Morning sunlight slipped quietly through the small gaps in the curtains, forming thin golden threads that stretched across the bedroom. The light slowly crawled over the soft blankets and pillows like a curious visitor greeting the first morning of the New Year.
Uchiha Tsukiko was still fast asleep.
In her dream, she sat proudly on top of a mountain made entirely of shining gold coins. She hugged Kushina tightly with her left arm while laughing happily. With her right arm she seemed to be holding someone else—but before she could see who it was—
BANG!
A loud mechanical sound exploded inside her mind.
It felt like someone had smashed a metal bucket directly over her head.
[Ding! A new year brings new challenges! Detecting that the Host's living environment is currently stable. Side missions have now been refreshed.]
"Ugh…" Tsukiko groaned.
Her eyebrows twitched in irritation.
Half-asleep, she buried her face deeper into the soft and warm pillow beside her, trying to block out the annoying voice.
"Be quiet…" she muttered sleepily.
"If you keep talking… I'm uninstalling you…"
Unfortunately, the system clearly didn't understand sarcasm.
The cold mechanical voice continued without mercy.
[Please review the latest mission list. As requested, these missions include generous rewards and higher difficulty.]
Tsukiko slowly opened one eye.
Through blurry vision she saw Kushina still sleeping peacefully beside her.
Her long red hair was spread across the pillow like flowing silk. Her breathing was steady, and her relaxed expression looked unbelievably gentle.
Tsukiko sighed.
"Fine… since the beautiful sister is still sleeping, I won't argue with you."
She forced herself to wake up slightly and opened the glowing system panel floating inside her mind.
She originally thought that until the main **S-Rank mission—raising Naruto and Sasuke—**progressed further, this lazy system would remain silent forever.
But apparently it had chosen the first day of the New Year to become active again.
"Alright… let's see what nonsense you prepared," Tsukiko muttered internally.
"If the mission says something like 'help Minato wash his socks,' I'm destroying this system with you."
The panel finally became clear.
Three glowing mission slots appeared before her eyes.
Each had a different color.
---
B-Rank Mission
[B-Rank Mission: Morning Kiss of Good Luck]
[Mission Objective: Receive a voluntary kiss on the cheek from Uzumaki Kushina.]
[Mission Description: As the close companion of the Hokage's wife, how can you not share such warm interactions? Begin the New Year with a symbol of affection.]
[Mission Reward: Slight increase in Sealing Jutsu talent.]
Tsukiko's sleepy eyes widened instantly.
Her entire mood changed.
"System! You're my true brother!"
Inside her mind she was already screaming in excitement.
"How is this a mission? This is clearly free benefits!"
Getting a kiss from Kushina?
Even without rewards she would happily attempt it!
And the reward was Sealing Jutsu talent—the specialty of the Uzumaki Clan.
That ability would be extremely important if she wanted to help stabilize the seal of the Nine-Tails in the future.
"Good mission. Excellent mission."
"Approved."
---
A-Rank Mission
[A-Rank Mission: Planting the Seed of Doubt]
[Mission Objective: Make Kakashi Hatake begin to suspect that Uchiha Obito might still be alive.]
[Mission Description: The silver-haired ninja trapped in grief needs a small hint from the future. You cannot reveal the truth directly, but you must cause doubt to appear in his heart.]
[Mission Reward: Slight increase in Lightning Release Ninjutsu talent.]
Tsukiko rubbed her chin thoughtfully.
"This one… is tricky."
Kakashi was currently stubborn and emotionally closed off.
Planting doubt in someone like him wouldn't be easy.
Still—
The mission didn't require revealing everything.
Just a small seed of suspicion would be enough.
Lightning Release talent was also valuable.
Especially for someone with the Sharingan.
---
S-Rank Mission
Finally her gaze moved to the golden mission panel glowing brilliantly.
[S-Rank Mission: Golden Inheritance]
[Mission Objective: Become a disciple of the Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze, and begin learning the Flying Thunder God Technique.]
[Mission Reward: Slight increase in Space-Time Ninjutsu talent.]
Tsukiko's heart skipped a beat.
Flying Thunder God.
One of the most powerful techniques in the Naruto world.
Instant teleportation.
Perfect for both attack and escape.
If combined with her own abilities—
It would be terrifying.
She slowly exhaled.
"Becoming Minato's student… difficult."
"But not impossible."
