"Of course I would."
Natsume replied firmly. "I can come up with a few hundred million if needed."
Even if they were talking about actual money, given the current scale of the Thousand Sunny Merchant Guild, that wouldn't be a problem at all.
The business operations across countries like the Land of Waves, Land of Snow, Land of Water, and Land of Fire...
Combined together, a few hundred million was just pocket money.
But if it wasn't about money, then things would get even simpler.
Kurenai Yuhi froze.
She hadn't expected Natsume to be so serious.
A few hundred million ryo?
An ordinary jonin might never earn that much in their entire lifetime.
An S-rank mission starts at one million ryo—yet it's dangerous and time-consuming.
Plus, you'd have to split the earnings with Konoha Village or your teammates.
If Natsume gave her several hundred million ryo, Kurenai could easily retire and live comfortably for the rest of her life without needing to work anymore.
Maybe even her descendants wouldn't need to work either—they could just enjoy themselves.
"When did you learn how to flatter people like this?"
Kurenai continued massaging as she smirked slightly and asked.
After her initial surprise, she still thought Natsume was just trying to cheer her up.
"Sister Kurenai,"
Natsume chuckled softly. "How much would you sell your future for? A few hundred million?"
"What are you saying?"
Kurenai frowned angrily upon hearing this. "Don't joke around!"
"I'm not joking at all."
Natsume immediately denied. "Getting both the Hokage's advisor and his secretary sounds like a bargain to me."
...
Kurenai looked at his expression, unable to figure out what to say for a moment.
After a short pause, she let out a soft scoff and asked, "You really mean it if I name any price I want?"
"Of course."
Natsume nodded. "I am the Hokage. My word is always reliable."
"Two hundred million... no, five hundred million."
Kurenai narrowed her eyes and quoted an extremely high price.
She wanted to scare Natsume a bit.
As the Hokage's secretary, she knew very well about Konoha's financial situation.
Although there indeed was five hundred million ryo, taking that amount out would definitely cause chaos and a major deficit.
A competent Hokage would never do something like this.
Unless applying for funds from the Land of Fire.
Would the Daimyo approve that?
Absolutely impossible.
"Deal."
Natsume stood up, reached out his hand, and tightly held Kurenai's hand, afraid she might back out. "Sister Kurenai, it's settled then."
"???"
Kurenai looked puzzled.
You're actually serious?
"Natsume, this isn't funny."
Kurenai glared at him and said.
"But you've already agreed."
Knowing she didn't believe him, Natsume didn't explain further.
Truthfully speaking, any other ninja probably wouldn't believe this either.
But who asked him to have so much money?
It was almost like an advance payment on her future salary.
Not a bad deal at all.
"Fine fine fine."
Seeing this, Kurenai could only play along and humor him.
At this moment, she once again saw him as a child.
Dusk.
Kurenai Yuhi left the Hokage Building and walked home.
"I'm home!"
She opened the door and shouted inside.
"Time for dinner!"
Yuhi Suzu's voice came from within.
Kurenai Yuhi wore a blissful smile.
She took off her high heels and stepped into the living room wearing black stockings.
"Oh, there's a letter for you on the coffee table."
Yuhi Suzu peeked from the kitchen doorway and said, "It was sent by Hokage-sama's people."
"What is it?"
Kurenai asked with slight confusion.
If it were anything important, it should have been delivered directly to her at the Hokage Building instead of being sent to her home.
"I don't know."
After saying that, Yuhi Suzu continued preparing dinner.
Kurenai sat on the sofa, her legs together, posture perfectly upright.
This was one of the essential etiquette rules she had learned since becoming the Hokage's secretary.
She needed to maintain an excellent image.
She couldn't disgrace the Hokage.
And keeping this discipline even at home was just a matter of habit.
Kurenai opened the envelope, but instead of a letter, what inside was a bankbook.
A Land of Fire Bank savings book.
After Natsume controlled the Land of Fire, naturally the banks also fell under his control.
His earlier confidence stemmed not only from the Thousand Sunny Merchant Guild but also from control over these banks.
Though the money wasn't his, he had temporary access to use it as needed.
In other words, if he chose to act ruthlessly, Jiraiya could be left completely broke overnight.
After all, many ninjas, including Jiraiya himself, kept their money deposited in the Land of Fire Bank.
Kurenai instinctively glanced at the balance and froze in place.
Exactly five hundred million ryō.
At the same time, a small note slipped out as well.
Kurenai caught it.
The handwriting was unmistakably Natsume's.
"Dear Sister Kurenai, from now on, your entire life belongs to me."
"..."
Kurenai finally regained consciousness after a long pause.
Bit her lip lightly, put away the bankbook, quickly ran toward the door, and put on her shoes.
"Mom, I'm going out. I'll be right back."
Without waiting for Yuhi Suzu's reply, Kurenai opened the door and disappeared quickly.
Not too long afterward, she appeared in front of the bank.
