Although wood clones are clone jutsu, they're more like Shadow Clones, with independent thought.
The principle is simple.
In the original story, Yamato once absorbed a wood clone back into a seed.
In other words, the seed could resonate with the original's chakra, achieving a Shadow Clone-like effect.
Orochimaru's courtyard was dark at night.
Natsume, wary, looked around—but saw no one.
He opened the main hall, puzzled.
…
Meanwhile, in the underground lab.
Orochimaru held a scalpel, dissecting a corpse.
A moment later, a white snake slithered up and hissed, tongue flicking.
"An uninvited stranger. Their chakra is odd," it said.
Orochimaru understood snake speech, interest piqued.
He glanced at the corpse and tossed the scalpel aside.
This was a corpse of a ninja with a kekkei genkai.
Since his disciple Nawaki died, Orochimaru realized his limits.
He developed the Living Corpse Reincarnation and studied bloodline limits, seeking immortality and power.
But both were extremely difficult.
So far, he'd had little success.
No rush, though—he'd deal with the unexpected guest first.
Orochimaru left the lab and entered the hall.
Upon seeing Natsume, his slit pupils narrowed.
Something felt off, though he couldn't say what.
Orochimaru licked his lips, raised his hand, and several snakes shot from his sleeve, binding Natsume.
If something interested him, he'd capture it—no way he'd let it escape.
Pleasantries weren't his style.
He preferred catching prey, then slowly peeling away their secrets.
But just then, something unexpected happened.
Natsume, bound by snakes, suddenly turned into wooden branches that wound around the snakes instead.
Orochimaru was stunned.
Wanting to learn all ninjutsu, he immediately recognized the jutsu.
Wood Clone Jutsu.
He'd once worked with Danzo on Wood Style/Hashirama cell experiments.
Basically, transplanting Hashirama's cells into ninjas or infants to grant Wood Style.
But due to severe rejection, all test subjects died.
Orochimaru and Danzo had to give up, for now.
Now, out of nowhere, someone could use Wood Style.
No wonder Orochimaru was so surprised.
"So this is how the legendary Sannin Orochimaru treats his guests?"
Another Natsume walked in. "If so, I'm quite disappointed."
Orochimaru's expression darkened, but he didn't attack again.
He sensed this Natsume was another wood clone.
"Let me guess what you're thinking,"
Natsume said casually, pulling up a chair as if at home.
Orochimaru noticed Natsume's calm gaze—no fear or respect like other ninjas.
Clearly, he was confident.
"You're wondering: if all Wood Style experiments failed, how can someone use Wood Style?"
Natsume asked slowly, "Am I right?"
Orochimaru was shocked.
Spot on.
But only a handful knew about the experiments.
He couldn't have leaked it—was it Danzo?
"Who are you?"
Orochimaru's eyes flashed dangerously; losing control made him murderous.
"Who I am doesn't matter. What matters is, I can offer you benefits."
Natsume picked up a teacup. "For example, realizing your wish."
"My wish?"
Orochimaru scoffed. "You think you know my wish?"
"Immortality and omniscience."
Natsume smiled. "I know many secrets."
Orochimaru couldn't keep it together.
Impossible! Absolutely not!
How could someone know his innermost wish?
He hadn't told anyone.
Did I leak it myself?
Nonsense.
"Who are you, really?"
Same question, different mood.
Orochimaru was wary now.
A stranger knowing all his secrets—how terrifying was that?
Natsume chuckled.
That's the power of information.
He said mysteriously, "I am destiny, lurking within destiny, the one who hunts destiny. Get it?"
Actually, he copied this line from "The Eminence in Shadow."
Orochimaru tilted his head—what the hell is that?
But Natsume was telling the truth.
He had the Fate Ring and planned to hunt so-called destiny.
"Guess you don't get it."
Natsume sounded disappointed.
"..."
Orochimaru was rarely this annoyed.
Can you speak normally?
"Doesn't matter if you don't get it. Let's get down to business."
Natsume held up two fingers. "I want Hashirama cells. In return, I'll give you two secrets."
Orochimaru's eyes narrowed.
Natsume was mysterious, but this showed he wasn't invincible.
Orochimaru licked his lips—his sign of excitement.
"You know the value of Hashirama cells. How do I know your secrets are worth it?"
"I'll give you a minor secret first. If the deal goes through, then I'll give you a big one."
Natsume was prepared. "You're a good trading partner. We could work together long-term. What do you think?"
Orochimaru frowned.
Truthfully, he didn't like working with someone who knew him, but whom he didn't understand at all.
But Natsume knew too much.
If Orochimaru wanted to investigate, cooperation was the way.
"That depends on your secret's value. If it's good, I'm in."
"You and Danzo's Wood Style experiment had a survivor who awakened Wood Style."
"What?!"
Orochimaru lost his composure.
Danzo, you lied to me?!
"That survivor is in Root, code name 'A'."
Natsume meant Yamato.
Yamato's fate was to leave Root and join the Anbu; even his name, 'Yamato,' was given by the Third Hokage.
Now, his fate was about to change.
Natsume was curious what would happen if Yamato followed Orochimaru.
Most transmigrators don't want to change the plot.
But his cheat meant the story was bound to change.
To grow stronger, Natsume didn't care about the plot.
If you're strong enough, the plot doesn't matter.
Orochimaru took a deep breath. "I'll check what you said. If it's true, our deal's on."
"Pleasure working with you."
Natsume smiled, stood up, and canceled the jutsu in front of Orochimaru.
No secret identities, no multiple aliases. He'd only occasionally act as the mysterious shadow.