"The only regret tonight is that this sake doesn't match the food."
Tsunade set down her chopsticks and shook her head.
"This is already the best sake in the village."
Jiraiya reminded her. "It's not that the sake isn't good enough—it's that the food is too good."
"Next time you leave the village, bring some quality sake back."
Orochimaru said casually.
"No problem."
Jiraiya grinned. "When I find something worth drinking, we'll gather again."
"My lords."
Natsuki spoke up. "I prepared a camera. Since this is such a rare occasion, how about a group photo?"
"You certainly thought ahead."
Tsunade looked mildly impressed.
"I'm definitely hanging this photo in my room."
Nawaki said happily.
Uzumaki Kushina, Yakushi Nonou, and Namikaze Minato naturally agreed as well.
Natsuki found Mayu and asked her to take the picture.
"You all stand in front."
Tsunade directed. "Jiraiya, Orochimaru, and I will be in the second row."
Hearing this, Nawaki, Natsuki, Kushina, Nonou, and Minato arranged themselves in a line.
Mayu looked at them, feeling emotional.
This group could definitely be called the present and future of Konoha Village—the cream of two generations.
When Natsuki had suggested buying a camera, it was to take promotional photos for the izakaya.
Now, the significance of this image clearly went far beyond advertising.
After the photo was taken, the gathering came to an end.
"Natsuki."
Orochimaru spoke calmly. "Meet me at the First Training Ground at 9 AM tomorrow."
Without waiting for a reply, he turned and left. No hesitation.
Natsuki blinked—then quickly understood.
Did I just become Orochimaru's student?
Fortunately, at this point in time, Orochimaru hadn't turned evil yet. Being his disciple wasn't a bad thing.
Still a shame it wasn't Tsunade, though.
But it wasn't impossible to have multiple teachers.
In the original story, Uzumaki Naruto had two: Hatake Kakashi and Jiraiya.
"Natsuki, we're officially teammates now. I look forward to working with you."
A cheerful smile spread across Nawaki's face.
"Likewise."
Natsuki nodded.
"We'll be heading out. See you next time."
Jiraiya said, then called Minato and departed together.
Tsunade, Nawaki, and Kushina didn't linger either. They soon parted ways with Natsuki and Nonou.
"Director."
Natsuki turned to Mayu. "I have a promotional plan ready. Find someone to execute it tomorrow."
"A plan?"
Mayu looked surprised. "Weren't we just using the group photo for promotion?"
"One method isn't enough."
Natsuki shook his head and began explaining marketing strategies from his previous life.
Flyer distribution. Advertisement postings. Grand opening discounts. Membership programs. Loyalty points.
Fortunately, with this impressive group photo, building buzz wouldn't be difficult.
Once his reputation grew, he would come in on Saturdays and Sundays to cook for reserved guests.
But he wouldn't accept more than four reservations per day—two for lunch, two for dinner.
Scarcity creates value.
"You came up with all of this?"
Mayu was stunned.
She had never even heard of many of these methods.
Promotion in the ninja world was still very traditional—nothing like his previous life, where marketing had become an art form.
"Just brainstorming."
Natsuki blinked innocently.
Mayu was speechless.
Standing next to Natsuki, she felt like the child.
The next day arrived.
Natsuki left the izakaya's affairs entirely to Mayu.
He and Yakushi Nonou began an entirely new phase: learning ninjutsu from the Legendary Sannin.
Natsuki arrived alone at Konoha's First Training Ground.
"Natsuki!"
Nawaki, who had been practicing Water Release, immediately stopped and waved.
"Continue your training."
Orochimaru glanced at him.
Nawaki quickly returned to his exercises.
"I heard from Teacher that your kenjutsu is impressive—and that you've created two techniques?"
Orochimaru looked at Natsuki.
"Three techniques, actually."
Natsuki corrected.
"Attack me."
Orochimaru's eyes narrowed.
"Yes, Orochimaru-sensei."
Natsuki drew the Sword of the Thunder God.
With his current strength, he couldn't possibly hurt Orochimaru. There was no need to hold back.
One-Sword Style: Lion Strike!
Natsuki gripped the blade and slashed downward with full force.
The lightning-charged edge descended from above, aiming to cleave Orochimaru in two.
Orochimaru simply shifted his body—and the strike missed entirely.
One-Sword Style: 36 Pound Phoenix!
Natsuki twisted his wrist. The Sword of the Thunder God became a blur of afterimages.
From within the blur, a flying slash rocketed toward Orochimaru.
Orochimaru's eyebrow rose.
This technique was more threatening than the last.
But he merely stepped to the left, and the attack sailed past harmlessly.
One-Sword Style: Iai — Lion's Song!
Natsuki raised his blade.
He transformed into a beam of light—and vanished.
Fast!
Orochimaru's eyes widened slightly.
He immediately opened his mouth, and a sword extended outward.
CLANG!
Natsuki reappeared.
His Sword of the Thunder God was blocked by the blade in Orochimaru's mouth—unable to advance even an inch.
Natsuki recognized it instantly: the Kusanagi Sword.
Its greatest feature was the ability to extend and retract, reaching lengths of over a hundred meters.
"You're very good."
Orochimaru praised.
When Sarutobi Hiruzen had mentioned that Natsuki created his own kenjutsu, Orochimaru had been privately dismissive.
How powerful could a technique created by a seven-year-old possibly be?
But now, his opinion had changed completely.
The three techniques Natsuki had demonstrated—especially the latter two—had already reached B-Rank standard.
Orochimaru stepped back and withdrew the Kusanagi Sword into his mouth.
The sight was... somewhat unsettling to watch.
"With your talent, I suggest you study every existing kenjutsu style. Master them thoroughly. Then attempt to create even more."
Orochimaru considered for a moment before speaking.
"Yes, Orochimaru-sensei."
Natsuki nodded.
That suggestion aligned perfectly with his plans.
He had a system, after all.
"I'll teach you Konoha-Style Kenjutsu first."
Orochimaru decided.
Konoha-Style Kenjutsu?
Natsuki immediately thought of the couple Gekko Hayate and Uzuki Yugao.
They were famous precisely for that style.
Although Natsuki's talent in ninjutsu was lacking, in kenjutsu—thanks to Zoro's inherited mastery—learning came naturally.
April passed in the blink of an eye. Time advanced into June.
[Congratulations, Host. You have unlocked Zeff Template Ability 3: Head Chef Dead Weight.]
After two months of building momentum, Natsuki's izakaya had become famous throughout Konoha.
His clientele consisted exclusively of the wealthy and powerful.
His name had spread among nobles and merchants alike. Reservations were fully booked for six months.
He had also won over thirty ninjas with his cooking—fully integrating the Zeff template.
On Monday, Natsuki approached Ishida Yu.
"You want to challenge the upperclassmen?"
Surprise flashed across Ishida Yu's face.
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