Chapter 46
When setting up camp, the caravan members' tents were gathered together, and as the ninja guarding the caravan, Asakawa Naoki's three teams each set up a tent, with three people living in one tent, and the three tents forming a triangle to guard the outside of the caravan members.
In this way, no matter which side the attack came from, one of their three ninja teams would always be able to take timely precautions, and the other two could also provide immediate support.
Watching everyone return to their tents, Asakawa Naoki took out two Soldier Pills from his pouch, swallowing them with a few sips of water to help with digestion and chakra absorption. (Ration Pellets to Soldier Pills)
Because the camping site chosen by the caravan was too flat and there were no trees around to cover it, Asakawa Naoki could only sit by the campfire to keep watch.
Feeling the burning of the essence fire in his body, the two Soldier Pills he had just eaten were quickly digested and refined into chakra. Asakawa Naoki felt that the bitter, unpalatable taste of the pills was still something he could tolerate.
"It's time to see what fairy art the Thunder Release can prove."
"First, sense whether there are enemies around."
Asakawa Naoki calmed his mind and extended his senses.
Although his mental strength hadn't yet been refined into proper sensory chakra control, and he couldn't learn formal sensory ninjutsu, Asakawa Naoki's innate perception was sharp — especially since his recent breakthrough. He could vaguely sense any movements within a hundred-meter radius.
In his perception, everyone in the caravan had already fallen asleep. Most of his teammates as well.
Only in the tents of Naoki and Masamura Oki, Masamura Oki's breath had settled into the steady rhythm of sleep, while Naoki was still tossing and turning — probably too excited about his first mission to rest.
"That presence should be one of Orochimaru's group."
At the very edge of Asakawa Naoki's perception range, a figure rested lazily on the branch of a tall tree. The man hadn't made any moves, but Naoki could sense his overwhelming strength.
Ever since the caravan set off, Asakawa Naoki had sensed that figure trailing them from a distance.
Considering the aura's strength and complete lack of hostility toward them, it wasn't difficult to guess who it was.
Though Orochimaru and the other two had claimed they would rush to the frontlines as quickly as possible, there was no way they would actually let a group of freshly graduated Genin head out of the village unsupervised on an escort mission.
The most reasonable arrangement would be for two of them to go on ahead while one lingered behind to shadow the convoy.
Two could manage the frontlines just fine, while the third could quietly keep an eye on the apprentices.
"Tsunade and Orochimaru are better suited to battlefield command. That means it's probably Jiraiya."
Sensing that Jiraiya was dozing on the branch, and with the rest of the camp in relative quiet, Asakawa Naoki quietly pulled out the fairy scroll.
"I wonder what kind of sage art this Thunder Release can prove."
Recalling the training method for Lightning Release: Lightning Needle he'd memorized earlier, Asakawa Naoki opened the scroll.
Sure enough, there was a new technique recorded there — another Thunder Release technique he recognized from his previous life.
"Palm Lightning."
Compared to major techniques like Samadhi True Fire, this was clearly a much lower-level jutsu.
But low-level didn't mean useless.
In the Naruto world, minor ninjutsu had their advantages: easy to learn, low chakra cost, and no long string of hand seals needed.
Most battles didn't allow the time to weave seals for advanced techniques.
That's why a technique like Rasengan — a high-power, no-seal technique — was so feared, especially when paired with the Flying Thunder God Technique.
Similarly, though Palm Lightning couldn't match the destructive force of Samadhi True Fire, it was quick to learn and faster to use.
It had taken Naoki three years just to ignite his Essence Fire, and who knew how long it would take to awaken the Qi Fireor Spirit Fire after that?
According to the scroll's description, cultivators with a natural affinity for lightning could pick up Palm Lightning in a matter of days.
After carefully memorizing the training method, Asakawa Naoki tucked the scroll away and started practicing.
"This is Palm Lightning, huh?"
Asakawa Naoki watched the faint blue crackle of lightning dance in his palm, feeling a spark of satisfaction.
It might not look like much now, but even this tiny arc could cause far more than just numbness when it struck flesh.
And according to the scroll, if mastered, it could channel the power of heaven's thunder in an instant.
At the moment, even if Naoki pushed it to its limit, the technique's strength would probably be comparable to Chidori at best.
"Keep going."
Just as he was about to continue training, a figure approached in the dark.
"Nongshu, it's not the second half of the night yet — what are you doing here so early?"
Asakawa Naoki extinguished the lightning in his hand and glanced behind him. The newcomer was a somewhat embarrassed Rope Tree.
"Sorry, Asakawa. I couldn't sleep — too excited about my first mission. Thought I'd come keep watch with you," Rope Tree admitted, scratching his head.
"No need to apologize. It's normal to feel that way your first time out," Asakawa Naoki said, shaking his head. "Since you're up, keep watch with me. I'll wake up Masamura Oki when it's time for the next shift."
"Alright," Rope Tree nodded.
Asakawa Naoki took another Soldier Pill from his pouch and swallowed it with a few sips of water. Since he couldn't practice Palm Lightning with Rope Tree nearby, he focused on refining his chakra instead.
"You really pop those things like candy, huh?" Rope Tree laughed. "I can't believe you can stomach something as gross as a Soldier Pill."
"I don't have a choice. My chakra burns through it too fast," Asakawa Naoki shrugged, then turned the question back. "By the way… why do you want to be Hokage?"
"Of course! Because I wanna protect Konoha — just like my grandfather!" Rope Tree's eyes seemed to brighten as he spoke.
"And you? What's your reason for wanting to be Hokage?"
"Me…" Asakawa Naoki thought back to when he first arrived in this world, then glanced toward Kushina's tent.
It probably wasn't until he saw her being bullied, and stepped in, that he truly felt connected to this world.
The Naruto world from his past life's memory had become real. And knowing what tragedies lay ahead — knowing the conspiracies, the losses — and possessing the ability to intervene… of course, he wanted to change it.
"I want to change this world," Asakawa Naoki said quietly.
"Heh — then let's do it together," Rope Tree grinned.
"Yeah," Naoki agreed.
Just then, he heard faint footsteps approaching in the distance.
They weren't light enough for a ninja, nor heavy enough for a soldier — probably just a civilian.
And when a twig snapped underfoot, Rope Tree heard it too.
"Someone's out there!"
Rope Tree immediately tensed, falling into a ready stance.
At the same time, high up in the trees, Jiraiya cracked an eye open and quietly watched them.
"Let's see what those two brats decide to do," Jiraiya muttered to himself with a small grin.
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