Chapter 45: Chapter 45: The Nara Clan’s Request

"Fortunately, you haven’t completely mastered the Shuriken Shadow Clone Jutsu. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have been able to block it at all."

Natsuki walked up to Namikaze Minato and extended his hand.

"You’re as modest as ever."

Minato grabbed his hand, stood up, and shook his head.

He couldn’t block it—but he could dodge. And Natsuki could still defeat him regardless.

Especially the Shadow Assassin and Fox Magic just now. He had absolutely no way to counter them.

"I’m telling the truth."

Natsuki chuckled.

"I’ll continue working hard."

Minato said seriously.

"I won’t let you catch up easily either."

Natsuki nodded.

After a brief exchange, the two left the field.

The exams for Class 3-A continued.

But everyone’s attention remained on the battle between Natsuki and Minato.

Compared to the other matches, theirs had been too flashy—various ninjutsu appearing one after another.

"Kushina, are you going back to the Uzumaki clan for winter vacation?"

Natsuki asked casually.

"I’ll go back during New Year."

Kushina explained. "I can’t stay too long right now. I have to train in sealing jutsu."

Natsuki’s thoughts stirred.

It seemed Uzumaki Mito’s condition was already quite bad.

He thought of the Uzumaki clan again.

Next year, they would be in fourth year.

In the original story, Kushina and Minato graduated in their fifth year—the year the Second Shinobi World War fully erupted.

In other words, the Uzumaki clan could be annihilated at any time.

When would it happen?

Natsuki suddenly had a flash of insight.

Because the Uzumaki clan and Konoha were allies.

To annihilate the Uzumaki clan, the enemy would have to either hide it from Konoha—or act when Konoha was tied down elsewhere.

Currently, the war in the Land of Rain was already intense.

Especially between Iwagakure and Sunagakure.

According to the original plot, it wouldn’t be long before Amegakure declared war on Iwagakure, Sunagakure, and Konoha simultaneously.

At that point, Konoha would join the war and focus entirely on those battles.

Natsuki didn’t know if his analysis was correct—but it was definitely worth monitoring.

A major event like Amegakure declaring war would be known throughout the entire ninja world.

But how to issue a warning was still a problem.

Unless he had concrete evidence.

Otherwise, he wouldn’t be trusted—and might even be suspected.

"Natsuki, are you going on missions during winter vacation?"

Kushina asked expectantly. "Can you take me along?"

"I’ll ask Teacher when the time comes."

Natsuki considered for a moment.

"I’m going on missions too."

Minato suddenly spoke.

"Who are your teammates?"

Natsuki asked curiously.

"Two Genin seniors. Their squad happens to be short a member."

Minato explained.

Being a ninja was a high-risk profession.

A three-man squad would often lose a member due to a mission.

In such cases, they needed a replacement—either from newly graduated Genin or by merging with another incomplete squad.

In the original story, Hatake Kakashi, who had graduated years earlier, could still team up with Uchiha Obito and Nohara Rin because of this system.

After the practical combat exam concluded, Ishida Yu announced the rankings for Class 3-A’s second semester finals.

The top three remained Natsuki, Namikaze Minato, and Uzumaki Kushina.

"Everyone, see you next January. I hope you have a wonderful winter vacation."

With Ishida Yu’s final words, the students of Class 3-A dispersed.

At the Nara clan compound.

The current head of the Nara clan was not Nara Shikaku, but his father—Nara Shikatsu.

Nara Shikatsu served as Konoha’s Jonin Commander.

But he relied on intelligence, not raw strength.

He had many responsibilities. One of them was analyzing information.

Just now, he had received a report regarding Natsuki.

Apparently, Natsuki had used a shadow technique during his battle with Namikaze Minato.

Shikatsu’s first reaction was that Orochimaru had violated Konoha’s rules and taught Natsuki the Nara clan’s secret jutsu.

But after reviewing the details, he found the technique Natsuki used was unfamiliar.

"Did he create it himself?"

Shikatsu subconsciously clasped his hands together.

Natsuki’s genius had long spread throughout Konoha.

Among the village’s higher-ups, the rumors were even more detailed—such as Natsuki being capable of creating ninjutsu.

"Hiding oneself within a shadow can be used for ambushes—and also to evade physical attacks."

Shikatsu couldn’t help but murmur. "If the Nara clan could acquire it, our strength would rise to another level."

After lengthy deliberation, he decided to speak with Natsuki directly.

Meanwhile, after Natsuki, Kushina, and the others finished lunch, they headed to Orochimaru’s residence.

With winter vacation starting, he would have more time for training and missions.

Natsuki drew the Sword of the Thunder God.

He had already learned Uchiha-Style Kenjutsu and was now studying the kenjutsu Orochimaru taught him.

It had no formal name—Orochimaru had created it himself.

In the original story, Uchiha Sasuke had also learned it.

Not far away, Nawaki—or rather, two Nawakis—were also training.

His real body practiced taijutsu while his shadow clone worked on Water Release.

It had taken him two semesters to learn the Shadow Clone Jutsu. Natsuki still hadn’t mastered it.

His talent for learning ninjutsu was genuinely ordinary.

But fortunately, he had grasped the fundamentals. By the end of winter vacation, he would likely succeed.

Before long, there was a knock at the door.

Natsuki paused and sheathed the Sword of the Thunder God.

He walked to the entrance and opened it. Outside stood an unfamiliar young ninja.

"Are you Natsuki?"

The man introduced himself. "I am Nara Shikatsu. Shikaku is my son."

"I am Natsuki."

Natsuki nodded. "Clan Head Shikatsu, are you here to see my teacher?"

"No. I’m here to see you."

Shikatsu spoke directly. "The Nara clan can offer our existing shadow techniques in exchange for the ones you created."

Natsuki raised an eyebrow.

So he came for my shadow techniques.

It had to be said—his shadow jutsu were indeed well-suited for the Nara clan.

So, should I exchange them?

Natsuki leaned toward agreeing.

Because to him, the shadow techniques were simply abilities from character templates.

He would acquire more templates and abilities in the future.

Most importantly, the Nara clan possessed something he wanted: medicinal herbs.

The Nara clan was Konoha’s largest supplier of medicinal herbs.

Natsuki’s Red Healing Potion: Blood of God and Stamina Recovery Potion required many precious ingredients.

He wouldn’t hand those two formulas over to Konoha—so the village wouldn’t provide him free herbs like they did for the Blue Healing Potion.

"I don’t want your clan’s shadow techniques."

Natsuki shook his head.

If he acquired the Nara clan’s jutsu, he would still have to learn them himself. Too troublesome.

"I want your clan to provide me with medicinal herbs—free of charge."

Natsuki stated his objective.

Shikatsu was momentarily stunned.

Medicinal herbs?

He suddenly recalled something: Natsuki was close to Tsunade, and Yakushi Nonou was Tsunade’s student.

"Agreed."

Shikatsu accepted without much deliberation.

To the Nara clan, medicinal herbs were worldly goods. When depleted, they could be gathered or cultivated again.

Shadow techniques were different—they were the foundation of their clan. The basis of their strength.

As long as the Nara clan existed, there would be a steady supply of herbs.

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