Adopted by Tsunade [183-184]

Chapter 183: The Cool, Taciturn Lady

Palace of the Land of Ancestors.

Ōtsutsuki Kaguya slammed Natsume against the wall.

Her expression was cold.

Lacking human common sense, she didn't feel there was anything improper about this action.

She opened her Byakugan; those snowy-white eyes brazenly scrutinized Natsume's body.

As expected, a Sage Body.

Kaguya fell silent for a few seconds.

Though she wasn't used to thinking, she still tried to guess Natsume's origins at this moment.

Such a constitution could only have come from the Ōtsutsuki clan.

Just then, she bent forward, the distance between them shrinking.

In Natsume's eyes, that indifferent yet exquisite face kept enlarging.

If he didn't know Kaguya was ascetic, he felt today might end up proving that old saying true:

Boys out in the world must pay attention to safety.

But the excessive development he anticipated did not happen.

"Sharingan?"

Kaguya looked at Natsume's slightly trembling lashes and, through his ordinary eyes, discovered the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan hidden deep within.

That made her even more certain the person before her had countless ties to the Ōtsutsuki.

The progenitor of the Sharingan and the Rinnegan is the Rinne Sharingan.

That is the kekkei mōra Kaguya obtained after eating the God Tree's fruit—her third eye at the center of her brow.

In this world, there should be no reason for a human to possess a Sharingan.

Natsume wasn't surprised.

He had long anticipated this scene.

He had hesitated before,

but ultimately didn't hide it.

Because only then could he catch Kaguya's eye.

However, he had already prepared a countermeasure.

If she searched his memories, she would see the lies fabricated by the Ring of Fate.

If she didn't, he'd rely on talk-no-jutsu to make her believe as much as possible.

In truth, whether Kaguya believed him or not didn't matter; she was too strong.

So strong she could control everything.

Natsume couldn't escape her palm.

Kaguya reached out, pinched his chin, and tilted it left and right.

After confirming there was no third eye, she let go.

"What is your name?"

"Natsume."

Natsume quietly exhaled, looked at the towering girl before him, and explained, "My parents should be of the same clan as you."

Then he told a story.

Roughly, two Ōtsutsuki clansmen were ordered to go plant a God Tree on some planet.

Passing through here, they were intrigued and took a liking to a woman, and thus he was born.

Throughout, Kaguya stared at him without blinking.

Her first reaction was: how could an Ōtsutsuki be attracted to an ordinary human?

But thinking about it, judging by Natsume's looks, his mother must have been stunning as well—somewhat understandable.

Kaguya didn't even consider she might be deceived.

Before her majesty, a weak species like humans couldn't possibly fool her.

As for fellow Ōtsutsuki, by the rules, such things were also very rare.

Ōtsutsuki Isshiki had been ambushed by her; the reason was likely quite similar.

No precedent, thus no guard.

Kaguya nodded slightly. "From now on, you are my servant."

There were many reasons to keep Natsume.

For example, he was a small chakra power bank.

Although better than nothing, Kaguya was obsessed with chakra—she would not waste even a shred.

Besides, she needed a caretaker to look after the two infants who had unexpectedly been born.

As a goddess, she had no idea about such matters.

Even pregnancy she'd only heard about.

For within the Ōtsutsuki, her status was relatively low; she was a branch family member destined to be a sacrifice to the God Tree.

In other words, raised in captivity from childhood.

Just a cool, taciturn lady who knew nothing.

Even the ascetic version was the same.

"No problem."

Natsume smiled.

But unlike other humans, he did not kneel and kowtow.

Kaguya didn't mind.

In her view, Natsume possessed the same bloodline and was indeed a bit more noble than them.

Though compared to her, still an ant.

After a brief conversation, Kaguya fell silent.

She sat at the bedside, gazing at the two infants, lost in thought.

"What are your two children called?"

Natsume stepped forward and asked.

"They have no names."

Kaguya lifted her head, voice cool. "They are not my children."

Natsume could understand her thinking.

A young maiden suddenly giving birth to two infants—how could there be feelings?

And in essence, they were chakra.

