On the streets of Konoha.
"All right, Anko, Iruka, I'm not a patient—let's go home." Tian Yuan glanced at the two trailing behind him. "My house is close."
"Okay, be careful," Anko said reluctantly. "By the way, are you coming back to school tomorrow?"
"Of course—nothing to be afraid of." Tian Yuan replied.
"All right, see you," Anko said, then waved goodbye.
"Tian Yuan, I'm heading back too." Umino Iruka added.
"Got it." Tian Yuan nodded. Once Anko and Iruka were out of sight, he changed course. He didn't go home; he headed straight for a crowded area of Konoha.
He'd discovered a Player System signal—his very first. Although it was only a Standard-quality signal, it was within Konoha, so he had to seize it. Signals lasted at most a day and could vanish at any moment. Time was of the essence.
Tian Yuan's signal map showed many points beyond Konoha, some even HD or above—but those places were unreachable for him right now. Even within Konoha, many areas were off-limits; he might wander into danger unknowingly. He was still just a student—below Genin level.
Graduating from the Ninja Academy typically meant only a rookie Genin's strength. Future prodigies aside, most ninjas retired around Chunin rank. In the Hokage world, Jonin were the true watershed—the high-end force of a village and revered by the Five Great Ninja Villages.
Soon, Tian Yuan reached the signal's origin.
"It's coming from the women's bathhouse?" Tian Yuan blinked in confusion. If it were the men's baths, things would be simpler—but this was the women's.
"I'd better confirm." He skulked around a nearby hillock. He was one hundred percent certain: the signal source was inside the women's bathhouse.
"But how do I get in?" Tian Yuan muttered, peeking over the slope.
"A little one—didn't expect we're comrades." A voice whispered beside him. Tian Yuan startled; he hadn't noticed anyone approach. Whoever this was must be very skilled.
He turned to see a white-haired man wearing an oil village headband. Tian Yuan froze—this had to be Jiraiya.
"You know me," the man boasted. "Looks like my reputation precedes me—even a kid knows me."
"Of course—Lecherous Sage Jiraiya." Tian Yuan shot back the nickname at lightning speed.
"Uh." Jiraiya's grin faltered. "Kid, where'd you hear that?"
"Not sure—just picked it up." Tian Yuan feigned innocence.
"Damn it—must've been Tsunade." Jiraiya ground his teeth, then smirked. "Little one, want to go in together?"
"Go in together?" Tian Yuan shook his head. "Lord Jiraiya, we're not comrades. I'll pass."
He sprinted away. Being with Jiraiya was far more dangerous—Tsunade was probably inside, and everyone knew her brute strength. Tian Yuan's little body couldn't withstand her power.
"Sigh—finding a fellow player is hard." Jiraiya sighed in disappointment and strode off.
Elsewhere, Tian Yuan formulated a different plan.
"Transformation Technique…" he mused. "No—it won't work if Tsunade senses me."
By a pool, he saw his reflection. "Hmm—my face is still kind of cute."
"I've got it." Determination flashed in his eyes. A few moments later, a little girl—an adorable loli—stood before the bathhouse.
"Was this easy?" That little girl was Tian Yuan in disguise—he'd tossed aside all dignity to receive the signal.
Before he could enter, a familiar scream pierced the air, and a figure flew past into the distance.
"Jiraiya," Tian Yuan thought, wincing. He'd made the right call avoiding him.
But Tsunade was indeed inside. He had to be careful. Tian Yuan ducked into the women's bathhouse. No attendant stopped him—they must have assumed he belonged there.
Draped in a towel, he entered the steam-filled hall. The signal reception target lay in the bathing water itself. From outside, he couldn't get close enough.
"Quick and decisive." Tian Yuan steeled himself and waded into the pool. Once within range, he watched the system absorb the signal until a video fragment formed.
"Reception complete." A calm voice announced. Tian Yuan exhaled. "Time to retreat. Better watch it later—too stressful now."
"Hey there, little one—alone? Where are your parents?" a voice behind him asked. Tian Yuan spun around and saw Tsunade. His heart pounded.
"I'm going to find my parents now." He offered a timid smile and tried to leave.
"Aww, such a cute girl." Tsunade swooped in, yanking Tian Yuan toward her bath area.
"Please don't do this…" Tian Yuan thought, tears stinging his eyes—the longer he stayed, the likelier he'd be discovered.
Tsunade was relentless. At his age, calling her "sister" was beyond embarrassing.
"Shizune, look—this girl is even cuter than you." Tsunade called to her companion.
"She is younger," Shizune agreed, peering at Tian Yuan.
"Um, I have to go." Tian Yuan whispered.
"Stay with sister a while longer?" Tsunade pinched his cheek. He trembled.
"I'll endure it." Tian Yuan sighed.
"Hmm—let's remove that yukata." Tsunade's voice sent a chill down his spine. A surge of strength ripped the towel from his body.
"It's over."
This book is provided by FunNovel Novel Book | Fan Fiction Novel [Beautiful Free Novel Book]