Natsume gave his word.
Yet clearly, Hiashi Hyuga hesitated.
Could he still hold onto his position as clan leader without the Caged Bird Seal's control, without that distinction between main family and branch family?
Even if he retained his power, what of his descendants?
At this critical moment, Hiashi unexpectedly became indecisive.
In fact, in the original story, he had always been quite indecisive.
Much like Fugaku Uchiha.
Still, Hiashi was somewhat luckier.
Because the Caged Bird Seal was controllable.
The Sharingan, however, was a ticking time bomb.
This ultimately led Fugaku Uchiha down an irreversible path.
"Uncle Hiashi, come find me once you've made your decision."
Natsume didn't waste more words.
Truthfully, the outcome had already been decided.
If Hiashi understood properly, everything could proceed with dignity.
After all, he was Hinata and Hanabi Hyuga's father.
But if he kept dragging his feet, don't blame Natsume for being ruthless.
From the Hokage-sama's perspective, removing the Caged Bird Seal would truly strengthen Konoha as a whole.
Competition brings motivation, after all.
At present, the Hyuga Clan was like stagnant water—clinging to past glories and rigid traditions while resisting change.
After Hiashi left, Natsume thought about the [Tenseigan].
Previously, he'd ordered Kabuto Yakushi to research methods of replicating Otsutsuki Clan chakra.
He'd even helped collect key ingredients—Kimimaro Kaguya, Hashirama cells, and White Zetsu.
Unfortunately, the task proved extremely difficult.
Thus far, there had been no significant progress.
Natsume considered whether to have him stop.
After all, he had simpler and quicker means available.
Thinking it over, he decided against it—for Kabuto had invested so much time already.
It had become something meaningful to him.
Still, he could offer assistance.
In the afternoon,
Natsume summoned Kurenai Yuhi.
He glanced at her legs wrapped in stockings and smiled, asking, "Got new stockings?"
Kurenai couldn't help but pout slightly, replying, "Of course I changed them—they got laddered."
"What a shame."
Natsume said, stroking his chin. "I think torn stockings make Sister Kurenai even sexier."
"…Huh?"
Kurenai was momentarily speechless.
She now realized this young Hokage-sama wasn't as innocent as he seemed on the surface.
Though she didn't mind that.
Her eyes sparkled mischievously as she teased, "If you really like them, I'll give you my stockings."
You're picking up bad habits.
Natsume nodded and said, "Sure thing."
Kurenai stiffened.
She only meant to tease him.
After all, who in their right mind accepts used stockings?
"Not backing out now, are you, Sister Kurenai?" Natsume crossed his arms with a grin.
Teased like this, Kurenai Yuhi flushed crimson.
Hesitantly, she pulled out the pair of stockings and stammered, "Y-you're going to use these for something… bad, aren't you?"
"What kind of bad thing?"
Natsume took them—it was still warm.
"Well… just…"
Kurenai's face turned an unnatural shade of red.
"Mugging someone in disguise?"
Natsume chuckled.
"..."
Kurenai Yuhi stomped her foot, flustered yet annoyed.
She had realized Natsume was teasing her.
"Hokage-sama, what did you call me here for?" Kurenai Yuhi abruptly shifted the topic, asking with a serious expression.
Still, the lingering flush on her face revealed her true feelings.
"Let me give you a gift first as an apology," Natsume said, pulling out a neatly wrapped square box.
Kurenai Yuhi blinked, caught off guard.
An apology?
She hadn't really been upset.
On the contrary, this lighthearted banter made her feel closer to Natsume.
Still, she didn't refuse. She stepped forward and accepted the gift.
"Thank you."
A faint smile tugged at the corner of Kurenai Yuhi's lips.
"It was nothing," Natsume replied with warmth. "Being my secretary must be quite a job, Sister Kurenai."
"What's the real matter then?"
Cradling the gift in her arms, she smiled as she asked.
"Watch the Hyuga clan closely. Let me know if anything unusual arises."
Natsume didn't fully trust Hiashi Hyuga—more accurately, his way of thinking.
When a crisis truly emerged, he might opt for internal handling rather than seeking outside counsel.
"Understood."
Kurenai Yuhi nodded.
She didn't ask for reasons.
After leaving the Hokage's office, she opened the box in the hallway.
Seeing the black stockings inside, her face flushed red instantly, and she quickly shut the lid.
"Hmph. So he's one of those kinds too..."
Still holding the gift, Kurenai Yuhi returned to her office.
Natsume arrived at the research facility.
"Hokage-sama."
Ichikishimahime no Mikoto greeted him immediately upon seeing him.
"How old are you?" Natsume asked curiously, glancing at her loli-like appearance.
