Adopted by Tsunade [125-126] (Patreon)

Chapter 125: I Bought a Swimsuit

Natsume sat on the floor, a bit dumbfounded.

Before he could react, Tsunade had already thrown on a coat and fled the crime scene.

"How is this my fault?"

Natsume shook his head, opened the door, and left the room.

In the hall, both Tsunade and Shizune were gone. Only a little loli, Kurama Yakumo, remained.

She hadn't gone home last night and slept here.

"Good morning, big brother."

Kurama Yakumo greeted him politely.

"Yakumo, you can head back for now."

Natsume smiled and reminded her, "Sensei's pretty busy these days, she might not have the time."

"Mm."

Kurama Yakumo nodded. "Lady Tsunade already told me what's going on. I'll come back tomorrow."

After seeing her off, Natsume went to the Daimyo's residence in the Land of Waves.

"Shisui, how have things been these past two days? How's everyone's mood?"

"Barely stabilized."

Shisui gave a slight bow. "On behalf of the remaining members of the Uchiha clan, thank you for saving our lives."

"There's no need."

Natsume helped him up. "From now on, settle down in the Land of Waves. One day, the glory of the Uchiha will return."

"If you need anything, just command us."

Shisui clearly knew how to return a favor.

And he understood Natsume wasn't a pure-hearted good guy.

With his power, he obviously could have stopped Itachi, yet he didn't.

Either he looked down on the Uchiha radicals, or he had his own special goal.

Either way, compared to complete annihilation, this was already the best outcome.

Shisui didn't dare hope for more.

"I actually do have something to discuss with you."

Natsume didn't hold back. "I want you to give me your Mangekyō Sharingan, and then transplant Fugaku's eyes."

He'd tested this earlier.

If he fused Fugaku's Mangekyō Sharingan into his own, upgrading to Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan while keeping four ocular techniques, it would cost 1,000 Fate Points.

But using Shisui's would reduce the cost to just 300.

The difference came from bloodline proximity.

Shisui's new Mangekyō came from his ancestor Uchiha Kagami.

Compared to Fugaku, the blood relation was clearly closer.

Natsume's only worry was that Shisui might refuse.

Though both are Mangekyō Sharingan, the awakened techniques differ.

Fugaku's techniques looked busted on paper but were actually quite limited.

Fate often changes drastically due to tiny shifts, making the future unrecognizable.

His ocular ability only sees the greatest possibility at this very moment.

A few minutes or hours later, the result could change again.

Most importantly, the cooldown was far too long.

Even more absurd than Kotoamatsukami.

As for the abilities awakened by Shisui's Mangekyō Sharingan, Natsume didn't know.

But generally speaking, they wouldn't be bad.

"Alright."

Shisui agreed without much hesitation.

Right now, his priorities were the Uchiha first, the Konoha second.

"But you need to promise me one condition."

His gaze was sharp. "If one day you become Hokage, I want the Uchiha to return to Konoha."

Natsume hadn't concealed his identity from him.

As Tsunade's student with unmatched strength, becoming Hokage was practically a certainty.

"I promise."

Natsume patted his shoulder. "From today, you're the Uchiha clan head, and a future Hokage advisor."

He casually promised a pile of benefits.

Shisui's weak point was simple.

Being able to win him over with this was a steal.

Natsume called Kabuto to perform the eye transplant for Shisui, then spent 300 Fate Points to absorb his Mangekyō Sharingan.

Two new ocular techniques appeared in his mind.

Left eye: Yomi-no-Izumi — can make someone forget a certain segment of memory for a set time.

Right eye: Tsukuyomi-no-Mikoto — casts a massive domain that can accelerate the user or slow enemies.

The Mangekyō Sharingan is called the Eye that Reflects the Heart.

Both techniques are deeply tied to the awakener.

For example, Obito's Kamui was because he wanted to tear away and escape this world.

Shisui's two techniques were easy to understand too.

Yomi-no-Izumi:

After witnessing Itachi's crimes, he remembered it was he who taught Itachi the Will of Fire, and so he wished he could make him forget.

Tsukuyomi-no-Mikoto:

He wanted time to flow backward and return to the past. But because that's too heaven-defying, it's heavily nerfed.

For Natsume, Tsukuyomi-no-Mikoto was undoubtedly a god-tier skill.

Whether in combat, or in other situations.

Ahem.

Because of the surgery, Shisui needed a few days' rest.

When Natsume left the room, he bumped into Mikoto.

Her complexion had basically recovered; she looked quite spirited.

"Aunt Mikoto."

"Natsume."

Mikoto's eyes brightened slightly. "How's Sasuke now?"

"He's awakened his Sharingan; he's alright."

