Near the Star Village, Natsume released the Summoning Jutsu.
Primarily because Ichikishimahime had drawn too much attention.
Besides, they had already reached their destination and no longer needed a mount.
After Ichikishimahime vanished, Natsume clapped his hands and entered Sage Mode.
He didn't know Natsu's exact location,
but he was certain she was somewhere near the Star Village.
To avoid detection, she likely remained far beyond the range of standard Sensor Ninjutsu.
However, Natsu probably didn't know about Sage Mode.
First, Natsume sensed the situation within the Star Village.
There weren't many ninjas—only about fifty to sixty in total—with Genin making up more than half.
Their overall strength was fairly average.
Without that so-called "Star," it would likely be just another insignificant village, ignored by everyone.
Soon enough, he detected the presence of the Star.
That meteorite gave off a faintly familiar aura.
He was almost certain it came from the Otsutsuki Clan.
In the original story, Natsu had stolen the Star
because the interim Hoshikage Akaboshi forced his son Haku into training.
But that hadn't happened yet.
That played to Natsume's advantage.
This could serve as leverage for negotiation.
His perception extended outward, beyond the borders of the Star Village.
Shortly afterward, he noticed a canyon.
It was filled with poisonous gas.
The deeper inside, the denser the poison became.
Eventually, at the valley floor, Natsume detected an unusual chakra signature.
That should be Natsu.
Her absorption of the Star's power triggered a unique transformation in her chakra—it was highly volatile.
At the same time, it faintly radiated a strange energy.
"Sister Kurenai, come with me."
Natsume exited Sage Mode and headed northward.
Kurenai Yuhi followed immediately.
Not long after, the two arrived at Hell's Valley.
"Sister Kurenai, do you have a gas mask?"
Natsume himself wasn't worried—he had Sage Body—but Kurenai didn't.
"Yes."
Kurenai nodded and pulled on her gas mask.
Gas masks were among the standard equipment for shinobi.
Since she was accompanying Natsume, Kurenai had made thorough preparations.
Though most of them hadn't actually been necessary.
Well, mainly the part about using Ichikishimahime as a mount—hadn't occurred to her.
Seeing this, Natsume leapt forward without hesitation, jumping down into the valley.
Kurenai instinctively tensed in alarm.
Because Natsume hadn't worn a gas mask.
Surely he wasn't immune to poison?
Thinking this, she quickly followed after him.
"Natsume, aren't you wearing a mask?"
Kurenai took out another gas mask and asked.
"I don't need one."
Natsume responded with a slight smile, touched by her concern.
Last night's encounter with the black cat didn't seem to have noticeably changed how she acted around him.
Instantly upon reaching the valley floor, Natsu sensed their arrival.
She looked up and immediately noticed two unfamiliar ninjas.
Natsume himself didn't look particularly remarkable,
but Kurenai bore the Konoha forehead protector.
Frowning slightly, Natsu felt puzzled.
Why had Konoha ninjas appeared here?
She thought for a moment—whatever the reason, it was best not to engage.
But just as she was about to leave, she heard Natsume speak.
And he called her by name.
A flicker of wariness crossed Natsu's face.
She looked at Natsume, who showed no signs of hostility or defense, and felt her chakra beginning to stir slowly, readying herself for an attack.
"Who are you? How do you know my name?"
"The Sixth Hokage, Natsume."
Natsume asked casually, "Don't you know who I am?"
"I've heard of you."
Natsu's heart skipped a beat, growing even more puzzled.
Though she had lived at the bottom of the valley for years, she occasionally went out to buy daily necessities.
She had heard of Natsume's exploits.
But why would such a famous figure come looking for her?
Could it have something to do with the Star?
Surely he should head to the Star Village.
"Might I ask what business the Hokage has with me?"
Natsu said solemnly. "I'm just a rogue ninja now. I'm afraid I can't help you."
"Don't you want to return to the Star Village?"
Natsume smiled slightly. "You already know Akaboshi's nature. It won't be long before everyone starts training with the Star's power."
Natsu fell silent at his words.
This Hokage seemed well-prepared, clearly aware of many things.
At that moment, she found him troubling.
The power of the Star was indeed great.
But there was no way it could help the Star Village surpass Konoha Village.
Facing such a giant, she felt at a loss.
"Akaboshi's actions will inevitably lead the Star Village down the wrong path."
Natsume continued, "How about we cooperate? Hand over the Star to me, and the Star Village can form an alliance with Konoha. Life would certainly improve from what it was before."
Natsu hesitated briefly.
What he said made complete sense.
The side effects of the Star would only hasten the Star Village's decline.
That power was nothing but their last desperate act.
If she could help it, Natsu naturally wouldn't want to see the Star Village fall into such a state.
