Water Breathing

"Training in Water Release chakra nature transformation can be divided into three stages."

Nawaki paused before saying, "For now, mastering the first stage will be enough for us."

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

Like training in Water Release chakra nature transformation, it was also divided into three stages.

The first stage was using Wind Release to cut through a leaf.

By the second stage, one had to increase the chakra output and use it to cut through a waterfall.

The third stage combined nature transformation with ninjutsu, allowing one to freely use or create Wind Release ninjutsu.

"What do you think is Water Release's greatest characteristic?"

Nawaki took out a sheet of paper and asked.

"Flowing."

Natsuki thought for a moment before answering.

"It's moisture."

Nawaki corrected him. "Our first stage is to use Water Release chakra to soak this entire sheet of paper."

Water Release chakra flowed from his palm.

Before long, the paper in his hand was completely soaked.

"Here."

Nawaki handed him a fresh, dry sheet of paper.

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

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

Meanwhile, Orochimaru arrived at the Hokage Office.

He told Hiruzen Sarutobi about the two Shadow Secret Techniques Natsuki had created.

"Truly incredible."

Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed. "I'm looking forward to seeing what other ninjutsu he creates in the future."

"Natsuki is still young. I hope you can keep his information under wraps as much as possible, Sensei."

Orochimaru reminded him.

"Don't worry. I won't let the other hidden villages notice him too early."

Hiruzen Sarutobi understood what Orochimaru meant and gave him a direct promise.

Natsuki was not only a ninja of the Hokage's lineage, but also an inheritor of the Will of Fire.

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

Hiruzen Sarutobi suddenly laughed.

Both Shadow Space and Shadow Assassin were extremely practical.

But they were high-level Yin Release ninjutsu, and very few ninjas could master them.

The Nara Clan was different. Shadow Secret Techniques were what they excelled at most.

If they could learn these two secret techniques, it would not be an exaggeration to say that the entire clan's strength would rise by a level.

"That depends on whether they can offer a price that satisfies Natsuki."

Orochimaru spoke calmly.

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

As Hokage, he would not openly favor anyone.

Besides, Natsuki was his disciple's disciple. If he were to show favoritism, the Nara Clan would not be the first to benefit.

Time slowly passed.

After an entire day, Natsuki had made no progress.

But he was not in a hurry.

In the original work, Uzumaki Naruto had taken about a month to complete his Wind Release chakra nature transformation training.

That was under the premise that he had used the cheat-like Multi Shadow Clone Technique.

At the time, he could casually create more than a thousand Shadow Clones with the Multi Shadow Clone Technique.

Natsuki thought of the Uzumaki Naruto Template.

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

But that could only remain a thought. He had no way to influence whether it happened.

Natsuki stroked his chin.

He could learn the Shadow Clone Jutsu first.

He now possessed four cards' worth of chakra, enough to support learning the Shadow Clone Jutsu.

Most importantly, he simply had too much to do. Handling everything alone was already becoming impossible.

After learning the Shadow Clone Jutsu, he could have Shadow Clones attend classes and work as cooks at the izakaya while he focused on training.

"Guess who I am?"

A sudden voice rang out behind Natsuki.

"Nonō."

Natsuki answered casually.

"Hmph, you guessed wrong!"

Uzumaki Kushina blocked his path with a displeased expression.

Her cheeks were puffed out, making her look like a hamster stuffing its face.

"Kushina, when did you get back?"

Natsuki asked with a smile.

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

It was said to be a family visit, but Uzumaki Kushina was actually an orphan.

If her parents had been alive, forcing a little girl to go to Konoha would have been far too heartless.

And once she became the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, she would not be allowed to leave Konoha.

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

"I just got back."

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

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

Natsuki had actually guessed it was her, but he had deliberately answered wrong.

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

Uzumaki Kushina was not angry and immediately tossed the matter to the back of her mind.

She asked curiously, "Since when did you start researching Water Release? What about your Shadow Secret Techniques?"

Because he often researched Shadow Secret Techniques, Natsuki frequently read books and materials about Yin Release.

Uzumaki Kushina had seen him do so before, so she knew he was creating Shadow Secret Techniques.

"I've successfully created the Shadow Secret Techniques, but what comes next requires a higher level of Yin Release. I can't meet that requirement for now."

Natsuki explained.

"So quickly?"

Uzumaki Kushina asked curiously, "What kind of Shadow Secret Techniques are they?"

Natsuki demonstrated Shadow Space and Shadow Assassin for her.

"Wow!"

Uzumaki Kushina's eyes lit up. "I want such a convenient Shadow Space too!"

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

"It's a Yin Release ninjutsu, so you might not be able to learn it."

Natsuki shook his head. "But if you want to learn, I'll definitely teach you."

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

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

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

And she had to hurry because Uzumaki Mito's life was nearing its end.

"Mm."

Natsuki also knew what she was facing, so he did not say much.

"Come on, let's eat!"

Uzumaki Kushina grabbed his wrist and headed toward Konoha Orphanage.

She had not eaten food cooked by Natsuki in a long time and was craving it badly.

"Wait."

Natsuki pulled her back. "Let's go to Konoha Hospital and get Nonō first."

Only then did Uzumaki Kushina remember Yakushi Nonō.

She immediately changed direction and headed for Konoha Hospital.

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

"I want Tempura!"

Uzumaki Kushina was the first through the door.

Standing on one leg by the entrance, she slipped off her shoes, revealing her delicate feet wrapped in black thigh-high stockings.

Yakushi Nonō came in after her.

She was not wearing socks, and her delicate feet left no trace as they stepped across the floor.

Natsuki closed the door and headed for the kitchen.

He did not start cooking immediately. Instead, he took a deep breath and used Water Breathing.

During the day, he had been training in Water Release chakra nature transformation, so he had not had the chance to try Water Breathing.

Natsuki immediately heard his powerful heartbeat, followed by astonishing changes in his body.

Strength surged through him, and he felt stronger than ever before.

Natsuki clenched his fist.

For him, Water Breathing's greatest boosts now were to Sword Technique and Taijutsu.

If he fought Nawaki, Uchiha Mikoto, Namikaze Minato, and the others again, he could defeat them with Sword Technique and Taijutsu alone.