Second Grade Class A's Combat Exam came to an end in the blink of an eye.
Combining the results of yesterday's written exam, Ishida Yu announced the rankings for this Final Exam.
There was no doubt that Natsuki had taken first place.
"Damn it!"
Uzumaki Kushina said somewhat unwillingly, "Third place again!"
"It's not your fault."
Natsuki comforted her. "Sealing Jutsu isn't suited for combat. If you studied Wind Release like Minato Namikaze, you might already be in first place."
He was not lying.
Sealing Jutsu was far more difficult to learn than ordinary ninjutsu like Water Release.
If Uzumaki Kushina did not study Sealing Jutsu, she would save a great deal of time.
Unfortunately, she was the future Nine-Tails Jinchuriki. She could skip learning anything else, but Sealing Jutsu was essential.
"Hard to say."
Uzumaki Kushina shook her head and said, "Minato Namikaze can't beat you, and I probably can't either."
Namikaze Minato hesitated, as if he wanted to say something.
You mean you can beat me? Can't you two consider my feelings while you're chatting?
"No one can say what will happen in the future."
Natsuki said with a smile.
Once Uzumaki Kushina became the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, even with his cheat, he would be beaten down by her for quite a long time.
"I agree with that."
Namikaze Minato nodded and said.
He and Natsuki were friends, but also rivals.
Though he had lost today, as Jiraiya had said, he could not lose confidence.
Natsuki glanced at him.
In the original story, Namikaze Minato had never used Wind Release.
The reason was simple. Wind Release—or rather, the vast majority of ninjutsu—was unsuitable for the Flying Thunder God Technique.
The technique that paired best with it was still the Rasengan.
It required no hand seals, was quick to unleash, and possessed tremendous power.
Before the Rasengan had been developed, Namikaze Minato most often used the Flying Thunder God Technique alongside kunai and shuriken.
Senju Tobirama had been much the same.
His most iconic battle had been using the Flying Thunder God Technique and a kunai to kill Uchiha Madara's younger brother, Uchiha Izuna.
Kunai, shuriken, and the Rasengan were enough to deal with most shinobi.
As always, shinobi were basically glass cannons.
The only reason Namikaze Minato was using Wind Release now was entirely because of Natsuki's butterfly effect.
He had learned Wind Release in order to defeat him.
After thinking it over, Natsuki decided he could try developing the Rasengan ahead of time—or rather, ask Namikaze Minato to help develop it.
Though he would be taking Minato Namikaze's idea, learning the Rasengan early would certainly make him stronger than Minato had been in the original story.
"Want to eat at my place?"
Natsuki invited them. "I'll cook myself."
Uzumaki Kushina's eyes immediately lit up, and she hurriedly nodded.
Thinking of that indescribably wonderful taste, Namikaze Minato agreed without hesitation as well.
Natsuki also called Yakushi Nonō and Nawaki over, and they returned together to Konoha Orphanage.
"Natsuki!"
Nawaki said happily, "My sister has agreed to let me go out on missions with you."
"Go on missions?"
Namikaze Minato was suddenly startled.
"Natsuki suggested it."
Nawaki briefly explained what had happened.
Namikaze Minato could not help but stare blankly.
He had thought he was already working hard enough, but he had not expected Natsuki to work even harder.
He had actually come up with the idea of going out to do missions ahead of time?
A powerful sense of urgency immediately rose within him.
If this continued, the gap between him and Natsuki would only grow wider.
He needed to start doing missions too!
After lunch, Namikaze Minato bolted away at lightning speed.
Natsuki could not help but laugh.
Forcing the future Fourth Hokage to this point was something he could be proud of.
The first day of summer vacation.
Natsuki arrived at Tsunade's house.
Her home was near Hokage Rock, within the Senju Clan's compound. It covered a vast area, but it felt rather deserted.
For various reasons, the Senju Clan had already integrated into Konoha.
Combined with the difficulty of reproducing Wood Release, only Tsunade and Nawaki remained among the Senju Clan members with any name or standing.
Natsuki raised his hand and knocked on the door.
The door opened, revealing Tsunade in casual clothes.
His eyes immediately lit up.
Tsunade usually wore a jonin vest, which gave her more of a heroic air.
But after changing into white casual clothes, her graceful figure was fully revealed.
"Have you eaten breakfast?"
Tsunade was not surprised by his arrival and asked, "If not, you can eat with us."
"Thank you, Lady Tsunade, but I've already eaten breakfast."
Natsuki replied.
"Nawaki is still eating. Come in and wait."
Tsunade stepped aside and said.
Natsuki nodded, took off his shoes, and entered the living room.
His gaze immediately met Nawaki's.
Without needing to speak, he read three words in Nawaki's eyes: Save me!
Natsuki could not help but feel puzzled. Was Tsunade's cooking really that terrible?
He looked at Nawaki and spread his hands.
You want me to save you, but how?
Should I tell Tsunade her cooking is bad and ask her to let me do it?
He would probably have to be carried out today.
In the end, Nawaki finished breakfast with a pained expression.
"Outside the village is different from inside it. You must remain vigilant at all times."
Tsunade warned them.
"Big sis, don't worry. There won't be any problems."
Nawaki said impatiently, "All right, Natsuki and I are leaving first. Wait for us to come back."
"Behave yourself!"
Tsunade glared at him and said.
Nawaki did not answer. He turned and ran off.
"Natsuki, keep an eye on him for me."
Tsunade's tone softened as she said, "Nawaki is rather reckless."
Nawaki was basically a copy of Uzumaki Naruto.
Though he had an upbeat personality, he did not pay attention to details.
It felt like he did not have a protagonist's fate, but had caught the protagonist's disease.
"I understand."
Natsuki nodded and turned to catch up with Nawaki.
The two of them soon arrived at Orochimaru's residence.
Orochimaru was already waiting outside the door.
"Sensei!"
Nawaki asked excitedly, "What's our first mission?"
"We're heading to the northwest of the Land of Fire to eliminate bandits."
Orochimaru answered, "The mission is C-Rank."
"Why is it only C-Rank?"
Nawaki's expression froze.
"Don't aim too high."
Orochimaru glanced at him and said, "Making C-Rank Mission your first mission is already an exception."
Normally, after becoming shinobi, they could only take D-Rank Missions for quite a long time.
For example, Team 7, where Uzumaki Naruto was assigned, had completed many D-Rank Missions before receiving a C-Rank Mission related to the Land of Waves.
"Are there Rogue Ninja among the bandits?"
After thinking for a moment, Natsuki asked.
"The bandit leader is a Genin, though the client said he might possibly be a Chunin."
Orochimaru said casually, "If he is a Chunin, this mission will be upgraded to B-Rank."
"I'll handle that leader!"
Nawaki blurted out.
"This is a team mission."
Orochimaru reminded him, "And there are quite a few bandits. You need a proper plan."
"Then Nawaki and I will come up with a plan."
Natsuki immediately said.
"Mm."
Orochimaru nodded slightly and said, "Let's go. We can talk on the way."
It was Natsuki and Nawaki's first time going on a mission, and they did not understand many of the details, so their teacher could only explain them.
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