Adopted by Tsunade [230-231] (Patreon)

Chapter 230: Tsunade's Day Off

A new day.

Tsunade stretched lazily, her supple body tensing into a tempting curve.

Since she was four months pregnant, Natsume didn't dare get too frisky.

Compared to before, he naturally no longer had issues with running out of stamina.

"You should get to work."

Tsunade relaxed and snuggled back under the covers.

Her chin rested on Natsume's shoulder—lazy, alluring, mature.

"I'm taking the day off."

Natsume wore a picture of nonchalance. "Ever since I became Hokage, I haven't had a day's rest. No time like the present."

Mainly, Kaguya had been tormenting him for days on end; he was mentally exhausted.

On top of that, he really hadn't spent proper time with Tsunade in a while.

Might as well take the chance to wander around with her.

"Alright, then."

Tsunade noted his expression—he really did look a bit tired.

Thinking back to her own time as Hokage and the mountain of headaches, she empathized deeply.

She hugged Natsume, nestled into his arms, and asked, "Since you're off, want to go to the casino with me?"

"..."

Natsume opened his eyes and saw the expectation on her face.

He instinctively wrapped an arm around her slender waist; her pale skin felt nice to the touch.

And with her pressed against him, he could feel every curve.

"What's fun at a casino?"

Natsume teased, "It's a rare date, and you want to go to the casino?"

"Date?"

Tsunade blinked, then laughed. "Dates are for couples."

"If we're not married, we're a couple."

Natsume shot back without missing a beat.

"Fine."

Tsunade rolled her eyes at him. "Then where do you want to go?"

"No idea."

Natsume was straightforward.

"What do you mean, no idea?"

Tsunade shifted and flicked his forehead, displeased.

"It means we play it by ear."

Natsume glanced down for a few seconds, then lifted his head again.

Tsunade's face flushed.

"It's already eight a.m. If we keep stalling, half the day will be gone."

"Then let's leave at nine. No need to rush."

Natsume rolled over, pulled the quilt over both of them, and they grabbed another hour of sleep.

…

An hour later.

They got up and showered.

Shizune had woken up long ago. She had tactfully gone to help at Konoha Hospital.

After washing up, Natsume asked, "What do you want to eat?"

"It's too late. Just throw something together."

Tsunade yawned. "If I eat too much now, I won't want lunch."

"Got it."

Natsume handed her clothes to her and headed to the kitchen.

Tsunade changed out of her pajamas and glanced at the cheongsam.

She didn't really want to wear that out.

Luckily, this cheongsam was on the conservative side.

Makes sense—Natsume wouldn't allow anyone else to ogle her.

She knew him well.

Possessive to a fault.

She put on a long-sleeved white cheongsam; the slit didn't start until mid-calf.

A world apart from the ones she wore at home.

Natsume poked his head out from the doorway.

Tsunade bent over, hands slipping black stockings over delicate feet and ankles, slowly drawing them up. Her straight calves had not a hint of extra flesh.

"How are you peeping when you're supposed to be cooking?"

"This isn't peeping."

Natsume grinned. "This is called appreciating."

"You and your twisted logic."

Tsunade straightened. The cheongsam showed off her figure perfectly; as she moved, her hips swayed, peaks and valleys, shockingly good.

Natsume pulled his gaze back and kept prepping breakfast.

Just simple bread, milk, and ham.

Heat it up, done.

At the table.

Natsume took a sip of milk. "Doesn't taste as good as... yours..."

Tsunade immediately looked up with a warm smile. "What was that? You pervert."

"I mean the milk you bought tastes better. Where did you get it?"

A chill ran down Natsume's spine as if the character for danger was flashing over his head.

"Hmph."

Tsunade rolled her eyes. "Shizune buys the milk. When have you ever bought milk?"

"Ah... is that so?"

Natsume ducked his head and bit into the bread. "Must've remembered wrong. They're all good."

"Better be."

Tsunade narrowed her eyes in warning. "Bring it up again and beware the consequences."

"I understand."

Natsume nodded obediently.

Worst case, he'd bring it up at night again.

Let's see how she wriggled out of it then.

Tsunade pouted.

As if she didn't understand Natsume?

But there wasn't much she could do.

Her gaze on him softened.

She quickly shook her head and focused on the bread.

