Naruto: Multiverse Character Templates

Although Manda was arrogant, when faced with a life-or-death crisis, it ultimately did not dare remain arrogant.

After Natsuki and Nawaki beat it badly, and with the three great snake priestesses stepping in, it finally agreed to fight for them.

Most importantly, summoning it no longer required sacrifices.

Natsuki thought of a question.

Why had Orochimaru not beaten Manda into submission in the original story?

Natsuki could only think of one reason, Orochimaru simply did not care.

After falling into darkness, he had no psychological burden about using living people as sacrifices.

Or perhaps he had not wanted to offend Ryūchi Cave.

Time passed to July.

Natsuki finally learned Ryūchi Cave's Sage Mode.

"Master truly has extraordinary talent!"

Tagitsuhime smiled brightly and said, "With your appearance as well, countless girls would surely admire you."

"How could Master be interested in someone as ordinary as you?"

Ichikishimahime glared at her.

"You are hardly one to talk!"

Tagitsuhime immediately retorted.

"What did you say?"

Ichikishimahime was furious. Her pupils immediately narrowed into snake eyes.

Her originally cute face also became somewhat fierce.

"Stop arguing."

Natsuki said casually, then entered Sage Mode.

He immediately felt his perception expand.

Even without using sensory ninjutsu or any special ability, he could sense the situation nearby.

Especially in places where natural energy was abundant, his senses became even sharper.

Natsuki extended his hand and created a mirror with Ice Release.

Then he saw the changes on his face. There was now distinct eye shadow.

Fortunately, he had not grown two horns like Kabuto, nor did his face gain the markings that Jiraiya had.

Overall, Natsuki could accept it.

He sensed it himself. Ryūchi Cave's Sage Mode also had a short duration.

It was about the same as Mount Myōboku's Sage Mode, lasting only five minutes.

If he wanted to extend the duration, he would need to use Sage Art: Amphibian Technique.

Its effect was simple. It allowed Fukasaku and Shima to merge with Jiraiya's shoulders.

For Ryūchi Cave, it would probably involve having the three great snake priestesses assist him.

"Do you know Sage Art: Amphibian Technique?"

Natsuki asked.

"Yes."

Ichikishimahime immediately said, "It is a senjutsu from Mount Myōboku."

"Ryūchi Cave has a similar senjutsu."

Tagitsuhime guessed Natsuki's thoughts and said, "One of us three great snake priestesses can assist you."

Only one was enough?

Natsuki raised an eyebrow.

From that perspective, the strength of the three great snake priestesses seemed to be above Fukasaku and Shima.

However, it might also be related to Ryūchi Cave's senjutsu. Perhaps it did not require all three snake priestesses to assist at once.

Besides, if all three snake priestesses helped at the same time, where would they merge?

"Master, I will help you!"

After Ichikishimahime finished speaking, she immediately formed hand seals.

Her body quickly shrank, eventually becoming a miniature figure only about ten centimeters tall.

Ichikishimahime floated onto Natsuki's shoulder.

Her lower body merged into his shoulder, leaving only her upper body visible.

Natsuki glanced at her and did not feel any discomfort.

A moment later, he felt Ichikishimahime continuously supplying senjutsu chakra.

The duration of his Sage Mode was greatly extended.

"That is enough. You can come down."

After finishing the test, Natsuki said.

Ichikishimahime returned to the ground, then grew back to her usual small form.

"I will continue learning senjutsu next, but I will not study it in Ryūchi Cave."

Natsuki explained, "When the time comes, wait for my summon."

"Yes, Master."

Tagorihime, Tagitsuhime, and Ichikishimahime answered in unison.

Natsuki nodded and left Ryūchi Cave.

As soon as he returned to Konoha, warm sunlight shone down on him.

It was now July, and Konoha's temperature had reached its hottest period.

Ryūchi Cave, on the other hand, had no four seasons. It was dim every day.

After all, snakes preferred shade.

"Natsuki-sama."

Zō suddenly appeared.

"What is it?"

Natsuki instinctively looked at him.

"Hokage-sama wants you to go to the Hokage's office."

Zō answered.

Natsuki raised an eyebrow and nodded.

He then walked toward the Hokage's office.

"Natsuki."

As he turned onto another street, Tsunade's voice rang out.

"Tsunade-sensei."

Natsuki stopped and smiled. "What a coincidence."

