Chapter 69: Chapter 69: The Aftermath and Rewards

"Natsuki and Kushina, come with me to the Hokage’s office."

Tsunade paused. "Nawaki and Minato, go back and continue your training."

"Yes, Teacher Tsunade."

Natsuki nodded and extended his hand toward Kushina.

Although somewhat embarrassed, Kushina took his hand and stood up from the ground.

Minato and Nawaki subconsciously exchanged a glance.

They both felt that the Kushina before them was a stranger.

She wasn’t usually like this.

Tsunade led Natsuki and Kushina toward the Hokage Building.

Upon arriving at the Hokage’s office, she pushed the door open and walked in directly.

"It’s good that you’re safe."

Sarutobi Hiruzen looked Kushina up and down and felt relieved.

Although theoretically Konoha didn’t lack Nine-Tails Jinchuriki candidates right now, Kushina was the most talented.

Whether it was her special chakra or her exceptional ability to learn sealing jutsu, she was unmatched among her peers.

With her as the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, the state would be more stable.

No matter which ninja village it was, the most feared thing was a Jinchuriki going berserk.

Every rampage inevitably caused massive losses.

Fortunately, Konoha’s Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, Uzumaki Mito, had never gone berserk.

"Tsunade, tell me the specific situation."

Sarutobi Hiruzen explained. "This rescue operation was classified as S-Rank. All participating ninjas will be rewarded according to their merit."

Involving a Nine-Tails Jinchuriki candidate and the participation of four Kumogakure Jonin—classifying it as S-Rank was completely justified.

Moreover, if Kushina really were captured by Kumogakure, it would affect the relationship between the Uzumaki clan and Konoha.

"The ANBU and I didn’t even get to help. Natsuki rescued Kushina all by himself."

Tsunade smiled as she recounted Natsuki’s rescue process to Sarutobi Hiruzen.

"What an... unexpected result."

Beside his surprise, Sarutobi Hiruzen also felt happy. He chuckled. "It seems I no longer need to worry about Konoha’s future."

These words carried a lot of weight—but Tsunade thought there was no problem with them.

She had never seen a genius like Natsuki.

In her view, even she, Jiraiya, and Orochimaru at the same age hadn’t performed as well as him.

"I was only able to save Kushina with the help of Teacher Tsunade’s shadow clone."

Natsuki said modestly.

"There’s no need for such pleasantries."

Sarutobi Hiruzen waved his hand. "What reward do you want this time?"

Hearing this, Natsuki fell into thought.

He really didn’t know what to ask for.

He hadn’t even grasped the basics of the Spirit Transformation Technique he asked for last time.

There was no need to request another S-Rank ninjutsu.

As for money, he didn’t lack it now. It was no exaggeration to say he was richer than Orochimaru and Jiraiya.

As for Tsunade—let’s not even mention it.

Even though she didn’t gamble as much as in the original story, she still gambled from time to time, losing most of her money.

"Lord Hokage."

Natsuki’s thoughts suddenly stirred. "Can I become a contractor of the Monkey clan?"

Speaking of summoning beasts, besides the Three Great Sage Regions, there was one that Orochimaru called the strongest summoning beast—and that was Enma.

Enma’s formidable aspect lay in his Adamantine Body. He could also transform into the Adamantine Staff.

In the original story, Sarutobi Hiruzen wielding the Adamantine Staff had many glorious combat achievements.

For example—knocking back the Nine-Tails with a single strike of his staff.

Of course, Natsuki also had self-awareness.

He said he wanted to become a contractor of the Monkey clan, not Enma’s contractor.

In the original story, Enma had a prefix—Monkey King—and he also had a son named Enra.

This indicated a point: this was a species of summoning beasts, not a single summoning beast.

"Your train of thought really jumps around, child."

Sarutobi Hiruzen was stunned for a moment. "You don’t know staff techniques, so why do you want to become a contractor of the Monkey clan?"

Tsunade also looked at Natsuki.

She also couldn’t quite understand.

"I heard the Monkey clan is the strongest summoning beast, so I wanted to see for myself."

Natsuki scratched his head and said half-truthfully.

Hearing this, Sarutobi Hiruzen didn’t doubt him.

In his view, children thought like this—they always liked the strongest.

As for who told him, it was most likely Orochimaru.

He had said similar things in the past.

"You are not a ninja of the Sarutobi clan. If you want to become a contractor of the Monkey clan, you must get Enma’s approval."

Sarutobi Hiruzen glanced at Tsunade. "You should know that even your teachers didn’t get his approval."

Natsuki was instantly somewhat surprised.

He originally thought Jiraiya, Tsunade, and Orochimaru hadn’t become contractors of the Monkey clan because they became contractors of the Three Great Sage Regions—but now it seemed there was more to it.

"I want to try."

Natsuki’s Ten Shadows Technique required ten summoning beasts.

The Monkey clan’s strength wasn’t bad. Just the Adamantine Body alone was comparable to a divine weapon.

Moreover, Natsuki suspected that the Monkey clan could transform not only into the Adamantine Staff—but also into other ninja tools.

After all, "Nyoi" (Adamantine) implied the ability to switch forms at will.

In the original story, the Adamantine Staff could freely extend, shrink, grow larger, grow smaller, and even clone itself.

"Alright then."

Sarutobi Hiruzen didn’t refuse. He nodded. "Tomorrow at 9 AM, come find me at the First Training Ground."

"Yes, Lord Hokage."

Natsuki immediately responded.

"You may leave."

With the matter concluded, Sarutobi Hiruzen dismissed them.

Although Kushina had been rescued, as Hokage, he still had many things to do.

For example—dealing with the Kumogakure spies.

"Come with me to see Grandma Mito."

Tsunade rubbed Kushina’s head. "She is quite worried about you."

"I’m sorry."

Kushina said, embarrassed. "I was too careless."

If she had recognized the disguised Natsuki and Minato, she wouldn’t have been captured so easily.

"What’s past is past. You don’t need to blame yourself."

Tsunade changed the subject. "But I have to give you special training to heighten your vigilance."

"Okay, Lady Tsunade."

Kushina didn’t refuse.

She indeed needed such special training.

Natsuki followed Tsunade and Kushina to see Uzumaki Mito and was praised by her again.

After the visit, he took the Ninja Cat Shirayuki to the empty area to find Granny Cat.

"Shirayuki, long time no see, meow!"

A group of cats surrounded Shirayuki, asking all sorts of questions.

"Granny Cat."

Natsuki got straight to the point. "I want the best ninja sword you have here."

Although this ninja sword was for transitional use, he wasn’t short on money now. Naturally, he wanted the best.

"The best ninja sword is also the most expensive ninja sword."

Granny Cat reminded him.

"It’s fine. I brought money."

Natsuki said confidently.

Granny Cat nodded slightly.

She was an information broker, so she had some understanding of Natsuki’s situation.

His izakaya business was booming. He had earned a lot of money.

"It will be ten million ryo."

Granny Cat held up a finger and explained. "A small amount of chakra metal was added to this ninja sword.

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