Late at night, Natsuhiko walked slowly along the streets of Konoha.
As he moved, he occasionally reached out to inspect the surrounding trees. The familiar motion stirred a strange sense of nostalgia, as if he had returned to the days more than a decade ago.
His system was peculiar. It would not actively analyze seeds he had already obtained—except for those tied to basic attributes.
But at his current stage, Natsuhiko had little need for basic attribute seeds. It wasn't that he didn't want to grow stronger—rather, his body had already reached its limit.
In a sense, he had hit the peak of his current phase. Until his body matured further, until his age and physical condition advanced to the next stage, continuing to absorb more would only cause harm.
And Natsuhiko had no intention of doing something so foolish.
If only I could just touch a tree and get a prompt… I wouldn't have to drain every single one with that Senju technique.
He grumbled inwardly as he placed his hand against a tree. Green chakra flickered around his palm, and the tree gave a faint tremor in response.
Moments later, feedback flowed back to him—and Natsuhiko raised an eyebrow slightly.
"An Intermediate Chakra Seed?"
He withdrew his hand, glancing at the seed now resting in his palm, and gave a small nod.
Tonight's harvest had been quite decent.
He had already gathered two Intermediate Fire Release Seeds, one Intermediate Earth, one Intermediate Lightning Release, and now this Chakra Seed.
All things considered, it was more than satisfactory.
Even without a single advanced seed, he was perfectly content.
After all, he had never intended to use advanced seeds on others. The difficulty of cultivating them was simply too great—even he found it troublesome.
"Alright… this should be enough. I'll keep the lightning one for myself. Maybe I can use it later. The chakra seed can go to Kakashi, the fire ones to Pakura and Sora, and the earth one to Renge… that works out nicely."
After storing the seed away, Natsuhiko glanced up at the sky.
The moon hung high above, and the world around him was cloaked in silence.
Aside from the occasional bark of a dog or the distant cry of an infant, there was nothing else.
Natsuhiko found this kind of quiet comforting. It was the perfect environment for thinking.
But tonight wasn't the time to linger and reflect on life.
He tightened his grip on the seed, chakra beginning to stir within him—
And then he suddenly paused.
His gaze swept the surroundings, sharp and alert, until it landed on a small white snake nearby, flicking its tongue at him.
Natsuhiko raised an eyebrow.
He knew exactly what that meant.
There was only one person in Konoha capable of controlling such a creature—Orochimaru.
What puzzled him, however, was why Orochimaru would seek him out.
From the standpoint of their positions, they were enemies—firmly opposed to one another.
Especially now, when the ANBU under Natsuhiko's command were actively targeting Orochimaru.
There was no way Orochimaru was unaware of this. The rumors spreading throughout the village had been orchestrated by the ANBU, after all.
Even if he didn't know the full picture, he must have had his suspicions.
And yet… despite such clear hostility, he still chose to approach?
"…Now that's interesting."
Tilting his head slightly, Natsuhiko put the seed away and turned toward the snake.
Since Orochimaru wanted to meet him, it was only proper to give one of the legendary Sannin a bit of face.
The snake, noticing his movement, immediately slithered toward the nearby forest.
It moved quickly—but in Natsuhiko's eyes, its speed was hardly worth mentioning.
Fortunately, Natsuhiko wasn't in any rush. He could take his time following Orochimaru's lead—if anything, he was a little curious whether Orochimaru might even try something against him.
After a short while, he followed the white snake to a relatively remote part of Konoha.
Orochimaru had chosen the location well.
It was an old park—one with very little foot traffic, long since marked for renovation. Places like this were rarely patrolled by the ANBU, yet at the same time, there were almost no civilians around.
The perfect blind spot.
It also served as a quiet reminder for Natsuhiko—areas like this would need stricter surveillance in the future.
After all, the places overlooked the most were often where problems emerged.
He walked deeper into the park, and before long, his perception locked onto a single figure.
There was no doubt—this was Orochimaru.
However, what caught Natsuhiko's attention was the strange aura surrounding him.
"Commander Natsuhiko… it's been a while."
As Natsuhiko approached, Orochimaru turned around, licking his lips with a faint smile.