"It is not a coincidence."

Tsunade shook her head and said, "I am also going to the Hokage's office."

"Did something major happen?"

Natsuki could not help being stunned.

Under normal circumstances, Hiruzen would not call Tsunade over.

Because Tsunade was lazy.

If she was called over for ordinary matters, she would lose her temper.

Unless it was something major.

"I do not know."

Tsunade paused, then smiled and asked, "As the Anbu commander, shouldn't you know more than I do?"

"I have been studying Sage Mode in Ryūchi Cave recently."

Natsuki explained, "I have not paid much attention to Konoha or Anbu affairs."

"I almost forgot about that."

Tsunade lived next door to Natsuki, so she naturally knew he had been learning Sage Mode recently.

"We will know soon enough anyway."

Natsuki did not mind.

"That is true."

Tsunade smiled.

The two of them soon arrived at the Hokage's office.

Aside from them, Danzō, Koharu, Homura, and Orochimaru were also there.

"Sensei."

Natsuki suppressed the surprise in his heart and walked up to Orochimaru to greet him.

He suddenly realized that this was a meeting of Konoha's top leadership.

But why had he been invited?

Did Hiruzen already consider him part of Konoha's leadership?

The others also realized this.

Orochimaru and Tsunade were naturally happy for Natsuki.

Koharu and Homura were somewhat surprised.

But Natsuki was indeed qualified.

He was the Anbu commander, possessed Kage-level strength, and brought in profits from the Red Healing Potions and Blue Healing Potions.

Status, strength, and money. He lacked none of them.

Danzō, on the other hand, felt so angry his teeth itched.

He had worked diligently for Konoha for so many years before becoming one of Konoha's senior leaders.

But Natsuki was only eighteen this year. He had just reached adulthood, yet he had already become one of Konoha's senior figures. How could Danzō accept that?

But there was nothing he could do.

He knew very well that this was Hiruzen's decision.

With the support of Jiraiya, Tsunade, and Orochimaru added on top, even if Danzō gained Koharu and Homura's support, it would be difficult to stop him.

Moreover, Koharu and Homura might not necessarily support him.

A moment later, Hiruzen appeared.

Orochimaru and the others immediately sensed that his mood was poor.

It seemed something serious had indeed happened.

Natsuki's heart suddenly moved.

Could it be related to Sakumo?

"I just received a message from the daimyo."

After Hiruzen sat down, he spoke.

Danzō and the others were immediately surprised.

Although Konoha served the daimyo of the Land of Fire, the daimyo rarely interfered with Konoha's affairs.

He only concerned himself with two matters, the succession of the Hokage and financial support.

But at this time, neither of those matters should have come up.

"Sakumo's mission failed. Both the Land of Fire and Konoha suffered heavy losses. The daimyo is very angry, so he sent me a message."

Hiruzen continued.

Everyone fell silent.

This was an extremely rare matter.

The daimyo of the Land of Fire was blaming Konoha because of a failed mission.

"With Sakumo's ability, how could the mission fail?"

Homura frowned and asked.

"He abandoned the mission in order to save his teammates."

Hiruzen sighed and said.

"Foolish!"

Danzō immediately could not help shouting, "As a shinobi, the mission comes first. How could he abandon the mission for his teammates?"

"Sakumo was indeed in the wrong on this matter."

Koharu's expression was somewhat ugly. "If the daimyo has been offended, our funding for next year may be reduced."

"Sakumo was too impulsive. No matter what, a shinobi should never abandon a mission."

Homura agreed.

"Saving his teammates was not wrong."

Tsunade thought for a moment and said.

But when it came to abandoning the mission, she could not say much.

After all, the first rule of the shinobi code was written very clearly. No matter the circumstances, the mission came first.

"All shinobi have missions that fail."

Orochimaru's tone was calm as he said, "Arguing over who was right or wrong has no meaning now. The urgent matter is to make up for the losses caused by the failed mission."

"I agree with Sensei."

Natsuki immediately supported him.

He also noticed something.

Sakumo's failed mission had not spread throughout Konoha like it had in the original story.

If Danzō intended to cause trouble, it would happen only after this high-level meeting ended.

That gave Natsuki a chance to remedy the situation.

Any movement from Danzō or Root could be stopped by him.

"Of course we must make up for the losses caused by the failed mission!"

