"So it can even work like this..."
Natsuhiko carefully sensed the chakra fluctuations within Sora and Renge, while at the same time feeling the subtle resonance triggered within his own body. A faint, amused smile spread across his face.
He had just discovered something unexpected—his chakra could actually stimulate and influence the chakra inside both of them.
That outcome hadn't even crossed his mind before. But when he thought about it more carefully, it didn't seem all that surprising either.
After all, Natsuhiko's abilities were granted by the system. He had never denied that.
Because of that, he had never tried to pass himself off as some kind of natural genius. On the contrary, he openly admitted that he was the type who relied on cheats.
Sure, admitting something like that might feel a little embarrassing, but facts were facts. Besides, there was nothing inherently wrong with having a cheat.
In Natsuhiko's view, the most powerful thing in the Naruto world wasn't ninjutsu, nor was it dōjutsu, and it certainly wasn't bloodline limits.
The strongest thing of all… was a cheat.
Just look at Naruto and Sasuke. Before they received their "boost," even with the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan and the Second Stage of the Nine-Tails Chakra Mode, they were still beaten senseless by Madara Uchiha. In the end, they both died.
If it weren't for the Sage of Six Paths stepping in and handing them a power-up, their story would have ended right there.
But once they received that boost, everything changed instantly. They skipped the entire process of adapting to and mastering their new power, and in the blink of an eye, they were able to fight Madara side by side.
That kind of leap was simply unimaginable—and completely out of reach for anyone else.
Even Madara Uchiha himself, in Natsuhiko's eyes, was basically a walking cheat.
There was no denying his hard work, but at the end of the day, he was Indra's reincarnation—that alone was already a massive advantage. And later, he even acquired Asura's power, effectively completing his "cheat build."
You could say Madara was essentially the fusion of Naruto and Sasuke in one person.
On top of that, he obtained the Ten-Tails, an even more terrifying power source. No wonder Naruto and Sasuke, even after their upgrades, still struggled so much against him.
If Madara hadn't been overly confident—so convinced that he controlled everything—only to be betrayed by Black Zetsu at the very end, then who knew how things would have turned out?
That was the terrifying nature of cheats.
Compared to all that, Natsuhiko's own "cheat" didn't seem nearly as overwhelming.
Even though he could immediately grasp the power he obtained, he still had to mentally process it—understand its changes, familiarize himself with it—and if he wanted to truly master it, he needed constant combat experience.
More importantly, acquiring that power wasn't instant. He had to go through long periods of planting and cultivation before he could harvest anything at all.
The fruits were simply a manifestation of that power, even if they were presented through the system.
But those fruits were born from Natsuhiko's own cultivation, nurtured and sustained by his chakra.
In other words, every single fruit contained the essence of his chakra—it was something that belonged entirely to him.
When Natsuhiko gave those fruits to others, he was essentially leaving a part of himself inside them.
The chakra contained within the fruit didn't just strengthen the recipient—it merged completely with their own chakra.
And Natsuhiko's chakra wasn't something that could be easily dealt with.
Whether it was a unique trait that came from reaching his level of strength, or simply the system continuing to assist him, one thing was certain—
Even after that chakra left his body, he could still control it.
Or rather, as long as he could sense it, he could find a way to influence it.
"If that's the case… then a lot of problems just solved themselves."
A smile curled at the corner of Natsuhiko's lips.
If he could control that chakra, then he no longer needed to worry about betrayal from those who gained power from him.
The moment someone harbored ill intent—and especially if they acted on it—so long as Natsuhiko noticed, he could directly cut off the supply and feedback of that power.
In an instant, everything they had gained would become meaningless.
That also meant that, at the critical moment, they could very well lose the support of Natsuhiko's power.
Of course, that was only the simplest application. If the enemy was strong enough to resist such restrictions and control, then this method alone might prove ineffective.