"It has been a while," Natsuhiko replied, his usual gentle smile still on his face—though his tone was anything but friendly. "Though it doesn't seem like you were particularly eager to meet me, Orochimaru-sama."
His gaze flickered slightly as he continued.
"Using a clone to meet me… I wonder what exactly you're thinking."
That's right—Natsuhiko had already noticed something was off.
On the surface, Orochimaru seemed perfectly normal, but aura was not something that could be faked so easily.
As his strength had grown, so too had his sensory abilities—now reaching a level that defied ordinary comprehension.
Even without entering Nine-Tails Chakra Mode, his perception was already terrifyingly sharp.
He could easily detect the flaw in the figure before him—and even pinpoint the location of the real Orochimaru.
Still, Natsuhiko had no interest in playing a game of hide-and-seek tonight.
What interested him more was simple: why Orochimaru had come to him at all.
"A precaution against the unknown, that's all."
Orochimaru licked his lips again, his expression as eerie as ever.
"You understand, don't you, Commander? Our relationship has never exactly been… harmonious. Especially after you spread certain rumors."
"Rumors?"
Natsuhiko raised an eyebrow, his smile widening slightly.
"Whether they're rumors or not… I think we both know the truth. So why bother saying something so unconvincing?"
"Fair enough. You're not an ordinary man, after all."
Orochimaru nodded as if in agreement, before his expression gradually turned serious.
"But whether they're rumors or not, there's no need for you to dwell on them too much. From a purely pragmatic standpoint… there's a better option for you."
"Oh?"
Natsuhiko's expression grew more intrigued.
"And what brilliant insight do you have this time, Orochimaru?"
Orochimaru's tongue flicked out once more as he spoke a name that made things far more interesting.
"What do you think of… Danzo?"
For a brief moment, Natsuhiko's expression turned rather strange.
Orochimaru is selling out Danzo? What kind of plot twist is this?
The more things progressed, the less Natsuhiko felt he understood this world. It was as if anything absurd could now happen right in front of him.
But what benefit would Orochimaru gain from betraying Danzo?
After thinking it over, Natsuhiko found the answer unsettlingly simple.
There was none.
Because from beginning to end, Natsuhiko's goal had always been the same—
To drive Orochimaru out of Konoha.
Whether he sold out Danzō or not didn't really change anything. Natsuhiko had no intention of showing mercy. Leaving Orochimaru in Konoha would only plant a ticking time bomb for his future plans, and that was something he would never allow.
Besides, Natsuhiko didn't believe someone as cunning as Orochimaru could fail to see this. There was no way Orochimaru and his teacher would ever truly reach a compromise.
So what exactly was Orochimaru trying to achieve?
Natsuhiko couldn't figure it out—and the less he understood, the more he wanted to. There had to be a logic behind it, a hidden thread connecting everything. Only by uncovering that logic could he seize the initiative and secure even greater benefits for himself.
He said nothing, offered no judgment. He simply watched Orochimaru in silence, waiting for an answer that would satisfy him.
"The reason is actually quite simple," Orochimaru said at last, studying Natsuhiko's expression. He immediately understood that if he kept his silence, the man before him—this department head—would never budge. "Danzō is doing something… something that puts me in a very difficult position."
Orochimaru didn't mind explaining. He had come here fully prepared. There was never any intention to hide this matter—meeting Natsuhiko meant he had already decided to lay everything on the table.
He couldn't quite grasp what Natsuhiko was thinking, especially when it came to Danzō's "one move, multiple gains" scheme. How Natsuhiko would respond remained uncertain.
But in the end, it didn't matter much to Orochimaru.
Telling Natsuhiko was, in part, his way of helping his teacher. But the final decision had always been Natsuhiko's to make.
More importantly, this was about self-preservation. That figure who wielded the Nine-Tails' chakra had placed immense pressure on him. The last thing Orochimaru wanted was to leave Konoha only to be hunted relentlessly from the very start. That would be far too costly.
So he laid everything out—Danzō's plan, along with all of his own deductions.
By the time he finished, Natsuhiko was left with a mind full of questions.
What the hell was this supposed to mean?
Shimura Danzō was planning to make a move against Uchiha Fugaku? And his goal was not only to restore his own power, but also to launch a full-scale backlash against Hiruzen Sarutobi?
