Water Breathing

"The training for Water Release chakra nature transformation can be divided into three stages."

Nawaki paused for a moment and said, "Mastering the first stage is enough for us right now."

Natsuki suddenly recalled the plot from the original work where Uzumaki Naruto learned Wind Release chakra nature transformation from Sarutobi Asuma.

Just like the training for Water Release chakra nature transformation, it was also divided into three stages.

In the first stage, one uses Wind Release to cut a leaf.

By the second stage, one must increase the input of Wind Release chakra to cut through a waterfall.

The third stage is the combination of nature transformation and ninjutsu, which means freely using or creating one's own Wind Release ninjutsu.

"What do you think is the most important property of Water Release?"

Nawaki took out a piece of paper and asked.

"Flow."

Natsuki thought for a moment and said.

"It's moisture."

Nawaki corrected him, saying, "Our first stage is to use Water Release chakra to completely soak this piece of paper."

Water Release chakra surged from the palm of his hand.

In no time at all, the paper in his hand was completely soaked.

"Here."

Nawaki handed him a new, dry piece of paper.

Natsuki nodded and began his training in Water Release chakra nature transformation alongside him.

Although he possessed the water attribute, his training in Water Release chakra nature transformation was not going smoothly.

At the same time, Orochimaru arrived at the Hokage Office.

He spoke to Hiruzen Sarutobi about the two Shadow Secret Techniques that Natsuki had created.

"It is truly incredible."

Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed with emotion, "I am very much looking forward to what other ninjutsu he might create in the future."

"Natsuki is still young, and I hope you will do your best to keep his information classified, Teacher."

Orochimaru reminded him.

"You can rest assured about that; I will not let other ninja villages take notice of him too early."

Hiruzen Sarutobi understood what Orochimaru was implying, so he gave his promise directly.

Natsuki was not only a ninja of the Hokage's lineage but also a successor to the Will of Fire.

"If the Nara Clan finds out about these two Shadow Secret Techniques, they certainly won't be able to sit still."

Hiruzen Sarutobi suddenly laughed.

Whether it was Shadow Space or Shadow Assassin, both were extremely practical.

However, they were high-difficulty Yin Release ninjutsu, and very few ninjas could learn them.

The Nara Clan was different; they were the most skilled in Shadow Secret Techniques.

If they could learn these two techniques, it would be no exaggeration to say that the strength of their entire clan would rise to a new level.

"That will depend on whether they can pay a price that satisfies Natsuki."

Orochimaru said in a calm tone.

Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded, having no intention of helping the Nara Clan.

As the Hokage, he would not openly favor anyone.

Besides, Natsuki was his grand-disciple; if he were to show favoritism, it wouldn't be toward the Nara Clan first.

Time passed slowly.

After a full day, Natsuki had made no progress.

However, he was not in a hurry.

In the original work, Uzumaki Naruto took about a month to complete the training for Wind Release chakra nature transformation.

And that was only under the premise that he used the cheat-like Multi Shadow Clone Technique.

One had to know that at the time, he could already easily create thousands of shadow clones with the Multi Shadow Clone Technique.

Natsuki thought of the Uzumaki Naruto Template.

At this moment, he even somewhat hoped that Kumogakure would kidnap Uzumaki Kushina sooner, so that he could obtain the Multi Shadow Clone Technique.

However, this was just a thought; he had no way to influence the occurrence of such events.

Natsuki rubbed his chin.

He could start by learning the Shadow Clone Jutsu.

Because he now possessed the Chakra levels of four Kakashis, it was more than enough to support him in learning the Shadow Clone Jutsu.

Most importantly, he had far too many things to do, and one person simply wasn't enough to handle it all.

With the Shadow Clone Jutsu, he could have his shadow clones attend class and work as a chef at the Izakaya, while he focused entirely on his training.

"Guess who I am?"

A sudden voice rang out from behind Natsuki.

"Nonō."

Natsuki said casually.

