Adopted by Tsunade [91-92] (Patreon)

Chapter 91: A Tsundere Little Kitten

Cursed Seal transformation.

Natsume looked at Tayuya as she was now and couldn't help raising a brow.

If she'd been a little lamb just now, she now barely counted as a bigger lamb.

Her strength had indeed improved quite a bit.

"I'm going to kill you!"

Tayuya's eyes brimmed with wildness.

Her expression was all ferocity; as she spoke, her little tiger-like fangs flashed with a cold gleam.

She was an experimental subject who had survived slaughter, far more ruthless than her peers.

"Kill me? You think you can?"

Natsume couldn't help but laugh.

"Bastard!"

Tayuya instantly flew into a rage and lost her reason. She lunged, swinging her fist straight at him.

Thud.

Natsume caught her small fist.

Tayuya struggled madly, but to no avail.

Her base strength was too poor; no matter how much it was amplified, there was a limit.

Natsume didn't need Wood Release or Sage Mode to subdue her with ease.

"I'll kill you!"

"I'll kill you!"

"I'll… kill… you!"

"Guh… kill me!"

Her voice shifted from murderous fervor to resentful unwillingness tinged with shame and anger.

Natsume casually produced a disciplinary ruler and struck Tayuya with it, again and again.

He'd bought this ruler back when he was teaching Karin.

Of course, she was fairly obedient, so he'd never used it on her.

"Naughty children need a spanking."

With a straight face, Natsume kept striking as he reached curiously toward the horn on her head.

The Curse Seal transformation changed a person's appearance and body drastically.

Even Sasuke couldn't hold up—going from handsome to edgy non-mainstream.

But Tayuya only got prettier.

Natsume suspected Orochimaru had done that on purpose.

Pity it was only a horn—no ears, no tail.

Though it was possible.

Like going for the Two-Tails, for example.

Tayuya, still struggling, shivered and bit her lip. "Don't… touch my horn…"

Natsume raised a brow.

Do newly grown horns have sensation?

He casually spent a bit of Fate points to check Tayuya over. Sure enough, no hidden backdoors had been left behind.

"I know you want to kill me, but with your current strength, that's nothing but wishful thinking."

Natsume put away the ruler. "But I can give you a chance—one assassination attempt a day. Fail, and you'll face severe punishment."

As the saying goes, teach according to aptitude.

If Orochimaru valued her, her talent was naturally solid.

Raise her a bit and she could be useful to Natsume.

Her competitive nature could also be leveraged to speed up her growth.

Pressure makes progress, after all.

Hearing this, Tayuya lifted her head, eyes murderous as she glared at Natsume. "You'll regret this!"

"Yeah, yeah, sure."

Natsume's perfunctory reply made her anger surge yet again.

But as her wits returned and the Curse Seal state receded, she immediately fainted.

"Showing off isn't great, you know."

Natsume patted her red hair. "Be good and take a nap."

…

Noon.

After lunch, Natsume met Terumi Mei again.

She looked terrible, her eyes brimming with anger.

"You were right."

Terumi Mei took a deep breath. "Ao has detected anomalies. There's a very high chance the Mizukage has been controlled."

Natsume understood her unguarded emotion.

This kind of thing was indeed too unbelievable.

Let's just say the legend of those eyes is no exaggeration.

That goes for the Sharingan and the Byakugan.

Ao's Byakugan has more than one achievement to its name.

In the original story, Shimura Danzo used a stolen Mangekyo Sharingan to control Mifune of the Land of Iron; Ao discovered that too.

"Thank you."

Terumi Mei looked at him, a mix of feelings in her eyes.

If Natsume had wanted to sell this intel, it would easily be worth hundreds of millions to Kirigakure.

But he'd given it for free—truly unfathomable.

"Does this make us even?"

Natsume asked with a smile.

Terumi Mei paused for a few seconds, then nodded.

She knew he meant the matter of concealing his identity.

Indeed.

She'd suspected him, even been wary.

But with such a big favor on the table, calling it even was acceptable.

It's just that his motives still kept her from fully trusting him.

"As for opening a new sea route, we'll wait until the Mizukage is freed from control."

Terumi Mei thought a moment.

"Of course."

Natsume noticed her hairstyle was still the wavy curls he'd given her. He smiled and asked, "What's your plan?"

"First, find the mysterious powerhouse controlling the Mizukage."

At that, Terumi Mei subconsciously glanced at him, met his eyes, and quickly looked away. "Please give us a bit more time."

The subtext was that he shouldn't get involved.

That was normal.

With his identity unclear, he really wasn't suitable.

But he wanted in.

"Need my help?"

Natsume then dropped the piece of news that made Terumi Mei uneasy. "That mysterious powerhouse is no pushover. You probably won't be able to handle him."

