The practical combat exam for Class 2-A quickly came to a close.

Ishida Yu combined the results with yesterday’s theory exam and announced the final rankings.

Without a doubt, first place belonged to Natsuki.

"Damn it!"

Uzumaki Kushina said with evident frustration. "Third place again!"

"It’s not your fault."

Natsuki offered comfort. "Sealing jutsu isn’t suited for direct combat. If you’d learned Wind Release like Minato, you might already be in first place."

He wasn’t exaggerating.

The difficulty of mastering sealing techniques far exceeded ordinary jutsu like Water Release. If Kushina hadn’t focused on sealing, she could have saved considerable time.

Unfortunately, she was the future Nine-Tails Jinchuriki. She could skip learning anything else—but sealing jutsu was mandatory.

"Hard to say."

Kushina shook her head. "Minato can’t beat you, and I probably can’t either."

Namikaze Minato opened his mouth to speak—then stopped.

You mean you can beat me? Can you two please consider my feelings when you chat?

"No one can predict the future."

Natsuki smiled.

Once Kushina became the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, even with his cheat, he would be suppressed and beaten for a considerable period.

"I agree."

Minato nodded.

He and Natsuki were friends and rivals. Although he’d lost today, as Jiraiya said, he couldn’t lose confidence.

Natsuki glanced at him.

In the original story, Namikaze Minato never used Wind Release.

The reason was simple: Wind Release—like the vast majority of jutsu—wasn’t compatible with the Flying Thunder God Technique.

The most synergistic technique was the Rasengan.

No hand seals required. Instant deployment. Devastating power.

Before developing the Rasengan, Minato had relied primarily on the Flying Thunder God combined with kunai and shuriken.

Senju Tobirama had been similar. His most iconic battle involved using the Flying Thunder God plus a kunai to kill Uchiha Izuna—Uchiha Madara’s younger brother.

Kunai, shuriken, and the Rasengan were enough to handle the vast majority of opponents.

As the saying went: ninjas were fundamentally squishy.

The reason Minato was using Wind Release now was entirely due to Natsuki’s butterfly effect.

To defeat him, Minato had gone out of his way to learn it.

Natsuki considered the implications.

He could try developing the Rasengan early. If that failed, he could ask Minato to assist.

Although it felt like stealing the idea, if Minato learned the Rasengan ahead of schedule, his strength would far surpass his original timeline self.

"Want to come to my place for dinner?"

Natsuki invited. "I’ll cook."

Kushina’s eyes lit up immediately. She nodded without hesitation.

Minato, recalling that indescribably wonderful taste, agreed just as quickly.

Natsuki also called Yakushi Nonou and Nawaki along. They all returned to the Konoha Orphanage together.

"Natsuki!"

Nawaki said excitedly. "My sister agreed to let me go on missions with you!"

"Missions?"

Minato looked startled.

"Natsuki proposed it."

Nawaki briefly explained the situation.

Minato was stunned.

He thought he was already working hard—but Natsuki was even more intense.

He’s actually going on missions early?

A powerful sense of urgency washed over him.

If this continued, the gap between them would only widen.

I need to do missions too!

After lunch, Minato bolted away at maximum speed.

Natsuki couldn’t help but smile.

Pushing the future Fourth Hokage this far was something to be proud of.

The first day of summer vacation.

Natsuki arrived at Tsunade’s house.

Her residence was located near the Hokage Rock, within the Senju clan compound.

It was vast—but rather quiet.

The Senju clan had integrated into Konoha Village for various reasons. Combined with the difficulty of recreating Wood Release, the only well-known Senju remaining were Tsunade and Nawaki.

Natsuki raised his hand and knocked.

The door opened. Tsunade, dressed in casual clothes, appeared before him.

He couldn’t help but pause.

Tsunade usually wore a Jonin flak jacket, radiating a heroic aura.

But in white casual attire, her graceful figure was fully revealed.

"Have you eaten breakfast?"

Tsunade didn’t seem surprised by his arrival. "If not, you can join us."

"I’ve already eaten. Thank you, Lady Tsunade."

Natsuki replied.

"Nawaki’s still eating. Come in and wait."

Tsunade stepped aside.

Natsuki nodded, removed his shoes, and walked into the living room.

He immediately met Nawaki’s gaze.

Without a word spoken, he read three words in those desperate eyes:

Save me!

Natsuki blinked.

Was Tsunade’s cooking really that bad?

He looked at Nawaki and shrugged helplessly. 𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

How am I supposed to save you? Tell Tsunade her cooking is terrible and offer to do it myself?

I’d probably have to be carried out of here.

Ultimately, Nawaki finished his breakfast wearing a mask of suffering.

"Outside the village is different from inside. You must be careful at all times."

Tsunade instructed.

"Sister, don’t worry—there won’t be any problems."

Nawaki said impatiently. "Alright, Natsuki and I are heading out. Wait for us to come back."

"Listen to me properly!"

Tsunade glared.

Nawaki didn’t respond. He simply ran off.

"Natsuki, keep an eye on him for me."

Tsunade softened her tone. "Nawaki can be quite reckless."

Nawaki was basically a carbon copy of Uzumaki Naruto. Cheerful—but careless about details.

It felt like he didn’t have the protagonist’s destiny but had caught the protagonist’s disease.

"I understand."

Natsuki nodded, turned, and caught up with Nawaki.

The two soon arrived at Orochimaru’s residence.

Orochimaru was already standing at the door, waiting.

"Teacher!"

Nawaki asked excitedly. "What’s our first mission?"

"Travel to the northwestern region of the Land of Fire and eliminate a group of mountain bandits."

Orochimaru replied. "The mission rank is C."

"Only C-Rank?"

Nawaki’s expression fell.

"Don’t aim too high."

Orochimaru glanced at him. "Receiving a C-Rank mission on your first outing is already an exception."

Normally, new ninjas could only take D-Rank missions for an extended period.

Team 7—where Uzumaki Naruto served—had completed numerous D-Rank assignments before finally receiving the C-Rank mission to the Land of Waves.

"Are there rogue ninjas among the bandits?"

Natsuki asked after a moment’s thought.

"The leader is reportedly a Genin—though the client mentioned he could be Chunin-level."

Orochimaru said casually. "If it’s a Chunin, the mission will be upgraded to B-Rank."

"Leave the leader to me!"

Nawaki answered quickly.

"This is a squad mission."

Orochimaru reminded him. "And there are quite a few bandits. You’ll need a proper plan."

"Then Nawaki-senpai and I will formulate one."

Natsuki said immediately.

"Good."

Orochimaru nodded slightly. "Let’s go. We’ll discuss the details on the way."

Both Natsuki and Nawaki were on their first mission. They didn’t know many operational specifics yet.

That could only be taught by their teacher.

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