Breakfast didn't take long.

They got ready to head out.

At the door, Natsume crouched and took out a pair of embroidered, traditional high-heeled cloth shoes.

"So you planned this."

Tsunade braced a hand on the shoe cabinet, slipped off her slippers.

Natsume helped her slip on the shoes.

"It's cold out. Put this jacket on."

Natsume went back and brought a white coat.

It was indeed chilly in autumn.

More importantly, it covered the slight swell of her belly.

"Mm."

Tsunade understood and didn't refuse.

All set, they headed out.

The sunshine was nice today.

It bathed Konoha in a hazy warm glow.

Natsume stretched. "Ah, not working feels great."

"You should learn from me—be a diligent Hokage."

Tsunade glanced at him and smiled.

"Don't think I don't know you napped every day in the Hokage office."

Natsume instinctively reached for her hand, but she dodged.

"Crowded."

"I slept because I was exhausted."

"And when you weren't exhausted, you still slept."

Natsume blinked.

"Stop saying weird things."

Tsunade turned her head, tension in her body.

Natsume thought, you've changed.

"Natsume-sensei! Stop right there!"

With a loud, excited shout, a yellow whirlwind rolled up in front of them.

"Damn it, sensei, you didn't call me for the mission again!"

Naruto jabbed a finger at him, dissatisfied. "Why did you only take Hinata?!"

He meant the Land of Demon Moryo incident.

He only found out after word got around.

"Aren't you on break?"

Natsume's eyes flickered. "I was being considerate of my students."

"When am I on break?"

Naruto muttered, "I was just training with Sasuke."

"Where's Sasuke?"

Natsume took the chance to change the subject.

"Oh, he should be at the Uchiha compound."

Naruto promptly took the bait. "I was just going to find him."

"Then go on. Don't keep him waiting."

Natsume waved. "As for missions, I'll arrange one for you next time."

"It's a promise!"

Naruto lit up.

"Of course."

Natsume smiled slightly, face turning serious. "Liars have to swallow a thousand needles."

Satisfied, Naruto turned and ran.

"That brat didn't even say hello?"

Tsunade finally spoke, hands on hips.

"Maybe you're too pretty today and he didn't recognize you."

Natsume glanced at her proud figure.

Given Naruto's personality, very possible.

Or he was in a rush to see Sasuke.

"You really know how to talk."

Tsunade pinched his cheek. "A few words and you sent your dopey student packing."

"Naruto's not dopey, and I didn't lie."

Natsume bit her finger lightly in retaliation.

"Gross."

Tsunade flicked her hand and gave him a trash-look.

"What do you want for lunch?"

He looked ahead.

It was still early, the street fairly quiet.

People who wanted to greet him were waved off.

Given Natsume's high prestige lately, no one felt offended.

"Hmm, how about barbecue?"

Walking side by side, Tsunade said, "I haven't had any in a while."

"Sure. Once in a while won't hurt."

He'd planned to refuse, but it was a day off—time to indulge.

Tsunade's eyes brightened.

She glanced around, then quickly pressed a kiss to his cheek.

"Your reward."

She exhaled; her heart thumped.

A kiss wasn't much, but being seen by so many made it thrilling.

Kinda fun, actually.

"You like barbecue that much?"

Natsume watched her graceful back.

"Not really."

Tsunade tossed her hair. "I like your cooking more."

"You eat it every day. Not tired of it yet?"

Strolling outside was nice, but they couldn't even hold hands.

Natsume suddenly thought of Kaguya.

If he had her power, he wouldn't need to worry about being seen.

They reached Konoha's most famous barbecue joint.

As they walked in, they saw four familiar faces.

Kakashi and his Sand team.

Kakashi stood up to greet them at once.

The other three had mixed reactions.

Gaara, ever cold, didn't seem overly scared despite being beaten before; just coolly indifferent.

Temari and Kankuro looked alarmed, then remembered they were allies now and tried to relax, though they still trembled slightly.

"Hokage-sama. Lady Tsunade."

Kakashi gave Tsunade's extra-polished look a quick scan, tamped down his gossip-fire, and asked, "Want to eat together?"

"No need."

Tsunade didn't want to be disturbed. "It's your team dinner—us joining would be awkward."

She turned and headed to the counter without waiting for his reply, leaving, "I'll order. Talk shop if you need to."

