he must have already left.

As he’d guessed, Tsunade had only just awakened and looked sleepy as she brushed her teeth in the bathroom.

Kato Mikaze’s soul avatar leaned casually against the bathroom doorframe. Under his control, it materialized at Tsunade’s side.

He remarked lightly, "Tsunade, ever since I started bringing you breakfast, you’ve gotten a lot lazier. How late did you sleep in today? Nawaki’s already gone out."

Tsunade, accustomed to Kato Mikaze’s sudden appearances, showed no surprise at the sight and sound of his soul avatar.

...

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