Chapter 46: Chapter 46: Amegakure’s Declaration of War

After Nara Shikatsu and Natsuki agreed on terms, he departed with the list of medicinal herbs Natsuki had provided.

Between the Red Healing Potion: Blood of God and the Stamina Recovery Potion, Natsuki chose to research the former first.

The former required Hashirama cells or White Zetsu cells. The latter required Tailed Beast chakra and Hero Water.

In terms of difficulty, the former was easier.

Hashirama cells were readily available—he just needed Konoha’s approval.

Hero Water was extremely difficult to obtain.

Especially since Konoha and Takigakure were allies. Simply taking it would cause problems.

Even stealing it would be hard. Takigakure was the only small ninja village besides the Five Great Villages to possess both a Tailed Beast and a Jinchuriki.

Tailed Beast chakra was equally difficult.

The current Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, Uzumaki Mito, was in poor health. It would be best to wait until Kushina became the new Jinchuriki.

Although Hashirama cells were precious, Konoha had conducted Hashirama cell experiments twice in the original story.

The first time was led by Sarutobi Hiruzen—considered legal and sanctioned.

But because too many volunteer ninjas died, it was eventually halted.

The second time was led by Shimura Danzo with Orochimaru participating, conducted in secret.

Due to their more unscrupulous methods, that experiment yielded results—producing a Wood Release ninja: Yamato.

At this stage, the second experiment definitely hadn’t started yet.

Because Orochimaru hadn’t turned rogue and collaborated with Danzo yet.

But the first experiment might have already concluded—or perhaps it was currently underway.

What a pity.

Natsuki was too young right now. He wasn’t qualified to access Hashirama cell experiments.

But he could prepare in advance.

That meant producing an incomplete version of the Red Healing Potion: Blood of God—without Hashirama cells.

Nara Shikatsu returned home.

He opened the prescription Natsuki had given him and studied it.

Every herb listed could be considered highly valuable.

In all of Konoha, only the Nara clan could provide them.

Of course, Natsuki had added four extra herbs to obscure his true intentions.

"Father."

Nara Shikaku walked in.

"How did you do on the final exam?"

Seeing him, a smile appeared on Shikatsu’s face.

"First place."

Shikaku replied.

"Well done."

Shikatsu nodded, then added, "This winter vacation, I have a mission for you. Go to Natsuki and learn his shadow techniques."

"...What?"

Shikaku looked up instinctively, his face full of surprise.

What does he mean, go to Natsuki to learn shadow techniques?

Natsuki was a year younger than him.

Moreover, weren’t shadow techniques unique to the Nara clan? Why would he learn from Natsuki?

"Natsuki created two shadow techniques himself."

Shikatsu explained. "I’ve already reached a deal with him. He will teach you both."

Natsuki was, after all, too young.

For adult ninjas like Shikatsu to learn from him would be too conspicuous—or a blow to their pride.

After consideration, he decided to send Shikaku instead.

He was only a year older than Natsuki. He could pose as a friend training alongside him.

"...?"

Shikaku didn’t know what to say.

He was a genius himself—but was the gap between geniuses really this vast?

Natsuki, a year his junior, had already created shadow techniques that the Nara clan valued?

It sounded like fantasy.

"Yes, Father."

Shikaku snapped back to reality and responded immediately.

The next day.

At Orochimaru’s residence, besides Nawaki and Natsuki, there was now Nara Shikaku.

Shikaku had high intelligence and knew his place well. He kept an extremely low profile.

As long as he didn’t encounter problems, he wouldn’t disturb Natsuki—just silently training in the corner by himself.

Natsuki also confirmed a hypothesis: his abilities could be taught to others.

This was reasonable.

After all, the abilities from character templates had all been localized. Essentially, they were ninjutsu.

Natsuki received his initial payment from Nara Shikatsu.

Enough medicinal herbs to produce ten batches of the Red Healing Potion: Blood of God.

