After leaving the Priestess's palace, Natsume finally got a feel for this world.
Poverty and chaos.
Along the way he encountered several robberies.
One of them was by the infamous "Bandit King."
It was said he had the strength of a nation.
In reality, it was just a few samurai and a few hundred villagers.
Natsume easily took their valuables.
Unlike later eras, the currency now was gold and silver, not paper money.
And the purchasing power of a ryo was more than ten times higher.
Natsume quickly found himself quite wealthy.
He'd thought the "bandit nation" thing was all bluster, but later he found out it was true.
On the road, he ran into a war between two countries.
The Land of Woods and the Land of Mountains.
A grand melee of over a thousand people.
It left Natsume speechless.
Compared to the tens of thousands or hundreds of thousands involved in wars in his previous life, this "grand" scene was frankly embarrassing.
Natsume could now understand why Ōtsutsuki Kaguya wanted to pacify the world.
Because there were too few people.
Only by gathering them could she plant the God Tree more effectively.
Following the map provided by Kukuri, Natsume finally arrived at the Land of Ancestors.
By comparison, this country actually had some semblance of a state.
At least the scale was decent—probably tens of thousands of people.
No wonder Ōtsutsuki Kaguya came to the Land of Ancestors.
The problem was the Emperor was too much of a scumbag.
His reason for betraying Kaguya was utterly absurd.
He was threatened by the neighboring Land of That.
If he didn't hand over Kaguya, they would attack the Land of Ancestors.
And the Emperor agreed to this condition.
Gotta say, the anime plot here was pretty silly.
Natsume arrived at the capital of the Land of Ancestors.
A city that looked smaller than Konoha Village.
"Who goes there?"
In front of the palace, a line of samurai blocked Natsume. "Commoners prohibited from entering."
In this era, daimyo and nobles still stood high above.
In fact, they were even more secure.
After all, there was no supernatural power yet.
Natsume activated his Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan. One casual glare and the samurai all returned to their posts, ignoring him.
He continued forward.
"You are…"
Two guards froze where they stood.
"Take me to the Emperor."
Natsume ordered.
In the original story, the Emperor wasn't the imperial title as we'd assume—it was his given name.
Normally, an emperor would be translated as "daimyo," not "Emperor."
He wasn't sure whether this Emperor was a daimyo yet.
If he was, that would mean Kaguya's descent wasn't far off.
Before long, Natsume met the Land of Ancestors' Emperor.
He wore gorgeous clothes, his hair rolled up by each ear, looking much sharper than the common folk outside.
In terms of looks and bearing, he was a cut above.
In times of chaos, daimyo and nobles were the only ones who could live well.
Natsume guessed Kaguya was a face-con.
Two different species could only get to "romance" via looks.
If so, Natsume felt he had a big advantage.
"How did you get in here?"
The Emperor looked at the unfamiliar Natsume, then at the two guards, and demanded, "Why did you bring him to me?"
Naturally, there was no answer.
A bad premonition hit him. He opened his mouth to call for people, then fell into a daze.
"How do I prove the Ōtsutsuki Kaguya storyline now?"
Natsume looked at him, pondering.
Killing him would actually prove it.
But once dead, there's no taking it back.
Best to leave room for reversals.
He could revive with Fate Points, but he didn't want to waste them.
"Kill your second younger brother."
Natsume himself didn't know medical ninjutsu, but he had a Sage Body.
Worst case, he would help him recover later.
At Natsume's words, the Emperor drew a samurai blade and cut down in an instant.
Blood sprayed.
But under control, he didn't scream.
[Because of your actions, the Emperor's fate has changed. You gained 10 Fate Points.]
No Kaguya, no Hagoromo and Hamura.
That meant it was the manga version.
"Now kill yourself."
Thinking of this, Natsume gave the order without hesitation.
The Emperor picked up the blade and severed the head above.
He collapsed to the ground, covered in blood.
[Because of your actions, the Emperor's fate has changed. You gained 48 Fate Points.]
Acceptable.
Natsume immediately disguised himself as the Emperor and temporarily took over the Land of Ancestors.
