I Just Wanted to Slack Off, But I Was Forced to Become Hokage

Chapter 21: The S-Rank Technique, [Shadow Doppelganger Technique]!

Nara Keisuke had developed the [Lacquer Eye] technique. It could be said that this almost completely "freed the hands" of the Nara clan, while simultaneously reducing their combat burden. In Nara Shikano's eyes, no amount of resources the family invested in Nara Keisuke from now on would be excessive.

"But speaking of the clan elders..." Nara Shikano stood up and said, "Keisuke, would you like to meet them with me in a little while?"

Nara Shikano did indeed have a plan to gather the family elders and convene a clan meeting. But this was only because he had just returned from Konoha Village, where he had learned a piece of vital intelligence from the Third Hokage.

The disappearance of Sunagakure's Third Kazekage had finally provided the "fuse" for the Third Great Ninja War, which was already on the brink of erupting. Now, it was just a matter of seeing which great nation, which ninja village, would make the first move!

Faced with this imminent war, both Konoha and the Nara clan had to be fully prepared. This clan meeting was being held for that very reason. As the core force maintaining Konoha's medical system, the Nara clan was about to face an overwhelming number of tasks. The [Lacquer Eye] technique scroll provided by Nara Keisuke could be considered a "blessing in a time of misfortune."

"Meet the elders?" Nara Keisuke shook his head. "If it's alright, I'd like to go to the Rokumeikan first."

The Rokumeikan was the Nara clan's archive. The medical and secret technique records accumulated by the deer clan over thousands of years were all housed within that small pavilion.

"That's a good idea as well." Nara Shikano nodded in approval.

As expected of Keisuke. How many years has it been since the Nara clan produced such a motivated and talented young ninja?

Genius itself wasn't frightening. What was frightening was a genius who worked even harder than an ordinary person!

'As long as Keisuke doesn't die prematurely, the Nara clan doesn't dream of catching up to major bloodline clans like the Senju, Uchiha, or Hyuga.'

'But at the very least, we should be able to compare to the Hozuki clan of Kirigakure, right?'

Nara Shikano's anticipation for Nara Keisuke's future grew even stronger. "In addition to the scrolls in the Rokumeikan, the family will also grant you an additional reward of the highest quality chakra metal, the type best suited for shadow chakra, for you to forge a ninja tool."

Nara Shikano quickly wrote a permission slip to ensure Nara Keisuke's reading experience in the Rokumeikan would be uninterrupted. "There are also two other 'special rewards,' which will depend on your own opportunities and needs..."

"I was originally planning to give you a research grant of one million ryo per month, but considering your family's situation, Keisuke, you might not want this little bit of money."

What does a true angel investor look like?

This is what an angel investor looks like!

Nara Keisuke was left dizzy by the clan head's successive lavish rewards. But when he heard the last sentence, he didn't have time to ponder the "special rewards" the other had mentioned and blurted out, "Clan Head, can you get stronger if you don't pay to win?"

He makes such a good point, I'm speechless.

Nara Shikano was nearly thrown for a loop by Nara Keisuke's question. For most people, being a "ninja" wasn't a very expensive profession.

Kunai broke? Military Ration Pills all used up? Threw all your shuriken away? It's fine. You're a ninja; you just have to endure it. As long as you had enough chakra reserves, nothing was a problem.

But for certain special ninja, the rate at which they burned through money was faster than you could print it!

Seeing Nara Shikano fall silent for a long moment, Nara Keisuke, who had snapped back to his senses, tried to salvage his crumbling dignity. "Clan Head, the money doesn't matter. The main thing is that I enjoy the feeling of doing missions myself, earning my own money, and spending it."

"...Oh, is that so?" Nara Shikano suspected that Nara Keisuke was actually just a little money-grubber, but he had no proof. "In that case, I happen to have another mission for you. And it's related to the two 'special rewards' I just mentioned."

After bidding farewell to the clan head, Nara Keisuke set off for the Rokumeikan. Nara Shikano didn't say much about the "mission" he mentioned at the end, only telling him to come find him tomorrow morning.

'I wonder what kind of mission the Clan Head is talking about.'

On the road to the Rokumeikan, Nara Keisuke's thoughts churned.

'A new S-rank mission? Unlikely... For a fresh graduate Genin like me, being able to receive a B-rank mission is the absolute limit, and that's only because of Tsunade.'

'And then there are the two special rewards the Clan Head mentioned.'

'The things the Nara clan can offer—money, secret techniques, medical knowledge, chakra metal... this time, they've basically given me everything they possibly can!'

No matter how hard Nara Keisuke thought, he couldn't imagine what the "special rewards" the clan head was referring to could be. The key point was that as a secret technique family, it didn't seem like the Nara clan could offer anything else of real value.

After puzzling over it for a short while, Nara Keisuke decided to stop thinking about it.