"Just finished a mission?"

Natsume looked at Gaara and the others.

Temari and Kankuro immediately felt restless.

"Mm."

Kakashi noticed their reaction—unsurprising.

Anyone who'd seen Natsume go all out would be scared.

Enemies, anyway.

For Kakashi, having someone like that as a superior felt safe.

"What kind of mission?"

After Natsume streamlined Konoha's institutions, he didn't have to micromanage like Hiruzen did in the original.

So he didn't know what missions ninjas took unless they were top-tier S Rank.

"A commission from the Daimyo of Land of Rivers."

Kakashi summarized. "His son tried a coup, so we guarded him for a while."

Land of Rivers?

Natsume rubbed his chin.

In the original, it didn't have much plot.

Oh—Gaara's bijuu extraction site.

Also Raiga Kurosuki.

One of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen, who apparently controlled a gold mine.

Natsume wasn't interested in him.

But Raiga had a partner named Ranmaru with a special kekkei genkai—Red Eye.

Most importantly, Red Eye was the natural enemy of the Byakugan.

Whose bloodline was it?

Maybe Hamura's.

Red Eye—sounded like the Sharingan; maybe a mutation.

Hamura's line inherited the Byakugan.

Could take Hinata to check it out sometime.

"Natsume."

Tsunade waved him over—she'd finished ordering.

"Tsunade's calling me."

Natsume came back to himself and smiled. "We'll chat next time."

"Alright."

Kakashi nodded, watched him leave, then sat down again.

Tsunade was already grilling.

Smelled good.

He watched her serious expression without speaking.

A moment later, the first slice was done.

"Try it."

Tsunade dropped a piece into his bowl. "If it's bad, forgive me."

"Anything you grill is good."

He checked—at least it was cooked.

He took a bite, chewed, and nodded under her expectant gaze.

Tsunade's face lit up with happiness.

When you care a lot about someone, happiness is simple.

Natsume smiled.

Too bad there weren't private rooms.

Otherwise, now would be time to show his skills.

He asked, "Where to after this?"

"It's your day off. Why ask me?"

Tsunade flipped the meat, not looking up.

"My day off is your day off."

Natsume grinned. "It's the Hokage's day off."

He suddenly thought of Naruto's day off.

But that was fake.

This was real: Natsume's day off.

Because it was actually happening.

"Be serious!"

Tsunade glanced up and rolled her eyes. "That island you mentioned last time—how's the renovation?"

Her first trip to the seaside stuck with her.

"It's not a deserted island—it's Love Island."

Natsume corrected her. "Finished ages ago."

"Let's go then."

Tsunade blushed slightly. "I mainly want to see the sea."

"Shame it's a bit cold—otherwise you could wear a swimsuit."

Natsume looked at her awkward expression, nostalgic. "You in a swimsuit is gorgeous."

"..."

Tsunade glared. "Don't think I don't know what you're thinking."

She poked his forehead, then quickly withdrew.

People were around.

"Injustice!"

Natsume said earnestly, "You are gorgeous."

The corner of her lips curled. "Eat. Less talking."

She sped up the grilling.

They finished.

They left earlier than Kakashi's group, despite arriving later.

In a quiet spot, Natsume wrapped an arm around her.

Flying Thunder God!

They appeared on the deserted island.

In the center stood a huge villa.

Tsunade stared. "How much did this cost?"

Natsume pinched her cheek. "A drop in the bucket."

He was the richest man in the ninja world now.

A villa was nothing.

"Skimming off the top as Hokage?"

Tsunade looked at him, half-smiling. "Not allowed."

"...?"

Natsume snapped, "What are you saying? Am I that kind of person?"

He bent down and bit her earlobe.

Her weak spot.

She went limp in his arms, heat flooding her body.

It was autumn, but felt like summer.

Sweat beaded on her forehead.

"Today, you'll pay for what you said."

Chapter 231: The Battle for the Three-Tails

Three figures in black cloaks with red clouds surveyed Kirigakure from afar.

"Not a bad place."

Hidan grinned wickedly. "I want to sacrifice everyone here to Lord Jashin, hehe."

"Don't waste time."

Kakuzu snorted. "Our mission is to capture the Three-Tails."

"Bastard, how is that a waste?"

