"Karin, don't move."
Natsume placed his hand on her abdomen, channeling chakra inside.
A moment later, he nodded.
As expected of the Uzumaki clan—her chakra reserves were far greater than others her age.
From the original story, Karin had notable talent.
Without any guidance, she could use Kagura's Mind's Eye and Adamantine Sealing Chains.
Honestly, following Sasuke was incredibly unlucky for her.
Natsume recalled that Karin could even use Sage Mode.
In other words, she was a versatile ninja.
She could scout, heal, and use sealing techniques.
With proper training, she'd easily become an elite Jonin.
After explaining, Natsume let Karin sit down to begin chakra refinement.
He nodded approvingly and turned to open Uzumaki Hinae's room to check on her.
She was practicing the Yin Seal, completely naked—her bare breasts, exposed nipples, naked waist, hips, unshaven pink slit, and toned legs all visible in detail.
The view was captivating, delighting him.
Today was supposed to be the second round of the Chunin Exams.
But Sasuke's disappearance forced a delay.
So far, Orochimaru and Danzo Shimura had made no big moves.
It was Uchiha Itachi and Uchiha Shisui who hadn't rested, searching everywhere.
Natsume entered the room.
Looking down, he could see the soft pink of Hinae's lips and the delicate expanse of her fair skin, glowing faintly in the cool air. Her shoulders were bare, rising and falling with each breath, and perhaps from the cold, her body was tense, shoulders trembling slightly.
Natsume's eyes flickered. He reached out, wrapping his arms around her slender, exposed waist, feeling the smoothness of her skin beneath his touch. As he pulled her close, he was surprised by the warmth radiating from her bare form.
Hinae opened her eyes, her cheeks flushed a deep rose, but she didn't resist. She looked at him with gentle eyes, arms instinctively crossing over her chest in a gesture of modesty.
After a moment, Natsume patted her head.
"It's cold—put on some clothes," he murmured, his voice soft.
He stepped back but didn't leave, his eyes lingering for a moment as she hesitated, then reached for her clothes. Hinae, meeting his gaze, let the fabric slip over her shoulders and back, shrouding her in warmth again.
She glanced down at her feet.
"Can I skip the socks?"
Natsume stroked his chin in playful consideration. Hinae, with a quiet smile, slipped the socks from her feet, revealing flawless legs and perfectly arched bare feet that pressed onto the cool wooden floor.
Each toe was round and pink, like crescent almonds.
By comparison, Tsunade's were a bit chubby.
But both were perfect in their own ways.
"Brother, I did it!"
Karin's voice startled the two.
Natsume didn't react much.
But Hinae turned red as a boiled lobster.
Natsume raised an eyebrow—he seemed to have discovered an interesting new way to tease.
He opened the door.
Karin was elated. "I can refine chakra now!"
"Not bad."
Natsume patted her red hair. "You really do have talent—keep it up."
"I will!" Karin clenched her fists. "Anyone who bullies you, I'll punch them to death!"
Natsume pinched her cheek, then looked at Hinae. "Watch her. I have to step out."
The Fate Ring told him Orochimaru was making his move, inviting Itachi to the Forest of Death.
He left at once, moving fast.
After leaving Konoha, he used the Transformation Jutsu, taking on the face he'd used in previous dealings with Orochimaru.
This time, he went in person.
The reason was simple.
Strength.
Now, he could temporarily exchange for a Sage Body—basically, get a Hashirama Experience Card.
He wasn't afraid of Orochimaru, or of having his identity exposed.
People change fast.
Natsume knew Orochimaru had always suspected him.
After all, he'd always used Wood Clones for meetings and trades, keeping his real self hidden.
It was hard to believe that was the work of a powerful ninja.
But now, he'd show them.
…
Forest of Death
Orochimaru hadn't waited long before Itachi arrived.
"Sensei."
Though they'd already broken ties privately, Itachi remained polite.
Orochimaru's status was just too high.
If he caused trouble, the rift between the Uchiha and Konoha would only widen.
"You've seen Yugao's Cursed Seal form. Now that you're in the Chunin Exams, I've prepared one for you too. It can greatly boost your power."
Orochimaru licked his lips, eyeing Itachi's neck as if he'd bite him the next moment.
"Sorry, I refuse."
Itachi didn't hesitate. "The Chunin Exams aren't a challenge for me. I don't need a cursed seal."
"You may not need it now. But you will."
Orochimaru wasn't surprised. "Yugao got the Earth Seal, but you'll get the Heaven Seal. Even a genius like you will benefit greatly."
"Sorry, I refuse."
Itachi's answer was firm.
Having seen Orochimaru control Yugao with the seal, he'd never let himself be a pawn.
What's the point of more power if you lose control of your body?
