Adopted by Tsunade [175-176] (R18) (Patreon)

Chapter 175: He's Doomed to Die

Since the alliance was proposed by Sunagakure, it seemed reasonable to let the Kazekage Rasa choose the meeting location.

But the chosen desert was exactly where the ruins of Rōran were located.

There was no doubt Rasa intended to stir up trouble together with Shimura Danzō.

Natsume could appreciate his spirit of not wanting to be a gold miner.

But if they were going to scheme, they couldn't blame him for being excessive in return.

"Pass this news down."

Natsume instructed, "Also draft a roster for the alliance envoy. Try to include every clan and as many ninja as possible."

He planned to use the opportunity to flex military power.

So the audience couldn't be too small, and it had to be representative.

That would help his PR.

"Understood."

Kurenai Yūhi nodded. "Our secretariat will discuss immediately."

She turned and went back to the Hokage secretariat office.

Soon, the news spread throughout Konoha.

People were quite happy about Sunagakure initiating an alliance.

The only hope was to secure good terms.

Konoha had participated in several previous wars, but win or lose, the outcomes had been unsatisfactory.

…

Hyūga Clan.

After hearing the report, Hyūga Hiashi's face turned pensive.

The envoy requirements were rather odd.

Normally, such a mission would be accompanied by the Hokage Guard or ANBU.

Why have all the major clans participate?

Hiashi knew Natsume well enough to sense something unusual.

"Is something wrong?"

Hyūga Rinka noticed his expression and poured him a cup of tea.

"It's nothing."

Hiashi's face softened a little. "For this mission to Sunagakure, how about sending Hizashi? What do you think?"

"Hizashi?"

Rinka blinked. "He's a Hokage advisor now. For something this minor, we should pick someone else."

By rank, a Hokage advisor was even above the Hyūga clan head.

An alliance wasn't exactly minor, but the spotlight would be on the Hokage anyway.

The accompanying ninja were mostly for show.

"This is actually what the elders want."

Hiashi sighed. "Because Hizashi is a Hokage advisor, the Branch House has been looking rather prestigious lately, nearly outshining the Main House."

"In that case, let Hizashi go."

Standing behind him, Rinka massaged his shoulders. "The elders are being unnecessary."

"Watch your words."

Hiashi patted her hand and said gravely, "They have their reasons too."

"Fine, I won't bother with this."

Rinka changed the subject. "Hinaeta recently completed an S-rank mission—virtually unheard of among genin."

"Her jonin leader is Lord Natsume."

Hiashi wasn't surprised at all.

"Is Natsume really that strong?"

Rinka caught his implication.

He believed Hinaeta's team completed the S-rank mission because of Natsume.

She thought so too, but Hiashi's attitude felt a bit unusual.

She had sensed this earlier, actually.

By rights, the Hyūga's strength spoke for itself.

What was a Hokage?

 He still had to rely on them.

The Third, Fourth, and Fifth had all done so.

There was no reason for Hiashi to change his stance under the Sixth.

"It's not about whether he's strong."

Hiashi wouldn't tell Rinka the true reason. He cleared his throat. "Natsume is young—he can serve as Hokage for a long time. And he's our future son-in-law, so we should maintain good relations."

Rinka thought for a moment and smiled. "You're so strict with Hinaeta, but you do care."

"You make it sound like I don't love my own daughter."

Hiashi protested. "I treat Hanabi the same."

"What about Hanabi's Caged Bird?"

Rinka suddenly smiled bitterly.

"…"

Hiashi frowned. "I'll delay it as much as I can."

By timing, Hanabi should already have received the seal, but he had held off.

He used the undecided heir as a reason to postpone it.

"I don't want the sisters turning against each other."

Rinka knew how close Hinaeta and Hanabi were.

She had also witnessed how Hiashi and Hizashi drifted apart step by step.

Even blood brothers couldn't withstand the Caged Bird.

"Maybe we can ask Natsume for help."

Hiashi steadied himself.

His thinking was simple.

Since Natsume was strong, he wouldn't fear pressure from the elders.

Rinka's eyes lit up.

Inside the Hyūga, it was nearly impossible to avoid branding Hanabi.

It was tradition.

Even the clan head couldn't break it.

But Natsume was different—he was the Hokage.

She only worried whether he had the resolve.

"It's a pity Hanabi isn't older. Then she could study under Natsume like Hinaeta."

"There's no helping that."

Hiashi sipped tea, pondering how to connect Hanabi to Natsume to silence the others.

Compared to the Hyūga's careful deliberation, the other clans agreed much faster.

