Chapter 40: Chapter 40: Tsunade — This Is Our Secret

Night fell.

Orochimaru, Natsuki, and Nawaki returned to Konoha Village.

"It’s late. Go home and rest. Come find me tomorrow."

Without unnecessary words, Orochimaru gave a brief instruction, turned, and left.

"Natsuki."

Nawaki suddenly remembered something. "It’s dinner time. Come eat at my place."

"Just for dinner?"

Natsuki asked.

"It would be even better if you cooked."

Nawaki said somewhat sheepishly.

After all, having a guest cook was truly contrary to etiquette.

"Let’s go."

Natsuki smiled.

"Going home!" 𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮

Nawaki said happily.

The two soon arrived at Tsunade’s house.

"Sister, I’m back!"

After opening the door, Nawaki called toward the living room.

Soon, a pair of long, fair legs entered Natsuki’s sight.

Tsunade, wearing fluffy pajamas, walked out.

"Teacher Tsunade."

Natsuki looked at her—somehow cuter than usual—and greeted her first.

"Have you two eaten? If not, I’ll make something."

Tsunade nodded and asked.

"Sister, no need to trouble yourself. Let Natsuki cook."

Nawaki said hurriedly.

"Hey! Can’t you control your expression a little?"

Tsunade walked over, raised her hand, and flicked his forehead.

The eager look on Nawaki’s face was far too obvious—practically screaming that her cooking was terrible.

"Teacher Tsunade."

Natsuki came to the rescue. "Nawaki-senpai and I made a bet earlier. The stake was that I would cook dinner tonight."

"Yes, yes, yes!"

Nawaki nodded vigorously, as if suddenly remembering.

Tsunade flicked his forehead again.

She obviously didn’t believe the excuse.

"We’ll cook together."

Tsunade rolled her eyes.

"Huh?"

Nawaki looked astonished.

"’Huh’ what?"

Tsunade glared at him. "Natsuki’s young. I’m worried he might have an accident, so I need to keep an eye on him."

"It’s my honor to be guided by Teacher Tsunade."

Natsuki responded smoothly.

"You really know how to talk."

Tsunade pinched his cheek in satisfaction. "Come. Follow me to the kitchen."

Natsuki nodded.

But the moment they entered the kitchen, Tsunade pulled him close.

Caught off guard, Natsuki’s face bumped against her soft embrace.

He instinctively looked up. His vision was filled with snow-white skin.

Rising and falling gently with her breathing.

"Natsuki, from today on, you will teach me how to cook."

Tsunade lowered her voice.

"Understood."

Natsuki immediately grasped her intention.

"This is our secret."

Tsunade snorted lightly. "Remember—you cannot let Nawaki know. If you leak it, bear the consequences yourself!"

"I definitely won’t let a third person know!"

Natsuki said seriously.

Though with his face pressed against her clothes, only a third of his expression was visible.

"Very good."

Tsunade released him, patted his shoulder twice. "I won’t treat you unfairly."

"It’s what I should do."

Natsuki shook his head. "Teacher Tsunade has taught me a great deal as well."

He was still learning pharmaceutical preparation from her.

After all, he needed to match his skills with the Red Healing Potion: Blood of God and the Stamina Recovery Potion.

"I don’t have an apron your size, so you’ll have to make do."

Tsunade retrieved a white apron.

"I brought my own."

Natsuki opened a storage scroll and tied on his apron.

Seeing this, Tsunade put the white apron on herself.

Wearing an apron over her pajamas, she exuded the aura of a devoted homemaker.

Natsuki opened the refrigerator, surveyed the fully stocked ingredients, and immediately had an idea.

He would teach Tsunade tempura first.

It was a home-cooked dish. The preparation was relatively straightforward.

Soon, the lesson officially began.

Natsuki also discovered why Tsunade’s cooking tasted so bad.

She had no concept of proper seasoning amounts. She just added things by feel.

Under Natsuki’s guidance, a plate of tempura was successfully completed.

Tsunade impatiently picked up a piece of fried shrimp with her fingers and popped it into her mouth.

She chewed twice—and her eyes lit up.

Did I really make this?

Tsunade was both surprised and thrilled.

After finishing the shrimp, she licked her fingers.

"Don’t tell Nawaki yet."

Tsunade pouted. "That brat complains about my cooking every day. Give me some time—I’ll definitely make him apologize!"

After dinner, Natsuki returned to the Konoha Orphanage.

A new week began.

After lunch, Nawaki mysteriously dragged him to the Forest of Death.

Upon arrival, Natsuki saw a giant eagle.

"How’s this?"

Nawaki said proudly. "This ninja eagle is the summoning beast I found for you!"

"It looks impressive."

Natsuki asked curiously. "Where did you find it?"

"Konoha has always maintained contact with the ninja eagle clan."

Nawaki explained. "I went with my sister this morning and picked the largest one."

Ninja eagle?

Natsuki recalled that in the original story, Konoha used ninja eagles for intelligence delivery.

He examined the creature and nodded appreciatively.

For delivering intelligence, he already had the crow Kurobane. He didn’t need another messenger.

But this ninja eagle’s greatest utility was its ability to carry him through the sky.

In the ninja world, being able to fly was an enormous advantage.

Ninjas capable of flight were genuinely rare.

[Congratulations, Host. You have acquired the Ninja Eagle: Aozora.]

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

The same effect as the crow Kurobane—but perfectly suited to this summon. Natsuki didn’t mind the overlap.

October passed. November arrived.

In the first week of November, a notification appeared before Natsuki’s eyes.

[Congratulations, Host. You have unlocked Fushiguro Megumi Template Ability 2: Shadow Assassin.]

After assassinating the Tokubetsu Jonin Yasuda, Orochimaru had maintained a pace of two to three missions per month.

Finally, in November, Natsuki achieved the condition of killing two additional Chunin.

Shadow Assassin allowed him to conceal himself within a shadow—perfect for ambushes or evading attacks.

The only problem was that he couldn’t use it openly yet.

He planned to reveal it to Orochimaru after advancing to the third year.

November ended. Natsuki and Nawaki welcomed winter vacation.

But to them, vacation was no different from school—training and missions continued.

Of course, there was also teaching Tsunade how to cook.

However, both of them were extremely busy. Lesson time was tight.

As winter vacation drew to a close, Konoha Village welcomed the New Year.

Orochimaru also granted Natsuki and Nawaki a week off.

During that week, Natsuki finally relaxed.

Because just before the New Year, he had successfully unlocked the remaining abilities of the Shippo template.

[Congratulations, Host. You have unlocked Shippo Template Ability 2: Fox Fire.]

[Congratulations, Host. You have unlocked Shippo Template Ability 3: Fox Magic.]

With this, the Shippo template was fully integrated.

Natsuki’s next goal was defeating Nawaki.

As long as he unlocked Ability 4 of the Uzumaki Naruto template—Chakra Reservoir—he wouldn’t lack chakra for a very long time.

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