Chapter 3

Sosuke didn't expect the Third Hokage to summon him. 

After all, whenever there was a mission in the past, it was always his team leader who would come and notify him.

As a mere Tokubetsu Jōnin, Sosuke wasn't qualified to lead a team on his own during these times of war and barely had any opportunities to meet the Hokage.

Although he was slightly puzzled, Sosuke didn't say anything and simply followed the Anbu in silence.

After entering the Hokage's office, Sosuke saw that the Third Hokage was alone, and none of his former teammates were present.

'Could this be a solo mission for him?'

Sosuke's guess was correct. As soon as he stepped in, Third Hokage spoke:

"The border patrol team of the Land of Wind is short on manpower. I reviewed your mission record, and even though you're a Tokubetsu Jōnin, your combat achievements are impressive. So, I've decided to send you as reinforcements."

He had taken on patrol missions before, but this was his first time being sent alone.

'The Third Hokage made it sound nice by praising his achievements, but why hadn't anyone noticed his so-called strengths before?'

Thinking about this, Sosuke remained expressionless and asked, "What about my teammates? If they're short on manpower, wouldn't sending all four of us to be more helpful?"

The Third Hokage looked slightly apologetic and said, "The other three have already been assigned to the border near the Land of Rain. The situation there isn't good either."

At that moment, a sudden notification sounded in Sosuke's mind:

[Ding! Given the host's current situation, the system provides three options.]

[Option 1: Accept the mission and relax at the front lines.]

[Reward: 10 million ryō.]

[Option 2: Reject the mission and stay by Tsunade's side to improve the relationship.]

[Reward: Flying Thunder God Technique.]

[Option 3: Accept the mission and eliminate the Sand Shinobi Intelligence Team.]

[Reward: Complete Kamui.]

[The system will determine the chosen option based on the host's actions.]

He had just experienced the benefits of his newbie gift pack and was excited about these system missions.

Looking at the three options, the first one wasn't even worth considering—trying to bribe him off with a mere 10 million ryō was an insult.

However, Sosuke wasn't sure which one to pick between options two and three.

The rewards were incredibly tempting and powerful space-time ninjutsu that was really strong in the original story.

'Whether it was Flying Thunder God jutsu or Kamui, both would significantly enhance my strength.'

After thinking for a while, Sosuke decided to choose option three. After all, he probably wasn't in a position to refuse a mission yet.

Even though he had the potential to grow stronger, Sosuke hadn't turned that potential into actual power or status. 

This mission was a good opportunity.

If he could eliminate the Sand Shinobi Intelligence Team, Sosuke might establish a solid reputation in Konoha.

"Understood! I'll head to the border of the Land of Wind as soon as possible!"

"Alright, you're dismissed."

…

As he stepped out of the office, Sosuke's expression darkened.

He could already smell a conspiracy. He had just started getting close to Tsunade, and now he was being sent on a mission to a dangerous border region where anything could happen.

It was impossible not to overthink the situation.

After all, he had been left with nothing to do for two weeks straight before this.

Thinking about what happened to Dan after getting close to Tsunade in the original story, Sosuke became even more cautious.

Since he had already accepted the mission, he wouldn't back down. He had the power of the Goro Goro no Mi and wasn't worried at all.

Before leaving, Sosuke went to Tsunade's place, intending to say goodbye.

Who knew how long this mission would take? He needed to improve his relationship with her before leaving.

What puzzled him was that he had been knocking on the door for a long time, but Tsunade didn't respond at all.

Just as he was about to break in, Tsunade finally appeared.

At that moment, without even looking at him, she said with a disgusted face, "Dan! I've already told you I'mI've been busy lately. Stop bothering me!"

As soon as she finished speaking, Tsunade realized that the one knocking on the door was actually Sosuke.

Her face turned red, and she said embarrassedly, "Ah! Sosuke... I'm sorry, I thought it was Dan coming again..."

Hearing this, Sosuke finally understood.

Dan had already come looking for Tsunade again shortly after the Jōnin meeting had ended.

That guy just wouldn't give up.

Unfortunately for Dan, he had already missed his best opportunity. If he kept trying to get closer to Tsunade now, it would only annoy her more.

"I'm heading out on a mission later, I just wanted to come and say goodbye to you first." 

Sosuke said.

Hearing this, Tsunade immediately felt nervous.

She was known as a 'bad luck', and anyone close to her would soon face misfortune with her parents were like that, and many of her former comrades.

"Is it a mission on the front lines? Why would they suddenly send you there?"

She asked worriedly.

Tsunade's greatest fear was being sent to the frontlines because every second spent patrolling there carried the risk of an enemy ambush!

Seeing how nervous Tsunade was, Sosuke couldn't help but smile.

He had lived in Konoha for eighteen years, but he lost his parents when he was very young. He was also quite mature for his age and never really had many friends.

He had always cared about and tried to get closer to Tsunade, but he had never received any response in return.

Today, he finally saw a sign of it.

"Are you worried about me right now?" 

He asked with a smile.

Sosuke slowly moved closer to Tsunade as he spoke, gradually pushing her up against the wall.

After all, Tsunade was just an eighteen-year-old girl. Seeing Sosuke's actions made her heart beat a little faster.

In fact, she had always had a good impression of him.

After all, Sosuke had always been kind to her, and he often comforted her during her saddest moments.

Today, Sosuke was different from usual. Even though his strength still resembled a Tokubetsu Jōnin's, he seemed much more confident than before.

Sosuke's handsome face was just a few centimeters away from Tsunade's, and it was impossible for her not to feel something.

"I... I..." 

Tsunade stammered, unable to speak.

'This girl has finally developed feelings for me, acting all shy like this.'

Seeing Tsunade stammer and unable to speak, Sosuke thought to himself.

It turned out that his choice at the meeting was the right one. This decision allowed him to enter Tsunade's heart.

After gently pushing Tsunade against the wall, Sosuke didn't do anything strange. Instead, he slowly pulled out a notebook.

"This is for you. It's some information on the medical system I've organized, as well as directions for developing medical ninjutsu." 

He said, handing her the notebook.

Tsunade had thought he might do something else, but it seemed she had overthought it. 

Sosuke appeared to be more serious than she expected.

Tsunade's eyes immediately lit up when she saw the notebook he had brought out. She had been worried about this as she had been racking her brain for a long time and still didn't know how to begin writing the plan.

As Tsunade took the notebook from him and flipped through a few pages, she immediately understood how important it was.

Not only did many of the plans align with her own ideas, but everything was also well-organized.

He had even suggested several ways to develop medical ninjutsu, like the Palm Healing Jutsu and Chakra Scalpel.

It gave her a new idea and inspiration for developing medical ninjutsu.

"Sosuke, did you organize all of this?!"