Natsume paused, then added, "And the village plans to let him keep living normally."

"When can I see him?"

Mikoto finally let out a breath and immediately asked, unable to wait.

"Mm, give it a few more days."

Natsume was thinking once Tsunade became Hokage, it wouldn't matter—easy to arrange.

"Thank you."

After sincerely thanking him, Mikoto asked, "When do we start on the Mangekyō Sharingan?"

That question gave Natsume a bit of a headache.

Awakening the Mangekyō isn't that simple.

Suddenly, a lightbulb went off. "When we go see Sasuke, let's try to trigger an emotional response."

Mikoto froze for a moment.

So he wanted to use maternal love to push her into awakening Mangekyō?

She didn't ask further and nodded in agreement.

After saying goodbye to her, Natsume returned to the Konoha.

…

Tsunade was sitting on the sofa, looking unwell.

"What's going on?"

Natsume pulled Shizune over to learn the details.

After hearing it, he was surprised.

Sarutobi Seinosuke's wife miscarried, and Sarutobi Konohamaru died as a result.

Something's off here.

Could it be Danzo?

"It's fine, go on."

Natsume gave Shizune a reassuring look and sat down beside Tsunade.

He took her left hand and started fiddling with it.

Soft and warm, like a piece of warm jade—he couldn't put it down.

Tsunade's tense expression gradually relaxed.

As a medical ninja, having a life vanish right before her eyes had made her uncomfortable.

But with Natsume fussing over her like this, she calmed down.

"Hey, isn't your birthday coming up?"

At that, Tsunade frowned; she hated birthdays now.

Because she was getting older.

"Let's go to the beach."

Natsume lifted his head and whispered sweetly, "I bought a really great present."

Yup, a sexy swimsuit.

Heh heh.

Tsunade's irritation vanished instantly, replaced by anticipation.

She reached out to ruffle his hair. "Then I'll be waiting for your present."

Chapter 126: Hokage Election Underway

The next day.

Ichiraku Ramen.

"Boss, one tonkotsu ramen for me."

Natsume hopped up on a high stool. "And get Naruto a bowl of his favorite spare-rib ramen."

"You got it!"

Teuchi smiled. "Please wait a moment, customer."

Natsume glanced around. Business was good; the place was almost full.

But Ichiraku wasn't big to begin with.

He grabbed a seat for Naruto and, while waiting, asked with a smile, "Boss, do you have any other surname?"

"No, why do you ask?"

Teuchi stirred the noodles without looking back.

"I just feel you have an extraordinary air—maybe you're from some great clan."

Natsume explained casually.

"Hahaha."

Teuchi let out a hearty laugh. "That's far too kind, customer."

"Old man!"

A voice called out from a distance.

"Huh? Big bro, you're here too."

Naruto scrambled onto a high stool. "Good morning."

"Naruto, your ramen's already being made."

Teuchi smiled.

He was one of the few ordinary people who never once discriminated against Naruto for being the Nine-Tails' jinchuriki.

Yup, he wasn't a ninja, and he wasn't an Otsutsuki.

"Thanks, big bro."

Naruto knew who had ordered.

"Are you going to the hospital later?"

Natsume suspected Naruto hadn't heard about what happened to the Uchiha.

Because no one would chat with him about it.

"Hospital?"

Naruto blinked. "Big bro, are you sick?"

"Not me."

Natsume shook his head. "Sasuke. He's in the hospital."

"Sasuke?!"

Naruto's eyes went wide and he almost bolted.

"Relax, he's fine. Eat first."

Natsume pressed a hand on his shoulder.

"Okay, okay."

Naruto sighed in relief. "How'd he get hurt? Trip on the way home last night?"

Is that really how you see Sasuke?

Faceplanting out of nowhere?

He's not some soap-opera heroine.

"Don't say that in front of him."

Natsume hesitated, then leaned in and whispered the gist of last night.

He'd find out anyway.

And if Natsume didn't say it, Naruto would barge in and ask Sasuke directly, which would earn him a beating.

"How could that happen?"

Naruto's smile froze.

He, of all people, understood what it meant to be an orphan, so he could empathize with Sasuke.

"Big bro, I'm not eating. I'm going to see Sasuke."

Naruto hopped off the stool and dashed out.

Natsume almost spoke, but in the end said nothing.

Worried about Sasuke, Naruto moved fast.

But after a bit, he suddenly stopped.

He heard people chatting in a nearby restaurant.

"Such a pity. Overnight, the mighty Uchiha clan was wiped out."

"I heard it's because they kidnapped and killed the Hokage's son first."

"Good riddance! Those stuck-up guys were so annoying! Always handing out heavy punishments over the smallest things!"

"For real! The Konoha Police Force made everyone complain every time."

