"Natsuki, why is your bento so delicious? Did you make it yourself?"
Uzumaki Kushina's eyes went wide as she asked.
During the vacation, when they'd trained together, the training ground had been next to Konoha Hospital. They'd always eaten lunch in the hospital cafeteria.
This was her first time tasting food Natsuki had personally prepared.
The Emiya Shirou template was truly a gift that kept on giving.
"I made it."
Natsuki nodded.
"Natsuki has incredible talent for cooking."
Namikaze Minato chimed in. "He's only been learning for a year, but his skills already rival professional chefs who've trained their whole lives."
"This is the most delicious bento I've ever had!"
Kushina praised without holding back.
Hearing this, Minato couldn't help but sigh internally.
Not only couldn't he beat Natsuki in a fight—he couldn't even compete with his cooking. A complete defeat on all fronts.
"Want to learn? I can teach you."
Natsuki smiled slightly.
"Yes!"
Kushina agreed happily.
"Can I learn too?"
Minato asked suddenly.
"Teaching one is teaching. Teaching two is the same. Of course you can learn."
Natsuki didn't refuse.
Kushina glanced at Minato.
She would have preferred learning to cook alone with Natsuki.
After lunch ended, the afternoon practical combat class began.
In this session, Ishida Yu taught the second of the Three Basic Jutsu: the Transformation Jutsu.
Natsuki needed to learn the Transformation Jutsu to unlock Ability 2 of his Uzumaki Naruto template, so he studied with genuine focus.
Namikaze Minato, however, had already mastered all three Basic Jutsu.
When Ishida Yu had a free moment, Minato approached him quickly.
"Your situation is indeed special."
Ishida Yu thought for a moment. "How about this—I'll go see Lord Hokage right now. Only with his approval can I teach you other ninjutsu."
Normally, the Ninja Academy only taught the Three Basic Jutsu.
But as always, geniuses had privileges.
"Thank you, Sensei."
Minato exhaled with relief.
He glanced at Natsuki practicing the Transformation Jutsu and silently vowed to give him a surprise in the next final exam.
"Keep an eye on everyone for me. If anyone has problems, help them out."
Ishida Yu instructed Minato before heading toward the Hokage's office.
"Come in."
Sarutobi Hiruzen looked up at the knock.
"Lord Hokage."
Ishida Yu got straight to the point and explained Minato's request.
"Use chakra induction paper to test his chakra nature, then teach him ninjutsu accordingly."
Sarutobi Hiruzen considered briefly. "You handle his training for now. I'll arrange someone else to teach him later."
"Yes, Lord Hokage."
Ishida Yu felt a twinge of envy.
Sarutobi Hiruzen's meaning was clear: he was going to assign Minato a Jonin instructor ahead of schedule.
After a slight bow, Ishida Yu turned and left.
"Inform Jiraiya to return to Konoha when he has time."
Sarutobi Hiruzen spoke to the empty air. "Also, summon Orochimaru."
"Yes, Lord Hokage."
An ANBU ninja hidden in the shadows responded immediately.
Ishida Yu returned to the Ninja Academy and conducted a chakra nature test on Minato.
"I actually have three chakra natures?"
Minato looked surprised.
"You really are a genius through and through!"
Ishida Yu examined the results—Lightning, Fire, and Wind—and praised him openly.
"Not as good as Natsuki."
Minato shook his head.
"Natsuki is a genius in kenjutsu. You're a genius in ninjutsu."
Ishida Yu offered encouragement. "It's normal for ninjutsu to lag behind kenjutsu in the early stages. In the mid and late stages, you might surpass him."
Minato paused.
Natsuki really didn't have much talent for ninjutsu.
Take the Three Basic Jutsu, for example.
Minato had already mastered all three. Natsuki had only learned one.
Thinking about it that way, Minato's spirit lifted.
Stay steady. I can win. I can make a comeback!
The first day of the new semester came to a close.
Natsuki went to Konoha Hospital as usual, picked up Yakushi Nonou, and returned to the Konoha Orphanage.
He greeted Director Mayu and headed to the kitchen to cook.
