Adopted by Tsunade [111-112] (Patreon)

Chapter 111: Yin Seal Cultivation Success 

After completing the deal with Natsume, Mei Terumi let out a breath and reclined in the Mizukage's chair, her smooth white legs crossed.

These days she'd been anxious about money every day, and now she could finally relax a little.

Although her predicament hadn't really changed—after all, the seven hundred million was borrowed and would have to be repaid.

With Natsume's capabilities, it would be hard to default even if she wanted to.

Especially since there was a mysterious, powerful organization behind him.

If Mei Terumi hadn't been forced by reality, she wouldn't have resorted to such a desperate measure.

Natsume leaned against the window, looking at her and smiling.

Today she was, as always, in a blue dress.

"I want to ask a question."

Mei Terumi lifted her head, emerald eyes filled with curiosity and a hint of unease. "You want me to work for you for two and a half years—what exactly will I be doing?"

Although they'd added terms earlier, who knew if things would get excessive?

 "I haven't decided yet."

Natsume waved casually. "I'll tell you when the time comes."

"Alright."

Mei Terumi pressed down her unease and asked solemnly, "The commissions you posted have reached the required number. Where do we start?"

"Oh, that. In a while, people from my trade guild will come over. Just follow their lead."

Natsume had no intention of overseeing things personally.

With Kirigakure's support, even if trouble cropped up, they could handle it.

Two words: less hassle.

"Oh, there's one more thing."

Natsume recalled the Land of Whirlpools. "I want to bring the Land of Whirlpools under my banner. Will that cause trouble?"

Mei Terumi was a bit surprised, yet it also made sense.

From a maritime perspective, taking the Land of Whirlpools would indeed be convenient.

"The Land of Whirlpools is worthless now. With the Land of Water and Kirigakure behind you, there shouldn't be any trouble."

She paused. "The only thing to watch for is Konoha. They might react."

"Konoha's fine."

Natsume raised his index finger. "I've got people above me."

"…?"

Mei Terumi's heart gave a little jolt. She murmured, half in awe and half baffled, "You really are well-connected."

"Good health—walk around more, and you build a network."

Natsume bullshitted.

Not entirely, though. He'd basically been coasting on his looks.

What time did Konoha have to care about the Land of Whirlpools?

By the time they reacted, Tsunade would already be Hokage.

He really did have someone above him.

"Alright."

Natsume looked at her. "Then, Mizukage, could you accompany me to the Land of Whirlpools again?"

Mei Terumi was taken aback and recalled how Natsume had held her at the ruins of Uzushiogakure last time.

A touch of sourness welled up in her heart. Her eyes drifted to the documents on the desk.

Technically, she didn't have time to go out right now.

And for a minor matter like the Land of Whirlpools, there was no need for her to go personally.

"I can."

The words slipped out before she knew it. Then she lifted her head again, face cool and businesslike. "There has to be appropriate compensation."

"I thought after our deal just now, I could hitch a freebie."

Natsume shrugged, sounding regretful.

"I mean…"

A sudden panic fluttered in Mei Terumi's chest. She hurried to explain, "If I leave the village, it has to be under the pretext of a mission."

That was a lie.

She was the Mizukage—no need to report comings and goings.

Natsume didn't call her out. "Then I'll come back next time."

Mei Terumi blinked—next time? She thought they were going today.

"By the way, I have a question."

Straddling the windowsill, Natsume asked, "Can you sing? Or is singing fatal to you?"

"Singing?"

Mei Terumi looked puzzled.

"Yeah. Singing."

Natsume confirmed.

"I've never sung."

Seeing he wasn't joking, she answered honestly.

"Next time I come by, could you sing a song for me?"

Natsume pushed his luck.

"…?"

Mei Terumi's cool composure wavered.

Before she could answer, Natsume decided for her.

"It's a deal!"

His voice hadn't even faded before he vanished.

Mei Terumi stared for a few seconds, then a blush crept over her face.

How did I agree to that?

Wait, I didn't agree.

But… should I sing?

She fell into a dilemma.

…

Natsume used Flying Thunder God to appear at the daimyo's residence in the Land of Waves.

Uzumaki Hinae had become president of the Sunny Sea Shipping Company.

She wasn't dazzling, but she hadn't made mistakes either.

Give it some time, and she'd likely do even better.

She already knew about Flying Thunder God, so she wasn't surprised to see him.

"What would you like to drink?"

She immediately set aside her work.

"Do you have black tea?"

Natsume thought of a meme and asked.

"Yes."