He also ordered all subordinates to report at once if they saw a white-haired, white-eyed woman.
…
Meanwhile, the ninja world was buzzing.
After Natsume entered the Dragon Vein, Shimura Danzō used Izanagi to resurrect.
But he didn't dare remain, since Rasa and the others had been captured.
Alone, it was impossible for him to return to Konoha and claim the Hokage's seat.
"Natsume!"
Hatred colored Danzō's voice.
He knew Natsume hadn't killed him.
Because at the moment of death, he'd witnessed the Flying Thunder God.
Plus, there were no bodies or traces nearby.
So he believed Natsume had escaped ahead of time.
In other words, all his long planning was ruined.
And he'd dragged down Sunagakure and the Shimura clan with him.
From now on, he was a loner again.
But as long as the green hills remain, one need not fear for firewood.
He was still alive.
"I'll be back!"
Danzō gnashed his teeth and vanished into the sands.
On a nearby high platform—
After Natsume threw down Rasa and the others, the rest slowly came back to their senses.
"Am I dreaming?"
Kurenai's mouth hung open wide enough to fit a fist.
That showed just how shocked she was.
Natsume's awe-inspiring display had burned into her mind.
Just thinking about it made one want to press their thighs together.
Ahem—shivering so hard it was hard to stand.
"I don't think it's a dream."
Kakashi lowered his head, using his Sharingan to examine Rasa.
Not genjutsu, not a clone or transformation.
It was truly the Kazekage.
As Konoha's prodigy, he'd become a jōnin at twelve.
By now, he'd experienced countless battles, big and small.
But never once had he personally captured a Kage of one of the Five Great Villages.
He suddenly thought of Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Called the strongest Hokage, his record was pretty poor.
It was Hashirama who deserved that title.
He pacified the warring states and truly defeated the Kage of the Five Great Villages.
Now another Hokage had done the same.
And with ease.
Kakashi let out a breath.
Konoha should be very interesting going forward.
Chances were there wouldn't be another Obito-and-Rin situation.
"Kakashi, I'm fired up!"
Might Guy clenched his fists, tears streaming down like a waterfall. "So strong! Lord Hokage! I want a hot-blooded match of youth with him!"
His tone brimmed with fighting spirit.
"…"
Kakashi glanced at him, at a loss for words.
Eight Gates Guy was indeed strong, but could one kick do anything to a Thousand-Armed Kannon thousands of times bigger?
And Natsume had Flying Thunder God—he could kite him to death.
"Lord Hiashi."
Kakashi withdrew his gaze. "Should we head back now?"
With Rasa and the others captured, the Sand shinobi wouldn't take it lying down.
Now that Natsume had gone after Danzō, who knew when he'd be back.
If Sand's shinobi surrounded them now, it'd be another tough fight.
Especially with advisors Chiyo and Ebizō—not easy to deal with.
"Ah?"
Hiashi answered reflexively.
He was still completely dazed.
Natsume's supreme power made him realize just how strong a shinobi could be.
Hashirama likely wasn't beyond this.
No wonder Hiashi's brother Hizashi—er, actually, no wonder Hiashi himself—viewed Natsume so highly.
Willing to give him his daughter.
Under normal circumstances, when had the main branch ever married outside?
Hiashi now felt a pang of regret.
Why had he fathered a son?
If it had been a daughter, he could have forged the bond.
Thinking about it now, even as a Hokage advisor, he was still outplayed by Hiashi's own "layout."
Being the Hokage's in-law clearly trumped him.
"Lord Hiashi."
Kakashi repeated, "We should set out for Konoha immediately."
"You're right."
Hiashi quickly collected himself and became decisive. "Everyone, move out at once."
They hefted Rasa and the others and headed off.
About half an hour later, several shadows dropped down.
Leading them was the lavender short-haired, deeply wrinkled Chiyo.
She looked at the forest sprouting in the desert before her and slowly closed her eyes.
In her senses, there was an overwhelming vitality.
"How terrifying."
Chiyo took a deep breath. "Konoha has another Wood Release powerhouse. Our Sunagakure will find it hard to make moves."
"What do we do now?"
