Nawaki's Challenge

After the Final Exam ended, a rare vacation finally arrived.

This vacation was not long, less than a month. School would start in March, and First Grade Class A would then become Second Grade Class A.

As Natsuki headed toward Konoha Hospital, he examined his new template.

The Tatsuya Shiba Template had three abilities, or rather, three forms of magic.

Cast-Weight Magic: Water Spider was the least useful.

As a ninja, he could use Chakra to walk or run across the water's surface.

The other two abilities, however, were quite useful.

Cast-Weight Magic: Gravity Reduction was very similar to Earth Release: Light-Weight Rock Technique, used by Ōnoki, the Tsuchikage.

The enhanced version of Earth Release: Light-Weight Rock Technique, Earth Release: Ultra-Light-Weight Rock Technique, allowed its user to fly freely.

Cast-Weight Magic: Gravity Reduction probably could not reach that level, but being able to increase his own speed was already quite good.

Its unlock condition was completing Tree Climbing training.

The purpose of Tree Climbing training was to improve Chakra control.

Yakushi Nonō had already completed it, but he had not.

Non-System Magic: Phantom Strike reminded Natsuki of Yin Release ninjutsu.

The Yamanaka Clan had similar Yin Release ninjutsu that released mental shockwaves to attack or control targets.

Its unlock condition was slightly more troublesome: he had to place first in the Final Exam.

He could now take first place in the Combat Exam, but he had never ranked first in the written exam. He had to spend time grinding through practice questions.

Fortunately, the Final Exam was 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 Nawaki was the one calling him.

"Lady Tsunade."

Natsuki stepped forward and greeted them. "Senior Nawaki."

"What rank did you get in the Final Exam?"

Nawaki grinned broadly. "I got first place!"

"I'm not as good as you, Senior. I only got second."

Natsuki answered with a smile.

"Second place is still pretty good."

Nawaki patted his shoulder. "Minato Namikaze is truly outstanding. Even I've heard his name."

"Minato Namikaze defeated you?"

Tsunade asked in surprise.

She had fought Natsuki before and knew that his Sword Technique was quite good. Among those his age, he could be considered strong.

Although Namikaze Minato was a genius, his background was ordinary. He had no way to learn ninjutsu or Sword Technique ahead of time.

For him to defeat Natsuki under those circumstances was indeed extraordinary.

Nawaki subconsciously glanced at Tsunade.

What did she mean by that?

Did Tsunade think Natsuki was stronger than Namikaze Minato?

And when had they become so familiar with each other?

"I took first place in the Combat Exam."

Natsuki explained.

"I see."

Tsunade understood.

"What?"

Nawaki asked with a shocked expression, "You actually beat Minato Namikaze?"

"I happened to create two Sword Techniques."

Natsuki answered modestly.

"...?"

Nawaki's face immediately filled with question marks.

What did he mean, he happened to create two Sword Techniques?

Was that even something a human would say?

"You created two Sword Techniques?"

Now it was Tsunade's turn to be astonished.

Although Natsuki had previously said he wanted to take Senju Tobirama as his goal and create his own ninjutsu, she had not believed him at all.

"Let's have a match right now!"

Nawaki suddenly became excited and said eagerly.

"Nawaki, it's mealtime right now. This isn't appropriate."

Tsunade came back to her senses and said, "You can fight tomorrow at the Training Ground near Konoha Hospital. I'll be your referee then."

She was also curious what kind of Sword Techniques Natsuki had created.

"I have no problem with that."

Natsuki agreed without hesitation.

Regardless of whether he won or lost, this spar would bring him closer to Nawaki and Tsunade. It was an absolute bargain.

"It's settled, then!"

Nawaki said happily.

"Natsuki, go get Nonō. My treat, and we'll all eat together."

Tsunade thought for a moment before speaking.

She had previously invited Yakushi Nonō to eat with them, but Nonō had said she wanted to wait for Natsuki.

Now that they had run into Natsuki, Tsunade might as well treat them all.

"Thank you, Lady Tsunade."

Naturally, Natsuki did not refuse.

He walked into Konoha Hospital and quickly found the room where the Medical Ninja Training Class was held.

"Natsuki."

All the other students had already left. Only Yakushi Nonō remained.

"Lady Tsunade said she's treating us to dinner."

Natsuki reached out, pinched her cheek, and said.

"Mm."

Yakushi Nonō answered, then asked, "How did your Final Exam go?"

"First in the Combat Exam, third in the written exam."

Natsuki replied.

Yakushi Nonō could not help but stare blankly.

But when she thought of Natsuki's usual performance, she found it perfectly reasonable.

"I'll take first place in the Medical Ninja Training Class too."

Yakushi Nonō said with a serious expression.

"When is your exam?"

Natsuki asked with a smile as he looked at her tense little face.

"Next month."

Yakushi Nonō answered.

"I'll definitely come then."

Natsuki nodded.

The two soon left the Ninja Academy and met up with Tsunade and Nawaki.

At the same time, at Danzo's home in Konoha's Root Base.

Shimura Danzō looked at the documents in his hand and could not help revealing a satisfied smile.

He had not expected Natsuki to possess such talent in Sword Technique.

No wonder Natsuki had been overlooked during the testing at Konoha Orphanage.

"In my name, go tell Hiruzen that Natsuki is to join Root."

Shimura Danzō set down the documents and said casually.

The Ninja Academy was directly under Hiruzen Sarutobi's authority.

If he wanted Natsuki, he had to notify him in advance.

Shimura Danzō believed that Hiruzen Sarutobi would agree.

After all, even when he wanted geniuses from ninja clans such as the Yamanaka Clan, Hiruzen Sarutobi would hand them over.

That was the understanding they had developed as old comrades over many years.

As long as Konoha was not endangered, he could do whatever he wanted.

"Yes, Lord Danzo!"

The Root ninja before him stood up, turned, and left.

Shimura Danzō did not wait long.

About ten minutes later, he received Hiruzen Sarutobi's reply.

"What? He actually refused?"

Shimura Danzō abruptly rose to his feet. After hesitating for a moment, he headed for the Hokage Office.

"Why are you here?"

The moment Hiruzen Sarutobi saw him, he frowned. "I've already said that Natsuki will not join Root."

If it were only Natsuki, he might have agreed.

But aside from Natsuki, there was also Yakushi Nonō, who shared a deep bond with him.

"Natsuki is an orphan from Konoha Orphanage."

Shimura Danzō got straight to the point. "Root is short on people now. He is well suited for it."

"Does Konoha Orphanage bear the Shimura name?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi asked unhappily.

Shimura Danzō was startled.

What kind of attitude was this?

He was just a Sword Technique genius. Was there any need to show such a face?

And hadn't it been their understanding that Konoha Orphanage was under his control?

Shimura Danzō hesitated, then ultimately did not dare say anything more.

Hiruzen Sarutobi was in his prime now, the undisputed Hero of the Shinobi.

"And Nonō. Don't set your sights on her again either."

Hiruzen Sarutobi warned.

Shimura Danzō subconsciously clenched his fist.

Damn it!

You'll regret this!

Ahhh! I want to be Hokage!