Adopted by Tsunade [129-130] (Patreon)

Chapter 129: Brought a blade but forgot an umbrella

The moment Natsume left, Orochimaru arrived right after.

It wasn't a coincidence.

He had left one of his summons in the secret base—snakes from Ryūchi Cave.

Under normal circumstances, Natsume would have been detected as soon as he arrived.

But Natsume understood Orochimaru, so he preemptively stunned the snake swarm, and they only woke up after he left.

Orochimaru's face was dark as he entered the secret base. He quickly reached the glass hall and saw Jūgo and Guren collapsed on the ground.

"Lord Orochimaru!"

Though Jūgo and Guren couldn't get up, they hadn't lost consciousness. Seeing him, they hurriedly called out.

"What happened?"

Orochimaru licked his lips—meaning his mood was foul.

"Lord Orochimaru!" Jūgo rushed to say, "I want to report Guren—she colluded with an outsider and took Uchiha Shin!"

"I did not!"

Ignoring the pain, Guren shouted, "That mysterious man used some unknown method to make me reveal Uchiha Shin's location."

"Enough."

Orochimaru frowned.

The chance Guren would betray him was very small.

The shinobi world does have various interrogation methods.

Even if what she described sounds sophisticated, that doesn't mean it doesn't exist.

Orochimaru entered the arena, sniffed lightly, and immediately sneered.

So this powerhouse's method of masking their trail is rather mediocre.

He left a shadow clone to look after Guren and Jūgo, while his real body vanished on the spot.

Uchiha Shin's Mangekyō Sharingan—he absolutely couldn't be lost and had to be taken back.

Even if it was a trap, Orochimaru was confident he could get through unscathed.

After all, he had plenty of escape options.

…

After leaving the secret base, Natsume moved at full speed, crossed the Land of Fields, and entered the Land of Lightning.

Orochimaru was fast, but nowhere near as fast as Natsume fleeing in Sage Mode.

Dusk.

Natsume set up a simple tent.

He left a shadow clone to watch Uchiha Shin, then used the Flying Thunder God Technique to head to the Land of Waves.

He had no desire to spend the night with a weird little brat.

And weird wasn't an unfair label for Uchiha Shin.

The guy didn't look human—his skin was pale like a long-dead corpse.

…

"Still working?"

Natsume appeared in the daimyo's manor in the Land of Waves and shook his head at Uzumaki Hinae, who was buried in paperwork.

Far too diligent.

Ever since she became head of the trading company, she did nothing but work except eat and sleep.

Fortunately, she was of the Uzumaki clan and had a strong constitution—otherwise, she would've worked herself to death by now.

"I had nothing else to do, so I wanted to handle more company matters."

Uzumaki Hinae looked up, a gentle smile on her face.

"Some things should be delegated."

Natsume walked up and occupied her office chair.

Hinae could only sit on his lap.

She wrapped one arm around him, resting her head on his shoulder.

With his forehead against hers, Natsume asked, "Do you know King Gilgamesh died?"

Hinae: "Hmm?"

Natsume twirled her hair with his finger and said, "He overworked himself and died of exhaustion."

"Huh?"

Hinae hadn't expected that cause of death.

Her reaction amused Natsume.

Natsume pinched her soft cheeks and looked into her beautiful eyes. "So, rest when you should."

"I know."

After so long together, Hinae was used to his little habits.

"You've got this much energy? Then keep me company."

Truly, he couldn't be serious for even one second.

Hinae showed a fond, indulgent look.

She stood, adjusted her position, and straddled Natsume's lap in the office chair.

Her two straight, slender legs spread wide; her delicate little feet hooked behind the chair legs for leverage.

Hinae ground her hips down, eliciting a groan from Natsume.

"Hinae," he growled, gripping her waist and thrusting up to meet her.

Their lips crashed together as Hinae began to ride him in earnest, her breasts bouncing enticingly with each movement. The chair creaked beneath them, barely containing their passionate frenzy.

Natsume moaned, burying his face in her neck.

Hinae threw her head back in ecstasy.

"Ahh!"

Their cries of pleasure echoed through the office as they raced towards climax together, lost in the throes of their heated coupling.

…

Night fell.

Four hours had passed.

Natsume couldn't help being a bit worried.

But Hinae was still full of energy, her naughty tongue constantly reminding him never to underestimate a kunoichi.

Especially one from the Uzumaki clan who had mastered the Yin Seal.

At this moment, he suddenly began to doubt the cause of Hashirama Senju's death.

Given his invincible cells, his death seemed rather odd.

Looking at it now, maybe Uchiha Madara and Uzumaki Mito teamed up.

Natsume lightly coughed, waited a dozen seconds, and said, "I'll come again next time."

Hinae tilted her head up—hard to speak with her mouth full—so she blinked in acknowledgment.