Even Ebizō's usually calm face couldn't hold; a chill spread through his heart.
Kazekage Rasa and One-Tail jinchūriki Gaara had both been captured—Sunagakure was in its most perilous state.
Who knew what price they'd have to pay to get them back?
If they didn't, Sunagakure might be struck from the Five Great Villages.
Kumogakure, always eyeing them, would likely raise armies at once.
"No other way—sue for peace and alliance."
Chiyo gritted her teeth, helpless. "This started with Rasa; we have no grounds. Let's hope this new Hokage is like Hiruzen—easier to negotiate with."
A typical shinobi would take three days to travel from Suna to Konoha.
But news spreads faster.
Before Hiashi and the others had returned, the ninja world was already boiling.
…
Konoha, Hokage's office.
Tsunade was asleep over her desk.
Shizune watched helplessly.
Without Natsume around, she'd reverted to her lazy self.
Just then, a knock sounded.
Tsunade jolted awake, the fine features of her face even bearing imprint marks.
"Your face."
Shizune reminded her.
"Oh."
Tsunade casually wiped her face. "It should be news from Suna."
"Come in."
Shizune nodded and called to the door.
"Lady Tsunade."
An ANBU appeared and handed over a letter.
"You're dismissed."
Tsunade waved him off, opened the letter, skimmed it, and smiled. "Just as expected."
Before leaving, Natsume had told her about Danzō and the Dragon Vein.
Though Suna had taken part, the outcome was perfect.
"How is it?"
Shizune, holding the little pink pig, asked.
"See for yourself."
Pride lit Tsunade's face. "It'll shock you."
This was the man she'd chosen.
He did well wherever he went.
Thinking of that, she licked her lips. With such a big achievement, how should she reward him?
"No way!"
Shizune's pupils shrank after just one line.
It said Natsume had captured Kazekage Rasa and the One-Tail jinchūriki Gaara.
She wondered if ANBU had messed up the intel.
Rasa was one thing, but even the One-Tail was captured?
Had her junior grown this strong without her noticing?
"Shizune, notify everyone for a meeting, and spread the news to the villagers."
Tsunade stood, showing the decisiveness of a Hokage. "We'd be remiss not to properly fleece Suna for Natsume's sake."
At the same time, the major clans were only a step behind in receiving the news.
…
Hyūga clan.
Hiashi's hands couldn't help but tremble.
He knew Natsume had the Mangekyō Sharingan.
Now there was Wood Release on top.
Wasn't that the combination of Hashirama and Madara?
Hiashi was immensely grateful he hadn't done anything stupid.
Otherwise, the nearly thousand-year heritage of the Hyūga would have been ruined in his hands.
…
Ino–Shika–Chō.
"Shikaku, it's gotta be you."
Chōza grinned, his round face pleased.
He meant all those jōnin meetings where Shikaku had urged support for Natsume.
From Hokage aide to Hokage, never once opposing him.
They hadn't understood at first, but now it seemed the wisest choice.
"I didn't expect him to be this terrifyingly strong, either."
Shikaku sighed. "Even the Third can't compare."
"And it's Wood Release with special significance."
Yamanaka Inoichi suddenly thought of his daughter, Ino.
Natsume still wasn't married.
He was young, just a few years older than Ino.
If it worked out, wouldn't the Yamanaka clan soar?
…
Sarutobi clan compound.
Hiruzen stood as if petrified.
How could this be?
He knew that from now on, if Natsume wished, he could be Hokage for life.
"Something's off with his Wood Release."
Hiruzen thought of the Senju bloodline.
Clearly Tsunade had concealed the true reason she'd adopted him.
"A counterfeit is still a counterfeit."
Hiruzen sighed.
Those few Sarutobi jōnin who'd had Wood Release implanted—forget matching, even one percent of the power would be a blessing.
Calm Konoha was thrown into an uproar by Natsume's remarkable achievement.
Some older villagers shouted, "It's back—it's all back!"
They had been lucky enough to see Hashirama's era in their youth, so they felt it more keenly.
Those who hadn't seen it were as happy as if it were New Year's, hearing such monstrous results.
For a moment, Konoha was a sea of joy.