Except the Shimura.

…

In a dim secret chamber,

The current clan head, Shimura Chūdō, paced anxiously, face taut with unease.

Not long ago, he had received a secret letter from Shimura Danzō, saying he would meet him privately tonight.

How to put it…

He hoped Danzō would return to Konoha, but knew it was unlikely.

So he had led the Shimura to fully back Sarutobi Asuma, hoping to stage a comeback.

Unfortunately, he misplayed his hand and Natsume snatched the Hokage seat.

Fortunately, the Shimura had always been low-key and left no handle to be seized.

Just as he planned to lie low for a while, Danzō resurfaced.

It made him miserable.

There was hope—but more fear.

He knew Danzō.

This time, he hadn't come just to see him; he was here to stir up trouble.

If they succeeded, fine.

If they failed, they might drag the Shimura into an abyss.

Time ticked by.

Outside, a cane tapped against the floor.

Chūdō snapped to attention, hurriedly opened the door, and greeted, "Uncle, long time no see."

Yes, he and Danzō were distantly related by blood.

Far removed.

Mainly, Danzō had spent his life pursuing the Hokage seat, never considering women, so he had no descendants.

To be honest, Chūdō couldn't understand that.

In his view, if you can't do it yourself, cultivate a son—that's clearly the right path.

"Hm."

Danzō nodded coolly and took the head seat.

"Uncle, what brings you back tonight?"

Though a bit displeased, Chūdō held his tongue and poured tea.

"I heard you supported Sarutobi Asuma for Hokage at the jonin council?"

Danzō didn't even glance at the cup. He gripped his cane and asked evenly.

"Yes."

Chūdō's heart skipped. "After you left, we lost our pillar. We had no choice but to support Sarutobi Asuma."

"Hmph. A fool unfit for strategy."

Danzō sneered. "He's not worth one of Hiruzen's little toes. How could he defeat Natsume?"

He also looked down on Natsume, but that night's Sage Mode plus Water Style had left a deep impression.

At least in terms of strength, Natsume was far beyond an ordinary jonin.

He had partnered with Rasa to unseal the Dragon Vein out of respect for Natsume's power.

More importantly, as insurance.

Miss this chance, and there might not be another.

"You're right."

Chūdō immediately flattered him.

"Hiruzen is old; Asuma is unfit. If you want to topple Natsume, you must follow my lead."

Danzō raised his head, straightened his back. "Then he is doomed to die."

Chūdō was infected by his confidence. "What's your plan?"

"I've been in Sunagakure lately."

Danzō smiled coldly. "Do you understand?"

"You mean the alliance was your design?"

Chūdō looked shocked.

He hadn't expected Danzō to still wield such methods.

To cooperate with Rasa and scheme for the Hokage's seat together.

After shock came elation.

He half-knelt. "The Shimura clan stands ready to follow Uncle's command."

"Good."

Danzō was pleased with his sense. "Send several members skilled in seals and barriers. When the time comes, we'll seal Natsume in. With inside-outside coordination, we'll kill him."

"Yes!"

Chūdō was thrilled.

He had long awaited this day.

Most importantly, Danzō's plan looked highly feasible.

With Rasa involved, they could use the One-Tails' jinchūriki, too.

With such an advantage, how could they lose?

…

The next day.

Natsume reviewed the envoy roster.

Unexpectedly, the Shimura sent four members, all jonin.

Not as heavyweight as the Hyūga sending Hizashi, but still outrageous.

If he didn't already know Danzō was scheming, Natsume might have thought the Shimura were making nice and swearing fealty.

But instead of being angry, he was pleased.

Kage of Pots—truly his bosom friend.

He could weep.

To go this far, Natsume wanted to erect a monument for him.

"Lord Natsume, any changes needed?"

Seeing him ponder, Kurenai asked quickly.

"No need."

Natsume shook his head. "Use this roster. Go inform them to prepare."

After Kurenai left, he went to see Tsunade.

Because this involved the Dragon Vein, he might disappear for a while.

That would cause no small stir.

Especially for Tsunade.

If she got worked up and something happened, that would be bad.

Natsume planned to explain the situation so she'd be at ease, and ask her to manage Konoha temporarily while he was away.

As for how he knew about the Dragon Vein, he'd chalk it up to Namikaze Minato.

Tsunade wouldn't doubt him.

And it was real anyway.

Convincing Tsunade took a long time, but with his patient persuasion, she finally agreed.

Mainly because she had personally experienced Natsume's strength.

Chapter 176: The Two Maids

The Daimyō's residence in the Land of Waves.

