Mikoto's Promise

"Thank you."

Uchiha Mikoto spoke gratefully.

What Natsuki had just suggested was undoubtedly the best solution.

In a proper spar, she had no guarantee of victory.

If she lost again, Uchiha Fugaku and the Uchiha Clan would surely be even more disappointed in her.

"It's nothing."

Natsuki said with a smile, "Consider it payment for helping me obtain a Summoning Beast."

"To me, it's no small matter."

Uchiha Mikoto shook her head and said seriously, "I owe you a favor."

Seeing her insist, Natsuki found it difficult to refuse.

All he could say was that life was not easy for a normal person in the Uchiha Clan.

He changed the subject and got down to business.

No time like the present. Natsuki and Uchiha Mikoto began sparring right there.

After three sparring matches, both of them sat on the ground, drenched in sweat and resting.

"You... during those sparring matches just now..."

Before Uchiha Mikoto could finish, she was interrupted.

"I didn't go easy on you."

Natsuki caught his breath and said, "A win is a win, and a loss is a loss."

After four sparring matches, the final result was just as he had said: they each won twice.

Uchiha Mikoto fell silent.

The result was too perfect, making it hard for her not to suspect that Natsuki had manipulated it somehow.

Natsuki had actually been telling the truth.

His biggest problem right now was his lack of Chakra.

Fighting three consecutive matches consumed a great deal of Chakra.

Uchiha Mikoto was different. She was four years older and had considerably more Chakra than Natsuki.

Of course, Natsuki had gained something too.

The second and third abilities of his Shippo Template were now one-third unlocked.

Unfortunately, the requirement was to defeat three Ninja, not defeat one Ninja three times.

"If there's ever anything I can help with, remember to come find me."

Uchiha Mikoto wiped the sweat from her forehead and made her promise.

"I will."

Natsuki rose to his feet and said, "It's about time. I need to go see my teacher. See you next time."

"See you next time."

Uchiha Mikoto replied at once.

Natsuki turned and headed toward Konoha.

Uchiha Mikoto watched his retreating figure. Only long after he had vanished did she come back to her senses.

She let out a breath and left the Forest of Death.

After returning to the Uchiha Clan grounds, Uchiha Mikoto went straight to see Uchiha Fugaku.

"What is it?"

Uchiha Fugaku asked coolly.

He had only recently become clan head and was exceptionally busy.

Besides, Uchiha Mikoto was only twelve, so naturally he had no interest in romance.

"I went to see Natsuki again today."

Uchiha Mikoto answered, "We fought three matches, and I won two. Including yesterday's match, it's two wins and two losses overall."

"I received word today that Natsuki has officially become Orochimaru's student."

Uchiha Fugaku looked at her and said, "Winning two out of three today was well done."

Uchiha Mikoto was immediately somewhat surprised.

She had not expected Natsuki to have already formally become Orochimaru's student.

Even under those circumstances, he had still been willing to lose two matches to her. That was truly quite a sacrifice.

Perhaps Orochimaru would punish him after he returned.

"Although you defeated Natsuki today, you still need to work hard."

Uchiha Fugaku said in a deep voice.

At present, the only people in the Uchiha Clan who could be called geniuses were him and Uchiha Mikoto.

As one of the great Ninja clans, the Uchiha Clan also needed geniuses to uphold its reputation.

Beyond that, an invisible rivalry had always existed between the Uchiha Clan and the Hyuga Clan.

The Hyuga Clan now also had two geniuses: Hyuga Hiashi and Hizashi Hyuga.

"Yes, Clan Head."

Uchiha Mikoto nodded.

"Go train."

With the discussion over, Uchiha Fugaku dismissed her.

Uchiha Mikoto turned and went home.

She took off her shoes, stepped barefoot onto the carpet, and entered the living room.

Uchiha Mikoto leaned against the sofa and looked up at the ceiling.

After a moment of daze, Natsuki appeared in her mind again.

Meanwhile, Natsuki went to see Orochimaru and told him about sparring with Uchiha Mikoto again.

"Being able to tie with Uchiha Mikoto is already quite good."

After hearing him out, Orochimaru said indifferently, "She has merely studied four years longer than you. With your talent, you'll soon surpass her."

"But I hope to spar more with Ninja who use Genjutsu and Fire Release, so I can gain combat experience."

Natsuki nodded and stated his true purpose. "It's difficult to find opponents like that at the academy."

He had brought up Uchiha Mikoto precisely to get Orochimaru to find suitable opponents for him, allowing him to unlock the Shippo Template.

"Since you wish to gain combat experience, then let's do it thoroughly."

Orochimaru pondered for a moment and said, "I'll find you several missions involving Ninja who use Genjutsu and Fire Release."

Missions?

Though it had not been part of Natsuki's plan, upon further consideration, this suggestion was even better.

After all, it could also unlock the Megumi Fushiguro Template, killing two birds with one stone.

"Thank you, Sensei."

Natsuki said immediately.

In the blink of an eye, Friday arrived.

"Natsuki, what rank do you think this mission is?"

As they walked, Nawaki asked.

"Most likely B-rank."

Natsuki answered.

"That's what I thought too."

Nawaki shook his head and said, "I wonder when we'll get to take on A-rank missions."

"A-rank missions involve Special Jonin and Jonin. We're not strong enough yet."

Natsuki said casually, "Unless we encounter a Special Jonin who isn't good at fighting."

Special Jonin were Ninja who excelled in certain areas. In practice, they were considered Chunin.

For example, Ebisu had become a Special Jonin because he excelled at teaching.

Another example was Mitaraishi Anko, who had become a Special Jonin because she excelled at intelligence gathering and reconnaissance.

The two of them soon arrived at Konoha's entrance.

"Sensei."

Natsuki and Nawaki hurried forward to greet him.

"This mission is A-rank. The target is Yasuda, an Iwagakure spy who infiltrated the Land of Fire's capital."

Orochimaru began his introduction. "He is a Genjutsu Ninja skilled in intelligence gathering."

"It's actually A-rank?"

Nawaki asked with a delighted expression.

"This will test your ability to deal with Genjutsu Ninja."

Orochimaru glanced at him.

"Sensei, we definitely won't disappoint you."

Nawaki immediately promised, "After all, you specifically taught us how to dispel ninjutsu."

"Although Yasuda has not reached Jonin level, he is stronger than most Chunin."

Orochimaru warned, "If you want to defeat him, you must proceed cautiously."

Natsuki fell into thought.

The Shippo Template's unlock condition only required him to defeat someone. It did not specify whether it had to be a frontal battle or an assassination.

The Megumi Fushiguro Template, meanwhile, required assassination.

He quickly came up with an idea: first, find a way to assassinate Yasuda, such as poisoning him.

If Yasuda did not die, then Nawaki and he could finish him off.

After their brief exchange, the three of them headed for the Land of Fire's capital.