"Boring…"
As soon as he returned to the tent, Natsume heard Naruto Uzumaki's complaint.
It seemed like nothing had happened while they were away.
"When we get to the Land of Rivers, you won't be bored anymore."
Natsume turned and glanced at Sasuke Uchiha, who was currently sleeping on a tree branch.
He thought for a moment but decided not to interfere.
"Teacher, I want to go train for a bit."
Hinata Hyuga wasn't making this up. She'd been training nonstop lately—only stopping to eat and sleep.
In the original story, this part was also mentioned.
Hinata often snuck out under the cover of night to practice her techniques.
Her self-created [Guardian – Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms] was developed during this time.
"Me too!"
As soon as Naruto heard about training, his spirits lifted immediately.
Even Sasuke Uchiha opened his eyes from atop the tree.
Clearly unwilling to miss out.
Natsume twitched his lips.
Three *maki* kings?
"You two can train here."
Natsume then left with Hinata Hyuga.
After walking a short distance, the two stopped by the riverside.
"Big brother Natsume, if there's any problem, feel free to tell me."
Saying that, Hinata walked toward the center.
Natsume found a large rock to sit on.
She wasn't practicing [Void Fist], but rather the advanced secret technique of the Hyuga clan—the [Eight Trigrams Palms Revolving Heaven].
After all, long-range alone wasn't enough; one needed a combination of both long and close combat.
Besides, [Gentle Fist] itself wasn't bad either.
By the time Hinata finished her training, it was already ten o'clock in the evening.
"Want to go back to Konoha for a bath?"
Natsume asked, noticing the light sheen of sweat on her face.
"Mm."
Hinata nodded without refusal.
It was winter, and the sweat made her clothes cling uncomfortably.
Etiquette was important to the Hyuga clan.
Natsume and Hinata returned to the Uchiha compound.
Mikoto Uchiha immediately made arrangements.
Since he was there, Natsume decided to take one too.
To relieve the pressure and fatigue of the day.
"Where's Aunt Mikoto?"
Hinata had already changed clothes.
"She's probably just tired and went to bed."
Taking her hand, Natsume activated the [Flying Thunder God Technique] and left the Uchiha compound.
The night passed uneventfully.
At dawn, the four continued their journey again.
By noon, they had entered the territory of the Land of Rivers.
Just as Natsume had said, they soon encountered enemies.
A group of mountain bandits.
An excited Naruto charged forward directly and knocked them all down.
Given his personality, he naturally wouldn't kill anyone.
They were too weak, and he quickly lost interest, walking along listlessly.
Until he caught the scent of curry.
"Natsume-sensei!"
Naruto's eyes lit up.
He'd already eaten two cold lunches and was craving something warm.
Curry?
Natsume suddenly recalled that indeed there was a Curry of Life within this storyline.
It was extremely spicy—spicy enough to wake up someone who was unconscious.
Take Rock Lee, for example.
Rock Lee once fainted after overtraining.
Thankfully saved by the Curry of Life.
"Let's go."
Natsume followed the aroma and came across an ordinary wooden house.
On the side of the wall was a large character that read "Life."
"Please, have a seat, young guests," Sansho Granny smiled kindly upon hearing his voice. "The Curry of Life will be ready shortly—it's a special recipe of mine."
"Give me two plates of regular curry."
Natsume knew exactly what the Curry of Life was like.
"Oh, you're a regular customer then."
Sansho Granny paused briefly, smiling as she said, "You all just wait a moment."
Only regulars would specifically order the normal curry.
All three immediately turned to stare at Natsume, eyes wide with confusion.
"Natsume-sensei," Naruto Uzumaki couldn't help but ask, "is this Curry of Life not tasty?"
"It's pretty good," Natsume replied casually. "It should bring you some real benefits."
In the original story, the Curry of Life was never just a regular curry.
It was more like some sort of energy-infused medicine.
But he had no intention of putting himself or Hinata through that suffering.
Not long after, four plates of curry were placed on the table.
Natsume handed one plate each of the Curry of Life to Naruto Uzumaki and Sasuke Uchiha.
He and Hinata shared the remaining two.
Naruto didn't suspect anything—he grabbed his spoon and gulped down a big mouthful.
Instantly, his face flushed bright red and his hair stood on end.
Like he'd transformed into a Super Saiyan.
"Ahhhh!"
Naruto opened his mouth and exhaled a stream of red-hot steam, immediately downing glass after glass of water.
Sasuke Uchiha's eyes widened in shock as he stared at the Curry of Life, hesitating slightly.
"Scared, Sasuke?" Natsume raised an eyebrow.
"Not at all." Sasuke immediately took a spoonful himself.
His face quickly turned red too, though unlike Naruto, he didn't cry out loud.
Instead, he increased his pace, grabbing a cup and pouring water into his mouth rapidly.
Hinata glanced warily at her two teammates.
Now she finally understood why Natsume had ordered regular curry just for her.
Although extremely spicy, both Sasuke and Naruto managed to finish their portions through sheer willpower.
As they paid, Natsume suddenly remembered—Sansho Granny had a son named Rokusuke who had joined the Kurosuki Family.
This mini-chapter isn't over yet—more excitement ahead!
Determined not to miss any chance to gain destiny value, he asked, "Granny, do you know how to get to the Kogane Mine?"
"You're heading to Kogane Mine?" Sansho Granny's expression changed instantly. "That place is extremely dangerous right now—I strongly advise against going."
"Don't worry, Granny. We're ninjas from Konoha Village—we've been assigned a mission and intend to handle the Kurosuki Family."
Natsume explained with a smile.
Sansho Granny's eyes lit up slightly—she was well aware of Konoha's Daimyo.
Thinking about it, she took a deep breath and said, "An old woman has a request; I hope you fine gentlemen can help."
Natsume nodded. "If it relates to Kogane Mine, we'd be willing to assist on our way."
"My son Rokusuke joined the Kurosuki Family. I hope you can bring my son back."
Sansho Granny's face lit up with anticipation.
"That works."
After Natsume spoke, he tried to pay for the meal but was politely declined.
He didn't press the issue and quietly left the Curry of Life with his three students.
Half an hour later, a mine came into view before them.
Rain drizzled from a gloomy sky.
Natsume narrowed his eyes slightly.
They had already been spotted.
It was Ranmaru.
The child adopted by Raiga Kurosuki.
He bore the red-eyed Kekkei Genkai.
His scouting ability surpassed even the Byakugan.
Without a doubt, he was Raiga's eyes.
But it didn't matter whether they were found or not.
Natsume pressed forward, unfazed.
Naruto Uzumaki and Sasuke Uchiha glanced around curiously.
Meanwhile, Hinata Hyuga activated her Byakugan but could detect no ninjas nearby—only ordinary villagers.
Soon, she turned her gaze southward, feeling a tremor run through her body. "Five ninja are heading directly toward us."
Natsume stopped in his tracks.
His three students followed suit.
Five dark figures dropped down right in front of them.
All clad in black raincoats.
"Hahaha!"
Raiga Kurosuki grinned maniacally, his voice wild with madness. "So it's Konoha ninjas. Let me send you off; too bad I can't feel sad about this!"
After capturing the Kogane Mine, he became a professional team specializing in funeral services, even offering professional mourning services and crying assistance.
But Konoha ninjas were a different story altogether.
Might Guy once took on the Seven Swords of the Bloody Mist and defeated them so thoroughly that four died on the spot—leaving only the lucky trio alive.
Raiga was among the only three survivors.
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