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Chapter 246: Tsunade's Guilt
🕑 Added 2025-08-03 18:21:57 +0000 UTCThrough physical persuasion, Rokushou was convinced to return. Granny Sansho was very happy and made everyone her beloved Curry of Life. This time, she even increased the dosage. Naruto Uzumaki and Sasuke Uchiha almost died on the spot.
[Due to your actions, the destinies of Raiga Kurosuki, Ranmaru, and Rokushou have changed. You have gained one hundred seventy points of Destiny Value.]
One hundred seventy points was not bad; it made Sasame's few days of wasted time worthwhile.
After Izumi Uchiha arrived, the five of them said goodbye to Granny Sansho and returned to the Hokage's Office.
Naruto Uzumaki put down Ranmaru and asked loudly, "When's the next mission?" He felt he hadn't done anything. Sasuke Uchiha had stolen all the limelight, so he was very impatient.
"I know you're in a hurry, but don't be in a hurry," Sasame said, leaning back in the Hokage's chair. "The mission just ended. Let's rest for a few days first."
"But I'm not tired at all!" Naruto Uzumaki waved his fists, indicating he was full of energy. Given his personality, it was indeed difficult to keep him cooped up in the village. But Sasame also didn't want to spend all his time with them. He was still quite busy, after all.
"How about this," Sasame came up with a win-win solution. "You can temporarily join other squads for missions." Naruto Uzumaki didn't agree immediately; his face showed hesitation. To be honest, he was quite satisfied with his two teammates. They never held him back. But with a new team, everything would be unfamiliar.
"I'll go too," Sasuke Uchiha said. Seeing this, Hinata Hyuga's eyes turned to Sasame. Clearly, she also wanted to train herself through missions.
Oh, my! Sasame suddenly realized he was the laziest one. His three students were all very diligent.
"Teacher Sasame!" Naruto Uzumaki immediately got excited. "See? Everyone has agreed. You should come too!"
"I'm the Hokage. I can't go on missions every day," Sasame waved his hand lazily. "I'll find a squad leader for you." Although the three were a little disappointed, they could understand him. The Hokage was indeed very busy.
"Wait at Training Ground 4 tomorrow. Someone will come find you," Sasame dismissed his three students and then left the Hokage's Office.
A moment later, he arrived at Orochimaru's hideout. Cold glances shot out from all around. Snakes. Sasame entered the hall without a care.
"Hokage-sama," Yugao Uzuki immediately appeared and bowed slightly.
"Where's your teacher?" Sasame asked, finding a random spot to sit.
"Teacher is in the middle of an experiment," Yugao Uzuki replied. "He'll be here shortly."
"Okay." Sasame looked at the violet-haired ice beauty. "You're a Jonin now. I'm planning to have you temporarily lead a ninja squad. Are you free?" Yugao Uzuki was slightly startled; she hadn't expected this. She was actually willing. After all, being with Orochimaru, she was merely a test subject every day. But she didn't have control over her own freedom.
"I'll have to wait for Teacher's orders," Yugao Uzuki said expressionlessly. Sasame just smiled faintly at her words. It was the expected answer.
Soon, Orochimaru appeared. Sasame raised an eyebrow. His skin was already very pale, but now it was even whiter. And this paleness was very familiar. White Zetsu? It was the White Zetsu cells he had stolen from Obito Uchiha's attack. It seemed he had made significant progress. White Zetsu cells were extremely special; they were somewhat similar to Hashirama cells but were clearly more docile. After obtaining them, Orochimaru would naturally try to utilize them. Coupled with the Immortality Jutsu, replacing his own body seemed reasonable.
"Hokage-sama, Teacher," Yugao Uzuki bowed slightly. "I'll take my leave first." She was very self-aware. Although she wanted to know if Orochimaru would let her be a squad leader, she also knew that the conversation between the two was not for her to hear. Sometimes, the more you know, the faster you die.
"Lord Orochimaru, long time no see," Sasame said with a smile.
"Hokage-sama," Orochimaru glanced at him. "What do you need me for?" His attitude was quite friendly. Firstly, no one had disturbed him in his experiments these past few years. Secondly, Sasame's rapidly increasing prestige. Orochimaru had naturally learned of his recent exploits. In terms of strength, he was quite troublesome. He didn't want to disrupt his current peaceful life.
"How's the Wood Release awakening experiment going?" Sasame asked casually. He didn't have high hopes.
"It still requires time," Orochimaru had indeed tried, but it was very difficult. Therefore, he had shifted his focus to White Zetsu. He hadn't really taken Sasame's previous instructions to heart. After all, with experiments, it was normal for there to be no results for several years, or even over a decade.
"Okay." Sasame looked at him with bright eyes. "Lord Orochimaru, you received so much funding. Shouldn't there be some returns?"