But Natsuhiko didn't believe that was the limit of what he could do. With a bit of development and experimentation, there were far more possibilities to explore. For instance, based on the Exploding Shadow Clone technique he had already mastered, he could theoretically attempt to detonate the chakra he had left inside other people's bodies.
If it exploded from within, then even if the target noticed and tried to suppress it, the outcome would still be predictable.
It was somewhat similar to the "life-and-death talisman" he remembered from his past life—but far more terrifying. After all, what he had done was essentially plant a landmine inside someone else's body.
"I really didn't expect it to work like this…"
Even Natsuhiko couldn't help but marvel at it. He had originally created those fruits simply to help the people he trusted grow stronger.
Yet in the end, the result had become a two-way mechanism. Not only did it achieve its intended purpose of enhancing strength, but it also ensured that any betrayal would come at the cost of losing that power.
And beyond that… it had even evolved into something far more dangerous—something that could take a person's life directly.
"If that's the case… if I secretly gave something like this to Danzo or Hiruzen, wouldn't I be able to assassinate them without a sound?"
The thought flickered briefly through Natsuhiko's mind, only to be dismissed just as quickly.
Assassination had never been the best way to achieve political goals.
Ever since mastering the Flying Thunder God Technique, he could have easily coordinated with his summon—like the lizard—to carry out such operations. But he hadn't done so.
Because he understood that resorting to such methods was, in essence, a way of breaking the rules.
He had no intention of becoming someone like Danzo.
Even if he had to admit that, in certain ways, they were somewhat alike, Natsuhiko still chose—most of the time—to abide by the established order.
He didn't want to rule through fear and oppression, and because of that, he had to draw a clear line for himself, avoiding actions that crossed it.
Knock, knock, knock.
Just as Natsuhiko was deep in thought, the door to his office was suddenly knocked on again, snapping him back to reality.
He glanced once more at Sora and Renge. It was clear they wouldn't be waking up anytime soon, so he simply stood and walked out himself.
"What is it, Phoenix?" Natsuhiko asked as he looked at the figure before him, immediately recognizing her.
It was Pakura—now known by her codename, Phoenix.
The name wasn't just a reflection of her abilities; it was also symbolic. It represented her rebirth, a complete severing of ties with the Pakura who once belonged to Sunagakure.
"Commander, someone wishes to see you," Pakura said softly, bowing her head slightly.
"At this hour? Someone from the Hokage's side?" Natsuhiko frowned. He hadn't expected Hiruzen to come looking for him.
But it was clear he had guessed wrong.
"No," Pakura replied directly. "It's Shibi Aburame."
"Oh?" At the mention of that name, something stirred in Natsuhiko's mind. "Him?"
"Yes, Commander. He snuck in, and he seemed very concerned about being discovered."
"I see." Natsuhiko nodded slightly. "Bring him in."
"Yes, Commander. To your office?"
"No. Take him to the meeting room."
—
Inside a small ANBU meeting room, Shibi Aburame sat stiffly, his posture betraying a mixture of tension and unease.
After being discovered, he had been detained on the outskirts of the ANBU compound. Only after a round of reports and approvals had he been escorted here.
He could tell immediately that this was just a meeting room—and a small one at that.
That realization made him even more uneasy.
A meeting room—especially one like this—meant that the ANBU commander didn't consider him important at all.
If he truly valued this meeting, it would have taken place in his office instead.
At the thought of this, Shibi Aburame couldn't help but let out a quiet sigh. If he hadn't personally gone through everything that had happened, he never would have imagined that the Aburame Clan could fall to such a state.
Even so, no matter how many thoughts weighed on his mind, he forced himself to remain calm and composed.
Perhaps… that newly appointed Commander from the Senju Clan thinks I'm aligned with the Third Hokage, and that's why he's treating me this way?
Shibi silently reassured himself. For now, all he could do was wait—wait patiently for that man to arrive.
The waiting was suffocating. Every second stretched on, grinding against his nerves. Still, he endured it, restraining himself with iron discipline. He didn't know how much time had passed when, at last, he heard footsteps approaching from outside.
