Natsume yawned.
After several hours of tutoring, Hinata finally understood why Neji had such an intense reaction.
But she didn't give up because of it, forming a sharp contrast with Hyuga Hiashi.
"What a good kid."
Natsume patted Hinata's small head and said, "Good night."
The next moment, he returned to his room.
In the darkness, Tsunade's eyelashes trembled slightly, but she didn't open her eyes.
She hadn't fallen asleep at all.
Although she had made up her mind, watching Natsume not return for so long still made her feel a little upset.
Men are all philanderers at heart.
So young, and already showing those traits.
Natsume had no idea Tsunade was awake.
Unless he used sensory abilities.
But that wasn't going to happen.
He wasn't that bored.
Natsume took off his coat, slipped under the covers, and gazed at her exquisite, beautiful face.
In sleep, she looked rather peaceful.
He couldn't help reaching out and giving her cheek a little pinch.
Soft, springy, and smooth.
Natsume thought of how Tsunade often called herself old and couldn't help but smile.
With skin like this, she could pass for twenty.
A moment later, Natsume placed a light kiss on her face, then wrapped an arm around her neck and drifted off to sleep.
Tsunade slowly opened her eyes.
She didn't say anything; she moved closer, pressed her face to his, listened to his breathing, and gradually lost consciousness.
Morning.
When Natsume woke, Tsunade was no longer by his side.
He got dressed and left the room.
"Natsume."
Shizune suddenly caught him, curiosity written all over her face. "Did you say something to Lady Tsunade? She actually went out to buy breakfast today. That never happens."
"How would I know?"
Natsume was slightly stunned. His first reaction was actually a little regret that there'd be no more lovingly made breakfasts.
Opps.
Something must be wrong with me.
Before long—
Tsunade returned with breakfast.
"Your favorite, Ichiraku Ramen."
As she spoke, she opened the takeout box and set it in front of Natsume.
"…"
Shizune sensibly fended for herself, opening the bag and taking out her own box.
Natsume glanced at Tsunade and thought, She still treats me like a kid.
If she doesn't change her mindset, how are we supposed to date?
Looks like I'll have to handle this myself.
After breakfast, Natsume went to Shikkotsu Forest again, put on the Mask of Pain, and began another ordeal.
A dozen minutes later, his body flayed and bloody, he was caught by Tsunade.
Under her pained gaze, the treatment began.
Fresh skin spread and covered him anew.
Tsunade handed him a set of clothes.
The first time, she'd been shy; after seeing it so many times, she was used to it.
That's the scary thing about habit.
If not for the years they'd spent together, she wouldn't treat Natsume this specially.
Ever since the Second Great Ninja War, she'd sealed her heart away.
It was Natsume who, over many years, had gradually pried it open.
"Go back and take a bath."
Tsunade ruffled his hair. "I'm heading to the Hokage Building. There's a lot going on in Konoha lately—especially with the Uchiha."
"Mm."
Natsume nodded.
In fact, ever since learning of Orochimaru's moves from Itachi, he'd been paying attention too.
Because if they weren't careful, it would be the fuse that set off a Uchiha clan rebellion.
Hiruzen Sarutobi still hoped Itachi could mend the rift between the Uchiha and the village.
Yeah—kill them all, and there won't be a rift.
Natsume spent the next stretch of time switching between training Sage Mode and the Flying Thunder God Technique.
Until the Sacred Ring of Fate chimed with a prompt.
[Because of your actions, Uchiha Izumi's fate has changed. You have received 60 Fate Points.]
Natsume's eyes narrowed.
Orochimaru.
Lately he'd been trying to stimulate the awakening of a pair of Mangekyō Sharingan.
The method was simple:
In front of an Uchiha prodigy, torture their beloved—like a close friend or a relative.
But targeting Uchiha Izumi was unexpected.
After all, it would provoke Itachi.
On second thought, it made sense.
In today's Uchiha clan, the most famous prodigy is Itachi, followed by Izumi.
As for Sasuke, he's too young and hasn't realized his potential yet.
Orochimaru had already tried the other prodigies; it was Izumi's turn.
Natsume vanished from where he stood.
The next moment, he was inside a certain experimental base.
"No, don't!"
Uchiha Izumi's heart-wrenching scream rang out.
She was confined in a room, her Sharingan exuding a shocking aura.
Not far away, Orochimaru had his hand around her mother Uchiha Hazuki's throat.
As if she'd die the very next second.
Suddenly, Orochimaru's cold smile froze.
Someone had broken into his lab.
He tossed Hazuki aside, turned, opened the door—and saw someone who shouldn't be there.
The leader of the mysterious organization.
"How did you find this place?"
Orochimaru's tone was icy.
This underground base should theoretically be known only to him.
"Was it that hard to find?"
Natsume smiled and countered.
"…"
Orochimaru skipped past that and asked, "What do you want with me?"
"Hand over the people inside."
Natsume couldn't be bothered with small talk and cut straight to the point.
He knew that would set Orochimaru on guard, but he didn't care.
"They're already mine. I won't hand them to you."
Orochimaru felt a thrill inside—being coveted by the mysterious man meant Izumi had the potential to awaken the Mangekyō Sharingan.
"We can make a deal."
Natsume had anticipated this and wasn't surprised.
"I'm not in the mood to deal. Not for now."
Orochimaru shook his head.
Compared to the troublesome Itachi, Izumi was obviously easier to control.
He wasn't about to give her up.
"Can't come to terms?"
Natsume raised a brow, a wave of pressure spreading.
But Orochimaru didn't hesitate in the slightest. He struck without warning.
He'd long wanted to test Natsume's true weight.
Besides, Orochimaru never bowed to threats.
Natsume had challenged his bottom line again and again. An uncle can be tolerated, but not an aunt.
How could I swallow this? I just learned Cursed Seals and Wood Release.
Ten Thousand Serpents Formation!
A dense mass of venomous snakes poured from Orochimaru's mouth.
As if his stomach held an entire world of snakes.
Natsume really wanted to ask him, Why do you stuff everything into your belly? Aren't you afraid it'll kill you?
The serpent tide moved at terrifying speed, surging over him like a looming sky and engulfing him in an instant.
Wood Release: Cutting Sprigs Technique!
Natsume neither dodged nor flinched. His right arm burst into countless wooden spikes.
The moment they touched the nearest snake, they turned into blades, piercing its body—then exploding outward, turning it into a pincushion.
The wood spikes extended further, like a domino chain, one after another.
In a flash, the serpent horde lay dead.
Orochimaru drew a deep breath, black markings blooming across his face.
Curse Mark Transformation—activated.
This was the source of his confidence in making a move.
The Heaven Curse Mark, though not on par with Sage Mode, boosted his power immensely.