Chapter 30: Gifted the First Hokage’s Necklace

Natsume graduated after two and a half years because he was too outstanding.

With Hinae's milk and the Wood Release serum, his body was strong—his chakra matched most jonin.

His only weakness was lack of combat experience.

He'd never faced life-and-death combat here.

Experience makes a big difference.

Like Uchiha Itachi, who graduated last year and teamed with Anko and Yugao.

Their team had a 100% success rate, even completing several A-rank missions.

They were known as Konoha's strongest genin team.

Natsume could theoretically match Itachi in a duel, but in practice, probably not.

Experience is everything—unless you have overwhelming chakra like Naruto.

Regardless, Natsume's strength rivaled a chunin.

With more training, he'd reach jonin level.

Only a few, like Itachi, matched his speed.

"Natsume, congrats on graduating."

Tsunade waited outside the exam room, smiling as he emerged wearing a genin forehead protector.

She knew he'd pass, but as his foster mother, she still worried.

"I'm one step closer to being Hokage!"

Natsume gave a thumbs up, showing off his forehead protector.

He knew Tsunade's personality—this would make her happy.

He looked just like her brother Nawaki when he graduated.

"Since it's your graduation day, I have a gift."

"Great!"

Natsume loved gifts.

Tsunade smiled, took off the First Hokage's necklace, and put it around his neck.

It felt warm.

Natsume remembered the curse: everyone who wore it died—including Naruto, except as the protagonist, he came back.

"This necklace has my grandfather's Wood Release chakra—it'll help you a lot."

Tsunade explained.

Natsume wanted to refuse, but it was too valuable.

The necklace could suppress even the Nine-Tails' chakra—so it held a huge amount of Wood Release chakra.

For him, it was a great power bank.

As for the curse, he had his own cheats—no worries.

"Lady Tsunade."

An Anbu appeared. "The Hokage wants to see you and Natsume."

The touching moment was interrupted; Tsunade frowned. "What does the old man want?"

"He didn't say."

The Anbu answered respectfully and left.

"Let's go," Tsunade said, holding Natsume's hand. "Let's see what the old man wants."

…

Hokage's Office.

Hiruzen was startled by the sudden door opening, quickly covering his crystal ball and hiding his embarrassment.

"Tsunade."

He pretended to be calm. "When did you stop knocking, like Danzo?"

"I'm in a hurry. Get to the point."

Tsunade sat down, not showing any gentleness.

Hiruzen was used to her, smiled at Natsume. "Since my grand-disciple graduated, I had to see him."

"Hokage Grandpa," Natsume greeted.

"Good kid." Hiruzen nodded in satisfaction.

In two and a half years, Natsume always aced theory, with deep understanding of the Will of Fire.

Some of his ideas even enlightened Hiruzen.

With Itachi, Hiruzen had praised him as thinking like a Hokage.

For Natsume, he'd call him the perfect heir to the Will of Fire.

"Get to the point," Tsunade said impatiently.

"Fine, fine. You're grown up and don't need your old teacher."

Hiruzen sighed, then said, "Now that Natsume's a ninja, by tradition, he'll be assigned teammates and a jonin leader. I have candidates—"

"No need," Tsunade interrupted. "I'll lead, with Shizune and Kabuto as his teammates."

"But your hemophobia?"

Hiruzen wanted to assign a trusted jonin, knowing about her phobia.

"It's cured."

Tsunade cut herself to prove it—no reaction.

Hiruzen was overjoyed.

A healthy Tsunade would greatly benefit Konoha.

Back then, she turned the tide against Chiyo in the war.

Just being the best medical ninja was enough.

Before, hemophobia kept her off the battlefield.

"Why didn't you tell me earlier?"

Hiruzen scolded, but was mostly happy.

Konoha seemed prosperous again.

The old guard—he and Danzo—were still able, and young stars like Kakashi, Guy, Shisui, and Itachi were rising.

Hiruzen felt much less pressure.

Things looked great.

"Fine, you lead the team," he agreed. "But remember, as a ninja, you must go out into the world. If you protect Natsume, Shizune, and Kabuto too much, you'll hinder their growth."

"I know."

Tsunade was reluctant but understood.

If war came, inexperienced kids would be useless.

"The war with Kumo is nearly over. Take them to see the world," Hiruzen suggested. "If you show up at the border, Kumo might surrender early."

"That's your real reason, old man," Tsunade snorted, but didn't refuse. "I'll handle it. Don't worry."