After the final exams ended, a rare break finally arrived.
This break wasn’t very long—less than a month.
School would start again in March, and when it did, Class 1-A would become Class 2-A.
As he walked toward Konoha Hospital, Natsuki studied his new template.
The Shiba Tatsuya template had three abilities—or rather, three spells.
Weight-Type Magic: Water Spider was the least useful of the three.
Because as a ninja, he could already use chakra to walk or run across water.
The other two abilities, however, were extremely useful.
Weight-Type Magic: Weight Reduction was very similar to Tsuchikage Ōnoki’s Earth Release: Light-Weight Rock Technique.
And the upgraded version of that technique, Earth Release: Ultra-Light-Weight Rock Technique, could even allow the user to fly freely.
Weight-Type Magic: Weight Reduction probably couldn’t reach that level, but if it could just increase his speed, that would already be very good.
Its unlock condition was to complete tree-climbing training.
The purpose of tree-climbing training was to improve chakra control.
Yakushi Nono had already completed it, but he still hadn’t.
As for Non-System Magic: Psion Shockwave, it reminded Natsuki of Yin Release techniques.
The Yamanaka clan had similar Yin Release jutsu that released mental shockwaves to attack or control a target.
Its unlock condition was a little more troublesome: he had to place first in a final exam.
Right now, he could already take first in the combat exam, but he had never gotten first in the written exam, which meant he would have to spend time grinding practice questions.
Fortunately, the final exam was still four months away.
“Natsuki!”
A sudden voice rang out.
Natsuki instinctively looked up and saw Tsunade and Nawaki.
They had just come out of Konoha Hospital, and the one calling him was Nawaki.
“Lady Tsunade.”
Natsuki walked over and greeted her.
“Nawaki-senpai.”
“What rank did you get on your final exam?”
Nawaki asked with a big grin.
“I got first place!”
“Not as good as you, senpai.
I only got second.”
Natsuki replied with a smile.
“Second place is still pretty good.”
Nawaki slapped him on the shoulder.
“Minato really is ridiculously good.
Even I’ve heard his name.”
“Minato beat you?”
Tsunade asked, sounding surprised.
She had fought Natsuki before and knew his swordsmanship was excellent—frighteningly strong for someone his age.
Minato Namikaze might be a genius, but he came from an ordinary background and had no way to learn ninjutsu or swordsmanship in advance.
If he could still defeat Natsuki under those circumstances, then he really was something special.
Nawaki instinctively glanced at Tsunade.
What was that supposed to mean?
Did Tsunade actually think Natsuki was stronger than Minato?
And when had the two of them gotten that familiar?
“I got first place in the combat exam.”
Natsuki explained.
“I see.”
Tsunade understood immediately.
Nawaki looked shocked.
“You actually beat Minato?”
“I happened to create two sword techniques by luck.”
Natsuki answered modestly.
“…?”
Nawaki’s face immediately filled with question marks.
What did he mean, “happened to create two sword techniques by luck”?
Was that even a thing a human being could say?
“You created two sword techniques?”
Now it was Tsunade’s turn to look surprised.
Natsuki had said before that he wanted to follow Senju Tobirama’s example and create his own ninjutsu, but she hadn’t believed him at all.
“Let’s have a match right now!”
Nawaki suddenly got excited and said eagerly.
“Nawaki, it’s lunchtime right now.
Not the best time.”
Tsunade came back to herself and said, “You two can fight tomorrow at the training ground near Konoha Hospital.
I’ll be your referee.”
She was curious too—what kind of sword techniques had Natsuki actually created?
“I have no problem with that.”
Natsuki agreed without hesitation.
No matter whether he won or lost, this spar would help him get closer to Nawaki and Tsunade.
It was a稳赚稳赚 deal.
“Then it’s settled!”
Nawaki said happily.
“Natsuki, go call Nono.
I’m treating you all to lunch.”
After a moment’s thought, Tsunade added.
She had already invited Yakushi Nono to eat with them earlier, but Nono had said she was waiting for Natsuki.
Since they had run into him now, Tsunade might as well invite both of them together.
“Thank you, Lady Tsunade.”
Naturally, Natsuki had no reason to refuse.
He quickly walked into Konoha Hospital and soon found the room used by the medical ninja training class.
“Natsuki.”
All the other students had already left.
Only Yakushi Nono remained.
“Lady Tsunade said she’s treating us to lunch.”
Natsuki reached out and pinched her cheek as he spoke.
“Okay.”
Yakushi Nono answered, then asked, “How did your final exams go?”
“First in combat, third in the written test.”
Natsuki replied.
Yakushi Nono froze for a moment.
But then she thought about how Natsuki usually performed, and it suddenly felt perfectly natural.
“Then I’m going to get first place in the medical ninja training class too.”
Yakushi Nono said with a serious expression.
“When do you have your exam?”
Natsuki asked with a smile, looking at her tightly drawn little face.
“Next month.” Visit g.com for the full chapter.
Yakushi Nono answered.
“I’ll definitely come when the time comes.”
Natsuki nodded.
The two of them soon left the hospital and met up with Tsunade and Nawaki.
At the same time, in Konoha’s Root base, at Danzo’s residence—
Shimura Danzo looked at the file in his hand and couldn’t help revealing a satisfied smile.
He hadn’t expected Natsuki to have such talent in swordsmanship.
No wonder he had slipped through the cracks during the testing at the Konoha Orphanage.
“In my name, go inform Hiruzen that Natsuki will be joining Root.”
Danzo put down the file and spoke casually.
The Ninja Academy answered directly to Hiruzen Sarutobi.
If Danzo wanted Natsuki, he had to at least notify him first.
Danzo believed Hiruzen would agree.
After all, whenever he asked for talented children from clans like the Yamanaka, Hiruzen had always handed them over.
That was the tacit understanding between old partners like them.
As long as it didn’t endanger Konoha, Danzo was free to do as he pleased.
“Yes, Lord Danzo!”
The Root ninja before him stood, turned, and left.
Danzo didn’t have to wait long.
About ten minutes later, he received Hiruzen’s reply.
“What?
He actually refused?”
Shimura Danzo shot to his feet.
After hesitating for a moment, he headed straight for the Hokage’s office.
“What are you doing here?”
The moment Hiruzen Sarutobi saw him, he frowned.
“I already said that Natsuki will not be joining Root.”
If it were only Natsuki, Hiruzen might actually have agreed.
But besides Natsuki, there was also Yakushi Nono, someone who shared a deep bond with him.
“Natsuki is an orphan from the Konoha Orphanage.”
Danzo got straight to the point.
“Root is short on manpower right now.
He’s suitable.”
“Does the Konoha Orphanage have the surname Shimura?”
Hiruzen asked coldly.
Danzo’s heart jolted.
What kind of attitude was that?
It was just one swordsmanship prodigy.
Was that really enough to make Hiruzen show him this kind of face?
And besides, hadn’t the Konoha Orphanage falling under his control been part of their tacit understanding?
Danzo opened his mouth as if to speak, then stopped himself in the end.
Hiruzen Sarutobi was still in the prime of his life now—a true giant among shinobi.
“There’s also Nono.
Don’t set your sights on her either.”
Hiruzen added as a warning.
Danzo instinctively clenched his fist.
Damn it!
You’ll regret this!
Ahhh!
I’m going to be Hokage!