Rokusuke was convinced to return through a bit of rough handling.
Sansho Granny was delighted and once again prepared her beloved Curry of Life for everyone.
This time, she doubled the strength.
Naruto Uzumaki and Sasuke Uchiha almost died on the spot.
["Because of your actions, Raiga Kurosuki, Ranmaru, and Rokusuke's destinies have changed. You have gained one hundred and seventy destiny points."]
One hundred and seventy points wasn't too bad—Natsume's past few days hadn't been wasted after all.
After Izumi Uchiha arrived, the five of them said their farewells to Sansho Granny and returned to the Hokage's office.
After putting Ranmaru down, Naruto immediately shouted, "When's our next mission?"
He felt like he hadn't done anything this time.
All the glory had been stolen by Sasuke Uchiha, so he was especially eager.
"I know you're excited, but don't rush."
Natsume leaned back against the Hokage's chair and said, "The mission just ended. Let's rest for a few days first."
"But I'm not tired at all!"
Naruto waved his fist to prove how energetic he was.
It was asking too much to keep him cooped up in the village all day long based on his personality.
However, Natsume didn't want to stick with them all the time either.
After all, he was pretty busy himself.
"How about this,"
Natsume came up with a compromise and said, "You can temporarily join another squad for missions."
Naruto didn't agree right away and looked uncertain.
Frankly speaking, he was quite satisfied with his two teammates—they never held him back.
But joining another team meant everything would be new and unfamiliar.
"I'll join you,"
Sasuke Uchiha said.
Hinata Hyuga looked toward Natsume.
Clearly, she also wanted to improve herself through missions.
Well then!
Suddenly, Natsume realized he was actually the laziest one.
All three students were very hardworking.
"Sensei!"
Naruto became suddenly excited and said, "Look, everyone already agreed. Why don't you come with us too?"
"I'm the Hokage. How could I go on missions every day?"
Natsume lazily waved a hand and said, "I'll find you a team-leading teacher."
Though slightly disappointed, the three understood him.
Indeed, the Hokage had many responsibilities.
"Wait at Training Ground No. 4 tomorrow. Someone will meet you there."
After dismissing the three students, Natsume stood up and left the Hokage Building.
Shortly afterward, he arrived at Orochimaru's residence.
Numerous icy stares pierced from all directions.
Snakes.
Natsume ignored them and walked into the hall.
"Hokage-sama,"
Yugao Uzuki immediately appeared, bowing slightly as she spoke.
"Where is your teacher?"
Natsume casually took a seat and asked.
"My teacher is currently conducting an experiment."
Yugao answered, "He'll be here shortly."
"Hmm."
Looking at the icy beauty with purple hair, Natsume asked, "You're already a Jonin now. I plan to temporarily assign you to lead a ninja squad. Do you happen to have free time?"
Yugao paused briefly, somewhat taken aback.
Actually, she was willing.
After all, staying by Orochimaru's side meant being treated as nothing more than a test subject every day.
But she had no control over her own freedom.
"I have to wait for my teacher's orders."
Yugao Uzuki bowed slightly and said emotionlessly.
Natsume simply offered a faint smile upon hearing this.
An expected answer.
Soon enough, Orochimaru appeared.
Natsume arched an eyebrow.
His skin was already pale by nature, but now it was even paler.
And that kind of paleness looked familiar.
White Zetsu?
Was it from the White Zetsu cells he'd acquired after ambushing Obito Uchiha back then?
Clearly, those cells had yielded considerable results by now.
White Zetsu cells were highly unique—somewhat similar to Hashirama cells in certain aspects, yet notably milder by nature.
Once Orochimaru obtained them, he would naturally attempt to make full use of their potential.
Combined with Living Corpse Reincarnation and body transference techniques, this made perfect sense.
"Hokage-sama, Teacher," Yugao Uzuki bowed lightly and said, "I'll take my leave now."
She knew her place well.
Though she wondered whether Orochimaru would assign her as a team-leading teacher someday, she understood that this conversation between the two men wasn't meant for her ears.
Sometimes, knowing too much only led to an early grave.
"Orochimaru-dono, long time no see," Natsume greeted with a smile.
"Hokage-sama," Orochimaru gave him a glance before speaking, "What do you need?"
His tone remained relatively courteous.
Firstly because nobody had disturbed his experiments in recent years.
Secondly due to Natsume's rapidly growing prestige.
Naturally, Orochimaru had heard about Natsume's recent feats.
In terms of power alone, things had become quite complicated.
He had no intention of disturbing the current peace.
"How is the Wood Release awakening experiment going?" Natsume casually asked.
He didn't really expect much.
"It still needs time," Orochimaru admitted.
Indeed, he had tried, but progress was difficult.
So he shifted his focus toward the White Zetsu instead.
In truth, he hadn't taken Natsume's assignments particularly seriously.
After all, in experimentation, going years or even decades without results was normal.
"Hmm."
Natsume fixed him with a steady gaze and asked, "Orochimaru-dono, considering how much funding you've received lately, when can we expect to see some returns?"
"..."
Orochimaru stayed silent briefly before asking, "What exactly do you want?"
"Your body seems… different from before."
Natsume hinted subtly. "Might I ask the reason?"
This chapter isn't over yet!
"I'm afraid I can't tell you," Orochimaru immediately refused without hesitation.
But a man under someone else's roof had little choice.
He casually pulled out a scroll and tossed it to Natsume.