But he quickly noticed something was wrong.
"Director, did something happen? You look worried."
Natsuki asked directly.
"N-Nothing."
Mayu shook her head reflexively.
"Director, don't underestimate me. Maybe I can help."
Natsuki's voice was serious.
"We're short on money."
Mayu hesitated, then admitted it.
"Short on money?"
Natsuki frowned.
He understood immediately. The Konoha Orphanage—or rather, he and Yakushi Nonou specifically—had offended Shimura Danzo.
In retaliation, Danzo had cut off the orphanage's funding.
"Doesn't Lord Hokage know?"
Natsuki asked.
"The Konoha Orphanage has always been managed by Lord Danzo."
Mayu answered indirectly.
"Then I'll go find Lady Tsunade."
Natsuki thought for a moment before speaking.
"If Lady Tsunade can help, that would be wonderful."
Mayu exhaled with relief.
"Don't worry, Director. She'll definitely help."
Natsuki spoke with confidence.
Setting aside Yakushi Nonou's position in the medical training program—his bond with Nawaki and Uzumaki Kushina alone was enough to get Tsunade involved.
He could even go directly to Sarutobi Hiruzen. But they weren't close, so approaching Tsunade first made more sense.
Mayu looked slightly dazed.
She hadn't expected Natsuki's relationship with Tsunade to have developed this far.
In just one year, circumstances had shifted beyond anything she'd imagined.
A problem that had given her endless headaches—Natsuki had resolved it effortlessly.
Natsuki fell into thought.
Money was critically important in the ninja world.
Although Sarutobi Hiruzen could solve the orphanage's funding issue, that money couldn't go directly to Natsuki.
Sometimes he needed to post commissioned missions to unlock character templates.
But with only expenses and no income, he wouldn't last long.
How can I make money?
An idea flashed through his mind: opening an izakaya.
He had the Emiya Shirou template. His culinary skills were more than sufficient.
Right at that moment, a notification appeared.
[You have awakened the Zeff Template.]
Who's Zeff?
Natsuki blinked in confusion.
He examined the newly triggered template.
[Name: Zeff]
[Era: Owner and Head Chef of the Baratie]
[World: One Piece]
[Rank: D-Rank]
[Ability 1: Culinary Arts — Unlocked]
[Effect: Exquisite culinary skills.]
[Ability 2: Head Chef Drop Kick — Locked]
[Effect: Leap and deliver a fierce kick with the right foot.]
[Unlock Condition: Open an izakaya.]
[Ability 3: Head Chef Dead Weight — Locked]
[Effect: Jump into the air and kick downward at the enemy with the right foot. Capable of destroying the floor with a single strike.]
[Unlock Condition: Win over thirty ninjas with your cooking.]
Ah—Sanji's mentor from One Piece.
Natsuki still remembered their storyline. It had been genuinely touching.
Beyond Ability 1, the other two were equivalent to D-Rank to C-Rank taijutsu.
He estimated they were similar to Might Guy's Leaf Whirlwind series—useful for compensating for his taijutsu shortcomings.
Natsuki snapped back to reality and discussed opening an izakaya with Mayu.
His plan was simple: have the older orphans work as servers, and he would pay them a salary.
The izakaya would offer two tiers: standard and premium.
For the standard tier, Mayu would cook.
For the premium tier, Natsuki would personally handle everything—catering specifically to wealthy ninjas, merchants, and nobles.
The prices would be accordingly high.
He'd also limit how often he cooked. First, because scarcity created value. Second, because he still had classes and training.
Mayu agreed immediately.
She had tasted Natsuki's cooking. It was exceptional. Finding a second person in all of Konoha who cooked better would be nearly impossible.
With the matter settled, Natsuki ate dinner and resumed training.
[Congratulations, Host. You have unlocked Shiba Tatsuya Template Ability 2: Weight-Type Magic — Gravity Mitigation.]
After an entire vacation of tree climbing practice, he had finally acquired a new ability.
Gravity Mitigation!
Natsuki instantly understood what it meant to be light as a feather.
He ran around the courtyard—his speed a full third faster than before.
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