Adopted by Tsunade [197-198] (Patreon)

Chapter 197: The Three Sand Siblings Reduced to Hostages 

Hearing the words this old woman, Natsume's mouth twitched slightly. 

Natsume hurriedly took out the prepared documents from the Hokage's secretariat and tossed them over. 

With precise control, they landed right in front of the two. 

"These are the terms of alliance." 

Natsume raised his hand and said, "Please take a look." 

Chiyo and Rasa exchanged a glance and opened the file. 

Before long, complex expressions appeared on their faces. 

Anger, fear, helplessness. 

It was like they were changing masks—impossible to settle on one. 

"Lord Hokage." 

Chiyo took a deep breath. "Although Sunagakure lost this war, the terms Konoha is proposing are excessive." 

"Excessive?" 

Natsume narrowed his eyes slightly, gaze falling on the two. "If we were the ones who lost, would you show mercy?" 

Chiyo's face stiffened at once. 

If Sunagakure had won, Konoha's fate wouldn't be pretty either. 

She understood that much. 

But if they really agreed to these three demands, Sunagakure would have no future. 

And she and Rasa would go down as sinners, reviled by posterity. 

Chiyo's expression shifted again and again. After a moment of silence, she asked, "The first two conditions are acceptable, but can we change the third?" 

"Elder Chiyo?!" 

Rasa shot to his feet, eyes fixed on her. 

How could she agree to this? 

Hand over Gaara and puppet techniques—what's left for Sunagakure? 

"Shut up!" 

Chiyo glared at him and snapped, "You're already a prisoner. What can you do?" 

Rasa froze. 

A moment later, looking dejected, he sat back down and kept quiet. 

Elder Chiyo had undoubtedly made the right choice. 

He understood that, but he couldn't help the bitterness in his heart. 

Danzo! 

Rasa grit his teeth and pinned the blame on him again. 

Sunagakure had been doing fine, and he just had to stick his hand in! 

In his anger, he completely forgot the excitement and ambition he'd felt when he first saw sealing techniques and the Dragon Vein. 

"Sunagakure's environment is harsh and we've never been wealthy. In recent years, the Wind Daimyo has cut support, and we've grown even poorer." 

Chiyo sighed, laying bare Sunagakure's hollow strength. 

Of the Five Great Shinobi Villages, Konoha, Kumo, and Iwa were the real deal. 

The other two were in rough shape. 

But now Kirigakure, relying on Natsume, was gradually improving. 

Only Sunagakure remained unchanged. 

Even Natsume didn't have many solutions. 

It was a desert, after all. 

In the previous world, they barely improved deserts with advanced tech. 

The shinobi world was far behind that. 

"Lord Hokage, if half our mission volume is taken away, many Sunagakure shinobi will be affected." 

Chiyo continued, "Konoha isn't short of money or missions. I think you could change the conditions and gain even greater benefits." 

Her words were quite reasonable—and from Konoha's perspective, no less. 

Natsume silently marveled at her seasoned cunning. 

If Sunagakure's economy survived, the future would still hold hope. 

At least they wouldn't collapse. 

"Money? We have plenty." 

Natsume said something tailor-made to draw hate. 

Especially from Rasa, who nearly coughed blood. 

To fund Sunagakure's daily expenses, he—the Fourth Kazekage, a Magnet Release user—had been forced to pan for gold in the desert. 

"I can even assign Sunagakure missions." 

Natsume said slowly. 

A shinobi's life is actually a lot like an MMO. 

Take quests, earn money. 

When they're not on missions, they eat, drink, and play. 

Practically no different from players. 

In that case, accepting Skynet wouldn't be hard. 

They didn't need to know how it worked. 

They only had to know they could take missions anytime, anywhere. 

As for Chakra Coins, he could enable exchange with real-world currency. 

Given Sunagakure's situation, they'd pour in chakra like mad to earn money. 

After all, they didn't lack shinobi. 

"What did you say?!" 

Chiyo and Rasa thought they'd misheard, staring in shock and disbelief. 

Natsume produced a Skynet login device and explained what it did. 

The two found it even more fantastical and absurd. 

Someone this generous could exist in the world? 

Exchanging chakra for money. 

Wasn't that basically free money? 

Natsume smiled. 

It looked like a huge win for Sunagakure, but it wasn't. 