After all, she was already living inside the Hokage's residence.
Sometimes being close to the right people opened many doors.
Three missions.
Three opportunities.
Tsukiko felt excitement bubbling inside her chest.
The New Year was starting very well.
---
The Perfect Opportunity
Just then, the Kushina beside her stirred slightly.
"Mmm…"
Her eyelashes fluttered.
Then she slowly opened her sleepy eyes.
"Tsukiko… morning…"
Her voice was soft and slightly hoarse from sleep.
It sounded unbelievably gentle.
Opportunity detected.
Inside Tsukiko's mind, the B-Rank mission icon began flashing wildly.
She immediately put on the sweetest smile she could manage.
"Kushina-sister!"
"Happy New Year!"
She leaned closer with bright eyes.
"I heard something interesting."
"On the first morning of the New Year, if someone you like gives you a kiss, you'll have good luck for the whole year!"
She pointed to her cheek.
"Sister… can you give me some good luck?"
Kushina blinked slowly.
Her sleepy expression gradually turned into an amused smile.
"Oh?"
"So our little Tsukiko believes in such traditions?"
She gently poked Tsukiko's forehead.
"But… since it's New Year's Day…"
"I suppose I shouldn't be stingy."
Before Tsukiko could react—
Kushina leaned forward.
Her hand gently lifted Tsukiko's chin.
Then—
Chu!
A clear kissing sound echoed inside the quiet bedroom.
A warm kiss landed directly on Tsukiko's cheek.
Tsukiko froze completely.
Her eyes widened.
Her brain stopped functioning.
The kiss was soft, warm, and carried Kushina's faint scent.
It lasted only a moment.
But to Tsukiko—
It felt like fireworks exploding.
Kushina pulled back with a playful smile.
"Well?"
"Is that enough luck?"
She even gently pinched the cheek she had just kissed.
"If not, I can kiss the other side too."
At that exact moment—
[Ding! B-Rank Mission Completed.]
[Reward acquired: Increased Sealing Jutsu talent.]
Tsukiko touched her cheek in disbelief.
Her heart was screaming.
"Enough!"
"That's more than enough!"
She hurriedly jumped out of the blankets like a startled cat.
If she stayed any longer, she might actually lose control of herself.
Kushina laughed.
"Leaving already?"
"I was planning to style your hair today."
Tsukiko quickly grabbed her forehead protector.
"No need!"
"I'll go buy breakfast!"
Before Kushina could respond, Tsukiko rushed out of the room.
---
Mission Two Begins
Standing in the hallway, Tsukiko leaned against the door.
Her heart was still racing.
"Mission one completed…"
"Now time for mission two."
She straightened her clothes.
"Kakashi Hatake…"
Today was the first day of the New Year.
Knowing Kakashi's habits, there was a high chance he would visit the Memorial Stone.
Exactly where Tsukiko expected him to be.
---
The Memorial Stone
Sure enough, when she approached the quiet monument, she saw a lonely figure standing before it.
Silver hair.
Black ANBU uniform.
Kakashi Hatake.
He stood silently before the names engraved into the stone.
"Obito… Rin…"
"It's another year."
His voice was low and tired.
Tsukiko hid behind a nearby tree.
"That guy really loves tragic moods," she thought.
Still—
The mission required subtlety.
She couldn't simply reveal the truth.
So she activated something far more interesting.
Her eyes slowly turned crimson.
The Sharingan spun quietly.
"Time for a little illusion."
Invisible chakra spread outward.
Kakashi suddenly froze.
His surroundings distorted.
Darkness swallowed everything.
Inside the illusion he saw memories—painful ones.
Obito beneath the rocks.
A strange underground cave.
An old man watching silently.
Bandages.
A broken body struggling to survive.
Finally—
A single crimson Sharingan stared at him through a mask.
Cold.
Filled with hatred.
"AH!"
Kakashi collapsed to one knee.
The illusion shattered.
He gasped for breath.
"Obito… alive…?"
Doubt exploded inside his mind.
---
Mission Completed
Far away behind the trees, Tsukiko quietly slipped away.
[Ding! A-Rank Mission Completed.]
[Reward: Increased Lightning Release affinity.]
A small spark of electricity danced across her fingertips.
Tsukiko smiled mischievously.
"Mission accomplished."
She stretched her arms.
"Now…"
"Time to find Minato."
"Because the Flying Thunder God is waiting."