It was the branch of the Land of Fire Bank located in Konoha Village.
She walked in and minutes later walked out again, dazed.
It was real.
If she wished, she could withdraw the full 500 million ryō anytime.
Although giving money seemed quite tacky, when the amount reached such a level, few people could resist.
Whether male or female.
Right now, Kurenai was completely shocked beyond words by Natsume's action.
This mini-chapter isn't over yet—more excitement coming!
---
The next morning.
Natsume pushed open his bedroom door, feeling refreshed and full of energy.
Behind him, Tsunade was still asleep.
She thought she could handle more than usual yesterday and recklessly insisted on training for another two hours.
Now she was utterly exhausted.
After breakfast, Natsume asked Shizune to stay home taking care of Senka and Tsunade before heading to the Hokage Building.
He opened the office door and found Kurenai already waiting inside.
"Sister Kurenai, why are you here so early today?"
Actually, Natsume knew the reason well.
Undoubtedly because of the 500 million ryō he had given her the previous day.
"Natsume, take this back. I can't accept it."
Kurenai stood up and handed the bankbook to him.
Natsume paused briefly.
Such an enormous sum—and Kurenai actually resisted the temptation?
It felt somewhat unbelievable.
But it also indirectly showed that she really was a decent woman.
"Didn't we already settle this yesterday — ?"
Natsume didn't respond, just shook his head.
"I thought you were joking."
A flicker of melancholy passed through Kurenai's beautiful eyes.
"I'm not joking."
Seeing her expression, Natsume couldn't help but chuckle. "Don't feel guilty about it, Sister Kurenai. If you think of it as your future salary, would that make you feel better?"
Kurenai paused briefly.
By that logic, five hundred million yen wasn't that unreasonable.
Still, something about it felt strange to her.
It felt almost like selling herself.
"Alright then, Sister Kurenai, you should get to work now. There are many things waiting for you."
Natsume quickly changed the subject.
"Oh."
Kurenai dazedly walked out of the Hokage's office.
She glanced down at her bankbook, then smiled after a pause.
Well enough.
After all, she probably wouldn't fall for anyone else again.
Spending the rest of her life with Natsume didn't seem so bad after all.
Daimyo's Mansion in the Land of Snow.
The moment Natsume arrived, his presence was sensed by Kaguya Otsutsuki.
She appeared before him and hugged him tightly.
Natsume immediately felt the softness of her embrace,
with nothing separating them.
Because today, Kaguya Otsutsuki was wearing a cheongsam—
elegant in white, yet undeniably sensual.
Since the last time Natsume had taken her out, her lifestyle had changed considerably.
For example, she no longer wore the same outfit constantly, occasionally changing into different clothes.
Of course, they were all pieces bought by Natsume.
"That's enough."
Three minutes later, Natsume patted her slim waist gently.
The tight-fitting cheongsam accentuated her slim waist beautifully.
Compared to her outfit from the original story, one could never tell what her figure was truly like.
That really was a waste.
"Mm."
Kaguya nodded softly, releasing the hug but keeping hold of his hand.
Natsume found himself both amused and slightly exasperated.
When it came to emotions, perhaps no one could rival Kaguya Otsutsuki.
Because they were too pure.
"Take a look at this."
Natsume pulled her along, sat her on the sofa, and pulled out the meteorite.
Kaguya glanced at it briefly, and a slight ripple appeared in her pale eyes.
She spoke, "It's a piece of the Ten-Tails."
According to records from the original story, this meteorite had fallen from the sky two hundred years ago.
It was discovered by the first-generation Hoshikage, who then founded Hoshigakure—Star Village—at that very location.
Most likely, it was a fragment that had peeled away from the sealed body of the Ten-Tails on the moon.
As for how it broke off, Natsume speculated it might have been related to the war between the main and branch families of the Otsutsuki Clan on the moon.
After all, by the end of that war, only Toneri Otsutsuki remained of Hamura Otsutsuki's bloodline.
That battle must've been brutal.
Plus there was the Tenseigan involved; perhaps someone had struck the Ten-Tails by accident—somehow plausible.
"This has radiation on it. Can you remove it?"
Natsume asked.
"I can."
Kaguya Otsutsuki extended her hand and grasped the meteorite.
The meteorite visibly trembled violently.
As if it were trembling with excitement.
Soon, the meteorite looked brand new, with the faint radioactive glow completely gone.
"Thank you."
Natsume leaned in and gently kissed the corner of her mouth.
But Kaguya otsutsuki immediately seized the opportunity.
Not until his throat was dry and hoarse did he barely escape from her heavenly trap.
Natsume exhaled, his lips still numb from the kiss. As he gazed into Kaguya's dewy eyes, a sudden thought struck him.
"Wait a second."
He held Kaguya's hand and said, "Take a look at this scroll."
It was the Caged Bird Seal.
He had promised Hinata Hyuga earlier to refine it.
Kaguya glanced at it, gave a slight nod, then scooped up Natsume and carried him toward the bedroom.
