[Sage Transformation] by nature refers to Jugo.
Well, how should I put it?
It sounds quite amazing, but in reality, it's not that good.
Judging from his performance in the original work, Jugo's strength is at most on par with a [Jonin], not particularly remarkable.
For him, [Sage Transformation] is more like a negative consequence.
It makes him go berserk at any time.
Only Orochimaru could conduct research on the [Cursed Seal] with his help.
It would be quite a hassle for others to get hold of Jugo.
Natsume thought for a moment and decided that it wouldn't hurt to give Jugo to Orochimaru.
Although Natsume looked down upon the [Cursed Seal], it was actually quite useful. It was an incomplete form of the [Sage Mode].
Especially the [Cursed Seal of Heaven], which had a significant amplification effect.
However, it also had quite a few side effects.
Firstly, the survival rate of those who transplanted the [Cursed Seal] was low.
Secondly, staying in the [Cursed Seal] state for a long time would make one lose themselves.
Thirdly, they would be controlled by Orochimaru or the one who bestowed the seal.
Natsume used the [Cursed Seal] to trade for the [Uzumaki Sealing Technique], and it was a really profitable deal.
He didn't know where Jugo was at the moment, but the [Destiny Value Store] could exchange for anything, including someone's whereabouts.
The price was determined by the character's appearance frequency.
Jugo was just a minor character, so it only cost nine [destiny values] to find out his whereabouts.
"What do you think of this deal?" Natsume asked.
"Sure." Orochimaru readily agreed.
There's no need to elaborate on the power of the [Sage Mode].
He had long wanted to obtain it.
But since he didn't have the talent himself, he had to find other methods.
Now that an opportunity was presented to him, how could he miss it?
The [Uzumaki Sealing Technique] was indeed precious, but it wasn't his originally, so he didn't mind giving it away.
Moreover, he would definitely give a copy, so it wouldn't cause any harm to Konoha.
"Then, just like with the [Hashirama cells], you give the thing to my subordinates."
Natsume paused for a moment, then showed a faint smile and said, "However, they were quite unhappy about your previous move. I suggest you send someone else or use a [Clone] this time. Otherwise, I can't guarantee your safety."
"..."
Orochimaru's expression froze.
I was the one who suffered last time!
I had to lie in the hospital bed for half a month to recover. How come it seems like it's all my doing?
But since Natsume said so, he had no choice. He really didn't want to see Kakuzu and Sasori again.
They really dared to kill.
"Is there anything else?" Natsume asked.
"I want to know how to speed up Itachi Uchiha's process of awakening his Mangekyo Sharingan."
Orochimaru thought for a moment and said, "Currently, I can't see any signs of him awakening the [Mangekyo Sharingan]."
"You're just being too impatient."
Natsume was a bit speechless. Itachi Uchiha was only six years old. "Awakening the [Mangekyo Sharingan] requires a certain foundation. Just wait a few more years."
For example, Sasuke Uchiha only awakened a one-tomoe [Sharingan] after the slaughter of his clan.
It wasn't that he lacked talent; it was just that he was too young and didn't have enough of a foundation.
Hearing this, Orochimaru had no other options.
He couldn't defeat Shisui Uchiha.
So he could only focus his efforts on Itachi Uchiha.
"See you next time."
Natsume dispelled his [Wooden clone].
Orochimaru then returned to the laboratory.
He had to keep researching the [Wood Release potion].
"Kinoto, come here and lie down."
Orochimaru showed his characteristic dangerous smile. "It's time for the regular cell collection."
Yamato didn't hesitate and lay on the experimental table.
He knew very well that there was no other way but to obey.
In fact, it was the same when he was in Root.
As for Orochimaru, he was already used to this situation.
Moreover, Orochimaru's technique was obviously better than Tanzo Shimura's. It was great because it made Yamato's Wood Release progress quite fast.
The next day, the sun was shining brightly.