The sound instantly sharpened his focus.
Someone had come.
He didn't know who it would be, but he immediately straightened his posture, adopting the most respectful and serious demeanor he could muster. At this point, he had already lowered himself as much as possible.
And his cautious attitude did not disappoint him.
When the door opened and a young man walked in—without wearing an ANBU mask—Shibi knew immediately that he had been waiting for the right person.
There was no doubt about it: he had never met Natsuhiko before. Even though Natsuhiko hadn't exactly been keeping a low profile, his identity as a member of the ANBU still carried a layer of secrecy, even if it was partially known.
For the truly powerful clans, that secrecy might not amount to much. But for the Aburame Clan, information about him was rare and difficult to come by.
Still, that didn't prevent recognition.
After all, within the ANBU, there was only one person who could move freely without wearing a mask.
"Commander," Shibi said immediately, rising to his feet and bowing respectfully.
"Clan Head, there's no need for that."
Natsuhiko paused for a moment when he saw just how humble Shibi's attitude was, clearly a little surprised. But soon, he simply smiled and shook his head.
"My apologies, Clan Head. I had to arrange our meeting here because there are people in my office at the moment. They're currently working on… some documents. I hope you can forgive the inconvenience."
"N-not at all. You're too kind, Commander."
Shibi shook his head quickly, almost flattered by the explanation. What surprised him even more was that Natsuhiko's attitude was far better than he had expected.
He didn't fully understand how the ANBU operated, but Natsuhiko's reasoning sounded perfectly reasonable—especially given how approachable and courteous he seemed.
It had to be said, Natsuhiko's demeanor was incredibly deceptive.
With such a gentle and composed attitude, very few people would be able to guess what was truly going on in his mind. Especially during a first meeting, it was almost impossible to feel any sense of hostility toward him.
Maybe the ANBU prefers to gather people together and handle matters through group discussions…
Shibi unconsciously came up with an explanation on Natsuhiko's behalf. With that thought, he quietly stepped aside and stood there obediently, waiting for Natsuhiko to speak first.
Seeing his silence, Natsuhiko immediately understood what he meant, and couldn't help but feel a hint of amusement.
To be honest, while he hadn't met a huge number of clan heads, he had certainly encountered quite a few.
But someone as humble as Shibi Aburame… this was truly the first time.
Still, he could understand.
Even though he had only heard fragments from Pakura, Natsuhiko had already pieced together most of the situation.
His analytical ability had always been sharp, and in Konoha, there were only a handful of individuals capable of pushing a clan head into such a state of fear.
For example—the Third Hokage.
And for another… the leader of Root.
The combined pressure of those two figures was overwhelming. In all of Konoha, there were likely only a handful of people capable of pushing a clan like the Aburame into such a corner—and those two stood at the very top.
Of course, this so-called "combination" existed mostly in Shibi's own perception. After all, when it came to certain people and certain matters, they were almost always viewed together.
No one was willing to separate Danzo and Hiruzen in their minds—nor did anyone dare to.
The natural result of that perception was simple: whatever Danzo did, people assumed Hiruzen was backing him.
That may have been true in the past, but things were different now. The only reason Hiruzen hadn't been paying attention to Danzo was because his time and energy were limited.
Still, Natsuhiko had no intention of explaining that to anyone. If anything, he preferred for this misunderstanding to grow deeper.
As for what Danzo reported to Hiruzen, Natsuhiko didn't know. But one thing was certain—he himself had never once reported Danzo's actions to Hiruzen.
"Alright, Clan Head, let's get to the point."
Natsuhiko walked over to his seat and sat down at ease, his gaze settling calmly on Shibi.
"I'm curious—what exactly brought you here to meet me in such a… unconventional manner? After all, the way you entered the ANBU compound could easily lead to unnecessary misunderstandings."
His tone remained mild, but his meaning was clear.