After he left, she reached up and pulled off a fair bit of transparent, sticky fluid stuck to her face and lips.

"Let's do a deep cleaning tomorrow," she murmured, licking her lips to savor the salty taste.

She was very satisfied with today.

She had helped both the Trading Company and Natsume.

She'd originally planned to close the door to guests after the first hour, but she forced herself to hold out another three.

…

"The water's too deep."

Natsume had already appeared by a riverside in the wild.

This was also where he'd camped.

Despite the place being damp and deep, he jumped in to take a bath.

His clothes had accidentally gotten wet, and he hadn't brought an umbrella—only a blade.

After removing his scent, Natsume had the shadow clone continue on with Uchiha Shin while he returned to Konoha.

It was late; Tsunade was already asleep.

Natsume took off his coat and slipped under the covers.

Very warm.

Especially since he'd just taken a cold shower.

"Why are you so cold?"

Tsunade's voice made Natsume stiffen.

"Sorry, sis, did I wake you?"

Without another word, he slid to his knees, using an apology to change the subject.

"It's fine."

Though he interrupted her technique, Tsunade didn't let him off.

Her hands moved over his icy spots; after confirming he wasn't ill, she relaxed.

"Whatever you're doing, take care of your body, understand?"

She hugged him tighter, warmth spreading over.

Natsume paused, then under the heavy weight on his mind, tried to sleep.

But he was too energetic. His little brother still active.

Tsunade opened her eyes and met his gaze.

Both of them felt a bit awkward.

But Tsunade didn't let go.

Expression steady, voice slightly trembling, she said, "It's late. Go to sleep."

…

The next morning.

Headache, dizziness, tingling, restraint—all kinds of sensations mixed together as Natsume drifted in a haze between sleep and waking. An exquisite pressure was building between his legs, coaxed expertly by soft, nimble fingers.

His hips bucked involuntarily as the pleasure intensified. A low moan escaped his lips as his body tensed, trembling on the edge of release. With a few more skilled strokes, Natsume was pushed over the brink. His back arched as he cried out, spilling hot and thick over Tsunade's hand.

Only then did Natsume's eyes flutter open, his voice shaky with lingering pleasure as he gasped, "Sis, what are you doing?"

"Seeing you so energetic, I couldn't resist teasing you," Tsunade purred, a wicked glint in her eye as she admired her handiwork.

Tsunade let go, grabbed her coat to wipe her hand clean, and quickly left the room with a sultry wink.

After Shizune had walked in on them, her mindset had shifted.

At this point, whatever—better to be straightforward.

Still, it was a bit… too bold.

Natsume rubbed his head and got up.

He'd only slept a little—pretty much an all-nighter.

Hence the morning-after discomfort.

Worst of all, he had to wash the sheets.

Chapter 130: The Fifth Hokage

Natsume left the room.

Only Shizune was in the living room.

He paused and asked, "Where's sis?"

Shizune looked up and replied, "An ANBU just came by—said Lord Jiraiya has returned, and the Hokage summoned her for a meeting."

Back already?

So they're deciding the Fifth Hokage today.

Natsume's expression shifted slightly.

He'd been so busy last night he forgot to visit the Fire Daimyo.

But there was still time.

"Shizune-nee, I'm off to train."

Natsume ran to the door and changed his shoes.

"Eh? Not eating breakfast?"

Shizune hurriedly called out, "I made it today!"

"Next time for sure."

Natsume opened the door and left.

He used the Flying Thunder God Technique and appeared at the daimyo's manor.

A special residence had been built in Konoha just for the daimyo—also called the Daimyo's Manor—for his rest.

Sure enough, Daimyo Ikkyū Madoka hadn't left.

Seeing the middle-aged man eating breakfast, Natsume breathed a sigh of relief.

In the original, the Fire Daimyo didn't actually like Shimura Danzō.

But you never know.

Danzō wasn't a traditional shinobi. To become Hokage, it wasn't impossible that he'd try to control the Fire Daimyo.

After a moment's thought, Natsume decided to use Kotoamatsukami's alternate, Yomi-no-Izumi. He chose that instead of Kotoamatsukami.

Because he worried Hyūga clan members might be present; if Kotoamatsukami were detected, that would be bad.

But this other technique wasn't genjutsu and created no abnormal chakra fluctuations.

Even the Byakugan might not notice it.

Natsume activated his Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan and flicked Yomi-no-Izumi at the Fire Daimyo.

It made him forget his agreement with Shimura Danzō for one week.

But he would remember that a new Fifth Hokage was being selected today.

Tsunade, honored as the Princess of Konoha, had close ties with the Fire Country.

Without outside coercion, the choice was obvious.

Ikkyū Madoka felt nothing unusual. After finishing breakfast, he changed, and under guard headed to the Hokage building.

At that moment in the Hokage's office, everyone had arrived.

Except Orochimaru.

