The holidays for the medical ninja training program and the Ninja Academy weren't synchronized.
After lunch, Yakushi Nonou returned to class.
Natsuki headed back to the Konoha Orphanage. After confirming with Director Mayu that no Root ninjas had appeared, he exhaled with relief.
Given Shimura Danzo's personality, the moment he learned Natsuki had defeated Namikaze Minato, he would have come knocking—demanding Natsuki join Root.
The fact that nothing had happened could only mean one thing: Sarutobi Hiruzen had intervened.
Thinking it through, that made sense. The current Sarutobi Hiruzen wasn't the overly indulgent Third Hokage from the original timeline.
Of course, Shimura Danzo wouldn't give up so easily.
There wasn't much Natsuki could do except improve his strength as quickly as possible.
He quickly finalized his training plan for the vacation.
Mornings: grind practice questions. Afternoons: tree climbing.
The next day arrived.
After walking Yakushi Nonou to Konoha Hospital, Natsuki headed to the nearby training ground.
To his surprise, Tsunade and Nawaki weren't alone.
A little girl stood with them.
She looked about Natsuki's age, with a slightly round face and vibrant red hair.
"Natsuki, let me introduce you."
Tsunade spoke first. "This is Uzumaki Kushina. She'll be transferring to your class next semester."
As expected.
The moment Natsuki saw that red hair, he'd guessed her identity.
"Hello. I'm Uzumaki Kushina."
Kushina spoke somewhat shyly.
She wasn't the fiery Red-Hot Habanero yet.
In fact, she'd only earned that nickname after fighting back against classmates who bullied her.
"I'm Natsuki. Nice to meet you."
Natsuki nodded.
"I've prepared wooden ninja tools for you two."
Tsunade crouched down, opened a storage scroll, and retrieved a pile of equipment.
She was there to provide immediate medical treatment if needed—but avoiding injuries entirely was obviously preferable.
Natsuki glanced down instinctively.
He was standing close, and Tsunade wasn't wearing her Jonin flak jacket today. A glimpse of pale skin was visible at her collar.
She hadn't quite reached her future proportions yet—but the signs were already there.
"Natsuki, let's do this!"
Nawaki formed the Seal of Confrontation, grinning eagerly.
"Nawaki-senpai, please go easy on me."
Natsuki took a wooden ninja sword from Tsunade's hands.
In the original story, Nawaki's screen time could be summarized in a single sentence: blown up by an explosive tag at age twelve.
How much talent he possessed, what ninjutsu he knew—all of it was unknown.
But one thing Natsuki could be certain of: his chakra reserves were enormous.
Both the Senju and Uzumaki clans were famous for their massive chakra pools.
Uzumaki Kushina watched them with curiosity.
She had just arrived and didn't know Natsuki—but she knew a little about Nawaki. He was considered a genius among geniuses.
"Here I come!"
Nawaki warned—and his body flickered, appearing directly in front of Natsuki.
He threw a punch that tore through the air.
Body Flicker Technique.
Natsuki had no time to dodge. He raised his ninja sword, using the flat of the blade to block Nawaki's fist.
BANG.
The impact traveled through his arm.
Natsuki's sword hand went numb.
He glanced down—cracks had already formed in the wooden blade.
No time to think.
Natsuki's right leg shot toward Nawaki like lightning.
Nawaki raised his own leg to meet it.
Leg collided with leg. Both of them shuddered.
Nawaki stumbled back a step, surprise flickering across his face.
He had studied taijutsu under Tsunade since childhood. He'd believed no peer could match him in hand-to-hand combat.
But Natsuki's Golden Right Foot had given him a rude awakening.
Still—it was only a minor setback.
Nawaki closed the distance again, his right fist swinging with terrifying force.
Reinforcement Magecraft!
Chakra surged into Natsuki's legs.
His speed spiked. In an instant, he opened up distance between them.
One-Sword Style: 36 Pound Phoenix!
Natsuki's gaze sharpened. The ninja sword in his hand became a blur.
Nawaki felt danger.
He skidded to a halt and rapidly formed hand seals.
A wall of water rose before him.
The next second, a visible blue slash tore through the air—and slammed into the barrier.
BOOM!
The impact was violent.
A massive hole ripped through the water wall.
"What kind of kenjutsu is that?"
Nawaki's voice carried genuine alarm.
If he hadn't used Water Release: Water Formation Wall in time, that strike would have carved a bloody hole through him.
Tsunade, watching from the sidelines, looked equally shocked.
The power of that technique rivaled a typical B-Rank ninjutsu.
"A-Amazing!"
Uzumaki Kushina blurted out.
She had seen many geniuses in the Uzumaki clan. None compared to Natsuki and Nawaki.
"I call it One-Sword Style Kenjutsu."
Natsuki replied, catching his breath.
He didn't possess Zoro's monstrous stamina. He could only fuel the technique with chakra.
And that single strike had consumed a third of his reserves.
It couldn't be helped. He was young, lacked a special bloodline, and his chakra pool was limited.
"No wonder Minato lost to you."
Nawaki said, genuine admiration in his voice.
"I have enough chakra left for one more technique."
Natsuki gripped his ninja sword and held it vertically before him.
Nawaki's expression turned serious.
He immediately formed hand seals and unleashed the strongest Water Release in his arsenal.
Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet Technique!
A massive water dragon roared to life and surged forward.
Normally, that technique required forty-four hand seals. Nawaki's version required only four.
Because he had learned the improved version—created by the Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama himself.
At that exact moment, a sound like tearing silk cut through the air.
One-Sword Style: Iai — Lion's Song!
Natsuki transformed into a beam of light—and cleaved the water dragon in two.
Water exploded everywhere.
Nawaki's eyes went wide.
The beam had weakened considerably—but it hadn't stopped. It was coming straight for him.
At the last instant, he raised both arms and crossed them in front of his chest.
The light halted—revealing Natsuki's figure.
Pain erupted through Nawaki's forearms.
But he had blocked the strike.
"I concede."
Natsuki said without hesitation.
First: he had almost no chakra left.
Second: he had already used his two strongest techniques.
If the fight continued, he would definitely lose.
Better to surrender while he still held the advantage. Save face.
"You..."
Nawaki opened his mouth, momentarily lost for words.
He had won—but not easily.
And Natsuki was two years younger.
If they were the same age... if Natsuki had more chakra and more techniques... the loser would probably be him.
"Truly astonishing talent with a blade."
Tsunade couldn't help but praise.
At the same time, an idea formed in her mind.
Natsuki would make an excellent teammate for Nawaki.
She would need to speak with Orochimaru. Have him serve as their Jonin instructor after graduation.
Add Yakushi Nonou to the mix—and they could form a nearly perfect squad.
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