Chapter 41: Chapter 41: Defeating Nawaki — Four Kakashis of Chakra

Time advanced to March once again.

For the Ninja Academy, March was the season of graduation and grade advancement.

The sixth-year students were about to graduate and become Genin.

And Natsuki, now completing his second year, was moving up to the third.

His age had also changed from seven to eight.

The day before Class 3-A’s registration was Class 6-A’s graduation exam.

Natsuki arrived at the Ninja Academy training grounds early in the morning.

He didn’t wait long before spotting Uchiha Mikoto.

"Senior Mikoto, good morning."

Natsuki greeted her with a smile.

He and Mikoto were the type who became friends after fighting.

Combined with the favor he had done her, they had grown close.

Over the past year, they had met, sparred, and shared meals many times.

"Good morning."

Mikoto spoke softly. "You didn’t have to come all this way."

"It’s not out of my way."

Natsuki shook his head. "Have your Jonin instructor and teammates been decided?"

"Yes. I’ll be joining the Konoha Military Police Force after graduation."

Mikoto replied.

Although the Konoha Military Police Force bore the village’s name, it was actually a department managed by the Uchiha clan.

Its duties resembled a weakened version of ANBU—maintaining public order throughout Konoha.

From its inception, it had been assigned to the Uchiha by the Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama.

He had multiple intentions behind this arrangement.

First, the Uchiha clan had contributed greatly to the village’s founding. Konoha needed to show appreciation.

Second, it was a test. If the Uchiha could integrate into Konoha through the Police Force, everyone would benefit.

But conversely, if they couldn’t, they would alienate the entire village.

That trend was already apparent. Many villagers harbored grievances against the Police Force.

"That was expected."

Natsuki casually produced a storage scroll. "Senior Mikoto, this is a graduation gift."

"Thank you."

Mikoto looked mildly surprised but didn’t refuse.

She accepted the scroll, glanced inside, and found it filled with Blue Healing Potions.

"This is too valuable. I can’t use this many."

Mikoto tried to return it.

The Blue Healing Potion had become essential for Konoha ninjas.

Especially when going on missions, everyone carried a few bottles.

After all, it could save lives at critical moments.

"Let me tell you a secret."

Natsuki didn’t take it back. "I invented the Blue Healing Potion. It didn’t cost me anything."

"What?"

Mikoto’s tone was surprised.

Konoha hadn’t publicly announced the potion’s inventor.

First, they worried that enemy village ninjas might target Natsuki. A Ninja Academy student inventing such a formula would definitely attract capture attempts.

Second, they worried about his safety within the village. Wealth moved hearts. Even in Konoha, he wasn’t absolutely secure.

"What an unexpected secret."

Mikoto said with understanding. "I won’t tell anyone."

"Mm."

Natsuki nodded. "Good luck with your exam. Come find me when you’re free."

"Thank you."

A gentle smile appeared on Mikoto’s face.

She stored the scroll, turned, and walked toward Class 6-A.

Natsuki didn’t linger.

After leaving the academy, he headed to Orochimaru’s residence.

Upon entering, he saw a flowing stream of water in the courtyard. Nawaki had arrived early and was practicing Water Release.

Having spent so long with Nawaki, Natsuki understood his strength well.

Simply put, he was a carbon copy of Senju Tobirama—minus the forbidden jutsu.

Massive chakra reserves. Exceptional Water Release. Learning Tobirama’s techniques directly.

His taijutsu was solid as well. After all, his sister was Tsunade.

"Nawaki-senpai."

Natsuki smiled. "When are you free? Let’s have a serious spar."

"Absolutely!"

Nawaki said eagerly. "I’ve been wanting to see exactly how strong you really are!"

"Why not right now?"

Orochimaru’s voice rang out suddenly.

At some point, he had appeared at the doorway.

"Works for me!"

Nawaki said enthusiastically.

"Alright."

Natsuki considered for a moment and agreed.

He had originally planned to discuss the shadow techniques he had "created" with Orochimaru—but on second thought, demonstrating them in battle would be more intuitive.

"Watch yourself, Natsuki!"