Naruto unconsciously clenched his fists.

Again!

Gossip everywhere.

He took a deep breath and sprinted to Konoha Hospital.

"Sasuke!"

Naruto pushed open the ward door and saw Sasuke in a hospital gown.

"Keep it down, he's still asleep."

The nurse reminded him.

"Sorry."

Naruto stepped up to the bed.

Sasuke's eyes snapped open. His emotions spiked, and coupled with his body's weakness, he fainted again.

It didn't take long.

He woke up.

Staring at the unfamiliar ceiling, he was dazed for a few seconds.

Last night's memories flooded back.

Sasuke immediately sat up. Ignoring Naruto, he bolted from the room at top speed.

The nurse didn't even register what had happened.

"Sasuke!"

Naruto jumped up and chased after him.

The two ran and ran, finally stopping at the Uchiha compound.

Sasuke stared blankly at the empty rooms, the smell of blood still lingering.

It was real, not a dream.

The Uchiha clan was gone.

Only he remained.

No—Itachi, too.

Sasuke's eyes suddenly each manifested a single tomoe, and a chill spread out.

"Sasuke, your eyes?"

Naruto arrived just in time to see the crimson eyes gleaming.

"Shut up!"

Sasuke exploded emotionally.

"Sasuke…"

Naruto stepped forward, heart aching. "I get how you feel, but—"

"Get it? How could you get it?!"

Sasuke lunged and locked him by the throat. "See this? This is the Sharingan! You'll never beat me again!"

"Sasuke, don't do this."

Naruto looked at the twisted expression on his face, unable to bear it.

All the old light was gone.

Before, even with a cold face, you could feel Sasuke's true emotions in his eyes and movements.

Now only gloom and cold remained, like a black, ominous aura shrouding him.

"They're dead. All dead. Every last one! Killed by my dear big brother!"

Sasuke's mouth split in a crazed grin. "Hahaha, do you get it? Can you understand?"

Raving mad.

Naruto tore free of his grip and punched him in the face. "Get a grip!"

Their fight began.

…

Not far away, Natsume shook his head.

With one-tomoe Sharingan, Sasuke's strength had indeed jumped.

He could match an average chunin.

But would Naruto fear a chunin?

Thanks to his massive chakra and the Nine-Tails not causing trouble, and training wind style under Sarutobi Seinosuke and taijutsu with Lee and Guy, he was already extraordinary.

He'd never used full power before. Now, he had no choice if he wanted to restrain Sasuke.

The fight lasted over ten minutes.

In the end, Naruto pinned Sasuke to the ground.

"Giving up on yourself won't solve anything."

Sasuke's manic laughter had long vanished, leaving a very complicated look.

Why couldn't he beat Naruto even after awakening the Sharingan?

What is with this guy?

His intense unwillingness made the tomoe in his eyes tremble again.

"If your enemy is still alive, then take revenge."

Running with Natsume had made Naruto more mature than in the original.

He couldn't help it—even unintentionally, his big bro always said strange, thought-provoking things.

"If you can't even beat me, how can you waste time here? Sasuke, train with me."

Naruto continued his talk-no-jutsu.

Being pinned down made Sasuke's blood pressure spike.

The single tomoe quietly split into two.

Awakening and advancing the Sharingan both require emotional triggers.

But emotions come in many forms.

In his past life, Natsume felt Sasuke didn't need familial trauma as much as he needed the push from a lifelong rival.

In other words, Naruto.

Their intertwined fate had long surpassed mere family ties, making this the most effective trigger.

In the original story, Itachi dumped a whole ocean of trauma on him to force an awakening.

As Indra's reincarnation, was he really that weak?

Obviously not.

They just hadn't used the right method.

[Because of your actions, Naruto's fate has changed. You gained 77 Fate Points.]

[Because of your actions, Sasuke's fate has changed. You gained 77 Fate Points.]

So this is the bond of fate?

Seeing the two reconcile, Natsume turned to leave.

He opened Sage Mode and crept to the outside window of the Hokage's office.

Consider it an early rehearsal—get familiar with escape routes.

After Tsunade becomes Hokage, he might be in and out of that office a lot.

…

"Hiruzen, you know me."

Shimura Danzo leaned on his cane, face calm. "I would never do anything that harms Konoha."

Sarutobi Hiruzen pressed his brow, exhausted.

These past few days, he'd aged ten years, feeling the signals from his body.

It was time to retire.

His son and grandson had died in quick succession.

Rumors were everywhere that the Uchiha clan was exterminated because he'd wanted revenge and sent Itachi to do it.

And this story had traction.

Because normal people wouldn't believe Itachi would kill his parents and wipe out the clan.

