Chapter 84: Chapter 84: Ninja Academy Graduation

A new day.

Natsuki and Nonou arrived at the Konoha Hospital.

They walked into the laboratory and saw Tsunade busy at work.

Natsuki’s gaze moved downward and noticed five test tubes on the lab bench.

They contained liquids of different colors, possessing a strange beauty.

"These are the five most toxic poisons currently available in Konoha."

Tsunade introduced. "I’ve already asked ANBU to help collect poisons from outside Konoha."

"Then what will Nonou and I do?"

Natsuki nodded.

"Permutations and combinations to formulate the antidote."

Tsunade raised her hand, pointed to a test tube nearby. "It will be considered a success if it reacts with the extracted poison of Hanzo."

"Understood."

After Natsuki finished speaking, he and Nonou began to put on anti-poison equipment.

"Having you participate is mainly for you to learn and accumulate experience."

Tsunade looked at them. "You can’t fall behind on your training either. From now on, you’ll make the antidote with me in the mornings."

Natsuki and Nonou nodded simultaneously.

Winter vacation quickly drew to a close amidst making antidotes and training.

Time advanced to January. The third semester of Class 4-A—which was also the final semester—officially began.

Natsuki, Kushina, Minato, and Nonou all planned to apply for early graduation.

Then they could form a team with Nawaki’s Class 6-A.

Registration Day.

The Ninja Academy, after being silent for a winter vacation, became lively again.

"Minato."

After Natsuki entered the Ninja Academy, he saw a familiar figure.

"Natsuki, Kushina, long time no see."

Minato turned around and greeted them with a face full of smiles.

Nonou didn’t come to register with them. She went to the medical ninja training class at the Konoha Hospital.

"I feel like I haven’t seen you in a month or two. What have you been doing recently?"

Kushina asked curiously.

"Learning the Second Hokage’s Flying Thunder God Technique from Lord Hokage."

Minato thought for a moment and answered without hiding anything.

Kushina instantly showed an expression of surprise.

Although she wasn’t a native of Konoha, she had heard Ishida Yu talk about Senju Tobirama’s deeds during class.

Among them, it was mentioned that Senju Tobirama’s most iconic ninjutsu, besides Water Release, was the Flying Thunder God Technique.

This was a rare space-time ninjutsu.

As long as it involved time and space, it was bound to be quite extraordinary.

"Unfortunately, the difficulty is too high. I still haven’t grasped the basics."

Minato sighed.

"After all, it’s an S-Rank ninjutsu in terms of learning difficulty."

Natsuki smiled. "The hardship now is for the future. Once you learn the Flying Thunder God Technique, your strength will definitely skyrocket."

"Mm."

Minato nodded.

At the same time, he was also slightly surprised.

Because Natsuki was very calm. Even knowing he was learning the Flying Thunder God Technique, his expression didn’t change much.

Was he confident that even if Minato learned the Flying Thunder God Technique, he still couldn’t defeat him?

For a moment, Minato actually felt pressured.

But no matter what, he had to learn the Flying Thunder God Technique first.

After all, if he didn’t learn it, he truly wouldn’t be able to defeat him.

After the three finished registering, they parted ways.

Minato went to find Sarutobi Hiruzen.

Kushina went to find Uzumaki Mito.

Natsuki, on the other hand, went to the Konoha Hospital to make antidotes with Tsunade.

After half a month of hard work—plus his hints—Tsunade had successfully discovered two effective poisons.

However, they were still far from success.

But with enough time, there was still great hope.

The most troublesome poison was from Chiyo’s puppets.

But whether it was the most troublesome wasn’t certain.

Currently, Konoha and Sunagakure were at war. Sooner or later, the scale of the war would escalate.

When the time came, the battle of poisoning and detoxifying between Chiyo and Tsunade would occur—just like in the original story.

Obtaining the puppet poison created by Chiyo would be very easy then.

Life after school started didn’t change much.

Natsuki still formulated antidotes in the morning and practiced Hanzo’s kenjutsu and learned Water Release: Water Formation Wall in the afternoon.

Time finally entered March.

The Ninja Academy welcomed graduation season.

Class 4-A.

After all the morning classes ended, Ishida Yu didn’t leave.

As was customary, he had an announcement to make.

"Students, after the final exams, you will advance to the fifth year, and the sixth-year students will have their graduation exams."

Ishida Yu said slowly. "If anyone among you wants to apply to take the graduation exam early, please raise your hand."

After speaking, he looked at Natsuki and Minato.

In his view, they could have applied for early graduation long ago. Their strength was sufficient even in their second or third year.

But they never applied.

Just as he thought they wouldn’t apply, Natsuki and Minato raised their hands.

The classroom fell silent.

Followed by discussions—but no one was surprised, including Onodera.

They all felt Natsuki and Minato were fully qualified to take the graduation exam.

More accurately, they were surprised they applied for early graduation so late.

"Just Natsuki and Minato?"

Ishida Yu nodded and asked again.

"Teacher."

Natsuki raised his hand again. "There’s also Kushina and Nonou."

Although Kushina and Nonou rarely came to class anymore, they were ultimately still students of Class 4-A.

"Mm."

Ishida Yu had expected this and was very calm.