Nawaki warned. "I’ve improved a lot recently!"

"Same here."

Natsuki replied, refusing to be outdone.

Although they trained together most of the time, that didn’t mean they revealed everything to each other.

Body Flicker Technique!

Nawaki made the first move.

He lunged forward, leaped into the air, and brought his right leg down from above.

Golden Right Foot!

Natsuki instinctively raised his leg to block.

But the moment their legs collided, he realized something was wrong.

A massive force struck him. His right leg went numb.

At the critical moment, he activated Reinforcement Magecraft and retreated backward.

BOOM!

Nawaki’s foot landed. Spider-web cracks spread across the ground.

Natsuki immediately recognized the technique—Tsunade’s Heavenly Foot of Pain.

Although Nawaki’s version was far weaker than Tsunade’s, it easily overpowered his Golden Right Foot.

Nawaki didn’t grow complacent from winning the first exchange.

He seized the momentum and formed hand seals.

Water Release: Water Bullet Technique!

Bullet-like masses of water flew toward Natsuki in rapid succession.

Shadow Space!

Natsuki raised both hands.

A cascade of kunai and shuriken erupted from his shadow, swarming toward the incoming projectiles.

"What is that?"

Nawaki froze.

"A shadow technique? Natsuki actually succeeded?"

Orochimaru, observing the battle, revealed genuine astonishment.

A year sounded like a long time—but for creating ninjutsu, it was actually quite short.

Especially since this shadow technique was at least B-Rank level.

B-Rank ninjutsu commonly took several years to develop.

In the original story, it had taken Namikaze Minato three years to create the Rasengan.

Although the Rasengan was A-Rank, Minato was a genius among geniuses. Anyone else would have taken even longer.

Water splashed everywhere.

Kunai, shuriken, and water masses collided violently.

Without waiting for the chaos to settle, Natsuki drew a wooden sword from his Shadow Space.

One-Sword Style: 36 Pound Phoenix!

He slashed outward. A flying strike surged toward Nawaki.

Nawaki remained focused. The instant he saw the wooden sword, he formed hand seals.

Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet!

A massive water dragon erupted forth and collided with the flying slash.

Combined with the previous kunai, shuriken, and water masses, the courtyard became a battlefield.

Nawaki exhaled and instinctively looked toward Natsuki.

His expression shifted—because Natsuki was gone.

He frantically scanned his surroundings. Nothing.

Natsuki had vanished into thin air.

Only Orochimaru lowered his gaze—to the fast-moving shadow gliding across the ground.

He created this shadow technique as well?

Two shadow techniques in one year?

If word got out, every ninja in the world would be stunned.

Nawaki felt a surge of crisis.

He had never seen Shadow Assassin before. Combined with the aftermath of the previous exchange, he hadn’t noticed Natsuki’s shadow.

At the critical moment, he gritted his teeth and formed hand seals.

Water Release: Water Formation Wall!

A standard Water Formation Wall could only block one direction—but Senju Tobirama’s version could block all four sides.

Water flowed rapidly around Nawaki. Just as it was about to enclose him completely, a sound of tearing air rang out.

Nawaki turned instinctively.

A flash of blade light stung his eyes.

Iai: Lion’s Song.

Nawaki reacted quickly and kicked out.

But no matter how fast he was, he couldn’t outpace the blade.

Nawaki’s body shuddered as the wooden sword struck his abdomen.

Natsuki sidestepped his retaliatory kick.

"You... you came out of the shadow?"

Nawaki’s eyes went wide.

What shocked him most wasn’t losing to Natsuki—but the technique he had just witnessed.

"This is a shadow technique I created. I call it Shadow Assassin."

Natsuki smiled. "It allows me to hide within my shadow."

"...?"

Nawaki opened his mouth, then closed it—temporarily at a loss for words.

No wonder he couldn’t find Natsuki. The guy had been hiding in the shadow all along.

And such a powerful technique was something he had created?

[Congratulations, Host. You have unlocked Uzumaki Naruto Template Ability 4: Chakra Reservoir.]

Natsuki immediately felt chakra surging within his body.

So much that he wasn’t used to it.

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