"Natsuhiko Sensei."
A small girl with short black hair looked around, saw no one else, and stepped forward nervously.
"It's Shizune, right? What's up?"
"I... I actually have to go to the hospital after school to help with medical ninjutsu training..."
The surrounding students were somewhat surprised.
They hadn't expected Shizune, who was always low-key, to study every day behind their backs secretly.
And Natsuhiko raised an eyebrow slightly as well.
He knew that in the original story, Shizune was Tsunade's disciple, but he hadn't heard any rumours about it at school, thinking it hadn't happened yet.
But even if they weren't master and disciple yet, they should still have some connection.
Indeed, considering she was Tsunade's niece from Konohagakure, it was customary for Tsunade to care for her even if she hadn't officially taken her as a disciple yet.
Annoying nepotism!
Probably because Tsunade was still on her charity journey outside the village, she sent Shizune to the hospital to lay a foundation.
After noting this information, Natsuhiko smiled gently and said:
"It's okay; learning medical ninjutsu, which can save precious lives, is also a wonderful choice."
"To be honest, I also participated in the medical ninjutsu assessment when I was in ninja school, but unfortunately, I didn't pass."
Not only Shizune but also the other young ninjas couldn't help but show surprised expressions.
Natsuhiko, the devil, has weaknesses too?
Seeing their reactions, Natsuhiko shrugged.
"Everyone has their strengths and weaknesses, and I'm no exception."
"So if you can find a path that suits you better than sealing jutsu, I'll be happy for you."
"However, sealing jutsu can be applied in many different ways. For example, the medical ninjutsu that Shizune is learning has techniques like 'Healing Resuscitation Technique,' which combines sealing jutsu tropes with healing jutsu."
"So even if you don't specialise in sealing jutsu, you shouldn't neglect the sealing jutsu classes so that you can go further on the path you choose for yourself."
"Yes—"
The young ninjas answered in unison, though they may not have fully understood.
With Shizune's example and the reassurance from Natsuhiko, everyone finally relaxed.
Most students began to express their inability to join the research group.
Among these students, the ones with the least likelihood of joining were some of the shinobi-born children.
They were destined to spend a lot of time learning their family's secret ninjutsu, etc, and naturally couldn't join the research group.
Natsuhiko wasn't surprised by this.
He hadn't left them behind last time just to be fair and avoid being accused of treating shinobi-born children differently.
And some of the students seemed conflicted, like Shizune, with alternative learning directions.
They compared their talents with everyone repeatedly and ultimately decided to reluctantly give up on sealing jutsu.
It's worth mentioning that Morino Ibiki, born into the Interrogation Corps family, stereotypically wanted to intern in the Interrogation Corps.
This also made other students decide to keep their distance from him in the future.
Only Natsuhiko patted his shoulder to encourage him.
This kid has a future; he'll have years of work experience right after graduation.
After these students who gave up joining the research group left, there were only four students left in the classroom.
Natsuhiko glanced at these four familiar kids and said slowly:
"Can I assume that you all have the intention of joining the research group?"
They all nodded eagerly like chicks pecking at grains.
But Natsuhiko still had to confirm one by one.
He first looked at the girl standing on the far left, who had delicate features and black hair with a reddish tint.
Then, with a somewhat doubtful tone, he asked:
"Yuhi, did Tsunade-senpai agree to let you join the research group?"
Yuhi Kurenai said naturally:
"Of course, Daddy listens to me the most."
"Huh?"
I told you to consult him, not the other way around!
Natsuhiko rubbed his forehead slightly.
He almost forgot that Shinku was a complete daughter-con.
He had collaborated with Yuhi Shinku several times on missions, and every time, he often saw him looking at his daughter's photo.
It's like he'll have withdrawal symptoms if he doesn't look at it every ten minutes.
He always said that after completing this mission, he would apply to become an instructor so he could stay in Konoha to accompany Kurenai.
Natsuhiko almost wanted to shut his mouth with an explosive tag after hearing this.
Why do you have to make such promises?
But Natsuhiko heard that he seemed to have succeeded recently, becoming a ninja instructor with little pay but plenty of work.
I have some time to visit him.
Although Kurenai agreed to this, Natsuhiko still had to ask again:
"What about your family's illusion technique?"
Kurenai raised her head proudly, her small face full of pride: "Of course, I'll continue learning it! Because Daddy said I'm a genius in genjutsu, even if I learn slowly, I'll soon deplete all the genjutsu in the family."
Natsuhiko's mouth twitched slightly.
Damn, he was tricked without realising it.