For a fleeting moment, Natsuhiko wondered if Danzō had somehow seen straight through him. Because the plan Danzō was executing… was almost identical to his own.
It had to be said—Danzō was frighteningly sharp.
Sure, he could act unbelievably foolish at times, but when it came to schemes and manipulation, it was as if something inside him awakened completely.
He had skillfully used Orochimaru and the Uchiha, dragging both Natsuhiko and Hiruzen Sarutobi into the fray as well.
Once the three sides finished their struggle, the outcome was obvious: the relationship between the Uchiha clan and Konoha would shatter even further.
Orochimaru would be forced to leave the village because of this incident. Hiruzen, having lost his most prized disciple and facing Natsuhiko's rapid rise, would have no choice but to elevate Danzō again as a counterbalance.
Meanwhile, Natsuhiko's reforms within the ANBU would inevitably breathe new life into Root.
Under such circumstances, Danzō would walk away with everything—gains piled upon gains.
"…What a formidable man," Natsuhiko muttered with a faint sigh.
In a sense, his own plans had been completely seen through by Danzō.
The only thing Danzō hadn't accounted for… was that Natsuhiko knew the original story. He understood Danzō's deep contempt for rules, and he knew exactly how ruthlessly Danzō would move to recruit clan shinobi—by any means necessary.
It had to be said—Danzō really did have some skill. A bastard, no doubt, but a capable one.
Now that he had pieced together Danzō's intentions, Natsuhiko could more or less determine the role Orochimaru was playing in all of this. Still, guessing wasn't enough. Some things needed to be confirmed properly. Natsuhiko had never believed in windfalls falling from the sky, nor in gains without effort.
Even with his system, power didn't simply become his in full. Acquiring it was one thing—mastering it to its limits was something only his own effort could achieve.
"So," Natsuhiko said calmly, his gaze steady on Orochimaru, a faint smile still lingering on his lips, "you've told me all this… what do you want in return?"
He tilted his head slightly, the smile sharpening just a little.
"I don't believe someone like you would hand over information like this out of kindness, Orochimaru-sama. Not without asking for something."
"Of course I have my demands."
Orochimaru licked his lips, his golden eyes fixed intently on Natsuhiko as he spoke in a slow, measured tone.
"I can hand over all of my research to you, Natsuhiko. In exchange, I want a guarantee."
"A guarantee?" Natsuhiko raised a brow, momentarily taken aback.
"Yes," Orochimaru continued, his voice soft but firm. "After I leave Konoha, I want you to offer me a certain degree of protection. That is all I require."
For a brief moment, Natsuhiko was genuinely surprised—but the reason quickly became clear to him, and he couldn't help but feel a trace of amusement.
Seeking his protection? There was really only one explanation for that, and it definitely wasn't fear of Konoha's pursuit. In the original story, Orochimaru had never feared that—and he certainly wouldn't start now.
No… what he feared was something else entirely.
More specifically, it was Natsuhiko's other identity—the one that wielded the Nine-Tails' chakra.
Back then, Natsuhiko had exaggerated that persona's strength without restraint, and Orochimaru had been thoroughly beaten down by it. It wasn't hard to imagine what he was thinking now: once he left Konoha, he might not even have the peace to continue his experiments.
Orochimaru had always been fearless, the kind of man who would face any problem head-on and find his own solution. But that didn't mean he was reckless. Until he found a way to deal with a threat, he wouldn't stubbornly endure it. The most rational approach was to cooperate with someone capable of handling that enemy—at least until he could handle it himself.
With that thought, Natsuhiko already knew how he would respond.
A faint smile spread across his face as he crossed his arms over his chest.
"Protect you, Orochimaru-sama?" he said lightly, tilting his head again. "I don't think I'm strong enough to truly offer you that kind of protection."
He paused for a moment before his smile deepened.
"Besides… I have some other ideas in mind."
"Oh?" Orochimaru glanced at him curiously, then suddenly seemed to realize something. "Commander Natsuhiko… could it be that you—"
"To be honest," Natsuhiko interrupted calmly, "what Danzō is doing isn't something I oppose. In fact… it aligns rather well with what I want."