"We went to Lord Orochimaru's residence, but no one was there."

An ANBU knelt on one knee.

Danzō frowned.

What's going on?

This wasn't what they agreed on.

He didn't know that, in Orochimaru's mind, he was far less important than Uchiha Shin.

Since Jiraiya's student Minato became Hokage, Orochimaru had lost interest in the position.

All told, Orochimaru had forgotten about this.

"You may go."

Hiruzen waved a hand. "He's not here. It doesn't matter."

"I think we should keep looking," Danzō said in a low voice, raising his head. "Orochimaru is one of the Sannin. The new Hokage should have his approval."

"What 'approval'?"

Jiraiya glanced at Tsunade and asked, "If Tsunade becomes Hokage, you think Orochimaru would object?"

"No one has been decided as Hokage," Danzō snapped, suddenly raising his voice. "She's not the only candidate!"

Jiraiya curled his lip.

At your age, and you still want to be Hokage?

Time to retire.

Hiruzen narrowed his eyes slightly.

Danzō was acting very strange today.

He usually wasn't that close to Orochimaru.

With his cold personality, how could he say something so warm?

Unless the two had colluded.

Hiruzen's fist clenched unconsciously.

Far too abnormal.

From the Uchiha massacre onward, it was as if some invisible force had been pushing events.

Danzō, I hope you haven't done anything unforgivable.

Otherwise, I—your old friend—will be the one to send you off.

"The Daimyo has arrived!"

A booming voice sounded outside the door.

Hiruzen immediately stood to greet.

Ikkyū Madoka nodded and naturally took the high seat—the Hokage's seat.

"Let's begin. Everyone vote so we can settle the Fifth Hokage soon."

"I nominate myself," Danzō blurted out, impatient.

He couldn't be bothered to pretend anymore.

Even without Orochimaru, he still had the advantage.

Tsunade wouldn't vote, leaving Hiruzen, Jiraiya, Koharu, and Homura—two versus two.

The deciding vote would be Ikkyū Madoka's.

And Danzō had already made a deal with him.

Victory was assured!

Hokage, at last, belongs to me, Shimura Danzō!

He could barely contain his glee.

Don't blame him for the lack of self-control.

He was already sixty-two.

Who ever heard of a Hokage candidate at sixty?

"I vote for Tsunade," Jiraiya said without hesitation.

The three Sannin grew up together; no need to elaborate.

Besides, he disliked Danzō.

Too dark and ruthless.

If he became Hokage, Konoha would never know peace.

"I vote for Danzō."

Koharu and Homura exchanged a look and spoke in unison.

Hiruzen tugged at the corner of his mouth.

As expected—they'd coordinated.

Fortunately, Orochimaru was away.

"I vote for Tsunade," Hiruzen said, then looked at Ikkyū Madoka and prompted, "Please make the final decision, Lord Daimyo."

"Both sides are evenly matched. Interesting."

Ikkyū Madoka glanced over Tsunade and Danzō.

He paused slightly on the latter with a flash of confusion.

Why did Danzō's gaze feel so scorching—and so unsettling?

"I believe Tsunade is more suited to be Hokage," Ikkyū Madoka declared at last.

"What did you say?!"

A terrifying aura burst from Danzō. "Say that again?!"

"Danzō!"

Hiruzen's face changed drastically. "Are you mad?"

The Fire Daimyo might not have real authority over Konoha, but he was the big financier.

Ikkyū Madoka fell to the floor in fright.

He was an ordinary man; how could he withstand a powerhouse's killing intent?

"Bastard! You dare deceive me?!"

Danzō ignored Hiruzen. Staring at the daimyo, he had lost all reason.

Hiruzen's face went ashen.

Just as he thought.

Danzō had arranged the daimyo's visit.

Now that the daimyo had turned on him, he'd enraged Danzō.

"Enough!"

Hiruzen roared, unleashing his full aura; his ceremonial robes flared. "Danzō, do you want me to arrest you right now? Must we go this far and make it so humiliating for you to give up?"

Danzō's body jolted; clarity returned.

If this continued, he might never recover.

And he couldn't win this fight.

Not just Hiruzen, but Jiraiya and Tsunade were here.

As for Koharu and Homura, they would contribute every kind of support—except actually taking action.

"I lost my composure," Danzō said, suddenly hunching over, leaning on his cane as he turned to leave.

Hiruzen snorted but didn't act.

Root had been disbanded; Danzō could no longer meddle in Konoha's affairs.

"Apologies for the trouble," Hiruzen said, turning to help Ikkyū Madoka up.

"As Hokage, you can't even keep your own people in line. You really should retire!"

Ikkyū Madoka snapped, "Hold the handover ceremony tomorrow. I don't want to stay in this village another moment!"

Hiruzen's face froze, but he didn't dare retort.

Today's situation was indeed Danzō's fault.