Natsume had always been a ninja who did what he said he would do.
He didn't do anything more to Uchiha Mikoto.
Everyone has limits to what they can bear.
What he wanted was a normal subordinate, not a broken one.
As Natsume stepped out of Uchiha Mikoto's room, he saw Tayuya.
She was still wearing a kimono, but without the bamboo gag.
"How was your punishment last time?"
Natsume smiled, looking amused.
Perhaps it was precisely that attitude that made Tayuya feel angry.
Hands on her hips, head lifted, she said with a hint of disdain, "A mere two days, hardly worth mentioning!"
Hmph, like she'd admit she'd been starving to the point of fainting, drooling into the bamboo tube until it soaked and dripped everywhere—downright unseemly.
"You seem lively."
Natsume nodded in satisfaction.
"What are you trying to do?"
Tayuya immediately put on a guarded look, eyes glaring at him like a young beast.
"Am I so deplorable in your eyes?"
Natsume casually took out a lollipop. "Want one?"
"No!"
Tayuya froze for a second, then raised her voice, "I'm not a kid!"
"Adults can eat lollipops too."
Natsume shoved it into her hand. "You have to eat it, or I'll punish you."
Tayuya was a little stunned.
But Natsume had already left.
She thought for a moment, tore open the wrapper, and licked.
Banana flavor.
"What the heck."
Tayuya snorted lightly. "Trying to buy me with a lollipop? No way. Next time I'll definitely kill you!"
…
Natsume didn't leave the Land of Waves immediately.
It was noon, so he spent some times with Uzumaki Hinae.
The next second, as the Flying Thunder God Technique unfolded, he appeared in the Mizukage's office.
"Could you at least give a heads-up before you come?"
Startled, Terumi Mei patted her chest and said.
"Sorry."
Natsume smiled a little awkwardly. "I don't really have a good way."
There's no internet in the ninja world, nor cell phones or telephones.
How was he supposed to notify in advance?
Terumi Mei stared at him for a while, then asked, "Your technique seems like Konoha's Flying Thunder God, doesn't it?"
Natsume was a bit surprised.
As expected of the Mizukage.
What keen observation.
By rights, the Flying Thunder God is practically impossible to guard against.
For her to recognize it from the small details—her perception was truly amazing.
Come to think of it, Natsume had tried to farm her favor for a while, even played the hero-saving-the-beauty card, but she never lost her reason to fall into some brainless romance.
A fine woman.
You've caught my attention.
Cough.
Natsume admitted directly: "Indeed, it's the Flying Thunder God Technique."
"So you were lying when you said you were a Kirigakure-born ninja."
Terumi Mei wasn't very surprised—she'd suspected for a while.
Because Natsume was excessively strong.
And some of the Water Style techniques he used simply weren't recorded in Kirigakure.
Across the ninja world, the village best at Water Style is actually Konoha.
Because of Senju Tobirama.
The Second Hokage roamed the ninja world on the back of his overwhelmingly powerful Water Style.
Kirigakure's Water Style had borrowed a great deal from his.
Even knowing certain parts of Natsume's identity, Terumi Mei couldn't do anything.
After all, she was drowning in debt.
And if Natsume truly wanted to harm Kirigakure, he'd had countless opportunities.
Why go through all these hoops?
Terumi Mei understood that once someone is strong enough, schemes become useless.
What could she do?
Kill Natsume?
Drive out the Sunshine Trading Company?
She could do nothing.
She couldn't beat him, and the latter was a major patron.
A helpless reality.
"The sun's nice today, not a cloud in the sky, no rain."
Standing by the window, Natsume smiled and extended an invitation. "Mizukage, interested in accompanying me to the Land of Whirlpools?"
"You've got it wrong—it's not 'accompany,' it's a mission commission."
Terumi Mei shook her head and corrected him.
"Right, a commission."
Natsume found it amusing.
Terumi Mei and Tsunade were completely different types.
One poised, one forthright.
No wonder one was Mizukage and the other Hokage.
"Since it's the Mizukage herself, let's mark it as an S-rank mission. Payment… hm, 5.2 million ryō."
Natsume said casually.
When you have several billion, a few million is pocket change.
But not so for Terumi Mei.
It was the first time she'd seen such a generous client.
She froze for several seconds before reacting.