Hidan snapped, "Sacrifices to Lord Jashin are essential!"

Konan ignored their bickering.

Behind her calm face was surprise.

Kirigakure's changes were absurd.

So absurd she thought something must be wrong.

The last time she'd been here, Yagura was Mizukage.

The place was ruled by bloodshed.

People lived in hell—no hope, no smiles.

The buildings were old and ramshackle.

One of the Five Great Villages, but far less impressive than the steel towers of Amegakure.

The Land of Rain—land of nothing but rain—owed its development to Akatsuki.

Members at least jonin-level brought in money, most of which Nagato poured into infrastructure.

At first, Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan dreamed of reforming their country.

Then that expanded into the grand dream of world peace.

But after Yahiko's death, Nagato and Konan grew cold.

The dream remained.

Only the method changed.

No longer peace through dialogue.

But through pain.

Make the world feel pain, fear war, and long for peace.

Konan's eyes flickered.

Kirigakure now had broad, clean, bustling streets, tall beautiful buildings, and smiling faces.

This matched Yahiko's ideal for peace.

She just hadn't expected to see it here instead of in Amegakure.

Amegakure had developed well, but the atmosphere was too oppressive.

"Where did Kiri get the money?"

Konan turned to Kakuzu, voice cool.

Since Akatsuki grew, she seldom went out.

Kakuzu knew more about the outside world.

"Sunny Miles Trading Company."

Kakuzu rattled it off. "Currently the richest firm in the ninja world. Their biggest income is from Land of Water's dining and mining industries. They also regularly commission Kiri shinobi as escorts."

Konan considered.

So that's it.

She'd thought Kiri swapped in a more capable Mizukage.

Turns out they relied on a trading company.

That company must be loaded.

A pity it's in Land of Water, not Rain.

Otherwise they could cooperate to speed Akatsuki's construction.

Robbery?

No.

For now, Akatsuki kept a low profile.

Robbery would draw premature attention from the Five Great Villages.

Not worth it.

"Find someone. Ask where Yagura is."

Konan said coldly.

"Leave it to me!"

Hidan waved his scythe. "I can't wait to offer sacrifices to Lord Jashin!"

"You can't."

Kakuzu glanced at him.

Hidan's ritual was too cumbersome.

Send him, and the whole village would know; pointless.

Even with their strength, fighting a village of ten thousand ninja would be a pain.

"Hey! What do you mean?!"

Hidan roared. "You wanna try me? I've long wanted to offer you to Lord Jashin!"

"Kakuzu, you go."

Konan frowned and ordered.

Hidan was too noisy.

She didn't want to alert the entire village.

Kakuzu nodded and vanished.

Hidan froze, annoyed. "Damn it!"

He couldn't beat Kakuzu.

He didn't know ninjutsu, lacked battle experience.

He relied purely on curses.

Which needed blood to activate.

Did Kakuzu even have blood?

Even if he did, Hidan needed five rounds to kill him.

Plenty of time to run.

Likewise, Kakuzu couldn't really kill Hidan.

Immortal—hard to kill.

Kakuzu had once traded in teammates for bounties.

That ended when Nagato paired him with Hidan.

Immortal—no bounty.

"Lord Jashin, please wait a bit longer."

Hidan prayed loudly, face devout.

Konan glanced and lost interest.

Akatsuki members all had issues.

She was used to it.

Hidan was odd, but tolerable.

As long as he worked.

…

Half an hour later, Kakuzu returned.

There was faint blood on him.

Hidan sniffed, got excited, then lost interest when he realized Kakuzu had done the killing.

Sacrifices had to be his own kills.

"Yagura isn't in the village."

Kakuzu said. "He's on a nearby deserted island."

Transferring a jinchuriki was dangerous.

The seal was weakened; the bijuu could rampage.

And the old jinchuriki would die; the new one and the bijuu hadn't formed a bond yet—weakest phase.

Either situation attracted enemies.

So moving to an unknown island was safer.

Only Kiri jonin knew Yagura had left.

Strong and loyal.

Ordinary ninja wouldn't talk.

But this was Akatsuki.

"Let's go."

Konan nodded.

She wasn't surprised.

In fact, an island favored them.

Still close to Kiri, but would delay reinforcements.

"Hahaha, a jinchuriki!"

Hidan got hyped. "Lord Jashin will love that!"