That single sentence caused Orochimaru's expression to shift.
He had already sensed something off about Natsuhiko's demeanor earlier but hadn't thought much of it. Now, in hindsight, it was obvious—this was exactly what Natsuhiko had been waiting for.
He couldn't fully understand why Natsuhiko would make such a choice, but as the head of the ANBU, Natsuhiko undoubtedly had his own objectives. Perhaps he believed Danzō was easier to deal with than himself—or perhaps there was an even deeper plan at play.
"However," Natsuhiko continued before Orochimaru could finish thinking it through, "I do like the information you've provided. And I believe we can take our cooperation even further."
Orochimaru's focus snapped back instantly, his gaze sharpening as he studied Natsuhiko.
Cooperation… with his teacher's greatest political rival.
What an intriguing thought.
"And what kind of cooperation does the Commander have in mind?" Orochimaru asked, lowering his voice slightly, his tone almost a whisper.
"It's simple." Natsuhiko didn't hesitate.
"I want the Sharingan."
"A token of loyalty, huh…" Orochimaru murmured, immediately grasping Natsuhiko's meaning.
If their cooperation was to be built on Natsuhiko providing him protection, then Orochimaru would have to prove his worth in return.
Natsuhiko hadn't specified whose Sharingan he wanted—but the answer was obvious.
Uchiha Fugaku.
Only by obtaining Fugaku's eyes could Orochimaru demonstrate sufficient value to make this partnership possible. After all, without offering something substantial, there would be no foundation for cooperation.
Still, the demand made Orochimaru frown slightly. He couldn't quite pin down Natsuhiko's position—nor could he fully understand what this man truly wanted.
"You should feel at ease, Orochimaru-sama," Natsuhiko said with a faint chuckle, his gaze sharpening noticeably.
"I know you're confused—about my stance, my intentions, and what I'm really trying to do."
He paused briefly, his eyes locking onto Orochimaru's.
"But I can tell you this: everything Danzō has thought of, I've already considered. Everything he plans to do, I already have a countermeasure for. Compared to you, he's far easier to deal with."
A hint of amusement flickered across his face.
"For example, I didn't expect you to come to me on your own. That part… was outside my calculations."
His tone softened slightly, but the underlying pressure only grew stronger.
"But now that you're here, it would be a shame if we failed to reach an agreement. So you'll have to do something to make that happen. Conveniently enough, you're already planning to deal with Uchiha Fugaku, aren't you?"
Natsuhiko's smile deepened.
"Then he's the one. Bring me his eyes. Once you leave Konoha, as long as you remain within the Land of Fire, I'll ensure your safety."
He crossed his arms again, his voice calm but laced with quiet authority.
"Of course, when the time comes… you'll also have to do a few things for me."
His words were soft, almost casual—but to Orochimaru, they carried immense weight.
For the first time, Orochimaru truly felt it—he had underestimated this young ANBU commander.
He had always known Natsuhiko was intelligent, calculating, and far more dangerous than he appeared. But now it was clear… even his highest estimation had still fallen short.
A flicker of curiosity rose within him. Just how did Natsuhiko intend to deal with Danzō? And what exactly would he demand of him in the future?
Taking a slow breath, Orochimaru nodded.
Cooperating with someone this powerful and scheming was undeniably dangerous—but at the same time, it was… exhilarating.
"Very well," Orochimaru said with a faint smile, his expression turning serious. "I'll find a way to bring you Uchiha Fugaku's eyes."
His golden pupils gleamed as he continued.
"And in return, I'll also assist you in researching whatever you desire."
He paused, then narrowed his eyes slightly.
"However, I do have one question… Commander Natsuhiko. How exactly do you plan to deal with Danzō?"
That was the one thing Orochimaru truly wanted to know.
Only by understanding Natsuhiko's intentions could he make better judgments—and better prepare himself for whatever troubles lay ahead.
After all, Orochimaru was never the type to sit back and wait for fate to decide things. No matter how dangerous the situation, he would always find a way to turn it to his advantage.
If he could grasp even a part of Natsuhiko's thinking, then even if he couldn't counter him directly, he wouldn't be left completely on the defensive.