Leaving aside how to harvest chakra, once shinobi got used to Skynet, something would happen: 

They would stop obeying Sunagakure's orders. 

In essence, they'd become Natsume's mercenaries. 

He was sure if he posted a mission to assassinate the Kazekage, some Sunagakure shinobi would take the risk. 

Provided the reward was big enough. 

And there were more "gameplay" options: 

Submit jutsu, items, or intel for rewards. 

"We agree!" 

Rasa blurted out. 

He'd had enough of being a gold miner. 

Chiyo frowned. 

Her instincts told her there was a catch. 

But she had to admit it was tempting—solving Sunagakure's money problems in one stroke. 

After a moment, Chiyo agreed as well. 

"By the way, have Kankuro and Temari stay too, so Gaara won't be lonely." 

Natsume thought for a moment and added a condition. 

Shinobi squads came in threes. 

Gaara alone needed two more. 

Having Kankuro and Temari remain made perfect sense. 

Chiyo and Rasa's faces stiffened. 

Especially Rasa's. 

Gaara, Kankuro, and Temari weren't just standouts of their generation—they were all his children. 

Now all three would remain in Konoha—basically hostages. 

But he didn't dare refuse, lest he be kept as well. 

Then the whole family would be neatly lined up. 

[Because of your actions, the fates of Chiyo, Rasa, Gaara, Shukaku, Kankuro, and Temari have changed. You gain 420 Fate Points.] 

Not bad—more than expected. 

Natsume was quite satisfied. 

And with a few more moves in the future, they could keep contributing Fate Points. 

Excellent. 

The two sides signed the pact, making Konoha and Sunagakure allies from that day on. 

An unequal alliance, though. 

... 

"Kurenai, make the announcement." 

Natsume opened the door and casually handed the pact to Yūhi Kurenai. 

It didn't mention Skynet. 

But he'd added another condition: besides puppet techniques, all other secret techniques had to be submitted to Konoha as well. 

In a shinobi village, the most important things are shinobi and jutsu. 

Sunagakure was being cleaned out. 

Kurenai glanced at the pact and her eyes lit up. 

A tailed beast plus all their techniques—this was the most lucrative haul Konoha had seen since its founding. 

She nodded and went back to the office, notifying the ANBU to spread the news through the village. 

... 

Sarutobi Clan compound. 

"Old man." 

Sarutobi Asuma handed a bulletin to Hiruzen. "What just happened." 

Smoke drifted up. 

Hiruzen took a deep drag on his pipe, wearing a complicated expression. 

Previously, some said Natsume became Hokage thanks to Tsunade. 

Now, no one could object. 

Natsume would become the greatest Hokage after Hashirama. 

Overnight, he'd surpassed decades of Hiruzen's maneuvering. 

Hiruzen now deeply understood the importance of strength. 

"Tsunade was right—she chose a good student." 

His tone held a sliver of regret. 

If not for Tsunade, Natsume might have fallen into his hands. 

Then he could have contributed even more to Konoha. 

Though things weren't bad now. 

"Asuma, go remind the clan: from now on, no private agendas." 

Hiruzen said sternly, "Natsume is Hokage. His word must be followed." 

"Relax, old man. Who dares disobey now?" 

Asuma said wryly, "Even Kurenai stopped paying me any mind once she became the Hokage's secretary." 

"Kurenai, let her go." 

Hiruzen advised. "Konoha has many good girls; she's not the only one." 

"I know." 

Asuma stroked his beard and sighed. 

In looks, he couldn't compare to Natsume. 

He could only watch Kurenai drift away. 

And there wasn't anything he could do. 

He might even need her help in the future. 

... 

A small inn not far from ANBU. 

The temporary lodgings for the Sand delegation. 

Except for Gaara, Baki, and Rasa, the other shinobi had been released. 

Including Kankuro and Temari. 

The siblings were sitting on the roof. 

"I wonder if Elder Chiyo can get Gaara and Lord Kazekage back." 

Kankuro had lost his earlier swagger and looked dejected. 

"It'll be hard." 

Temari, in a shoulder-baring fishnet outfit, looked worried. 

"If they can't, Sunagakure…" 

Kankuro trailed off, unsure how to say it. 

"Sunagakure might become Konoha's vassal." 

Temari spoke the harsh truth. 

"I won't allow it!" 

Kankuro bristled, unwilling to accept it. 

"Keep your voice down." 

Temari sighed. "Don't let Konoha hear and cause a misunderstanding." 

