Choosing the Team Leaders

A secluded residence somewhere in Konoha.

"Lady Mito, I'm back!"

Uzumaki Kushina bounced into the courtyard.

Hearing her voice, Uzumaki Mito came outside.

She was Senju Hashirama's wife and the First Nine-Tails Jinchuriki.

"How was your first day of school?"

Uzumaki Mito asked with a warm smile.

"Pretty good."

After answering, Uzumaki Kushina pouted and added, "There were just a few boys who were really annoying."

"Did they bully you?"

Uzumaki Mito's gaze sharpened as she asked.

"I said I wanted to become Hokage, and they laughed at me."

Uzumaki Kushina shook her little fist and said, "If it hadn't been for Natsuki, I definitely would've beaten them up."

"Who's Natsuki?"

Looking at her adorable, fierce expression, Uzumaki Mito asked.

"A really good classmate."

Uzumaki Kushina chattered on. "He's strong, handsome, and a great cook."

"It seems you've made a good friend."

Uzumaki Mito smiled and committed the name Natsuki to memory.

A new week began.

Natsuki took a day off and went to Konoha Hospital with Yakushi Nonō.

Konoha Hospital had set aside a large classroom for that day's Medical Ninja Training Class exam.

Natsuki stopped at the door.

He wasn't a student in the Medical Ninja Training Class, so there was no need for him to go inside.

"Nonō, relax. With your skills, I'm sure you'll do just fine."

Natsuki reached out, patted Yakushi Nonō on the head, and encouraged her.

"Mm."

Yakushi Nonō said gently, "I'll do my best."

Then she turned and walked into the classroom.

Natsuki didn't wait around. He went straight to Tsunade's office.

After knocking and receiving permission, he went inside.

"Aren't you in class today?"

Seeing him, Tsunade asked in mild surprise.

"I took the day off."

Natsuki explained, "I came to watch Nonō's exam."

"You don't need to worry about her."

Tsunade smiled and said, "She's sure to surprise you."

Ever since Yakushi Nonō joined the Medical Ninja Training Class, she had made rapid progress.

Tsunade had already begun thinking about taking her on as a student after she graduated.

"Lady Tsunade."

Natsuki nodded, then changed the subject. "There's something I'd like to ask you for help with."

"What is it?"

Tsunade leaned forward slightly as she asked.

Natsuki immediately told her that Shimura Danzō had cut off the funding for the Konoha Orphanage.

"Something like that actually happened?"

Tsunade made no secret of her dislike for Shimura Danzō. "That old bastard Danzō really does whatever he pleases!"

She clenched her fists. With her taut expression and flak jacket, she looked every bit the valiant shinobi.

Although Natsuki preferred the lazy and generous version of her from the original story, she had a different kind of beauty now.

"Sensei indulges him far too much."

Tsunade snorted. "I'll talk to Sensei and have him restore the Konoha Orphanage's funding."

"Thank you, Lady Tsunade."

Natsuki bowed slightly.

"Don't thank me."

Tsunade shook her head. "This was Sensei's failure in the first place."

Natsuki thought that she was probably the only one who dared to say that.

Still, compared to her in the original story, she was already being quite restrained.

"The matron and I are planning to open an izakaya to help support the Konoha Orphanage."

Natsuki handed her an invitation and said, "I hope you'll be able to stop by when we open."

"Who have you hired as the chef?"

Tsunade asked with interest.

"I'll be the chef," Natsuki replied.

Tsunade couldn't help but freeze.

She had never eaten anything Natsuki had cooked, so her first reaction was disbelief.

But she didn't say so.

"I'll be there on time," Tsunade promised.

After all, the invitation clearly said that Natsuki would cover her bill that day—in other words, she could eat and drink for free.

She was ashamed to admit it, but she was always short on money and quite poor.

There was nothing for it: gambling was her greatest passion in life.

But she lost every bet, earning herself the title of the legendary Big Fat Sheep.

"Thank you for coming, Lady Tsunade."

A smile appeared on Natsuki's face.

His major in his previous life had been journalism, so he understood the power of celebrity endorsements.

Inviting Tsunade was essentially a way to use her fame to promote the izakaya.

It would be especially helpful in establishing his izakaya as an upscale establishment.

Before long, afternoon arrived.

The Medical Ninja Training Class exam moved from theory to practical work.

Natsuki looked around and realized Yakushi Nonō was facing fierce competition.

More than half the students in the Medical Ninja Training Class wore Konoha Forehead Protectors.

That meant they were already full-fledged shinobi.

They had a significant advantage over Yakushi Nonō.

"The exam begins now."

The proctor was none other than Tsunade.

After all, she was in charge of the Medical Ninja Training Class.

The practical exam required the students to transplant an organ into a fish.

In less than half an hour, Yakushi Nonō caused a sensation.

She had already completed the organ transplant.

"How could she finish so fast?"

"She's only seven, and she's faster than us Genin?"

"What kind of talent is that?"

The classroom erupted in commotion.

"Quiet."

Tsunade immediately spoke up to stop them. "The rest of you, continue the exam."

After speaking, she turned to Yakushi Nonō.

"You can go. The rankings will be announced tomorrow."

Tsunade's lips curled into a smile as she praised her, clearly pleased.

"Thank you, Lady Tsunade."

Yakushi Nonō packed up her things and left the classroom.

After a few steps, she came to a stop in front of Natsuki and looked up at him.

"That was incredible."

Natsuki pinched her cheek and praised her.

Yakushi Nonō immediately gave him a gentle smile.

The next day arrived.

The Medical Ninja Training Class announced its rankings, and Yakushi Nonō took first place.

Hokage Office.

"Nonō has a remarkable talent for medical ninjutsu. She's only a little behind you."

Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at the Medical Ninja Training Class rankings and spoke with a chuckle.

The arrival of an outstanding medical ninja could have an immeasurable impact on Konoha.

As Hokage, he was naturally delighted.

"Mm."

Tsunade didn't deny it, then brought up the matter Natsuki had asked her to help with.

"I won't let Danzō interfere with the Konoha Orphanage again," Hiruzen Sarutobi said gravely.

"He's reaching too far, Sensei. You should keep a closer eye on him."

Tsunade spoke bluntly.

"Danzō knows where to draw the line."

Hiruzen Sarutobi cleared his throat. "I'll keep an eye on him. You don't need to worry."

Hearing that, Tsunade said nothing more.

"When Nonō graduates, will you be her team leader?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi changed the subject and asked.

"Sure."

Tsunade thought it over, then agreed.

The Ninja World placed great importance on the bond between teacher and student, and she needed a student of her own, too.

"Have Orochimaru be Nawaki's team leader."

Tsunade paused, then added, "And have Natsuki be his teammate."

"It seems you think highly of Natsuki."

Hiruzen Sarutobi knew Tsunade well.

The fact that she was willing to have Natsuki be Nawaki's teammate meant she had already accepted him.

"I spoke with Orochimaru about this earlier. He said he wanted to observe him for a while."

Hiruzen Sarutobi continued, "Jiraiya will be back next week. The three of you can discuss this properly then."

"Who's going to be Jiraiya's student?"

Tsunade immediately caught on.

"I plan to have him become Minato Namikaze's team leader," Hiruzen Sarutobi replied.

"I see."

Tsunade knew of Namikaze Minato through Natsuki and Yakushi Nonō. She knew he was a promising prodigy.

Next week, huh? That worked out perfectly. Natsuki's izakaya would be opening, so she could go there.