Chapter 196
The mock exam results were soon posted, along with the announcement of a second mock exam next month.
When Kiba got home, he was beaten up by his mother Tsume and sister Hana. Ino and Choji, upon returning home, were met with silent disappointment from their fathers.
Clearly, the parents could not accept their children failing a mock exam.
Failing even a mock exam… truly shameful.
Naturally, the parents harshly warned their kids to work harder.
The next day, when they met up, each looked utterly drained, not daring to lift their heads. In contrast, Lee, Rinya, and Megumi received approving looks from others whenever they went to take missions.
Naruto felt it the most. He remembered how miserable he felt when he failed the graduation exam before – he couldn't stand the way others looked at him.
With tears in his eyes, he shouted:
"Next month's mock exam… I'll definitely win it, dattebayo!"
As for the mastermind behind these mock exams, Natsuki, he was currently out of the village on a B-rank mission. Though in reality, this B-rank mission wasn't difficult at all – he was mostly out having fun.
Tenten was on the mission with him, something Natsuki specifically requested from Tsunade.
Because their mission destination was the capital city of the Land of Fire.
Saying it was a mission was a stretch – it was basically a date in the capital. Tenten also took the opportunity to introduce Natsuki to her family's shops there, so the managers would recognize their future son-in-law.
It had to be said, her shop-owner father had quite the business mind. He owned numerous businesses in the capital.
Natsuki had glanced at them last time, but only briefly. This time, Tenten took him inside each one, letting him see just how prosperous they were.
The capital was already bustling, and her father's businesses were in lucrative sectors. He was practically printing money.
Though he couldn't compare with the great clans' wealth, Tenten's father was rich enough that Tenten could spend however she liked without worry.
Even if she asked for a hundred million explosive tags right now, her father could gather them in no time. There was no need for Tenten to stress about money.
By the end of the day, Tenten had taken Natsuki through all their family's businesses in the capital.
As for the mission – they'd completed it ages ago. There was no way they'd let a trivial mission interrupt their date.
That evening, after a delicious meal, the two went to the hot springs together – a private mixed bath.
Natsuki laughed:
"This feels like a honeymoon after marriage."
Tenten blushed furiously, but her smile revealed her happiness.
However, Natsuki clearly hadn't guessed her true thoughts.
Because when they were changing clothes, he saw a box of little umbrellas fall from Tenten's pocket.
Natsuki stared wide-eyed in disbelief as he picked it up:
"Tenten… are you serious? We're only thirteen or fourteen!"
Tenten's face was crimson, but she lifted her chin stubbornly:
"It's not like we're having kids… so why not? Besides, there are girls who become mothers at fourteen!"
"…I see. You're still feeling insecure."
Natsuki smiled wryly. He understood that Tenten was worried about him – her outstanding boyfriend – being snatched away by other girls, so she took this drastic measure. 'She really does overthink things…'
But she wasn't wrong. In this chaotic ninja world, getting married or having children at thirteen or fourteen wasn't uncommon.
People here matured early. Some kids went to war at four years old. Compared to that, early marriage and childbirth were normal.
Since they weren't having kids, Natsuki had no reason to refuse.
In truth, he'd expected this outcome long ago, when they often shared a futon or bathed together.
He just thought it would happen around fifteen. But now, it came a year or two earlier. Still, with Tenten taking the initiative, how could he back down as a man?
Natsuki smiled:
"But Tenten… you have to say that line first."
Tenten's face turned so red it seemed like blood would drip:
"T-that line? Natsuki… are you going to eat first? Or bathe first? O-or… watashi?"
"That's what I'm talking about! Now witness my Afro Combo! This is Taizan Yading (Mountain Top Crush)! This is Black Tiger Takes the Heart! Tiger Claw Pudding Attack! Praying Mantis Fist, Snake Step, Lion Worships the Sky, Jackal Hunts Rabbit, Tornado Destroys Parking Lot, and Crow Flying a Plane!"
Finally – Afro flattens Jackie Chan!
Indeed, learning Afro's moves never failed! (Read explosive novels on Faloo!)
—————— Mosaic Break
Time, like Anko's figure, expanded without notice, catching people off guard.
After their honeymoon ended, Natsuki and Tenten's relationship grew even closer. But their friends saw no difference – they'd always been lovey-dovey.
Natsuki didn't mind, continuing to live at his own pace.
Soon, the first evening of the new month arrived. Natsuki entered his special laboratory state again to begin a new round of chakra nature fusion.
"Combining Water and Earth natures can create Mokuton (Wood Release). But perhaps due to my preconceived notions, I didn't choose this as my first experiment.
After all, Tobirama, Orochimaru, and Danzo all failed their Wood Release experiments, making me subconsciously believe it wouldn't succeed. But in reality – Mokuton is Mokuton, Hashirama's Mokuton is Hashirama's Mokuton. The two are fundamentally different!"
Senju Hashirama's fame built Wood Release's legend. But what was powerful was not Wood Release itself – it was Hashirama.
Ordinary Wood Release Kekkei Genkai should be creatable. But Hashirama's Wood Release couldn't be replicated. Even Madara needed Black Zetsu's help to use it.
Hashirama's bloodline carried Asura's reincarnation chakra, his Yang chakra was overwhelming, and his cellular vitality was inhuman.
Thus, Hashirama was special – Mokuton itself wasn't!
They always said Hashirama could create forests while Yamato could only make a three-room apartment. That was the difference.
Yamato's Mokuton was just an ordinary Wood Release Kekkei Genkai.
"So actually, synthesizing Mokuton shouldn't be difficult for me. Plus, with 80% Senju bloodline, and so many notes from Senju predecessors theorizing about it, I can just boldly try!"
Without further hesitation, Natsuki controlled his Water and Earth chakra natures to merge within his body.
Then, something unexpected happened.
As he released the mixed chakra, a small tree sprouted instantly from his hand, rapidly growing into a towering tree as he poured chakra into it.
"…It worked?"
Natsuki's eyes widened in disbelief at how easily it succeeded.
But thinking deeper, it wasn't that surprising. With his current 80% Senju bloodline, and using the predecessors' methods, his success rate was always high. Succeeding on the first try was within reason.
Regardless – he could use Mokuton now!
Now, he possessed two Kekkei Genkai!
(End of Chapter)
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