Adopted by Tsunade [131-132] (Patreon)

Chapter 131: The Possibility of Atavistic Ōtsutsuki Chakra

The meeting ended.

The Fire Daimyō, Ikkyū Madoka, returned to his residence.

Although he was frightened today, he wasn't stupid.

The Land of Fire still needed Konoha's protection.

Hiruzen Sarutobi had been Hokage for so long and had a very high reputation.

Even if he could punish him, there was no need.

Besides, unless he ordered an execution, any other punishment would be little more than a slap on the wrist to him.

And tomorrow Tsunade would become Hokage anyway; he wouldn't have to see him again.

After the daimyō left, Hiruzen very straightforwardly handed over power.

He was physically and mentally exhausted; there was a funeral to handle at home, and he could no longer manage Konoha's affairs.

Shimura Danzō returned to his compound seething with impotent rage.

Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado, on the other hand, acted as if nothing had happened and continued serving as Hokage advisors.

They realized that under the current circumstances, their authority had actually expanded further.

With Hiruzen and Danzō retired, only the Hokage remained.

Given Tsunade's personality, while she might be displeased with them, she wouldn't punish them—at most she'd argue back.

In fact, that's how it went in the original story.

During Tsunade's tenure as the Fifth Hokage, Koharu and Homura didn't have it great, but they remained Hokage advisors.

[Because of your actions, Tsunade's fate has changed. You gain 99 Fate Points.]

[Because of your actions, Hinata Hyūga's fate has changed. You gain 99 Fate Points.]

[Because of your actions, Yamanaka Ino's fate has changed. You gain 99 Fate Points.]

[Because of your actions, Uchiha Shin, Shimura Danzō, Hiruzen Sarutobi, Utatane Koharu, Mitokado Homura, Sai, etc., have had their fates changed. You gain 220 Fate Points.]

Tsunade became Hokage early, and with Natsume's presence on top of that, the future would certainly be different.

Yamanaka Ino and Sai most likely wouldn't end up together—after all, neither Sai nor Sasuke could compare to him in looks.

He understood the changes for the others, but what was up with Hinata Hyūga?

After a moment's thought, he concluded the only possibility was his plan to upgrade her to Tenseigan.

Which meant Kabuto's experiment would succeed.

But why now?
Could it be Uchiha Shin?
His greatest utility was being able to transplant any tissue or organ without rejection.

Natsume's eyes lit up as he understood the reason.

The plan was to induce atavistic Ōtsutsuki chakra in Uchiha Shin.

With White Zetsu available, plus Hashirama cells, Sharingan, and Shikotsumyaku, and adding a vessel capable of integrating tissues, it was indeed possible.

The rest was just a matter of time.

With that in mind, Natsume stopped peeping through the Hokage office window, slipped away, and headed to the Land of Lightning to bring Uchiha Shin back to the orphanage.

As for Orochimaru—sorry, not sorry.

Once the Flying Thunder God Technique was used, there was no way for him to keep tracking; the trail was cut.

Natsume felt no burden about stealing from Orochimaru.

Can't blame him.

In the whole ninja world, Orochimaru was a walking treasure trove with a brilliant mind.

Right?

He'd already spared Orochimaru several times—call it paying back a life-saving favor.

Ahem.

Natsume tossed Uchiha Shin in front of Kabuto.

Kabuto glanced over and asked, "What is this? What's it for?"

"Uchiha Shin. His eyes are three-tomoe Sharingan, and his constitution is even more peculiar—he can integrate any tissue without rejection, including Hashirama cells."

Natsume's answer made Kabuto instantly excited.

For him, this was undoubtedly extremely useful.

"Kabuto, let me tell you a story."

Natsume didn't rush to leave. He sat across from him and began to talk about the Ōtsutsuki clan.

If Kabuto was going to induce an atavistic awakening of their chakra, he needed to know their origins and bloodline relations.

Otherwise, he'd be groping in the dark.

"The Ōtsutsuki are aliens?"

Kabuto felt his worldview shatter.

In current ninja world legends, it's merely said that the Sage of Six Paths appeared and brought chakra.

But as for his origin, almost no one knew; no one guessed he was extraterrestrial.

At most, people thought he was a super genius who founded Ninshū and spread chakra.

"No wonder the bloodline limits of those clans are a cut above."

Kabuto chuckled, a bit mocking.

He and Orochimaru were both commoner ninja without kekkei genkai.