"This is human regeneration technology," Orochimaru explained. "It allows severed limbs to regrow through specially cultivated cells."
Natsume briefly unfurled the scroll but could make little sense of its contents.
Still, its origin was clearly connected to White Zetsu's unique properties.
Within Konoha's medical system, this technology was nothing short of revolutionary.
After all, Medical Ninjutsu alone couldn't restore lost limbs—these White Zetsu cells could.
"Yugao Uzuki—do you still need her?"
Natsume pocketed the scroll and said, "Keeping her with you seems like a waste of talent. Give her to me."
"..."
Orochimaru thought for a moment and replied, "That will come at an additional cost."
"The last thing Natsume needed right now was money."
Orochimaru's request wasn't unreasonable.
In Orochimaru's hands, Uzuki Yugao had merely been a test subject for the cursed seal experiments.
However, the cursed seal was now mostly stabilized and no longer required her presence.
It would be better to trade her for some cash.
After all, scientific research was extremely expensive.
Of course, the main reason was Orochimaru's unwillingness to offend Natsume.
So he simply went along and handed over one of his subordinates.
Once the deal was finalized, Orochimaru summoned Uzuki Yugao.
"From today on, you will work under Hokage-sama's supervision."
"Yes."
Yugao felt surprised but also pleased.
Although she and Orochimaru were master and apprentice, there had never truly been any emotional connection between them.
Initially, she had been Itachi Uchiha's subordinate, then later became an experimental subject.
Orochimaru had never shown her even a trace of warmth.
Compared to Anko Mitarashi, her circumstances had been pitiable.
Under such circumstances, Yugao could hardly feel much attachment toward Orochimaru.
"Then, until next time."
Natsume waved his hand and left under Orochimaru's emotionless gaze.
["As a result of your actions, Yugao Uzuki has changed. You've gained 80 Destiny Points."]
The reward was fairly satisfying.
Destiny points were secondary.
Gaining Yugao Uzuki meant gaining another capable ninja.
After returning to the Hokage Building, Natsume picked up a document and handed it to her.
"These are the three students you will lead."
"Understood."
Yugao replied.
She opened it, glanced through it briefly, and was immediately taken aback.
Everyone knew that Naruto Uzumaki, Sasuke Uchiha, and Hinata Hyuga were Hokage's top apprentices.
She hadn't expected that she would be the one leading them now.
Although temporary, it showed how much Natsume trusted her.
That made her feel grateful.
With Orochimaru, she had received no recognition and always faced life-threatening danger.
Now, it felt like she had finally returned to the real world.
After Yugao Uzuki left, Ranmaru had already awakened.
Seeing Natsume, he paused briefly before hurriedly asking, "Where is Raiga? Where is he?"
Because he had passed out before Raiga's death, he didn't know what had happened.
Natsume couldn't be bothered to engage in idle chatter with him and directly activated his Mangekyo Sharingan, erasing his memories.
Ranmaru woke up again, his eyes now exceptionally clear.
"How old are you today?"
Natsume looked at the boy's delicate features and asked.
"Seven years old."
Ranmaru answered immediately.
Natsume nodded.
Seven years old fit well enough.
In the original story, he appeared several years younger than Naruto Uzumaki.
At that age, expecting him to start a family was clearly impossible.
His body wouldn't handle it.
The best solution was to send him to the Ninja Academy.
Natsume summoned Kurenai Yuhi and instructed her to make the arrangements.
Besides attending class, where he lived was also an issue.
After all, being only seven years old, leaving him alone wasn't appropriate.
Natsume thought about the orphanage.
Conveniently, his red-eyed trait could help Kabuto Yakushi develop new applications.
Kurenai accepted the assignment and left.
Natsume had entered a relaxing period.
He could accompany Tsunade as she carried her pregnancy to term.
Winter arrived, and snow fell as expected.
Another white season had come.
Tsunade's belly had grown quite noticeable by now.
To avoid being discovered, she stopped going outside altogether and became a full-time shut-in.
"Ahh, open up."
Natsume peeled a grape and held it in front of Tsunade.
She was busy at the moment, watching TV without blinking.
It was a TV series starring Yukie Kazahana, which Natsume had arranged in his previous life.
This had recently become Tsunade's favorite way to pass the time.
After swallowing the grape in a few quick bites, she said, "I don't want to eat anymore!"
Natsume gave a slight nod, resting his right hand on her shoulder as they watched the drama together.
How to put this…?
Honestly, it was kind of meh.
He wondered if he should bring over some dramas from his past life.
But the actors in the ninja world weren't nearly as professional.
Trying to recreate them wouldn't have the same effect.
Maybe he should just buy one outright?
One episode ended.
Tsunade's tense body finally loosened up.
She glanced at Natsume, lost in thought, her expression pensive.
Suddenly, she leaned forward and brushed her lips against his.
Natsume snapped out of it and teased, "What? Getting carried away? Too bad—you're in no condition to do much of anything right now."
"…"
Tsunade shot him a sharp glare and retorted, "Isn't that exactly what you meant to say about yourself?"
"I'm just fine."
Natsume replied with mock indignation, "Do I really seem that irresponsible to you?"
The truth was, he'd been sneaking around behind her back.
Tsunade didn't know about any of that. She thought he was just putting up a brave front. For a moment, she felt both touched and guilty.
Just then, Shizune opened the door.
Three thousand words.
(End of chapter)
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