In the original story, it wasn't spelled out.

But Natsume suspected it was most likely Obito getting tired of the game and allowing Terumi Mei and the others to retake Kirigakure.

Otherwise, even without calling on members of Akatsuki, his Mangekyo Sharingan and Wood Release could casually inflict devastating losses.

Terumi Mei fell silent.

Natsume had already helped them greatly; there was no reason for him to lie now.

The fate of Kirigakure hinged on this battle.

Failure was not an option.

Terumi Mei gritted her teeth. "What's the price?"

As soon as she said it, she pursed her lips, worry flickering in her eyes.

Natsume's last quote of two hundred million had scared her.

Now it was something this important—the price would naturally be steep.

Speaking those words took immense courage.

She was already thinking about how to earn money later to repay the debt.

Natsume smiled.

This young lady had a cute side too.

But he couldn't work for free.

Hmm, this plot felt familiar.

To save a failing school, the heroines decide to debut as idols.

Terumi Mei had always presented herself as dignified and calm.

But as Mizukage, debuting to save the bankrupt Kirigakure should be acceptable, right?

Quite interesting.

A striking contrast.

As for the audience—he alone would suffice; no need to let others benefit.

"Here."

Natsume produced a contract. "I'll help you rescue Yagura Karatachi. In return, you'll work for me for a year. I won't make you do anything embarrassing. How about it?"

Terumi Mei skimmed it quickly and exhaled in relief.

This was a fair deal.

A jōnin-level kunoichi working for him for a year was worth quite a bit.

Terumi Mei signed her name, sealing the contract.

Natsume put it away. "Call me when it's time."

Terumi Mei nodded, then added, "If we don't need you to make a move, the contract is void."

She still didn't fully trust him and added an extra layer of insurance.

"Fine."

Natsume agreed.

"Thank you."

Terumi Mei didn't know if today's choice was good or bad, but it was all for Kirigakure.

She probably wouldn't regret it… right?

Watching her leave, Natsume turned back to the room. Tayuya had already woken up.

He'd worried she'd get hungry, so he'd left plenty of pastries on the table.

And caught her red-handed.

"Tastes terrible!"

Tayuya was ungrateful as ever. She turned to sit on the bed, head tilted away from Natsume—but the corner of her eye couldn't help drifting to the pastries.

After the Curse Seal state, she'd burned a lot of energy and was starving.

Natsume thought to himself that he lived up to his name—he'd raised a tsundere little kitten.

Chapter 92: A Fine Blade Is Forged Through Grinding

Tsundere.

Saying no while meaning yes.

Natsume stood and walked over to her.

"What are you trying to do?"

Tayuya's hackles rose at once, her little tiger fangs bared.

"You've been sleeping in my bed long enough. Time to give it back."

Natsume shrugged.

Tayuya blinked, then hopped off the bed without a word and ran to the table in the distance.

Her eyes met the pastries; her little fangs reflexively withdrew.

"All right, I'm going to nap."

Natsume lay down and closed his eyes.

Tayuya waited a moment, then slowly leaned in, scrutinizing him from both sides.

She still remembered the agreement with Natsume.

One assassination attempt per day.

This was undoubtedly a good opportunity.

Her eyes flickered.

She wasn't stupid—there was a chance, but it could be a trap.

Thinking it over, she reached out and took hold of Natsume's mask.

When meeting Orochimaru, he had used a transformation technique.

With Terumi Mei, he hadn't—just wore a mask.

Tayuya wanted to test first if he was actually asleep.

She removed the mask; Natsume didn't wake.

But she herself went a little blank.

Such a young face.

And unexpectedly good-looking.

You can never know someone's heart from their face.

Tayuya drew a kunai.

But in the next instant, Natsume grabbed her wrist, smiling kindly. "You lose."

"…"

Tayuya was silent for two seconds, then snapped, "You liar!"

"That's what you get for being so dumb."

Natsume took the kunai from her. "A bet's a bet. I don't think you'll go back on your word, will you?"

"Of course not!"

Tayuya snorted, pouting. "If you're going to kill or cut, do as you please!"

"Let's see how much it can hold."

Natsume patted her small belly. "Eat everything on the table. I hate waste most of all."

Tayuya froze.

That was the punishment?

She was already thinking about when to schedule tomorrow's assassination.

Natsume went to the kitchen and brought her a meal.

"I made it. It's super nasty. You must finish it."

"Hmph! I will."

Tayuya finally understood the punishment.

She picked up a piece of meat with her chopsticks, took a deep breath, and swallowed.

The anticipated weird taste never came. Instead, it was so delicious her whole body relaxed.

Tayuya suddenly felt tricked.

Though she knew Natsume was helping her, she refused to admit it.

It had to be this man's prank!

