Chapter 93: Chapter 93: Natsuki vs. Kushina

Two days later, at the First Training Ground.

Unlike the joint Chunin Exams in the original story, the third stage of this Chunin Exam—the individual battles—had no audience.

But there was an audience of one, because Sarutobi Hiruzen was present.

Coupled with Orochimaru and Tsunade, the quality of the audience was not low.

Many participating Genin became excited.

As long as they performed exceptionally well in front of Sarutobi Hiruzen, they would definitely be heavily relied upon in the future.

"It’s a pity Jiraiya isn’t here."

Sarutobi Hiruzen said with some regret. "If he were here, it would be a rare gathering of the four of us—teacher and students."

"Once the war ends, we can naturally gather."

Orochimaru said in a calm tone.

"True."

Sarutobi Hiruzen nodded. "Who do you think will be the first place in this individual tournament?"

"Natsuki."

Orochimaru and Tsunade said in unison.

"It seems your opinions are very unified."

Sarutobi Hiruzen laughed.

"Teacher, do you have a different candidate?"

Tsunade asked in return.

"No."

Sarutobi Hiruzen shook his head. "Unless Minato has learned the Flying Thunder God Technique."

"Just the Flying Thunder God Technique isn’t enough."

Tsunade looked at Minato in the distance.

The effect of the Flying Thunder God Technique was only instant teleportation.

To perform a backstab during the teleportation required the Flying Thunder God Slash.

Back then, Senju Tobirama defeated Uchiha Izuna using the Flying Thunder God Slash.

In the original story, Minato used Flying Thunder God — Second Step, which was the Flying Thunder God Technique combined with the Rasengan.

The Flying Thunder God Technique had another heaven-defying application called Flying Thunder God: Guiding Thunder.

Its effect was to teleport objects or people—even capable of teleporting a Tailed Beast Ball.

This was the key to why the Flying Thunder God Technique could become a strategic-level ninjutsu.

"If he can learn the Flying Thunder God Technique, he can learn its other applications."

Sarutobi Hiruzen, still smiling. "Natsuki plus Minato happens to equal the Second Hokage."

After all, what Senju Tobirama excelled at most was the Flying Thunder God Technique combined with self-created ninjutsu.

"They are them. Second Granduncle is Second Granduncle."

Tsunade shook her head.

"I look forward to their future."

Sarutobi Hiruzen didn’t argue with Tsunade and nodded.

Time slowly passed.

It was soon 9 AM.

"The third stage is individual battles. It’s highly likely we’ll become opponents."

Nawaki reminded them. "Don’t hold back just because we’re friends. Everyone just bring out their full strength."

"I feel my youth is already boiling!"

Might Duy said excitedly. "Let’s have a battle full of youth!"

Nawaki opened his mouth to speak but stopped, and the atmosphere instantly cooled down.

"Do medical ninjas get special treatment in individual battles?"

Uzumaki Kae glanced at Inuzuka Suzume. "I feel like individual battles are very unfair to medical ninjas."

"I heard my sister say that after the Chunin Exams, Konoha will test the medical ninjutsu mastered by the medical ninjas."

Nawaki explained. "Then they will be evaluated based on the medical ninjutsu they have mastered."

Hearing this, Kae felt much more relieved.

She was worried that Inuzuka Suzume wouldn’t be able to pass the individual battles and thus wouldn’t become a Chunin.

Having spent this time together, they had already become good friends. Naturally, she didn’t want only two people from a squad to become Chunin.

Nonou didn’t need to worry too much.

After all, her teacher was Tsunade.

Right at that moment, Inuzuka Gaku walked to the center of the field.

He was still the chief examiner for the third stage of the Chunin Exams.

"The third stage is individual battles. The only rule is to stop when the point is made."

Inuzuka Gaku paused. "First round, first match: Natsuki versus Kuwano!"

"Do your best!"

Kushina, Nawaki, and the others all spoke up.

"Thank you."

Natsuki walked onto the field with a calm face.

His opponent, Kuwano, looked as if his parents had died.

Encountering Orochimaru’s student—the genius among geniuses, the highly famous Natsuki—in the first match, he felt he was too unlucky.

"The battle begins!"

After the two formed the Seal of Confrontation, Inuzuka Gaku shouted.

Wind Release: Great Breakthrough!

Kuwano formed hand seals with both hands without hesitation.

He opened his mouth and spat out a fierce wind.

One-Sword Style: Iai — Lion’s Song!

Natsuki’s response was very simple.

He drew a wooden sword and met the fierce wind.

