Request from the Nara Clan

"It's fortunate you haven't fully mastered the Shuriken Shadow Clone Technique, otherwise, I wouldn't have been able to block it at all."

Natsuki walked over to Namikaze Minato, extended his hand, and spoke.

"You're still as humble as ever."

Namikaze Minato grabbed his hand, stood up, shook his head, and replied.

He couldn't block it, but he could dodge; Natsuki could still defeat him.

Especially with the Shadow Assassin and Fox Demon Arts he had just displayed, he had absolutely no way to counter them.

"I'm telling the truth."

Natsuki chuckled and said.

"I will continue to work hard."

Namikaze Minato said with a serious tone.

"I won't let you catch up to me that easily, either."

Natsuki nodded and said.

The two exchanged a few brief words before stepping off the field.

The exam for Third Grade Class A continued.

But everyone's attention was still on the battle between Natsuki and Namikaze Minato.

Compared to the other fights, theirs had been far too flashy, with all sorts of ninjutsu emerging one after another.

"Kushina, are you going back to the Uzumaki Clan during winter break?"

Natsuki asked casually.

"I'm going back during the New Year."

Uzumaki Kushina explained, "I can't stay away for too long right now because I need to practice Sealing Jutsu."

Natsuki's heart stirred.

It seemed that the condition of Uzumaki Mito was already very dire.

He thought of the Uzumaki Clan again.

By next year, they would be in the fourth grade.

In the original story, Uzumaki Kushina and Namikaze Minato graduated in their fifth year, which was the year the Second Ninja World War fully erupted.

In other words, the Uzumaki Clan could be wiped out at any moment.

When would it happen?

A flash of inspiration suddenly struck Natsuki.

Because the Uzumaki Clan and Konoha were allies.

To destroy the Uzumaki Clan, one would have to keep it hidden from Konoha, or rather, strike when Konoha was spread too thin.

Currently, the war in the Land of Rain was already being fought quite intensely.

Especially with Iwagakure and Sunagakure.

According to the plot of the original story, it wouldn't be long before Amegakure declared war on Iwagakure, Sunagakure, and Konoha.

When that time came, Konoha would join the war and focus on the conflict.

Natsuki didn't know if his analysis was correct, but it was certainly worth keeping an eye on.

A major event like Amegakure declaring war would result in news reaching the entire ninja world.

The only problem remained how to sound the alarm.

Unless he had concrete evidence.

Otherwise, not only would he not be trusted, but he would also be viewed with suspicion.

"Natsuki, are you going 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 thought for a moment and said.

"I'm going out on a mission, too."

Namikaze Minato suddenly said.

"Who are your teammates?"

Natsuki asked curiously.

"They're two Genin seniors; their team just happens to be short a person."

Namikaze Minato explained.

Being a ninja is a high-risk profession.

Three-man ninja squads often end up with missing members due to a single mission.

In such cases, replacements are made.

They either find someone from the newly graduated Genin or merge with other squads that are also short-handed.

In the original story, the reason Hatake Kakashi, Uchiha Obito, and Nohara Rin were on a team years after graduation was precisely because of this regulation.

After the Combat Exam ended, Ishida Yu announced the final rankings for the second semester of Third Grade Class A.

The top three remained Natsuki, Namikaze Minato, and Uzumaki Kushina.

"Students, I will see you all in January. Have a fun winter break."

As Ishida Yu finished his final sentence, everyone in Third Grade Class A headed home.

The compound of the Nara Clan.

The current head of the Nara Clan is not Nara Shikaku, but his father, Nara Shikaisuke.

Nara Shikaisuke is the leader of the Jonin squad in Konoha.

However, he relies on his intelligence, not his raw strength.

He has many responsibilities, one of which is analyzing intelligence.

Just a moment ago, he received a report regarding Natsuki.

It stated that during his battle with Namikaze Minato, he had seemingly used a Shadow Secret Technique.

Nara Shikaisuke's first reaction was that Orochimaru had violated Konoha's regulations by teaching their clan's secret technique to Natsuki.

But after reading the report, he realized the Shadow Secret Technique Natsuki used was unfamiliar.

Did he create it himself?

Nara Shikaisuke instinctively pressed his hands together.

Natsuki's genius had long since spread throughout Konoha.

Among the higher-ups in Konoha, the rumors were even more extensive, such as Natsuki being a genius capable of creating his own ninjutsu.

"Hiding oneself within a shadow can be used not only for sneak attacks but also to evade physical attacks."

Nara Shikaisuke couldn't help but say, "If the Nara Clan could obtain this, our strength would increase by a significant margin."

After pondering for a long time, he decided it would be worth talking to Natsuki.

Meanwhile, after Natsuki finished lunch with Uzumaki Kushina and the others, he 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 mastered the Uchiha Style Sword Technique, and he was now learning the swordsmanship taught by Orochimaru.

It had no name, as it was something Orochimaru had created himself.

In the original story, Uchiha Sasuke had also learned it.

Not far away, Nawaki, or rather two Nawakis, were also training.

His original body was practicing taijutsu, while his Shadow Clone was practicing Water Release.

He had spent two semesters learning the Shadow Clone Jutsu, but Natsuki had yet to master it.

When it came to talent for ninjutsu, he was truly unremarkable.

However, fortunately, he had at least gotten his foot in the door; he would likely master it by the end of this winter break.

Not long after, a knock sounded at the door.

Natsuki was slightly startled and put away the Sword of the Thunder God.

He walked to the entrance and opened the door to find a young ninja he didn't recognize.

"Are you Natsuki?"

The young ninja introduced himself, "I am Nara Shikaisuke. Shikaku is my son."

"I am Natsuki."

Natsuki nodded and asked, "Clan Head Shikaisuke, are you here to see my teacher?"

"No, I am here to see you."

Nara Shikaisuke said very directly, "The Nara Clan is willing to trade 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 that his shadow technique was indeed very well-suited for the Nara Clan.

So, should he trade it or not?

Natsuki was inclined to trade.

To him, the Shadow Secret Technique was merely an ability from a character template.

He would obtain many more character templates and abilities in the future.

The most important thing was that the Nara Clan possessed something he wanted: medicinal herbs.

The Nara Clan was the largest supplier of medicinal herbs in Konoha.

Natsuki's Red Healing Potion: Blood of God and Stamina Recovery Potion required quite a few precious medicinal ingredients.

He would not hand over the formulas for these two to Konoha, so the village would not provide him with free materials as they did for the Blue Healing Potion.

"I don't want your Nara Clan's Shadow Secret Technique."

Natsuki shook his head and said.

If he took the Nara Clan's Shadow Secret Technique, he would have to learn it himself, which would be far too troublesome.

"I want your Nara Clan to provide me with medicinal herbs for free."

Natsuki stated his objective.

Nara Shikaisuke couldn't help but be stunned.

Provide medicinal herbs?

He suddenly recalled something: Natsuki was very close to Tsunade, and Yakushi Nonō was even Tsunade's student.

"Agreed."

Nara Shikaisuke accepted without much thought.

To the Nara Clan, medicinal herbs were external possessions; if they ran out, they could simply find more or cultivate them again.

The Shadow Secret Technique was different; it was the foundation of their clan and the root of their strength.

As long as the Nara Clan continued to exist, the supply of medicinal herbs would be endless.