Kurama Yakumo.
No wonder.
Natsume finally remembered this ninja clan with a special genjutsu kekkei genkai.
The Kurama clan.
Once, their fame rivaled even the Uchiha.
Their kekkei genkai is outrageous.
First, it can dominate a person's five senses.
Second, it can create an illusory world and, so long as she wills it, turn illusion into reality.
For example, damage inflicted on objects or the human body within the illusion can be reflected in reality.
Setting aside the Mangekyō Sharingan, the Kurama clan indeed seemed even more promising than the Uchiha.
But the greater the power, the harder the awakening.
After so many years, the Kurama have declined into an ordinary minor clan, with almost no one awakening this terrifying kekkei genkai.
Kurama Yakumo is the last, and the most powerful in history.
So powerful that a Yin Release monster, Ido, was born from her heart.
In the original story, only with the help of Kurenai Yūhi, Uzumaki Naruto, and others did Kurama Yakumo manage to kill Ido and return to normal.
"Are you a student at the Ninja Academy? Why aren't you in class?"
Natsume watched her. If not for the wrong place and time, he would have liked to open his Mangekyō Sharingan to take a look at what Ido actually looked like.
"I'm not."
Kurama Yakumo's eyes dimmed, a bitter smile tugging at her lips. "I've been frail since childhood. It's hard for me to become a ninja."
As expected, Natsume thought.
Because Ido's birth siphoned away so much of her energy, she became weak and sickly.
You could call it a blessing in disguise.
But it must be said, if used properly, Kurama Yakumo's potential is immeasurable.
Natsume felt the itch to recruit another member.
Only, she's too young.
His Heaven's Mandate was fast becoming a haven for problem children.
Forget it—if fate brings her, don't miss the chance.
"Anything is possible."
Natsume crouched down, unhurried. "My teacher is Tsunade. Interested in letting her take a look at you?"
Kurama Yakumo is a Konoha ninja.
He couldn't lure her to the Land of Waves.
The best way was to keep her by his side.
Have the professional, Tsunade, assess her first. Then he'd take her as a disciple and deal with Ido.
And Ido is a good thing, actually.
Such dense Yin Release would absolutely benefit his Mangekyō Sharingan.
"Lady Tsunade?!"
Kurama Yakumo suddenly grew excited, her small face filled with hope and longing.
Tsunade's name needs no introduction.
One of the Legendary Sannin, the strongest medical ninja.
If it's her, maybe she really could cure this ailment.
"Correct."
Natsume nodded. "If you trust me, how about coming with me now?"
"Okay!"
Kurama Yakumo agreed without hesitation.
Becoming a ninja is her greatest dream.
Now that the opportunity was before her, she absolutely couldn't miss it.
Natsume took her home.
…
"Natsume, who's this?"
Shizune was sunk into the sofa, looking completely sprawled out.
Natsume knew she must have just returned from performing surgery at the ninja hospital.
She was always like this.
When too tired, she'd watch some TV.
"Kurama Yakumo."
Natsume paused, then added, "Shizune-nee, could you give her an examination?"
"An exam? What's wrong with her?"
Shizune perked up, interested. "Come here, let big sis have a look."
Kurama Yakumo instinctively looked to Natsume, a little flustered.
"Go on."
Natsume reassured her. "Don't worry."
Only then did Kurama Yakumo step forward.
Shizune chuckled meaningfully.
My junior really is something.
Top-tier at charming little girls.
She reached out and began examining Kurama Yakumo.
The easy smile on her face gradually turned grave.
Outwardly there was nothing wrong, but inside she was riddled with wounds.
And deep within her body there was a cold, shadowy aura that made Shizune feel very ill at ease.
"Are you unable to control your own power?"
Shizune stopped and asked.
Kurama Yakumo's eyes lit up at once, nodding vigorously.
It was her first time meeting a ninja who could point out her problem within minutes.
"It's a kekkei genkai, isn't it?"
