Chapter 71: Chapter 71: Mifune of the Land of Iron

After choosing his summoning beast, Natsuki said goodbye to Sarutobi Hiruzen and returned to Orochimaru’s residence.

"Natsuki, did you succeed?"

Nawaki asked curiously upon seeing him.

Tsunade also looked at him.

Natsuki nodded.

"That’s really rare."

Tsunade smiled. "Right now, it feels like you are more of Teacher’s student than we are."

"Teacher Tsunade, logically speaking, with your strength, you could definitely become contractors of the Monkey clan. Why didn’t you?"

Natsuki asked, confused.

Judging from Enma’s test, it was both difficult and not difficult.

At the very least, it wouldn’t be difficult for Jiraiya, Tsunade, and Orochimaru.

"Because of poor compatibility."

Tsunade explained. "I use my fists, Jiraiya uses ninjutsu, and Orochimaru uses kenjutsu. None of us can bring out Enma’s true strength."

"I see."

Natsuki asked again. "Teacher Tsunade, when are we going out on a mission?"

He currently had many template abilities that needed to be unlocked.

"There are too many spies in Konoha recently. For safety’s sake, we’ll go out after Teacher cleans them up."

Tsunade considered.

"Mm."

Natsuki wasn’t in a hurry either.

After chatting, he began his training.

He used the Shadow Clone Jutsu to create a shadow clone.

The shadow clone trained in Water Release chakra nature transformation while he researched the new ability of the Logia-Type Plume-Plume Fruit—White Launcher.

The sun set in the west.

An ANBU ninja suddenly appeared.

He walked up to Tsunade, handed her a scroll, and then disappeared.

Natsuki, Nawaki, and Minato—who had finished training and were preparing to leave—subconsciously looked at her.

"All the Kumogakure spies in Konoha have been found."

Tsunade smiled. "The Third Raikage will probably be heartbroken for a long time."

"This is the price for Kumogakure’s audacity!"

Nawaki clenched his fists.

As Senju Hashirama’s grandson, his feelings for Konoha naturally went without saying.

In his view, Kumogakure’s kidnapping of Kushina was simply abominable.

"Mm."

Tsunade paused. "Grandma Mito said that starting tomorrow, you’ll go to her place to train."

"Why?"

Nawaki asked instinctively.

"Because of Kushina."

Tsunade explained. "First, you can train together and avoid being lonely. Second, Kushina won’t have to go out—which is much safer."

Although the Kumogakure spies had all been eliminated, the Third Raikage would definitely send more ninjas over.

Kushina still faced the risk of being kidnapped.

Not just her—the other Uzumaki clan members would also have their protection strengthened.

If something happened, Konoha wouldn’t be able to answer to Uzumaki Mito and Uzumaki Keisuke.

The next morning.

Kushina was absent-mindedly practicing sealing jutsu.

Her gaze drifted toward the door from time to time.

Seeing this, Mito couldn’t help but smile.

Ever since Kushina was saved by Natsuki that day, she had been in this state.

"Kushina."

Mito teased. "Didn’t you just see Natsuki?"

"When did I just see him? The last time we met was the day before yesterday."

Kushina realized the problem only after speaking.

She couldn’t help but puff out her cheeks.

Mito smiled even more happily.

Right at that moment, a knock sounded on the door.

"Natsuki!"

Kushina’s eyes lit up. She hurried toward the door.

"Why are you only greeting Natsuki?"

Nawaki put his arm around Minato’s shoulder. "What about us?"

"Nawaki-senpai, Minato, welcome."

Kushina added, embarrassed.

"Let’s go inside to talk."

Tsunade raised her hand and flicked Nawaki’s forehead.

The group entered the courtyard. After exchanging pleasantries with Mito, they began today’s training.

Time flew. It was July.

After two months of hard work, Natsuki unlocked another ability.

[Congratulations, Host. You have unlocked Smoker Template Ability 5: White Vine.]

With this, all five abilities of the Smoker template were fully unlocked.

Of course, unlocking White Vine also meant Natsuki had successfully mastered White Launcher—gaining the ability to fly.

White Vine could be considered the strongest among the five abilities.

The previous abilities all involved shooting smoke from the arms, but White Vine transformed the entire body into smoke to trap the target.

The entangling ability reached another level.

On the Ninja Academy playground.

The students of Class 4-A erupted in waves of cheers.

Because Natsuki defeated Minato once again.

The two involved were very calm.

One knew he wouldn’t lose. The other knew he couldn’t win.

With the customary battle between Natsuki and Minato concluding, the first semester of Class 4-A came to an end.

Unsurprisingly, Natsuki was still in first place. Minato was in second.

But third place wasn’t Kushina—because she didn’t participate in the final exam.

However, it wasn’t Onodera either. It was Kushina’s good friend, Uzumaki Kae.

In the original story, Karin’s mother’s talent wasn’t mentioned—but Karin’s was.

Karin, without any teacher, had directly used the Adamantine Sealing Chains.

This alone was enough to prove her astonishing talent.

Besides that, she had also mastered the Mind’s Eye of the Kagura and the Mystical Palm Jutsu.

The only pity was that in the original story, she never met a suitable teacher.

Otherwise, Natsuki felt she would not be inferior to Haruno Sakura.

From the current perspective, Uzumaki Kae’s talent wasn’t bad. Worthy of being called a genius.

Although not comparable to Kushina and Minato.

"I wonder if Teacher will come back during summer vacation."

Minato said as they walked.

Although training together with Natsuki, Nawaki, and the others wasn’t bad, the teacher wasn’t Jiraiya—which ultimately made him unaccustomed.

"It’s probably very unlikely."

Natsuki shook his head. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶

The war between Amegakure and Sunagakure had reached its most intense moment.

Once a victor was decided, the spearhead might turn toward Konoha, starting a new war.

War could break out at any time. Jiraiya and Orochimaru had no way to leave.

"Natsuki! Minato!"

Nawaki’s voice rang out.

Natsuki looked up and saw Nawaki and Tsunade standing at the school gate.

"Go home and prepare. Gather at the village entrance at 9 AM tomorrow."

Tsunade said directly. "Teacher has a mission."

"What mission?"

Natsuki’s spirits lifted.

It had been almost half a year since their last mission outside to the Uzumaki clan. He had long been impatient.

"Jiraiya sent back intel that Hanzo might be planning to make a move against the Land of Iron."

Tsunade replied. "Teacher wants us to make a trip to the Land of Iron."

The Land of Iron?

Natsuki immediately thought of Mifune.

The Land of Iron was different from other countries. It had no ninjas—but it had samurai.

However, although they were called samurai, they were actually more like ninjas who used swords and blades.

Because these samurai also had chakra.

Mifune was the cream of the crop among them—serving as the General of the Land of Iron and the leader of the samurai.

Natsuki fell into thought.

The original story mentioned a battle between Hanzo and Mifune, which had most likely occurred during the Second Shinobi World War.

Then—could this trip to the Land of Iron help him unlock character template abilities?

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