"Sensei."
Natsuki walked into Orochimaru's study.
Orochimaru wasn't pursuing immortality yet, but he already wanted to master every technique in the Ninja World.
In his spare time, he liked to relax by reading Taiwanese novels on Taiwan Novel Selection.էաҟąղ.çօʍ
So whenever he wasn't out on a mission, he stayed in his study, learning all kinds of ninjutsu and secret techniques.
"I beat Choza, Inoichi, and Shikaku today."
Natsuki got straight to the point.
"Mm."
Orochimaru gave a slight nod.
He knew Natsuki's abilities well.
In swordsmanship alone, he already deserved to be called a Special Jonin.
His only weakness was stamina.
But defeating three third-year students was still easy for him, so it wasn't surprising.
"Shikaku's Shadow Secret Technique was interesting," Natsuki continued. "Sensei, I have two ideas for Shadow Secret Techniques."
He was laying the groundwork for creating Shadow Space and Shadow Assassin.
Both abilities were extremely useful, and he expected to use them often.
After using them a few times, he wouldn't be able to keep them secret from others. He might as well bring them up himself.
"What ideas?"
Orochimaru looked up at him and asked.
"The Nara Clan's research into shadows has focused on using them to control or attack enemies," Natsuki said slowly. "I think we could try a different approach and study how shadows can be used on oneself."
"That has to do with the Nara Clan's role in Ino-Shika-Cho," Orochimaru said casually.
Ino-Shika-Cho had always operated as a unit, and the Nara Clan's Shadow Secret Techniques were mostly designed to support the team.
"My idea is to open up a space inside one's own shadow," Natsuki said gravely. "Then a person or various objects could be hidden inside Shadow Space."
Orochimaru's calm expression tightened.
Hiruzen Sarutobi was known as the Professor of Ninjutsu, but Orochimaru was no slouch himself. He had studied all kinds of ninjutsu and secret techniques in depth.
In an instant, he saw what these two Shadow Secret Techniques could be used for.
There was no doubt they'd be a great help to any ninja.
"My Yin Release is weak, so I'll have to ask you to teach me, Sensei," Natsuki added.
The Nara Clan's Shadow Secret Techniques were, in essence, Yin Release.
"Given your current ability and age, you're not ready to create your own Yin Release ninjutsu. But your idea is certainly a good one."
Orochimaru stood up, took a scroll from the shelf, and handed it to Natsuki. "Read this scroll first."
"Thank you, Sensei."
Natsuki took the scroll and glanced at its cover. Four large characters were written on it: Fundamentals of Yin Release.
"If there's anything you don't understand, come ask me," Orochimaru added.
"Mm."
Natsuki paused, then asked, "Sensei, can you take me out on a mission?"
"What made you ask that all of a sudden?" Orochimaru asked, slightly taken aback.
"I want to get used to a ninja's life ahead of time," Natsuki explained. "And fighting is the fastest way to improve."
"A ninja's life is harsh. You need to be mentally prepared."
Orochimaru thought it over. "If summer vacation comes and you still feel the same way, I'll take you on a mission."
As he'd said before, geniuses always had privileges.
The Ninja Academy could no longer hold back this student of his. It was time for him to see the wider Ninja World.
"Thank you, Sensei."
Natsuki couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.
It was June now, and summer vacation would come soon. He wouldn't have to wait long.
"Creating your own Shadow Secret Techniques can wait. Your focus should still be on learning Konoha Style Swordsmanship," Orochimaru reminded him.
"Yes, Sensei."
Natsuki nodded. "I'll go train now."
He didn't ask Orochimaru directly for a Summoning Beast from Ryūchi Cave.
That would make him seem too impatient.
After all, in theory, he wasn't yet Orochimaru's official student.
Natsuki bowed slightly, left the study, and went out into the courtyard.
A short while later, Nawaki arrived and trained alongside him.
Nawaki was still learning Water Release Ninjutsu.
Like Hiruzen Sarutobi, Orochimaru had mastered all Five Release Ninjutsu and could teach Water Release as well.
Night fell.
Natsuki returned to the Konoha Orphanage.
Only then did he have time to test Shadow Space.
Natsuki looked at his shadow.
Shadow Space!
When he activated the ability, he felt his shadow change.
Natsuki immediately took various ninja tools from his shoulder bag and tossed them into his shadow.
A sense of weight settled over him.