"Natsume, I'll come to pick you up at noon," Tsunade said at the school gate as if she had just remembered something.
"Is there something going on?"
Natsume looked up. Usually, he had lunch at school.
"It's a small gathering," Tsunade said with a smile. "There will be a lot of delicious food. Sister wouldn't bring just anyone."
"Okay," Natsume agreed when he heard about the food.
"Good boy. Have a good class," Tsunade said, patting his head.
Natsume turned around and entered the school.
"It's rare to see you today, Itachi."
"Teacher Orochimaru is busy with something," Itachi Uchiha replied indifferently.
Orochimaru had been torturing Yamato lately, so he didn't have time to teach Itachi. Since Itachi was always a good student, he came to class.
After greeting each other, the two had nothing more to say.
This was normal.
Not long after, Yamanaka Naoto entered the classroom.
Today was a theoretical test about the so - called Will of Fire.
Natsume took advantage of his past life as a liberal arts student. He didn't write something extremely flowery, but he at least filled the entire paper.
At noon, he left school with Tsunade and finally arrived at an izakaya.
An ordinary izakaya was just a small pub, but this one was very high - end, more like a grand restaurant.
Natsume became even more puzzled. What kind of gathering was this?
There was an exquisite room.
Faintly, there were the sounds of women chatting and laughing.
Tsunade opened the door, and Natsume could see what was inside.
There were eight beautiful women, with noble temperaments and gorgeous dresses. Many of them were wearing kimonos.
Natsume only recognized one of them, Mikoto Uchiha.
"…?"
Natsume had a confused look on his face.
Did I just walk into a den of seductive women?
"Lady Tsunade is here," the eight beautiful women showed enthusiastic smiles.
Although Tsunade didn't really cultivate her network of contacts, as the most powerful medical ninja, connections would come to her on their own.
"Oh, she brought a little hunk."
Oh!
The burning gazes swept over Natsume as if they were going to devour him whole.
"What a pity he's still a child," a beautiful woman giggled. No one knew what she was laughing at.
"Natsume, let me introduce you," Tsunade pointed at the beautiful woman who had just spoken. "This is the Daimyo's wife, Mihime Haraguchi. It's her birthday today, and she's the main character of this gathering."
So she was the Daimyo's wife.
It wasn't strange that Tsunade knew her.
The Daimyo's family often issued missions in Konoha Village.
In the original story, Naruto Uzumaki and others once looked for a cat for the Daimyo's wife.
But that Daimyo's wife was quite ugly.
Obviously, this one was a different person.
"Rifumi Kajihara, the wife of the magistrate of Booklet Street. In the future, you can let her take good care of your Gunma Casino."
Tsunade introduced another beautiful woman.
Natsume immediately raised his eyebrows.
No wonder she called him here. It turned out to be for networking.
By having connections in both the legal and illegal circles, his casino would surely stand firm.
Apart from these two wives, the other six were all wives of Konoha ninja clans.
Such as the Uchiha clan, the Hyuga clan, and the Nara clan.
The nine beautiful women ate and drank.
Natsume felt extremely uncomfortable sitting there.
Some of their looks were just too bold!
After the meal, Mihime Haraguchi asked Rifumi Kajihara to paint.
She lay on the couch, her face blushing, looking charming, innocent yet alluring, dignified yet coquettish.
"Don't look, kid."
Tsunade covered Natsume's eyes.
Damn it!
Can't I even have a little peek?
After the gathering ended, Natsume sent his Wooden clone to school and went to Ena Uzumaki's to eat grapes.
It wasn't that he deliberately wanted to compete with Karin for food.
Rather, he found that eating grapes could improve his body and increase his Chakra.
Natsume was an orphan and had generally poor nutrition since childhood.
Even though he had exchanged for the Wood Release talent like Hashirama Senju, without the Sage Body and enough chakra, he couldn't reach that invincible state.
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