Yugao had no power or status, so she couldn't refuse Orochimaru.
But he was the Uchiha clan leader's son.
"A shame."
Orochimaru's smile turned sly. "Then I'll give the Heaven Seal to Sasuke."
"What did you say?! Where is Sasuke?!"
Itachi's calm shattered. His Sharingan flared, three tomoe spinning.
The Police Force, ANBU, and Root had searched all night with no leads.
Now, thinking back, it was obvious—there was a traitor.
Orochimaru ignored his killing intent. "If you care so much for Sasuke, why not take the Heaven Seal for him?"
The Heaven Seal boosted power, but also made someone Orochimaru's vessel.
Itachi hesitated.
"Don't listen to him!"
Shisui's voice rang out as he stepped between Itachi and Orochimaru.
Orochimaru wasn't surprised—he'd noticed Shisui's presence earlier.
"Oh? Don't you want to see Sasuke again?"
Orochimaru grinned maliciously. "He's your little brother, after all."
Itachi's killing intent surged again—Orochimaru had hit his limit.
"Let me handle this, Itachi."
Shisui patted his shoulder and stepped forward. "Orochimaru, you've seriously broken Konoha's rules. Aren't you afraid of the Hokage's punishment?"
"Fool."
Orochimaru sneered. "You're a Uchiha, but you believe in the Will of Fire? You're dragging your clan into the abyss."
"Impossible! The Hokage would never allow it!"
Shisui's anger showed.
If they couldn't talk it out, there was only one way.
Kotoamatsukami.
Shisui had two Kotoamatsukami—one permanent with a decades-long cooldown, and one temporary with a short cooldown but lost control if interrupted.
He planned to save the permanent one for Fugaku, so Orochimaru would get the temporary version.
All he needed was to save Sasuke.
"What are you doing here? Don't you know the Chunin Exams are postponed?"
Danzo Shimura appeared, eight Root Jonin behind him.
"Danzo, this doesn't concern you."
Orochimaru was cold. "Take your Root and leave."
"This is the exam site. As the supervisor, I can't let you cause trouble."
Danzo stepped between them, turning to Shisui. "What's going on?"
Shisui hesitated. He didn't know Danzo well.
In the original, he'd have trusted him.
But after Orochimaru, he only trusted Hiruzen Sarutobi.
While he thought, Danzo unwrapped his bandaged right arm.
Everyone thought it was crippled.
Only he and Orochimaru knew it had been restored with Hashirama cells and could use Wood Release.
Wood Release: Giant Spear Tree!
Danzo's right arm produced a giant tree, branches turning into spears and attacking Shisui.
Information is life.
With the element of surprise, Shisui couldn't dodge completely.
But Danzo made a fatal mistake.
In the original, Shisui self-destructed his eye with Kotoamatsukami; thus, Danzo aimed for his eye.
Now, unaware of the Mangekyo, Danzo aimed to kill.
"Shisui!"
Itachi's face twisted in pain and despair, his Sharingan flickering.
But he didn't awaken the Mangekyo—he was too young, lacking the physical foundation.
Just as Danzo was overjoyed, a massive green skeletal giant erupted skyward.
Its terrifying power shook everyone.
Susanoo!
I will launch in Gundam form.
Not far off, Jiraiya jumped up.
Such evil!
Even from this distance, he could feel the cold, terrifying aura.
Definitely not normal.
And Shisui's eyes weren't tomoe, but four-bladed shuriken shapes.
Jiraiya remembered the Great Toad Sage's prophecy.
This must be the special eyes foretold.
He was almost certain the prophecy meant Mangekyo Sharingan.
That power was just too terrifying.
He also noticed Danzo's Wood Release.
Recalling Konoha's old Wood Release experiments, he frowned.
But for now, the priority was Shisui.
Whatever his destiny, he couldn't let him leave Konoha.
Elsewhere, Natsume mused at the spectacle.
What a lively scene.
He hadn't expected Jiraiya to show up.
Was the Great Toad's prophecy really this accurate?
To foresee such a major event?
He was curious—what exactly was the prophecy?
Still, with Jiraiya here, there was no problem.
I'm invincible—do as you please.
"Orochimaru!"
Danzo roared, "Why didn't you tell me sooner?!"
If he'd known, he would have aimed straight for the eyes.
Of course, Orochimaru didn't want Danzo getting the Mangekyo.
He just wanted to drag Danzo down with him, to fool Hiruzen together.
If things went south, he'd just run.
But only after getting Shisui's Mangekyo.
Now it was his time to act.
Eight Branches Technique!
With a burst of smoke, a monster no smaller than Susanoo appeared.
Snow-white, with eight heads.
Danzo's eyes widened.
Orochimaru had mastered this forbidden jutsu?