But for now, it didn't affect his movements.
He could also store food or medicine inside.
Natsuki suddenly let out a small gasp.
Shadow Space was perfect for Taijutsu users like Might Guy and Rock Lee. It was like having weights on them at all times.
The next day came.
As soon as Natsuki entered the Ninja Academy, he noticed things were different from usual.
Every student he passed looked at him curiously, and quite a few bold girls came over to chat with him and ask for his autograph.
For the first time, he understood what it felt like to be a celebrity.
It seemed word of his victory over Ino-Shika-Cho had spread everywhere.
But the Ninja Academy was full of geniuses, and the attention he drew was only temporary.
As before, after his theory class, Natsuki left the Ninja Academy with Namikaze Minato.
But today, instead of going straight to see Orochimaru, he headed for the Uchiha Clan's compound.
As Natsuki walked, he looked around.
The Uchiha Clan's compound felt like a town within a town, self-contained.
No wonder they were one of the great clans renowned throughout the Ninja World.
With the Sharingan so unstable on top of that, it was no surprise that Hiruzen Sarutobi and Shimura Danzō paid such close attention to the Uchiha Clan.
"I wonder if Uchiha Fugaku has become clan head yet."
Natsuki remembered that Uchiha Fugaku was five or six years older than Uchiha Mikoto, which would make him about seventeen now.
In the current Ninja World, ninja generally didn't live long. Anyone who lived past forty was already considered to have reached a ripe old age.
At seventeen, he might already have become the Uchiha Clan's head.
But Natsuki hadn't come to find Uchiha Fugaku today. He was looking for Granny Cat.
Granny Cat's origins were unknown, but she was the Ninja Cat Clan's summoner.
Besides that, she ran a ninja tool shop, and most of her customers were ninja from the Uchiha Clan.
In the original story, both Uchiha Sasuke and Uchiha Itachi treated her with great respect.
Natsuki passed through the Uchiha Clan's compound and soon arrived at an Empty District.
The so-called Empty District was actually a cluster of abandoned buildings.
The Ninja Cat Clan's base and Granny Cat's ninja tool shop were both there.
"Who are you, meow?"
A Ninja Cat in red appeared in front of him.
"I'm here to see Granny Cat," Natsuki replied.
"Granny Cat doesn't see just anyone, meow."
The Ninja Cat licked its paw and spoke.
Seeing that, Natsuki immediately handed over a bottle of Silvervine Drink.
He'd already guessed who the Ninja Cat was.
Granny Cat had two high-ranking Ninja Cats under her—or, rather, in the Ninja Cat Clan—named Hinai and Tianshuo.
Hinai liked to add "meow" to the end of every sentence.
She was also extremely greedy. If you showed up empty-handed, she'd give you a very sour look.
"You're pretty good, meow."
Hinai's eyes lit up. She wrapped both paws around the Silvervine Drink and took a sip, her face instantly turning dreamy.
Natsuki's mouth twitched.
Why did this look like catnip?
He remembered that the Ninja Cat Clan liked Silvervine Drink in the original story, so he'd bought plenty.
With Hinai leading the way, Natsuki met Granny Cat.
"You're not from the Uchiha Clan," Granny Cat said, looking him over.
"My name is Natsuki," he said, getting straight to the point. "I came to ask for a Ninja Cat to serve as my Summoning Beast."
"So you're Lord Orochimaru's student," Granny Cat said readily. "If a Ninja Cat takes a liking to you, you can take it with you."
Had Orochimaru eaten the Face-Face Fruit?
But Granny Cat probably wasn't doing this because of Orochimaru. She was more likely considering Hiruzen Sarutobi.
She didn't want to—or need to—make an enemy of a ninja from the Hokage's faction.
"Thank you, Granny Cat."
Natsuki then followed Hinai to a vast gathering of Ninja Cats.
His strategy was simple: tempt them with food.
The Ninja Cats immediately grew excited and began volunteering one after another.
"Pick me! Pick me!"
"I can do a backflip!"
"Boss, I can sing! I can give massages, too!"
Natsuki instinctively looked at the cat who'd spoken.
It was pure white and looked very pretty.
"Then I'll pick you," he said, pointing at it.
"Thank you, Boss, meow!" the white cat said happily.
If it didn't become a ninja's Summoning Beast, it would have to stay in the Empty District.
It had long wanted to go out and play, and now it finally had its chance.
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