"This is the ANBU, not a playground—nor is it anyone's private garden."
"You're absolutely right, Commander. I was indeed presumptuous this time."
Shibi let out a quiet sigh before lifting his head, his expression firming with resolve.
"If I weren't forced by circumstances, I would never have made such a decision. The reason I came to see you today… is because I wish to have a proper discussion with you."
"Oh?" Natsuhiko raised an eyebrow slightly. "And what would you like to discuss?"
"Cooperation," Shibi answered without hesitation. "A deeper, more detailed level of cooperation."
"Is that so?" A faint smile appeared on Natsuhiko's lips. "Then I suppose I'm interested. Please, go on."
—
Inside the Commander's office, Sora and Renge slowly opened their eyes one after the other.
Their expressions were still somewhat dazed, tinged with lingering discomfort. But it didn't take long before clarity returned to their gaze. It was obvious—they had fully regained consciousness.
What they had just experienced felt almost like a dream.
When Natsuhiko first took out that strange fruit, neither of them had any idea what it was. But as he explained that the fruit could enhance their strength and deepen their understanding of chakra, they found it almost impossible to believe.
To be honest, if anyone other than Natsuhiko had told them something like that, they would have thought that person had completely lost their mind.
Something that could directly improve a person's strength—and even enhance their perception of chakra?
It sounded absurd.
Even so, because it was Natsuhiko, they didn't voice their doubts outright. Still, when they looked at the fruit, suspicion lingered in their eyes.
And yet, Natsuhiko's calm demeanor and confident tone made it hard to dismiss his words.
Let's just try it… Maybe it really is something incredible. And Natsuhiko wouldn't lie to us.
The same thought surfaced in both their minds almost simultaneously.
In the end, neither of them argued. They chose to trust him—and accepted the fruit.
But the moment they actually ate it, regret hit them instantly.
It was awful.
Absolutely, indescribably awful.
They swore that in their entire lives, they had never tasted anything so unbearably disgusting. The flavor was so revolting that they nearly spat out what remained of it on the spot.
Out of sheer trust in Natsuhiko, they gritted their teeth and forced themselves to swallow the entire fruit, even as their expressions twisted in discomfort.
Trust could sometimes blind a person. In the wrong hands, it could even be exploited by those with ill intentions. But Natsuhiko had no intention of deceiving them.
Because trust was something incredibly rare—so rare that even he knew it had to be treasured.
"Hm?"
The moment the fruit settled in their stomachs, they felt it begin to dissolve at an astonishing speed. Almost instantly, it started to stir their chakra.
The sudden change caught them completely off guard. Before they could even react, the fruit had transformed into a torrent of energy, surging into their chakra pathways.
"This is…"
They each sensed the transformation within their bodies—the familiar yet strangely unfamiliar flow of power rippling through them. For a moment, neither of them could find the words to describe it.
But soon, even that fleeting thought disappeared.
As the energy continued to spread throughout their bodies, a vast stream of information flooded into their minds.
It was immense, yet not complicated.
Because what it conveyed was simple—it was teaching them.
Teaching them how to understand this power. Teaching them how it changed. Teaching them how to use it.
No wonder Natsuhiko was so serious about this… something like this…
That was their final coherent thought before they were completely immersed in the flood of information. As it surged through their consciousness, they instinctively began to learn, adapt, and master the power it brought.
Time seemed to lose all meaning.
They didn't know how long they had remained in that state. When they finally awoke, it felt as though an eternity had passed.
And yet, the sunlight streaming through the office window told a different story—the sun still hung high in the sky, as though hardly any time had passed at all.
The contradiction left them momentarily disoriented.
But that feeling was quickly overshadowed by something far more captivating—the immense power now flowing within their bodies.
Strictly speaking, their total chakra reserves hadn't increased significantly.
But one particular aspect of their chakra had undergone a profound transformation—it had become incredibly refined.
Not only that, they found themselves able to control it with ease, shaping it and transforming it with a level of precision they had never achieved before.
