บท 9: Chapter 9 Orochimaru stole Danzo's person
As Orochimaru stared at the spot where Natsume had vanished, an intriguing puzzle swirled in his mind. Why had Natsume appeared so unassuming? These two Wood Clones seemed as harmless as rookie genin, a facade that contradicted the profound knowledge Natsume possessed.
But Orochimaru couldn't dismiss this apparent incongruity. Natsume's display of vulnerability hinted at a deliberate strategy to confound potential adversaries regarding his true capabilities.
"He's quite the mystery," Orochimaru mused, his wariness deepening. This enigmatic individual clearly possessed formidable prowess, and Orochimaru dared not underestimate him.
His thoughts then shifted to Shimura Danzo.
A glimmer of danger gleamed in Orochimaru's eyes. He and Danzo shared a complex collaboration, each harboring critical secrets about the other. The consequences of these secrets being laid bare would be catastrophic, akin to shedding an entire layer of one's skin.
Thus, an unusual equilibrium had been struck between the two of them.
Now, Orochimaru's annoyance had grown palpable.
The Wood Release, originally hailing from Senju Hashirama, had become the most potent Blood Succession Limit, and it was Orochimaru's very first acquisition in this realm. It even eclipsed the mighty Sharingan.
Danzo Shimura's betrayal was nothing short of infuriating to Orochimaru. Confronting him directly seemed futile, as mere questioning wouldn't suffice. Orochimaru decided that apprehending Shimura Danzo was the only viable course of action.
With a resolute plan in mind, Orochimaru intended to infiltrate the secretive roots organization himself for investigation. His own strength and mastery would allow him to navigate undetected, even among the roots' ranks.
Sending someone else was an option, but Orochimaru harbored concerns about alerting potential adversaries. Doing it personally was the safer choice.
Without hesitation, Orochimaru set off toward the roots' clandestine facilities. Under the cover of night, his stealth was nearly flawless, evading any notice.
The roots boasted several covert bases, but Orochimaru and Shimura Danzo's collaboration, bolstered by the Wood Release, afforded them a fair degree of knowledge about these facilities. Natsume had already informed him that the survivor went by the codename "A," signifying their affiliation with the roots. This significantly narrowed the scope of his search.
Orochimaru released his serpentine companions to aid in the quest. It didn't take long before he pinpointed his target.
North of Konoha Village, Orochimaru entered a foreboding structure. This was one of the root training bases, known for its brutal and relentless methods. Root's training sought to transform its members into efficient, emotionless tools, pushing the boundaries of what a ninja could become.
While Naruto might be the embodiment of hot-blooded heroics in the manga, true ninjas were ruthless killers. They had no qualms about taking any life, regardless of age or gender, for the mission and the village's sake. If real-world ninjas existed, one would do well to steer clear of them.
Inside the building, Orochimaru discreetly singled out a member, a ten-year-old named Yamato. Patiently shadowing him, Orochimaru witnessed Yamato utilizing the Wood Release Ninjutsu.
"It's actually true?" Orochimaru couldn't hide his astonishment. The mysterious informant had told the truth. Yet this revelation was only the tip of the iceberg. Orochimaru's curiosity surged, wondering if there was a secret even more valuable than the coveted Wood Release.
Stealthily, Orochimaru pocketed the valuable information.
The following day, Natsume was awakened by the vibrations of the Holy Ring of Destiny.
"[Because of your actions, Yamato's fate has changed, and you gain ninety points of fate.]"
Ninety points—a clear indication that Yamato's destiny had diverged significantly from the original plot. It would be challenging for him to follow the same path that led to joining ANBU.
Natsume pondered the implications. Yamato was meant to become Uzumaki Naruto's mentor, primarily due to his Wood Release's ability to suppress the Nine-Tails within Naruto.
"Could this be my chance to get closer to Uzumaki Naruto?" Natsume pondered, realizing the possibility. After all, at that time, Tsunade was already serving as the Hokage, and she was aware of Natsume's Wood Escape ability.
Considering his newfound destiny points, Natsume's most coveted exchange item was the Immortal Human Body, perfectly complementing his Wood Escape. Unfortunately, ninety points of destiny were insufficient for such a significant transformation.