Now that he knew about the Ōtsutsuki, he understood that this ridiculous world wasn't truly "power above all," but "bloodline above all."

For someone with ambitions and ideals, that's hard to swallow.

"But regardless, they're all lab subjects in your hands now."

Natsume patted his shoulder. "You're better than them."

"…"

Kabuto twitched his mouth. "I've realized you see me as a tool."

"I'm funding your hobby—why say it so harshly?"

Natsume didn't feel the slightest embarrassment at being called out; he lied with a straight face. "You enjoy it anyway."

"Instead of talking so much, go find me more people."

Kabuto pushed up his glasses. "I also need a new lab."

"No problem."

Natsume pondered a moment. "Build the new lab in the Land of Waves. With Flying Thunder God, commuting won't be hard."

"Suit yourself."

Kabuto didn't care about the location. He paused and added, "All equipment must be top-tier."

Research burns money, no doubt.

In the original, Orochimaru was forced to found the Hidden Sound Village to make money.

Natsume had thought inheriting Gato's assets made him rich, but now it seemed not enough.

This lab might cost several hundred million to build.

Follow-up expenses would be endless.

But if it could awaken Hinata's Tenseigan, it would all be worth it.

"All right, get back to work."

Natsume left the orphanage.

By now, notices were being posted on the streets, announcing Tsunade as the Fifth Hokage.

He wandered around, listening to the villagers' discussions.

As he expected, almost no one opposed.

Mainly because Tsunade was famous and a medical ninja.

And though the Senju clan had disappeared on the surface, their influence lingered in the shadows.

In truth, Tsunade had plenty of supporters.

In the original story, she returned after years away and immediately became Hokage.

These factors were why.

Her credentials were simply overwhelming.

In all of Konoha, few could compare.

Setting aside her mountains of debt, Natsume was indeed mooching off her.

Heh heh.

Soft and sweet.

Natsume returned home.

Tsunade and Shizune weren't there.

He didn't mind; he took out paper and pen and began writing a development plan for Kirigakure.

As a coastal village, beyond fishing and shipping, its greatest resources actually lay on the seabed.

Because ninja didn't engage in production and ordinary folks' technology lagged behind, the seafloor was a practically untouched treasure trove.

Hire Water Style ninja to dive, and they'd find plenty of good stuff.

Of course, there was also much to be done in shipping and fisheries.

For example, the simplest branding.

Designate certain fish as luxury foods exclusive to nobles, build high-end brands—easy money.

Chapter 132: We Each Keep to Our Own

Morning.

Tsunade put on the Hokage ceremonial robe.

True to her freewheeling style, she threw it directly over her usual sleeveless top.

Natsume lay on his side on the bed watching her.

After a moment, Tsunade turned and asked, "Well?"

"Absolutely gorgeous."

Natsume didn't hesitate. "But today you've added the Hokage's gravitas—very cool."

"You do know how to talk."

Tsunade shot him a glare, clenched her fist, and said, "Quit flirting around on me from now on!"

"Sis, how did you jump to that topic?"

Natsume protested, aggrieved. "I was sincerely complimenting you."

Seeing his expression paired with that face, Tsunade felt a pang of guilt.

She thought for a moment, leaned in, pointed to her forehead, and hinted, "I'm taking office as Fifth Hokage today. Where's your gift?"

Natsume lifted his head and, to her surprise, kissed the corner of her lips.

Tsunade froze for a few seconds, heart fluttering and a bit shy-angry. "Where did you learn that? Always taking advantage?"

"What? Your lucky kiss is on the forehead, but mine isn't."

Natsume hurried to quibble.

Tsunade didn't bother arguing; she hammered him on the crown of his head.

"If I don't see you at the inauguration, you're dead!"

She turned and left the room.

As the star of the day, she had to arrive early, so they couldn't go together.

"Getting more violent, huh."

Natsume rubbed his head.

Of course, Tsunade hadn't used force; otherwise, his life would have ended.

He got dressed, ate breakfast with Shizune, and headed to the plaza in front of the Hokage building.

As a major Konoha event, everyone would attend.

Ninja and civilians alike.

Today Natsume experienced a rare sensation:

Crowded.

Just like taking the subway to work in his previous life.

Rare in the ninja world.

The Hokage's influence in Konoha was undeniable.

"Natsume-kun."

Yamanaka Ino suddenly patted Natsume from behind.

A strange light flashed in Shizune's eyes.

