Two days later, Natsuki and the others successfully returned to Konoha.
"Orochimaru."
Tsunade stopped and said, "You handle sending these Kumogakure and Kirigakure ninjas to ANBU for interrogation. I’ll go see Teacher."
Orochimaru nodded calmly.
"Natsuki, co with ."
Tsunade suddenly added.
Natsuki was slightly taken aback.
Was he needed for sothing?
Tsunade didn’t explain. She said goodbye to Orochimaru and the others and headed toward the Hokage Building.
Natsuki also greeted Orochimaru and followed her.
"Your contribution this ti is significant. Whatever reward you want, you can tell Teacher directly."
Tsunade reminded him.
Hearing this, Natsuki fell into thought.
Honestly, he didn’t know what reward to ask for.
More accurately, ever since obtaining the system, he hadn’t lacked anything.
"Can I save it for later?"
Natsuki considered and asked.
"Of course."
Tsunade chuckled. "You can redeem it whenever you want."
Natsuki nodded.
With his current status, Sarutobi Hiruzen wouldn’t go back on his word.
What Konoha could give him was nothing more than ninjutsu, money, and ninja tools.
Money and ninja tools were useless to him.
Maybe he could ask for so special ninjutsu?
For example—the Eight Inner Gates, Multiple Shadow Clone Jutsu, Impure World Reincarnation, Flying Thunder God Technique, and Spirit Transformation Technique.
But Natsuki also had a problem: he had no talent for learning ninjutsu.
He most likely wouldn’t be able to learn the Eight Inner Gates or the Flying Thunder God Technique.
But the Spirit Transformation Technique...
Natsuki was still thinking as he entered the Hokage’s office.
"Tsunade."
Seeing them, Sarutobi Hiruzen smiled broadly. "You did very well this ti. You exceeded expectations in completing the mission."
Tsunade had already had ANBU send the news ahead, but it only circulated within a small circle and hadn’t spread.
The reason he was so pleased wasn’t just because they had defeated Kumogakure and Kirigakure—but also because the Uzumaki clan had agreed to his suggestion.
From now on, Konoha wouldn’t have to worry about the Nine-Tails and its Jinchuriki anymore.
"Moreover, you captured many Jonin alive. I’m sure we can obtain valuable intel."
Sarutobi Hiruzen changed the subject. "Have the captured ninjas been sent to ANBU?"
"I’ve already had Orochimaru deliver them."
Tsunade replied.
"Good."
Sarutobi Hiruzen looked at Natsuki. "Natsuki, your performance this ti was also perfect. It even surprised ."
"Lord Hokage praises too much."
Natsuki said modestly.
"Feel free to ask for whatever reward you want. As long as Konoha has it, I can give it to you."
Sarutobi Hiruzen said generously.
For a peerless genius of the Hokage’s faction who had made such a great contribution, no reward would be too much.
"Thank you, Lord Hokage."
Natsuki pondered. "I don’t have anything I want right now—but I’m interested in the Spirit Transformation Technique and would like to study it."
"The Spirit Transformation Technique is S-Rank. At your age, it’s too early to learn it."
Sarutobi Hiruzen paused. "You can read about it, but if you really can’t learn it, give it up and revisit it later."
"Thank you, Lord Hokage."
Natsuki nodded.
The Spirit Transformation Technique could separate the user’s spiritual energy from their physical energy, transforming the spiritual energy into a spirit body to attack or possess a target.
The reason he chose it was precisely because of the words "spirit body."
A spirit body might trigger a character template from Bleach.
Because the Shinigami living in the Soul Society only possessed spirit bodies.
"Teacher."
Tsunade brought up Natsuki’s earlier suggestion—promoting them as the Konoha Sannin.
"No problem."
Sarutobi Hiruzen agreed imdiately. "I’ll have ANBU handle it."
Tsunade, Jiraiya, and Orochimaru were his students. The more famous they beca, the more it highlighted his greatness.
Moreover, Konoha also needed famous powerhouses to uphold its reputation.
Among the current younger generation, Tsunade, Jiraiya, and Orochimaru were the undisputed cream of the crop.
Sarutobi Hiruzen even thought further ahead.
He hoped the next Hokage would be born from among the three of them.
This required them to have enough fa to overshadow other ninjas like Konoha’s White Fang, Hatake Sakumo.
"Is there anything else?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen asked.
"Yes."
Tsunade glanced at Natsuki. "I should have ntioned this earlier, but it was delayed because of the Uzumaki clan situation."
Natsuki’s thoughts stirred—she was referring to the Red Healing Potion: Blood of God.
"This is a new potion Natsuki invented, called the Red Healing Potion."
Tsunade handed over the formula.
Natsuki had deliberately omitted "Blood of God."
After all, Senju Hashirama’s title was the God of Shinobi. It could easily cause misunderstandings.
"What’s its effect?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen’s spirits lifted.
"It’s an enhanced version of the Blue Healing Potion. It can instantly heal injuries—but we don’t know the exact extent yet."
Tsunade replied.
"What do you an?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen asked, confused. "Have you not successfully made it yet?"
"It’s missing a key elent. It needs sothing active added to it."
Tsunade nodded.
Sothing active?
Sarutobi Hiruzen paused.
After pondering, astonishnt appeared on his face.
He guessed what that active elent was.
