The Ninja Cat Clan

"Teacher."

Natsuki walked into the study of Orochimaru.

Although Orochimaru had not yet begun his pursuit of immortality, he already harbored the ambition to master every technique in the Ninja World.

Therefore, whenever he was not out on missions, he would spend his time in his study, researching various ninjutsu and secret techniques.

"I defeated Choza, Inoichi, and Shikaku today."

Natsuki got straight to the point.

"Hmm."

Orochimaru nodded slightly.

He understood Natsuki's strength very well.

In terms of Sword Technique alone, he could already be considered a Special Jonin.

The only issue was his lack of stamina.

But defeating three third-year students was still easy, hardly worth being surprised about.

"The Shadow Secret Technique used by Shikaku is quite interesting."

Natsuki continued, "Teacher, I have two ideas regarding shadow techniques."

He was laying the groundwork for his self-created Shadow Space and Shadow Assassin.

These two abilities were extremely useful, and he estimated he would use them often.

If he used them too many times, he wouldn't be able to hide them from others, so he decided to bring them up himself.

"What kind of ideas?"

Orochimaru looked up at him and asked.

"The Nara Clan's research into shadows is entirely focused on using them to control or attack enemies."

Natsuki said slowly, "I think we could try a different approach and research the effects of shadows on oneself."

"That is related to the Nara Clan's positioning within the Ino-Shika-Cho."

Orochimaru said casually.

The Ino-Shika-Cho always acted together, and the Nara Clan's Shadow Secret Technique essentially served the team or the trio.

"My idea is to open up a space within my own shadow."

Natsuki said in a deep voice, "That way, I could hide myself or various items inside the Shadow Space."

Orochimaru's calm expression froze for a moment.

Hiruzen Sarutobi was known as the Professor of Ninjutsu, but Orochimaru was no slouch himself, possessing deep knowledge of various ninjutsu and secret techniques.

In an instant, he realized the utility of these two shadow techniques.

Without a doubt, they would be a tremendous asset to any ninja.

"My proficiency in Yin Release is poor, so I'll have to trouble you to teach me, Teacher."

Natsuki added.

The Nara Clan's Shadow Secret Technique was, in essence, a form of Yin Release.

"Given your current strength and age, you aren't really suited to create your own Yin Release ninjutsu, but this idea of yours is truly excellent."

Orochimaru stood up, took a scroll from the bookshelf, handed it to Natsuki, and said, "Read this scroll first."

"Thank you, Teacher."

Natsuki took the scroll and glanced at it; four large characters were written on the cover: Fundamentals of Yin Release.

"If there is anything you don't understand, come and ask me."

Orochimaru added.

"Understood."

Natsuki paused, then asked, "Teacher, could you take me out on missions?"

"Why do you suddenly ask this?"

Orochimaru was slightly taken aback and asked.

"I want to adapt to the life of a ninja in advance."

Natsuki explained, "Besides, combat is the fastest way to improve."

"The true life of a ninja is very cruel; you must be mentally prepared."

Orochimaru thought for a moment and said, "If your mind hasn't changed by the time summer vacation arrives, I will take you on missions."

As the saying went, geniuses always had privileges.

The Ninja Academy could no longer contain this student of his; it was indeed time for him to head out into the vast Ninja World.

"Thank you, teacher."

Natsuki couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.

It was June now, and summer vacation would be here soon; he wouldn't have to wait too long.

"There is no need to rush into creating your own Shadow Secret Technique. Your focus should remain on learning Konoha Style Swordsmanship."

Orochimaru reminded him.

"Yes, teacher."

Natsuki nodded and said, "I will go train right now."

He didn't ask Orochimaru for a Summoning Beast from Ryūchi Cave directly.

The main reason was that doing so would make him seem too impatient.

After all, theoretically speaking, he wasn't officially Orochimaru's student yet.

After bowing slightly, Natsuki left the study and went out into the courtyard.

Not long after, Nawaki arrived to train alongside him.

Nawaki was still learning Water Release ninjutsu.

Like Hiruzen Sarutobi, Orochimaru was proficient in all five elemental releases and was capable of teaching Water Release.

Night fell.

Natsuki returned to the Konoha Orphanage.

Only then did he have the time to verify his Shadow Space.

Natsuki looked down at his shadow.

Shadow Space!

Once the ability was activated, he felt his shadow undergo a change.

Natsuki immediately took various ninja tools from his satchel and tossed them into the shadow.

He felt a sense of added weight immediately afterward.