But the only question was—could she trust the Hidden Leaf?
"Do you really think I'd go through all this effort if I were trying to deceive you?"
Natsume noticed her hesitation and smiled slightly. "Other than Akaboshi, the Star Village doesn't have any real strong figures."
...
Natsu's breath caught in her throat.
She wanted to argue but couldn't find a single valid reason to oppose him.
The Star Village was simply too weak.
Ah—,
It was precisely because she possessed something valuable that others coveted.
Swallowing hard, Natsu asked, "Hokage-sama, what exactly are your plans?"
"Do you know how the Third Hoshikage met his end?"
Without waiting for her answer, Natsume revealed the truth directly. "It was Akaboshi."
"As I suspected."
Natsu's expression darkened.
She had already suspected something along those lines.
Mainly because the Third Hoshikage had already decided to stop training with the Star.
His ideas were completely opposite to Akaboshi's.
Under such circumstances, it made perfect sense that Akaboshi would take desperate action.
"What do you think about killing Akaboshi and making you the Fourth Hoshikage?"
Natsume asked straightforwardly.
"Me?"
Now Natsu understood why Natsume had come looking for her.
So this had been his plan all along.
When she thought about it carefully, it did make sense.
She was, in fact, the only one who wished to keep Star Village undisturbed.
Natsu finally gave a small nod.
"Let's go to Star Village."
Seeing that, Natsume turned and left the canyon.
Kurenai Yuhi and Natsu followed close behind.
It wasn't long before they arrived at Star Village.
Gazing at the familiar village, Natsu took a deep breath and said, "I want to see my son first."
She was worried he might get caught up in any fighting later.
Natsume nodded and said, "Leave Akaboshi to us. You handle everything else."
He had no interest in elaborating further.
Natsu acknowledged and silently slipped into Star Village.
"Natsume, what about us?"
Kurenai averted her gaze and asked, "Should I officially notify Akaboshi on behalf of Konoha Village first?"
"No need."
Natsume shook his head, leapt forward several times, and stopped in front of a house.
Inside this building was stored the Star.
"Who goes there?"
His presence was immediately detected.
As Natsume was about to act, Kurenai had already stepped in front of him.
[Hell Viewing Technique: Raining Cherry Blossoms!]
Kurenai's hands formed seals rapidly.
Instantly, the four ninja from Star Village heading toward her froze in place.
A moment later, they all shut their eyes and fell backward.
Her genjutsu wouldn't work on someone like Itachi Uchiha.
But handling a few ninja from a minor village? Effortless.
Natsume stepped past them and entered the house, where he saw the meteorite.
Instantly, he felt a surge of exhilaration.
It was as if the meteorite was welcoming his arrival.
With Kaguya Otsutsuki's guidance, he was slowly transforming into a true member of the Otsutsuki Clan.
So feeling something like this felt natural.
Natsume reached out and picked up the Star.
A strange energy surged into his body immediately.
He raised an eyebrow and blocked it off.
The Star had side effects now.
He didn't want to risk whether or not it could affect his Sage Body.
It would be safest to consult Kaguya Otsutsuki first.
Just then, sounds of battle came from outside.
"Get lost!"
Purple chakra surged from Akaboshi's body.
A thunderous roar echoed as a massive dragon erupted from behind him.
Kurenai's expression changed.
A wave of intense danger washed over her.
She swiftly formed hand seals.
[Genjutsu: Hell Viewing Clone!]
A clone appeared and quickly merged with her original form.
"Pathetic tricks!"
Akaboshi seemed unaffected by the illusion, waving a hand dismissively.
The dragon split in two, completely engulfing both versions of Kurenai.
In an instant, both were swallowed by the chakra stream.
Kurenai suddenly felt herself wrapped in a warm embrace.
"Are you okay, Sister Kurenai?"
A familiar voice whispered in her ear.
"I'm fine."
Regaining her senses, Kurenai steadied herself on her feet and replied.
Once again, she felt helpless against genjutsu.
"Hand over the Star!"
Spotting the meteorite in Natsume's grasp, Akaboshi flew into a rage. "Die!"
The purple energy around him transformed into a dragon once more.
Natsume muttered inwardly, Even if I gave it to you, the Star itself wouldn't accept it.
"Stay safe!"
From nearby, a kunoichi cloaked in wing-like chakra rushed toward them.
It was Natsu.
Natsume shook his head and threw a punch straight ahead.
The giant dragon erupted.
He stepped forward and appeared before Akaboshi. He lifted his leg high and brought it crashing down.
[Heavenly Foot of Pain!]
A thunderous explosion erupted.
Cracks radiated outward from where Akaboshi stood.
Wild chakra surged violently through the air.
Akaboshi's legs were buried deep into the earth, his upper body left slumped sideways.