Dazzling blade light, like a sharp sword edge, split the fierce wind in two.

Kuwano only felt his vision blur before Natsuki was in front of him.

Followed by a burning pain.

He looked down and saw the wooden sword resting on his abdomen.

If it were a real sword, it could have easily disemboweled him.

Most importantly, Kuwano didn’t even see Natsuki’s sword strike clearly.

He had just released Wind Release: Great Breakthrough and before he could react, he was already hit by the wooden sword.

The gap in strength was unimaginably large.

"I concede."

Kuwano said, completely convinced.

Natsuki nodded and put away his wooden sword.

"Winner: Natsuki."

Inuzuka Gaku announced.

Whether it was the participating Genin or Sarutobi Hiruzen and the other spectators, none had much reaction to this result.

After all, in their view, this was normal.

The exams continued.

Natsuki quickly noticed a problem.

Because until the end of the first round, the nine people from their three squads hadn’t been matched against each other. It was a perfect evasion.

Natsuki suspected there was behind-the-scenes manipulation.

After all, the identities of the nine people from their three squads were all extraordinary.

Except for Might Duy, they all came from ninja clans.

By the second round, the number of people was halved. The Genin who remained could be called elites among Genin.

It was no exaggeration to say that many of them possessed Chunin-level strength.

"Second round, third match: Nawaki versus Inuzuka Suzume!"

Inuzuka Gaku shouted loudly.

Because the number of people had sharply decreased, the members of their three squads would inevitably become opponents.

"Suzume, you are a medical ninja. If you can’t win, just concede."

As the captain, Minato immediately comforted her.

He knew Nawaki’s strength very well. Inuzuka Suzume couldn’t possibly be his match.

"Just show your strength."

Kae followed closely.

Hearing this, Nawaki couldn’t help but scratch his head.

He felt like some kind of Great Demon King.

But this experience was quite exhilarating.

Nawaki walked onto the field carrying the Greatsword Samehada.

Inuzuka Suzume didn’t concede right away.

After all, she wasn’t a pure medical ninja. As an Inuzuka clan ninja, she had also learned the clan’s secret jutsu.

Inuzuka Suzume bent down, both hands on the ground, presenting a beast-like posture.

And her ninja hound also bared its fangs, ready to launch an attack at any moment.

Fang Passing Fang!

Inuzuka Suzume and her ninja hound leaped up.

In an instant, two tornadoes crashed toward Nawaki at extreme speed.

But Nawaki had anticipated this.

When they made their move, he had already finished forming hand seals.

Water Release chakra transformed into a water dragon and charged out.

BOOM!

Water splashed everywhere.

The two violently spinning tornadoes and the water dragon formed a stalemate.

Air currents continuously tumbled under the effect of chakra, spreading outward like ripples.

Seeing this, Nawaki formed hand seals again.

Water Release: Water Colliding Wave!

He clapped his hands together. A stream of water landed on the ground, followed by a water version of a tornado.

Under his control, this stream of water spun and flew out.

The stalemate immediately changed.

When this stream of water hit the two tornadoes, it scattered like a waterfall.

The terrifying impact force overwhelmed the two tornadoes.

Inuzuka Suzume and her ninja hound reappeared, struggling in the water.

Seeing this, Nawaki immediately controlled the water flow to retreat.

Inuzuka Suzume and her ninja hound landed on the ground, completely drenched, and passed out.

"Winner: Nawaki!"

Inuzuka Gaku announced.

After he finished speaking, two female medical ninjas stepped forward and took away Inuzuka Suzume and her ninja hound.

"Sorry. I didn’t control the power well."

After Nawaki left the field, he said to Minato and Kae.

"She’s fine."

Minato shook his head. "She just needs a change of clothes."

"A battle fought with all one’s might requires no apologies!"

Might Duy gave a thumbs up. "This is youth!"

"Injuries in battle are inevitable."

Natsuki patted Nawaki’s shoulder. "The later battles will probably be even more intense."

"Second round, fourth match: Natsuki versus Nara Suzaku!"

Inuzuka Gaku’s words interrupted their chat.

"It seems my luck isn’t very good."

Hearing Natsuki’s name, Nara Suzaku couldn’t help but sigh. "Well, getting eliminated early means resting early."

He had completely given up any hope of winning.

"Even if you lose, you must lose in battle!"

As his teammate, Might Duy enthusiastically encouraged him. "You absolutely cannot let down your youth!"

"Thank you."

Nara Suzaku was stunned for a moment, then walked onto the field.

