Natsume had already become quite skilled at being a human cushion.
After realizing that Mei Terumī had fallen asleep, he reached out and gently patted her back.
He almost started humming a lullaby.
But since he didn't know any, he refrained from singing to avoid waking her up.
Gently resting his chin on her forehead, Natsume detected a faint, pleasant scent.
It must've been perfume.
He could smell hints of orange—refreshing and subtle, not overpowering.
It made him want to press himself against her skin to inhale the scent more deeply.
Of course, doing so would definitely get him labeled a pervert.
Even though the current Mei looked completely defenseless.
Still, she was a ninja after all.
The slightest sound could wake her immediately.
Holding her in his arms, Natsume also closed his eyes.
He wasn't sure how much time had passed.
When he felt his lips slightly moistened, he woke up.
Mei's blushing face was right in front of him.
"How did it go?" Natsume asked, raising an eyebrow.
"What do you mean, 'how did it go?'" Mei lowered her head, her blush spreading all the way to her ears. "What are you talking about?"
"I meant to ask if you slept well."
Natsume tilted up her chin and gazed at her flustered expression. "That's exactly what I asked."
"Very... very well."
Realizing that, Mei's face flushed less intensely.
She thought her secret kiss had been discovered.
At this realization, the redness on her face faded slightly.
"Hmm." Natsume smiled. "Got anything else for me?"
"No." Mei instinctively shook her head, then suddenly felt uneasy. "Are you leaving?"
"Then shall I stay here tonight?" Natsume narrowed his eyes playfully. "I wouldn't mind."
Mei hurriedly rose from his embrace. "You should go."
"So heartless," Natsume said, looking up at her. "Lord Mizukage."
He emphasized those last four words.
Instantly feeling somewhat embarrassed, Mei recalled.
Today, Natsume had helped her greatly.
Yet she hadn't given anything in return.
"A…pologies," Mei lowered her head, murmuring.
"Hmm. Looks like Lord Mizukage has finally acknowledged her mistake." Natsume stood up and leaned closer until their faces were inches apart. "How about converting your entire two-and-a-half-year commitment into maid service time?"
Mei immediately lifted her head.
Their faces were now close.
Quickly looking away, she replied, "Not… impossible."
She already understood maid duties.
But what exactly those mysterious two-and-a-half years entailed, she wasn't sure—it might be far more troublesome.
Maybe this trade wasn't such a bad idea after all?
"Great." Without another word, Natsume vanished from her sight.
[Bonus Notification: Due to your actions, Zabuza Momochi's destiny has changed. You have gained 70 Destiny Points.]
Not bad.
Adding these seventy points brought Natsume's total destiny points nearly to one thousand again.
Something worth celebrating.
Once Tsunade gives birth, he could help her exchange for Wood Release talent.
That would help strengthen the Senju clan.
When Natsume returned home, night had already fallen.
He opened the door and found Shizune alone in the living room.
"Lady Tsunade said she was feeling a bit tired, so she went to bed already."
Before he could ask, Shizune spoke first.
"Oh, I see."
Natsume nodded and asked, "Shizune, aren't you going to sleep?"
"I'm just organizing some hospital documents," Shizune replied without stopping her work. "Have you eaten yet? If not, I can make something for you."
"No thanks," Natsume waved his hand. "I'm too tired. I'm off to bed. You should go to sleep early too."
He had taken an interest in Mei Terumī.
But apparently, she wasn't ready yet. So he'd let her off for now.
A moment later, Shizune set aside the documents, her face lightly flushed.
Because she had just heard something... immersive—like a surround-sound effect.
After several days of intense training, Natsume finally decided it was time to take on something new.
The Hokage's Office.
Team 9 was reunited once again.
As expected, Naruto Uzumaki was the most excited.
"Yes! Another mission at last!"
Without missions, there were only two things Naruto could do in Konoha Village.
First, he'd eat at Ichiraku Ramen. Second, he'd train alongside Sasuke Uchiha.
It wasn't a bad life, but it wasn't what Naruto really wanted.
After all, he wanted to be the Hokage.
Sasuke shot him a glance but said nothing.
Truthfully, he felt just as thrilled as Naruto did.
Since obtaining Satori, his power had grown steadily.
But something crucial was still missing.
Maybe battle would give him the key.
As for Hinata Hyuga, her joy came not from the mission itself, but from being able to join Natsume on it.
"This is an S-rank mission," Natsume said, unfurling the scroll. "The location is the Kogane Mine in the Land of Rivers. A group known as the Kurosuki Family has seized the mine and forced villagers to work there. Our mission is to rescue the villagers."
"S-rank!" Naruto Uzumaki's face lit up.
He hadn't even finished listening to the details.
"Teacher," Sasuke thought for a moment before asking, "why is this an S-rank? Is there something special about this family?"
Wait a minute!
He actually figured it out?
Oh...
Natsume was a bit surprised but quickly caught on to what he was thinking.
Sasuke thought the Kurosuki Family looked weak and wouldn't give him a real chance to show his strength.
In short, he worried they might be too easy.