Perhaps in Kaguya's view, they hardly counted as people.

But she did have feelings; later on, she treated both children well.

Even at the end, in the early battles, she didn't go for the kill against Uzumaki Naruto and Uchiha Sasuke.

"How about Hagoromo and Hamura?"

Natsume pretended to think, then asked.

"So be it."

Kaguya looked at him and nodded.

Her tone didn't waver at all.

First, she didn't care.

Second, she didn't understand what meaning a name had.

[Because of your actions, the fates of Ōtsutsuki Hagoromo and Ōtsutsuki Hamura have changed. You have gained a total of 20 Fate Points.]

This gives Fate Points too?

As expected of the protagonists of this era.

As Natsume sighed inwardly, Ōtsutsuki Hamura suddenly burst into loud cries.

As if in a chain reaction, Ōtsutsuki Hagoromo began crying as well.

"...?"

Kaguya glanced at the two, then looked at Natsume, frowning. "What is it?"

"They're probably hungry."

Natsume guessed. "They need to eat."

"Hungry? Eat?"

Kaguya seemed thoughtful.

After swallowing the chakra fruit, she was an immortal in the true sense.

Any damage would regenerate, and she could absorb all ninjutsu.

To defeat her required sealing techniques.

Naturally, she wouldn't starve.

But Hagoromo and Hamura were different.

They were infants now and still had an instinct to eat.

Kaguya wasn't pregnant in the conventional sense, so naturally there was no breast milk.

Natsume immediately had someone prepare porridge.

In less than a moment, the two stopped crying.

Kaguya's eyes shifted; taking in Natsume seemed to have been the right choice.

Without him, she might have grown annoyed and directly reabsorbed Hagoromo and Hamura's chakra.

"Shall I prepare lunch for you as well?"

Natsume turned, grinning. "My cooking is praised by everyone."

Others might question why a daimyo would cook.

But Kaguya didn't; she shook her head. "I don't need to eat."

Only now did Natsume realize she was an alien.

Plus the chakra fruit—her constitution could be called an Immaculate Golden Body.

A true fairy unsullied by any filth.

"But you could try it."

Bringing a fairy down to the mortal world—no matter how he thought about it, Natsume felt it was thrilling.

Kaguya was slightly startled; this servant didn't seem very obedient.

But she said nothing.

Natsume glanced at her and went to the kitchen.

His cooking was at a master level, but it might not be enough for an alien.

So he spent a bit of Fate Points to raise it to a grandmaster level—

The sort of chef who could found a school.

The Ring of Fate's scoring was interesting.

Cooking was an external craft; it didn't boost combat strength, so it was relatively cheap.

When he set the dishes on the table, he called, "Goddess."

Kaguya glanced at the extremely enticing colors and was unmoved.

"I'll just eat myself then."

Seeing this, Natsume didn't press. Enough was enough.

"Goddess, why have you been staring at me?"

After he finished eating, he couldn't resist asking.

"Nothing."

Kaguya answered blandly; the snowy eyes had no ripples.

In truth, she was just bored.

Plus, she didn't dislike Natsume.

And there was nothing else to look at in the room.

"Oh."

Natsume set down his chopsticks. "What do you plan to do next?"

Hearing this, a slight change flickered across Kaguya's cool face.

She had ambushed Ōtsutsuki Isshiki and already betrayed the clan.

Natsume knew nothing about his Ōtsutsuki father, but for safety, she would never reveal her inner secrets to him.

Lacking guile didn't mean being stupid.

But saying nothing at all wasn't an option either.

She wanted to become stronger to deal with the Ōtsutsuki.

There were two main methods.

One, have the God Tree bear fruit again.

Two, Infinite Tsukuyomi, turning everyone into soldiers.

"Unify the world."

Kaguya said expressionlessly. "I need to maintain the God Tree's growth."

She only mentioned the first method.

After all, the second method would include Natsume.

If she said it, this servant might defect on the spot.

At least for now, she didn't want that to happen.

"You want to use humans as sacrifices?"

Natsume had expected this and wasn't surprised.

To be honest, he didn't feel much kinship with ancient humans.

