"Thank you."

Uchiha Mikoto said gratefully.

What Natsuki had just suggested was undoubtedly the best solution.

In a serious spar, she wasn’t certain she could win.

If she lost again, Uchiha Fugaku and the clan would be even more disappointed in her.

"It’s nothing."

Natsuki smiled. "Consider it payment for helping me get a summoning beast."

"To me, it’s not nothing."

Mikoto shook her head, her tone serious. "I owe you a favor."

Seeing her insistence, Natsuki didn’t argue further.

Life as a normal person within the Uchiha clan was clearly not easy.

He changed the subject and got down to business.

No time like the present. Natsuki and Mikoto began their spar right there.

After three rounds, both were drenched in sweat, sitting on the ground to rest.

"You... in that last match..."

Before Mikoto could finish, Natsuki interrupted.

"I didn’t hold back."

He caught his breath. "A win is a win. A loss is a loss."

After four rounds, just as he’d suggested, they were tied at two wins each.

Mikoto fell silent.

The result was too perfect. It was hard not to suspect Natsuki had manipulated it.

But he was actually telling the truth.

His biggest problem right now was insufficient chakra.

Fighting three consecutive rounds had consumed a massive amount.

Mikoto was different. Being four years older, her chakra reserves considerably exceeded his.

Of course, Natsuki had also gained something.

Abilities 2 and 3 of his Shippo template had each been unlocked by one-third.

Unfortunately, the requirement was defeating three ninjas—not defeating one ninja three times.

"If there’s ever anything I can help you with in the future, don’t hesitate to find me."

Mikoto wiped the sweat from her forehead and made a promise.

"I’ll remember that."

Natsuki stood. "It’s getting late. I need to see my teacher. Until next time."

"Until next time."

Mikoto replied immediately.

Natsuki turned and walked toward Konoha Village.

Mikoto watched his retreating figure until he had long disappeared before snapping back to reality.

She exhaled slowly and left the Forest of Death.

After returning to the Uchiha compound, Mikoto went straight to see Uchiha Fugaku.

"What is it?"

Fugaku asked indifferently.

Having just become clan head, he was extremely busy with administrative duties.

Moreover, Mikoto was only twelve. He naturally had no interest in anything beyond clan matters.

"I went to find Natsuki again today."

Mikoto reported. "We fought three rounds. I won two—making it two wins and two losses total, including yesterday’s match."

"I just received news that Natsuki has officially become Orochimaru’s student."

Fugaku looked at her. "You did very well to win two out of three today."

Mikoto felt a jolt of surprise.

She hadn’t expected Natsuki to have already been formally acknowledged by Orochimaru.

Under those circumstances, his willingness to lose two matches to her was a genuine sacrifice.

He might even face consequences from Orochimaru when he returned.

"Although you won against Natsuki today, you still need to push yourself."

Fugaku spoke gravely.

Currently, only he and Mikoto could be called geniuses within the Uchiha clan.

As a major ninja clan, the Uchiha needed exceptional talent to uphold their reputation.

Additionally, there had always been an invisible rivalry between the Uchiha and the Hyuga.

The current Hyuga clan also boasted two geniuses: Hyuga Hiashi and Hyuga Hizashi.

"Yes, Clan Head."

Mikoto nodded.

"Go train."

With the matter concluded, Fugaku dismissed her.

Mikoto returned home.

She removed her shoes, stepped barefoot onto the carpet, and entered the living room.

Leaning back against the sofa, she stared up at the ceiling.

After a moment of daze, Natsuki’s image surfaced in her mind again.

Meanwhile, Natsuki went to see Orochimaru and reported the additional spars with Mikoto.

"Being able to fight to a draw with Uchiha Mikoto is already excellent."

Orochimaru didn’t seem bothered. "She’s simply trained four years longer than you. With your talent, you’ll surpass her soon enough."

"But I’d like to spar more with genjutsu and Fire Release specialists to build combat experience."

Natsuki nodded, then stated his true objective. "It’s difficult to find such opponents at school."

He had mentioned Mikoto specifically to prompt Orochimaru into finding suitable opponents—ones who would help him unlock the Shippo template.

"If you want to increase your combat experience, let’s be thorough about it."

Orochimaru considered for a moment. "I’ll arrange missions involving genjutsu and Fire Release ninjas."

Missions?

That wasn’t part of Natsuki’s original plan—but thinking about it, this suggestion was even better.

It could also progress the Fushiguro Megumi template. Two birds with one stone.

"Thank you, Teacher."

Natsuki said immediately.

Time flew. Friday arrived.

"Natsuki, what rank do you think this mission will be?"

Nawaki asked as they walked.

"Most likely B-Rank."

Natsuki replied.

"I thought so too."

Nawaki shook his head. "I wonder when we’ll get to do A-Rank missions."

"A-Rank missions involve Tokubetsu Jonin and Jonin. Our strength isn’t sufficient yet."

Natsuki said casually. "Unless we encounter a Tokubetsu Jonin who isn’t combat-focused."

Tokubetsu Jonin referred to ninjas who excelled in specific areas—essentially Chunin with specialized expertise.

Ebisu, for example, had become a Tokubetsu Jonin because he excelled at instruction.

Mitarashi Anko had earned the rank through excellence in intelligence gathering and reconnaissance.

The two soon arrived at Konoha’s main gate.

"Teacher."

Natsuki and Nawaki hurried forward to greet him.

"This mission is A-Rank. The target is an Iwagakure spy named Yasuda who has infiltrated the capital of the Land of Fire."

Orochimaru explained. "He’s a genjutsu specialist skilled in intelligence gathering."

"It’s actually A-Rank?"

Nawaki’s face lit up with pleasant surprise.

"This is to test your ability to handle genjutsu specialists."

Orochimaru glanced at him.

"Teacher, we definitely won’t disappoint you."

Nawaki promised immediately. "After all, you specifically taught us how to dispel genjutsu."

"Although Yasuda’s strength hasn’t reached Jonin level, he’s stronger than most Chunin."

Orochimaru cautioned them. "If you want to defeat him, you must act carefully."

Natsuki fell into thought.

The Shippo template only required defeating opponents—it didn’t specify whether through direct confrontation or assassination.

The Fushiguro Megumi template, however, explicitly required assassination.

He quickly formulated a plan: attempt assassination first—poisoning, perhaps.

If Yasuda survived, he and Nawaki could finish him off directly.

After a brief exchange, the three headed toward the capital of the Land of Fire.

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