"The head of the Kurosuki Family is Raiga Kurosuki—he used to be one of the Seven Swords of the Bloody Mist," Natsume explained honestly.
Sasuke's eyes sparkled.
His earlier fight with Zabuza Momochi had left a lasting impression.
Raiga, another of the Seven Swords, wouldn't be easy prey.
He suddenly became interested and asked, "Teacher, can I handle him alone?"
The sky cleared—Sasuke felt confident again.
"Hey, Sasuke," Naruto said, clenching his fist. "What about me?"
"You can take care of the rest," Sasuke said coolly.
"No way in hell."
Naruto shook his head furiously and shot back, "Who else could even come close to Raiga Kurosuki's strength?"
"You know him?"
Sasuke eyed him suspiciously.
"I don't."
Naruto replied confidently. "I've never even heard that name before."
Guess we're even then.
"If you don't even know him, how do you know he's so strong?"
Sasuke rolled his eyes and asked, "How about I fight him first? If he really is strong, then you can step in."
Naruto was instantly taken aback.
After a moment, he nodded appreciatively.
"A genius ninja like me should totally save the finale for himself!"
That actually sounds just like something the original Naruto would say.
But you got tricked.
Natsume tugged slightly at his lips but kept his silence. He said, "Alright, go get ready. Meet at the village entrance in an hour."
"Roger!"
The three answered in unison.
After they left, Kurenai Yuhi, who had been standing behind Natsume, picked up the mission scroll from the table.
She sighed thoughtfully. "Seeing these three students of yours, I almost feel like becoming a team-leading teacher myself."
"If you want to, just go ahead."
Natsume teased with a playful tone. "I won't stop you."
"Forget it, I don't have time."
Kurenai paused for a moment before saying, "Being a team leader would interfere with my secretary duties."
"There are plenty of other secretaries. It wouldn't really change anything."
Natsume tilted his head slightly and said.
"No way!"
Kurenai immediately shot back firmly, "I wouldn't trust anyone else. I'm afraid they might not do things properly."
"That's true."
Noticing her serious expression, Natsume smiled and said, "And besides, even if someone else could do the job well, they wouldn't be nearly as beautiful as Sister Kurenai."
Kurenai paused, visibly pleased by the compliment. A faint smile curled her lips.
"But aren't you worried your little girlfriend might get mad?"
"Little girlfriend?"
It took Natsume several seconds to realize she was referring to Ino Yamanaka.
"You shouldn't say things like that."
He shook his head seriously. "Girlfriend? She's just my little sister."
For the record, he wasn't into little girls.
He'd always preferred mature beauties like Tsunade.
Kurenai didn't respond. She simply looked at him.
Seeing no signs of deception from him, she smiled again and said, "With someone as outstanding as you, those girls would naturally find themselves drawn to you."
"What about you?"
Natsume asked with obvious interest, leaning forward.
...
Kurenai stiffened suddenly, instinctively brushing her hair aside. Her face flushed with panic.
"Looks like Sister Kurenai isn't being honest."
Natsume said casually.
"I... I still have some matters to attend to."
Kurenai hastily made an excuse and fled the scene.
Leaving only a graceful silhouette behind.
Natsume couldn't help laughing.
In the end, Kurenai was still just an innocent girl.
Her personality was actually quite similar to Ena Uzumaki's—she was also content with the status quo.
Natsume glanced at the time.
Only ten minutes had passed since they started the one-hour countdown.
Thinking for a moment, he vanished and reappeared at the Daimyo's Mansion in the Land of Waves.
Konan had already stopped by and left.
She took her role as a bodyguard very seriously.
So much so that Natsume couldn't sneak in easily. He could only visit Ena Uzumaki by using the Flying Thunder God Technique.
But their time together was always brief—he mostly came over just to pet the cat.
Natsume opened the door and stepped in.
Yugito Nii instantly tensed up.
Ever since what happened with Tayuya, she had become extra cautious.
However, seeing it was Natsume, she let out a sigh of relief.
Truth be told, she had some complaints.
But she didn't dare voice them.
Natsume stepped closer and scooped up the black cat.
He playfully patted her behind before asking, "What? Not happy to see your master?"
"Meow~"
The black cat purred with delight right away.
Even smiling.
Natsume gave a faint smile.
This little kitten was surprisingly obedient now.
At least more obedient than that other cat, Tenten, who kept trying to kill her owner.
Natsume began stroking the cat.
Stroking a cat takes skill, you know.
Too hard or too soft won't work.
Location matters a lot, too.
The head is the safest spot—most cats won't mind being petted there.
But for cats, the most pleasurable area is definitely their belly.
That place, though, is also the most dangerous.
A lot of cat owners end up scratched for trying that.
So skill is important.
Luckily, Natsume had good technique, and this cat showed no resistance at all.
An hour later, the black cat lay limp on the sofa.
Her whole body was completely relaxed and blissful.
Her limbs quivered slightly, her eyes drooped sleepily, and her cheeks turned rosy.
Clearly, this cat was thoroughly enjoying the massage from her owner.
"D-damn… y-you…"
After a long while, a weak curse finally slipped out.
[Three Thousand Words]
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