Danzō snorted coldly and said, "But Sakumo must also be punished for causing the mission to fail!"

"This matter also involves the daimyo."

Koharu reminded them, "What punishment Sakumo receives should be decided by the daimyo."

"We will put the matter of punishment aside for now. First, we will make up for the losses caused by the mission."

Hiruzen raised his hand and stopped their argument.

"I can contribute a portion of the profits from the healing potions."

Natsuki spoke.

Everyone paused slightly. They had not expected him to say something like this.

"Natsuki, Konoha has not fallen to the point where it needs to use your money."

Tsunade rolled her eyes at him.

"Tsunade is right."

Hiruzen smiled and said, "Your willingness is already enough."

"Yes."

Natsuki was not surprised.

He had already guessed this outcome. That was why he had put on a small display of his excellent Will of Fire.

Even if they really made him pay, it would not matter.

Although the Red Healing Potions and Blue Healing Potions earned a lot of money, to Natsuki, it was already small change.

He now held the Land of Snow, the Land of Demons, the Land of Grass, and the Land of Rain. Adding Dawn Company on top of that, he had more money than he could spend.

"One failed mission is not much."

Hiruzen said with emotion, "With outstanding young people like Natsuki, the village's future will not be poor."

Danzō instinctively clenched his fist.

There was no longer any need to say how much Hiruzen valued Natsuki.

If this continued, Natsuki would definitely become the Hokage after the next.

Danzō once again thought back to the past. If he had been one step faster than Hiruzen, he would have become Hokage long ago.

One wrong step led to every step being wrong. Because of that, he even held some resentment toward Tobirama.

Who chose a Hokage by using a rear-guard mission as the test?

"After this year passes, I will be fifty. I truly have grown much older."

Hiruzen continued.

Danzō and the others were suddenly shaken, realizing something.

"You can retire, but do not look for me to become Hokage."

Tsunade spoke without any hesitation.

Natsuki glanced at Orochimaru, whose expression was calm.

In the original story, Orochimaru had left Konoha after losing the competition to Minato.

Natsuki felt that Orochimaru was the type who was not interested in being Hokage, but could not accept being passed over.

If he lost to Tsunade or Jiraiya, he would not feel anything.

But losing to a junior like Minato would make him unhappy.

"Hiruzen, fifty is still the prime of life. It is not time for retirement yet."

Danzō quickly said.

"Let us not discuss that for now."

Hiruzen returned to the main topic and began discussing how to make up for the losses caused by Sakumo's failed mission.

After half an hour of discussion, the matter was basically settled.

Fortunately, Natsuki's healing potions had earned Konoha a great deal of money.

Although the losses were large, they were still bearable.

"How should Sakumo be handled?"

Danzō asked impatiently.

"Sakumo's punishment must be discussed with the daimyo."

Hiruzen thought for a moment and said, "Tomorrow, I will have Minato take me to the Land of Fire metropolis."

"I will go with you."

Tsunade immediately said, "I still have some influence with the daimyo."

"Tomorrow at nine, you and Minato come to my office."

Hiruzen nodded and said.

The high-level meeting ended there.

Natsuki realized that his previous concerns had been somewhat unnecessary.

The current Konoha truly did not need to suppress Sakumo anymore.

Even Danzō was not paying attention to him.

Because Danzō now cared more about another matter.

That was the signal Hiruzen had just revealed.

Barring any accidents, the competition for the next Hokage was about to begin.

Once a new Hokage took office, Konoha's power structure would change.

Especially since Danzō's relationship with the next Hokage would most likely be poor.

After all, everyone knew that the person most likely to become the next Hokage was Orochimaru.

Even if it was not him, it would be Tsunade, Jiraiya, or Sakumo.

None of them had a good relationship with Danzō.

That gave him a massive headache.

After all, Root had done too many things that violated Konoha's rules.

If the new Hokage decided to investigate, he would inevitably be punished.

Natsuki returned to the Senju clan compound.

"Natsuki-senpai."

Kakashi quickly walked forward and asked, "What will happen to my father?"

"You already know?"

Natsuki was somewhat surprised.

Kakashi explained, "He came back this morning. I heard him arguing with his teammates."

"How is your father now?"

Natsuki asked in return.

"His teammate blamed him for saving him, but is saving someone wrong?"

Kakashi asked in confusion.

"Saving someone is not wrong."