As soon as Natsume pushed open the door, his weak point was seized.

"…?"

He widened his eyes.

Uzumaki Hinae wore a black-and-white maid outfit.

Off-shoulder, sleeveless, mostly white, cinched with black bands that accentuated her slender waist.

Below was a pleated mini-skirt design, barely covering her hips, revealing long, fair legs.

Uzumaki Hinae knelt on both knees, lifted her head to look up at him, and mumbled around her full mouth, "M… Master."

Natsume felt puzzled.

This wasn't like her at all.

Just then, Uchiha Mikoto entered dressed the same.

Compared to Hinae's boldness, Mikoto was extremely shy, her face flushed a deep crimson.

They knelt side by side—different looks, but like twin sisters, oddly harmonious.

"Speak. Who put you up to this?"

Arms crossed, Natsume leaned on the wall and looked down at them.

The two exchanged a glance, fumbled a bit, then Mikoto swallowed nervously and said, "It was me."

"I thought so."

Natsume wasn't surprised. He patted Hinae's head with a smile.

Hinae was always obedient. Without someone prompting her, she wouldn't cross the line.

Hinae bit her lip, wanting to apologize, but she was busy with maid duties and had no time.

"Master, please don't blame Hinae."

Mikoto kept a humble posture. "It was my idea. I want the Uchiha to return to Konoha sooner."

"I'm not blaming her."

Natsume shook his head, smiling. "You want to see Sasuke sooner, right?"

"Mhm."

Mikoto didn't dare hide it.

"You don't have to rush."

Seeing her like this pleased Natsume. "I came back today to discuss this with you."

"Thank you, Master!"

Mikoto leaned forward and stole Hinae's job. Without hesitation, she reached for Natsume's pants, unzipping them and pulling out his hardening cock. She wrapped her soft lips around the tip, her tongue swirling eagerly as she began to suck him off, her head bobbing rhythmically.

Natsume groaned softly, his hand resting on her head as she took him deeper into her warm, wet mouth.

"Master, let's sit and talk."

Hinae didn't mind. She stood, hugged Natsume against her, and started to massage him, her hands roaming over his chest and shoulders while Mikoto continued her service below.

"To return to Konoha, we need a pretext."

Natsume met Mikoto's pale eyes as she looked up at him, her mouth full of his throbbing length.

She didn't stop, her cheeks hollowing as she sucked harder, implying her dedication through the intimate act.

"If you go back directly, people will connect me to that mysterious powerhouse from before. Not ideal."

"So what should we do?"

Hinae asked in Mikoto's stead, her voice breathy as she pressed her body against Natsume's side.

"In Konoha, you're officially missing."

Natsume considered, his hips subtly thrusting into Mikoto's mouth.

"We'll say you escaped the massacre by luck, fled west to the Land of Water, and lived incognito. Once Kirigakure reopened, and Konoha got a new Hokage, you tried contacting us."

Of course, to be convincing, they needed details.

For example, they'd have to leave traces in the Land of Water for ANBU to find.

Not a big problem.

Natsume and Terumi Mei were close—easy to fabricate.

"Feel better now?"

As he spoke, Natsume's body tensed, and he came hard, his hot cum flooding Mikoto's mouth in thick spurts.

She pulled back slightly, opening her mouth to show him the creamy load pooling on her tongue before swallowing it all down with a satisfied gulp.

"Mm…"

Mikoto's eyes welled with tears, a mix of emotion and the lingering taste of him.

"It'll take a few days. Please wait a little longer."

Hinae peeled off her upper dress, exposing her full, perky breasts. She guided one of her erect nipples to his lips, and he latched on, sucking greedily, his tongue flicking and teasing the sensitive bud as she moaned softly.

Mikoto coughed, coming back to herself after swallowing his cum, the salty aftertaste making her throat catch.

"I'm fine with that."

"Good."

Natsume stood.

"It's hot. Let's bathe."

They moved to the spacious bath chamber, steam rising from the hot springs as they stripped completely naked.

Natsume's eyes roamed over their bodies—Hinae's lithe, obedient form with her smooth skin and pert breasts, and Mikoto's more curvaceous figure, her shy demeanor contrasting with her eager participation.

It started with Natsume pulling both women into the water, their bodies pressing against his.

Hinae kissed him deeply, her tongue dancing with his, while Mikoto knelt in the shallow end, resuming her earlier task by taking his cock back into her mouth.

This time, Hinae joined her, the two women sharing him—licking along his shaft from both sides, their tongues occasionally meeting in sloppy, wet kisses over the tip.