"No, too much. A Land of Whirlpools without ninjas isn't worth that."
Though tempted, Terumi Mei refused his excessive generosity.
A principled Mizukage couldn't be corrupted by money.
And such an overpayment would make anyone suspect Natsume's intentions.
"Then 1 million."
The sudden lowball left Terumi Mei stunned again.
She took a deep breath. "Were you teasing me just now?"
A million was appropriate, but cutting over 4 million in one stroke?
Odd.
Only explanation: he did it on purpose.
"Keeping a straight face all day isn't flattering."
Natsume smiled. "If money can bring out a different kind of charm in the Mizukage, I'm happy."
Terumi Mei couldn't help but glare at him.
What a lecher.
If it were anyone else, she'd have melted him with Lava Release already.
Terumi Mei patted her chest and silently recited: I am the Mizukage. I won't get angry.
Natsume enjoyed the graceful oscillations.
Not quite Tsunade's level, but above most.
"Let's go."
Terumi Mei recovered her cool and said, "I already had the Anbu investigate the Land of Whirlpools in advance. The worst problem is the rogue ninja."
Natsume nodded and suddenly thought of Kaguya Kimimaro.
Would Terumi Mei compete with him?
A hundred percent yes.
A bit troublesome.
But by the looks of it, Terumi Mei didn't know Kimimaro was there.
Why?
If Kimimaro had acted, she'd have noticed.
The Shikotsumyaku is too distinctive.
Unless he hadn't acted at all?
Natsume thought for a moment and guessed the reason.
The Kekkai disease had flared.
In the original, Kimimaro met Orochimaru as a child, which extended his life a few years.
As a rogue ninja now, how would he have the funds or personnel to treat himself?
"There are roughly three rogue factions. The biggest is rather proper—their leader is called Honoka, a researcher studying summoning beasts."
Terumi Mei glanced at the prepared dossier. "The other two aren't worth mentioning—not even a jōnin."
Truth is, jōnin rarely go rogue.
With that power, they could go to some small village and live well.
If they had ideals, they could join the Five Great Villages and potentially soar.
Natsume frowned.
Honoka… sounded familiar.
An idol who sings and dances?
No, wrong—should be a character from the original.
Ever since he'd grown stronger, Natsume's memory had improved.
He could recall details he'd only seen once in his previous life.
"What's wrong?"
Terumi Mei had been watching him. Seeing his expression change, she asked, "Is something off?"
"No. Let's go."
Natsume shook his head.
Terumi Mei didn't press. She stood and walked toward the door.
"Wait."
Natsume stopped her. "No need to go through the trouble—I'll take you there."
Terumi Mei hesitated for two seconds, then nodded.
She'd heard of the Flying Thunder God, but never seen it.
During the Third Great Ninja War, when Namikaze Minato was active, Kirigakure had only sent the Three-Tails and the Seven Ninja Swordsmen.
As an unknown technique, a Mizukage shouldn't take risks.
"Spatial transfer can be a bit unstable."
Natsume extended his arm solemnly. "Hold onto me so you don't fall."
Terumi Mei immediately suspected his motives.
But after scanning his expressions several times, she didn't find anything off.
She wasn't an ordinary woman. She decisively hugged his arm and nestled it against her full chest.
The Flying Thunder God activated.
They appeared above the ruins of Uzushiogakure.
Natsume's shadow clone had buried a Flying Thunder God kunai there earlier.
It was secluded; normally, it wouldn't be discovered.
"The Flying Thunder God really is useful."
Terumi Mei let go of his arm. Though she felt stirred inside, she felt more envy.
Konoha had such an advantage.
Not only rich in resources, but bursting with geniuses.
When it came to forbidden or decisive jutsu, Kirigakure had almost nothing.
"Mizukage, please lead the way."
Natsume savored Mei's softness, though it was clearly not on Tsunade's level.
"Mm."
Terumi Mei surveyed the surroundings, oriented herself, then leapt away.
Natsume hurried after her.
…
Ten minutes later, they stopped in front of a tavern.
"This is the base of the first rogue faction."
Terumi Mei pushed the door open, immediately drawing all eyes.
"Where'd this pretty chick come from?"
After a moment, a sleazy-looking middle-aged man stood up, speaking even sleazier. "Judging by your look, you don't know what real pleasure is yet, huh? Come keep your granddaddy company!"