Natsuki looked at him, pondering a question.

Did he learn Shadow Assassin and Shadow Space?

Regardless, when fighting a Nara clan ninja, one must always pay attention to shadows.

Their high intelligence often led targets into traps unknowingly.

But when the gap in strength was too large, that was another story.

After Natsuki finished forming the Seal of Confrontation, the sound of tearing wind rang out.

Nara Suzaku flicked both hands. Six kunai headed straight for Natsuki’s vital spots.

Water Breathing: Seventh Form — Drop Ripple Thrust!

Natsuki drew his wooden sword and disappeared from his spot.

Water flow formed circular ripples, deflecting all the kunai.

The wooden sword thrust toward Nara Suzaku along a straight line.

Nara Suzaku instantly felt a piercing pain.

Just as he was about to be hit, his body suddenly flattened and dove into his own shadow.

It was exactly Shadow Assassin.

Seeing this, Natsuki wasn’t surprised.

He withdrew his wooden sword, raised his left hand, and aimed at the shadow on the ground.

Non-Systematic Magic: Phantom Blow!

An invisible mental shockwave hit the shadow.

Inside the Shadow Space, Nara Suzaku instantly felt dizzy.

He uncontrollably dispelled Shadow Assassin and reappeared in the outside world.

Natsuki casually raised his wooden sword and pressed it against his neck.

A moment later, when Nara Suzaku broke free from Non-Systematic Magic: Phantom Blow, he opened his eyes and saw the wooden sword in Natsuki’s hand.

He steadied himself, secretly thinking he had indeed lost without any power to resist.

"Winner: Natsuki!"

Inuzuka Gaku subsequently announced.

"As expected of the inventor of Shadow Assassin. Natsuki found the weakness at once."

Minato shook his head.

"Using the ninjutsu created by the inventor against him naturally has no effect."

Nawaki smiled.

Hearing this, a phrase popped into Natsuki’s mind: "Showing off your axe skills before the master carpenter."

The exams continued.

The second round soon came to an end.

Besides Natsuki, Nawaki, Inuzuka Suzume, and Nara Suzaku, the other five people didn’t encounter each other again and successfully advanced to the next round.

"There are only eight people left in the third round, and seven of them are from our three squads."

Nawaki scanned the area and said excitedly. "We are the strongest three squads among our peers!"

"Although many Genin didn’t participate in this Chunin Exam, I agree with your statement!"

Kushina’s lips curled up, and she said very happily.

"To be able to enter the third round with geniuses like you—it’s truly... such an honor!"

Might Duy shouted, trembling all over.

"Don’t celebrate too early. Entering the third round doesn’t mean you can become a Chunin."

Seeing this, Natsuki hurriedly stopped them.

"Natsuki is right."

Minato changed the subject. "The upcoming battles can all be called fierce battles."

"No matter what, I have to enter the top three!"

Nawaki clenched his fists.

"Betting on the name of youth, I will become a Chunin!"

Might Duy gave a thumbs up, his teeth sparkling.

He had been a Genin for seven or eight years, and this was his first time participating in the Chunin Exams.

No matter what, he had to seize this opportunity.

Because he didn’t know if this would be the only opportunity in his life.

"Rest time is over. The third round will now begin."

Inuzuka Gaku walked to the center of the field and shouted loudly. "Third round, first match: Natsuki versus Uzumaki Kushina!"

"What?"

Kushina widened her eyes. "Why is my opponent Natsuki?"

Natsuki’s mouth twitched.

What kind of matchmaking system is this?

Or was this arranged by Sarutobi Hiruzen?

"Do your best, both of you!"

Nawaki blinked.

But no matter how you listened to those words, they carried a hint of schadenfreude.

Kushina subconsciously looked at Natsuki.

"It’s a random draw. Anyone could be matched with anyone."

Natsuki smiled. "I haven’t seen your true strength yet. This is a rare opportunity."

"Then we’ll just spar casually."

Kushina waved her hand.

She couldn’t bring herself to hit Natsuki hard.

However, she also knew her strength was inferior to Natsuki’s.

"Here I come!"

Kushina quickly charged toward Natsuki.

Upon reaching him, she threw a simple punch.

Natsuki twisted his body and dodged it.

Golden Right Foot!

He kicked out.

Kushina twisted her wrist, her straight punch going downward, hitting his right foot.

BANG!

Terrifying power suddenly exploded. Visible air waves rose into the air at the point of collision.

Natsuki couldn’t help but take two steps back.

"How’s my Chakra Enhanced Strength?"