With that in mind, Tayuya finished everything with a clear conscience.

But unlike Hyūga Hinata, her belly was obviously a bit distended.

She'd eaten too much.

Mostly because it was delicious.

Back with Orochimaru, what she ate was mostly nutrient solutions and the like.

Naturally, the taste wasn't great.

"The punishment isn't over yet."

Natsume's annoying voice sounded, and Tayuya glared at him at once.

So it had been a prank earlier!

Next he'd probably have her do squats or some other strenuous exercise to make her throw up the food.

How evil!

"Come with me."

Natsume stood and opened the door.

Tayuya felt her premonition come true.

She clenched her teeth. Just a punishment—she would complete it!

"Go in."

Natsume stopped in front of one of the inn's single-occupant baths. "Take a bath, then change into new clothes."

"…"

Tayuya froze.

She didn't quite process it.

"Let me think… twenty minutes. If you take longer, I'll rip off your horns."

Natsume pretended to ponder.

"Bastard! I won't let you have your way!"

Tayuya reflexively scowled and stepped into the bath.

"Too easy to fool."

Natsume chuckled.

…

Before long, Tayuya opened the door.

She looked a bit bashful.

But Natsume's eyes lit up.

She was wearing a black-and-white little dress, white stockings and small leather boots—extremely cute, doll-like.

"The rest of the time is yours. Train well and try to assassinate me a bit sooner."

Natsume reached out and rubbed her head.

Tayuya tried to dodge but was too late; her little tiger fangs showed in a grimace.

"I will definitely kill you!"

"I'll be waiting."

Natsume pointed to the courtyard. "Go for it."

He'd booked the entire inn himself, so letting Tayuya train here wasn't a problem.

As for whether she'd run?

Natsume figured it was unlikely.

He'd attracted a huge wave of hatred in the last two days.

As the saying goes:

You must prioritize attacking minions with taunt.

Tayuya wouldn't leave until she killed him.

Just as planned.

Natsume watched for a bit, saw that she really was diligently focused, then turned back to the room.

He performed Reverse Summoning.

…

He reappeared in Konoha, then headed to the Gunma Casino.

This time, he intended to have Hinae and Karin go to the Land of Waves to oversee things for him.

Tanzaku Quarters was ultimately too close to Konoha—problems might crop up.

The Land of Waves was farther.

But distance didn't matter with Reverse Summoning.

And once Natsume learned the Flying Thunder God Technique, it would be even less of an issue.

Karin was in the courtyard practicing ninja tool throwing.

Natsume didn't disturb her. He went inside and found Hinae, naked, cultivating the Yin Seal.

"We agreed you'd be the guard. Not very obedient, are you?"

He shook his head, but didn't wake her—just stood at the door watching.

"There are three ways to maintain a treasured sword. Do you know them?"

Seeing her open her eyes, Natsume asked with a smile.

Hinae flushed and nodded.

….

Time passed in the dim training room, filled with a different kind of rhythmic motion.

A dull wet sound rang out as Hinae worked. At times high and eager, punctuated by soft moans, at times slow and sensual - like a beautiful erotic symphony. Her skilled tongue and lips moved with practiced grace.

From hesitant to masterful, Hinae handled the throbbing cock before her, making it pulse and swell ever harder. She savored every inch, her mouth and throat working in perfect harmony as she took him deeper. The way she looked up at him with those innocent eyes while performing such a lewd act drove him wild.

Her delicate hands gripped his muscular thighs as she bobbed her head faster, her silky hair swaying with the motion. The wet sounds of her sucking grew more intense as she felt him getting close. With expert technique, she swirled her tongue around his sensitive head before plunging back down his length.

In the end, exhausted and satisfied, she collapsed onto the mat, a trickle of his essence still visible on her flushed lips as she drifted off to sleep, thoroughly pleased with herself. Her jaw was pleasantly sore from the vigorous workout.

Natsume left the room on shaky legs and stretched, still tingling from the intense release.

…

At the same time, the move to the Land of Waves was settled.

After saying goodbye to Karin, Natsume returned to Kirigakure.

Tayuya was still training hard.

Night.

Natsume called her to dinner; this time she didn't refuse.

In her words, how else would she have the strength to kill?

…

On the fourth day,

Terumi Mei visited again.

"We've confirmed the mysterious powerhouse controlling the Mizukage is inside the Mizukage Building."

She got straight to the point. "We strike tonight."

"Good."

Natsume was a little impatient.

He'd already delayed too long.

After driving off Uchiha Obito, the next event should unlock—the Night of the Massacre.

But before that, he still needed to maneuver a bit and farm some Fate points, so he needed time.

"Your identity is sensitive; it's hard to explain publicly."

Terumi Mei paused, then made up a pretext. "When the time comes, say you're a black-market ninja I hired."