Terumi Mei's face sank.
Before Natsume could speak, she opened her mouth.
Lava Release: Melting Apparition Technique!
Orange acid drenched the man.
He didn't even manage a scream before returning to the Pure Land to meet the Sage of Six Paths.
"Run!"
Even idiots could tell they'd run into a powerhouse.
Terumi Mei showed no mercy. The acid from her mouth scattered like celestial rain, covering everyone.
Rogue ninjas—death was too light a punishment.
They were all monstrously evil.
Even with Kirigakure short on manpower, Terumi Mei disdained them.
In a lawless place like the Land of Whirlpools, humanity had long been extinguished.
Screams sounded again and again.
Natsume crouched and wrote a few large characters on the floor:
[From now on, property of Sunshine Trading Company.]
By the time he finished, Terumi Mei was done.
She felt quite refreshed.
The irritation from Natsume's earlier teasing was vented.
As for the random middle-aged man's words—they weren't worth a thought.
Unless Natsume had said them.
Then she would've reacted.
"Let's go."
Terumi Mei glanced at the characters.
Beautiful handwriting.
She turned and left the tavern.
…
Half an hour later, they arrived at a casino.
They encountered weak resistance, but took it smoothly.
Only the last rogue faction remained.
"In the mountains?"
Natsume was surprised.
In the chaos of the Land of Whirlpools, any ninja with a bit of power could throw his weight around.
Going all the way to the mountains was… eccentric.
"Let me handle this one, how about it?"
Natsume extended his hand to block her.
"...?"
Terumi Mei looked up at him.
Her sharp mind began seeking reasons.
Earlier, Natsume reacted oddly when he heard "Honoka."
Could they know each other?
"I haven't lifted a finger on this whole trip. Kinda boring."
Natsume tossed out a casual excuse and walked into the cave.
Terumi Mei hesitated for a few seconds, then didn't follow.
Rogue ninjas.
However strange, it wouldn't be too serious.
No need to offend a golden goose over this.
…
In the dim cave, light flickered.
Natsume tilted his head; a kunai grazed his cheek.
Then wind rushed behind him—a short blade thrust straight for his spine.
Prepared, Natsume reversed his grip to block with his kunai, then let go.
Using chakra, the kunai ricocheted and sliced the attacker's Achilles.
A scream rang out.
Natsume ignored it and moved on.
Compressed air whistled—an air bullet.
A young, ordinary-looking ninja fired it from ahead.
Natsume vanished in a Body Flicker, dodged, and knocked the man out.
Then mist spread.
The already dim cave turned pitch-black.
Natsume was surprised.
Hidden Mist Jutsu.
Most rogues didn't have this sort of repertoire.
Interesting.
The sound of water echoed.
A great dragon of water rushed at him.
Too lazy to dodge, Natsume cut down with the Sword of the Thunder God.
Gashes split the water dragon.
Moments later, it was chopped into dozens of pieces and splashed onto the ground.
Natsume swung again.
Lightning flashed into a sword beam, lighting the cave and shocking the caster into a twitching heap, foam at the mouth.
But the mist remained.
Meaning there was another ninja.
Natsume turned. The Sword of the Thunder God roared; dozens of sword beams shot out from the blade.
"Watch out!"
"Scatter!"
"Ahhh!"
A chorus of cries.
Natsume glanced at the bodies on the ground—he hadn't killed anyone.
He finally stepped into a sizable underground hall.
Six people stood ready.
At the center was Honoka in a white dress.
What caught Natsume's eye most was her flaming red hair.
Uzumaki clan.
He finally remembered who Honoka was.
A sealing specialist from the original story who appeared on the Island Turtle in the Land of the Sea arc.
Talented in fūinjutsu and summoning.
It was never explicitly stated she was Uzumaki, but the signs were obvious.
Why was she in the Land of Whirlpools?
Natsume thought it over—plausible.
There were still years before the Island Turtle events.
She'd probably go there later.
"May I ask who you are?"
Honoka stepped forward, voice steady. "What do you want? We can negotiate."
From the earlier fight, she understood that Natsume's strength far exceeded theirs.
Unless they unleashed bedridden Kaguya Kimimaro.
But that would only hasten his death.