"Good thing you haven't completely mastered the Shuriken Shadow Clone Technique. Otherwise, I wouldn't have been able to block it at all."
Natsuki walked up to Namikaze Minato, extended his hand, and spoke.
"You're still as humble as ever."
Namikaze Minato took his hand and got to his feet, shaking his head.
He might not have been able to block it, but he could have dodged it. Natsuki still could have defeated him.
Especially the Shadow Assassin and Fox Demon Arts he had just used—there was no way Minato could deal with them.
"I'm telling the truth."
Natsuki chuckled.
"I'll keep working hard."
Namikaze Minato spoke with a serious tone.
"I won't let you catch up to me that easily either."
Natsuki nodded.
After exchanging a few simple words, the two stepped down from the field.
Third Grade Class A's exam continued.
But everyone's attention remained fixed on Natsuki and Namikaze Minato's battle.
Compared to the other matches, theirs had been far too dazzling, with one Ninjutsu after another appearing in rapid succession.
"Kushina, are you going back to the Uzumaki Clan during winter break?"
Natsuki asked casually.
"I'll go back for the New Year."
Uzumaki Kushina explained, "I can't stay there for too long right now because I need to train in Sealing Jutsu."
Natsuki's heart stirred.
It seemed Uzumaki Mito's condition had already become quite severe.
He thought again of the Uzumaki Clan.
Next year, they would be fourth-years.
In the original story, Uzumaki Kushina and Namikaze Minato graduated in their fifth year—the year the Second Ninja World War fully erupted.
In other words, the Uzumaki Clan could be wiped out at any moment.
But when would it happen?
A flash of insight suddenly struck Natsuki.
The Uzumaki Clan and Konoha were allies.
To destroy the Uzumaki Clan, whoever did it would have to hide it from Konoha—or strike while Konoha was too occupied to respond.
The war in the Land of Rain was already extremely intense.
Especially between Iwagakure and Sunagakure.
According to the original plot, it would not be long before Amegakure declared war on Iwagakure, Sunagakure, and Konoha.
When that happened, Konoha would enter the war and focus all its attention on the conflict.
Natsuki did not know whether his analysis was correct, but it was certainly worth keeping an eye on.
An event as major as Amegakure declaring war would spread throughout the entire Ninja World.
The problem was still how to warn them.
Unless he had conclusive evidence.
Otherwise, not only would no one trust him, he would also fall under suspicion.
"Natsuki, are you going out on missions during winter break?"
Uzumaki Kushina asked expectantly. "Can you take me with you?"
"I'll ask the teacher when the time comes."
Natsuki considered it before answering.
"I'm going out on a mission too."
Namikaze Minato suddenly said.
"Who are your teammates?"
Natsuki asked curiously.
"They're two senior Genin. Their team happened to be short one person."
Namikaze Minato explained.
Being a Ninja was an extremely dangerous profession.
Three-person Ninja squads often lost members because of a single mission.
When that happened, they had to be replenished.
They either recruited from newly graduated Genin or merged with another undermanned squad.
In the original story, even Hatake Kakashi, years after graduation, could still be placed on a team with Uchiha Obito and Nohara Rin because of this rule.
After the Combat Exam ended, Ishida Yu announced Third Grade Class A's Final Exam rankings for the second semester.
The top three were still Natsuki, Namikaze Minato, and Uzumaki Kushina.
"Everyone, see you next January. Have fun during winter break."
As Ishida Yu finished his final sentence, the students of Third Grade Class A all went home.
The Nara Clan compound.
The current head of the Nara Clan was not Nara Shikaku, but his father, Nara Shikaisuke.
Nara Shikaisuke was the head instructor of Konoha's Jonin Class.
But he relied on his intelligence, not his strength.
He had many duties, one of which was analyzing intelligence.
Just moments ago, he had received intelligence regarding Natsuki.
During his battle with Namikaze Minato, Natsuki had seemingly used a Shadow Secret Technique.
Nara Shikaisuke's first thought was that Orochimaru had violated Konoha's rules and taught the Nara Clan's secret technique to Natsuki.
But after reading the report, he discovered that the Shadow Secret Technique Natsuki used was unfamiliar.
"Did he create it himself?"
Nara Shikaisuke unconsciously clasped his hands together.
Natsuki's genius had long since become widely known throughout Konoha.
Among Konoha's upper ranks, even more details had spread—for example, that Natsuki was also a genius capable of creating his own Ninjutsu.
"Hiding one's body within shadows can not only be used for sneak attacks, but also to evade physical attacks."
Nara Shikaisuke could not help saying, "If the Nara Clan could obtain it, our strength would rise considerably."
After thinking for a long time, he decided he could speak with Natsuki.
Meanwhile, after Natsuki and Uzumaki Kushina finished lunch, they arrived at Orochimaru's residence.
Now that winter break had begun, he would have more time to train and take on missions.
Natsuki took out the Sword of the Thunder God.
He had already learned Uchiha Style Sword Technique. What he was learning now was the sword technique Orochimaru had taught him.
It had no name and was something Orochimaru had created himself.
In the original story, Second Pillar had learned it as well.
Not far away, Nawaki—or rather, two Nawakis—were also training.
His original body trained in Taijutsu, while his Shadow Clone trained in Water Release.
It had taken him two semesters to learn the Shadow Clone Jutsu, while Natsuki had yet to master it.
His talent for Ninjutsu really was utterly ordinary.
Fortunately, he had at least gotten the basics down. By the end of this winter break, he would most likely master it.
Before long, someone knocked on the door.
Natsuki was slightly startled and put away the Sword of the Thunder God.
He walked to the entrance and opened the door. Outside stood a very unfamiliar young Ninja.
"Are you Natsuki?"
The young Ninja introduced himself. "I'm Nara Shikaisuke. Shikaku is my son."
"I'm Natsuki."
Natsuki nodded and asked, "Clan Head Shikaisuke, are you here to see my teacher?"
"No, I'm here to see you."
Nara Shikaisuke spoke very directly. "The Nara Clan can exchange our existing Shadow Secret Techniques for the Shadow Secret Technique you created."
Natsuki raised an eyebrow.
So he had come for his Shadow Secret Technique.
It had to be said, his Shadow Secret Technique truly suited the Nara Clan.
So, should he make the trade?
Natsuki was inclined to accept.
To him, the Shadow Secret Technique was merely an ability from a Character Template.
He would obtain more Character Templates and abilities in the future.
Most importantly, the Nara Clan possessed something he wanted: medicinal herbs.
The Nara Clan was Konoha's largest supplier of medicinal herbs.
Natsuki's Red Healing Potion: Blood of God and Stamina Recovery Potion required quite a few precious ingredients.
He would not hand these two formulas over to Konoha, so Konoha would not provide him with ingredients for free as it did for the Blue Healing Potion.
"I don't want the Nara Clan's Shadow Secret Techniques."
Natsuki shook his head.
Even if he obtained the Nara Clan's Shadow Secret Techniques, he would still have to learn them himself. What a hassle.
"I want the Nara Clan to provide me with medicinal herbs for free."
Natsuki stated his terms.
Nara Shikaisuke could not help but freeze.
Provide medicinal herbs?
He suddenly remembered something. Natsuki was close to Tsunade, and Yakushi Nonō was even Tsunade's student.
"Agreed."
Nara Shikaisuke accepted without much thought.
Medicinal herbs were merely external possessions to the Nara Clan. If they ran out, they could find more or cultivate more.
Shadow Secret Techniques were different. They were the foundation of the clan and the source of its strength.
As long as the Nara Clan continued to exist, medicinal herbs would keep flowing without end.
Before you continue