"Natsuki, you can leave first."
Sarutobi Hiruzen waved his hand.
"Yes, Lord Hokage."
Natsuki turned and left.
With Tsunade there, his rit wouldn’t disappear.
"Tsunade, are you referring to the First Hokage’s cells?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen asked slowly.
"My grandfather’s cells best fit the condition."
Tsunade nodded.
"Are you willing?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen asked, sowhat surprised.
"Protecting Konoha was my grandfather’s wish."
Tsunade said gravely. "If the Red Healing Potion really has such an effect, it will have an extrely beneficial impact on Konoha."
"True."
Sarutobi Hiruzen took a deep breath. "Then let’s test exactly how effective it is."
He stood and took Tsunade to the sealed Wood Release laboratory.
Although the Wood Release experint had failed years ago, many Hashirama cells remained—perfect for making dicine.
Two hours later, after drinking the Red Healing Potion, shock appeared on Sarutobi Hiruzen’s face.
He suppressed his emotions. "Its effect is comparable to B-Rank dical ninjutsu—perhaps even slightly superior."
A dazed look appeared on Tsunade’s face. She murmured, "Natsuki’s contribution this ti is incalculable."
dical ninjas capable of learning B-Rank dical ninjutsu were either Chunin or Jonin.
Even among Chunin, only elite Chunin could master it.
Once mass-produced, it would be equivalent to carrying an outstanding dical ninja with you.
Although single-use, it could undoubtedly save lives at critical monts.
However, because it involved Hashirama cells, mass production was unlikely. But it was enough to beco standard issue for important Konoha ninjas.
For example, Nawaki.
In a sense, it fulfilled Natsuki’s suggestion of having a dedicated dical ninja in every squad.
After leaving the Hokage Building, Natsuki went to Konoha Hospital.
It was currently morning. The dical ninja training class was in session.
But to his surprise, upon seeing him, Yakushi Nonou imdiately ran out.
The class teacher was a dical Jonin.
She originally wanted to stop such behavior—but seeing it was Natsuki, she hesitated for two seconds and let Nonou go.
One is Orochimaru’s student. The other is Tsunade’s student. Forget it—can’t afford to offend them.
"When did you get back?"
Nonou ran up to Natsuki and stopped.
"Just now."
Natsuki reached out, pinched her cheek, and joked. "Skipping class is wrong."
"S-Sorry."
Only then did Nonou rember she was still in class.
Running out had been instinctive. She hadn’t thought about it.
"I just ca to see you."
Natsuki withdrew his hand. "Go back to class."
"Then you..."
Nonou wanted to say sothing but hesitated.
"Don’t worry. My mission is over. I won’t be going out for a while."
Natsuki guessed her thoughts and answered directly.
Nonou exhaled with relief.
A smile appeared on her face. She nodded gently and returned to the classroom.
Natsuki turned to leave.
"Natsuki!"
Nawaki’s voice rang out.
He saw him running in from outside the hospital.
"I knew you’d be here!"
Nawaki said, panting heavily.
"Why the rush? Do you need sothing?"
Natsuki asked with a smile.
"I heard from Teacher that you defeated Akebino Jinin—one of the Seven Ninja Swordsn?"
Nawaki asked impatiently.
"It was a fluke."
Natsuki replied. "I was able to defeat him because of a technique I created."
"That’s... that’s..."
Nawaki’s mouth hung open. He wanted to say sothing but couldn’t find the words.
When he had first t Natsuki, he was just an ordinary new student.
But in less than three years, he had grown to the point of defeating a Jonin. It was a dream-like rate of improvent.
"Damn it!"
Nawaki felt like his genius status was fake. "I have to work even harder!"
"Nawaki, I believe you’ll catch up."
Natsuki comforted him.
"Do you believe those words yourself?"
Nawaki’s mouth twitched. "Just call Nawaki from now on. I’m really not qualified to be called Senpai."
"Alright."
Natsuki nodded. "There’s no need to be formal between teammates."
Right at that mont, he raised an eyebrow and saw a flash of fiery red.
Uzumaki Kushina.
She jogged all the way up to him and Nawaki.
"Why didn’t you co find after you got back?"
Kushina put her hands on her hips and asked angrily.
"Wasn’t I just about to?"
Natsuki smiled. "But I didn’t expect you to find first."
"Then what are you doing at the hospital?"
Kushina snorted lightly.
"Looking for Nawaki."
Natsuki said without hesitation.
"He did co looking for ."
Nawaki was stunned for a mont, then hurriedly confird.
"Kushina, how did you know I was back?"
Natsuki asked, confused.
"I saw your announcent."
Kushina replied.
"Natsuki, you’re really famous now."
Nawaki said enviously. "Your announcent is everywhere in Konoha."
"My announcent?"
Natsuki was taken aback. "Shouldn’t it be about Teacher and the others?"
"It’s mainly about my sister and the others—but it also ntioned you."
Nawaki briefly recounted the contents.
The announcent used euphemistic language. It didn’t explicitly state that Natsuki killed Akebino Jinin—only that he was with Tsunade and the others.
Those who didn’t know the truth would definitely assu Natsuki was just participating in a supporting role.
Even so, for an eight-year-old to appear on such an announcent was shocking enough.
Everyone in the village knew that another peerless genius had erged.
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