Kakuzu led the way.

Konan followed.

"Hey, wait for me!"

Hidan realized they'd vanished and hurried after them.

…

[Because of your actions, Konan, Kakuzu, and Hidan's fates have changed. You gain a total of 30 Fate Points.]

[Your total has exceeded 2000. Deducting loan, remaining balance: 19.]

"So fast? Do I look like someone who doesn't pay debts?"

Natsume muttered.

Whatever—deduct away.

With Kaguya now, even with zero Fate Points, he'd be fine.

And more were on the way.

Konan, Kakuzu, Hidan.

Under normal circumstances, Natsume and they wouldn't cross paths.

So why did they give him Fate Points?

Ten each.

Meaning related to Natsume, but not too directly.

He could only think of Yagura.

Natsume opened his Skynet login device.

His day off with Tsunade had ended; he was in the Hokage's office now.

Free for the moment.

"Dear Mizukage."

Natsume pinged Mei Terumi via the Skynet device he'd given her.

Soon, he got a reply.

"Who's 'dear'? Don't get ahead of yourself."

He couldn't see her face, but he could imagine: flustered and annoyed.

A girlfriend pouting—classic.

"Oh? Then what are we?"

Natsume typed with ill intent.

Reading it, Mei pursed her lips.

What were they?

She remembered the kiss and her heart skipped.

So what were they?

A couple?

"No relation!"

She forced calm. "What do you want? Don't waste my time."

"How's your Fourth Mizukage?"

Natsume cut to the chase.

"Still hanging on."

Mei frowned. "Why?"

"Happened to receive intel—someone's going for your Three-Tails."

"Who?"

Her eyes hardened; blush gone.

The Three-Tails was Kiri's only bijuu—couldn't be lost.

Without a bijuu's deterrent, Kiri would be the weakest of the five.

Some smaller village might try to replace them.

Like Amegakure.

"That mysterious group I told you about."

Natsume said casually. "I sent Jiraiya to probe them. This came from him."

Jiraiya?

Mei believed him.

The Sannin weren't inferior to the Kage.

Strong and reliable.

"Thanks."

She cut the call.

At ninja speed, that group could already be near Kiri.

She didn't trust the jonin guarding the island to handle it.

"Haku."

Mei called.

An ANBU-clad Haku appeared.

"Notify Zabuza and Ao. We're going to the island."

"I'll be at the gate. You're coming too."

"Yes!"

Haku's eyes rippled.

He sensed trouble.

He vanished.

…

Mei reached the gate within moments.

Zabuza, Ao, and Haku arrived just in time.

"Mizukage-sama, what's wrong?"

Ao asked.

"The Fourth's side—I've got word someone's after the Three-Tails."

Mei's face was grave.

"So that's it?"

Ao sobered. "We should go. Now."

He didn't question her intel.

She was Mizukage—she had her channels.

Haku was curious though.

This didn't come from ANBU.

So who?

But time was tight; he shelved it.

They sprinted and reached the island in under a minute.

"Seems okay."

Ao scanned. "No sounds of fighting."

Mei didn't relax and kept going.

"Not right!"

Zabuza drew the Executioner's Blade. "Not a single person in sight."

Ao and Haku tensed.

Nine jonin had been stationed here.

And yet—none visible.

Mei's heart sank.

After the corridor, the scent of blood hit them.

The nine jonin she'd sent lay there, life or death unknown.

In the courtyard center stood a half-undressed ninja laughing wildly.

His exposed skin was covered in black-and-white markings, face included.

At his feet—a weird ritual circle of a triangle within a circle.

He didn't look normal by any standard.

Not far off, two other ninjas headed deeper in.

"Stop!"

Mei barked, face tight.

No time to check the nine jonin.

Anyone who could handle them cleanly and keep the fight contained to this yard was no ordinary foe.

They'd been steamrolled.

"So fast?"

Konan raised a brow—unexpected.

They'd minimized noise to slow Kiri's response.

"I'll hold them."

Kakuzu glanced over. "You get Yagura. He's half-dead—no threat. Just take him."

"Mm. Thanks, both of you."

Konan pushed the door.

"I said stop!"

Mei's seals flashed; she took a breath.

Water Style: Water Dragon Bullet!

Chakra spun into water, forming a huge roaring dragon.

