Uzumaki Kushina

The Medical Ninja Training Class and the Ninja Academy did not have synchronized vacations.

After lunch, Yakushi Nonō continued attending class.

Natsuki returned to the Konoha Orphanage and confirmed with Director Zhenyou that no Root ninja had appeared. He breathed a sigh of relief.

Given Shimura Danzō's personality, once he learned that Natsuki had defeated Namikaze Minato, he would certainly come knocking to recruit him into Root.

His unusual silence now left only one explanation: Hiruzen Sarutobi had stopped him.

Thinking about it carefully, that made sense. The current Hiruzen Sarutobi was not the Third Hokage from the original story who excessively indulged Shimura Danzō.

Of course, Shimura Danzō would not give up so easily.

There was not much Natsuki could do. He could only improve his strength as quickly as possible.

He quickly settled on a training plan for the vacation.

Practice written exercises in the morning, Tree Climbing in the afternoon.

The next day arrived.

After Natsuki took Yakushi Nonō to Konoha Hospital, he headed to a nearby training ground.

But to his surprise, there was not only Tsunade and Nawaki at the training ground—there was also another girl.

She looked about Natsuki's age, with a slightly round face and a head of fiery red hair.

"Natsuki, let me introduce you. This is Uzumaki Kushina."

Tsunade took the initiative to say, "She'll be transferring into your class next semester."

Natsuki inwardly thought, Just as expected.

The moment he saw that red hair, he had guessed that she was Uzumaki Kushina.

"Hello, I'm Uzumaki Kushina."

Uzumaki Kushina said somewhat timidly.

She was not yet the hot-tempered Bloody Habanero of the future.

In fact, she had only earned the nickname Bloody Habanero after angrily fighting back against her classmates' bullying.

"I'm Natsuki. Nice to meet you."

Natsuki nodded as he spoke.

"I prepared some wooden ninja tools for you."

Tsunade crouched down, opened a Storage Summoning Scroll, and took out a pile of ninja tools.

Although she could promptly treat Natsuki and Nawaki if anything happened, it was naturally best to avoid injuries whenever possible.

Natsuki subconsciously glanced over.

He was standing close, and Tsunade was not wearing her ninja flak jacket today, so he caught sight of a snowy-white curve.

Although it had not yet reached the level seen in the original story, the signs were already there.

"Natsuki, please go easy on me."

Nawaki formed the Seal of Confrontation with a broad grin.

"Nawaki-senpai, please go easy on me too."

Natsuki accepted a Wooden Ninja Sword from Tsunade.

In the original story, Nawaki's role could be summed up in one sentence: he was blown to death by an Explosive Tag at the age of twelve.

How talented he was and what ninjutsu he knew were all unknown.

But one thing Natsuki could be certain of was that Nawaki definitely had a lot of Chakra.

Both the Senju Clan and the Uzumaki Clan were famous for their abundant Chakra.

Uzumaki Kushina watched them with curiosity on her little face.

She had just arrived and did not know Natsuki, but she knew a little about Nawaki and knew that he was a genius among geniuses.

"Watch out!"

Nawaki gave a warning, then instantly appeared in front of Natsuki.

He threw a punch that tore through the air.

The words Body Flicker Technique flashed through Natsuki's mind.

He had no time to dodge. He could only raise his Ninja Sword and use the blade's flat to block Nawaki's fist.

Bang!

A tremendous force surged through him.

Natsuki felt his right hand holding the Ninja Sword go numb.

He looked down and found cracks already appearing in the Ninja Sword.

Natsuki had no time to think. His right leg shot toward Nawaki like lightning.

Seeing this, Nawaki raised his own right leg.

Their legs collided, and both their bodies shook.

Nawaki uncontrollably took a step back, surprise appearing on his face.

He had studied Taijutsu under Tsunade since childhood and believed that no one his age could surpass him in Taijutsu.

But Natsuki's Golden Right Leg had made him suffer a small loss.

Still, that was all.

Nawaki closed in again, his right fist smashing out with terrifying force.

Reinforcement Magic!

A surge of Chakra flowed into Natsuki's legs.

His speed abruptly increased, and in an instant, he widened the distance between himself and Nawaki.

One Sword Style: 36 Pound Cannon!

Natsuki's gaze sharpened, and the Ninja Sword in his hand became an afterimage.

Nawaki immediately sensed danger.

He hurriedly stopped and formed hand seals at once.

A wall of water rose before him.

The next moment, a visible blue sword wave struck the water wall.

Boom!

A violent crash rang out.

A huge hole was instantly blasted through the water wall.

"What kind of Sword Technique is this?"

Nawaki still felt lingering fear.

Fortunately, he had used Water Release: Water Formation Wall in time. Otherwise, if that strike had landed on him, it would have left a bloody hole in his body.

Even Tsunade, watching from the side, looked startled.

The power displayed by One Sword Style: 36 Pound Cannon was no weaker than an ordinary B-rank ninjutsu.

"S-So amazing!"

Uzumaki Kushina blurted out.

She had seen quite a few geniuses in the Uzumaki Clan, but none of them could compare to Natsuki and Nawaki.

"I call it One Sword Style."

Natsuki replied after taking a breath.

He did not possess Zoro's terrifying stamina, so he could only pour Chakra into One Sword Style: 36 Pound Cannon.

And that single strike had consumed one-third of the Chakra in his body.

It could not be helped. He was too young and had no special bloodline, so his Chakra was extremely limited.

"No wonder Minato Namikaze lost to you."

Nawaki said with a face full of admiration.

"With my remaining Chakra, I can still use one more Sword Technique."

Natsuki tightened his grip on the Ninja Sword and held it upright before himself.

Seeing this, Nawaki's expression turned serious.

He immediately formed hand seals and used the strongest Water Release he had currently mastered.

Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet Technique!

A massive water dragon roared as it flew forth.

A normal Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet Technique required forty-four hand seals, but Nawaki's Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet Technique required only four.

That was because he had learned the improved version of Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet Technique created by the Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama.

Just then, the sound of tearing wind rang out.

One Sword Style: Iai: Lion Song!

Natsuki transformed into a streak of sword light and cleaved apart the water dragon in midair.

Water splashed in all directions.

Nawaki's eyes widened.

Although that streak of light had weakened considerably, it did not disappear and continued charging straight at him.

At the critical moment, he raised both arms and crossed them in front of himself.

The streak of light suddenly stopped, revealing Natsuki's figure.

Nawaki felt a wave of pain radiate through both arms.

But he had ultimately blocked Natsuki's strike.

"I surrender."

Natsuki spoke decisively.

First, because he did not have much Chakra left.

Second, because he had already used his two strongest Sword Techniques.

If he continued fighting, he would definitely lose.

He might as well surrender while he still held the upper hand, saving himself some face.

"You..."

Nawaki opened his mouth, unsure what to say for a moment.

Although he had won, it had not been an easy victory.

And Natsuki was two years younger than him.

If they had been the same age, and Natsuki had more Chakra and more Sword Techniques, then Nawaki would likely have been the one to lose.

"What astonishing talent for swordsmanship."

Tsunade could not help but praise him.

At the same time, a thought emerged in her mind: Natsuki was well suited to be Nawaki's teammate.

It seemed she would need to find time to talk to Orochimaru and have him serve as the team leader for Natsuki and Nawaki.

With Yakushi Nonō added as well, they could form a perfect ninja squad.