The time came to the next day—a new week.

As Natsuki and Yakushi Nonou walked down the street, they could hear villagers everywhere discussing the newly minted Konoha Sannin.

Orochimaru, Jiraiya, and Tsunade were already quite famous, but now they were known to everyone—having made a huge splash in the ninja world.

The fastest way to become famous was to defeat a famous target.

In the battle over the Uzumaki clan’s annihilation, the most famous opponents were undoubtedly the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist.

But facing Konoha, one had died and two were captured.

After walking Nonou to Konoha Hospital, Natsuki headed toward the Ninja Academy.

Upon arriving, he became a popular figure.

A crowd surrounded him, asking all sorts of questions.

By the time he dealt with them and entered Class 3-A, half an hour had already passed.

Natsuki looked up and found the entire classroom had fallen silent.

Fortunately, having lived two lives, he had thick skin. He walked to his seat as if nothing had happened.

"Good morning, Minato."

Natsuki greeted him with a smile.

"Natsuki."

Minato asked with a complicated expression. "How is your strength improving so fast?"

"Why do you ask?"

Natsuki raised an eyebrow.

"Although it wasn’t mentioned in the announcement, Teacher told me."

Minato said pointedly.

Natsuki understood the underlying meaning.

He knew about Akebino Jinin.

"You can do it too."

Natsuki comforted him. "Your Shuriken Shadow Clone Jutsu is more than enough to kill a Jonin."

"How can a Jonin be that easy to kill?"

Minato shook his head with self-awareness.

With his current strength, if he fought a Jonin, he would probably be killed before he could even use the Shuriken Shadow Clone Jutsu.

He couldn’t imagine how Natsuki had actually killed Akebino Jinin.

That was one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen—an outstanding figure even among Jonin.

"This isn’t like your usual personality."

Natsuki joked.

"I won’t admit defeat easily!"

Hearing this, Minato immediately said seriously.

It wasn’t that he had no hope. As long as he learned the Flying Thunder God Technique, he would have a chance.

After morning classes ended, Natsuki left the Ninja Academy.

But instead of going to find Orochimaru as usual, he went to Konoha Hospital.

Because he needed to make the first batch of Red Healing Potions with Tsunade.

They originally could have had other medical ninjas participate, but considering the potion’s preciousness, they had abandoned that idea.

Natsuki naturally supported this.

Rarity increased value. Only if he and Tsunade knew the production method would his status rise—and he could earn more money.

Time flew. February arrived.

Natsuki could finally rest and stop making medicine—but he still had plenty to do.

First, practice archery.

Second, train in Water Release chakra nature transformation.

Third, train in Water Breathing.

Fourth, learn Water Release: Hiding in Mist Technique.

Fifth, learn a control-type ninjutsu.

He had already obtained a classic genjutsu from Orochimaru—the D-Rank Demonic Illusion: Hell Viewing Technique.

Sixth, develop a new ability for the Logia-Type Plume-Plume Fruit.

These six tasks corresponded to six abilities’ unlock conditions.

Natsuki planned to start with the easy ones—completing the first, fourth, and fifth tasks as soon as possible.

While he was training, a rare Jonin meeting was taking place in the Hokage Building.

A Jonin meeting referred to a meeting only Jonin could attend. 𝕗𝐫𝚎𝗲𝘄𝐞𝕓𝐧𝕠𝘃𝕖𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝚖

Because Jonin were generally busy, it was only convened for particularly important matters.

Shimura Danzo walked into the meeting room with a frown.

Previously, Sarutobi Hiruzen would notify him in advance before convening such a meeting.

But not this time.

As the leader of Root and the Hokage’s Assistant, he actually didn’t know why this meeting had been called.

"Do you know why this meeting was convened?"

Danzo walked up to Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu and asked directly.

"No."

Homura and Koharu exchanged a glance.

"You don’t know either?"

Astonishment appeared on Danzo’s face.

This was unprecedented.

"Could Amegakure be preparing to launch a war against us?"

Homura guessed.

"Unlikely."

Koharu shook her head. "War involves many things. It’s impossible to hide it from us."

"And I noticed something."

Homura looked around. "Many Tokubetsu Jonin and Jonin are absent from this meeting."

"Only the Jonin who are extremely important to Konoha are here."

Danzo looked around and also noticed the problem.

Right at that moment, the meeting room fell silent as Jiraiya, Tsunade, and Orochimaru walked in.

Seeing them, Danzo’s face darkened.

The title "Konoha Sannin" had been very popular recently.

But Danzo knew that Sarutobi Hiruzen was pushing it behind the scenes.

As for the purpose—it was self-evident: preparing for the next Hokage.

If this continued, when would he ever become Hokage?

Danzo retracted his gaze and sat in silence.

Not long after, Sarutobi Hiruzen walked in.

Everyone in the meeting room immediately stopped chatting and looked at him.

After sitting down, Sarutobi Hiruzen waved his hand.

Two ANBU squads appeared and distributed three vials of Red Healing Potion to each Jonin present.

"Hiruzen, what kind of potion is this?"

Danzo couldn’t help but ask.

"Red Healing Potion."

Sarutobi Hiruzen replied. "Its effect is comparable to B-Rank medical ninjutsu. It can be used for first aid."

"What?"

Danzo, Homura, and the other Jonin all showed shocked expressions.

They all knew very well how terrifying a healing potion comparable to B-Rank medical ninjutsu was.

Only Tsunade and her two teammates remained relatively calm.

They had known beforehand.

"The Red Healing Potion’s cost is very high. These three vials are given to you free by Konoha in appreciation of your contributions."

Sarutobi Hiruzen said with a broad smile.

Upon hearing this, the Jonin all showed grateful expressions.

"If you run out, you can submit a purchase request to the village."

Sarutobi Hiruzen added.

Tsunade’s mouth twitched.

He really knows how to present borrowed flowers to the Buddha.

But it was indeed a move befitting an outstanding Hokage.

"Hiruzen."

Danzo stood. "Who is its inventor?"

"For his safety, that information is classified."

Sarutobi Hiruzen refused.

"Just keeping it secret isn’t enough."

Danzo said impatiently. "I suggest Root take charge of this person’s protection."

"There is no room for negotiation on this matter."

Sarutobi Hiruzen glanced at him. "That’s enough."

"Hiruzen!"

Danzo couldn’t help but speak anxiously.

He knew the Red Healing Potion’s value too well!

Obtaining it would allow him to indirectly control other ninjas.

Although it was weak control, with the Red Healing Potion, he could accomplish many things—things extremely beneficial for his path to becoming Hokage.

"Enough. I am the Hokage!"

Sarutobi Hiruzen couldn’t be bothered to continue. He directly used his position to pressure him.

Danzo’s expression froze. He wanted to say something but stopped—not daring to speak further.

He clenched his fists, screaming internally: Hiruzen, you will regret this!

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