Adopted by Tsunade [103-104] (Patreon)

Chapter 103: Join My Organization

Watching Orochimaru, who had turned from a white snake to a black snake due to the Cursed Seal transformation, Natsume was not surprised.

Although in the original story he never used the Cursed Seal, he now possessed Hashirama cells and Yamato. His body's strength was something that could be manipulated.

Orochimaru stuck out his tongue and licked his lips, utterly fascinated by the surge of powerful strength.

But he didn't become arrogant because of it.

He clearly remembered the Wood Release that Natsume unleashed when he snatched Uchiha Shisui away.

It was truly terrifying.

But today was different.

Wood Release: Great Forest Technique!

Orochimaru quickly formed hand seals and extended his right arm. Several huge wooden tendrils burst forth like a blooming flower.

Natsume's Mangekyō Sharingan suddenly snapped open.

A surge of powerful ocular power erupted.

Demonic Illusion: Shackling Stakes Technique!

The sky suddenly darkened.

Orochimaru came to his senses, only to find his body pinned in place by massive iron spikes.

Intense pain shot through him, cold sweat pouring down his face.

"How is this possible?"

Orochimaru was deeply shocked.

After activating the Cursed Seal, he should theoretically have increased resistance to genjutsu.

Could it be the uniqueness of the Mangekyō Sharingan?

Natsume looked at Orochimaru, feeling almost amused.

Just like in the original story, to save himself, he split his soul and used it for the Heaven Curse Mark.

And this had also created a huge weakness for himself.

The soul's incompleteness led to decreased resistance to genjutsu.

More precisely, he couldn't resist the Mangekyō Sharingan's genjutsu.

Back when Orochimaru joined the Akatsuki, he was defeated precisely by Uchiha Itachi's Demonic Illusion: Shackling Stakes Technique.

"Want to know the reason?"

Natsume casually drew a kunai and walked over slowly.

"What reason?"

Orochimaru seemed to have stopped struggling, waiting for death.

But Natsume, of course, didn't believe it.

He tossed aside the kunai and clapped his hands together—Sage Mode activated.

His senses expanded.

Natsume vanished instantly.

The next moment, a jet of water sliced through, neatly cutting the wall behind him in half.

"Sage Mode?"

Orochimaru's expression grew serious.

He had learned Sage Mode at Ryūchi Cave and had also seen Jiraiya use it.

That special chakra from Natsume—he was certain he wasn't mistaken.

He clearly hadn't used Sage Mode last time.

Orochimaru's heart sank—he'd actually held back his strength.

Wood Release, plus Sage Mode.

Wasn't this basically Senju Hashirama reborn?

Natsume's body reappeared not far away.

Orochimaru had already broken free from the genjutsu.

More accurately, he'd been freed by Senju Tobirama.

The jet of water just now had been his signature ninjutsu.

Water Release: Water Severing Wave!

All the Water Release ninjutsu Natsume had learned came from Senju Tobirama.

It wouldn't be wrong to call himself his apprentice.

"As expected of you, Orochimaru."

Natsume glanced at the dazed Senju Tobirama.

Edo Tensei, even if improved, couldn't unleash the full power of the summoned when White Zetsu wasn't used as the sacrifice.

And since Tobirama was the creator of the technique, to prevent him from breaking free, his consciousness had been wiped.

Orochimaru had summoned him for the Flying Thunder God Technique, to facilitate an escape.

He just hadn't expected the first enemy he'd encounter would be Natsume.

To be honest, summoning him in advance was indeed lucky.

But just Tobirama alone wasn't enough.

Orochimaru stayed silent and didn't attack.

The feeling of being controlled by genjutsu just now was extremely unpleasant.

Even when he fought Uchiha Shisui last time, it hadn't felt so bad.

Orochimaru hid behind Senju Tobirama and said, "How about we make a deal?"

Ever since Natsume revealed Sage Mode, it had become nearly impossible to win.

Might as well go with the flow.

"Oh? Now you want to make a deal?"

Natsume couldn't help but laugh. "You really can't stand losing even a little, can you?"

"I can't beat you, but I can destroy Uchiha Izumi."

Orochimaru paused. "Tobirama has the Flying Thunder God Technique; you can't stop him."

Natsume thought to himself, this guy really is troublesome.

But he hadn't intended to kill him anyway—keeping him around to keep generating Fate Points was actually quite a good deal.

"What kind of deal?"

"You tell me why you could control me so easily just now, and I'll hand over Uchiha Izumi to you, unharmed."

Orochimaru's voice was cold.

Truthfully, he was quite annoyed at losing Uchiha Izumi.

