Chapter 62: Protection?
The next day arrived, marking the start of a new week.
Natsuki and Nonō walked onto the street, where villagers could be heard everywhere discussing the newly named Legendary Sannin.
Orochimaru, Jiraiya, and Tsunade had already been quite famous, but now they were known to everyone, especially after making such a huge impact in the shinobi world.
The fastest way to become famous was to defeat a well-known opponent.
In the recent war during the Uzumaki Clan's extermination, the most famous opponents were undoubtedly the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist from Kiri.
But against Konoha, one of them had died, and two had been captured.
After Natsuki dropped Nonō off at the Konoha Hospital, he headed toward the Ninja Academy.
Upon arriving at the Ninja Academy, he instantly became the center of attention.
A crowd surrounded him, bombarding him with questions.
By the time he finished dealing with them and entered Third Year Class A, half an hour had already passed.
Natsuki looked up and found that the entire classroom had fallen silent.
Fortunately, after living two lives, he had thick skin and walked to his seat as if nothing were out of the ordinary.
"Good morning, Minato."
Natsuki greeted him with a smile.
"Natsuki."
Minato asked with a complicated expression, "How is your strength improving so quickly?"
"Why do you ask?"
Natsuki raised an eyebrow.
"Although it wasn't mentioned in the announcement, Sensei told me."
Minato spoke meaningfully.
Natsuki understood the meaning hidden in his words.
He knew that Natsuki had killed Jinin.
"You can do it too."
Natsuki comforted him, "With your Shuriken Shadow Clone Technique, killing a Jonin definitely won't be a problem."
"How could a Jonin be so easy to kill?"
Minato shook his head, fully aware of his own abilities.
With his current strength, if he fought a Jonin, he would likely be taken down before he could even use the Shuriken Shadow Clone Technique.
He couldn't imagine how Natsuki had actually managed to kill Jinin.
That was one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, an elite even among Jonin.
"That's not like you."
Natsuki joked.
"I won't give up so easily!"
Hearing that, Minato immediately spoke with a serious expression.
It wasn't that he had no hope. As long as he learned the Flying Thunder God Technique, he would have a chance of winning.
When the morning classes ended, Natsuki left the Ninja Academy.
But he didn't go to see Orochimaru as usual. Instead, he went to the Konoha Hospital.
Because he needed to work with Tsunade to produce the first batch of red healing potions.
Originally, other Medical Ninja could have been involved, but considering how valuable the red healing potion was, that idea was abandoned.
Natsuki naturally supported this.
Rare things were more valuable. If only he and Tsunade knew how to make the red healing potion, his status would rise accordingly, and he could earn more money.
Time flew by, and soon it was February.
Natsuki could finally take a break from making medicine, but he still had plenty to do.
First was practicing Archery.
Second was training in the nature transformation of Water Release Chakra.
Third was training in Water Breathing.
Fourth was learning Hiding in Mist Technique.
Fifth was learning a crowd-control Ninjutsu.
He had already obtained a classic genjutsu from Orochimaru, the D-rank Demonic Illusion: Hell Viewing Technique.
Sixth was developing a new ability for the Logia-type Smoke-Smoke Fruit.
These six tasks corresponded to the unlocking conditions for six abilities.
Natsuki planned to start with the easy ones and complete the first, fourth, and fifth tasks as soon as possible.
While he was training, a rare Jonin Meeting was being held in the meeting room of the Hokage Building.
A Jonin Meeting referred to a meeting that only Jonin could attend.
Because Jonin were usually quite busy, such meetings were only convened for particularly important matters.
Danzo walked into the meeting room with a frown.
In the past, whenever Hiruzen called a Jonin Meeting, he would notify him in advance.
But not this time.
As the leader of Root and the Hokage's Assistant, he actually didn't know why this Jonin Meeting had been called.
"Do you know what this Jonin Meeting is about?"
Danzo walked up to Homura Mitokado and Utatane Koharu and asked directly.
"No idea."
Homura and Koharu glanced at each other and said.
"You don't know either?"
A look of astonishment appeared on Danzo's face.
This was something that had never happened before.
"Could it be that Ame is preparing to start a war against us?"
Homura asked speculatively.
"Unlikely."
Koharu shook her head and said, "War involves too many things. It would be impossible to hide it from us."
"And I've noticed something."
Homura looked around and said, "A lot of Tokubetsu Jonin and Jonin are missing from this Jonin Meeting."
"Only the Jonin who are vital to Konoha have come."
Danzo looked around and also noticed the issue.
At that moment, the meeting room fell silent as Jiraiya, Tsunade, and Orochimaru walked in.
Seeing them, Danzo's expression immediately darkened.
The title of Legendary Sannin had been extremely popular lately.
But Danzo knew that Hiruzen was the one pushing it from behind the scenes.
The purpose was obvious. He was preparing for the next Hokage.
If this continued, when would he ever become the Hokage?
Danzo withdrew his gaze and sat in his seat in silence.
Not long after, Hiruzen walked in.
Everyone in the meeting room immediately stopped chatting and looked at him.
After Hiruzen sat down, he waved his hand.
Two squads of Anbu suddenly appeared and distributed three bottles of red healing potion to each Jonin present in order.
"Hiruzen, what kind of potion is this?"
Danzo couldn't help but ask.
"The red healing potion."
Hiruzen replied, "Its effect is comparable to a B-rank Medical Ninjutsu and can be used for first aid."
"What?"
Danzo, Homura, and many other Jonin all showed expressions of shock.
They all knew very well how terrifyingly effective a healing potion comparable to a B-rank Medical Ninjutsu could be.
Only Tsunade and the other two remained relatively calm.
They had already known about this in advance.
"The cost of the red healing potion is very high. These three bottles are a gift from Konoha in appreciation of your usual contributions."
Hiruzen said with a smile.
Upon hearing this, the Jonin all showed expressions of gratitude.
"If you run out, you can submit a purchase application to the village."
Hiruzen added.
The corner of Tsunade's mouth twitched.
He really knew how to take credit for others' work.
But it was indeed the kind of move an excellent Hokage would make.
"Hiruzen."
Danzo stood up and asked in a low voice, "Who is its inventor?"
"For his safety, this matter is confidential."
Hiruzen refused.
"Confidentiality alone is not enough."
Danzo said impatiently, "I suggest that Root be responsible for this person's safety."
"There is no room for negotiation on this matter."
Hiruzen glanced at him and said, "That's enough."
"Hiruzen!"
Danzo couldn't help but grow anxious.
He knew the value of the red healing potion all too well.
Obtaining it would allow him to indirectly control other shinobi.
Although it would only be a very slight form of control, with the red healing potion, there was so much he could do. It would be very beneficial for him in becoming the Hokage.
"Enough. I am the Hokage!"
Hiruzen didn't bother saying more and directly used his position to suppress him.
Danzo's expression froze. He hesitated to speak but didn't dare say anything more.
He clenched his fists and shouted in his heart, Hiruzen, you will regret this!
(To be continued.)