Kankuro fell silent. 

Even the usually forthright Temari had become so cautious. 

Losers had no dignity. 

Just then, an ANBU appeared at the nearby bulletin board. 

He posted a notice and left swiftly. 

Kankuro and Temari looked at each other and leapt down. 

They hurried to the board. 

As expected, it was the alliance result. 

But the terms left them dumbfounded and horrified. 

"Stay in Konoha?" 

Kankuro grabbed the board to keep from collapsing. 

"…" 

Temari managed to keep calm, but her lips trembled. 

They knew exactly what it meant. 

Not just being far from home—being hostages. 

They might never come back. 

How could she accept that? 

But did they have a choice? 

They were shinobi—laying down their lives for the village was nothing. 

Sunagakure once had a Scorch Release shinobi named Pakura. 

Powerful—and in the end, to appease Kirigakure's wrath, she was killed by her own people. 

Now it was Temari's turn. 

Temari smiled without a sound. 

"How can this be?" 

Cold sweat broke out on Kankuro. "I have to see Elder Chiyo!" 

Chapter 198: Hanabi Becomes a Little Sister 

Konoha welcomed its most festive day of the year. 

Everyone was praising Natsume's achievements. 

All previous doubts vanished, leaving only excitement, admiration, and awe. 

For ordinary villagers, the first two; for the great clans, the last. 

Because a too-strong Hokage inevitably meant the clans' status and power would decline. 

They could do nothing but avoid conflict as best they could. 

Hiruzen's instruction to keep the Sarutobi clan in line was for this reason. 

Given Natsume's power, he didn't need to give any clan face. 

As the village bustled, the Sand delegation's quarters were desolate. 

Chiyo looked grim; Rasa looked defeated. 

Kankuro's anger abruptly cooled. 

He'd never seen them so miserable. 

"Sorry." 

Rasa looked over his son and daughter and squeezed out the word. 

Kankuro and Temari froze. 

In their memory, Rasa was always stern and steady. 

He never said "sorry." 

"I…I…" 

Kankuro stammered, at a loss. 

"You don't need to be so pessimistic." 

Chiyo forced a smile. "There's nothing bad about being in Konoha." 

"…" 

Kankuro and Temari exchanged a look—clearly unconvinced. 

Konoha might be more prosperous, but could it be more comfortable than home? 

You could imagine the answer. 

Would three prisoners get respect in Konoha? 

"We've negotiated with Konoha that our mission volume won't be reduced. And while you'll stay in Konoha, you'll be free as long as you follow the rules. You'll also be allowed to return to Sunagakure periodically." 

Chiyo sighed. "That's already a blessing in misfortune." 

Kankuro and Temari fell silent. 

It sounded okay, but it didn't say when they could truly return. 

Maybe only in death. 

"As a condition, the three of you must follow all of Natsume's orders." 

Chiyo paused. "Otherwise, Sunagakure will suffer for it." 

"That bastard!" 

Kankuro couldn't help blurting. "Isn't that a threat?" 

Temari glanced at her naive brother and shook her head. 

It wasn't a threat—just reality. 

With Konoha's and Natsume's strength, it would be easy to squeeze Sunagakure and them. 

"Kankuro." 

Chiyo stood and patted his shoulder, speaking earnestly. "Everything now is temporary. Natsume won't be Hokage forever. You're younger—outlast him if you must." 

"A shinobi endures pains ordinary people can't." 

Rasa's expression steadied. "When you return, Sunagakure will be yours—including the Kazekage's seat." 

"Yes!" 

Kankuro and Temari straightened, spirits somewhat restored. 

What was done was done; struggling was useless. 

Elder Chiyo was right: they were young. Who could predict the future? 

Everyone thought Hashirama would live long, yet he died young. 

So hope—and wait. 

"I'll take you to see Natsume." 

Chiyo glanced at Kankuro. "Mind your attitude." 

"I know." 

Kankuro's voice quivered. "Who would dare act up in front of that monster?" 

He'd always feared Gaara since childhood. 

Because Gaara housed Shukaku—the very definition of a monster. 

But the monster he couldn't beat looked like a toy in Natsume's hands. 

Temari recalled that day as well, feeling weak and her heart pounding. 

He looked like a handsome man, but acted like a demon. 

No matter how nice Elder Chiyo's words sounded, when facing him, how much comfort could they bring? 

