Born with Sage powers—that was Jugo.
It sounded impressive, but in truth, Jugo's strength in the original manga was only about Jonin-level—not outstanding.
His Sage Mode was more a curse, making him go berserk.
Only Orochimaru could use him to develop the curse mark.
Anyone else would find Jugo a headache.
Natsume figured it was fine to give Jugo to Orochimaru.
He didn't care for the curse mark, but it was useful—a flawed Sage Mode.
Especially the Heaven Curse Mark; the boost was huge.
But there were side effects:
Low survival rate for transplanting curse marks.
Long-term use led to loss of self.
Users came under Orochimaru's control.
Trading Jugo for Uzumaki sealing jutsu was a great deal.
He didn't know Jugo's current location, but the Sacred Ring of Fate Shop could exchange for anything—even whereabouts.
The price depended on their story role.
Jugo was a minor character—his location cost just nine Fate Points.
"What do you think of this deal?" Natsume asked.
"It's a deal," Orochimaru agreed immediately.
Sage Mode's power was unquestionable.
He wanted it for years.
He couldn't miss this chance.
The Uzumaki sealing arts were precious, but not his; he didn't mind handing over copies.
Besides, they'd only be copies, so Konoha wouldn't lose anything.
"Like with the Hashirama cells, give the items to my agents," Natsume said, smiling. "But they're really unhappy about last time, so I suggest you send someone else or use a shadow clone. Otherwise, I can't guarantee your safety."
Orochimaru's face twitched.
I was the victim last time!
He'd spent half a month in the hospital, and now it was all his fault?
But Natsume was right—he didn't want to see Kakuzu and Sasori again. They really would kill him.
"Anything else?" Natsume asked.
"How can I hasten Uchiha Itachi's Sharingan awakening?"
Orochimaru thought for a moment. "At his current state, I see no sign of Mangekyo."
"You're too impatient," Natsume said, exasperated. Itachi was only six. "You need a foundation to awaken Mangekyo. Wait a few years."
Like Sasuke, who only awakened his Sharingan after his whole clan died—he was too young before.
Orochimaru had no choice.
He couldn't beat Shisui.
He could only target Itachi.
"See you next time," Natsume said, dismissing his wood clone.
Orochimaru returned to his lab.
He had to keep researching the Wood Release drug.
"Yamato, come lie down," Orochimaru said with his signature dangerous smile. "Time for your regular cell extraction."
Yamato lay on the operating table without hesitation.
He knew he had no other choice.
After all, he'd obeyed orders in Root as well.
With Orochimaru, he was used to it.
And Orochimaru's skills were far superior to Danzo's, helping Yamato's Wood Release improve quickly.
…
The next day, bright and sunny.
"Natsume, I'll pick you up at noon."
At the school gate, Tsunade said, as if remembering something.
"Why? What's up?"
Natsume looked up. Usually, he ate at school.
"A small gathering," Tsunade smiled. "Lots of good food. Normally, I wouldn't bring just anyone."
"Okay."
At the mention of food, Natsume agreed.
"Good boy, work hard in class," Tsunade patted his head.
…
Natsume entered the school.
"Itachi, rare to see you today."
"Orochimaru-sensei is busy," Itachi said flatly.
Orochimaru'd been busy tormenting Yamato, so hadn't taught lately. Itachi was always a model student.
After greetings, the two had nothing else to say.
Soon, Naoto Yamanaka entered the classroom.
It was theory test day—the so-called Will of Fire.
Natsume used his past life's humanities skills. Maybe not dazzling, but at least he filled the page.
At noon, he left with Tsunade, arriving at a high-end izakaya.
This was more a grand restaurant than a bar.
Natsume grew more curious—what kind of gathering was this?
A refined room.
He heard women's laughter inside.
Tsunade opened the door, letting Natsume see.
Eight elegant, gorgeously dressed ladies, several in kimonos.
He only recognized one—Uchiha Mikoto.
"…?"
Natsume was speechless.
Did I just walk into a spider's web?
"Lady Tsunade has arrived!" the women greeted.
Tsunade didn't socialize much, but as the top healer, connections came to her.
"Oh, and you brought a handsome little boy," one woman teased, eyes almost devouring him.
"Too bad he's still a child," another giggled.
"Natsume, let me introduce you," Tsunade said, pointing to the first woman. "This is Haraguchi Miki, the daimyo's wife and today's main guest—it's her birthday."
So she was the daimyo's wife.
No wonder Tsunade knew her—the daimyo's family often hired ninja from Konoha.
In the original, Naruto and others once helped a daimyo's wife find her cat, but she was ugly—not this one.
"Kajiwara Risumi, the governor's wife—you should have her look after your Gunma Casino in the future," Tsunade said, introducing another.
Natsume raised his eyebrows.
No wonder Tsunade brought him—she was helping him make connections.
With support from both sides, his casino would be unstoppable.
The other six women were all wives from Konoha's major clans: Uchiha, Hyuga, Nara, etc.
The nine women ate and drank.
Natsume felt uneasy—some of their gazes were too much!
After eating, Haraguchi Miki asked Kajiwara Risumi to paint her.
She lay on a chaise, face flushed, posture alluring—both pure and seductive, dignified and charming.
"Kids shouldn't look!" Tsunade covered Natsume's eyes.
Damn! I can't even sneak a peek?
After the gathering, Natsume sent a wood clone to school and went to sucks milk from Hinae.
It wasn't that he wanted to steal milk from Karin, but he found it could improve his body and boost his chakra.
Natsume, an orphan, had always been undernourished.
Even with Hashirama-level Wood Release, without a Sage Body and chakra volume, he'd never reach true invincibility.