But this was already the best outcome.

If they kept fighting, the result would be unpredictable.

He could revive through the Heaven Curse Mark, but it was costly.

"There's a problem with your soul," Natsume replied casually.

In truth, there was another reason—the Mangekyō Sharingan's genjutsu was simply too powerful.

Orochimaru frowned but didn't ask further.

Senju Tobirama grabbed him, and the two of them instantly vanished.

Natsume deactivated Sage Mode and turned to walk into the room.

He was momentarily stunned to see two people.

Uchiha Izumi was chained to the wall, her chakra nearly still, only the Sharingan in her eyes restlessly moving.

On the ground was a beautiful woman who somewhat resembled her, with finger marks on her snow-white neck.

No surprise—it was her mother.

"You… who are you?" Izumi looked warily at the unfamiliar young man.

"Interested in joining my organization?"

Natsume crouched down and placed his hand on Hazuki's head.

"Let go of her! What are you trying to do?!"

Izumi immediately shouted in agitation.

"She just fainted, nothing serious."

Natsume let his chakra flow through her, then withdrew his hand.

"…What?"

Izumi was stunned, looking at him in confusion.

"So, what do you think of my earlier proposal?"

Natsume drew out a kunai, covered it with chakra, and instantly sliced through her chains.

Izumi barely paid attention to his question, rushing to Hazuki's side to help her up.

After making sure, she finally let out a sigh of relief.

She looked at Natsume, showing a hesitant expression.

She naturally didn't want to join any organization.

But given the situation, she didn't really have a choice.

"You're hesitating."

Natsume narrowed his eyes. "I can understand. After all, you don't know where I come from, and it's normal not to want to follow me."

Izumi was surprised.

This mysterious, strong man was actually so understanding?

"The Uchiha clan is on the verge of collapse. As one of them, you should find another path, shouldn't you?"

Natsume crouched down, grabbed her right hand, and stuffed a token into it. "Input chakra, and I'll know."

Although he had saved Izumi, there was no way he could gain her trust instantly.

And he hadn't intended to recruit her right away.

Only when she was in utter despair would be the best time.

That is—on the night of the massacre.

Natsume left decisively, leaving behind a dazed Izumi.

She looked at the token, with the two characters "Heaven's Mandate" inscribed, and was filled with an indescribable feeling.

After a while, her chakra recovered, and she got up and left with her mother.

When she noticed the traces of battle outside, she was slightly shocked.

This showed that Natsume and Orochimaru weren't on the same side—he had driven Orochimaru away.

His strength must be truly monstrous.

Chapter 104: Uchiha Itachi's Mangekyō

The Heaven's Mandate token Natsume gave to Izumi was exchanged with Fate Points.

Its function was equivalent to a communicator: as long as she input chakra, they could communicate.

Similar to the Magic Lantern Body Technique.

The cost wasn't high—just ten Fate Points.

Natsume left Orochimaru's underground laboratory.

Standing on the surface, surrounded by forest, he was far from Konoha, in a very secluded spot.

Natsume leapt onto the nearest giant tree, already having a rough idea of his location.

He was east of Konoha Village.

After walking for a few minutes, he arrived at the Memorial Stone.

Natsume's brows suddenly furrowed.

Kakashi was standing in front of the tombstones of Nohara Rin and Uchiha Obito, lost in thought.

"Who's there?"

He turned around, noticing Natsume who hadn't concealed his presence.

"Mr. Kakashi, hello. I'm Natsume," Natsume greeted proactively.

"So you're Tsunade-sama's disciple," Kakashi mused, glancing at him with his signature dead-fish eyes. "Didn't expect to see you here."

"I'm an orphan. My parents died in the war," Natsume explained.

"Sorry," Kakashi was momentarily taken aback, his tone softening.

"There's nothing to apologize for."

Natsume looked at the tombstones. "I've heard stories about your team. Truly role models for ninja like me."

Role models?

 Kakashi fell silent.

What happened back then was the right thing for Konoha.

But he had killed his own teammate with his own hands.

His feelings were complicated.

Natsume narrowed his eyes and said, "Sorry for bringing up something I shouldn't have. I won't disturb you any longer, I'll take my leave."

Before Kakashi could reply, he had already disappeared.

"What a strange guy."

Kakashi sighed, sat down cross-legged, and said, "I left the Anbu not long ago, planning to become a squad leader. Guess who I ran into at the academy? Uzumaki Naruto. As expected from Minato-sensei's son, he's a genius on par with me…"

Kakashi, as always, talked to his two teammates about recent events.

In the distance.

Space distorted.

Uchiha Obito suddenly appeared.

