[Check Out My P4treon For +50 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!! And get chapters before publishing them here for free on my p4treon][https://p4treon.com/roooaaa]
===
Cursed Seal Transformation.
Sasame raised an eyebrow as he observed Tayuya's current state.
If before she was a little lamb, now she could barely qualify as a big lamb.
The power boost was decent, though.
"I'll kill you!"
Tayuya's eyes burned with feral intensity.
Her face twisted into a snarl, baring sharp little fangs as she spoke.
She was an experiment who had survived through slaughter, far more vicious than others her age.
"Kill me? Can you even do it?"
Sasame couldn't help but laugh.
"Bastard!"
Tayuya immediately lost her temper and lunged forward, throwing a wild punch.
—Thud.
Sasame caught her small fist effortlessly.
Tayuya struggled violently, but it was useless.
Her base strength was too weak—no matter how much the cursed seal enhanced her, there were limits.
Sasame didn't even need Wood Release or Sage Mode to subdue her easily.
"I'll kill you!"
"I'll kill you!"
"I'll… kill… you!"
"Guh… just kill me instead!"
Her voice, once brimming with murderous fury, now dripped with unwilling humiliation and frustration.
Sasame casually pulled out a wooden ruler and began striking Tayuya repeatedly.
He'd originally bought this ruler to teach Karin, but she'd been well-behaved, so he'd never used it.
"Disobedient children get punished."
Keeping a stern face, he struck her while curiously reaching for the horn on her head.
Cursed Seal transformations drastically altered a person's appearance and body.
Even Uchiha Sasuke hadn't been immune, turning from a handsome guy into some edgy reject.
But Tayuya only grew prettier.
Sasame almost suspected Orochimaru had done it on purpose.
Too bad she only grew horns and not ears or a tail.
Though, that could still be arranged—maybe by adding a Two-Tails influence.
Tayuya shuddered mid-struggle, biting her lip. "D-Don't… touch my horn…"
Sasame's eyebrow twitched.
So the horns are sensitive too?
He casually spent a bit of Fate Points to scan Tayuya thoroughly, confirming no hidden traps had been left in her.
"I know you want to kill me, but at your current level, that's just delusional."
Putting away the ruler, he continued, "But I'll give you a chance—one assassination attempt per day. Fail, and you'll face harsh punishment."
As the saying went, teaching should suit the student's aptitude.
Anyone Orochimaru deemed worthy naturally had talent.
With proper nurturing, she could become useful to Sasame.
Her competitive personality could also be exploited to accelerate her growth.
After all, pressure breeds progress.
Tayuya lifted her head, glaring at him with murderous eyes. "You'll regret this!"
"Yeah, yeah, sure."
His dismissive response made Tayuya's rage spike again—
But before she could react, her Cursed Seal faded, and she immediately collapsed unconscious.
"Overexerting yourself isn't good, you know."
Sasame patted her red hair. "Just sleep for now."
Noon.
After lunch, Sasame met with Mei Terumī again.
Her expression was grim, her eyes burning with fury.
"You were right."
She took a deep breath. "Ao has confirmed anomalies. The Mizukage… is almost certainly being controlled."
Sasame understood her unrestrained emotions.
This situation was beyond unbelievable.
Truly, Naruto lived up to its title as the "Eye Legend."
And not just the Sharingan—the Byakugan played its part too.
Ao's stolen Byakugan had more than one impressive feat to its name.
In the original story, it had even exposed Danzō's use of a stolen Mangekyō Sharingan to manipulate Mifune, the samurai leader.
"...Thank you."
Mei looked at him with complicated emotions.
This intelligence, if sold, could easily fetch over a billion for Kirigakure.
Yet he'd given it freely—making him all the more unpredictable.
"Does this make us even?" Sasame asked with a smile.
Mei froze for a few seconds before nodding.
She knew he was referring to his hidden identity.
True, she'd been suspicious—even wary.
But with such a massive favor now, calling it even was fair.
Still, his motives remained unclear, leaving her unable to fully trust him.
"The new shipping route will have to wait until the Mizukage is freed."
Mei hesitated before adding, "Naturally."
Sasame nodded.
Noticing she still wore the wavy hairstyle he'd given her, he smirked. "What's your plan?"
"First, we locate the mysterious figure controlling the Mizukage."
As she spoke, Mei instinctively glanced at him—only to meet his gaze. She quickly looked away. "Please wait a little longer."
In other words: Stay out of this.
A reasonable stance, given his unclear allegiances.
But Sasame wanted in.
"Need my help?"
His next words sent a chill down Mei's spine:
"This mysterious enemy is far stronger than you think. You might not be able to handle him."
The original story hadn't detailed it, but Sasame suspected Uchiha Obito had simply let Mei and the others retake Kirigakure when he grew bored.
Otherwise, even without the Akatsuki's help, his Mangekyō Sharingan and Wood Release could've slaughtered them effortlessly.
Mei fell silent.
Sasame had already helped them immensely—he had no reason to lie now.
Kirigakure's fate hinged on this battle.
Failure wasn't an option.
Gritting her teeth, Mei asked, "What's the price?"
Her lips pressed tightly, eyes filled with worry.
Sasame's earlier demand for 200 million had shocked her.
Now, with stakes this high, the cost would undoubtedly be steep.
Just asking took immense courage.
She was already mentally calculating how to repay the debt.
Sasame chuckled.
This girl had her cute moments too.
But he couldn't work for free.
Hmm… this feels familiar.
"To save their failing school, they become idols!"
Mei had always carried herself with poise and calm.
But as the future Mizukage, debuting as an idol to save her bankrupt village—now that was a twist.
Amusing.
The perfect contrast.
Though for the audience… he alone would suffice. No need to let others enjoy the show.
"How about this?"
Sasame produced a contract. "I'll help you save Yagura. In exchange, you work for me for one year afterward. Nothing humiliating. Deal?"
Mei skimmed it and exhaled in relief.
A fair trade.
A year of her service as a jonin was valuable enough.
Signing her name, Mei sealed the agreement.
Or more accurately—an idol contract.
Tucking it away, Sasame said, "Call me when you're ready."
Mei nodded, then added, "If we don't need your help, the contract is void."
She still didn't fully trust him, but this at least gave her an out.
"Fine." Sasame agreed.
"...Thank you."
Mei wasn't sure if this decision was wise, but everything was for Kirigakure.
Hopefully, I won't regret it.
Watching her leave, Sasame returned to his room—where Tayuya had already woken up.
He'd left pastries on the table earlier, fearing she'd starve.
Now, she was caught red-handed.
"They're… not even good!"
The ungrateful girl turned away, sitting on the bed with her head tilted stubbornly—though her eyes kept flicking back to the treats.
The Cursed Seal had drained her stamina, leaving her ravenous.
Sasame smirked.
Truly, I'm living up to my name—raising a tsundere little cat.
Note: So far this story is published up to chapter 145 on my patreon, go check it out and remember that if we reach the goal of 45 power stones I will publish the next chapter.
(Give me all your power stones)