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

Chapter 72: The Family's Reward! The Hokage's "Explanation"!

S-rank Technique: [Shadow Transformation Technique]?!

Looking at the technique's content on the panel, Nara Keisuke's brow rose slightly as he carefully read its effects.

'A [Shadow Creature] that can switch between tangible and intangible forms. It can not only become a shadow to be immune to physical attacks, but also materialize to enhance its attack power!' Keisuke mentally translated the first effect, feeling incredibly satisfied.

'The strongest [Shadow Secret Technique] I've mastered so far should be the family's inherited A-rank technique, [Shadow Grasping Technique]!'

'In other words, the highest strength the [Shadow Creature]'s physical form can currently reach is equivalent to the [Shadow Grasping Technique]!'

Keisuke looked back at his own [Technique Abilities], checking the A-rank secret technique he had learned but never had the chance to use.

[A-rank Secret Technique: Shadow Grasping Technique]

[Technique Description: A sliver of shadow like a steel cable! A single strand with immense weight!]

[Technique Effect: The user infuses chakra into their own shadow, materializing the shadow and greatly increasing its strength, weaving the shadow into a stable structure like a steel cable, capable of exerting enormous force.]

[Technique Evaluation: Up the intensity!]

'The family's inherited [Shadow Grasping Technique] can condense Yin Release chakra to a physical property comparable to a steel cable.' Keisuke looked back at the [Shadow Transformation Technique], imagining the scene of himself commanding a "Shadow Gundam." 'The Shadow Gundam might not reach the level of a Perfect Susanoo, but compared to other incomplete Susanoo... it shouldn't be much weaker, right?!'

Keisuke's gaze moved down to the second effect of the [Shadow Transformation Technique], and the sense of delighted surprise in his heart grew even stronger. 'Effect two, isn't this the Black Shadow Army I've been dreaming of?!'

Initially, Keisuke had placed his hopes for creating the [Black Shadow Army] on the [Shadow Doppelganger Technique]. But he had failed to see what kind of characters his [Shadow Doppelgangers] truly were... The [Black Shadow Army]'s founding was not even half-complete before it collapsed midway. Now it seemed the establishment of the [Black Shadow Army] would rely on this S-rank technique, [Shadow Transformation Technique]!

With the old clan head deep in thought in front of him, Keisuke couldn't very well test the power of the new technique, so he could only look at its final effect. 'The same effect as the [Shadow Doppelganger Technique], carrying one's own spiritual consciousness...'

Keisuke didn't pay too much attention to the final effect. Another thought flashed through his mind. 'When I first obtained the [Shadow Doppelganger Technique], I had a similar doubt. If the S-rank [Shadow Doppelganger Technique] was a secret inherited technique of the Nara clan, then with its power and effects, it's unlikely it would have no presence at all...'

'Now, opening an S-rank [Shinobi Secret Scroll] and obtaining the [Shadow Transformation Technique] has answered my initial doubt.'

'If the Nara clan still had the possibility of developing the [Shadow Doppelganger Technique], which was created based on [Shadow Secret Techniques] and the [Clone Technique]...'

'Then the [Shadow Transformation Technique], developed based on the [Super Beast Scroll], is definitely a newly created technique!'

'It seems that the content recorded in the secret scrolls obtained from certain special S-rank missions might be brand new techniques specially created based on one's own mastery of abilities!'

'If that's the case, then I must carefully consider the direction of future S-rank missions...'

Keisuke had initially planned to share the basic version of the [Shadow Binding Bullet] with the family to thank them for their great support. Unfortunately, plans couldn't keep up with changes. He hadn't managed to hand over the [Shadow Binding Bullet], but had instead handed over the modified version of the [Super Beast Scroll].

'Next time, can I get another S-rank mission from the family with the [Shadow Binding Bullet]? It seems a bit difficult...'

While Keisuke was thinking about how to get the next S-rank mission from the family, the old clan head, having come back to his senses, had already put down the [Shadow Beast Scroll]. "Keisuke, this [Shadow Beast Scroll], did you also create this new ninjutsu independently?"

"Not exactly." The old clan head breathed a slight sigh of relief at Keisuke's first sentence, but the next sentence almost made him choke. "Actually, the prototype of the [Shadow Beast Scroll] is the [Super Beast Scroll], a Yang Release secret technique. I modified its nature, which resulted in the current [Shadow Beast Scroll]."

Changing its nature, reversing Yin and Yang? You're still just a child!

Nara Shikano felt so ashamed he wanted to smash his head against the nearby shogi board.

"Oh, right, Clan Head," Keisuke reminded him. "Actually, the [Super Beast Scroll] was a gift from Sister Nono'o, so she should also get a share of the reward for this S-rank mission."