Unless the Hokage ordered it.

And the ninja had no choice but to obey.

"Hiruzen, take a few days off. At this rate, your body will give out."

Koharu glanced at Danzo, then said with concern, "Leave the rest to us."

"Any leads on where the rumors started?"

Hiruzen waved her off and looked at the ANBU in front of him.

"No leads yet. We need more time."

The ANBU replied, "The person is clever—always spreading it in crowded places like pubs. Too many people involved."

"Investigate while releasing the truth, so the villagers aren't completely misled."

Hiruzen actually suspected Danzo.

Not many could pull this off.

Or rather, no single person could spread so much gossip in one night.

It was likely an organization behind it.

Like Root or a clan.

But he had no evidence.

And Danzo wasn't wrong—he wouldn't do something against Konoha's interests.

Hiruzen sighed.

Mind and body weary.

After a long silence, he said, "It's time to find someone to share the burden. The Fifth Hokage's seat has been vacant for too long."

Danzo almost couldn't contain his joy and nearly laughed aloud.

Koharu and Homura exchanged a look.

By procedure, they should've picked the Fifth long ago.

After all, the Fourth, Minato, had been dead for nearly seven years.

Back then, Hiruzen had resumed the Hokage office as a temporary measure, saying he'd step down when a suitable candidate appeared.

But it had been seven years.

No doubt, his mindset had changed.

"Tsunade…"

Hiruzen had just opened his mouth when he was cut off.

"Hiruzen, this should be decided by Konoha's top leadership."

Koharu spoke up in time. "Best to call Jiraiya back too. Let's all vote for the new Hokage."

Hiruzen swept his eyes over her expression—something was off.

But her proposal was reasonable.

Normally, Hiruzen, Danzo, Koharu, Homura, Jiraiya, Orochimaru, and Tsunade would first propose candidates, then let the jonin vote, and finally announce it and see how the villagers reacted.

If someone was a candidate, they'd be temporarily excluded from the discussion.

Like when the Fourth was chosen, Orochimaru didn't participate because he was a candidate.

Of course, anyone absent would be considered abstaining.

Jiraiya had returned three years ago because of a prophecy, but couldn't find the mysterious Wood Release user.

With his personality, he couldn't stand staying put, so he went wandering again to find the Child of Prophecy.

"Shall we first list the candidates?"

Homura spoke when Hiruzen fell silent. "I propose Jiraiya."

Hiruzen nodded.

Jiraiya was also a good choice.

He'd been Hiruzen's first pick anyway.

But the guy was obsessed with prophecies—getting him to settle down would be tough.

"Tsunade, you should participate too."

Hiruzen looked up.

"Mm."

Tsunade didn't refuse.

Hiruzen was pleasantly surprised by her recent changes.

The old Tsunade was too laid-back even to be a proper ninja, let alone Hokage.

"And me, of course."

Danzo spoke blandly.

"What are you butting in for?"

Hiruzen took a drag on his pipe. "You're old too. Retire like me."

"I'm still young."

Danzo's face didn't change. "Besides, Konoha has no age limit for the Hokage."

"…"

Hiruzen's mouth twitched.

He almost pointed at Danzo and asked if he had any shame left.

Suddenly his eyes narrowed.

Something was off.

Had Danzo already formed an alliance with Koharu and Homura?

But two votes wouldn't be decisive.

And besides, Danzo couldn't pass the jonin vote.

Compared to Tsunade and Jiraiya, his reputation was abysmal.

What exactly was his confidence?

While Hiruzen pondered, a knock sounded.

An ANBU entered and knelt. "Lord Hokage, the Daimyo of the Land of Fire is here and wishes to see you."

"…?"

Hiruzen instinctively looked at Danzo.

He hadn't invited the Daimyo.

The Daimyo wouldn't just drop by.

And it just so happened to be during the Hokage selection period.

Most likely Danzo had secretly invited him.

Because technically, the Daimyo had to approve the Hokage's appointment.

He also had the right to make recommendations.

Danzo kept his eyes on his nose, his nose on his mouth, his mouth on his heart—aloof as if uninvolved.

…

Listening outside, Natsume couldn't help but sigh.

He had underestimated the Pot-kage.

But the outcome was still undecided.

He now possessed the Mangekyō. The Daimyo's arrival was practically delivering himself on a platter.

Besides, there was Orochimaru.

He supported Danzo for now, but later? Who knew.

Of course, Natsume didn't plan to make Orochimaru support Tsunade—that would be too obvious. The best play was to draw him out.

Make him too busy to attend; that way, he'd be an abstention.

With Jiraiya definitely supporting Tsunade,

Danzo would lose the initiative.

And Tsunade could take the Hokage's seat.