It shot at Konan.

Kakuzu vaulted between them.

Fire Style: Intelligent Hard Work!

With five hearts aligned to fire, water, earth, lightning, and wind, he could use all five natures.

A fist-sized fireball blasted out.

When it hit the ground, it became a sea of flame, swallowing the water dragon.

Mei's pupils contracted.

Strong!

Water counters fire.

Even if her casting was rushed, her Water Dragon was no slouch.

For it to be erased so easily showed how dangerous Kakuzu was.

But something puzzled her.

He wasn't protecting his comrades?

"You bastard!"

Hidan roared from within the flames. "Kakuzu, what are you doing?! You ruined my sacrifice!"

Sacrifice?

Mei didn't know Jashin, but she understood the word.

Meaning those men might still be alive.

"Haku, stop the woman. The rest of you—rescue them."

Mei formed seals at high speed.

A five-meter water wall sprang up, blocking the blaze.

She flickered forward, grabbed two unconscious jonin, and flung them back.

In midair, chakra formed a cushion to catch them safely.

The Three-Tails mattered, but losing nine jonin was unacceptable.

"Damn!"

Hidan had to break his ritual.

He glared at Mei, furious.

He raised his Triple-Bladed Scythe to throw—then heard the howl of wind.

Zabuza leapt, Executioner's Blade whistling through the air.

Hidan had to defend.

He was immortal, not immune to pain or dismemberment.

Lose a limb or head and he'd need a teammate to stitch him back.

Otherwise, he'd be immobilized though alive.

And it hurt like hell.

The blades crashed, a dull thud.

Hidan staggered a step under the force.

Zabuza sneered.

Not so tough.

Besides curses and immortality, Hidan was a mess.

On the other side, Kakuzu toyed with Ao.

His experience and power outclassed him.

Kakuzu had once pressured Kakashi with Mangekyo; without Naruto, Kakuzu might've won.

Beating Ao was no challenge.

But he couldn't help Konan stop Mei.

Mei wasn't weak.

Still, he trusted Konan—not likely to lose one-on-one.

Kakuzu squinted at the newcomer moving the injured—Natsume.

Konan had warned of a Wood Release user in Kiri.

Was it him?

Kakuzu was uninterested in most, but not in Wood Release.

He'd faced Hashirama and lived.

Wood Release had carved itself into his mind.

Obito had Wood Release, but he lurked in the shadows; Kakuzu didn't know.

Natsume had revealed Wood Release as Hokage—but that was in Konoha.

Kakuzu wouldn't storm that.

Now, a chance.

"You're the Wood Release user?"

Kakuzu shrugged off his cloak, revealing his stitched torso.

Ao hadn't forced him to use Earth Grudge Fear.

But Wood Release deserved respect.

"That's me."

Natsume admitted.

"Good."

Kakuzu smiled, voice lifting.

Part obsession.

Part chance at a new heart.

"Let's see how your Wood Release compares to the First Hokage's."

He said mildly. "Don't disappoint me."

"Oh? You fought the First?"

Natsume held back a laugh.

"Yes."

Kakuzu said, a touch proud. "And I left in one piece."

It was a humiliation to him.

To others, a rare honor.

"Incredible, truly."

Natsume clapped.

Kakuzu frowned.

He heard the mockery.

He hardened his face and formed seals.

Earth Grudge Fear!

Black threads burst from his back, forming a humanoid monster.

"Careful!"

Ao paled.

So he'd held back earlier.

Hidan was even more excited.

With Earth Grudge Fear, Kakuzu could stitch him back together.

Pressure increased on Zabuza.

"Don't let him get your blood."

Natsume warned. "He'll draw a circle and curse you."

"How do you know?!"

Hidan froze, then roared, "I'll sacrifice you to Lord Jashin!"

Zabuza became even more cautious.

"Still have time to worry about others?"

Kakuzu's killing intent surged. "You underestimate me!"

Lightning Style: False Darkness!

The lightning mask floated up and opened its mouth.

Blinding lightning lit the area.

A massive spear shot out at tremendous speed.

Sage Art: Wood Release: Wood Pillar Wall!

Natsume slapped the ground; a row of pillars arced into a wall before him.

The spear hit—and that was that.

Kakuzu raised a brow.

Each heart had a signature jutsu.