"..." Orochimaru was silent for a moment. "What do you want?" he asked.
"Your body seems different from before," Sasame said suggestively. "I wonder why?"
"I'm afraid I cannot tell you that," Orochimaru refused without thinking. But one must bow their head when under someone else's roof. He casually took out a scroll and threw it to Sasame.
"This is a human body regeneration technique," Orochimaru explained. "By culturing special cells, you can regenerate severed limbs." Sasame opened it and glanced at it. He didn't understand it, but it was clearly a characteristic of White Zetsu. For Konoha's medical system, it would be extremely useful. After all, medical ninjutsu couldn't regenerate severed limbs, but White Zetsu cells could.
"Do you still have a use for Yugao Uzuki?" Sasame put away the scroll. "She's a bit wasted with you. Give her to me."
"..." Orochimaru thought for a moment. "That will cost extra."
"No problem." Sasame had no shortage of money. Orochimaru's demand was reasonable. Yugao Uzuki was just a cursed seal experiment for him. But now that the cursed seal was basically stable, he no longer needed her. He might as well exchange her for some money. After all, scientific research was very expensive. Of course, the main reason was that Orochimaru didn't want to offend Sasame. He simply went with the flow and gave up a subordinate.
After the transaction was complete, Orochimaru called for Yugao Uzuki.
"From today on, you will work for Hokage-sama," he said.
"Yes." Yugao Uzuki was surprised, but also happy. She was Orochimaru's student, but there was no real bond between them. She was a follower of Itachi Uchiha, and was later used as a test subject. Orochimaru had never shown her a tender side. Compared to Anko Mitarashi, her situation was exceptionally tragic. In this situation, Yugao Uzuki couldn't possibly have much affection for Orochimaru.
"Then I'll see you another time," Sasame waved his hand, leaving under Orochimaru's emotionless gaze.
[Due to your actions, Yugao Uzuki's fate has changed. You have gained eighty points of Destiny Value.]
A decent harvest. Destiny Value was secondary. Getting Yugao Uzuki meant he had another useful ninja.
Sasame returned to the Hokage Office and handed her a document.
"These are the three students you'll be leading," he said.
"Yes." Yugao Uzuki took it and glanced at it, a little surprised. Everyone knew that Naruto Uzumaki, Sasuke Uchiha, and Hinata Hyuga were the Hokage's students. She hadn't expected to be the one to lead them, even if it was temporary. It showed that Sasame trusted her. This made her feel grateful. With Orochimaru, she not only didn't receive any importance, but she was also in constant danger of losing her life. Now, she felt a sense of returning to the human world.
After Yugao Uzuki left, Ranmaru had already woken up. Upon seeing Sasame, he was startled and immediately asked, "Where's Raiga? Where is he?" Since he had been unconscious before Raiga Kurosuki died, he didn't know what had happened to him. Sasame was too lazy to lie to him and directly activated his Mangekyō Sharingan, wiping his memory clean. Ranmaru woke up again, his eyes now exceptionally clear.
"How old are you today?" Sasame asked, looking at his delicate appearance.
"Seven." Ranmaru answered immediately.
Sasame nodded. Seven was about right. In the original work, he looked several years younger than Naruto Uzumaki. At this age, it was certainly not appropriate for him to go and start a family. His body couldn't handle it. The best way was to have him attend the Ninja Academy.
Sasame called Kurenai Yuhi and had her make the arrangements. Besides school, where he would live was also a problem. After all, he was only seven; letting him live alone wasn't appropriate. Sasame thought of the orphanage. His Red Eye could also be developed by Kabuto Yakushi to find more uses for it. Kurenai Yuhi accepted the mission and left.
Sasame entered a period of leisure. He could peacefully accompany Tsunade during her pregnancy.
Winter arrived, and with it, heavy snow. It was another white season. Tsunade's belly was now quite noticeable. To avoid being seen, she no longer went out, completely becoming a shut-in.
"Open your mouth." Sasame peeled a grape and offered it to Tsunade. She was busy now, watching the TV intently. The TV show Sasame had Koyuki Kazahana's film crew make last time was playing. This was Tsunade's favorite pastime now. She swallowed the grapes in a few bites. "I'm not eating anymore!"
Sasame nodded, resting his hand on her shoulder, and watched the TV show with her. How to put it? It was actually quite average. Sasame was considering bringing TV shows from his previous life over. But the actors in the ninja world weren't that professional. Having them reshoot would definitely not achieve the same effect. So, why not just redeem them directly?
One episode ended. Tsunade's tense body relaxed. She looked at Sasame, a thoughtful expression on her face. Tsunade leaned in and kissed his lips. Sasame immediately came back to reality and said teasingly, "What, you couldn't resist? It's a shame you can't do anything now."
"..." Tsunade glared at him. "You're talking about yourself, aren't you?"