"Hmph, you guessed wrong!"

Uzumaki Kushina stood in front of him, looking dissatisfied.

She puffed out her cheeks, looking just like a hamster eating food.

"Kushina, when did you get back?"

Natsuki asked with a smile.

After the Ninja Academy went on break, she and Tsunade had returned to the Uzumaki Clan to visit relatives.

Though they called it visiting relatives, Uzumaki Kushina was actually an orphan.

If her parents were still alive, forcing a little girl to come to Konoha would have been too heartless.

Moreover, once she became the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, she would never be allowed to leave Konoha.

From a practical standpoint, Konoha would not want a Nine-Tails Jinchuriki who had close ties to the Uzumaki Clan.

"Just got back."

Uzumaki Kushina pouted, "How could you not recognize my voice?"

"Sorry, I was just thinking about how to create my own Water Release ninjutsu."

Natsuki had actually guessed it was her, but he had said the wrong name on purpose.

Getting to see such a cute side of her was definitely worth it.

Uzumaki Kushina wasn't actually angry and immediately put the matter behind her.

She asked curiously, "When did you start researching Water Release? What about your Shadow Secret Technique?"

Because Natsuki was researching the Shadow Secret Technique, he often read books and materials related to Yin Release.

Uzumaki Kushina had seen this before, so she knew he was creating his own Shadow Secret Technique.

"The Shadow Secret Technique has already been successfully created, but the next steps require a higher level of Yin Release, which I can't reach for the time being."

Natsuki explained.

"That fast?"

Uzumaki Kushina asked curiously, "What kind of Shadow Secret Technique is it?"

Natsuki demonstrated the Shadow Space and Shadow Assassin for her.

"Wow!"

Uzumaki Kushina's eyes lit up, and she said, "I want to have such a convenient Shadow Space too!"

She had taken a liking to the Shadow Space at first glance.

"This is a Yin Release ninjutsu; you might not be able to learn it."

Natsuki shook his head and said, "But if you want to learn it, I will definitely teach you."

"Then I'll learn it when I have time later."

Uzumaki Kushina sighed and said, "I have to hurry up and learn Sealing Jutsu now."

Learning Sealing Jutsu was necessary for becoming the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki.

The reason she had to hurry was that the life of Uzumaki Mito was nearing its end.

"Mm."

Natsuki also knew the situation she was facing, so he didn't say anything more.

"Let's go, let's eat!"

Uzumaki Kushina grabbed his wrist and headed toward the Konoha Orphanage.

She hadn't eaten food made by Natsuki for a long time and was truly craving it.

"Wait."

Natsuki pulled her back and said, "Let's go to the Konoha Hospital to find Nonō first."

Only then did Uzumaki Kushina remember Yakushi Nonō.

She immediately turned and headed toward the Konoha Hospital.

Once the three of them were gathered, they returned to the Konoha Orphanage.

"I want to eat tempura!"

Uzumaki Kushina was the first to enter through the door.

She stood at the entrance, balancing on one leg to kick off her shoes, revealing her fair feet wrapped in black knee-high socks.

Following right behind her was Yakushi Nonō.

She wasn't wearing any socks, and her delicate, fair feet stepped onto the floorboards without leaving a single mark.

Natsuki closed the door and headed toward the kitchen.

He didn't start cooking right away; instead, he took a deep breath and activated Water Breathing.

During the day, he had been training the nature transformation of his Water Release Chakra, so he hadn't had a chance to test out Water Breathing yet.

Natsuki immediately heard the sound of a powerful, rhythmic heartbeat, followed by an astonishing transformation within his body.

Strength surged forth, and he felt stronger than he had ever been before.

Natsuki clenched his fist.

For him, the greatest boost provided by Water Breathing right now was to his Sword Technique and taijutsu.

If he were to fight Nawaki, Uchiha Mikoto, Namikaze Minato, and the others again, he could defeat them using only his Sword Technique and taijutsu.