However, it didn't affect his movement for the time being.

He could also store some food or medicine inside.

Natsuki suddenly let out a soft sound of surprise.

This Shadow Space was perfect for taijutsu ninjas like Might Guy and Rock Lee; it was essentially built-in weight training.

The next day arrived.

As soon as Natsuki walked into the Ninja Academy, he noticed it was different from usual.

Every student he encountered looked at him with curiosity, and quite a few bold girls approached him to chat or ask for his autograph.

For the first time, he experienced what it felt like to be a big star.

It seemed the news of his victory over the Ino-Shika-Cho had completely spread.

However, there were many geniuses in the Ninja Academy, so the attention he was receiving was only temporary.

Just like before, after finishing his theory classes, Natsuki left the Ninja Academy with Namikaze Minato.

But today, he didn't go to find Orochimaru immediately; instead, he headed toward the Uchiha Clan compound.

As he walked, Natsuki looked around.

The Uchiha Clan compound gave him the feeling of a walled village, a self-contained system.

It was truly worthy of being a great ninja clan famous throughout the Ninja World.

Coupled with the highly unstable Sharingan, it was no wonder that Hiruzen Sarutobi and Shimura Danzō were both so focused on the Uchiha Clan.

"I wonder if Uchiha Fugaku has become the clan head yet."

Natsuki remembered that Uchiha Fugaku was five or six years older than Uchiha Mikoto, making him about seventeen now.

In the current Ninja World, the lifespan of a ninja was generally not long; anyone over forty was considered to have lived a long life.

At seventeen, he might already be the head of the Uchiha Clan.

However, he wasn't here today to find Uchiha Fugaku, but to find Granny Cat.

Granny Cat was of mysterious origin, but she was the contractor for the Ninja Cat clan.

Beyond that, she also ran a ninja tool shop, and most of her customers were ninjas 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 compound and soon arrived at an Empty District.

The so-called Empty District was actually a cluster of abandoned buildings.

The stronghold of the Ninja Cat clan and Granny Cat's ninja tool shop were both located there.

"Who are you, meow?"

A Ninja Cat wearing red clothes appeared before him.

"I'm looking for Granny Cat."

Natsuki replied.

"Granny Cat isn't someone just anyone can see, meow."

The Ninja Cat licked its paw and said.

Seeing this, Natsuki immediately handed over a Silvervine Drink.

He had already guessed who this Ninja Cat was.

Among Granny Cat's subordinates, or rather the Ninja Cat clan, there were two high-ranking Ninja Cats named Hinai and Tianshuo.

Hinai liked to add the word "meow" to the end of every sentence.

Moreover, it was extremely greedy; if you went to see it empty-handed, its expression would be very unpleasant.

"You're not bad, meow."

Hinai's eyes lit up, and it hugged the Silvervine Drink with both paws to take a sip, an intoxicated expression immediately appearing on its face.

Natsuki twitched the corner of his mouth.

Why does this look like catnip?

He remembered that in the original work, it was said that the Ninja Cat clan loved Silvervine Drink, so he had specifically bought quite a lot.

Under Hinai's guidance, Natsuki met Granny Cat.

"You are not a child of the Uchiha Clan."

Granny Cat looked him over twice and said.

"My name is Natsuki."

Natsuki got straight to the point, "I am looking for Granny Cat because I want a Ninja Cat as a Summoning Beast."

"So you are a student of Lord Orochimaru."

Granny Cat said quite readily, "As long as a Ninja Cat takes a liking to you, you can take it away."

Did Orochimaru eat the Face-Face Fruit?

However, Granny Cat was likely not doing this for Orochimaru's sake, but rather for the sake of Hiruzen Sarutobi.

She did not want to, or rather, had no need to offend a ninja from the Hokage's lineage.

"Thank you, Granny Cat."

Natsuki followed Hinai once more and saw Ninja Cats everywhere as far as the eye could see.

His strategy was simple: lure them with delicacies.

In an instant, the Ninja Cats became excited and began to volunteer themselves.

"Pick me! Pick me!"

"I can do backflips!"

"Boss, I can sing! And I can give massages!"

Natsuki subconsciously looked at the cat that had spoken.

It was entirely white and looked very beautiful.

"Then it will be you."

Natsuki pointed and said.

"Thank you, Boss, meow!"

The white cat said, overjoyed.

If they didn't become a ninja's Summoning Beast, they could only stay in the Empty District.

It had long wanted to go out and play, and now it finally had the chance.