Naruto: Reborn with the Template System

Author Note:

Here's the BONUS CHAPTER as promised—thanks for the support, and let's keep this energy going!

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Early morning.

Public training ground outside Konoha Village.

Anko was drenched in sweat, as if she'd been caught in a downpour, her arms swinging the massive sword, Samehada, again and again.

The blade was nearly twice her height, unwieldy and menacing.

Under the shade of a nearby tree, Guts lounged casually, eating a breakfast sandwich Kurenai had made for him. His eyes stayed fixed on Anko.

The day's first task was basic: 5,000 sword swings.

Surprisingly, not a single complaint came from the girl.

She really does want to master Samehada.

Still, Guts thought to himself, I better make sure she doesn't end up fusing with that thing like Kisame did.

Future Anko turning into some bloated fish-lady is bad enough, but a Samehada-freak version? Terrifying.

Neither Guts nor Anko truly understood swordsmanship. But someone nearby did, Uchiha Shisui.

His own sword style was elegant, fast, and fluid, unlike the brute-force swings Anko was practicing.

Still, the foundation was the same. With dedication, she'd get there.

Half a year.

That's what Guts estimated she needed to build the foundation necessary to wield Samehada in battle.

It wasn't long before Anko's outer shirt was completely soaked. She didn't seem to care. Without hesitation, she peeled it off and tossed it aside.

Wearing only her mesh-style, form-fitting ninja attire, she kept swinging.

Guts squinted.

She even dresses the same way when she's older, doesn't she? I should probably help her break that habit...

By nightfall, the grueling training took its toll. Anko barely made it through dinner before slumping over, nearly face-first into her rice bowl.

For over half a month now, she'd been following this hellish routine.

Eat. Train. Sleep. Repeat.

And it was working.

Every night, Kurenai, gentle and caring, almost like an older sister, would quietly help Anko into bed, tucking the blanket around her.

"She's more motivated now than when she graduated two years ago,"

Kurenai said one night, collecting empty plates from the table.

Guts looked up at her, genuinely surprised.

"She never slacked off, even when I wasn't watching," he said, shaking his head.

"I just drop by when I feel like it."

Kurenai smiled as she stacked the dishes.

"That wasn't always the case. Anko was slacking off for over a year after you and Shisui left. I don't think it was because she didn't want to train... more like she felt defeated."

"Defeated?" Guts raised an eyebrow.

"You and Shisui are both geniuses. Maybe she felt like no matter how hard she tried, she'd never catch up. So why try?"

Kurenai paused, then added,

"But when you gave her Samehada, you gave her hope. A reason to push herself."

Guts leaned back in his chair, letting out a small chuckle.

"Yeah," he murmured.

"Makes sense."

Nearly twenty days had passed since Guts returned to the village.

Dinner that evening was the same as usual. Anko, now a semi-permanent resident in Guts's home, sat at the table with heavy eyelids, swaying like she might pass out at any second.

Suddenly...

"Hmph! Living the dream, huh? Two pretty girls sharing a house with you now!"

The mocking voice carried just a hint of bitterness.

All three of them turned their heads.

Kurenai and Anko gasped simultaneously.

"Lady Tsunade!"

"Ms. Tsunade!?"

Guts ignored her teasing and went straight to the point.

"I thought the war wasn't over yet."

Tsunade walked in like she owned the place, grabbed a bowl and chopsticks from Kurenai, and began eating like she hadn't had a proper meal in days.

"Rock Shinobi are done for. Orochimaru and your student already went to the southern front. I'm here to drag your lazy ass back into the fight. Pack your stuff. We leave tomorrow morning."

Guts nodded calmly. "Alright."

Silence.

The three women stared at him like they'd seen a ghost.

Especially Tsunade, her chopsticks froze mid-air.

She'd spent half the day preparing lines to convince the now-domesticated Guts to return to battle. She expected resistance, excuses, or at least a smug grin.

Instead, he just… agreed?

What the hell?

Had he hit his head recently?

Truthfully, Guts had his own reasons.

If he wanted to support Tsunade as the next Hokage, he needed influence, real influence.

If Minato played a major role in ending this war, it could tilt things in his favor.

In other words, Guts wasn't returning to the battlefield just for duty.

He was there to compete for credit.

Tsunade didn't push further. She just sat and ate, though her eyes kept drifting to Anko and Kurenai.

She'd only been gone a little while… how the hell did this guy end up with two girls living under his roof?

Oddly, she felt a little annoyed.

The next morning.

At sunrise, Guts and Tsunade set off toward the southern front, saying their goodbyes to Kurenai and a half-asleep Anko.

This war, once ended...would mark the close of the Third Great Ninja War.

As they moved through the dense forests outside Konoha, the silence between them was finally broken.

"You…"

Tsunade muttered, gritting her teeth.

"You really are unbelievable, you know that?"

Guts turned to look at her.

He had a good idea what she meant.

Last night, Kurenai had… taken initiative. And Guts hadn't exactly held back.

Unfortunately, he'd completely forgotten there was another person in the house with very sharp ears.

Tsunade's expression...half fury, half disbelief, said it all.

Before she could swing, Guts suddenly moved in close and wrapped his arms around her.

"W-What are you doing?!"

With a light jump, they landed together on a tree branch, Guts pinning her gently against the trunk.

Her heart skipped a beat.

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