This one was as strong as a forbidden technique.

False Darkness had terrifying penetration.

Blocked this easily meant Natsume's Wood Release was no joke.

He wasn't afraid—he was excited.

"Interesting."

Kakuzu smiled cruelly. "But your Wood Release is still far from the First's."

He formed more seals.

Masks on each shoulder—fire and wind—opened.

Combined Element: Scorching Flame Turbulence!

Fire rode the wind, boosting its power.

Flames towered meters high.

A compressed wind sphere detonated in the center, flames soaring into a fiery tornado.

Buildings on either side crumbled to ash in the heat.

Even Zabuza and Hidan had to back off.

In a blink, a sea of fire roared before Natsume.

Layered waves of flame, terrifying.

Natsume lifted an arm calmly.

Sage Art: Wood Release: Deep Forest Emergence!

Chakra surged, vines bursting forth from his arm, lashing through the flames.

"What?!"

Kakuzu was truly shocked.

His combined technique far outstripped normal jutsu—he doubted the Five Kage could take it lightly.

And flames that hot didn't even scorch the wood?

No time to think—more seals.

Wind, fire, and lightning masks opened together.

His ultimate technique.

Triple-element combined jutsu.

After a brief charge, a chakra cannon of three natures roared out.

Flames parted before it.

It slammed into the surging vines.

Boom!

A violent explosion.

Kakuzu's eyes narrowed.

That strong?

Natsume's Wood Release wasn't even a big move—just a small technique.

While he'd revealed his ultimate.

The explosion sent waves.

Lightning, wind, fire, and wood—chakra mixed wildly.

Kakuzu couldn't see clearly.

Next moment—

A giant vine erupted behind him, binding him tight.

Sage Art: Wood Release: Silent Killing Binding!

Kakuzu reacted fast.

Earth Style: Earth Spear!

His arms turned black; his skin hardened.

In the original, it resisted explosive tags and crushed walls—great for offense and defense.

But instead of breaking free, he sank deeper, unable to move.

He couldn't even speak.

Silent Killing Binding silenced.

Kakuzu's eyes bulged.

He'd never imagined this.

Three ordinary Wood Release techniques had crushed him.

Not even a sneak attack.

He'd been beaten head-on.

If Natsume used anything bigger, would he die in one move?

He thought of Hashirama.

He hadn't fought—he'd been beaten from start to finish.

Only because Hashirama wasn't out to kill did Kakuzu escape.

Now, that feeling again.

Damn it.

Where did this guy come from?

Hidan froze.

He knew Kakuzu's strength well.

Few in the ninja world could beat him.

And yet, in under a minute, he'd been captured.

Absurd.

He considered running.

With immortality, he'd be fine even if it went badly.

He sensed danger, turned—

A black rod flew through the air.

A chill seized him.

From this unremarkable rod?

He didn't get it, but his body moved—he raised his scythe to block.

"Impossible?!"

His eyes bulged as the weapon was pierced instantly.

The rod—Golden Staff—spun, radiating erasure. Cracks spread from the hole.

In an instant, the Blood-Soaked Triple-Bladed Scythe shattered like glass.

The rod didn't stop. It drove into Hidan's body.

A wave of agony.

"Aaaaah!"

He screamed.

The Golden Staff swelled into a Truth-Seeking Orb, engulfing him.

The weapon was forged by Kaguya.

Not a simple Truth-Seeking Orb, but an Enlarged Truth-Seeking Orb.

The official Book of Formation describes it:

Seals all phenomena, summons a black sphere of chaos.

Erases all properties, returning the world to nothingness—also the seed of a new space.

It's Bloodline Selection level.

Hidan merely had the curse of a local god—Jashin.

And such gods had lost to Kaguya.

Natsume was in her favor; his weapon wasn't ordinary—it was top-tier.

Hidan suffered utterly.

Under the Enlarged Truth-Seeking Orb's assault, he and his scythe were erased.

Zabuza and Ao were shocked by the weapon's power.

They didn't know about Hidan's immortality; they weren't that stunned.

Kakuzu, though, was dumbstruck.

He knew Hidan.

Even decapitation didn't stop him.

He'd been chopped into quarters and lived.

Kakuzu himself had no good way to end him.

But Natsume erased him like nothing.

Crap.

This was trouble.

