Chapter 29: The Two-and-a-Half-Year Graduate

Soon after, Natsume got what he wanted from Kakuzu and Sasori.

Uzumaki sealing techniques and Wood Release serum.

Kakuzu grumbled, "Orochimaru—coward, all the Sannin are just show-offs."

Apparently, Orochimaru hadn't come in person, on Natsume's advice.

Kakuzu missed out on millions, so he was upset.

Natsume opened the storage scroll—thirty bottles of Wood Release serum.

His first thought: poor Yamato, must've been squeezed dry by Orochimaru.

He didn't drink it right away—he didn't trust Orochimaru.

What if he'd tampered with it?

Only Tsunade could check for tricks, but Natsume couldn't give it to her—so he opted to use the Sacred Ring of Fate to test it.

Luckily, it only cost 10 points.

Earlier, Jugo had contributed 19 points, so it was fair.

Tested—all thirty bottles were fine.

Makes sense—Orochimaru didn't want to offend him, needing answers.

Natsume drank a bottle.

The light green liquid flowed through him, bringing a warm surge.

Soon, he felt his chakra increase by about 10%, and his body felt refreshed.

Excellent effects.

First time, after all.

It'd decrease with use, but still totally worth it.

Orochimaru had even added a note: one bottle per week, or there'd be rejection effects.

Even with purification, they were still foreign cells.

Natsume put the scroll away and went to the Gunma Casino.

By now, he knew Uzumaki Hinae well.

She'd always been an outsider in the Uzumaki clan, so never learned ninja skills.

Otherwise, she wouldn't have ended up like this in Grass Village.

Being lowly saved her from the massacre.

A blessing in disguise.

"Natsume."

Uzumaki Hinae smiled gently and sat him on her lap.

She used to call him "sir," but Natsume preferred his name.

"For you."

"What's this?"

She opened the scroll—Uzumaki sealing techniques.

As a clan member, she knew of them, but never had access.

"This is too precious! I can't accept it!"

She refused, already owing two million, and now this…

If she took it too, she'd never repay it, even in her daughter's lifetime.

"Once you learn sealing, you'll be more useful to me. Think of it as an investment."

Natsume's lips closed around Hinae's swollen nipple, drawing the sweet, warm milk into his mouth. His tongue swirled, teasing the sensitive flesh as he suckled greedily. Hinae gasped, her body trembling at the intense sensation.

The nectar from her breast was always sweet, rich and satisfying.

Hinae shivered, blushing furiously as waves of pleasure radiated from her chest. She nodded weakly, struggling to focus on anything but the exquisite feeling of Natsume's mouth on her.

She really was useless now.

If she learned sealing, she'd be more helpful.

Satisfied, Natsume reclined, enjoying her lap.

A comfortable day passed quickly.

After Hinae helped him bathe, Natsume went home.

After dinner, he was supposed to practice Wood Release, but Tsunade called him to her room.

"Natsume, I need your help for my training."

"Huh?"

He was confused—what kind of training needed a kid's help?

"You saw my hemophobia last time?"

Tsunade sighed. "For a medical ninja, hemophobia is fatal."

She'd previously given up, but after spending time with Natsume, Shizune, and Kabuto, she realized it was a big problem.

As their teacher, she needed to protect them.

But hemophobia could make her a burden.

No way she'd accept that.

Hemophobia is psychological—physical medicine or ninjutsu is no help.

The only way to overcome fear is to face it.

Tsunade remembered that hugging Natsume last time shortened her episodes.

So she wanted his help—repeatedly triggering her phobia to fight it.

It would be painful.

She used to think life was meaningless, but now she had found new purpose.

Natsume was surprised, but thought it was a good idea.

If Tsunade overcame hemophobia, she'd be much more useful.

Besides, with him around, it was unlikely she'd only recover after meeting Naruto like in canon.

In a way, it was his fault, so this made up for it.

He became a real hug pillow.

Tsunade cut herself lightly, blood flowing, her body trembling.

Natsume climbed into her arms, her thick thighs holding him tightly.

So soft.

It reminded him of a game character famous for her thighs, but Tsunade was even better.

The night passed quietly.

…

Natsume woke to find Tsunade watching him.

"You're up—come eat."

She pinched his cheek. "Thanks for your help."

"No problem."

He actually enjoyed it.

Tsunade focused on fighting her phobia, dropping her guard around him.

After breakfast, he went to school.

School was boring.

…

…

…

Time passed.

Seven-year-old Natsume soon turned ten.

He planned to graduate early and become a genin.

For over two years, nothing major happened.

Outside, Konoha and Kumo fought to a stalemate.

Inside, the scars of the Nine-Tails attack had healed; Konoha was peaceful again.

Meanwhile, Naruto was shunned as the demon fox, suffering coldness from villagers.

Natsume knew it was time for his own debut.

This was Naruto's first fate crossroad.

If Hiruzen hadn't given him warmth, Naruto might've turned evil.

Natsume aimed to expose the old man's true face and lead Naruto another way—for the Sacred Ring of Fate.

Orochimaru continued his Wood Release experiments, studying Living Corpse Reincarnation and Sage Seals, while observing Uchiha Itachi.

He kept trading with Natsume.

As for defecting, he'd put that on hold—it was easier to research in Konoha.

Natsume had gained Fate Points from Kimimaro and Suigetsu.

They'd eventually join Orochimaru, but not yet.

Kimimaro gave 49 points, Suigetsu 27.

Ninja Academy.

Natsume applied for early graduation.

It was approved, with a simple Clone Jutsu test.

He passed easily.

After two and a half years, he officially became a ninja.