"That's a good question… but—"
Natsuhiko nodded lightly, then slowly closed his eyes.
When he opened them again, they had transformed into a brilliant, radiant blue.
The sudden change instantly put Orochimaru on guard, his pupils shrinking slightly in shock. He had never known Natsuhiko possessed such eyes.
As a member of the Senju clan, why would he have something like this?
But he had no time to dwell on it. Natsuhiko suddenly turned toward something in the distance. His chakra shifted ever so slightly, and in the blink of an eye, he vanished from where he stood.
Then, before Orochimaru could even react, Natsuhiko appeared directly in front of Orochimaru's true body like a phantom, those radiant blue eyes fixed upon him.
A suffocating pressure flooded the air, overwhelming and absolute. It locked onto Orochimaru completely, pinning him in place so thoroughly that even the slightest movement became impossible.
It wasn't just physical—it felt as though his very soul was being crushed under that force.
For the first time in a long while, Orochimaru felt a chill creep through him. His breathing grew strained, each inhale heavier than the last, as if the air itself had turned solid.
And then, at that precise moment, Natsuhiko raised his hand.
With a simple motion, he extended a finger and tapped it lightly against Orochimaru's body.
In that instant, a deep and unmistakable Flying Thunder God seal was engraved onto him.
"But this kind of question is better discussed face-to-face… wouldn't you agree?"
Natsuhiko's calm voice echoed beside his ear. Just as suddenly as the pressure had appeared, it receded when he withdrew his hand.
"Don't let me find out that you've used one of your substitution techniques to remove my mark," Natsuhiko added casually. "At least, not while our cooperation is ongoing."
He paused briefly, his tone turning almost indifferent.
"As for how I plan to deal with Danzō… it's simple. You just have to target his nature."
"And what you need to do is watch carefully, act properly, and prove your value."
"That's all."
...
Sometimes, events unfolded in ways so bizarre they almost felt unreal. Even Natsuhiko hadn't expected things to develop like this—what had begun as one matter had taken a sharp turn through Orochimaru and arrived at this outcome.
Still, no matter how unexpected it was, it benefited him greatly.
He had nothing to fear from Orochimaru turning against him. The man had no evidence. Even if he revealed their conversation, what of it?
At worst, it would look like the desperate flailing of a criminal pushed to the brink. As long as Natsuhiko denied it firmly, there would be no real consequences.
After leaving the park, Natsuhiko didn't return home immediately. Instead, he moved to the edge of his visual range and activated his perception through the Jōgan, carefully observing Orochimaru from afar.
With the mark already placed, he intended to see exactly how Orochimaru would react in the immediate aftermath.
As expected, although Orochimaru was clearly dissatisfied, after a brief moment of hesitation, he chose to leave the area.
More importantly, he hadn't used that peculiar Orochimaru-style substitution technique to remove the mark—at least not yet.
And that was enough.
At this moment, Orochimaru held no secrets from him. More importantly, it meant that—for now—he truly intended to continue their cooperation.
Only then did Natsuhiko activate the Flying Thunder God Technique and return home, a trace of excitement stirring in his heart.
"To think he'd deliver himself right to my doorstep… seems that persona of mine has built quite the reputation."
Back when he had attacked Orochimaru under that alternate identity, it had only been a precaution. Yet the benefits that followed from that single act were something even he hadn't fully anticipated.
Unable to deal with the power of the Nine-Tails for the time being, and lacking confidence in obtaining the Sharingan, Orochimaru had turned his attention to Wood Release.
But the sheer difficulty of researching Wood Release left him with few options. Combined with his realization of Danzō's true intentions, it had ultimately driven him to seek out Natsuhiko.
"Still… how is he going to continue his Wood Release experiments now?"
Natsuhiko couldn't help but feel curious about that. With him around, Orochimaru would have very little opportunity to make a move against the Uchiha.
Then again, if Orochimaru truly needed Uchiha subjects, it wasn't as though Natsuhiko had no solutions.
He refused to believe that within the Uchiha clan, there weren't others fully loyal to Fugaku who lacked even a three-tomoe Sharingan.
As for Orochimaru attempting to unravel the secrets of the Senju clan, Natsuhiko didn't particularly mind. After all, he would be watching closely—there was no way he would allow Orochimaru any real opportunity to cross the line.