The four, each with their own thoughts, headed to the Hokage building. 

Along the way, they drew the stares of Konoha's villagers and shinobi. 

They had to grit their teeth and endure. 

Such was the lot of the defeated. 

"Please, come in." 

Kurenai, waiting at the door, glanced at them and opened it. 

"Gaara?" 

Temari immediately spotted a familiar figure. She hurried over. "Are you okay?" 

Unlike Kankuro, she felt fear too—but sisterly affection won out. 

In the original story, it was thanks to Temari that Gaara reconciled with Sunagakure. 

In caring for her brother, she truly was a gentle sister. 

And in Gaara's heart, Temari was different. 

He could attack Kankuro without a second thought, even though they were both siblings. 

Gaara looked up at Temari's concerned face. "I'm fine." 

He'd seen Natsume's power and wouldn't invite humiliation. 

Most importantly, since that battle, Shukaku had gone silent and wouldn't even speak. 

Before, it would occasionally rant and demand to be let out. 

Now it was so obedient it was like it didn't exist. 

Go out? 

There's a Hashirama-like out there. 

Shukaku wouldn't dare. 

"Lord Hokage." 

Chiyo bowed slightly in greeting. 

When Natsume nodded, she glanced at Temari and Kankuro. 

"Lord Hokage." 

The two caught on and bowed as well. 

Their faces were stiff. 

"Welcome to Konoha, for the time being." 

Natsume smiled. "Don't worry—however it was in Sunagakure, it'll be the same in Konoha." 

"Yes." 

Temari and Kankuro responded. 

Gaara kept silent. 

But after a beating, the apathy on his face had been replaced by calm. 

He had grown up overnight. 

"Let me introduce your team leader." 

Natsume clapped. 

Kakashi Hatake, in a green vest, appeared. 

He looked over the three, and a hint of trouble flashed through his dead-fish eyes. 

These would be hard students to handle. 

He had wanted three prodigies—but from the neighboring village? 

"Y-You are…" 

Chiyo's face changed drastically; killing intent flashed in her eyes. 

But with Natsume present, she didn't dare act. 

Kakashi blinked. What was that about? 

Rasa and the others, shocked, turned fearful. 

Elder Chiyo, what are you doing? 

Somebody might die. 

Natsume remembered the reason. 

Konoha's White Fang, Sakumo Hatake—Kakashi's father—had killed Chiyo's son and daughter-in-law. 

Her reaction was natural. 

"He's Kakashi Hatake, the Copy Ninja." 

Natsume said casually. "You've heard his name, right?" 

Chiyo paused. 

Not Sakumo, then. 

Right—he was long dead. 

Grievances had their rightful targets. 

Chiyo wouldn't vent her anger on Kakashi. 

On the contrary, Natsume's arrangement showed respect. 

Kakashi was an elite among jonin. 

Having him lead Gaara's team was special treatment. 

"We'll leave everything to you, Lord Hokage." 

Chiyo now felt a touch of fear—fortunate that Natsume didn't pursue it. 

Otherwise, her moment just now could have plunged Sunagakure into another abyss. 

"You may go." 

Natsume waved. 

When the six left, the office was quiet again. 

[Because of your actions, the fates of Kakashi Hatake, Gaara, Kankuro, and Temari have changed. You gain 50 Fate Points.] 

Natsume stretched. 

The Sunagakure matter was mostly wrapped up. 

Next, he'd wait for Rasa and the others to return and distribute Skynet login devices. 

Kaguya Ōtsutsuki should be pleased. 

Hmm… what reward should he ask for? 

"Kurenai." 

Natsume sent a message via his Skynet wristband. 

Konoha hadn't adopted it yet, but he'd given her one. 

Convenience, first and foremost. 

Before long, Kurenai knocked and came in. 

In heels, she stood straight; her stockings were taut, showing off long legs. 

Natsume openly admired for a couple seconds before saying, "I'm heading out. Please watch things for me." 

Noticing his gaze, Kurenai's face didn't change. She nodded. 

"If anything urgent happens, contact me." 

Natsume smiled and vanished with Flying Thunder God. 

Kurenai exhaled, tugged at her stockings, and smiled slightly. 

... 

Hyūga clan. 

In the courtyard, Hinata was sparring with Hanabi. 

Well—more like instructing. 

After graduating early, Hinata no longer needed to attend the academy. 