And in a sense, what he planned next would also count as saving them.

Kaguya nodded.

Natsume's attitude, so similar to hers, seemed natural.

In her eyes, the natives of this world were ants, unworthy of regard.

"I don't think that's ideal."

Facing her shifting gaze, Natsume said, "This world has deities. They'll resist you."

"Kill them, then."

Kaguya stared without blinking. "You need not fear them. They are no match for me."

What a sense of security.

In later ages, only gods like the Shinigami or evil gods would remain.

The rest were likely all purged.

Natsume smiled. "Gods aren't truly frightening, but we can use them instead."

"Why go to such trouble?"

Kaguya asked.

In her understanding—and her operating style—everything was resolved with power.

Straightforward, no technique.

Undeniably her greatest weakness.

Hence being sealed twice.

But one couldn't blame her.

If Natsume had that much power, he wouldn't bother with technique either—brute force would do.

"It's not trouble."

Natsume explained, "Humans in this world are too ordinary. As sacrifices, the nourishment they provide to the God Tree is actually little. To meet your requirements would take a very long time."

"I have plenty of time."

Though worried the clan might send pursuers, the God Tree's fruiting was measured in millennia.

Plus travel time—hundreds of years would pass before any response.

Her only worry was Isshiki, who had escaped.

If he returned to full power, she absolutely couldn't beat him.

"But we still shouldn't waste."

Natsume thought: in at most forty years, you'll be sealed.

Rely on Black Zetsu for a brief breath of air, then back to the cage.

Next time out—who knows when.

Thinking about it, quite tragic.

Kaguya blinked.

Again she realized this new servant had a strong will of his own.

Come to think of it, she'd never taken a servant before.

Kaguya was silent for two seconds, then asked, "What do you propose?"

"Spread chakra to humans."

Natsume watched her expression.

"No."

Kaguya refused without thinking.

Having her split off chakra would be weakening herself by another name.

She even felt a trace of dissatisfaction toward Natsume.

After all, he was of this world, yet kept thinking up ways to aid them.

"You are strong, but I've studied chakra more than you have."

Natsume, relieved she hadn't acted, asked, "What do you think chakra is, at its core?"

"..."

Kaguya stared at him, not responding, unsure how to answer.

Chakra came from the God Tree.

By uniting with the God Tree, she obtained tremendous power.

As for its essence—who cared?

"Chakra is a mixture of spiritual energy and physical energy."

Natsume stood and came before her, performing chakra extraction.

Kaguya's eyelids trembled, surprised.

She hadn't known chakra could be refined.

Whenever she used chakra, she'd let it recover naturally.

But her chakra was nearly inexhaustible, so there was no need for "refining."

"If you give humans a few chakra seeds and teach them extraction, they can return more chakra to you."

Natsume smiled as he laid out his plan.

Of course, this was only step one.

Kaguya looked up sharply, eyes fixed on him.

This might work.

Lend some chakra; after some time, harvest many times more.

Like planting trees.

By all accounts, a net gain.

"You are somewhat useful."

Kaguya said flatly.

Even praise sounded like still water.

Natsume thought: You'll never earn loyalty this way.

You need to give rewards.

But he didn't ask now; he continued, "But if we do that, it becomes a scam. After a few rounds, people lose enthusiasm. Even if you give them chakra seeds, they won't refine anymore."

"If they don't refine, kill them."

Kaguya's simple, brutal thinking surfaced again.

Chapter 184: Kaguya's Reward

Kaguya wasn't exactly wrong.

With her power, she could do it.

Permanently suppress the natives of this world.

Pen them in; if they don't refine chakra, kill them. Over time, no one would dare resist.

But it was still risky.

For example, the Three Great Holy Lands—and her two sons.

Besides, this approach wouldn't showcase Natsume's cleverness.

So he wouldn't agree.

"I have a way to make them willingly offer their chakra—and make them your most loyal soldiers."

"...?"

For once, Kaguya showed a clear expression change.

Because she simply didn't believe such a thing existed.

She lacked common sense, not brains.

Unless she cast Infinite Tsukuyomi, she couldn't think of a second method.

