Chapter 28: Chapter 28: Minato’s Lack of Confidence

After selecting the ninja cat, Hina handed Natsuki a contract scroll.

He signed his name, officially becoming a contractor of the Ninja Cat clan.

Natsuki didn’t linger. After bidding Granny Cat farewell, he hurried back with his new companion.

"My name is Shirayuki, meow."

Shirayuki bounced excitedly around Natsuki.

As expected of a cat. Truly full of energy.

Natsuki smiled. "What abilities do you have?"

"I can help you deliver intelligence and buy ninja tools."

Shirayuki replied.

"Those are standard Ninja Cat clan abilities. What about your own?"

Natsuki asked again.

"I’m very fast, and my claws are extremely sharp—comparable to kunai!"

Shirayuki extended her fluffy paws. With a soft snikt, razor-sharp claws emerged.

Natsuki nodded.

He estimated Shirayuki’s combat power was roughly equivalent to an ordinary Genin.

But that was fine. One couldn’t expect a cat to possess world-ending power.

[Congratulations, Host. You have acquired the Ninja Cat: Shirayuki.]

[When summoned using the Ten Shadows Technique, Shirayuki’s speed is permanently increased by 30%.]

Natsuki raised an eyebrow.

A 30% enhancement exceeded his expectations.

For a ninja cat, 30% extra speed might not seem dramatic—but what about the snakes, toads, and slugs of the Three Great Sage Regions?

That said, judging from the technique’s description, each summoning beast probably received a different type of enhancement.

"Natsuki, is this your cat?"

The moment Natsuki walked into Orochimaru’s residence, Nawaki’s voice rang out.

"I’m Shirayuki, meow."

Shirayuki raised a paw and waved.

"Pretty cute."

Nawaki praised immediately.

"I went to Granny Cat’s shop for ninja tools and picked up a summoning beast while I was there."

Natsuki replied.

"I see."

Nawaki looked at Shirayuki. "When I have time, I’ll go get one too."

"Ninja cats aren’t suited for you."

Natsuki shook his head. "I think you should look for a summoning beast with sensory abilities."

"Sensory abilities?"

Nawaki blinked, not understanding.

"Neither of us are sensory-type ninjas. After graduation, we’ll be vulnerable to traps and ambushes."

Natsuki explained.

"You really do think of everything."

Nawaki sighed.

"How about a ninja hound?"

Natsuki suggested. "We can visit the Inuzuka clan and ask for one."

The Inuzuka clan was famous for raising ninja hounds. Their inherited techniques were closely tied to their canine partners.

"But I don’t know any Inuzuka ninjas."

Nawaki scratched his head.

"Your sister definitely does."

Natsuki reminded him.

"Then let’s go to Konoha Hospital together after training!"

Nawaki said immediately.

"Sounds good."

Natsuki nodded.

His suggestion wasn’t solely for the Ten Shadows Technique.

In the original timeline, Nawaki had died to an explosive tag trap.

But with a ninja hound, there was a high probability of avoiding that fate.

Ninja hounds possessed an extraordinarily keen sense of smell. They could detect explosive tags—or the lingering scent of whoever had set them.

After their conversation, Natsuki drew the Sword of the Thunder God and began practicing Konoha-Style Kenjutsu.

After nearly two months of training, he had already mastered most of the style.

The only technique still beyond his reach was the ultimate form: the Crescent Moon Dance.

Because the Crescent Moon Dance incorporated the Shadow Clone Jutsu.

With his limited ninjutsu talent, learning the Shadow Clone Jutsu would take considerable time.

Besides, the Uzumaki Naruto template already contained the Multiple Shadow Clone Jutsu. There was no need to learn the lesser version.

The two were essentially the same technique—except the standard Shadow Clone Jutsu had limits on how many clones could be created.

The sun set in the west.

Natsuki and Nawaki finished training. After saying goodbye to Orochimaru, they headed to Konoha Hospital.

"Sister!"

Nawaki spotted Tsunade from a distance and shouted.

Standing beside Tsunade was Yakushi Nonou.

When she saw Natsuki, her eyes brightened—but her attention was quickly captured by Shirayuki.

"Here."

Natsuki picked up Shirayuki and placed her in Nonou’s arms.

A warm smile spread across Nonou’s face.

"Sister, do you know any ninjas from the Inuzuka clan?"

Nawaki turned to Tsunade. "Natsuki and I want ninja hounds as summoning beasts."

"Are there any ninjas in Konoha that I don’t know?"

Tsunade said proudly. "Plenty of Inuzuka owe me favors. They’ll definitely part with two ninja hounds."

This was the network of Konoha’s most outstanding medical ninja.

Not to mention her other titles: granddaughter of the First Hokage, grandniece of the Second, and student of the Third.

In all of Konoha, who would dare refuse her?

She was the true queen of connections.

"Follow me."

Since her shift had ended, Tsunade led them directly to the Inuzuka compound.

With her assistance, Natsuki and Nawaki each obtained a ninja hound.

Natsuki’s was completely black—named Kurohana.

Nawaki’s was golden yellow—named Saburo.

[Congratulations, Host. You have acquired the Ninja Hound: Kurohana.]

[When summoned using the Ten Shadows Technique, Kurohana’s sense of smell is permanently increased by 30%.]

Natsuki nodded in satisfaction.

For a ninja, a hound’s greatest utility was tracking.

And tracking depended on scent.

With a 30% enhancement to his olfactory abilities, Kurohana could be called the king among dogs.

Natsuki and Yakushi Nonou returned to the Konoha Orphanage.

From now on, Shirayuki and Kurohana would also live there.

When Natsuki needed them, he would summon them using the Ten Shadows Technique.

Time flew. July arrived.

Class 2-A faced the final exams of their first semester.

"Teacher, do you think I can defeat Natsuki in tomorrow’s practical combat exam?"

Namikaze Minato asked, his voice uncertain.

"There’s a problem with your mindset. As a ninja, you must enter every fight believing you will win."

Jiraiya clapped him on the shoulder. "Your enemies won’t show mercy just because you’re weaker."

"I understand, Teacher."

Minato paused, then spoke with renewed seriousness.

"Don’t worry too much. Your teacher is me, after all."

Jiraiya laughed heartily. "You know, my battles with Orochimaru back in the day were always dead even—fifty-fifty."

If Orochimaru were present, he would have immediately called that out.

But Minato didn’t know the truth. Hearing those words, his confidence surged.

Natsuki’s teacher was Orochimaru. His teacher was Jiraiya.

If their instructors were evenly matched, there was no reason the gap between students should be so large.

"Victory or defeat doesn’t hinge on a single exam."

Jiraiya added. "You’re perfectly suited for an S-Rank ninjutsu. In two more years, once your fundamentals are solid, I’ll teach it to you."

S-Rank ninjutsu?

Minato’s eyes lit up with anticipation.

Once he learned an S-Rank technique—he would definitely defeat Natsuki.

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