Natsume groaned, his hands tangling in their hair as they sucked and stroked him to full hardness again.

Eager to escalate, Natsume lifted Mikoto onto the edge of the bath, spreading her legs wide. Her pussy was already glistening with arousal, her folds pink and swollen.

He buried his face between her thighs, his tongue lapping at her clit with expert precision, making her cry out and arch her back.

"Oh, Master... yes!" Mikoto gasped, her hands gripping his hair as he sucked on her sensitive nub, sliding two fingers inside her tight, wet heat to pump rhythmically.

Hinae watched with a smile, then leaned in to kiss Mikoto passionately, their breasts pressing together as Hinae's hands fondled Mikoto's nipples, pinching and twisting them gently.

Mikoto came first, her body shuddering violently as waves of pleasure crashed over her.

Her pussy clenched around Natsume's fingers, juices flooding his mouth as she screamed, "I'm cumming! Ahh!"

Her orgasm was intense, leaving her trembling and breathless, but they weren't done.

Natsume pulled Hinae into position next, bending her over the bath's edge so her ass was presented to him.

He thrust into her from behind, his thick cock stretching her dripping pussy as he gripped her hips.

"You're so tight, Hinae," he growled, pounding into her with deep, forceful strokes.

Mikoto, recovering from her climax, crawled over and positioned herself under Hinae, licking at her clit while Natsume fucked her.

The dual stimulation drove Hinae wild—she moaned loudly, her body rocking back against Natsume's thrusts.

"Master... Mikoto... it's too much!" she whimpered, her inner walls pulsing around his shaft. Soon, she reached her peak, orgasming hard with a sharp cry, her pussy squirting lightly as she collapsed forward, satisfied but still eager for more.

Not wanting to leave anyone out, Natsume switched to a more intimate setup. He lay back in the water, pulling Mikoto onto his lap to straddle him.

She sank down onto his cock, her warm, velvety pussy enveloping him completely as she began to ride him, her hips grinding in slow, sensual circles.

Hinae straddled his face, facing Mikoto, and lowered her soaked folds onto his mouth. Natsume ate her out voraciously, his tongue delving deep while his hands roamed up to squeeze Hinae's ass.

The two women leaned forward to kiss each other, their hands exploring one another's bodies—fingering clits, pinching nipples, and whispering encouragements.

The room filled with the sounds of wet slaps, moans, and gasps.

Mikoto bounced faster on Natsume's cock, her breasts jiggling with each movement, until she came again, her second orgasm even stronger than the first.

"Master! I'm cumming again!" she yelled, her pussy milking him tightly as she rode out the waves of ecstasy.

Hinae followed suit moments later, grinding against Natsume's face as his tongue worked her clit relentlessly. Her third orgasm of the session hit like a tidal wave, her body convulsing as she squirted onto his chin, crying out in bliss.

"Yes... oh gods, yes!"

Finally, Natsume couldn't hold back.

With both women now spent and panting, he positioned them side by side on their knees in the water. He stroked his cock furiously, aiming at their open mouths and heaving chests.

"Take it all," he commanded, erupting in powerful jets of cum that painted their faces, tongues, and breasts in sticky white ropes.

They licked it up eagerly, sharing cum-filled kisses as they savored the taste, their bodies glistening with water and sweat.

...

After working too long, the two maids fell asleep in each other's arms, their bodies entwined in exhaustion, pussies still twitching from the multiple orgasms that had left them utterly satisfied—sated from the relentless pleasure, their friendship deepened by the shared intimacy.

Natsume couldn't help but marvel at how fast women's friendships formed.

In no time, they were good sisters.

…

Time passed.

The day before the Konoha–Suna alliance, ANBU received a top-secret letter.

Though the source was unknown, only Konoha's high command would know such encryption.

Soon decrypted, it turned out to be from the long-missing Uchiha Mikoto.

ANBU operative Hinoko knocked on the Hokage's office door with the letter.

"Quite a journey."

Natsume read it. "Notify the leadership for a meeting."

He couldn't decide the Uchiha's return alone; the others had to know.

"Yes!"

Hinoko vanished.

Afternoon.

Hokage Tower's council chamber.

Unlike the jonin council, the high-level meeting had fewer people.

Hokage advisors, Hokage Guard, the Konoha Police Chief, and the clan heads.

Fewer than twenty in total.

"I've called everyone for an urgent matter."

Seated at the head, Natsume spoke calmly.

As soon as he finished, he clearly noticed Shimura Chūdō's body tremble, panic flashing in his eyes.

He obviously thought their plot with Danzō had been discovered.