At noon, Yukie Kazahana rapped lightly on the door.
When no one responded, she felt puzzled—Kaguya was hardly ever away.
Hesitating for a moment, she pushed open the door.
The living room was empty.
But she could faintly hear soft noises coming from the bedroom.
Instinctively, she crept closer and peeked through the crack, immediately clamping a hand over her mouth in shock.
In her panic, she pushed the door open further.
Natsume immediately turned to look at her.
"I'm sorry... I didn't mean to! I swear!"
Yukie blushed deeply as she apologized.
Yet strangely, her feet remained rooted to the spot instead of retreating.
Natsume arched a brow and glanced at Kaguya.
She showed no reaction, still lost in her own world.
"Come here."
Natsume gestured closer.
Yukie lightly bit her crimson lips and stepped forward.
"Umm... What is it?"
Her eyes shimmered with seduction.
"It's freezing in here. Warm me up."
Natsume pulled back the quilt and said.
Yukie stood frozen for a few seconds before sliding beneath the blankets.
Night fell.
Natsume returned home.
But this time, he'd learned his lesson—he took a shower first before meeting Tsunade.
No suspicion was raised.
Time passed.
Two more months went by, and winter arrived.
That meant a new year had come.
Nothing major happened in Konoha Village.
Natsume gave the meteorite and Kujaku techniques to Kurenai Yuhi.
Her power level skyrocketed dramatically.
However, as Hokage's secretary, she rarely left the office, so hadn't gotten a chance to test it yet.
The refined talent of the Immortal Lineage worked well in tandem with the cursed seal.
Still, that was Orochimaru's cursed seal—something Natsume wasn't comfortable relying on.
He was waiting for Kabuto Yakushi's version of the cursed seal.
As for the Hyuga clan, thanks to Natsume's support, Hiashi Hyuga had become quite firm in his stance.
Temporarily stopping Hanabi Hyuga from carving the Caged Bird Seal.
However, Elder Hiromasa Hyuga was consolidating power, plotting to install a new clan leader.
Unknown to him, every move he made was being monitored by Natsume.
The day he couldn't hold back any longer would be the day Hinata could strike using the improved Caged Bird Seal.
Something major was truly unfolding in the Land of Fire—
The transformation of the metropolis.
After an extensive overhaul, the Land of Fire had been completely transformed.
The old aristocratic families had vanished entirely.
The replacements were mostly talents handpicked using the Mangekyo Sharingan's power.
Loyalty was guaranteed under absolute strength.
Natsume believed the timing was right and decided to begin reconstruction of the Land of Fire's Metropolis, modeled after the modern cities of his past life.
That would certainly shock Kaguya Otsutsuki.
Actually, it wouldn't just be her—Tsunade and others would probably be both shocked and amazed too.
After all, the previous city had been quite ordinary.
Hokage's Office.
Natsume leaned back with his head resting on Kurenai Yuhi's lap.
Ever since he paid the 500 million cost, situations like this had become commonplace.
Kurenai seemed resigned to her fate, choosing not to resist his repeated attempts at affection.
Only a thin veil remained between them.
"The new batch of students will soon graduate from the Ninja Academy."
Kurenai gently massaged Natsume's head as she spoke. "This year's class is exceptional."
They might as well have been the strongest generation ever.
Had Natsume not interfered, the Konoha Twelve would have formed.
But that title would never come to be now.
The three strongest—Naruto Uzumaki, Sasuke Uchiha, and Hinata Hyuga—had already graduated ahead of schedule.
Even the remaining students were significantly stronger compared to previous generations.
"With graduation approaching, they'll need class assignments and squad leaders. Do you have any ideas?"
Kurenai asked again.
"The new Ino–Shika–Cho trio—Ino Yamanaka, Choji Akimichi, and Shikamaru Nara—will be led by Kabuto Yakushi."
Natsume said with a smile. "It's time Kabuto got some fresh air. If he keeps locking himself away, he might actually start to rot."
"But I think he won't agree."
Kurenai understood Kabuto's personality well enough to know he was obsessed with research.
Making him lead a team would surely irritate him.
"No worries."
Natsume waved his hand dismissively. "As for Kiba Inuzuka, Shino Aburame, and Sakura Haruno, let Shizune lead their squad."
Shizune was no longer weak.
In the original story, she never fully mastered the Yin Seal, always falling just short of perfection.
Before, Natsume might not have offered help.
But now, if there was no merit, at least there was effort.
So he spent a little destiny value to ensure her successful training in the Yin Seal.
He also had her fuse the Yin Seal with Kujaku using meteoric power.
With both the Yin Seal and Kujaku combined, her strength was more than enough.
"You can handle the rest yourself,"
Natsume casually waved his hand.
After all, the rest wouldn't contribute much in terms of destiny value anyway.
Four thousand words. P.S.: Big thanks to readers supporting my new book!
(The End of This Chapter)
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