Infinite Tsukuyomi is when the owner of the Rinne Sharingan projects their eye power onto the moon, plunging the whole world into illusion, and the God Tree wraps and absorbs everyone's chakra to gestate a new fruit.

If not dispelled in time, the wrapped people become White Zetsu, leading to the world's end.

What Natsume described was, in essence, Infinite Tsukuyomi.

And making people voluntarily offer their chakra and lives.

Unbelievable.

"What method?"

Even an ascetic like Kaguya felt strong curiosity.

"I call it the Skynet."

Natsume kept it simple. "Use the God Tree as the hub, link people via chakra, and form a vast net."

Basically the internet—no, an MMORPG.

"Go on."

Kaguya watched him, maintaining her cool demeanor.

In fact, she didn't understand.

But she couldn't ask a servant.

That would make her seem incompetent—and embolden the servant, eroding proper awe.

"Once the Net is woven, chakra can be used as currency."

Natsume paused. "For instance, if someone wants to learn a certain ninjutsu, they must pay a set amount of chakra."

"What is ninjutsu?"

Kaguya more or less understood a bit.

But she couldn't grasp "ninjutsu."

In her concept, there was no such thing.

Her "ninjutsu" were instinctive innate abilities—

Like Amenominaka, or All-Killing Ash Bones.

Those aren't really ninjutsu, since they can't be learned.

"It's how one uses chakra."

Natsume shamelessly said, "Because I don't have as much chakra as you, I developed a system called ninjutsu."

Right now, the Sage of Six Paths was still a little kid.

No problem claiming this.

And theoretically, it wouldn't affect the future.

Whoever owns the naming rights, chakra and ninjutsu would spread regardless.

"Please look."

Natsume formed hand seals. "Water Style: Water Whip."

Soon, a whip of water appeared in his hand.

Kaguya fell silent.

Chakra had attributes.

That she knew.

And she had all attributes.

For that reason, she never bothered to break it down; instead, she used Truth-Seeking Orbs with Yin-Yang and all five elements.

One force to break ten thousand techniques.

But she had to admit, Natsume was very clever.

For the first time, Kaguya felt this servant possessed great wisdom.

This system wouldn't be easy to invent even for her.

But she could do it.

Kaguya formed hand seals; a water whip appeared.

"Meaningless."

She felt its strength and shook her head.

"For you, yes. But for ordinary humans, it's very useful."

Natsume thought physical arts would help Kaguya most. "With ninjutsu, they'll willingly offer chakra. And think—if killing an enemy grants higher-level ninjutsu as a reward, what will they do?"

Kaguya considered, and her eyes brightened slightly.

Interesting.

They would strive to grow stronger—becoming her most loyal warriors.

"You can resurrect ordinary humans, yes?"

Natsume asked.

Kaguya nodded.

Unlike Rinne Rebirth, which trades life for life, her level was higher; she could revive a human at very small cost.

"Then make resurrection a reward."

Natsume's lips curved. "Do you think they'd go mad for it?"

If you can revive, what's there to fear?

Kaguya stared at him, momentarily at a loss for words.

If the Ōtsutsuki had known this method before, perhaps there wouldn't have been so many rebels.

Sometimes, some even fell due to that.

There were too many planets; there would always be one or two Children of Fate.

"What do you think?"

Natsume asked when she didn't reply.

As for deities, they'd be easier.

Without faith, they'd either surrender or be swept away by Kaguya and the players.

Only question was how the Three Great Holy Lands would react.

On the surface, Natsume's method benefited the world.

If enough people joined, perhaps the God Tree wouldn't need to drain the planet's energy.

But the lofty Holy Lands would lose status.

The Slug Sage might not mind by temperament.

The other two were less certain.

Especially the Great Toad Sage, who was clearly ambitious.

On that note, Natsume rubbed his chin, pondering a question.

Could he still summon the Slug?

Probably not.

After all, summoning contracts like that hadn't appeared yet.

"We'll do as you say."

Kaguya nodded.

Achieving Infinite Tsukuyomi's effect without casting it—why refuse?

