After school, many parents arrived to pick up their children.
Natsume saw Itachi leave with a teen—probably Shisui, already famous as "Shisui of the Body Flicker," the Uchiha clan's brightest star.
Natsume had spent the day learning his classmates' names. Aside from Itachi, there was Inuzuka Hana—Kiba's older sister and a veterinarian. She had little presence in the original plot, so Natsume wasn't sure how to change her fate.
"Stop! Pay up!"
Suddenly, there was a commotion. Natsume looked up, stunned, to see an elderly lady running swiftly, outpacing six burly men chasing her. She winked playfully at Natsume as she passed. Despite her age and looks, there was something charmingly youthful about her.
Natsume quickly realized this was Tsunade, being chased over her debts. As her adopted son and student, he could already see his future: constantly running from debt collectors with Tsunade and Shizune.
"I, Natsume, vow never to touch gambling or drugs!"
He would need to find a way to earn money soon.
After a while, the grandma returned and turned back into Tsunade in front of Natsume.
"How was your first day?"
"Pretty good," Natsume replied, taking her soft hand. "Who were those people chasing you?"
"Oh, just creditors. I only borrowed a little. I'll pay them back, but they insist on hounding me," Tsunade shrugged.
Natsume doubted it was a little. If he remembered right, her IOUs filled several boxes.
"Let's not talk about that," Tsunade smiled. "To celebrate your first day, let's buy some sake!"
"You just want to drink," Natsume protested. "Drinking isn't healthy."
"You underestimate me," Tsunade said, tapping her forehead. "This diamond mark is an advanced jutsu called Creation Rebirth. Know what it does?"
"No idea," Natsume lied, though he knew perfectly well. But he couldn't admit it.
"It keeps my body in peak condition. Alcohol or anything else can't harm me."
"Wow, you're amazing, sis!" Natsume played along.
Tsunade basked in his adoration, then ruffled his hair affectionately. "That's not my only secret—you'll discover more in time."
Natsume blushed from her scent, making Tsunade even more amused. She teased him, but let it go in public.
On the way home, they bought two bottles of sake and returned home, where Shizune was already cooking. As an orphan, Shizune's culinary skills were superb. If not for Tsunade wanting to bond with Natsume, she'd handle all meals.
Dinner was hearty: miso soup, tempura, mapo tofu, and salmon rice. Natsume ate with delight; Tsunade was happier still, being the only one allowed to drink. She'd forbidden sake for both Shizune and Natsume due to their age.
After dinner, Shizune took the dishes to the kitchen while Tsunade, clearly tipsy, lounged on the sofa, cheeks flushed like a ripe apple.
She suddenly looked at Natsume, who was studying ninjutsu nearby.
"Natsume~"
Her tone was more drawn-out and coy than usual.
She hugged his head, saying, "Sis likes you so much!"
Natsume couldn't focus on his book. Women really did interfere with his studies. Though it felt nice, it was also frustrating.
"You're drunk, sis. Go rest in your room."
He knew drunk people could be a pain—and he didn't want her to throw up on him.
"I'm not drunk!" Tsunade pinched his cheeks with delicate fingers, her breath heavy with the scent of sake. She swayed slightly, her ample chest bouncing with the motion.
"Only drunk people say they're not drunk," Natsume replied, eyeing his sister's flushed face and disheveled appearance. Her yukata had slipped dangerously low, threatening to reveal more than was proper.
"Are you disgusted with me? Fine, I'll go!" Tsunade pouted, her lower lip quivering adorably. She stumbled toward her room, her voluptuous body swaying dangerously with each step. But then she doubled back, a mischievous glint in her eyes.
"...?"
Natsume tilted his head, confused by her sudden change of direction.
Next second, Tsunade picked him up easily "You're coming with me," she slurred, pressing her soft, warm body against his.
Not part of the deal!
Natsume's mind raced as he felt every curve of his sister's form through her thin yukata.
Natsume struggled, but Tsunade's drunken strength left him no chance. At her room, he finally escaped her grasp, only to witness a shocking sight as Tsunade began undressing herself with clumsy, intoxicated movements.
Tsunade stood before him, completely naked, her golden hair cascading over her shoulders and framing her ample breasts. Her skin glowed in the soft moonlight filtering through the window, highlighting every curve and valley of her voluptuous form.
"Na-tsu-me," she mumbled sleepily, her eyes already half-closed. "C'mere, you're so warm..."
Before Natsume could react, Tsunade stumbled forward and enveloped him in a tight embrace. Her bare skin pressed against him, soft and inviting, as she nuzzled her face into the crook of his neck. Within seconds, her breathing deepened and she began to snore lightly.
Natsume's heart raced as he desperately tried to think of a way out of this predicament without waking her.
After what felt like an eternity, he managed to slowly inch his way out of Tsunade's grasp. He gently lowered her onto her futon, careful not to disturb her slumber. As he tiptoed towards the door, he couldn't help but glance back at Tsunade's peaceful, sleeping face.
With a sigh of relief (and perhaps a tinge of regret), Natsume slipped out of the room, closing the door quietly behind him. He leaned against the wall, his heart still pounding.
Their relationship hadn't reached that point; he couldn't risk ruining things for a brief thrill.
"Guess I'll go see Orochimaru."
With Yamato's fate already changed, it meant Orochimaru had made a deal with him. Getting Hashirama's cells was still tricky—any mistake could expose him. But he needed them for the Wood Release bonus.
Natsume had the Wood Release talent, but lacked the massive chakra and Sage Body needed to use it fully. Until he had enough Fate Points, Hashirama's cells were necessary—for himself and his subordinates.
He could buy them with Fate Points, but that was costly, and he was currently short.
"Shizune, I'm going to bed. Check on Sister Tsunade later, okay?"
"Okay."
…
…
Orochimaru's House.
After spending a Fate Point, Natsume's Wood Clone arrived again.
Orochimaru was in the basement, training and experimenting on Yamato. As a charismatic villain, he was skilled at manipulating children. The only trouble was Yamato had been brainwashed by Danzo, so Orochimaru had to reprogram him while studying Wood Release.
Yamato's success gave Orochimaru new ideas: instead of snatching other people's bodies, he could just perfect his own—if he could perfectly transplant Hashirama's cells, unlike Danzo's patchwork approach.