Hinae stepped out and soon returned with a cup of black tea.

But Natsume didn't take it.

"Wh-what's wrong?"

She worried she'd done something wrong.

"The outfit's wrong. You need to wear a maid uniform."

 Natsume said it with a straight face.

 Hinae blinked, then gave a helpless smile.

 After spending so long with him, she understood Natsume was basically a pervert.

 His unexpected ideas constantly challenged her worldview.

 "Please wait."

 She set down the tea and went into the back room.

 Her office had a side door installed for convenience.

 Soon she reappeared before Natsume.

 She wore a classic black-and-white maid dress, with long gloves that blended into the sleeves.

 A bell was tied at her neck, chiming softly as she walked.

 The black skirt reached mid-thigh, revealing black thigh-high stockings.

 Pinching the hem of her skirt, she curtsied gracefully and smiled. "Master."

 Natsume nodded in satisfaction, sprawled on the sofa. "Feed me the coffee."

 "As you command, Master."

 Her eyes shimmered. She took a sip of the steaming coffee herself, letting the rich flavor coat her tongue. Then, with a coy smile, she leaned in close to Natsume. Their lips met in a passionate kiss, her tongue skillfully parting his lips to transfer the warm liquid into his mouth.

The bitter taste of coffee mingled with the sweetness of her lips as they shared this intimate moment. Hinae's hands rested gently on Natsume's shoulders, steadying herself as she deepened the kiss. The warmth of the coffee spread through both their bodies, heightening the sensual experience.

As the last drop of coffee passed between them, Hinae slowly pulled away, her cheeks flushed and her breathing slightly quickened. She licked her lips, savoring the lingering taste of coffee and Natsume's kiss.

"Was that to your satisfaction, Master?" she asked, her voice low and husky.

Natsume's eyes were dark with desire as he gazed at her. "Perfect," he murmured, reaching out to pull her closer for another taste.

By the time the cup was empty, half an hour had passed.

"Are you staying tonight?"

 Hinae looked down at him, massaging his forehead with both hands.

 "What's up?"

 Natsume enjoyed her lap pillow, a bit puzzled.

 She'd never asked him to stay before.

 "I've mastered the Yin Seal. I'd like Master to test the results."

 Face flushed, Hinae slid her hand up onto him.

 She dipped her white swan-like neck and gave a shy smile.

 "It took me so long to learn—maybe my talent's lacking. Please go easy on me."

 "We'll only know after we try."

 Natsume's lips curved.

Lemon Scene: https://docs.google.com/document/d/e/2PACX-1vTP_TC0E7poOvg0ILrCaH4fD5kPM0QFPYi7lX4C7iKa57TVImxMHAPPiYe458ds_949meq0gMhVvpO6/pub

Chapter 112: Veteran Looks-Fan Ino

Morning.

Natsume pried his eyes open with difficulty.

Yesterday had been too exhausting.

Training in the morning, meetings with Orochimaru and Mei Terumi in the afternoon, then a bloody battle with Hinae at night—it had drained him.

"Didn't sleep well?"

Tsunade noticed his reluctance to get up and asked.

She had gone to bed first last night and vaguely remembered he came back very late.

Probably chatted too long with Hinata again.

"No, I just don't want to get up."

Natsume rubbed his bleary eyes. "If sis would sleep in with me, that'd be perfect."

Tsunade rapped him on the head. "You've only put in effort for a few days and you're already slacking?"

"Ow, ow, ow!"

Natsume snapped awake.

"Quit faking it."

Arms crossed, Tsunade said coolly, "You're not afraid of the Slug Sage's corrosive acid, but this hurts?"

Hey!

 Wicked woman, ever heard of romance?

"It really hurts."

Natsume flopped back onto the bed.

Tsunade instinctively reached to steady him—and he hugged her.

"You little—!"

She frowned, glaring at him for taking advantage.

But she was a step too slow.

Moving like a hunter, Natsume brushed his lips against her cheek in a flash.

Tsunade froze for a beat, then stood, grabbed the back of his neck like a kitten, and tossed him onto the living room sofa.

"Breakfast today. You eat double."

"Nooo!"

His smug grin froze, turned to stone on the spot.

But smiles don't vanish—they transfer.

Tsunade showed a satisfied smile, tied on an apron, and headed into the kitchen.

"Huh? Natsume, why do you look so despairing?"

Shizune, hearing noise, opened her door, tying on her forehead protector as she asked.

"It's nothing."

Natsume looked up at her with hopeful eyes. "Shizune, are you very hungry? Want to eat a little extra?"