Shizune, surprised, also felt a bit of awe.
A kekkei genkai this strong is rare—so strong the body can't support it.
"Can it be treated?"
Kurama Yakumo asked urgently.
"I'm not sure."
Seeing the light in her eyes dim in an instant, Shizune hurried to add, "We'll have to wait for Lady Tsunade to return to say for sure, but I think there's a good chance."
Kurama Yakumo exhaled in relief, a bit of color returning to her pale face.
"Shizune-nee, keep an eye on her. I'm going out to train."
Natsume knew Tsunade wouldn't be back until dusk, so he didn't stay to wait.
A moment later, he appeared in the Land of Waves.
This is what they call idling away in a gentle bower, listening to music.
And he did, in fact, have business to handle.
…
The Daimyō's residence, Land of Waves.
"Karin, do you like this pot of flowers?"
Hinae cradled a red rose.
"Mm, it's pretty."
Karin looked up from her book and answered.
But moments later, confusion crossed her face.
"But roses symbolize love. Usually only boyfriends and girlfriends buy them, right? Mom, why did you buy them?"
Karin's innocent tone made Hinae's expression flash with panic.
"If it looks nice, you can buy it. Don't overthink it."
She tried to sound perfectly calm, but there was still a tremor in her voice.
"'The late emperor laid the foundation…'"
Luckily, Karin paid it no mind and continued reading loudly.
It was an assignment Natsume had given her last time.
Though very dull, she endured for the sake of earning her big brother's praise.
Hinae let out a breath of relief.
If Karin found out, she'd be mortified.
The next instant, her body jolted, nearly crying out.
"It's me."
"Um… Karin," Hinae whispered urgently, her body already responding to Natsume's proximity.
Natsume glanced at Karin in the distance, a wicked glint in his eye. This used to be Hinae's office, but for Karin's convenience, she'd remodeled a corner into a reading nook about five or six meters away. Because Karin was reading aloud, she hadn't noticed his arrival.
Seizing the opportunity, Natsume wrapped his strong arms around Hinae's soft waist, pulling her flush against him. His breath was hot on her neck as he nuzzled her silk-smooth skin, eliciting a shiver of desire. He couldn't help but smile at her reaction.
Hinae's body went stiff in his arms, torn between intense arousal and paralyzing fear of discovery.
"So fragrant," Natsume murmured, inhaling deeply.
"It's… the scent of roses," Hinae breathed, her voice barely audible. If Natsume didn't listen closely, he wouldn't have heard over the pounding of their hearts.
"Doesn't seem like it," he teased, tilting his head to trail his nose along her neck and collarbone. His hands roamed lower, caressing her curves through her thin dress.
Hinae's resolve melted like ice cream on a hot summer day.
"Don't..." she whimpered half-heartedly, clinging to the last thread of clarity even as her body betrayed her.
Unable to resist any longer, her jade-white, delicate arms hooked around Natsume's neck. Her long legs—sheer white stockings hugging them enticingly—lifted off the floor as she wrapped them around his waist.
Natsume turned and slipped through the inner door, carrying his willing captive to a more private location.
Once inside, clothes were hastily shed as hands and mouths explored feverishly. Natsume's fingers danced across Hinae's most sensitive areas, drawing out breathy moans that she struggled to muffle.
Their bodies joined in a passionate frenzy, rocking together in perfect rhythm. Hinae bit down on Natsume's shoulder to stifle her cries of ecstasy as waves of pleasure washed over her again and again.
Natsume followed soon after, burying his face in her hair to muffle his own groan of release.
A long while later, thoroughly satisfied and delightfully disheveled, Hinae collapsed into a chair. Her face burned crimson, mind blissfully blank save for the lingering afterglow.
…
"Huh? Natsume-oniisan?"
Karin suddenly noticed Hinae was gone, replaced by Natsume.
She wasn't disappointed; instead, she beamed and ran up to him. "I can recite it now!"
Natsume picked her up. "Then I'll test you."