Chapter 72: Chapter 72: Nonou’s First Mission

After Natsuki left the Ninja Academy, he went to Konoha Hospital.

Before he even got close, he saw Yakushi Nonou standing at the hospital entrance.

"Did class end early today?"

Natsuki walked up to her, reached out and pinched her cheek.

"I finished today’s lessons early."

Nonou replied softly.

"That’s amazing."

Natsuki smiled. "Tomorrow is summer vacation. Teacher Tsunade said you can come with us to the Land of Iron."

"I can go too?"

Nonou’s gentle expression changed. A look of pleasant surprise appeared on her face.

"Mm."

Natsuki explained. "Teacher Tsunade said your strength is already comparable to a medical Genin, so you can go out on missions to gain experience."

Nonou nodded vigorously, the corners of her mouth turning up. She looked very happy.

She had long wanted to go on a mission with Natsuki—but she never had the chance or wasn’t allowed to.

"This is your first time going on a mission, so I’ll tell you some things to keep in mind."

Natsuki said as they walked. "First, you must bring enough bento. During a mission, lighting a fire to cook isn’t allowed..."

Nonou followed behind him, listening attentively.

Upon arriving at the Konoha Orphanage, Natsuki pulled her into the kitchen.

The Land of Iron was to the northeast of the Land of Fire. According to a normal ninja’s pace, the journey would take one to two days.

The number of bento needed would be between three and six.

Considering that besides Tsunade, they were all children and their speed wouldn’t be that fast, he prepared bento for a two-day journey.

"Nonou."

Natsuki opened the refrigerator. "What do you want to eat on the way?"

"Anything is fine."

Nonou said seriously. "Everything you cook is delicious."

"Then I’ll make a few different things."

Natsuki considered. "Let’s start with three-colored dango."

Three-colored dango—also known as glutinous rice dumplings.

In the original story, it was Mitarashi Anko and Uchiha Itachi’s favorite.

Especially the former, who eventually ate so much she turned into "Mitarashi Sweet Potato."

Nonou stood aside, watching Natsuki’s movements.

It wasn’t until the enticing aroma wafted out that she subconsciously licked her lips.

"Have a taste."

Natsuki handed her a glutinous rice dumpling.

Nonou immediately opened her mouth and took a bite.

After chewing a few times, a trace of enjoyment uncontrollably appeared on her fair face.

"Delicious."

After speaking, she bit into the remaining dumpling.

"It’s all covered in your saliva."

Natsuki glanced at his finger and joked.

Hearing this, Nonou gave him a smiling face.

Truly cute.

Natsuki turned around and continued cooking.

Considering the freeloaders Tsunade, Nawaki, and Minato, he made a few extra portions.

The next day.

After eating breakfast, Natsuki and Nonou arrived at the entrance of Konoha.

Tsunade, Nawaki, and Minato had already arrived early—but Kushina wasn’t there.

Her special status made it difficult for her to go out, especially since she had been kidnapped before.

Of course, the most important reason was that Uzumaki Mito’s life was nearing its end. She had to hurry and learn sealing jutsu.

"Let’s go."

After Tsunade finished registering with the Konoha Gate Guards, she turned and walked out.

Leaving the village required registration. She was no exception.

Natsuki glanced at the Gate Guards.

They were unfamiliar faces—not Kamizuki Izumo and Hagane Kotetsu from the original story.

But that was normal. They hadn’t even been born yet.

Night fell.

The group successfully arrived at the northeastern border of the Land of Fire.

"Sweet and sticky. Truly not bad."

Tsunade took a bite of the three-colored dango and praised.

"Although I don’t really like sweets, I have to say it’s pretty good."

Nawaki exhaled.

Minato and Nonou spoke less, silently eating their three-colored dango.

"After you finish eating, I’ll tell you about this mission."

Tsunade clapped her hands. "The main purpose is to form an alliance with the Land of Iron."

"An alliance?"

Nawaki was stunned. "Doesn’t that mean we won’t encounter any enemies on this trip?"

"Most likely, we won’t."

Tsunade replied.

"Then what’s the point of this mission?"

Nawaki instantly showed a disappointed expression.

He had been learning Water Breathing recently. With the Greatsword Samehada, he had been wanting to find an enemy to test them on.

He originally thought there would be an opportunity on this mission—but who knew it was just a simple trip to form an alliance.

"Do you know what the Land of Iron is also known as?"

Tsunade knew what he was thinking. She smiled.

"What?"

Nawaki scratched his head.

"The Land of Samurai."

Natsuki said.

"Correct."

Tsunade nodded. "Samurai value martial arts and are very willing to spar with others."

"I heard Teacher say that among samurai, there’s a popular practice called dojo-crashing."

Minato spoke up. "It means visiting famous local samurai to spar."

"Then who is the strongest in the Land of Iron?"

Nawaki asked impatiently.

"Mifune."

Tsunade paused. "But you definitely aren’t his match, so don’t go asking for trouble."

"Can a samurai be stronger than a ninja?"

Nawaki asked, confused.

"Samurai also use chakra."

Tsunade replied. "They are essentially ninjas who use kenjutsu."

"I see."

Realization appeared on Nawaki’s face. "Is Mifune a Jonin?"

"Mifune is famous for his self-created Mifune-Style Kenjutsu. The characteristic is speed—so fast that ninjas don’t even have time to form hand seals."

Tsunade introduced. "Besides that, he has a katana called Kurosawa, which is said to cut through iron like mud."

"Kurosawa? Is it very famous?"

Natsuki was slightly taken aback.

He knew Mifune had a katana—but he didn’t know it was that famous.

"Naturally, it’s very famous."

Tsunade glanced at him. "Among samurai and kenjutsu ninjas, it’s practically known to everyone."

Natsuki immediately thought of his Heroic Spirit Emiya template.

The unlock condition for Ability 3, Projection Magecraft, was to project seven famous ninja tools.

He had already projected the Sword of the Thunder God, the Kusanagi Sword, the Longsword Nuibari, the Bluntsword: Kabutowari, and the White Light Chakra Sabre. He was only short two swords.

According to Tsunade’s description, Kurosawa should meet the condition.

Besides that, there was also the unlock condition for Ability 4, Broken Phantasm: breaking a famous ninja tool in combat.

Kurosawa would most likely satisfy that requirement as well.

Most importantly, Mifune was a samurai of the Land of Iron—not a ninja of Konoha.

The only question was whether Mifune would refuse to form an alliance because Kurosawa was broken.

Natsuki thought carefully and felt he wouldn’t.

Judging from Mifune’s performance in the original story, he could indeed be called an outstanding samurai—possessing a strong samurai spirit.

"I want to challenge Mifune."

Natsuki snapped back to reality.

"With your strength, you could give it a try."

Tsunade nodded. She didn’t refuse.

"Damn it!"

Nawaki clenched his fists in frustration.

Minato also felt bitter.

Natsuki was improving too fast. He couldn’t catch up no matter how hard he tried.

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