A few more days passed, and Yamashiro Runya and Kato Megumi completely mastered tree climbing and water walking.
Even on relatively turbulent river surfaces, the two could run on the water without issue, and their Chakra control had clearly improved by a level.
This was a significant benefit; learning Ninjutsu in the future would be twice as effective.
The two were also excited by their growth and now wanted to learn more.
Natsuki and Yamashiro Aoba discussed and came to a decision.
"Megumi, since you have Water Release Chakra, I will teach you some Water Release Ninjutsu, as well as the Moon Walk and Wind Release: Gale Palm from the Six Styles.
I believe these should be enough to raise your strength to Chunin level.
Additionally, because girls tend to be more meticulous in their thinking, they have finer Chakra control, so I recommend you learn Medical Ninjutsu."
"Medical Ninjutsu?"
Kato Megumi was naturally excited about Natsuki teaching her Water Release Ninjutsu, but she was still confused about Natsuki recommending her to learn Medical Ninjutsu.
Although having fine Chakra control is indeed more suitable for learning Medical Ninjutsu, she didn't necessarily have to learn it, right?
Natsuki saw that the girl seemed somewhat reluctant, but still chose to persuade her: "Actually, having a Medical Ninja in a small team was a suggestion Tsunade-sama made a long time ago.
However, since Tsunade-sama was not in the Village later, it was put on hold for a time.
In fact, verified during the Fourth Shinobi World War, teams with Medical Ninja often had higher survival rates."
Upon hearing this, Kato Megumi was immediately moved.
In fact, through spending time together these past few days, she had gradually realized that her role in the team in the future might not be very significant.
Firstly, because there was someone as strong as Natsuki in the team, and secondly, because Yamashiro Runya's growth was faster than hers.
Even though she was faster and better than Yamashiro Runya at tree climbing and water walking, she could see that Yamashiro Runya would grow to be much stronger than her in the future.
In that case, she would have almost no role in the team; it would be a blessing if she didn't hold them back.
If learning Medical Ninjutsu could increase the team's survival rate, then she was naturally willing to learn.
That way, she could also help out effectively.
Natsuki pressed on: "You've already gone home and asked your parents, right?
Katou Shizune-senpai should be related to you.
Shizune-senpai has always been with Tsunade-sama, so her Medical Ninjutsu must be quite extraordinary.
I was thinking, if you build a good foundation in Medical Ninjutsu now, and perhaps meet Shizune-senpai in the future, you might be able to become her disciple.
At that time, you'd also be considered Tsunade-sama's grand-disciple..."
Tsunade-sama's grand-disciple?
Kato Megumi's eyes lit up: "Then I want to learn!
No, I'm definitely learning Medical Ninjutsu!"
Girls all admired Tsunade, and they all had a dream of becoming Tsunade.
Now hearing that she had a chance to become Tsunade's grand-disciple, she naturally no longer hesitated.
Moreover, Natsuki wasn't lying.
Since Kato Megumi and Katou Shizune were related, becoming her disciple in the future would definitely not be a problem.
Yamashiro Aoba was surprised: "Natsuki, you even know about Shizune?"
Natsuki also thought of something: "Katou Shizune-senpai seems to have been in the same class as Aoba-sensei.
I heard a little bit about it.
It just so happens that Megumi is related to Shizune-senpai, so I thought Megumi might also be suitable for learning Medical Ninjutsu."
Yamashiro Aoba nodded slightly, recalling the cute black-haired girl from their time at the Ninja Academy in his mind.
Shizune was very cute when she was little...
"Aoba-sensei, your smile is a bit strange.
Are you thinking of something?
Or rather, do you have any special feelings for Shizune-senpai?" Natsuki stared at Yamashiro Aoba.
"Ah?
Cough, cough!
Don't talk nonsense!
I was just thinking about things from the Ninja Academy.
It's been many years since I've seen Shizune, and I don't know how she's doing.
We old classmates are actually quite worried about her sometimes."
Yamashiro Aoba quickly explained, feeling somewhat like he was covering something up.
Natsuki didn't pursue it.
When Tsunade returned one day to become the Fifth Hokage, Shizune would naturally return, and he could see then.
Next was Yamashiro Runya.
"Runya, you have Fire Release Chakra, but I don't know Fire Release Ninjutsu.
I can only teach you the Four Illusionary Appendage Technique and Body Flicker Technique, which should be somewhat helpful to you.
Your main focus will be learning from Aoba-sensei.
He's your clan brother, so he won't have too many reservations about teaching you.
Just figure out how to squeeze all his skills out of him!"
"Okay, Boss!
I will definitely squeeze all of Aoba-nii's skills out!"
Yamashiro Runya saluted to express his determination.
Yamashiro Aoba just felt a headache, feeling that his clan brother was a bit silly, but ultimately he was a brother from the same clan.
Teaching him well was fine; the Yamashiro clan could also grow stronger in the future.
Afterward, the four split into two groups.
Natsuki was responsible for teaching Kato Megumi.
Besides Medical Ninjutsu, he also taught her Water Release: Violent Water Wave, Water Release: Telescope Technique, Water Release: Magnifying Glass Technique, etc.
Also, two of the Six Styles, Moon Walk and Wind Release: Gale Palm, were related to Water Release, so he taught them as well.
Just these alone could raise Kato Megumi's strength by several levels.
··Requesting fresh flowers········
Occasionally during breaks, Natsuki would teach the Four Illusionary Appendage Technique and Body Flicker Technique to Yamashiro Runya.
Kato Megumi also watched from the side, wanting to learn.
Anyway, helping his two teammates grow would make him much more at ease when going on missions in the future.
As for the D-rank missions in the Village, they naturally accepted them every day and handed them all over to their shadow clones to complete.
Neither training nor missions were delayed, so they could be said to be living very fulfilling lives.
Just like that, a month passed.
On this day, Team Nine was assigned a C-rank mission outside the Village: escorting a merchant convoy to the Fire Country Capital.
....
...0
"Hehe, we can finally go on missions outside the Village."
Yamashiro Runya swung his arms, excited.
"After learning from Aoba-nii and Boss for a month, it's time to test ourselves.
I wonder what kind of strong enemies are waiting for us on the road."
Kato Megumi poured cold water on his enthusiasm: "C-rank missions at most involve bandits or robbers blocking the way.
What kind of strong enemies could those scumbags be?"
Yamashiro Runya wilted upon hearing this: "Megumi, I'm finally happy for once, can you not pour cold water on me?"
"What?
You disagree?"
"I agree!
Definitely agree!
Megumi is right!"
Yamashiro Runya scratched his head and grinned foolishly at Kato Megumi, while Kato Megumi hugged her arms proudly.
Natsuki watched them, always feeling there was something going on between the two.
Especially over the past month, Kato Megumi loved to tease Yamashiro Runya, and Yamashiro Runya would always grin foolishly and yield.
"They're truly a bickering couple, and their names are so fated."
Natsuki felt like he was being fed dog food, but he refused to eat it, because he wasn't a single dog.
Yamashiro Aoba spoke up at the right time: "Alright, you have half an hour to go back and prepare.
You need to be at the main gate on time in half an hour.
Although it's only a C-rank mission, you mustn't be careless.
Sometimes if you accidentally encounter a powerful Ninja, you will also face danger.
Now, dismissed!"
After speaking, he flashed and disappeared.
Natsuki gave the two a meaningful look and also disappeared.
The two left standing there looked at each other, their faces slightly red, because the Boss's gaze was a bit off, as if he had discovered their situation.