She knew Natsume's relationship with Tsunade was a bit off.

After Hinata, now he'd charmed Yamanaka Ino too.

Natsume, do you think you're a cat with nine lives?

"You two chat; I'll go on ahead."

Shizune smiled and distanced herself from the danger zone.

Natsume's mouth twitched; she'd clearly misunderstood.

He turned to the bubbly girl and smiled. "Are we already that close?"

Ino had just called him Natsume-kun, a polite honorific.

Between boys and girls, it could carry an unspoken hint.

"Aren't we friends?"

Ino's cheeks flushed. She looked away slightly, head lowered, bangs covering most of her expression.

"We are."

Natsume smiled and explained, "I just find it odd; you're Naruto's classmate, and he calls me big bro."

"It's fine. We each keep to our own."

Ino lifted her head, met his meaningful gaze, and blushed even deeper.

"Ino-pig!"

Haruno Sakura ran up, furious. "You jerk! I went to your place to find you, and you'd already left without a word!"

Behind her were Uchiha Sasuke and Uzumaki Naruto.

Sasuke looked colder than ever.

Naruto was as cheerful as always.

"Don't call me Ino-pig!"

Ino immediately panicked.

She'd never cared before because it didn't matter.

But in front of Natsume, she didn't want to leave a bad impression.

Sakura frowned, noticed Natsume, and instantly understood.

Fine.

She changed her form of address and asked, "Ino, did you run ahead just to see Naruto's big brother?"

Nice one!

Ino gave her bestie a mental thumbs-up, but said aloud, "Natsume-kun and I just ran into each other."

Sakura blinked.

Natsume-kun?
What's going on?

I don't even have a thing with Sasuke-kun yet, and you two are already that close?
She was on the verge of going crazy.

"Let's get moving."

Natsume cut the topic off in time; if he was late, he'd really be dead.

The five of them arrived at the plaza before the Hokage building.

It was already shoulder to shoulder.

Voices overlapped in a cacophony.

But with Naruto leading the way, and the Nine-Tails' aura clearing a path, they squeezed to the front.

"Yo, Naruto!"

Not far away, a man in a green jumpsuit waved energetically.

Might Guy.

His father, Might Duy, fought the Seven Ninja Swordsmen alone and killed four.

As a result, the Eight Gates technique gained Konoha's respect.

Might Guy was no longer a forever-genin; he'd been promoted to jōnin.

And his talent far surpassed Duy's.

With the Eight Gates open, his power rivaled Uchiha Madara's—almost a one-kick finale.

He loved jogging laps around Konoha; after running into Naruto last time, their personalities clicked, and they became fast friends.

Beside Guy stood a white-haired, masked young man: Hatake Kakashi.

He looked at Naruto with a complicated expression.

The son of his teacher, Minato.

When would he graduate?

Kakashi had left the Anbu and become a jōnin squad leader.

Unfortunately, none of his students had passed his bell test, so he remained a loner.

His gaze then shifted to Uchiha Sasuke.

In truth, as a student, Sasuke was the best fit for him.

Because they both had Sharingan.

In the original story, Kakashi seemed partial to Sasuke because he regarded him as a successor.

Naruto ran over to say hi.

Natsume found a spot and didn't approach Guy or Kakashi for now.

He'd do so after becoming the Hokage's aide in the future.

But given his current age, he'd need to think of ways.

Without enough achievements, he couldn't convince the masses.

Before long, Hiruzen and Tsunade arrived, and the inauguration ceremony officially began.

"Wherever leaves dance, the fire will burn. The shadow of fire will shine on the village and make new leaves bud…"

As expected, the first step was a passionate speech by former Hokage Hiruzen.

He opened with the Will of Fire, then spoke on the truth of the Uchiha massacre, and finally evoked sympathy with the death of son and grandchild.

After this round, the rumors Danzō had spread evaporated without effect.

By the time the speech ended, an hour had passed.

"Tsunade, say a few words."

Hiruzen's face flushed with excitement.

He'd moved himself with his own words.

"Mm."

Tsunade nodded, scanned the crowd, and spotted Natsume, which pleased her.

The two unfamiliar girls by his side, however, pricked at her eyes.

So the guy was indeed a smooth liar.

"Thank you for your hard work, everyone!"

Tsunade raised her hand and shouted, "From today on, I am the Fifth Hokage. Okay, that's it. Dismissed!"

Natsume blinked.

As expected of you.

Recklessly concise.

But very Tsunade.