Natsume had initially acquired the Wood release at a 55% discount for beginners, reducing its original cost to 900 destiny points. If he were to directly exchange it for the Wood Release, it would require 2,000 destiny points, nearly twice as much.
The Immortal Human Body came at an even higher cost, demanding 3,900 destiny points, a price Natsume couldn't afford at the moment. "Patience," he reminded himself, recognizing that he was only seven years old and had plenty of time.
Now, he should enjoy the love and affection of Sister Tsunade.
"Natsume, good morning," Tsunade greeted as she busied herself in the kitchen. Spotting Natsume, she paused her tasks, beamed a warm smile, and brightened his day.
It's often said that seeing a beautiful woman's smile when you wake up can't help but bring happiness. Natsume certainly felt that way. "A wonderful day is beginning!"
However, his moment of happiness took a sudden turn when Shizune entered the scene. "Natsume, it's time to take your medicine," she announced, causing Natsume's smile to freeze. It was not exactly a pleasant surprise.
["Agh..bad sister"]
Natsume eagerly reached for the bowl and swiftly downed his medicine. Afterward, he rushed over to Tsunade, his intention clear: he wanted some candy.
Tsunade, engrossed in crafting rice balls, replied, "Natsume, grab it yourself. I'm quite busy right now."
This response momentarily surprised Natsume. Standing at his current height, his gaze met Tsunade's waistline. The problem was that there were no pockets to be found.
After a brief contemplation, Natsume's eyes settled on the black cloth belt cinched around Tsunade's waist. Although the candy wasn't visible, he deduced that it must be tucked under the apron.
With determination, he extended his hand and began searching beneath the apron. Eventually, his fingers brushed against the candy, accompanied by a comforting warmth transmitted through the fabric.
Tsunade casually glanced over but paid it no mind. Her demeanor was far from that of an ordinary little girl, and she didn't feel embarrassed by a simple touch. Plus, Natsume was no stranger to her.
With the sweet taste of candy now melting in his mouth, the bitterness was gone. Natsume scampered to the living room, ready to begin his breakfast.
Shizune remained engrossed in her book, as she typically did during this time.
Tsunade spoke up, announcing, "I'll take you to school today."
After they finished their meal, Tsunade continued, "Shizune, you can stay here and keep studying."
She had previously agreed to Natsume's request, so there was no reason to halt his plans now. Besides, once he was at school, she'd have more time to indulge in her gambling habits. She could teach him during the evening.
Natsume was eagerly anticipating school. He looked forward to meeting plot characters and accumulating more destiny points. However, his time period was somewhat challenging. Uzumaki Naruto had to wait another six years before the Konoha 12 would attend school, while Kakashi's generation had already graduated four or five years ago. Natsume found himself in the middle, with fewer opportunities to encounter significant characters from the plot.
At Konoha Ninja School, where classes had resumed after half a month of repairs following the Nine-Tails Rebellion, Natsume became a transfer student in first-year Class A.
"Tsunade-sama," Naoto Yamanaka, the teacher of Class A, said enthusiastically, "I've received the notice. Rest assured, I'll take good care of Natsume."
Tsunade nodded, knowing that Natsume was technically her apprentice and that not many would dare to bully him.
"Natsume, I'll pick you up after school," Tsunade assured as she affectionately ruffled his hair before turning to leave.
"Natsume, my name is Naoto Yamanaka. Just call me 'teacher' from now on," Naoto said with a warm smile. "Let's go and meet your classmates."
Natsume, being a transfer student, was expected to go through the customary self-introduction.
"Hello, everyone. My name is Natsume, and I don't have any special hobbies. I just want to live a peaceful life," he said, delivering an ordinary introduction that still managed to draw the attention of many people, primarily because of his good looks. Numerous girls in the class found themselves gazing at him.
"Natsume, please take a seat in the last row by the window," Naoto directed, patting Natsume's shoulder. "Your deskmate is Uchiha Itachi, our grade's top student. You can learn many things from him."
This arrangement was clearly a special one, likely due to Natsume's status as Tsunade's apprentice. However, Natsume was left momentarily stunned.
He hadn't expected to be seated with none other than Uchiha Itachi himself...
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