First C-Rank Mission

Second Grade Class A's Combat Exam came to an end in the blink of an eye.

Combining the results of yesterday's theory exam, Ishida Yu announced the rankings for this Final Exam.

Without question, Natsuki took 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 learned Wind Release like Minato Namikaze, you might already be in first place."

He was not lying.

The difficulty of learning Sealing Jutsu was far greater than that of ordinary ninjutsu like Water Release.

If Uzumaki Kushina did not study Sealing Jutsu, she could 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. "Minato Namikaze can't beat you, so I probably can't either."

Minato Namikaze looked like he wanted to speak but stopped himself.

So 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 pinned down and beaten for quite some time.

"I agree with that."

Minato Namikaze nodded.

He and Natsuki were friends, but they were also rivals.

Although he had lost today, just as Jiraiya had said, he could not lose confidence.

Natsuki glanced at him.

In the original story, Minato Namikaze had never used Wind Release.

The reason was simple. Wind Release—or rather, most ninjutsu—was unsuitable for the Flying Thunder God Technique.

The jutsu that paired best with it was still the Rasengan.

It required no hand seals, was fast to unleash, and tremendously powerful.

Before the Rasengan was developed, Minato Namikaze most often paired the Flying Thunder God Technique with Kunai and Shuriken.

Senju Tobirama was much the same.

His most famous battle was when he used 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 the vast majority of Ninja.

As always, Ninja were basically all glass cannons.

The only reason Minato Namikaze was using Wind Release now was entirely due to Natsuki's butterfly effect.

He had learned Wind Release solely to defeat him.

Natsuki thought about it. He could try developing the Rasengan ahead of time, or rather, have Minato Namikaze help develop it.

Though he would be stealing Minato Namikaze's idea, if he mastered the Rasengan early, his strength would surely surpass that of the original Minato Namikaze.

"Want to come to my place for lunch?"

Natsuki invited them. "I'll cook myself."

Uzumaki Kushina's eyes immediately lit up, and she quickly nodded.

Thinking of that indescribably wonderful taste, Minato Namikaze agreed without hesitation as well.

Natsuki also called Yakushi Nonō and Nawaki, 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?"

Minato Namikaze's heart suddenly skipped a beat.

"Natsuki suggested it."

Nawaki briefly explained what had happened.

Minato Namikaze could not help but freeze.

He had thought he was already working hard enough, but he had not expected Natsuki to be even more driven than he was.

He had actually come up with a way to get ahead by going on missions early?

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 go on missions too!

After lunch, Minato Namikaze fled at lightning speed.

Natsuki could not help but laugh.

Forcing the future Fourth Hokage to this extent was something he could take pride in.

On the first day of summer vacation,

Natsuki arrived at Tsunade's home.

Her home was near Hokage Rock, within the Senju clan compound. It covered a vast area, but it was rather deserted.

For various reasons, the Senju clan had already integrated into Konoha.

Coupled with the difficulty of reproducing Wood Release, the only well-known members of the Senju clan left now were Tsunade and Nawaki.

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 at once.

"Have you eaten breakfast?"

Tsunade was not surprised by his arrival. "If not, you can eat with us."

"Thank you, Lady Tsunade, but I've already had breakfast."

Natsuki answered.

"Nawaki is still eating. Come in and wait."

Tsunade stepped aside.

Natsuki nodded, took off his shoes, and entered the living room.

He immediately met Nawaki's gaze.

Without needing to say anything, he read three words in it: Save me!

Natsuki could not help but wonder. Was Tsunade's cooking really that bad?

He looked at Nawaki and spread his hands.

You want me to save you, but how?

Should I tell Tsunade her cooking tastes bad and ask her to let me cook?

He would probably have to leave lying down today.

In the end, Nawaki finished breakfast with a look of agony on his face.

"Outside the village is different from inside it. You must remain cautious at all times."

Tsunade reminded them.

"Don't worry, Sis. Nothing will go wrong."

Nawaki said impatiently, "All right, Natsuki and I are leaving. Wait for us to come back."

"Behave yourselves!"

Tsunade glared at him.

Nawaki did not answer and immediately ran off.

"Natsuki, keep an eye on him for me."

Tsunade's tone softened. "Nawaki is rather rash."

Nawaki was basically a copy of Uzumaki Naruto.

Though cheerful by nature, he did not pay attention to details.

He had the flaws of a protagonist without the fate of one.

"I understand."

Natsuki nodded and turned to catch up with Nawaki.

The two soon arrived at Orochimaru's residence.

Orochimaru was already waiting at the door.

"Teacher!"

Nawaki asked excitedly, "What's our first mission?"

"We're going to the northwestern part of the Land of Fire to eliminate Bandits."

Orochimaru answered, "It's a C-rank mission."

"Why is it only C-rank?"

Nawaki's expression froze.

"Don't aim too high."

Orochimaru glanced at him. "Being assigned a C-rank mission for your first mission is already an exception."

Normally, after becoming Ninja, they could only take D-rank missions for quite a long time.

For example, Team 7, which Uzumaki Naruto belonged to, 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 be a Chunin."

Orochimaru said casually, "If he's 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 reasonable plan."

"Then Nawaki and I will come up with a plan."

Natsuki immediately said.

"Mm."

Orochimaru nodded slightly. "Let's go. We'll talk on the way."

It was Natsuki and Nawaki's first mission, and they did not understand many of the details, so their teacher could only explain them.