Orochimaru's All-Nighter

Natsume took a bite of the grapes Uzumaki Ena handed him. They were surprisingly sweet.

After thinking about it, he understood why.

The Uzumaki Clan was born with immense Chakra—or rather, powerful life force.

That was why biting her arm could heal wounds.

If blood worked, then other bodily fluids naturally would as well.

A moment later, Natsume could not eat another bite.

He had the body of a child, and the meal was far too nutritious, so he was quickly full and satisfied.

Uzumaki Ena tugged at the hem of her clothes, her cheeks flushed.

She was quiet and reserved by nature, so she was still rather unaccustomed to Natsume.

Fortunately, his face was remarkably deceptive.

Somewhere deep down, Uzumaki Ena regarded Natsume as her son.

Especially after nearly half a month together, she had more or less figured out his personality.

He was a good person.

Compared with the shinobi of Kusagakure, he was an unbelievably good person.

Natsume had no idea Uzumaki Ena had given him a good guy card.

Leaning against her soft body, he teased Karin and said, "We're eating from the same bowl now, so that makes us siblings. From now on, I'll protect you properly."

A smile immediately curled Uzumaki Ena's lips. Her life now had changed beyond recognition.

In Kusagakure, she had been nothing but a tool. No one cared about how she felt.

But here, she was treated like a young lady, and everyone showed her great respect.

Her food, clothing, and accommodations were all the best as well.

She understood that all of this was because of Natsume, so she obeyed his every word.

"Ah, it's almost time for school to let out."

Natsume glanced out the window, rose to his feet, and said, "I'll come see you next time."

"I'll wait for you."

Uzumaki Ena nodded, as gentle and quiet as ever.

What Natsume liked most about her was that air of hers—restrained and delicate.

He pinched her cheek, jumped off the sofa, and left the room.

Soon enough.

Natsume arrived at the Ninja Academy and dispelled the Wood Clone that had attended class in his place.

Not long afterward, Tsunade appeared before him.

As usual, she first rubbed his little head before taking his hand.

Natsume truly suspected she came from some head-patting village.

"Why do I smell a fragrance?"

After taking a few steps, Tsunade suddenly lowered her head and sniffed at Natsume's neck. Her tone turned serious as she asked, "Which woman was it?"

Danger!

Natsume felt a blood-red word appear above his head.

"It was my female classmates."

Putting on an annoyed expression, he said, "Whenever they have time, they crowd around me. I can't chase them away no matter what. It's so annoying!"

"Who told you to be so pretty?"

A smile appeared on Tsunade's lips. "When you grow up, it'll probably become even more troublesome."

Natsume secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

To be honest, he did not mean to hide things from Tsunade.

But he was only seven years old. If he laid everything out in the open, it would no longer be something genius could explain—it would make him a monster.

If Tsunade's attitude toward him changed because of that, the loss would outweigh the gain.

He would tell her later, when the time was right.

Tsunade's smile suddenly faded, replaced by a resentful look. "In a few years, you'll grow up, and your big sister will grow old. When you start liking those young, pretty girls, don't forget about me, okay?"

"How could I?"

Natsume immediately said in all seriousness, "No matter how pretty they are, they can't compare to you, Big Sister. In my heart, you're the most beautiful woman in the Shinobi World."

"What a sweet mouth."

Tsunade smiled again. Turning around, she swayed her waist slightly, crooked a finger at him, and said, "Come on, handsome. Let's go home."

When they returned home, Shizune had already prepared dinner.

At the table, Tsunade mentioned Orochimaru and said that he had been discharged from the hospital.

Natsume's eyes shifted. It seemed he could talk to him about Sealing Jutsu tonight.

After half a month of recuperation, Uzumaki Ena's body had recovered considerably, and all the remaining bite marks had faded away.

It was time to try practicing Sealing Jutsu.

After dinner came another two hours of Wood Style Ninjutsu training. Only then did Natsume have time to check on the Wood Clone in another town.

A dark laboratory.

Orochimaru had become busy again the moment he was discharged.

