Naruto: Adopted By Tsunade

"How do you like my gift?" Natsume asked, sipping tea calmly. He was only a Wood Clone, so he wasn't worried.

Orochimaru's eyes narrowed. He was sure no one had caught him stealing Yamato last night—at most, Danzo would notice the next day. Yet Natsume seemed certain he'd succeeded. Why?

Orochimaru concluded Natsume had a powerful intelligence network behind him.

"I'm very satisfied," Orochimaru replied coldly. "If not for you, I'd still be in the dark about Yamato."

Yamato was crucial—a breakthrough. With him, Orochimaru could continue his research. He'd been ready to abandon Wood Release, but now he wouldn't.

He was even considering pausing his research into body-hopping jutsu.

"No need to thank me," Natsume smiled. "Looks like our deal can proceed."

"How much Hashirama's cells do you want?" Orochimaru asked after a pause. "They're limited. If you want too much, it'll be hard."

Natsume raised an eyebrow. Don't think I don't know—you've even robbed the tombs of Hashirama and Tobirama.

"Nine transplant doses will do. And I want your experimental data," Natsume said.

Orochimaru nodded, unsurprised. Anyone wanting Hashirama's cells would surely want the data too. Right now, no one knew more about this than him.

"I want the data for perfect transplantation, not your current, flawed method," Natsume added.

Orochimaru's experiments had a sky-high mortality rate—only Yamato survived. Danzo's partial arm transplant was a different matter.

Orochimaru grew wary. This mysterious man knew too much about the Wood Release experiments.

"Fine," Orochimaru agreed. He could always tamper with the data. Unless Natsume found a top-notch medical ninja—like Tsunade—it'd be hard to check.

But that was impossible. There was only one Tsunade, and she'd never be involved with someone like him.

"So, will you tell me the other secret now?" Orochimaru licked his lips.

"Technically, I should wait until I get the cells. But I'm not afraid you'll go back on your word," Natsume replied calmly.

Orochimaru was surprised by his confidence, but it fit the mysterious persona.

"How strong do you think Hashirama was?" Natsume asked.

"Very strong," Orochimaru replied honestly. He'd read Konoha's records—Hashirama was clearly a tier above the Five Kage. He'd seen the Nine-Tails himself; without special power, it was nearly unbeatable.

"And Uchiha Madara?"

"Not far behind," Orochimaru said. The Valley of the End battle was legendary—Madara couldn't be much weaker than Hashirama.

"What made Madara so powerful?" Natsume asked.

"Sharingan," Orochimaru answered, puzzled by the line of questioning.

"What about Uchiha Fugaku?"

"He's decent. Three-tomoe Sharingan is impressive, but only a bit above a typical jonin."

"Isn't that odd?" Natsume pressed. "Same Sharingan, but Madara was much stronger."

Orochimaru froze. Good point. Madara could've crushed ten Fugakus. Why? Could three-tomoe really control the tailed beasts?

"Are you saying there's something above the three-tomoe Sharingan?"

"Exactly," Natsume nodded. "Above it is the Mangekyo Sharingan."

"Mangekyo Sharingan…" Orochimaru repeated the words, remembering that only after Shisui's death did the village elders realize its power—Danzo even stole Shisui's Mangekyo.

"How strong is it?" Orochimaru asked.

"Want to find out?" Natsume replied.

"Someone in the Uchiha clan has awakened it already?" Orochimaru's eyes lit up, already thinking of how to steal it.

Natsume smiled at Orochimaru's naivety. He clearly thought the Mangekyo was strong, but not unbeatable.

"Yes, Uchiha Shisui."

"Him?" Orochimaru was surprised. Shisui had made a name for himself in the Third Ninja War. He didn't expect Shisui to have the Mangekyo.

"Here's a warning: take precautions, or you might get wrecked," Natsume advised.

Orochimaru was annoyed. Since becoming one of the Sannin, few could even make him serious. Was Natsume saying he couldn't handle Shisui—and might even get into trouble?

He didn't believe it.

Natsume said nothing more. With Orochimaru's survival skills, he likely wouldn't die. And Shisui wouldn't kill him outright.

As for Natsume himself, he wasn't worried. Mangekyo was OP, and if Shisui used Kotoamatsukami, Orochimaru had no real defense.

"Well, until next time," Natsume said, dispelling the Wood Clone. "Hope you have the cells ready."

Orochimaru immediately sent people to track down Shisui.

The next day, he challenged Shisui—and a major battle ensued.

…

Meanwhile, in ninja school, Natsume received a notification from the Sacred Ring of Fate:

[Your actions have changed Orochimaru's fate. You gain 58 Fate Points.]

[Your actions have changed Shisui's fate. You gain 19 Fate Points.]