Kurenai continued: "And Daddy said ordinary genjutsu has limits. So he said I'm so smart; it's a waste just to learn genjutsu, so I should combine genjutsu and sealing jutsu to create a completely new path beyond genjutsu."
Natsuhiko pondered for a moment.
Although it sounded like Kurenai was a deluded self-flatterer, Natsuhiko knew from her later achievements in genjutsu in the original story that she wasn't all buffs.
So he said, "Combining sealing jutsu with genjutsu? That's indeed an interesting approach.
"But I haven't delved much into genjutsu, so I can only offer you a little help in that regard."
Kurenai confidently said: "It's okay, Daddy said I'm a genius, so..."
"Okay, next."
Natsuhiko looked expressionlessly at the next student.
"Wait, Natsuhiko-sensei, I haven't finished yet!"
"Time is limited; you can say the rest later," Natsuhiko replied casually.
He couldn't stand people showing off in front of him the most.
Kurenai puffed up her cheeks but didn't continue to protest and just muttered quietly:
"Daddy has never interrupted me..."
Natsuhiko pretended not to hear and turned his gaze back to the student on Kurenai's right.
Sarutobi Asuma.
At this moment, he was still sneakily glancing at Yuhi Kurenai and didn't notice Natsuhiko's gaze.
Natsuhiko waved his hand in front of him, and he reacted, showing a pleasing smile.
"Natsuhiko-senpai... no, Natsuhiko-sensei, please take care of me!"
---
This is not a tavern.
Natsuhiko sighed somewhat helplessly, "Asuma, with so much you can learn at home from the Sarutobi clan, why are you here seeking excitement?"
Asuma's eyes flickered as he replied, "My father said I'm a genius..."
"You know I'll go to Lady Biwako to verify," Natsuhiko interrupted directly.
Asuma was full of confusion. Why didn't this trick work? Nevertheless, he rested his hands behind his head and casually said, "Anyway, the family's ninjutsu and such will be inherited by my older brother. It doesn't matter if I don't spend much time on it."
"And I asked Mom; Mom said trying it out wouldn't hurt."
"Did Lady Biwako really say that..." Natsuhiko stroked his chin.
Lady Biwako had seen through Natsuhiko's exaggerated promises, but she was pretty optimistic about his sealing technique.
Of course, it could also be because she thought the big one was well-trained, so it wouldn't matter if the little one didn't excel. After all, Asuma's brother, the father of Konohamaru, Sarutobi Konohamaru, was also a well-known figure among the younger generation.
With such an outstanding elder son, his parents were naturally lenient on Asuma.
What Asuma got was Sasuke's script, living in the shadow of his genius brother from childhood.
Just like Hatake Kakashi in the Tsukuyomi world, who never experienced the massacre, Asuma later spent a few years as a delinquent.
As for why, one became a playboy, and the other became a delinquent.
That's probably because of their looks.
"What about the Hokage, then?" Natsuhiko asked again.
Asuma pursed his lips.
"Dad, as the Hokage, has always been busy. He hasn't had time to come home these days."
"I guess giving up my dream of being Hokage wasn't wrong..."
Alright, he suddenly switched to Boruto's script again.
Should I fast forward to Asuma cheating in the Chunin Exam with the practical combat duel disk and having his ninja qualification revoked by the Third Hokage?
Natsuhiko sarcastically commented in his mind.
"Sensei, just accept me." At this moment, Asuma approached, grabbing Natsuhiko's hand and shaking it shamelessly.
Although paired with his chubby little face, he looked quite cute, but in Natsuhiko's eyes, this face couldn't help but overlap with his future thick-skinned appearance.
For a moment, he couldn't help but feel a chill.
He withdrew his hand somewhat disdainfully, saying, "Then stay for now, but I'll confirm with Lady Biwako later."
"Yeah!" Asuma cheered.
"No 'yeah' allowed!" Natsuhiko tapped his forehead, making him stand back in place.
Then he looked at the third student.
A cute girl with short brown hair with two purple strokes of oil paint on her cheeks.
Nohara Rin.
"Rin, your parents agreed, right?" Natsuhiko confirmed.
"My parents aren't ninjas, so they said I should decide for myself."
Rin said openly, not feeling embarrassed because her parents weren't ninjas.
"What do you think?" Natsuhiko asked again.
Rin hesitated a bit this time, organising her words before saying:
"Sensei, I've always wanted to be a medical ninja because I can help others heal their wounds."
"But recently, I've found that some wounds seem to be incurable by medical ninjutsu."
Naturally, Natsuhiko knew she was referring to the wounds of the heart, not those difficult diseases.
Out of curiosity about Rin's potential as the Jinchuriki of the Sanbi(Three-tails), Natsuhiko had also inquired a bit about her family background.