Gaining a slight upper hand, Kushina asked with a smile.

"Stronger than me."

Natsuki said truthfully.

Again, his pure taijutsu was not strong right now.

"Is Kushina this strong?"

Might Duy asked with a look of surprise.

He was a taijutsu ninja, so he knew very well how terrifying Kushina’s Chakra Enhanced Strength punch just now was.

Although he was Kushina’s teammate, he didn’t know her true strength.

In the previous two rounds, she hadn’t used Chakra Enhanced Strength either.

"Kushina is my sister’s student!"

Nawaki raised his chin slightly and said proudly.

"Lady Tsunade is a famous taijutsu powerhouse in Konoha."

Minato agreed.

"To be able to encounter so many taijutsu ninjas—it’s truly... such an honor!"

Might Duy instantly burst into tears and snot. "My youth will definitely burst forth with even more energy!"

Kae, Minato, and the others instinctively took a half step back.

"Natsuki isn’t using his full strength."

Nonou watched the battle on the field and said softly.

Bang, bang, bang sounds rang out continuously.

Both Natsuki and Kushina were only using taijutsu to fight.

But obviously, the former appeared slightly inferior under the attacks of Chakra Enhanced Strength.

"When did Natsuki’s reaction speed become so fast?"

Sarutobi Hiruzen suddenly noticed a blind spot and asked, confused.

Previously, when Natsuki used kenjutsu, he didn’t have the chance to show his reaction speed.

But when brawling with Kushina, because he was at a disadvantage, he couldn’t help but rely on his reaction speed to dodge.

This dodging made Sarutobi Hiruzen notice the issue.

"It is indeed much faster than before."

Orochimaru said thoughtfully. "Perhaps it’s because his body has developed further."

"This reaction speed is already comparable to Minato’s."

Tsunade raised an eyebrow. "Does he also have the talent to train in the Flying Thunder God Technique?"

Minato was ultimately Jiraiya’s student.

Him learning the Flying Thunder God Technique was certainly beneficial to Konoha, but he was Jiraiya’s student.

Natsuki was different. He was half her student, close to her, and could better represent Senju Tobirama.

"This is truly an unexpected pleasant surprise."

Sarutobi Hiruzen chuckled.

"I had a lot of fun fighting today."

A few minutes later, Kushina widened the distance and said with a smile. "Natsuki, use your full strength."

She naturally knew Natsuki had been playing with her all along.

Natsuki nodded and took out a wooden sword.

One-Sword Style: 36 Pound Phoenix!

Natsuki swung forcefully. A flying slash exploded in the air.

Kushina immediately felt a sense of crisis she hadn’t felt before.

She clenched her fists and used Chakra Enhanced Strength again.

BOOM!

The flying slash was smashed to pieces by Chakra Enhanced Strength.

But this was just the beginning.

Water Breathing: Sixth Form — Whirlpool!

Natsuki twisted his body. The wooden sword swung upward.

A massive amount of water surged out, swirling like a water dragon toward Kushina.

Kushina only felt her vision filled with water.

She instinctively raised her right leg and stomped down hard.

The ground suddenly cracked open.

Countless pieces of rubble smashed toward the water flow.

The two collided, stirring up a drizzle-like spray of water.

Natsuki twisted his wrist. The wooden sword deflected the remaining rubble.

Rasengan!

Kushina seized the opportunity and smashed her right hand toward Natsuki.

Seeing this, Natsuki retreated while also using the Rasengan with his left hand.

The two Rasengans collided and instantly exploded.

Natsuki, with quick eyes and swift hands, grabbed Kushina’s wrist and pulled her in front of him.

Because of this, the Rasengan didn’t cause her any harm.

"Thank you."

Kushina paused. "You’re still stronger. I concede."

"What ninjutsu is this?"

Seeing the Rasengan, Sarutobi Hiruzen’s heart jolted.

This power was at least A-Rank.

And most importantly, it was actually a seal-less ninjutsu.

"It’s the Rasengan, created by Natsuki."

Tsunade said with a face full of smiles.

Sarutobi Hiruzen couldn’t help but tug his beard.

As Natsuki’s strength increased, the level of the ninjutsu he created also got higher and higher.

If this continued, he would be like Senju Tobirama—having a greater and greater impact on Konoha.

Sarutobi Hiruzen had previously said that Natsuki plus Minato would be the next Senju Tobirama.

Now it seemed that whether he learned the Flying Thunder God Technique or not wouldn’t affect Natsuki becoming the next Senju Tobirama.

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