Kakuzu could only hope Konan succeeded.

By her personality, would she try to save him?

Akatsuki members didn't have much camaraderie.

They gathered for messy reasons.

Konan was better than most, but would she save him?

He did bring in the most money.

And turned in a lot to Konan.

For money's sake, maybe.

Also, Earth Grudge Fear.

Natsume likely didn't know how it worked.

Unless all five hearts were destroyed, he wouldn't die.

So he worried, but stayed outwardly calm.

He wouldn't beg.

"You two, save the Fourth."

Natsume ordered casually. "I'll help the Fifth."

Zabuza and Ao nodded.

After what they'd seen, they were sold.

Even if he was an outsider, they followed his lead.

Natsume beckoned; the vine tightened around Kakuzu and trailed after him.

Konan had reached Yagura's door, but Mei's arrival ruined it.

What surprised her was how strong the new Mizukage was—no worse than herself.

They stalemated.

Konan had to give up on Yagura temporarily to fight Mei.

She didn't leave.

Given Kakuzu and Hidan's strength, Zabuza and Ao shouldn't be a problem.

Then they could take Yagura together.

But when Natsume arrived with Kakuzu in tow, Konan's face changed.

Mask and vines.

The Wood Release user Uchiha Madara spoke of.

He'd really shown up.

And in a few minutes, captured Kakuzu?

She couldn't manage that.

Truth be told, she might not beat Kakuzu.

Unless she used the hundreds of millions of explosive tags she'd prepared for Madara.

Mei, on the other hand, smiled.

Her earlier worry vanished.

The overall situation was decided.

Konan widened the gap.

No point continuing.

She regretted not bringing two more members.

Who could've guessed this Wood Release ninja would be such a handful?

And Mei's strength had surprised her too.

If she'd captured the Mizukage, things would be different.

Still—not hopeless.

She had trump cards.

One: lots of explosive tags.

Two: White Zetsu nearby.

Unless this Wood Release ninja was Hashirama reborn, he couldn't keep her.

Too bad Kakuzu wouldn't get away.

"Wood Release lives up to its name."

Konan said coolly.

"Too late for that."

Mei snorted. "Surrender now, save yourself the humiliation."

Konan was one of the rare strong kunoichi.

Mei found herself admiring her after a bout.

Strong indeed.

Konan glanced at Mei, then looked at Natsume. "Interested in joining our organization?"

Beat Kakuzu—he was strong enough.

And Madara hated him.

Maybe they could sow discord.

Then she wouldn't need to waste explosive tags on him.

As for ulterior motives—she didn't care.

Who in Akatsuki was truly loyal?

No one.

Before a god, everything is void.

Mei was baffled.

After all this, she still dared recruit Natsume?

She couldn't understand.

It was like her inviting Konan to join Kirigakure right now.

Would she dare?

No.

Konan's identity and goals were unknown.

Bringing her into Kiri would be a disaster.

Was this organization always this bold?

Not even asking who Natsume was?

He was the Hokage.

Natsume was a bit surprised, but not much.

It fit Nagato.

He welcomed the strong.

"I killed Hidan."

Natsume said lightly.

Hidan was dead?

Konan blinked.

She didn't like Hidan, but his immortality was useful.

Natsume had a way to deal with him?

"That's fine."

Konan said flatly. "In our organization, power rules. The weak dying doesn't matter."

"Sounds good."

Natsume smiled.

"You—"

Mei hesitated.

"You're not worried I have ulterior motives?"

Natsume looked at Mei, then Konan.

"I believe everyone will be moved by our organization's ultimate goal."

Konan's voice was steady.

A lie.

She herself didn't believe Infinite Tsukuyomi.

She and Nagato wanted peace born from pain; bijuu as weapons to deter war.

Not a bad idea.

But they ran into Madara and Black Zetsu.

Fated to be someone else's tool.

Nagato thought he awakened the Rinnegan, the second Sage of Six Paths, bringer of peace.

But that god was fake.

"In that case, I'll join you—as a mole."

Natsume said bluntly.

"Welcome aboard."

Konan didn't even react to the word mole.

In her eyes, members were tools.

Besides, Akatsuki probably had plenty of moles.

Mei frowned.

What?

They were this casual?

But she understood Natsume's goal.

To infiltrate this mysterious group and get intel.