"Unbelievable…"
The thought echoed silently in both their minds.
They might not have been among the strongest ninja, but they were far from ordinary. As capable shinobi, they fully understood what this kind of change meant.
This level of refinement… it was something others might spend years striving for, yet never attain.
And yet, they had achieved it simply by eating a single fruit.
It was beyond comprehension.
At that moment, they finally understood why Natsuhiko had been so serious.
Something like this—no matter who possessed it—would be guarded with absolute secrecy. Not a single word would be allowed to leak.
And yet…
"Natsuhiko gave this to us…"
For some reason, that thought surfaced at the same time in both their minds.
If they put themselves in his position—if they were the ones who possessed such a thing—would they be willing to share it?
The answer came almost immediately.
No.
Even if it had no direct use for them, they still wouldn't give it away so easily.
And yet Natsuhiko had done exactly that.
Yes, his tone had been strict—strict enough to make them uneasy—but the benefits they had received were beyond anything they could have imagined.
"If you leak this, even if Natsuhiko can't bear to deal with you, I will never let you off."
Suddenly, Renge lifted her head and looked straight at Sora. Her expression was so severe that, for a fleeting moment, it was clear she genuinely harbored killing intent.
"My mouth isn't that loose. And my clan isn't exactly declining either. You'd better worry about yourself."
Sora raised her chin slightly. The gentle warmth she usually carried had completely vanished, replaced by the cold indifference characteristic of the Uchiha.
"Even if you're Natsuhiko's fiancée—even if Natsuhiko chooses not to act—I'll take care of you myself, even if it means earning his resentment."
Her gaze sharpened.
"Because strictly speaking, you're far more dangerous than I am."
The two women stared at each other in silence, their eyes like blades clashing in midair. Only after a long moment did they finally look away. They had already made their stances clear—nothing more needed to be said.
Still, a question lingered in their minds.
Where had Natsuhiko gone?
—
"I never expected Danzo to become this brazen… The Third Hokage has been far too lenient with him. It seems the lesson I gave him before wasn't nearly harsh enough."
Inside the small ANBU meeting room, Natsuhiko frowned slightly as he murmured to himself.
His voice wasn't loud, but it was just enough for Shibi Aburame to hear every word clearly.
And upon hearing that quiet remark, Shibi visibly relaxed.
Cooperation required mutual understanding. Shibi had long prepared himself for this moment. Though family scandals were not meant to be aired in public, things had already reached this point—there was nothing left for him to hide.
So he told Natsuhiko everything.
He spoke of the past, of how before he had even become clan head, Aburame Shikuro had been taken away by Danzo. Then, after he assumed leadership, Aburame Tatsuma had been forcibly taken as well. And finally, he recounted the threat he had faced just that very morning.
He laid it all bare.
And he believed that Natsuhiko would understand the purpose of his visit—especially what he meant by a "deeper and more detailed cooperation."
Now, hearing Natsuhiko's words and sensing his attitude, Shibi felt a flicker of hope stir within him.
He had always known that the ANBU could stand against Root. But without seeing it firsthand—without concrete proof—it had been difficult for him to truly believe.
But now, he was beginning to understand.
The ANBU under Natsuhiko's command did not fear Root.
If anything, it seemed they had already clashed.
"Commander… have you had conflicts with Root?"
Unable to suppress his curiosity, Shibi finally asked. "Of course, if it's classified, then please disregard the question. I hope you'll forgive my boldness."
"It's not exactly a secret," Natsuhiko replied with a small shake of his head. A trace of something like regret crossed his face.
"In fact, it has a bit to do with your Aburame Clan."
He paused briefly before continuing.
"A little over a year ago, ANBU discovered someone quite special. We brought him in and made him one of our own. But Root had grown accustomed to acting however they pleased—they came to ANBU, intending to take him by force."
"And the one leading them… was Aburame Tatsuma."
