Shikigami Summoning in Konoha

Chapter 57: Katsuragi, They Practice Endogamy Within Their Clan!

Although he had received this insider information, Naruto didn't seem too pleased; instead, he looked worriedly at Iruka and said, "Iruka-sensei, can you please talk to the old man and ask him not to test on Clone Jutsu!"

"Can't we test on physical techniques instead?"

Iruka gently knocked on Naruto's head and scolded with a smile, "It's not up to you to decide what's on the test..."

He then became more serious and said to Katsuragi and Naruto, "Becoming a ninja is a dangerous thing, so if you're not up to the mark, I would rather you never graduate than risk your lives in the future."

"Tsck!"

Although Naruto understood that Iruka was looking out for him, he still retorted somewhat defiantly, "That's just because you can't do it either, Iruka-sensei!"

"You brat, keep talking and there'll be no more ramen for you!"

"Ah! No way, I still want another bowl!"

"Wow! How can you still eat? This is already your third bowl!"

Watching the playful bickering between Naruto and Iruka, Katsuragi chuckled to himself. He genuinely agreed with Iruka's words; even though they were currently in peacetime, if it were during the war years, this batch of graduates, including Naruto, would barely count as cannon fodder.

After finishing their ramen, Katsuragi started heading home, meanwhile pondering the upcoming graduation exam. Although Naruto's initial cheat code was the Nine-Tails, the Multi-Shadow Clone Technique and the Rasengan were indispensable too.

Putting aside the Rasengan, which would be taught later by Jiraiya upon his return, the Multi-Shadow Clone Technique was something Naruto would learn in the upcoming plot.

"Was that Scroll of Seals possibly arranged by the Third Hokage?"

Katsuragi thought that while the Third Hokage was lecherous, he wouldn't have let his guard down with Naruto just because of a "Sexy Technique." If the Third Hokage was that easily manipulated, he would have been tricked by Danzo with a honey trap or something similar long ago.

"Ah, what a hassle!"

Katsuragi was somewhat frustrated; he had thought about possibly negotiating with the Nine-Tails within the seal to allow Naruto a smooth graduation once, but how would Naruto learn the Multi-Shadow Clone Technique then?

"Maybe I should just let the plot run its course."

If indeed the Third had arranged all this, it would be best not to disrupt those plans. After all, Mizuki alone, even with a bit of chakra from the Nine-Tails, could overturn everything.

As Katsuragi pondered, he arrived home. Seeing the lights on in his house startled him: Was there a burglar inside?

He hurried into the house and, upon seeing the figure sitting in the living room, he breathed a sigh of relief but was even more surprised and asked, "Lord Third, what brings you here?"

"Just passing by to check on you, sit down!"

The Third casually smoked his pipe and gestured for Katsuragi to take a seat, asking, "Have you eaten?"

"Yes!" Katsuragi obediently replied, "I just had ramen with Naruto and Iruka-sensei."

"Iruka, huh!" The Third mused for a moment and then said, "He's a good teacher, and his background is somewhat similar to yours and Naruto's — all of you are orphans who lost your parents."

"Iruka-sensei is an orphan too?"

Although Katsuragi knew this, he feigned surprise, asking innocently, "I've never heard him mention that before!"

"Yes," the Third nodded and then reminisced, "And like your parents, his were heroes who sacrificed themselves in the battle to protect the village, which is probably why he takes extra care of you two."

"I see!"

Katsuragi acted as if he had just understood something profound, then seemed to casually ask, "By the way, Lord Third, do you know who Naruto's parents are? He's always wanted to know about his parents."

"Naruto…"

The Third paused, recalling the figure who stood before everyone during the Nine-Tails' attack, sighed involuntarily — if only Minato were still alive. Looking at Katsuragi, who awaited his response, he shook his head:

"You might find out about that later."

He then changed the subject and asked, "So, the graduation exams are coming up, are you confident?"

"Of course!" Katsuragi smiled confidently, then cautiously asked, "Lord Third, may I ask you something?"

"What is it?"

As the Third took a puff of his pipe and gave a benevolent smile, Katsuragi hurriedly added, "It's not about the exam questions!"

"Of course not!" Katsuragi shook his head, then said, "I heard that students are grouped into teams of three at graduation, but in our class, unless someone fails, there's bound to be one person left out…"

"Who told you it's teams of three?"

The Third looked puzzled, then asked Katsuragi.

"It was Neji Hyuga from the year above us; I often go to Hinata's house, so I'm quite familiar with him…" Katsuragi scratched his head sheepishly.

"From Guy's team?" The Third exhaled a smoke ring and then laughed, "Are you asking who you'll be teamed up with?"

"Yes!" Katsuragi nodded, then explained, "I think no one in our class will fail, so I wanted to get some insight."

"I see!"

The Third fell silent for a moment, then after a long pause, he looked at Katsuragi and suggested, "What if I put you with Naruto and Sasuke? Team 7!"

"Team 7!"

Katsuragi was stunned; although he had considered that the Third might do this, he was still surprised when it was confirmed. What would happen to Sakura Haruno if she wasn't involved in the tumultuous relationships with Naruto and Sasuke? Would Tsunade still take her as a student?

Moreover, being in a team with two boys felt oddly risky; Katsuragi was somewhat reluctant.

"What's wrong?"

Observing Katsuragi's dazed expression, the Third asked calmly, "Don't you want to? I thought you got along with both of them. Naruto looks up to you as a role model, Sasuke sees you as a rival to surpass, and your personality..."

"Cough!" The Third cleared his throat and continued, "Although somewhat mischievous and naughty, I can still see you're a kind-hearted child."

"Pah!" Katsuragi inwardly spat, how dare a voyeuristic old man call him naughty and mischievous for his harmless pranks?

But Katsuragi could only mutter his complaints internally, maintaining an embarrassed and shy appearance, a testament to his years of practiced acting.

"But Lord Third, isn't it problematic to have an all-male team?"

Katsuragi's first concern was the team arrangement; honestly, apart from Hinata, he didn't want to be teamed up with anyone else. But in Konoha, teamwork was highly valued.

"Uh, why would that be an issue?" The Third looked puzzled, not understanding the remark.

Katsuragi didn't feel like explaining about the contagious nature of being in a group with all boys. He bluntly said, "Lord Third, actually, Hinata and I grew up together. We're childhood friends, and being on the same team would allow us to perform better!"

That seemed to make sense to the Third, who looked at Katsuragi with an unreadable expression before responding after a long pause, "Katsuragi, did you know? The main family of the Hyuga clan does not practice marriage outside their clan!"

End of chapter 57