Your Wife Is Gone

If it hadn't been for Tsunade, Natsume could never have become teammates with Shizune and Kabuto Yakushi.

First, both of them were Medical Ninjas.

Generally speaking, a ninja squad only had one Medical Ninja, and some squads did not even have one.

Medical Ninjas were simply too scarce.

Second, Shizune was already seventeen this year. She was not a Genin, but a Chunin.

In principle, she would not be assigned Genin teammates again.

Only Tsunade had that kind of privilege.

With Hiruzen Sarutobi's approval as well, naturally no one dared gossip about it.

Natsume was quite happy about it.

Three great healers had his back.

It was damn safe.

Moreover, the three of them differed from ordinary Medical Ninjas—they all had combat ability.

In the early stages, even Naruto Uzumaki could not compare to him.

After all, Sakura Haruno held him back, while Sasuke Uchiha was too proud. Neither was reassuring.

According to the plot from his previous life, Tsunade had already taken Shizune and wandered the ninja world, living the life of a deadbeat.

But now, she was considering how to safely improve Natsume's combat experience.

Natsume, Shizune, and Kabuto Yakushi.

None of the three were ordinary Genin, so simple missions were unnecessary, but missions that were too difficult carried danger.

If Tsunade could not help stepping in then, the point of training would be lost entirely.

It had been a long time since she had been this indecisive.

Mainly because Nawaki had died before her eyes. If she lost Natsume too, she felt she would not be able to endure such a blow and would find it hard to keep living.

After losing the excuse of going to school, Natsume could only use the orphanage as an excuse whenever he went out.

Fortunately, Tsunade trusted him greatly and did not restrict him much.

Gunma Casino.

After two and a half years of development, it had become the largest casino on Tanzaku Street.

Other casinos had once tried to pull some tricks, but they clearly did not understand the value of force.

Would Natsume, whose strength had skyrocketed, fear a group of ordinary thugs?

Even if they hired ninjas, how could they get past Tsunade?

After being put in their place, the chain stores began expanding outward.

At present, they had gained a certain level of fame throughout the Land of Fire.

"Big brother!"

The moment Natsume opened the door, he saw a red-haired little loli running toward him.

So cute.

"Big brother, I want a hug!"

Karin spread her arms, looking expectant.

"Did you listen to Mom today?"

Natsume picked her up and asked.

Just like in the original story, Karin had quite a fiery temper.

Only in front of him did she behave so obediently.

Uzumaki Ena often sighed that we don't look like a real mother and daughter, but you two look like real siblings.

"Of course!"

Karin said brightly, "I listen to Big Brother the most!"

"Such a good girl."

Natsume stroked her fiery red hair and asked, "Where's Mom?"

"She's practicing Sealing Jutsu."

Karin immediately answered.

"Oh, then I'll go take a look at her."

Natsume put her down and said, "Stay here and keep reading."

Karin immediately pouted, her little face looking rather aggrieved.

Because the books her brother had left for her were terribly difficult to understand.

She didn't understand why she had to learn those strange, blocky characters.

"Be good."

Natsume pinched her little cheeks with both hands.

Karin immediately beamed and nodded.

North of Tanzaku Street lay a small grove.

It now belonged to Gunma Casino.

Natsume had bought it because it was secluded enough for Uzumaki Ena to practice Sealing Jutsu in peace.

Warning barriers had been set up around the grove.

He knew their locations, so he hadn't triggered them.

"Who is it?"

Uzumaki Ena dispersed the Chakra in her hand and immediately turned around. Only when she saw Natsume did she smile.

The Uzumaki Clan truly was blessed by nature.

Especially in terms of Chakra reserves—she had dozens of times more than Natsume.

Uzumaki Ena had been twenty when she gave birth to Karin. She was twenty-three now.

Despite having let her skills lapse for so many years, she was still progressing at an astonishing pace.

On top of that, Sealing Jutsu was rather special, so Natsume couldn't determine exactly how strong she had become.

Come to think of it, the past two and a half years had been great in every way, aside from the regrettable grape shortage.

"Natsume, congratulations on graduating."

Uzumaki Ena walked over and gently stroked his head with her soft hands, her movements tender, as though he were some precious treasure.

"Do I get a gift?"

Natsume looked up and asked.

Though he had grown quite a bit taller over the past two years, he was still under ten, so he remained shorter than Tsunade and Uzumaki Ena.

At this rate, though, he would probably be about as tall as them in another two or three years.

"Yes."

Uzumaki Ena wiped her hands on her clothes before taking out an amulet—or rather, a sachet.

"Peace and joy."

Natsume took the amulet and read the four words embroidered on its front.

"Well? Do you like it? I made it myself."

Uzumaki Ena looked at him, her eyes full of nervousness and anticipation.

"Thank you. I like it very much."

Natsume nodded. The color was a little too pink, though.

But then again...

Real men should like pink.

Uzumaki Ena immediately revealed a serene, gentle, yet radiant smile.

Natsume secretly thought that she and Tsunade really were not the same type.

Even Tsunade's gentleness carried a decisive, forceful edge.

At the same time, she occasionally had a mischievous or playful side.

Toward outsiders, she was even more hot-tempered.

But Uzumaki Ena was different. No matter what Natsume did, she never objected. She was every bit the virtuous wife and loving mother.

One fire, one water—two entirely different extremes. It was quite interesting.

"I have a return gift."

Natsume took out a Ninjutsu Scroll and said seriously, "Memorize it, then destroy it immediately."

Uzumaki Ena paused, then opened it curiously.

Yin Seal.

An S-rank medical Sealing Jutsu.

It could store Chakra and regulate Chakra, achieving healing effects and strengthening attacks.

It could also improve bodily functions and preserve one's youthful appearance.

Natsume hadn't stolen it. He had openly memorized it while Tsunade was teaching Shizune.

Unfortunately, Shizune lacked the talent for it and still had not formed the diamond-shaped mark.

Giving it to Uzumaki Ena was naturally meant to strengthen her, while also helping her keep her youthful looks.

"Alright, don't say it's too precious or anything. If you can learn it, that'll be the greatest help to me."

Natsume raised a finger and pressed it against her lips as he spoke.

The Yin Seal was essentially Sealing Jutsu, so he felt that Uzumaki Ena should be able to learn it.

At the very least, she had an enormous amount of Chakra.

Uzumaki Ena could only nod.

"That's enough training for today... Huh, I need to leave for a bit. I'll be back later."

Natsume offered no explanation and turned to leave.

Before long, he arrived at another small grove.

"Wow, her eyes are white!"

"White-eyed monster!"

"Hurry up and use those white eyes to show us what your disgusting face looks like!"

In the forest, three little boys pointed at a black-haired, white-eyed girl who had lowered her head in fear.

I finally caught this scene, Natsume thought. He had even spent twenty-seven Destiny Points on quite a bit of scouting for it.

But it had all been worth it.

Hinata Hyuga was the female lead. The Destiny Points she could provide would definitely be considerable.

Sorry, Naruto. Your wife is gone.

But it's fine. You don't like Hinata yet anyway. I'll help you pursue Sakura Haruno later.

Even if you like Sasuke, I can help you with that too.

Thinking this, Natsume stepped out and shouted, "Let that girl go!"