So he knew Rin wasn't originally from Konoha; her family arrived there after the Second Shinobi World War erupted.
Presumably, Rin decided to become a medical ninja after witnessing the cruelty of war along the way.
"So, Rin, are you planning to find a solution using sealing techniques?" Natsuhiko asked.
Rin nodded, then looked a bit embarrassed.
"Sorry, Sensei. Actually, without your permission, I told the stories you usually tell us to my parents and other neighbours..."
"It's okay." Natsuhiko waved his hand and smiled, "And then?"
"Everyone listened with relish each time, forgetting their unhappy memories temporarily..."
Rin recalled everyone's smiles, and she couldn't help but show a sweet smile herself.
"And the 'Shinobi Card game' you invented also brought joy to many people."
"Although it's still weak, I can feel that the atmosphere in Konoha is improving."
"And all of this started after you returned to Konoha."
Rin looked up at Natsuhiko, admiration shining in her deep brown eyes.
The other students in the classroom also seemed pensive, feeling that life had become more enjoyable since Natsuhiko came to teach at the ninja school.
Natsuhiko scratched his head.
In fact, everything he did was for his plan, which was less noble than Rin described.
But looking at Rin and the students, even Kushina, who looked at him with somewhat admiring eyes, he managed to force a smile:
"I didn't expect you to notice so quickly. Well done, that's indeed my purpose."
"After all, my ninja way is to create happiness with my heart..."
"Create happiness with my heart..." Rin repeated this sentence repeatedly, her eyes shining brighter.
She looked at Natsuhiko earnestly:
"Sensei Natsuhiko, although I don't know anything now, I will study hard and, like you, bring happiness to everyone in the future."
Natsuhiko nodded with a smile:
"I understand your thoughts. Although I don't know if I can meet your expectations, let's work hard together."
"Okay!" Rin nodded vigorously.
Natsuhiko smiled and then looked at the last person.
Ebisu.
Natsuhiko remembered that his parents seemed to be civilian ninjas.
Before he could ask, Ebisu adjusted his sunglasses and said:
"Sensei Natsuhiko, my parents agreed too."
"As for why I want to join the research group, it's actually similar to Rin's."
Ebisu glanced at Rin, then looked back at Natsuhiko, his tone somewhat excited.
"To be honest, I've been preparing for this day since your first class, Sensei Natsuhiko."
"Because your Shadow Clone Technique has opened up a whole new world for me."
"Compared to your lifelike three-dimensional projection, those book films are not worth mentioning!"
"This technique will definitely bring changes to the ninja world... No, it's a revolution!"
"So I won't miss this opportunity."
Natsuhiko nodded approvingly.
He deserved to be the elite tutor who would later be responsible for teaching Konohamaru. Although not vital, his insight was quite remarkable.
He could already see the potential of projection techniques so quickly.
However...
"Ebisu, you're having a nosebleed," Natsuhiko reminded.
"Oh, this is an old problem."
Seven-year-old Ebisu was slightly stunned, then casually took out a red handkerchief to wipe it.
Natsuhiko: "..."
How come seeing Ebisu's nosebleed made him feel like what he just said was a bit strange?
He always felt that this student might use his knowledge of sealing techniques in strange ways.
Natsuhiko decided to prevent him from going astray.
A student like you, I'll teach you!
After confirming everyone's willingness and determination to join the group, Natsuhiko looked at them again.
The Delusional Kurrnai Yuhi.
Asuma is the second-generation scum of the Sarutobi clan.
The angelic Rin.
And the perverted Ebisu.
Were these the primary members of his plan?
Natsuhiko's expression gradually became strange.
Hmmm...
It always feels like everyone except Rin isn't very reliable.
"Sensei, Sensei, when will we start the activities of the research group?" Asuma, being his usual overfamiliar self, approached again and asked.
Natsuhiko pushed his face away again with disdain.
"Didn't I just say?" Natsuhiko continued, "Normally, we'll have activities after school on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. But you can also come to me or Kushina if you have any questions at other times."
Kushina nodded beside him.
"Today is Friday!" Asuma raised his hand.
Everyone looked at Natsuhiko expectantly.
Natsuhiko nodded, "That's right. So, next, we'll start the research group's first activity."
"Yeah!" Everyone cheered.
"No 'yeah' allowed... well, I won't stop you from saying 'yeah' this time," Natsuhiko said helplessly.
"Yeah!" x4
Natsuhiko waved his hand, "No 'yeah' allowed!"
(End of This Chapter)
P.S. Chapters 98-102(They equal ten chapters as the author posted double and triple chapters in the following updates) are up on my Patreon.
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