"What?!" Shibi's body trembled slightly at those words. "Then… what happened?"
"That ANBU was my subordinate, and at the time, I was a dlivision commander. Naturally, I couldn't allow Root to do as they pleased—especially without an official order from the Hokage."
Natsuhiko spoke calmly, shaking his head again.
Shibi already knew what was coming.
And sure enough, Natsuhiko's next words made him slowly close his eyes.
"So I acted. I killed them all, cut off their heads, and sent them back to Danzo."
There was a brief pause before he added, almost casually—
"That included your clan's Aburame Tatsuma. My apologies, Clan Head."
"This matter has nothing to do with you, Commander. Why should you apologize?"
Shibi shook his head, forcing a faint smile onto his face. But behind that smile, there was unmistakable hatred.
"On the contrary, I should be thanking you for telling me the truth. I understand very clearly that this had nothing to do with you—you did nothing wrong.
If I must blame someone, I will only blame that damned Danzo. If he hadn't taken Tatsuma away, if he hadn't issued such orders…"
His voice tightened, and the bitterness in his tone deepened.
"Tatsuma wouldn't have ended up like this… wouldn't have died without even leaving a body behind. Everything—everything is because of Danzo, because of Root, because of—"
He stopped abruptly.
Natsuhiko watched him with a faint, knowing smile.
He knew exactly who Shibi had wanted to curse just now. Clearly, it was the Third Hokage—the one who had allowed Danzo to act unchecked.
And that outcome pleased Natsuhiko greatly.
From the very beginning, he had deliberately pretended to be only partially aware of the full situation. His goal had been simple—to see just how deep the hatred ran in this clan head who had suffered under Danzo's oppression.
Now, the answer was clear.
That hatred ran deep—far deeper than most would expect.
And that meant his original decision to leave Danzo alive had been the right one.
"Clan Head, you should be careful with your words."
Natsuhiko tapped the table lightly, his tone calm and steady.
"Inside ANBU, such things won't cause any trouble. But outside… it's a different story."
"I understand, Commander."
Shibi nodded immediately. He was well aware that he had lost his composure just now, even if only for a moment.
Natsuhiko gave a slight nod before continuing.
"I believe I understand how we can cooperate. If you trust me, you can send those individuals they want… to ANBU instead."
His fingers tapped the table rhythmically, and Shibi instinctively straightened, focusing intently.
"I will still assign them missions, of course. But I won't push them beyond reason, and they'll have the option to retire eventually."
He paused briefly before adding,
"ANBU is not Root. That distinction is very clear—and it will never change."
"I had already been considering something along those lines. Now that I have your assurance, I feel much more at ease." Shibi nodded. This had indeed been part of his plan from the beginning.
If he could redirect those whom Root intended to take and send them into ANBU instead, he could secure protection—not just for those talented individuals, but for the Aburame Clan as a whole.
"Good. But this only resolves the immediate problem."
Natsuhiko inclined his head slightly, a faint smile appearing on his lips.
"Danzo is still there. Or rather, as long as the Third Hokage continues to shelter him, all of us will remain under pressure."
"Hm?"
Shibi froze for a moment, then his expression shifted as realization began to dawn on him. "Commander… are you suggesting…?"
"Some matters must be dealt with properly. Otherwise, they will remain a persistent, unavoidable problem."
Natsuhiko tapped the table again. The crisp sound echoed softly, but to Shibi, it felt as though it struck deep within his mind.
Almost like a genjutsu, every word Natsuhiko spoke etched itself into his thoughts, refusing to fade.
"Some voices deserve to be heard. Some truths deserve to be known."
His gaze sharpened slightly.
"Especially now—when Konoha should be led by the Fourth Hokage, not by an old man who allows an assassin to run rampant, a man whose misplaced compassion has already made him unfit to remain in power."
There was a brief pause before he continued, his tone steady but resolute.
"We should unite everyone who has been 'visited' by Danzo… and find a way to make our voices heard."
...
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