Danzo's Mission

The first class of the school year was about chakra.

The second class was about learning the twelve common hand seals.

Each class lasted forty minutes, and there were only two classes in the morning.

There were two classes in the afternoon as well: one for reading and writing, and one for drawing.

Minato found this unbelievable. If you excluded the courses exclusive to ninja, the schedule was almost identical to that of an elementary school. They even had fewer classes each day!

Still, though there weren't many classes, they covered a wide range of useful knowledge.

The teaching assistant for the second class didn't just teach the twelve common hand seals. She also explained the hand-seal patterns used for the five chakra natures—for example, how the final seal for Fire Release was usually the Tiger seal.

She also explained how to improve one's hand-seal speed, and how chakra moved differently through the body when forming different seals.

It reminded him of the Chunin Ninja Exams arc in the original story. While everyone else was cheating by all sorts of means, Sakura was the only one honestly answering the questions—and she even got them all right!

During the Chunin Ninja Exams, Sasuke was supposed to be the top overall graduate, yet he couldn't answer a single question.

Judging by that, both the school and the village placed more emphasis on a ninja's combat ability.

But Minato felt that theoretical knowledge couldn't possibly be as useless as the original story made it seem.

Take Orochimaru's Cursed Seal, for example.

It was very similar to the Otsutsuki Clan's Karma. You could even think of it as a cheap knockoff.

That also made Minato wonder: had the Otsutsuki Clan always been so powerful?

Probably not.

The descendants of the Sage of Six Paths' younger brother, Hamura Otsutsuki, who lived on the moon, should have had a fairly pure bloodline. Yet the only trait they displayed was the Byakugan.

That gave Minato an idea.

Perhaps the original Otsutsuki Clan had been much like humans. They had only evolved to their present state through constant research into chakra.

Their method of evolution was to cultivate the God Tree, use it to absorb Natural Energy, and refine that energy into fruit. Minato had known all of this even before he came to this world.

Could humans follow a similar path?

For instance, they could create a medium like the God Tree, one capable of absorbing Natural Energy.

Then, through some kind of process, they could convert Natural Energy into chakra that the human body could absorb, completing their evolution.

Minato thought it was highly feasible!

Later, he could try to trick... suggest that Orochimaru research this direction.

Actually, Orochimaru was probably the easiest person in the Shinobi World to satisfy.

All he wanted was immortality, and within the chakra system, that wasn't impossible.

Unfortunately, his desires had blinded him, and all he could think about was stealing other people's bodies.

Why take over someone else's body when you could grow your own clone, perfectly suited to you?

Minato barely paid attention during the two afternoon classes. His mind was full of ideas about chakra technology.

The dismissal bell rang.

"Class dismissed!"

As soon as the teacher spoke, Minato vanished from the classroom.

He already knew how persistent the girls in his class could be. If he didn't leave quickly, they'd surely surround him again.

He went to the third-year floor and took a look. Nawaki and the others were still in class, so Minato left first.

As expected, older students couldn't have just four classes a day like the new students.

As Minato was thinking this over, he spotted a familiar figure at the school gate.

"Teacher Tsunade, what are you doing here?"

"Why, I'm here to pick you up, of course!"

Tsunade chuckled and lightly flicked Minato on the forehead.

"I don't need to explain how special your status is, do I? I might come pick you up not just today, but for the next few years. If I can't make it, someone else will. That is, unless I decide you're strong enough to handle a certain level of danger."

Minato nodded. "Sorry for the trouble, Sensei."

"You've got a sweet tongue, I'll give you that."

Tsunade gave a soft snort, the corners of her mouth lifting almost imperceptibly. "Nawaki never got this kind of treatment! Don't you think you should repay me?"

"What would you like to eat, Sensei?"

Minato immediately understood what Tsunade meant.

"Hehe, you catch on quick. You can cook more than stir-fry, right?"

Tsunade licked her lips. "I've been eating stir-fry for days. I want something different."

"How about barbecue?"

"Barbecue... doesn't sound very exciting."

"I'm pretty good at cooking. Want to give it a try?"

"Oh?"

Tsunade raised an eyebrow. "Since you're so confident, all right. I'll give you a chance to show off."

The two exchanged a look, then laughed together.

From a distance, Nonō watched them at the entrance to the school building, a hint of envy in her eyes.

Then she quickly suppressed that envy and headed alone toward the outskirts of the village.

Before long, she arrived at a hidden underground base.

An Anbu ninja wearing an animal mask led her to a room deep within the base.

"Lord Danzo."

Nonō cautiously watched the man in the room.

"How is the mission progressing?"

Danzo sat at a low table.

"I've successfully made contact with the target."

Thinking of that bright, wholesome face, Nonō felt a little guilty. Minato had guessed correctly: Danzo had indeed sent her to get close to him.

"The target arrived just as class began. By chance, he sat beside me. So far, we're getting along well."

"Good work."

Danzo nodded slightly, a hint of satisfaction in his eyes. "Tell me, what do you think of him?"

"He's an excellent person, far better than I am."

Nonō answered without hesitation. "He's very gentle and kind."

"Kind..."

Danzo gave an inscrutable chuckle. "That's not something a ninja should be. But so be it. I've observed that child, and he really doesn't have the traits people like us possess."

"Traits?"

Nonō was confused.

"Some people are born to bask in the sunlight. Not even the shadows can hide their light. Minato Namikaze is one of them. I wouldn't be surprised if the Third Hokage was grooming him to be his successor."

Danzo glanced at her, his tone somewhat complicated.

"People like him are always too naïve, especially when they have such great power... To keep that power from harming the village, it must be kept in check."

"And you are the bond that will keep him in check. You're both orphans, but because you grew up in an orphanage, you can see the reality and darkness he cannot. That has made you more clear-headed than the other children. In that respect, we're alike."

Nonō fell silent.

She wanted to say, Who's like you? The only one in the dark here is you, you old bastard!

Of course, she only thought it.

As an orphan, she had no right to show her true self in front of Danzo.

Nonō clearly remembered how, just a few days earlier, Danzo had suddenly appeared at the orphanage where she lived. He said the village was planning to select some talented children for special training.

In the end, Danzo chose her because of her sweet appearance and calm, quiet personality, then brought her to Root.

Danzo had given her only one task.

No matter what, she had to form an unbreakable emotional bond with the mission's target, Minato Namikaze.