Beyond that, his own strength was more than sufficient. He had no need to worry about Orochimaru causing any uncontrollable chaos.
With enough power, any problem could be crushed outright—and right now, Natsuhiko stood firmly in that position of absolute dominance.
"Still… for Orochimaru, this is going to be quite the trial," Natsuhiko murmured softly.
After all, the man he had to target… was Uchiha Fugaku.
Fugaku's status and strength would make this an enormous challenge for Orochimaru.
And for Natsuhiko?
It was an equally enormous opportunity.
As the head of the Uchiha clan, if Fugaku were to be attacked by Orochimaru, the blow to Hiruzen Sarutobi's reputation would be catastrophic—so severe it was almost impossible to measure.
What made it even worse was the chain reaction such an event would trigger.
If Orochimaru dared to strike a clan head, then what about the others? Would he target them as well?
Every major clan in Konoha would feel threatened. Their leaders would live in constant unease, and if Hiruzen responded with visible suspicion or excessive caution, it would only deepen their distrust. By that point, his position as Hokage would be hanging by a thread.
In many ways, what Orochimaru was about to do went far beyond what Natsuhiko had originally anticipated—but at the same time, it was exactly the kind of outcome he had been hoping for.
There was another benefit as well.
Orochimaru's attack on Uchiha Fugaku would help Natsuhiko confirm something crucial—
Did Fugaku possess the Mangekyō Sharingan?
"I remember back when I watched the anime, it seemed like he had it… but in the manga, it was never really confirmed," Natsuhiko mused to himself. "Now that I have the chance to verify it firsthand, there's no way I'm passing that up."
Fugaku's eyes had always been something of a mystery. Now, with Orochimaru acting as his proxy, Natsuhiko could finally uncover the truth.
If Fugaku truly possessed the Mangekyō Sharingan, then many of Natsuhiko's plans would need to be adjusted accordingly.
For a shinobi, gathering intelligence was never optional—it was essential.
Only with sufficient information could he make precise and effective decisions.
If Fugaku didn't have the Mangekyō Sharingan, then the situation would be manageable. It would still require caution, but not enough for Natsuhiko to focus all his attention on him.
If Fugaku did have it but lost to Orochimaru, then Natsuhiko could seize the opportunity to claim those eyes for himself—and, in doing so, gain a clearer understanding of how to deal with such power.
But if Fugaku had the Mangekyō Sharingan and still managed to defeat Orochimaru… then Natsuhiko would have to approach the situation with extreme caution.
Against an opponent like that, no amount of vigilance would be excessive.
"Though… if I can get my hands on even one Mangekyō, I might finally be able to extract Yin Release from it."
That thought stirred a flicker of anticipation within him.
Yin Release was one of the few areas where Natsuhiko still felt lacking. Up until now, he hadn't obtained anything related to it.
If he could draw what he needed from those eyes, it would finally fill that gap.
"…Then again, the system doesn't always give me exactly what I want."
Natsuhiko couldn't help but sigh softly.
Ever since he had extracted a foundational power from the Byakugan—resulting in something that resembled a fusion between the Tenseigan and the Jōgan—he no longer had complete confidence in what the system might yield.
Drawing power from it felt a lot like the gacha pulls from his previous life.
His luck was decent—but he wasn't some unbeatable lottery winner.
There was no guarantee he'd always get what he wanted.
"For now, all I can do is wait… and see how Orochimaru handles things."
Stretching lazily, Natsuhiko found a comfortable spot and lay down, genuinely looking forward to the day Orochimaru made his move.
—
At that very moment, deep within his hidden base, Orochimaru had already returned.
His gaze lingered on the mark left on his body as he recalled the suffocating pressure from earlier—the overwhelming force that had left even him unable to breathe.
After a long pause, he slowly shook his head.
Those blue eyes… they were far too strange.
Far too captivating.
That blue radiance felt as though it could draw everything into it—perhaps even his very soul.
"…What kind of power is that?"
Orochimaru let out a quiet sigh, but soon after, a faint smile curled at the corners of his lips.
"Senju Natsuhiko… your strength is truly something to be feared."
...
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