Chapter 19: Three years later
Chapter 19: Three years later
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Three years passed in a flash.
At the age of 10, Namikaze Minato graduated early from the ninja academy, a testament to his extraordinary talent and relentless dedication. Under the tutelage of Jiraiya, one of the legendary Sannin, Minato's progress was nothing short of remarkable. Despite his early graduation, Minato often returned to the academy for sparring sessions, where he frequently faced off against Natsuo. These matches were intense and revealing.
Minato's training had focused heavily on speed. Each encounter saw him employing rapid movements, attempting to outpace Natsuo. However, despite his remarkable swiftness, Minato found himself consistently outmatched by Natsuo. Each defeat, though, only fueled Minato's determination. The speed at which Minato improved left Natsuo both impressed and wary. It was clear that Minato was not only gifted but also possessed an indomitable spirit and an unyielding drive to surpass his limits.
Natsuo, for his part, was not idle. Recognizing the importance of speed in their encounters, he doubled down on his own training regimen. The Thunder Breath technique, which he had mastered to a significant extent, became a cornerstone of his routine. This technique, with its emphasis on lightning-fast strikes and enhanced reflexes, provided Natsuo with a formidable edge. Yet, he understood that merely maintaining his current level would not suffice. To stay ahead of Minato, he had to continually push his boundaries.
When Minato eventually became a Genin and began intensive training under Jiraiya, their paths diverged. For two years, Natsuo didn't see Minato, focusing instead on his own journey. Despite having the capability to graduate early, Natsuo chose to remain at the academy. The decision was strategic; he saw no immediate advantage in becoming a Genin during peacetime, especially when it would confine him to mundane D-rank missions within the village. Unlike Minato, Natsuo did not have the benefit of guidance from a revered mentor like Jiraiya upon graduation. Additionally, the village's subtle hostility towards him, stemming from his complex heritage, further dissuaded him from taking on such tasks.
Instead, Natsuo devoted his time to honing his skills. The tranquil days provided a perfect backdrop for intense self-improvement, free from the distractions of low-level missions. Meanwhile, notable developments occurred around him. Tsunade, another member of the Sannin, briefly returned to Konoha after many years. She visited Uzumaki Mito, but her stay was fleeting. Natsuo, observing the dynamics within the Uzumaki family, noted that Uzumaki Kushina, under Mito's guidance, was learning the advanced sealing techniques of their clan.
Natsuo's encounter with Uzumaki Mito was a significant moment. Given her status as the widow of the First Hokage and a key figure in the village, Natsuo had initially approached her with caution. He assumed her loyalty to the Hokage's faction would naturally position her against him. However, Mito's warm and welcoming demeanor puzzled him. Her interest in his well-being and progress was genuine, almost maternal, which contrasted sharply with the cautious and often cold reception he received from others in the village.
During this period, Natsuo also grappled with the awakening of his Sharingan. A closely guarded secret, only a select few were aware of this development. Sarutobi Hiruzen, the Third Hokage, had explicitly instructed Jiraiya and Tsunade to keep Natsuo's Sharingan hidden. The Uchiha clan, already wary of him due to his mixed heritage, would undoubtedly react strongly if they discovered his awakening. Sarutobi's plan was to shield Natsuo from potential conflicts with the Uchiha until he was strong enough to handle them independently. By the time Natsuo's Sharingan became known, the Hokage intended for it to be a fait accompli, leaving the Uchiha with no choice but to accept the reality.
Natsuo welcomed this concealment, preferring to avoid the complexities of the Uchiha clan's internal politics. He had no desire to engage with those who looked down on him due to his mixed lineage. His focus was singular: to become as strong as possible before the impending upheavals in the ninja world.
The birth of several future key figures, such as Uchiha Obito, Hatake Kakashi, Nohara Rin, and Might Guy, marked this period. Natsuo, through careful observation, estimated that the current peace would last only another two years, at most, before conflicts reignited. He anticipated the event of Uzumaki Kushina's kidnapping by Cloud Shinobi, which would be a precursor to more widespread hostilities. This event would likely occur soon after she became a Genin.
With Uzumaki Kushina now 12 years old, Natsuo calculated that she had about six years before succeeding Uzumaki Mito as the Nine Tails Jinchūriki. The urgency of the situation weighed heavily on Natsuo. He understood that he had limited time to bolster his strength before the world plunged back into turmoil. The battlefield, he reasoned, would be the ultimate crucible for testing and enhancing his abilities.
To prepare, Natsuo utilized his evenings for grueling training sessions. His regimen was rigorous, designed to maximize his physical and chakra capabilities. As a descendant of the Senju clan through his father, Natsuo possessed a large chakra reserve that grew exponentially with his training. He knew that increasing his witness points and refining his techniques were crucial steps towards his goal.
Over the past three years, Natsuo had accumulated 50 witness points. One significant gain came from witnessing the birth of Might Guy. This event was serendipitous. One day, after an intense training session had left him with strained muscles, Natsuo visited the ninja hospital for some medicinal relief. There, he overheard someone calling out for Might Dai. Intrigued by Dai, the man who would one day defeat four of Kirigakure's Seven Ninja Swordsmen, Natsuo discreetly followed him. This curiosity led to him witnessing the birth of Might Guy, earning him 50 witness points.
However, opportunities to witness other significant births were rare. Many of these events involved prominent ninja clans to which Natsuo had no access, thus limiting his ability to accumulate witness points in this manner.
...
It was late one evening, and the sky was shrouded in darkness. In Konoha's training ground, Natsuo continued his relentless training regimen. He had recently exchanged 10 witness points for a new sword, and now, without using any chakra, he focused purely on his physical strength, striking methodically at a wooden stake.
Sweat poured down his face, a testament to his unwavering dedication.
Suddenly, a hoarse voice broke the stillness of the night. "You're really working hard."
A chill ran down Natsuo's spine. He hadn't sensed anyone approaching, and the voice's suddenness startled him. Quickly, he turned around, his pupils narrowing in recognition and shock.
Standing before him was Orochimaru. With his pale skin, purple eye shadow, magatama-shaped earrings, and serpent-like vertical pupils, Orochimaru was an imposing figure. As one of the legendary Sannin, he was a ninja of unparalleled skill and reputation, someone Natsuo had never encountered personally until now.
Immediately, Natsuo adopted a posture of respect, bowing slightly. "Lord Orochimaru."
Orochimaru crossed his arms, his gaze fixed on Natsuo as he approached. "I've been observing you for many days. At such a young age, you've mastered powerful ninjutsu and awakened the Sharingan. You are indeed worthy of being a descendant of the Uchiha and Senju clans."
Natsuo raised his head, meeting Orochimaru's piercing gaze without a hint of fear. "Lord Orochimaru, you've been watching me?"
With a smile that seemed more like a sinister sneer, Orochimaru replied, "The old man seems to like you and wants me to take you as a disciple. But I have no desire to accept students; it would be a distraction. However, you intrigue me. I believe we are similar. We both wear masks, showing others only what we want them to see."
"There's no need to deny it," Orochimaru continued, his voice smooth and confident. "The look in your eyes can't fool me. You have the gaze of a serpent, always ready to strike."
Natsuo's scalp tingled with unease. Orochimaru's words cut through him like a blade. He hadn't anticipated that Orochimaru, of all people, would show an interest in him, let alone suggest a potential mentorship.
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T/N: There is a patreon for this work, and any new work I add will be dropped there first. check it out for an early release of up to 15 chapters.
Patreon link:- patreon.com/ANelite
And also give me some power stones!!
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