'One million ryo per month of independent funds, and that chakra metal.' Nara Keisuke recalled the special incense stick that Lady Cat had given him. 'Perhaps I can ask Lady Cat to help forge a ninja tool! I just don't know if she takes that kind of business...'

'Of course, before forging the ninja tool, it's best to consult the Clan Head about it.'

'If there's a better option, I'll just have to reluctantly give up on that cat妖精.'

'As for that money...'

Just as Nara Keisuke was thinking about how to manage and use the one million ryo he was about to receive, he finally arrived at the area where the Rokumeikan was located.

This wasn't his first time here. He had come before with the clan head to borrow those "predecessor's records."

After showing the clan head's letter to the clansman on guard duty, Nara Keisuke smoothly entered the Rokumeikan. Inside, the collection of scrolls was vast and profound. Medical texts, pharmaceutical data, secret technique scrolls, ninja memoirs... a wide and varied assortment.

For the current Nara Keisuke, increasing his strength was the most important thing. With the "Lazy System," he could learn any ninjutsu scroll with a single click. Therefore, after entering the Rokumeikan, he got his bearings and headed straight for the core area—the secret technique scroll section.

As a secret ninjutsu family with a long history, the Nara clan had invested immense effort into the study of "Shadow Secret Techniques." Almost every "Shadow Secret Technique" had its own specific function. And in the secret technique scroll area, there were not only complete technique scrolls, but also the study notes and records of Nara clan predecessors. In addition to these, there were also some unsystematized research materials on shadow ninjutsu.

After entering the secret technique scroll area, Nara Keisuke didn't waste a single moment and began learning the mature secret techniques at top speed.

'I've only mastered three family secret techniques so far. There are still many more shadow secret techniques for me to learn in the Rokumeikan!'

[C-rank Secret Technique Detected: [Shadow Neck Binding Technique]. Learn?]

[C-rank Secret Technique Detected: [Flat Shadow Technique]. Learn?]

[...B-rank Secret Technique [Shadow Shield Technique]...]

[...B-rank Secret Technique [Shadow Imitation Human Technique]...]

[...A-rank Secret Technique [Shadow Grasping Technique]...]

Nara Keisuke left none behind, choosing to learn them all.

A new message appeared on the virtual panel.

[Having learned two C-rank, two B-rank, and one A-rank secret technique, your [Ninjutsu] and [Wisdom] stats have been enhanced! Overall evaluation has increased!]

[Ninjutsu: B- → B+]

[Wisdom: B- → B]

[Overall Evaluation: C- → C+ (Chunin)]

'A lazy ninja is truly going to ascend!'

Nara Keisuke put down the A-rank secret technique scroll in his hands, his mood incomparably joyful.

'Oh, right, and those two [Shinobi Secret Scrolls] from before!'

He had speed-run the combat mission with the clan head and obtained a C-rank scroll. But now, a mere C-rank [Shinobi Secret Scroll] was hardly worth his attention. What he really cared about was the S-rank [Shinobi Secret Scroll] he received after completing the S-rank commissioned mission, [Eye of Shadow], issued by the clan head!

'First, I'll use the C-rank scroll as sacrificial fodder!'

Sitting properly inside the Rokumeikan, Nara Keisuke operated decisively. 'Ancestors of the Nara clan, I call upon you!'

[Opening...]

[Contents of this C-rank Shinobi Secret Scroll: Technique]

[C-rank Technique: Summoning Technique]

[Technique Description: A basic space-time ninjutsu technique.]

[Technique Effect: Chakra is the power that connects two worlds. After signing a contract with a summoned creature, ninja tool, puppet, etc., you can summon them anytime, anywhere. The amount of chakra invested determines the duration the summoned object can be maintained.]

[Technique Evaluation: I choose you!]

'Even so, I really wasn't planning on summoning the ancestors of the Nara clan!'

Nara Keisuke looked at the [Summoning Technique] on the panel, not knowing whether to laugh or cry. 'But no matter what, this is a rare space-time ninjutsu! My luck is exploding!'

'Knowledge is power! S-rank scroll!'

[Opening...]

[Contents of this S-rank Shinobi Secret Scroll: Technique]

[S-rank Technique: Shadow Doppelganger Technique]

[Technique Description: An ultimate-class clone ninjutsu created based on [Shadow Secret Techniques], [Clone Technique], and [Shadow Clone Technique]. Requires no hand signs and can be cast instantly with a thought.]

[Technique Effect: 1. Create a [Shadow Doppelganger] using one's own Yin Release chakra, which can switch between "shadow" and "solid" forms;

2. The [Shadow Doppelganger] possesses a certain degree of durability and mobility, and can use all Yin Release secret techniques that the user has mastered. After the doppelganger is dispelled, its memories and experiences are automatically returned to the main body;

3. The [Shadow Doppelganger] resonates with the main body's Yin Release chakra and can serve as a temporary vessel for the main body's consciousness.]

[Technique Evaluation: My shadow... is more than enough to defeat you.]

(End of Chapter)