The purple aura around him vanished as well.
Natsu had just arrived.
She stared in shock at Akaboshi's lifeless body.
Although she had long known of Natsume's reputation, she hadn't expected him to be this terrifying.
She knew she was about forty percent weaker than Akaboshi.
Natsume could have defeated her just as easily.
She couldn't help but feel relieved she had chosen cooperation over hostility.
Otherwise, she'd probably share Akaboshi's fate—as nothing more than a corpse.
[Because your actions have changed the fates of Akaboshi, Natsu, Ō, and Kurenai Yuhi, you have gained 190 destiny points.]
A notification from Tamaki of Destiny sounded off.
It even included Kurenai Yuhi's fate.
This confirmed that events were unfolding exactly as Natsume had planned.
"Hokage-sama."
Natsu took a deep breath and asked, "What are your plans next?"
"That's up to you," Natsume replied casually. "Once you've sorted out Star Village, send someone to Konoha Village."
Natsu was taken aback.
She hadn't expected Natsume to be so quick to wash his hands of everything.
This chapter isn't over yet!
Clearly, he had no interest in Star Village.
Perhaps his sole goal was Star; everything else was merely incidental.
Natsume and Kurenai Yuhi left Star Village.
This time, he didn't plan on rushing back.
"Black Cat."
Natsume stopped and called out.
Ni Yugito appeared instantly, half-kneeling before him.
Kurenai Yuhi glanced toward her instinctively.
Memories of last night resurfaced—remembering how shamelessly the black cat had acted.
Unconsciously, a faint blush crept to her cheeks.
"I'll use the Flying Thunder God Technique to take you back," Natsume explained briefly.
The three vanished in an instant.
They reappeared inside the Hokage's office.
Ni Yugito discreetly vanished from view.
"Sister Kurenai,"
Natsume settled onto the sofa, cautiously asking, "I'm a bit tired from that fight—would you mind giving me a massage?"
Tired?
Kurenai didn't buy it.
She kept staring at him.
After a moment, she sat in front of him, patted her thighs, and said, "Lay down."
Natsume instantly rested his head on her soft thighs.
Though not quite as soft and full as Tsunade's, they were still great.
Kurenai extended her fair fingers and gently began massaging his forehead.
Seeing him like this stirred a bittersweet emotion in her chest.
"Why don't you ask your little black cat to do this?" she couldn't help but ask.
Unknowingly revealing she had peeked in last night.
"She isn't you." Natsume gazed upward.
The fabric over his chest obscured a third of her view.
Yet, her expression was unmistakable.
If it had been Tsunade, there'd be no way around it.
*Ahem.*
Natsume said softly, "She's just the Hokage's bodyguard. In my heart, she doesn't even come close to Kurenai Sister."
What a jerk!
Kurenai Yuhi wanted to bite him out of frustration.
But in the end, she didn't dare.
She could only pout quietly.
Her fingers instinctively pressed harder.
But to Natsume, it was nothing.
"Red sister,"
Natsume looked at her and said, "Star's training will start in a few days."
"Okay."
Kurenai Yuhi replied in a low voice.
"What if after the training succeeds, we make Red sister the Hokage advisor?"
Natsume asked casually.
Kurenai Yuhi was stunned.
Although it seemed high-ranking, the Hokage's secretary position wasn't really.
Its authority came entirely from the Hokage himself.
But being a Hokage advisor was different.
That was real upper management.
Even if Natsume stepped down, she'd still hold that position.
Just like Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado did before.
As long as she didn't make any mistakes, she could stay until retirement.
"Me? Can I really do that?"
Kurenai Yuhi asked uncertainly.
"Of course you can."
Natsume waved it off casually, "With me around, no one would dare object."
Kurenai Yuhi couldn't help but feel a tremor in her heart.
She hadn't realized it, but her feelings for Natsume had grown more complicated.
This guy really is... such an ass.
Did Kurenai Yuhi really not understand his intentions?
But this kind of flattery was hard to reject.
After enjoying half an hour of massage, Natsume finally took Kurenai Yuhi's hand and said, "Red sister, thank you."
Looking at him, Kurenai Yuhi spoke up, "If I become the Hokage advisor, who will take over the secretary role?"
"That would still be you."
Natsume stood up, stretched lazily, and said, "I'm not used to anyone else."
"Expect a raise."
Kurenai Yuhi snorted lightly, a smile tugging at her lips.
"No problem."
Natsume leaned in and kissed her on the cheek, saying, "I'll give you however many hundred million you want."
Taken by surprise, Kurenai Yuhi flinched.
She gave him a sharp glare and asked, "If I really asked you for hundreds of millions, would you be willing to give it?"
(End of chapter)
Four thousand words.
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