Keisuke didn't mention the big fat goose this time. After knowing that the [Super Beast Scroll] Tsunade had gifted him was actually the secret technique scroll that Nono'o had sold to Root in exchange for operating funds for the orphanage, his perception of Princess Tsunade had become strange. He had originally thought the big fat goose was sincerely rewarding him, but he didn't expect it to be a borrowed flower offered to the Buddha. And it was borrowed from Nono'o's "flower" at that. That was just too ridiculous!

"I know, I know. I saw long ago that you and Yakushi... never mind, I was pretty much the same back then." Nara Shikano waved his hand. He had already had Shikaku secretly arrange for personnel to increase the security around the Kikyo Orphanage. But now it seemed that what he had done before was still not enough...

The modified [Shadow Beast Scroll] was already so powerful in its function. The significance and value of its original version, the [Super Beast Scroll], were even more self-evident. To put it without exaggeration, with just the [Super Beast Scroll] alone, Yakushi Nono'o had enough to establish a brand new secret technique family!

"Since we're talking about mission rewards... sigh, why has this troublesome matter fallen on my head again?" Nara Shikano tugged at his beard in some pain, but he was very reluctant to let go of the [Shadow Beast Scroll] in his hands. "The current clan head is supposed to be that bastard Nara Shikaku!"

"That's your son, Clan Head," Keisuke calmly reminded him.

"My apologies, I lost my composure a bit." Nara Shikano sat up straight and lowered his head slightly in apology. "But, Keisuke, I'll be honest with you. The rewards the family could offer were all given out during the last S-rank mission. Now that you've come up with this [Shadow Beast Scroll]... I really don't know how to reward you."

Hearing the old clan head's words, Keisuke didn't feel anything was amiss. Although the Nara clan was a major clan in Konoha, compared to the truly top-tier Kekkei Genkai families, their comprehensive clan strength was still somewhat lacking. The fact that the old clan head had been able to give such a generous mission reward last time had already far exceeded his expectations.

But when all was said and done, the mission reward could be reduced, but it could not be non-existent! Nara Shikano was also aware of this point. He tugged at his beard forcefully. "How about..." The old clan head looked at Keisuke and asked tentatively, "Is there anything you want yourself? Say it, and the family will go trade for it for you?"

Instead of considering what reward the family should give, it was better to throw the problem directly back to the question-asker! Shikano didn't know what reward he should give, but surely Keisuke knew what he needed?

"What I want myself?" Keisuke was slightly taken aback, somewhat surprised by the clan head's reply. "Can it be anything?"

"Anything—well, I can't speak too definitively." Shikano had wanted to give his guarantee, but when the words reached his lips, reality defeated the old man. "You know, our Nara clan isn't a major clan. Some things are not for ordinary ninja like us to covet."

Keisuke nodded in understanding. "Then... a Chakra Crystal?"

"Why are you still thinking about that thing..." Nara Shikano was a little speechless. "The family does have enough financial resources to buy a Chakra Crystal, but the problem is, there are none for sale on the market! I will have people keep an eye on this matter... Besides the Chakra Crystal, what else?"

There's more? Keisuke blinked. "When those two Root ninja attacked me a few days ago, that Yamanaka clan ninja's special trap left a very deep impression on me... so, the Uzumaki clan's sealing jutsu?"

"If you're talking about S-rank or A-rank sealing jutsu, the family doesn't have the ability to help you obtain them." Nara Shikano's attitude was very frank. "But if you just want some lower-level sealing jutsu, the family can still try. Anything else?"

Still more? Keisuke confirmed, "If I want a ninjutsu, is the highest rank B-rank?"

"Not necessarily," Shikano denied. "The value of one ninjutsu cannot be compared to another. For example, an A-rank sealing jutsu is Konoha's 'secret not to be passed down.' But an A-rank Earth Release jutsu, if you want to learn it, Keisuke, the family can still trade for one from the outside."

"No need." Keisuke shook his head. After a moment's thought, he said to the clan head, "I need a Water Release ninjutsu with a binding or restraining effect."

"A high-level Water Release ninjutsu?" Shikano stroked his beard, his face relaxed. "Thanks to the Second Hokage-sama, this type of ninjutsu isn't considered rare in our village, and it's not difficult to obtain. Anything else?"

"I can't think of anything for now." Keisuke shook his head. There were many things he wanted, but basically none that the family could provide.

"Then let's put this topic aside for now." Nara Shikano created a [Shadow Doppelganger] and had it retrieve a scroll. "Keisuke, regarding the conflict with Root before, the Hokage-sama's 'explanation' has been delivered to our family."

"The Hokage's 'explanation'?" Keisuke noticed the strange tone in the old clan head's words. He reached out and took the scroll that was handed to him.

A message suddenly popped up on the panel.

[A-rank Technique Detected: [Bringer-of-Darkness Technique], learn?]

(End of Chapter)

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