After the triple blow dealt by Shisui Uchiha, Kakuzu, and Sasori, he had come to deeply realize that his understanding of this world was still insufficient.

For that reason, he had to maintain a long-term trading relationship with Natsume.

But a trade required equal exchange.

Orochimaru needed to offer something Natsume would be interested in as well.

Without a doubt, that was Hashirama Cells and transplantation technology.

If there could be no technological breakthrough in the short term, then he would begin with Wood Style.

The purpose of transplanting Hashirama Cells was to gain Wood Style.

The danger was currently far too high.

But what if he developed a low-risk medicine?

Yamato.

The cells in his body were exceptionally mild.

Orochimaru planned to use Yamato's cells to neutralize Hashirama Cells and develop a Wood Style Potion.

Although it would not compare to directly transplanting Hashirama Cells, long-term consumption could gradually grant someone Wood Style Talent.

Safety was the main focus.

Of course, Orochimaru would have to pull countless all-nighters before he had any chance of succeeding.

Still, it was indeed something that could attract the Mysterious Person.

At the same time, it could demonstrate his own value.

In his previous life, Orochimaru had not obtained Yamato, so none of this had happened.

Now, under Natsume's influence, he had a reference point and thus more inspiration.

A White Snake appeared before Orochimaru.

He immediately put down the test tube and narrowed his eyes.

Natsume had come to see him as soon as he was discharged.

There was a traitor in Konoha.

But that was normal. Natsume's organization was powerful, so planting spies in the Five Great Villages would be effortless.

Moreover, he always seemed to appear out of nowhere, leaving no trace behind.

Orochimaru left the laboratory and appeared in the hall.

"This tea is quite good."

Natsume took a sip and nodded in satisfaction.

"The members of your organization have no manners."

Having narrowly escaped death, Orochimaru was resentful.

He had only intended to test them.

Yet Kakuzu and Sasori had struck to kill with every move. They truly wanted to take his life.

"I already warned you."

Natsume set down his teacup and said unhurriedly, "The two of them have rather bad tempers."

Orochimaru knew he was in the wrong. He had indeed attacked first, but he still probed, "Your two subordinates are quite formidable. Could you tell me their names? At least let me know who I lost to."

"Don't pry into their affairs."

Natsume waved a hand and got straight to the point. "I need you to do something for me. I want every Sealing Jutsu of the Uzumaki Clan."

Orochimaru licked his lips.

Excellent. A new demand.

It proved that this Mysterious Person was interested in more than just Hashirama Cells.

"The Uzumaki Clan's Sealing Jutsu is classified as top secret in Konoha. What price can you offer?"

"You obtained Kano. What do you think of his Wood Style compared to Hashirama Senju's?"

Rather than answer directly, Natsume asked a question.

"There is no comparison."

Orochimaru spoke frankly.

Even a single cell from Hashirama Senju was so terrifying. That showed just how powerful the man himself must have been.

Moreover, he remembered that the endless Forest of Death outside Konoha had been created by Hashirama Senju's Wood Style.

Yamato would already be doing quite well if he could create one or two rows of trees.

"Where do you think the problem lies?" Natsume asked.

"Physique and Chakra," Orochimaru said after pondering it.

"That is indeed one of the reasons."

Natsume raised a finger. "There is another one: Sage Mode."

Orochimaru's body shook.

Naturally, he was familiar with Sage Mode.

It was a unique state originating from the Three Great Sage Lands of the summoning beasts.

He, Tsunade, and Jiraiya had each signed contracts with one of the Three Great Sage Lands.

Only Jiraiya had successfully cultivated Sage Mode, though not even his was complete.

Orochimaru's expression darkened. He considered himself immensely talented, but if he could not learn Sage Mode, then he simply could not learn it. There was nothing he could do about it.

"I know of someone who can naturally absorb Natural Energy and enter an incomplete Sage Mode."

"What?"

Natsume's words greatly shocked Orochimaru.

There was actually someone in the Shinobi World born with Sage Transformation?

If he could obtain and study such a person, perhaps he could find a path to Sage Mode.

At that thought, desire appeared in Orochimaru's eyes.