Looking at the Crystal Ball on his desk, Third Sarutobi Hiruzen wore a faint, secretive smile. He spoke into the empty room: "Go investigate that kid."
As soon as Sarutobi Hiruzen finished speaking, a shadow darted out of the empty room and shot through the window at incredible speed.
The story that followed still unfolded along the original lines. Naruto used the "Multi-Shadow Clone" Technique he had learned from the Scroll of Seals to defeat Mizuki.
After returning home, Kamizuki went to his bedroom. Once he had washed up, he sat cross-legged on his tatami mat and sent his consciousness into his mindscape, where he examined the forbidden techniques from the Scroll of Seals that had been flowing through his mind.
Only after entering his mindscape did Kamizuki discover that the Scroll of Seals really did contain quite a few powerful forbidden techniques.
The first technique was also the simplest: the "Multi-Shadow Clone" Technique, Naruto's favorite move.
The second was a technique created by the Third: the "Shuriken Shadow Clone" Technique. It used a shuriken as its base and created numerous shadow clones to confuse the enemy.
The third was Language Violence, which physically attacked a target by some unknown method.
The fourth was Dead Soul, which allowed the user to control corpses for a limited time.
The fifth was the Dead Demon Consuming Seal (Sealing Jutsu)—a technique that used the caster's soul as a contract. The caster offered their soul to the Shinigami as food, after which the Shinigami pulled both the caster's and the opponent's souls from their bodies and devoured them. It was a sealing technique that killed both the caster and the enemy.
The sixth was Soul Transfer: a forbidden technique that transferred the user's soul into someone else's body. It could only be used once every three years.
The seventh was the Summoning Technique: a technique that allowed the user to make a contract with a certain summoning beast and call it forth whenever and wherever they wished.
The eighth was the Flying Thunder God Technique: a high-level Body Flicker Technique developed by the Second, Senju Tobirama. It used a formula to achieve instantaneous movement. The caster left the Flying Thunder God Formula wherever their body could reach. If an enemy touched or approached one of these marks, they risked being sealed or killed by it.
There were many other forbidden techniques, but Kamizuki chose to study only the ones that would be useful to him.
After a month of study and constant practice, Kamizuki had finally gained a basic grasp of the few forbidden techniques he had selected.
The day after Kamizuki had gained a basic grasp of the ninjutsu he had learned from the Scroll of Seals, his team, Genma Team, received an A-Rank mission.
The details of the A-Rank mission were as follows:
The Feudal Lord of the Land of Waves needed to travel to the Land of Tea to discuss several matters between the two countries with its feudal lord. Since the journey was long, he was very concerned for his safety along the way.
At the suggestion of one of his ministers, the Feudal Lord of the Land of Waves decided to entrust the protection for the entire round trip between the Land of Waves and the Land of Tea to the Hidden Leaf Village in the Land of Fire.
The Land of Waves' diplomatic envoy issued the A-Rank mission at the Hidden Leaf Village, coordinating with the reception staff at the Hokage Building.
In the end, Genma's team successfully took the A-Rank mission issued by the Land of Waves.
After accepting the mission, Genma Shiranui told Kamizuki, Taichi, and Mangetsu to go home and prepare early. They were to meet at the gate of Konoha at seven the next morning, then set out for the Land of Waves right away.
Once Genma had given his instructions, the four of them went their separate ways and headed home to prepare.
When Kamizuki got home, he first went to Hiashi's study. He briefly explained that his team had accepted an A-Rank mission and would be heading to the Land of Waves the next day.
Hiashi had little to say. He simply reminded Kamizuki to be careful on the road, then sent him off to get ready.
It took Kamizuki about two hours to prepare everything he might need for the mission. To be safe, he also packed plenty of things that might come in handy during a fight.
Although Kamizuki now had the strength of a mid-Kage-level ninja, and this A-Rank mission shouldn't be too difficult, there was no need for him to prepare much.
But Kamizuki felt that for now, it was best to keep his abilities as hidden as possible.
So he had to pack extra items that might come in handy in battle, things that could help him without exposing his true strength.
In fact, Kamizuki usually carried at least a few tools for self-defense, the kind he might need in a fight.
Once he had finished preparing, Kamizuki went to the front yard, where he saw Hinata and Hanabi sparring.
Hanabi was seven now and attended the Ninja Academy. She really was talented.
She was only a second-year student at the Ninja Academy, yet her strength wasn't far behind Hinata's, even though Hinata had just become a Genin.
Over the years, Kamizuki had carefully trained his little sister. Ahem—no, carefully nurtured her. She had lost the haughty attitude she had in the original story and had become a truly sweet, well-behaved little girl.
After finishing her spar with Hinata, Hanabi spotted Kamizuki watching her from the side with a gentle smile.
She bounced over to him happily and threw herself into his arms. Looking up at him with a cute smile, she asked:
"Second Brother, what do you think of my Gentle Fist?"
Kamizuki looked at the little girl he had raised himself. With an affectionate smile, he gently patted Hanabi's head and told her:
"Who knew our little girl would improve so quickly? You're doing great."
Hearing Kamizuki praise her made Hanabi even happier.
When Hinata heard him praise Hanabi, she felt she had no talent and was too stupid. It seemed like it wouldn't be long before even her adorable little sister surpassed her.
Hinata felt more and more useless. Seeing how close she was to tears, Kamizuki guessed what she was thinking.
He put an arm around Hanabi, went over to Hinata, and comforted her.
Hinata was such a kind girl. After a few reassuring words from Kamizuki, her faint confidence flared back to life.
At last, the next day arrived. Kamizuki got up early, slung a large scroll over his back, and headed toward the gates of Konoha.
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