"I should be over two hundred years old," Ichikishimahime answered. "I've already forgotten the exact number."
"The shape-shifting power from Ryuchi Cave is truly remarkable—it looks completely human."
Natsume crouched down and gently pinched her chin, examining her face carefully.
Unaccustomed to such control, Ichikishimahime instinctively turned her head away.
"Where are the other two snake princesses?"
Natsume released her chin and tenderly pinched her cheek.
Indeed, just as she claimed, it felt no different from a human's.
In a way, this could be considered a demon.
"They have followed your orders to inspect other ninja for potential Sage Mode talent."
Ichikishimahime endured the discomfort in her answer. With anyone else, she would have swallowed them whole by now—how dare they act so brazenly?
"Any findings?" Natsume asked with anticipation.
"None so far." Ichikishimahime shook her head.
"Pity."
Natsume sighed, then asked, "How about Kabuto Yakushi?"
"He's very gifted."
At the mention of Kabuto Yakushi, Ichikishimahime's tone carried some surprise.
Few contractees throughout history could rival him.
He mastered Sage Mode at an incredible speed.
Natsume stood and paused at the doorway. He glanced back at Ichikishimahime. "One last question—how long is your tongue?"
"...?"
Ichikishimahime no Mikoto looked puzzled but replied nonetheless, "Eighteen centimeters."
Natsume arched a brow.
He pushed open the door and stepped into the room.
"How does it feel?"
"Better than I've ever felt."
Kabuto Yakushi's eyes snapped open. "Sage Mode is incredible," he said. "I should've learned it sooner."
"Now that you've mastered Sage Mode, can you improve Orochimaru's cursed seal?"
Natsume explained, "If we can reduce the side effects to some extent, it would definitely become a powerful technique for most ninja."
"That's true."
Kabuto paused briefly, then replied, "It won't be easy, but I think I can cut down on the side effects quite a bit."
"When you have time, give it a try."
Natsume stretched out his hand, channeling chakra.
Kabuto looked confused at first, but soon his expression turned to shock.
He stood up abruptly and asked, "What kind of chakra is this?!"
Given his level of skill, feeling an overwhelming sense of danger was shocking.
Yet surprisingly, the chakra reserves were extremely low—not even close to a Genin's level.
But its sheer power was staggering.
"This is Otsutsuki chakra."
Natsume said with a smile.
"How did you get this?"
Kabuto's eyes widened as he moved closer, carefully examining it.
"Pure chance, really."
Natsume stopped channeling chakra and said, "You can keep this chakra—it should stay potent for a long time."
"Great! With this, my research progress will accelerate."
Kabuto seemed excited, then added after a brief pause, "I'll also need a pair of Byakugan."
"No problem."
Natsume secretly thought how convenient that was.
Hiromasa Hyuga, an elder of the main branch, possessed the Byakugan.
Might as well take it—it'd be a shame to let it go to waste.
Kabuto didn't ask whose Byakugan it would be.
In his view, it simply didn't matter.
Actually, in this aspect, he was quite similar to Orochimaru.
Come to think of it, Natsume did have something he needed help with.
He closed the door behind him and left the laboratory.
"Hokage-sama."
Ichikishimahime remained waiting outside the door.
Considering the risk of partial transformation during Sage Mode training,
she had to ensure Kabuto's safety—otherwise, if anything went wrong, Ryuchi Cave would pay the price.
"Thank you for your hard work."
Natsume reached out and patted her head.
Ichikishimahime could only comply.
Orochimaru's residence.
It had completely been transformed into a laboratory.
No one really cared anyway.
Unlike back then, when he had to hide things.
Jiraiya frowned, looking at the unconscious middle-aged man beside him.
"Orochimaru, what exactly are you doing?"
"Just conducting experiments."
Orochimaru glanced sideways at him.
"Do you even realize this violates Konoha's rules?"
Hearing Orochimaru's indifferent tone, Jiraiya's expression darkened.
"This has Hokage's permission."
Orochimaru licked his lips. "That's why I find Natsume much more likable than the old man."
Hmm, if he could use him as an experimental subject, that would be even better.
He'd long been curious about the secret behind his Wood Release.
Was it the same as Hashirama Senju's?
"What did you say?"
Jiraiya froze, his tone sharp as he asked, "How could he allow something like using humans for experiments?!"
"They're all the deceased anyway."
Orochimaru sneered and asked, "Did you come here just to accuse me?"
"..."
Jiraiya remained quiet for a moment before he said, "Natsume isn't a worthy Hokage."
"So what?"
Orochimaru raised an eyebrow, surprised. "Do you actually want to be the new Hokage? That's not really your style."
"Natsume destroyed Mount Myoboku."
Jiraiya thought for a moment and stated directly.
"Oh?"