"Please have a look."

Natsume beckoned.

Kurenai, standing behind him, distributed Mikoto's letter.

Moments later, a stir ran through the hall.

After Uchiha Itachi's massacre, they had subconsciously erased the Uchiha from Konoha.

They hadn't expected to hear of them today.

"Hokage-sama."

Nara Shikaku stood and analyzed, "The letter states thirty-two ninja and three hundred civilians survived. That aligns with our findings, but the truth remains uncertain. If this is a Kirigakure trap, we can't afford it."

"You have a point."

Natsume nodded. "We should investigate carefully. ANBU will handle it."

No one objected.

This was ANBU's job.

Professional work to professionals.

"Hokage-sama."

Shimura Chūdō said gravely, "Even if true, we shouldn't accept the Uchiha back."

He put on a "for Konoha's sake" face, but Natsume knew he just wanted to be spiteful.

"Why?"

Natsume looked at him coolly.

As Natsume's gaze swept over, Chūdō's heart lurched. Where was this pressure coming from? It reminded him of Hiruzen.

It shouldn't—why fear a brat?

"The Uchiha are all madmen. If one Uchiha Itachi could exist, a second could too."

Chūdō forced down his panic. "If his blade turns on Konoha, that's a huge risk."

"The Uchiha at their peak, perhaps. But now they have only thirty-two ninja."

Natsume sounded disappointed. "Is the Shimura clan head so afraid of them?"

"I am not!"

Chūdō blurted.

Then realized he'd fallen for it.

What was going on?

He couldn't understand.

"Then it's settled."

Natsume waved a hand. "Anyone else object?"

"No."

Hiashi and the others answered in unison, making Chūdō look like a clown.

His face turned green then white, and he finally made up his mind to cooperate with Danzō.

Previously, he had wavered.

He had even prepared a fallback: sacrifice the four Shimura sent to the envoy and pin it on Danzō as moles.

Now, he decided to double down—send all Shimura ninja.

Then, surround Natsume and capture them all in one net.

…

From the Land of Fire to the Land of Water, at a ninja's pace, the round trip took at least two days.

With Mikoto and the others moving families, add another day.

Natsume had already departed for Sunagakure.

He left this matter to Tsunade.

She and Mikoto were close.

The chance to meet again made her happy.

The happiest, of course, was Sasuke.

When he heard the news, he was training with Naruto.

After the fight with Momochi Zabuza, he recognized a weakness of the Sharingan:

It could be blinded.

So he blindfolded himself to train his hearing.

Specifically,

Naruto kept throwing ninja tools to attack him.

"Amazing, Sasuke-kun!"

Sakura's voice popped up.

Sasuke faltered slightly.

A kunai grazed past him.

He frowned, tore off the towel, and said, "You're too noisy!"

"Sorry."

Sakura said sheepishly.

"The more noise, the better the training!"

Naruto thumped Sasuke's shoulder. "Sakura, what's up?"

"Oh, right!"

Sakura hurried forward. "Sasuke-kun, they've been found!"

"Found what?"

Sasuke asked calmly.

"Your mother!"

Sakura said excitedly. "And the surviving Uchiha. They'll return to Konoha soon."

"What?!"

Sasuke's eyes widened. He grabbed her shoulders. "Is that true?"

Sakura blinked, then rejoiced inwardly.

Sasuke-kun touched me!

"It's true."

She answered quickly. "The notice is posted in the village."

Without another word, Sasuke bounded away toward the main street.

"That's great."

Naruto smiled. "Sasuke won't be alone anymore."

"He wasn't alone to begin with."

Sakura muttered. "He has us."

"True."

Naruto nodded. "Let's catch up."

…

[Because of your actions, the fates of Uchiha Mikoto and Uchiha Sasuke have changed. You gained a total of 130 Fate Points.]

On the road, Natsume narrowed his eyes.

As expected of Sasuke.

Big contributor.

Over a hundred points between the two.

"Hokage-sama."

Kurenai stepped up to walk beside him. "It's getting late. Should we camp?"

Natsume had not used the Flying Thunder God.

Mainly to mislead the Shimura.

Few knew he possessed the technique.

Only Tsunade, Shizune, Kurenai, and the like.

If the Shimura knew, they might not dare act.

And that would be no fun.

"Yeah. Rest for the night—we should reach by late morning."

Natsume nodded.

Kurenai relayed the order.

As Hokage, Natsume had his own tent.

Leaving a shadow clone, he went to visit Mikoto and Hinae.

Ever since he'd fought one-versus-two, he'd taken a liking to such service.