But because the Hokage was her team leader, missions were few, so she stayed home and played with her sister most days. 

Watching from not far away, Hiashi felt increasingly regretful. 

Hanabi's talent was no less than Hinata's or Neji's. 

She could certainly be clan head when grown. 

But there could only be one clan head. 

"Hiashi, I have an idea." 

Rinka, beside him, noticed his expression. "What if Natsume takes Hanabi as his little sister?" 

"Little sister?" 

Hiashi was taken aback, looking at her instinctively. 

"If nothing unexpected happens, Natsume and Hinata will marry. Then Hanabi is naturally his younger sister." 

Rinka smiled gently. "Others don't know that yet. We'd just be making it official early." 

Hiashi blinked. 

That made sense. 

If Natsume publicly announced Hanabi as his god-sister… 

It would put pressure on the clan elders. 

Would they dare brand her with the Caged Bird seal and risk angering Natsume? 

With his terrifying power, if he got angry, the Hyūga couldn't bear it. 

"The only question is whether Natsume will do it." 

Hiashi's eyes swept over Hinata and Hanabi. "He's Hokage, and he's at his peak right now. Taking Hanabi as his sister would be a huge boon for the Hyūga." 

"If it were the Third, maybe not." 

Rinka thought for a moment. "But with Natsume's personality, I think he'll help Hanabi." 

Hiashi gave her a surprised look. 

He hadn't expected her to think so highly of Natsume. 

Since when? 

"What if Hinata asks him?" 

Hiashi turned the idea over. "Would that be better?" 

Honestly, he was afraid of his future son-in-law. 

Especially after being threatened once. 

"No." 

Rinka shook her head quickly. "At Hinata's age, would she understand this? If you have her ask, you're basically telling Natsume you put her up to it. How do you think he'll take that?" 

"You think of everything." 

Hiashi started, then felt a bit of fear. 

Just then, a clansman hurried in. 

"Clan Head, Lord Hokage is here." 

"I'll be right there." 

Hiashi glanced at Rinka and hurried to the gate. 

... 

"Uncle Hiashi." 

Natsume greeted him first. 

"Lord Hokage, please come in." 

Hiashi's smile was slightly stiff. 

Natsume nodded and entered the courtyard. 

Hinata instinctively wanted to step forward, but seeing her parents, she stopped. 

Hanabi, though, waved to him brightly. "Big Brother Natsume!" 

"Natsume." 

Rinka walked a few steps closer. "You're rare company—stay for dinner? I'll cook." 

"Thank you, Auntie." 

Natsume didn't stand on ceremony. "I'll trouble you, then." 

"It's no trouble." 

Rinka smiled warmly. "You two talk. I'll get started." 

She headed to the kitchen, taking Hinata and Hanabi along. 

... 

Reception room. 

Hiashi poured Natsume tea. 

"Lord Hokage, what brings you here today?" 

"A small matter." 

Natsume sipped and smiled. "Uncle Hiashi, could I take a look at all the Hyūga clan's techniques and secret arts?" 

Hiashi froze. 

You call that a small matter? 

His face tightened with conflict. 

Normally, clans or shinobi who joined Konoha submitted the techniques they learned. 

But the Hyūga hadn't. 

First, without the Byakugan, Gentle Fist was much weaker. 

Second, previous Hokage had respected the Hyūga. 

For Natsume to ask for secret arts right away put Hiashi in a bind. 

If others knew their techniques—even if they couldn't learn them—it would still be a blow. 

If they leaked, that'd be worse. 

"Uncle Hiashi, don't worry—I won't show them to outsiders." 

Natsume had no interest in Gentle Fist himself. 

He planned to give them to Kaguya for refinement and then teach them to Hinata. 

In other words, the Hyūga would be the biggest winners. 

Hiashi sighed inwardly. 

Could he refuse? No. 

"I have a condition." 

A thought struck Hiashi. "I want Lord Hokage to take Hanabi as his little sister." 

"Hanabi is already my little sister." 

Natsume looked puzzled. 

"Lord Hokage, you're aware of the Hyūga's Main and Branch families, yes?" 

Hiashi prompted. 

"Oh." 

Natsume understood immediately. 

He meant to use Natsume to help Hanabi escape the Caged Bird seal. 

"No problem." 

Natsume agreed on the spot. 

Such a small favor didn't bother him. 

And having a god-sister sounded fun.