Natsume hadn't expected to witness this scene.
It must be a reward for his daily good deeds.
He narrowed his eyes.
This was, in fact, related to him.
A butterfly effect, so to speak.
Because of his interference, Shimura Danzo and Orochimaru joined forces to steal Shisui's Mangekyo Sharingan.
But they failed—Jiraiya, in search of the child of prophecy, accidentally discovered their secret.
With no other options, Danzo revealed his Mokuton, and Orochimaru handed over Hashirama cell transplant technology as a bargaining chip.
Sarutobi Hiruzen, upon acquiring it, certainly wouldn't just lock it away.
After multiple experiments, he finally transplanted it into his own son, Sarutobi Seinosuke.
Unfortunately, both his sons had average talent—just regular jonin.
Even with Mokuton, all they contributed was to Konoha's landscaping.
Still, Seinosuke's power did improve somewhat.
Just recently, during a mission, Mokuton saved his squad's lives.
This was how the Uchiha clan learned of it.
Everything was connected—such is fate.
Natsume narrowed his eyes.
Seinosuke's status was special; if anything happened to him, it would trigger a chain reaction.
And perhaps, this was a chance to force Hiruzen Sarutobi to step down early.
With that thought, Natsume decided to help these three Uchiha ninja.
He left a shadow clone behind and teleported his real body to the Sarutobi clan compound.
Now, in Konoha, the strongest ninja clan wasn't the Uchiha or Hyuga, but the Sarutobi.
Backed by the Hokage, they enjoyed countless benefits.
With Hiruzen as Hokage, favoritism was guaranteed.
Even after his death, Kakashi, as successor, wouldn't mistreat them.
Not to mention, Hiruzen had long arranged for his grandson, Konohamaru, to become Naruto's companion.
Now, Natsume was determined not to let that happen.
Natsume quickly found Seinosuke and activated Kotoamatsukami with his right eye, causing a moment of confusion.
He didn't use the left eye's permanent Kotoamatsukami, not wanting to waste it.
The right eye's illusion was enough, and its cooldown was short.
Controlled, Seinosuke behaved as usual.
After a while, he left the Sarutobi compound.
"Who's there?"
Seinosuke leapt aside, dodging several kunai thrown at him.
After landing, he found himself surrounded by Yashiro, Inabi, and Tekka.
"It's you?" Seinosuke asked warily. "Why are you blocking my path?"
"Wait," Yashiro stopped the other two, stepped forward, and said, "I hope you can answer a few questions for us."
"That's no way to ask someone questions," Seinosuke pointed at the kunai on the ground.
"Sorry, we had no choice," said Yashiro, a jonin second only to Fugaku among the Uchiha.
He knew he shouldn't get involved with Seinosuke.
But he couldn't ignore Inabi and Tekka, so he wanted to keep the conflict to a minimum.
"Uncle Yashiro, why are you apologizing?" Inabi complained. "Just answer our questions, or you won't leave this forest tonight."
"Are you Uchiha planning a rebellion?" Seinosuke showed no fear at the threat.
"Inabi!" Yashiro glared at him, sighed, and asked, "Tell us, where did your Mokuton come from?"
"No comment," said Seinosuke, face stern.
Transplanting Hashirama cells was far too shocking.
The First Hokage's reputation was still sky-high in Konoha.
If this got out, it would cause a huge uproar.
And it might harm his father Hiruzen's reputation.
He couldn't bear that responsibility.
Inabi and Tekka attacked.
"Are you crazy?" Seinosuke was shocked.
He wasn't an average ninja, after all.
"Just as I thought—madmen," Seinosuke said grimly as he fought and retreated.
Yashiro gritted his teeth. Things had gone too far.
He opened his three-tomoe Sharingan.
Now, the priority was to subdue Seinosuke and get the answers they wanted.
A fierce battle broke out.
Even with Mokuton, Seinosuke performed worse than Yamato in the original.
Yashiro seized a chance and trapped him in a genjutsu.
"Where did your Mokuton come from?"
"From Lord Danzo and Lord Orochimaru," Seinosuke answered woodenly.
The three Uchiha showed various reactions.
"What about the mysterious strong man from three years ago—his Mokuton?" Yashiro pressed.
"Also given by Lord Danzo and Lord Orochimaru."
This was Natsume's manipulation, but technically not wrong.
Orochimaru did provide Hashirama cells, Mokuton drugs, and the transplant technique.
"Damn! They really are in it together!" Tekka gripped his kunai, his eyes showing signs of evolving from two-tomoe.
Yashiro was surprised, but it wasn't the time to celebrate. He stopped Tekka and asked, "Where is Shisui?"
"Lord Danzo took his eyes," Seinosuke said dully. "Once he lost his value, he was killed."
"Ahhh!" Tekka's Sharingan evolved to three-tomoe, and he stabbed Seinosuke in the heart with his kunai.
"Bastard!" Inabi snapped Seinosuke's neck in anger.
Only Yashiro felt a chill. He knew things had taken a turn for the worse.
But he kept his head.
"Take him back. We need to see the clan head," he said decisively.
The three carried the body away.
[Because of your actions, Uchiha Yashiro's fate has changed. You gain 50 fate points.]
[Because of your actions, Uchiha Inabi's fate has changed. You gain 49 fate points.]
[Because of your actions, Uchiha Tekka's fate has changed. You gain 47 fate points.]
[Because of your actions, Sarutobi Hiruzen's fate has changed. You gain 70 fate points.]
[Because of your actions, Sarutobi Konohamaru's fate has changed. You gain 30 fate points.]
[Because of your actions, Uzumaki Naruto's fate has changed. You gain 10 fate points.]
Natsume couldn't help but let out a breath.
So many unexpected gains!
With the fate points he'd earned tonight, his total finally broke through the 3,000 mark. He was getting closer and closer to becoming invincible.