Orochimaru hesitated—clearly taken aback.
Had Natsume really become that powerful?
"But what does that have to do with me?"
Orochimaru asked expressionlessly, "You expect me to help you get revenge? Jiraiya, you're being too naive."
"What if I let you become Hokage?"
Jiraiya probed carefully.
"Hokage?"
Orochimaru snorted, "Do you really think I care about being Hokage?"
Ever since Minato Namikaze took the title, it had lost all value in Orochimaru's eyes.
"..."
Jiraiya didn't reply.
Although he'd expected this, Orochimaru's blunt rejection still left him feeling uneasy.
After all, in his mind, they had once been brothers and best friends.
Should he go to Tsunade?
Jiraiya sighed inwardly.
But Natsume was her apprentice.
And from what he could tell, she held deep affection for Natsume—he treated him the way she used to treat Nawaki.
This chapter isn't over yet—stay tuned for more action!
What kind of reaction would arise if he actually spoke to Tsunade about this? He couldn't even imagine.
"You should leave."
Orochimaru's eyes flickered slightly as he said, "Natsume is outside."
Upon hearing this, Jiraiya turned to look at him.
His attitude had already made everything clear.
Thinking this, Jiraiya no longer had any reason to stay.
Right now, he truly didn't want to face Natsume.
Orochimaru stopped his experiment and walked toward the living room.
"Has Lord Jiraiya left?"
Natsume asked lightly with a smile.
With his current power, unless it was Kaguya Otsutsuki herself, there wasn't anyone who could hide from him.
"He's gone."
Orochimaru nodded slightly and asked, "What did you need to see me about?"
"The Wood Release awakening experiment."
Natsume didn't dwell on the matter of Jiraiya.
"No results."
Orochimaru said indifferently, "I already told you—the odds were slim."
"I know, but I've found a method. I just need your cooperation."
Natsume said casually.
"You've found a method?"
Orochimaru showed genuine surprise.
This time, his astonishment was real.
Because he'd run experiments on it before—it should've been impossible.
"Just implant this into her."
Natsume stretched out his hand, revealing a small red pill resting in his palm.
"What is it?"
Instinctively, Orochimaru leaned forward and took it.
"That's a secret."
Natsume winked and said, "As payment, I'll let you study it for a week."
"Fine."
Orochimaru agreed without hesitation.
The surgery will take place in a week at Konoha Hospital.
Natsume hesitated slightly before saying, "Play your part well. Understand?"
Orochimaru nodded, his gaze locked onto the crimson pill.
In truth, this was a Wood Release ability acquired through exchange.
Activation required the use of Tamaki of Destiny.
If Orochimaru actually made progress in researching it, Natsume would genuinely admire him.
But chances were it would lead to nothing.
Natsume went straight home.
There hadn't been much happening at the Hokage Building lately.
Besides, it was already time for work to end.
Unexpectedly, someone else was already there when he got home.
Mikoto Uchiha.
Natsume felt somewhat puzzled.
She and Lady Tsunade were having a conversation about childcare with Senka.
Since Mikoto had raised two children before, she had plenty of experience.
Seeing the scene unfold, Natsume couldn't shake the feeling that something was off.
He wondered exactly how Tsunade had explained Senka's identity.
Though Mikoto already understood.
Natsume took off his shoes and entered the hall, asking, "Aunt Mikoto, what brings you here?"
"Hokage-sama."
Mikoto Uchiha smiled gently. "I had some free time, so I came to visit Lady Tsunade."
"I see."
Natsume reached out and gently touched Senka. "How was she today?"
"She's been very good."
Tsunade gave him a glance and said, "Go prepare dinner. Don't interrupt our conversation."
"Where's Ms. Shizune?"
Natsume asked, slightly taken aback.
"She's in surgery."
Lady Tsunade waved her hand dismissively.
Natsume had no choice but to go to the kitchen to prepare dinner.
Not long later, Mikoto Uchiha knocked on the door.
"Aunt Mikoto."
Natsume rubbed against her full thighs.
"I need to go to the bathroom."
Mikoto bowed her head, her breathing slightly labored.
"I'll help you."
Natsume picked her up and asked, "Tell me, what's really going on?"
He didn't buy Mikoto's explanation.
Visiting Lady Tsunade?
Their relationship wasn't all that close.
Mikoto exhaled softly against his neck. "I bought a new kimono—I wanted you to see it."
So it was just that she missed him.
Smiling, Natsume brushed away her sweat and said, "Of course. Sometime soon."
"You can choose the name," Mikoto said, subtly adjusting her stance and regaining her composure as maternal warmth returned to her face. "Boy or girl?"
"Either works."
Natsume glanced outside and said, "Go back and keep Lady Tsunade company."
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