NOVEL NEXT Chapter 2: I want to be Hokage
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Yakushi Nonō stood frozen, while Natsume, despite being injured again, didn't react immediately.
There were countless kekkei genkai in the ninja world, and she had seen many emerge over the years. But Mokuton—Wood Release—was different.
The First Hokage, Senju Hashirama, had used it to reshape the ninja world and usher in a new era of peace. The "Wood" in Konohagakure's name symbolized his legendary ability.
Since Hashirama's time, no one—not even the Senju clan members—had manifested Mokuton.
What Nonō hadn't expected was to witness it firsthand today.
"Dean?" Natsume's voice pulled her back to the present.
"Who else knows about this?" Nonō asked, taking a deep breath. She reached out to heal Natsume's fresh wound, though her mind raced.
Nonō was no ordinary ninja. Before becoming the director of the orphanage, she had been a top operative in Konoha's Intelligence Division. Her skills were so valued that Shimura Danzō had blackmailed her into working for his covert organization, Root.
Because of her past, she understood the gravity of this situation.
"The Dean is the first to know," Natsume replied, watching her carefully.
After three years together, they were like mother and son. Nonō would never hand him over to Danzō. She had no loyalty to Root or to him. In fact, her disloyalty was why Danzō would eventually want her eliminated. Knowing too much and not being trustworthy was dangerous.
"Good," she muttered, brushing his hair aside, though her brow furrowed in thought. Keeping this secret wouldn't be easy. Mokuton was a rare and powerful ability, and to have it and not use it would be a waste. But if Danzō got his hands on Natsume, he would no longer be himself—he'd become a tool, emotionless and controlled.
Should she report this to the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen?
Nonō weighed her options.
Sensing her conflict, Natsume interjected, "Dean, what kind of jutsu am I using?"
"It's called Mokuton—Wood Release. It's a rare kekkei genkai that the First Hokage, Senju Hashirama, wielded," she explained. "The fact that you can use it means you likely have Senju blood in your ancestry."
The Senju Clan had once been one of the most powerful clans before Konoha's founding. However, due to Hashirama's ideals of unity, the Senju line had scattered, intermarrying with other clans until, eventually, it faded away.
Today, the only known surviving Senju was Tsunade.
"Mokuton? Really?" Natsume acted surprised, then quickly feigned excitement. "Dean, do you know any Senju? Maybe if we trace my lineage, I could find out who my parents were."
Nonō paused. Natsume was an orphan from the war, his memories lost to trauma. His suggestion had merit—discovering his lineage might lead to clues about his parents.
More importantly, it reminded her of someone who could help: Tsunade.
Tsunade, the last of the Senju. Nonō trusted her enough to believe she wouldn't harm Natsume.
"I'll take care of it," she finally decided, grabbing a fresh set of clothes. "Go clean yourself up and rest."
"Okay." Natsume nodded, taking the clothes and heading off. His part was done for now. It was up to Nonō to make her move.
If things didn't go as planned, there was always Hiruzen. In the end, it wasn't as if Yamato had been treated poorly. Natsume could survive under the Third Hokage's watch, as long as he showed the Will of Fire. Natsume was confident he could manipulate Hiruzen if necessary—after all, it was only a matter of showing what they wanted to see.
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A week passed.
In a secluded corner of the orphanage, Kabuto approached Natsume with a small cake. "Happy birthday, Natsume."
Natsume smiled as he accepted the cake. Strangely enough, their birthdays were only a week apart.
"What's your birthday wish? What do you want to do in the future?" Kabuto asked, curiosity in his voice.
After three years, Kabuto had come to see Natsume as a mystery. Last year, Natsume had warned him—almost prophetically—to hide his medical talents. The consequences, Natsume said, would be disastrous for both of them and Nonō.
It was a warning Kabuto took seriously.
"What do I want?" Natsume mused, then grinned. "I want to be the Hokage."
"The Hokage?" Kabuto echoed, intrigued but unsurprised.
Thanks to Sarutobi Hiruzen's image, most children in Konoha dreamed of becoming Hokage. It was like children in other lands wanting to be heroes or explorers.
"Yeah, Hokage!" Natsume declared with a grin, slinging an arm around Kabuto's shoulders. "I'll be Hokage, and you'll be my advisor. Together, we'll restore Konoha's glory!"
He was half-joking, but there was a part of him that was serious. Kabuto had a bright future, and Natsume would need allies.
"Deal!" Kabuto replied enthusiastically, swept up in Natsume's energy.
"Natsume!" A voice interrupted their moment.
Both boys turned to see Nonō approaching, but she wasn't alone. Beside her was a woman with long blonde hair, wearing a green haori over her outfit. She had a mature, confident air about her.
Natsume's heart skipped a beat. The woman was none other than Tsunade.
"Tsunade-sama, the boys were just joking," Nonō quickly explained, fearing their earlier talk might offend her.
"It's fine," Tsunade replied, her gaze falling on Natsume. "So, this is the boy? He's quite handsome."
Nonō nodded, visibly relieved. "Yes, this is Natsume—the one I told you about."
Tsunade approached him, her eyes scrutinizing him. "So, you want to be Hokage?"
Natsume put on his best smile. "Because I want to protect everyone," he said, the well-rehearsed line rolling off his tongue.
"Why?" Tsunade's voice softened, tinged with sadness. "People who dream of becoming Hokage often end up sacrificing themselves."
"I've seen war," Natsume replied. "I want to stop it and protect everyone. Becoming Hokage is the best way to bring peace."
It was the perfect response, and he knew it struck a chord.
Tsunade's expression faltered for a moment as memories of her brother Nawaki came flooding back—he had said the same thing before he died.
"Big words for a little brat," she chuckled, ruffling his hair.
Natsume frowned inwardly. Did she have to call him small? One day, he'd show her what "big" meant.
Tsunade's smile faded. "Let me see your Mokuton."
Natsume nodded, extending his hand. Small wooden thorns sprouted from his palm.
Tsunade's eyes narrowed. It was real. She had grown up around her grandfather, Senju Hashirama, and she knew Mokuton when she saw it. This wasn't some imitation or illusion—it was the real thing.
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