Right at that moment, an unexpected little girl raised her hand: Uzumaki Kae.

Natsuki and Minato exchanged a glance—both somewhat surprised.

"Kae, are you sure you want to apply for early graduation?"

Ishida Yu couldn’t help but ask.

"I’m sure."

Uzumaki Kae nodded. "I want to be teammates with Kushina."

"I will apply to Lord Hokage for you. Whether it’s approved depends on Lord Hokage’s arrangements."

Ishida Yu didn’t refuse upon hearing this.

Although Uzumaki Kae was a transfer student, her strength wasn’t bad. Passing the graduation exam would be absolutely no problem for her.

"Is anyone else applying?"

Ishida Yu asked for final confirmation.

Onodera hesitated for a moment and ultimately chose to give up.

If he took the graduation exam, the probability of passing was actually very high.

But he wanted to get first place once before graduating.

After all, for so many years, he had been continuously beaten down by Natsuki and Minato.

"Class dismissed."

Seeing no other hands raised, Ishida Yu turned and left the Class 4-A classroom.

He didn’t return to his office but went straight to the Hokage’s office.

"Lord Hokage."

Ishida Yu knocked on the door and walked in.

"Is someone applying for early graduation?"

Sarutobi Hiruzen’s thoughts stirred.

Since the establishment of the Ninja Academy, squad assignments had been the responsibility of the Hokage.

Because squad assignments involved many bonds and interests—and could even impact Konoha.

For example, his three students: Jiraiya, Tsunade, and Orochimaru.

Now that it was graduation season, Ishida Yu coming over could only be about early graduation.

And in Class 4-A taught by Ishida Yu, there were Natsuki, Minato, Kushina, and Nonou.

"Yes, Lord Hokage."

Ishida Yu immediately stated that Natsuki and the others were applying for early graduation.

"And an extra Uzumaki Kae?"

Sarutobi Hiruzen tapped the Hokage’s desk. "I approve. Notify them to attend the graduation exam on time."

"Yes, Lord Hokage."

Ishida Yu bowed slightly, turned, and left.

"Go call Tsunade."

Sarutobi Hiruzen pondered for a moment.

"Yes, Lord Hokage."

An ANBU ninja appeared and quickly disappeared again.

"What do you need me for?"

Before long, Tsunade pushed open the door and walked into the Hokage’s office.

She had been at the Konoha Hospital recently, so she arrived very quickly.

"Natsuki and the others applied for early graduation. I plan to put Natsuki, Nawaki, and Nonou in one squad."

Sarutobi Hiruzen chuckled. "Will you be their Jonin instructor, or will Orochimaru be their Jonin instructor?"

Tsunade instantly fell into thought.

Given her and Orochimaru’s relationship as teammates, whoever became the Jonin instructor was actually about the same. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶

But "about the same" didn’t mean there was no difference.

"Let Orochimaru be their Jonin instructor."

Tsunade finally made her decision.

Although Nonou was more suited to be her student, it was better for Natsuki and Nawaki to follow Orochimaru.

Besides, those two had long become Orochimaru’s students, having learned many kenjutsu and ninjutsu.

If Tsunade stole those two from him, Orochimaru might fall out with her.

Sarutobi Hiruzen nodded slightly.

Tsunade’s answer was within his expectations.

In fact, he was also more inclined to have Orochimaru be their Jonin instructor.

After all, they had already established a good bond.

Sarutobi Hiruzen understood Orochimaru very well.

Unlike Tsunade and Jiraiya, he usually appeared more gloomy.

Such a personality could easily lead to problems.

But with Nawaki and Natsuki around, their personalities could neutralize his—preventing Orochimaru from making wrong choices.

"What about you? Do you want to be a Jonin instructor? Orochimaru and Jiraiya will both be Jonin instructors."

Sarutobi Hiruzen added. "The students graduating this year have pretty good strength."

"No need. I don’t have that much time."

Tsunade refused. "Although I won’t lead a squad, I can take Nonou as my student."

"Since you put it that way, I won’t force you."

Sarutobi Hiruzen paused. "Any progress on the antidote?"

"Some, but not much."

Tsunade shook her head.

"It’s fine. Any progress is better than none."

Sarutobi Hiruzen said open-mindedly.

He didn’t have much confidence that Tsunade could create the antidote—but if she really succeeded, it would be an unexpected pleasant surprise.

In the afternoon.

Tsunade arrived at Uzumaki Mito’s residence and told Natsuki and the others about this.

"Wait!"

Kushina noticed something was wrong and hurriedly asked. "What about me?"

"Kushina, you won’t be assigned teammates for now."

Tsunade explained. "Wait until you’ve learned sealing jutsu."

"B-But..."

Kushina subconsciously looked at Natsuki.

"Even though we’ve graduated, when we don’t have missions, we can still train together. It’s no different from usual."

Natsuki comforted her.

"Alright."

Kushina nodded in disappointment.

"Once you’ve learned sealing jutsu and want to go out on missions, you can go with Natsuki and the others."

Seeing this, Tsunade spoke up.

Although Konoha ninja squads consisted of four people, some missions required multiple ninja squads to execute together.

In a sense, Tsunade wasn’t lying to Kushina.

Hearing this, Kushina’s mood improved considerably.

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