Natsuki shook his head and said, "Do not worry. Nothing serious will happen to your father. Hokage-sama is already handling this matter."

Hearing this, Kakashi immediately let out a breath of relief.

"Take me to see your father."

Natsuki thought for a moment and said.

He felt he should speak with Sakumo in advance, in case Sakumo fell too deeply into despair.

The two immediately left.

"Natsuki, why are you here?"

When Sakumo saw him, he froze for a moment, then asked, "Has Hokage-sama decided how to deal with me?"

"It is not punishment."

Natsuki briefly explained what Hiruzen and the others had discussed earlier.

"So that is how it is."

Sakumo stated his position and said, "No matter what punishment the daimyo gives me, I will accept it."

Although he did not regret saving his teammates, he had indeed caused enormous losses.

He would not avoid responsibility for his actions.

Kakashi wanted to say something, but Sakumo stopped him with a look.

"Tsunade-sensei and Hokage-sama will both meet with the daimyo. The punishment will not be too severe."

Natsuki still had great confidence in Tsunade.

"Natsuki."

Sakumo hesitated for a moment and asked, "Do you think abandoning the mission to save my teammates was the correct choice?"

"In my view, that question itself is unnecessary."

Natsuki shook his head and said.

"Why?"

Sakumo did not understand.

The mainstream belief among shinobi today was that missions came first.

Someone like him, who put saving people first, was instead considered an outlier.

"Then let me ask you this. If saving your teammates caused Konoha to suffer heavy losses, or even caused many people to die, would you still save them?"

Natsuki raised a classic question.

Sakumo immediately froze.

He opened his mouth, but did not know how to answer.

Reason told him he should not save them, but not saving them went against the belief he had always upheld.

"That is why I said the earlier question is unnecessary."

Natsuki spoke calmly, "Trust your own choice and do not regret it."

Sakumo fell silent.

But he understood Natsuki's meaning. Natsuki was telling him to continue upholding his beliefs.

However, he also needed to make some changes.

Saving his teammates was a belief, and saving Konoha was also a belief.

"No wonder you were able to reach your current position in such a short time."

Sakumo sighed.

Hearing this, Natsuki knew he would no longer walk the same path as in the original story and take his own life.

He chatted for a while longer, then said goodbye and left.

Natsuki returned to the Anbu.

To be safe, he immediately sent people to monitor Root, as well as the teammate Sakumo had saved.

Three days later, Hiruzen, Tsunade, and Minato returned to Konoha.

Natsuki was then called to the Hokage's office for another meeting.

With him were Danzō, Koharu, Homura, and Orochimaru.

Because Jiraiya was still away from the village, he was absent once again.

"The daimyo has decided not to pursue this matter any further."

Hiruzen smiled as he spoke.

Koharu and the others showed surprised expressions.

None of them had expected the daimyo of the Land of Fire to choose not to pursue the matter.

"Natsuki."

Hiruzen called out again.

"Hokage-sama."

Natsuki stepped forward and said.

"Have the Anbu issue a notice to all jonin."

Hiruzen said in a deep voice, "Starting today, nominations for the Fourth Hokage will begin. All jonin are qualified to nominate a candidate, but each person may only nominate once."

"What?"

Danzō's eyes suddenly widened.

Although he had long expected this day to come, it had still arrived too quickly.

Koharu and Homura also felt surprised.

"Yes, Hokage-sama."

Natsuki paused slightly, then immediately answered.

He suddenly thought of a possibility.

In the original story, Hiruzen had stepped down and passed the position to Minato for two reasons.

First, he had taken responsibility for the shinobi who died in the Third Shinobi World War.

Second, he had been under pressure from the daimyo of the Land of Fire and Konoha's higher-ups.

Now that he was stepping down, combined with the daimyo choosing not to pursue Sakumo's matter, could the reason be similar?

After the high-level meeting ended, Natsuki found Tsunade.

After asking her, he confirmed his guess.

It was indeed Hiruzen who had used his retirement as a substitute, making the daimyo of the Land of Fire waive Sakumo's punishment.

After hearing this, Natsuki felt somewhat dazed.

On one hand, the butterfly effect he had caused was growing larger and larger.

On the other hand, for Konoha, this was a good thing.

Sakumo had not died, and Hiruzen was stepping down early, so he would not make one poor decision after another like he had in the original story.

(To be continued.)