He looked at Kakashi, his gaze unwavering.

"My, my, seeing your old teammate again—how does it feel?"

A mischievous voice sounded.

A clone of White Zetsu emerged.

"Shut up!"

Obito snapped coldly.

"Tsk, still so grumpy," White Zetsu pouted, "If not for me, you would've died in Kirigakure."

Obito had been severely injured then, almost as bad as during the Kannabi Bridge battle.

Luckily, White Zetsu and the miraculous Hashirama cells saved him, or he'd have died twice by now.

"That was just carelessness!" Obito grumbled. "Next time I see him, he'll die by my hand!"

White Zetsu didn't provoke him further and changed the subject: "Aren't you going to take your eye back? That would greatly increase your power."

"Hmph, I want Kakashi to live in pain forever, with my eye reminding him of the blood on his hands."

Obito sneered. "Besides, so what if I don't have that eye?"

I'm just worried you'll get beaten up again.

White Zetsu returned to business: "We have a lead on Uchiha Itachi's whereabouts. You can seek him out anytime."

"Understood."

Obito looked away. "Plant a spore on Kakashi."

Space distorted again.

He was gone.

White Zetsu shrugged. "Human emotions are so complicated… I don't get it."

It paused, preparing to dive underground.

The next moment, a jet of water sliced past.

Its head was cut off.

Natsume appeared before it, smiling. "Nice catch."

Even as a clone, it had many uses.

He'd just been thinking about how to give Hinata some Otsutsuki chakra.

Now, with White Zetsu, plus the Sharingan and Hashirama cells, who knows what he might create.

Ideally, he'd capture Kimimaro as well.

…

"Kabuto, take a look at this thing."

Natsume ran into the orphanage and tossed White Zetsu in front of Kabuto.

His only scientific talent for now.

Kabuto examined White Zetsu, confused.

What is this thing?

 A human?

But it didn't look like one.

"Study it."

Natsume patted his shoulder. "Have you figured out Edo Tensei and the Cursed Seal yet?"

"…"

Kabuto was silent for two seconds, then asked, "What do you take me for?"

Natsume grinned awkwardly.

It was a bit much, admittedly.

Kabuto was talented, but without Orochimaru's personal guidance, his progress was much slower.

And he was working alone, overwhelmed.

Natsume fell deep in thought.

Besides Orochimaru, there were a few other well-known scientific talents in the ninja world.

For example, Amado and Shinnō.

Both were major antagonists in the movies.

Amado developed the Chimera Technique, able to fuse summoning beasts and kekkei genkai—his scientific prowess was formidable.

Shinnō was even more impressive, a master of medical ninjutsu, possessing two forbidden jutsu: Body Activation and Body Regeneration.

The former could activate his body's cells, boosting physical abilities.

The latter allowed him to survive even after being torn apart.

Basing his techniques on these, plus the Eight Gates, he could open all eight gates and not die.

Natsume first thought of Tsunade.

If she learned these two medical forbidden jutsu, her power would rise another level and she'd be even harder to kill.

Besides that, Shinnō also had Dark Chakra and Zero-Tails.

Zero-Tails was a physical monster made of Dark Chakra; though not a tailed beast, its chakra was immense.

All in all, he was quite useful.

Looked at this way, Shinnō was a walking treasure.

"I'll find you two assistants soon."

Natsume would have to master the Flying Thunder God Technique before he could travel freely.

Kabuto nodded, then turned to study White Zetsu with great interest.

…

Night fell.

After a busy day, Itachi left the Anbu, ready to go home and play with his cute little brother.

In a deserted alley, he stopped.

Space distorted.

Obito appeared before him.

"Itach—"

He was about to speak, but was interrupted by the furious Itachi.

"Where's Shisui?"

His eyes, filled with emotion, spun rapidly; the three tomoe seemed about to merge.

Obito was startled.

This was a sign of awakening the Mangekyō Sharingan.

At the same time, he was baffled.

What does Shisui have to do with me?

 Did he mistake me for someone else?

 Obito had intended to deny it, but suddenly fell silent.

An awakened Mangekyō Sharingan Itachi was much more useful.

"Where is he?"

Itachi's expression grew colder, his entire body exuding a dangerous aura.

He rarely lost his composure.

Mainly because Shisui had been missing for three years, his fate unknown.

They were very close, so upon seeing the mysterious masked man from before, Itachi couldn't help himself.

Obito instantly dodged his attack.

Itachi raised his head, and finally, his eyes displayed the pattern of three bladed shapes interlocked.

The Mangekyō Sharingan had awakened.

Not far away, Orochimaru watched this scene with a sinister smile.