Natsuki wasn’t in a rush to attempt production.

His pharmaceutical skills were still lacking.

Halfway through winter vacation, Uzumaki Kushina—who had gone to visit relatives in the Uzumaki clan—returned to Konoha.

Right at that moment, an event that shocked the ninja world occurred.

Hanzo of Amegakure simultaneously declared war on Iwagakure, Sunagakure, and Konoha.

The reason: the three major villages had been fighting in the Land of Rain for years, bringing unimaginable disaster and loss to the country.

As the military force of the Land of Rain, Amegakure intended to completely drive these three villages out.

In Konoha’s meeting room.

A Jonin meeting was immediately convened.

"Hanzo is simply courting death!"

Shimura Danzo spoke with a livid expression. "Konoha must strike first and make him understand the gap in strength!"

"Taking the initiative is unnecessary."

Jiraiya said gravely. "If we prepare well and wait for the exhausted enemy at our ease, we can minimize losses."

"I disagree!"

Danzo objected. "Amegakure and Hanzo are mere clowns. Only a swift, decisive battle will demonstrate Konoha’s prestige!"

"Although Amegakure is a small village, Hanzo should not be underestimated."

Jiraiya frowned.

"Are you afraid of Hanzo?"

Danzo snorted coldly.

"Enough. I didn’t summon you here to argue."

Sarutobi Hiruzen stopped their dispute. He looked at Mitokado Homura and the others. "What are your thoughts?"

"The Land of Rain is currently a three-way free-for-all. If Konoha rashly joins, we risk being besieged."

Tsunade spoke immediately. "I agree with Jiraiya’s assessment."

Hearing this, Jiraiya shot her a winking smile.

Tsunade ignored him completely.

"There is indeed a high probability of that outcome."

Hokage advisor Mitokado Homura spoke up. "Konoha is the strongest—making us the easiest target for other villages’ apprehension."

The other advisor, Utatane Koharu, nodded in agreement.

"Very well."

Sarutobi Hiruzen concluded. "Konoha will prepare first and hold our ground."

"As a precaution, we can send people to the border between the Land of Fire and the Land of Rain."

Tsunade suggested.

"I can go!"

Danzo said immediately.

With Tsunade and the others expressing their positions, taking the initiative was impossible.

But he could make the impossible possible—by stirring up trouble at the border and triggering the war early.

The reason Danzo wanted war was that his Root could develop through it.

In wartime, intelligence warfare was paramount.

Relying on ANBU alone, manpower was insufficient. Root had to be added.

Then he would have plenty of room to maneuver.

"Sakumo will go."

Sarutobi Hiruzen glanced at him and spoke decisively.

He knew exactly what Danzo was thinking.

"Yes, Lord Hokage."

A young ninja with white hair stood.

Konoha’s White Fang—Hatake Sakumo. Hatake Kakashi’s father.

The next day, Natsuki also received news of Hanzo’s declaration of war—but it didn’t concern him for now.

Given his age and status, Konoha wouldn’t send him to the battlefield unless circumstances became dire.

Time advanced to January.

Just when Natsuki thought winter vacation would end uneventfully, Orochimaru accepted a mission for them.

"The target is a group of rogue ninjas operating along the southeastern coast of the Land of Fire."

Orochimaru explained. "According to intel, their leader is a missing-nin from Kirigakure—a Tokubetsu Jonin skilled in Water Release."

Hearing this, Natsuki’s spirits lifted.

Ability 3 of the Kamado Tanjiro template required defeating three Chunin or Tokubetsu Jonin who excelled in kenjutsu or Water Release.

After two semesters of effort, he had completed two-thirds of the goal—only two more Tokubetsu Jonin remained.

"Teacher, can we bring Kushina along?"

Natsuki recalled Kushina mentioning she wanted to join missions. He asked.

"I can bring her—but only if Tsunade agrees."

Orochimaru said softly.

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