Casting Infinite Tsukuyomi cost energy too.

And she could distinguish whether ordinary humans or shinobi provided more chakra.

Kaguya looked at him, thoughtful.

Perhaps she should give him a reward?

His proposal was outstanding.

Given his wisdom, she'd likely need him again.

Thinking so, she asked, "Do you have a request? I can grant it."

Natsume was slightly stunned.

Well now!

So Kaguya wasn't completely clueless.

What should he ask for?

Something too excessive would be impossible.

Like having her help evolve his Sharingan to Rinnegan.

Given her obsession with chakra, no way.

Natsume thought of another.

Have her create ninjutsu.

With her power and talent, she wouldn't be inferior to the Sage of Six Paths.

She didn't use ninjutsu only because she didn't need to.

But ultimately, he thought of something else.

A reward is momentary; if he could win over the person, that would be a real windfall.

He looked at Kaguya, gradually closing in.

In the end, they were pressed together.

Kaguya stared at him and didn't dodge.

Because she had no concept of romance or relationships.

More importantly, she didn't dislike Natsume.

So yes—looks matter.

Natsume looked at her calm, exquisite face, and finally at her pale-red lips.

He gently kissed her.

"...?"

Puzzlement showed in Kaguya's eyes.

What was this?

Unexpectedly, she didn't dislike it.

A feeling she'd never experienced slowly spread.

"This is the reward."

Natsume bluffed. "For me, it is. Not for others. After all, as a servant, the most precious reward is contact with the master."

Preferably at zero distance.

Kaguya showed a hint of relief.

It sounded reasonable.

Though this servant was odd, the results benefited her.

And it cost no chakra; simple physical contact was enough.

Nothing too serious about it.

"There's one important precondition for the Skynet."

Natsume licked his lips and continued, "Goddess, do you have a way—say, using the God Tree as a center—to develop a ninjutsu that converts chakra into thought-waves, allowing communication over any distance?"

He was basically describing the Akatsuki's Magic Lantern Body Technique.

If the Rinnegan could do it, the Rinne Sharingan certainly could.

Kaguya thought briefly and nodded.

She hadn't created ninjutsu before, but her level was what it was.

Bottom-up is hard; top-down is easier.

"It'd be best to bind it to an object—say a bracelet or ring."

Natsume added.

If it were purely a ninjutsu, it'd be fussy.

Like Akatsuki—use rings.

More precisely, a game login device.

Through the God Tree, turn this world into an MMO.

In a sense, indeed Infinite Tsukuyomi.

"Mm."

Kaguya stopped speaking and pondered.

Natsume didn't interrupt.

He needed to select the first batch of beta testers.

Even in later ages, when chakra was widespread, many still lacked talent as shinobi.

In this era, even more so.

Naturally, Natsume had to pick high-level players—those with talent.

That would also spare Kaguya a lot of trouble.

Come to think of it, he was a very dutiful servant.

Natsume immediately summoned the soldiers of the Land of Ancestors to assemble.

They were called soldiers, but most were ordinary people.

Only the samurai were elite.

…

Meanwhile, at Mount Myōboku.

The three current great sages gathered.

"Gamamaru, how goes it?"

The White Snake Sage asked around its pipe.

It was very young then and hadn't taken human form.

But in strength, it was already a standout of Ryūchi Cave.

"I've arranged for humans to bestow Ōtsutsuki Kaguya with blessings of fertility."

Gamamaru, the future Great Toad Sage: "It won't be long before her children are born."

"Are you certain?"

The White Snake Sage asked worriedly. "Though affected by faith, she isn't human. Will they really help us fight their mother?"

"I have seen it all."

The Great Toad Sage pointed to his eyes. "Prophecy will guide them. We only need to wait."

"If only we could find the one Kaguya ambushed."

The White Snake Sage sighed. "But with his ability, he's hard to detect."

"That day will come."

The Great Toad Sage said, "With our two-pronged approach, we will defeat Kaguya and save humanity and our world."

The Slug Sage listened without chiming in.

Unlike Mount Myōboku and Ryūchi Cave, it had always been solitary.