"Don't you dare."

Shizune blanched. "My breakfast portions are always fixed."

Survival instinct trumped senior-junior affection.

In the end, under Tsunade's coercion, Natsume tearfully ate a double portion.

Thinking about the unknown taste of breakfast, he ran to the Ninja Academy.

…

Today was the opening ceremony and assessment.

Last time he'd seen Hinata, she had asked him to come watch.

Natsume also wanted to check in on Naruto and Sasuke, so he agreed.

Crowds of students and parents had already gathered at the academy gate.

"Itachi."

Natsume immediately spotted the cold-faced Itachi in the crowd.

"Natsume, I didn't expect to see you here."

Itachi turned, surprised.

"Where's Sasuke?"

Natsume scanned around—no sign of Sasuke.

"He went to find his friends and told me to wait here."

Itachi's expression softened slightly.

Sasuke was his biggest worry.

Because of his personality and his surname, no one befriended him.

But now it seemed that even without an elder brother, Sasuke wouldn't be alone.

"Friends? Naruto?"

Natsume narrowed his eyes slightly.

Under normal circumstances, Itachi wouldn't want Sasuke spending much time with Naruto.

Unless he had already struck a deal with Orochimaru, planning to wipe out the Uchiha clan and defect.

"Not just him."

Itachi's tone held a trace of relief. "There are two girls, too."

"Oh? I've heard Sasuke is quite popular at school."

Natsume nodded, already guessing which two.

Sakura Haruno and Ino Yamanaka.

Come to think of it, he hadn't met them yet.

They weren't in the same class as Naruto.

It had to be said: being good-looking makes you popular.

Even being an Uchiha hadn't hurt Sasuke's appeal to girls.

Though right now Sasuke only had eyes for Naruto.

Women only get in the way of his strength.

His only wish now was to defeat Naruto and dominate the academy.

As a genius of the Uchiha clan, getting beaten down was disgraceful.

Because of this, he'd never received praise from Fugaku. It was becoming a demon in his heart.

"I haven't asked—you, why are you here?"

While waiting, Itachi actually made small talk.

With Shisui's life or death uncertain, Natsume was one of the few he could chat with.

"To see that little one."

Natsume gestured toward Hinata. "I'll head over."

He walked forward a few steps.

Hinata noticed him immediately; her eyes sparkled.

"Auntie."

Natsume first greeted Hyuga Rinka, then looked at Hinata with a smile. "Long time no see."

They actually saw each other every day.

"Natsume-nii."

Hinata lowered her head, fingers pinching the hem of her clothes.

When it was just the two of them, she wasn't that shy.

But outside, she felt all kinds of eyes on them.

Classic social anxiety.

Rinka glanced at her daughter's bashful face and smiled knowingly.

She didn't object.

With Tsunade active again, the big clans with good intel had already guessed.

The next Hokage would likely be her.

As Tsunade's disciple, Natsume's status would rise with the tide.

History had proven that Hokage isn't all about fighting—it's about people skills.

You can't become Hokage on fists alone.

Of course, there had been outliers like the White Fang.

But that was not a topic for polite conversation.

Rinka asked, "Natsume, how do you have time to come to the academy?"

"Oh, I ran into Itachi, so I came by to have a look."

He couldn't exactly say he had nocturnal visits with her daughter and came to watch her.

"Uchiha Itachi?"

Rinka glanced at Hinata, then leaned to Natsume's ear, warm breath tickling.

"The Uchiha are in a bad spot right now. Take Auntie's advice and keep your distance."

Natsume paused.

Such a reminder was rare.

It showed she had a good impression of him.

"I understand."

He nodded.

"Mhm."

Rinka took Hinata's hand. "There's an opening exam today. If you're interested, come watch."

"Alright, I'll be along."

After watching them go, Natsume returned to Itachi's side.

It wasn't long before four kids approached from afar.

Hands in pockets, Sasuke walked in front, face cold.

On his left, Naruto chattered away with a grin.

On his right, a blonde girl and a pink-haired girl were fangirling.

"Sasuke-kun is so cool!"

Stars sparkled in Sakura's eyes as she raged inwardly: Damn you, Naruto! Stealing my man!

Ino was about to speak when her face went blank for a beat.

In the crowd, an overly handsome young man had caught her eye.

Sasuke really was good-looking, but he was still young—he hadn't hit his peak.

Natsume, on the other hand, was at his most handsome.

Most importantly, Ino was a seasoned looks-obsessed girl.

In the original story, she married Sai just because he resembled Sasuke.