The meeting ended.
The Fire Daimyō, Ikkyū Madoka, returned to his residence.
Although he was frightened today, he wasn't stupid.
The Land of Fire still needed Konoha's protection.
Hiruzen Sarutobi had been Hokage for so long and had a very high reputation.
Even if he could punish him, there was no need.
Besides, unless he ordered an execution, any other punishment would be little more than a slap on the wrist to him.
And tomorrow Tsunade would become Hokage anyway; he wouldn't have to see him again.
After the daimyō left, Hiruzen very straightforwardly handed over power.
He was physically and mentally exhausted; there was a funeral to handle at home, and he could no longer manage Konoha's affairs.
Shimura Danzō returned to his compound seething with impotent rage.
Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado, on the other hand, acted as if nothing had happened and continued serving as Hokage advisors.
They realized that under the current circumstances, their authority had actually expanded further.
With Hiruzen and Danzō retired, only the Hokage remained.
Given Tsunade's personality, while she might be displeased with them, she wouldn't punish them—at most she'd argue back.
In fact, that's how it went in the original story.
During Tsunade's tenure as the Fifth Hokage, Koharu and Homura didn't have it great, but they remained Hokage advisors.
[Because of your actions, Tsunade's fate has changed. You gain 99 Fate Points.]
[Because of your actions, Hinata Hyūga's fate has changed. You gain 99 Fate Points.]
[Because of your actions, Yamanaka Ino's fate has changed. You gain 99 Fate Points.]
[Because of your actions, Uchiha Shin, Shimura Danzō, Hiruzen Sarutobi, Utatane Koharu, Mitokado Homura, Sai, etc., have had their fates changed. You gain 220 Fate Points.]
Tsunade became Hokage early, and with Natsume's presence on top of that, the future would certainly be different.
Yamanaka Ino and Sai most likely wouldn't end up together—after all, neither Sai nor Sasuke could compare to him in looks.
He understood the changes for the others, but what was up with Hinata Hyūga?
After a moment's thought, he concluded the only possibility was his plan to upgrade her to Tenseigan.
Which meant Kabuto's experiment would succeed.
But why now?
Could it be Uchiha Shin?
His greatest utility was being able to transplant any tissue or organ without rejection.
Natsume's eyes lit up as he understood the reason.
The plan was to induce atavistic Ōtsutsuki chakra in Uchiha Shin.
With White Zetsu available, plus Hashirama cells, Sharingan, and Shikotsumyaku, and adding a vessel capable of integrating tissues, it was indeed possible.
The rest was just a matter of time.
With that in mind, Natsume stopped peeping through the Hokage office window, slipped away, and headed to the Land of Lightning to bring Uchiha Shin back to the orphanage.
As for Orochimaru—sorry, not sorry.
Once the Flying Thunder God Technique was used, there was no way for him to keep tracking; the trail was cut.
Natsume felt no burden about stealing from Orochimaru.
Can't blame him.
In the whole ninja world, Orochimaru was a walking treasure trove with a brilliant mind.
Right?
He'd already spared Orochimaru several times—call it paying back a life-saving favor.
Ahem.
Natsume tossed Uchiha Shin in front of Kabuto.
Kabuto glanced over and asked, "What is this? What's it for?"
"Uchiha Shin. His eyes are three-tomoe Sharingan, and his constitution is even more peculiar—he can integrate any tissue without rejection, including Hashirama cells."
Natsume's answer made Kabuto instantly excited.
For him, this was undoubtedly extremely useful.
"Kabuto, let me tell you a story."
Natsume didn't rush to leave. He sat across from him and began to talk about the Ōtsutsuki clan.
If Kabuto was going to induce an atavistic awakening of their chakra, he needed to know their origins and bloodline relations.
Otherwise, he'd be groping in the dark.
"The Ōtsutsuki are aliens?"
Kabuto felt his worldview shatter.
In current ninja world legends, it's merely said that the Sage of Six Paths appeared and brought chakra.
But as for his origin, almost no one knew; no one guessed he was extraterrestrial.
At most, people thought he was a super genius who founded Ninshū and spread chakra.
"No wonder the bloodline limits of those clans are a cut above."
Kabuto chuckled, a bit mocking.
He and Orochimaru were both commoner ninja without kekkei genkai.
Now that he knew about the Ōtsutsuki, he understood that this ridiculous world wasn't truly "power above all," but "bloodline above all."
For someone with ambitions and ideals, that's hard to swallow.
"But regardless, they're all lab subjects in your hands now."
Natsume patted his shoulder. "You're better than them."
"…"
Kabuto twitched his mouth. "I've realized you see me as a tool."
"I'm funding your hobby—why say it so harshly?"
Natsume didn't feel the slightest embarrassment at being called out; he lied with a straight face. "You enjoy it anyway."
"Instead of talking so much, go find me more people."
Kabuto pushed up his glasses. "I also need a new lab."
"No problem."
Natsume pondered a moment. "Build the new lab in the Land of Waves. With Flying Thunder God, commuting won't be hard."
"Suit yourself."
Kabuto didn't care about the location. He paused and added, "All equipment must be top-tier."
Research burns money, no doubt.
In the original, Orochimaru was forced to found the Hidden Sound Village to make money.
Natsume had thought inheriting Gato's assets made him rich, but now it seemed not enough.
This lab might cost several hundred million to build.
Follow-up expenses would be endless.
But if it could awaken Hinata's Tenseigan, it would all be worth it.
"All right, get back to work."
Natsume left the orphanage.
By now, notices were being posted on the streets, announcing Tsunade as the Fifth Hokage.
He wandered around, listening to the villagers' discussions.
As he expected, almost no one opposed.
Mainly because Tsunade was famous and a medical ninja.
And though the Senju clan had disappeared on the surface, their influence lingered in the shadows.
In truth, Tsunade had plenty of supporters.
In the original story, she returned after years away and immediately became Hokage.
These factors were why.
Her credentials were simply overwhelming.
In all of Konoha, few could compare.
Setting aside her mountains of debt, Natsume was indeed mooching off her.
Heh heh.
Soft and sweet.
Natsume returned home.
Tsunade and Shizune weren't there.
He didn't mind; he took out paper and pen and began writing a development plan for Kirigakure.
As a coastal village, beyond fishing and shipping, its greatest resources actually lay on the seabed.
Because ninja didn't engage in production and ordinary folks' technology lagged behind, the seafloor was a practically untouched treasure trove.
Hire Water Style ninja to dive, and they'd find plenty of good stuff.
Of course, there was also much to be done in shipping and fisheries.
For example, the simplest branding.
Designate certain fish as luxury foods exclusive to nobles, build high-end brands—easy money.