It's Too Troublesome to be Hokage

Staring at the bright [Sage Guidance Technique] on the panel...

Nara Shikadan realized something.

Maybe… just maybe… he'd shouted a little too loud in his heart just now.

Now all he wanted was to squat beside the unconscious Chiriku at the speed of light, grip his shoulders firmly, and whisper with earnest urgency:

"Master Chiriku! Are you okay?"

Taking the opportunity to shake Chiriku's shoulders, Shikadan rapidly browsed the details of the [D-Rank Technique: Sage Guidance Technique] now recorded on his panel.

So… it's not exactly Sage Mode. Not even Sage Techniques.

No wonder. I mean, come on—how could something on the level of Sage Mode come from a D-rank scroll?

As the information sunk in, Shikadan silently processed everything.

The description makes it sound mysterious, but in reality… it's a method of controlled breathing and meditation.

At its core, it allows the user to gradually perceive the existence of natural energy!

A mix of emotions welled up inside him.

It was only a D-rank secret scroll—yet it contained a technique like this?

A lucky draw, no doubt.

That said...

God only knows how long it'll take to actually sense natural energy through this technique.

If it takes decades to yield results, I might as well search for another method to tap into nature energy directly.

Still, no matter what—

The [Sage Guidance Technique] was a real method. A concrete path.

The first, crucial step toward Sage Mode.

"Chiriku is the most promising young monk of our generation," Master Zhongjue said softly, having appeared beside them once again.

He pressed a palm lightly to Chiriku's forehead.

"Not only talented, but also diligent. I thought he'd be a worthy match for young donor Nara. I didn't expect his lack of combat experience to be so apparent."

Chiriku stirred and slowly sat up. The moment his memory returned, he shot to his feet and bowed toward the abbot.

"I'm sorry, Abbot—I lost!"

Zhongjue smiled and tapped his forehead three times.

"You're honest and straightforward. You're not used to the deception of ninja combat. It's understandable."

Shikadan frowned slightly.

So Chiriku is honest and straightforward, and I'm... what? Cunning and underhanded?

Abbot Zhongjue, aren't you a little too passive-aggressive for a monk?

Before he could say anything, Nara Shikano chuckled and interjected:

"This is what real ninja combat looks like, Zhongjue."

"Deception is the essence of shinobi battle."

Master Zhongjue only shook his head in silence.

Though both the Fire Temple's monks and Konoha's shinobi wield chakra, their ideologies were fundamentally different.

One sought inner enlightenment.

The other? Tactical superiority.

Zhongjue turned to Shikadan, his smile returning.

"The most talented apprentice monks of the Fire Temple are no match for you, little donor."

"Would you like to spar against a fully ordained ninja monk?"

Shikadan's gaze drifted toward the muscular monks training in the distance.

His heart stirred with excitement.

After all, he hadn't taken the D-rank mission against Chiriku very seriously. But to walk away with a scroll as rare as [Sage Guidance Technique]?

If even a trainee can yield a prize like that, what might I get from a full-fledged monk?

Maybe… even the Fire Temple's rumored "Little Gundam" ability?

Zhongjue, already reading his thoughts, called out.

A boulder of a man detached from the pack and approached.

Immediately, a new system notification popped up:

[C-rank Ninja Battle Mission Triggered!]

The fight began.

This monk was far superior to Chiriku—stronger, faster, more experienced. Shikadan's basic ninjutsu and physical techniques couldn't land a solid hit.

In the end, he had no choice.

[Shadow Binding Technique]!

Once the monk was restrained by the Nara clan's signature move, the match was decided.

The man admitted defeat, hands raised in surrender.

Shikadan eagerly opened the newly obtained scroll.

[Opening...]

[C-rank Technique: Arhat Fist]

→ Description: Steel Fist Flow technique passed down within the Fire Temple.

→ Effect: Devastating iron-fisted blows amplified by superior arm strength.

→ Evaluation: "Mastery lies in unifying hips and stance."

"..."

Shikadan fell silent.

It wasn't strange for a C-rank scroll to contain a physical technique.

But...

Did it have to be this one?

He had been hoping for something cool—maybe "Welcome Thousand-Hand Slaughter" or "Exploding Palm of the Ancients."

Instead, he got Arhat Fist.

Did I already use up all my luck drawing [Sage Guidance Technique] earlier...?

At that moment, Nara Shikano spoke:

"It seems there's no need to continue fighting."

The moment Shikadan resorted to the Nara clan's secret jutsu, the test lost its original intent.

The purpose of sparring was to help Shikadan adapt to using the [Chakra Crystal] in battle—not to demonstrate his clan's overpowering hidden techniques.

Shikadan nodded, disappointed.

He had wanted to challenge another monk, to try and pull a B-rank scroll next…

But he had to admit it.

In a fair, frontal confrontation—especially without using clones—the Steel Fist type shinobi were like his natural nemesis.

Today, the greatest prize he'd obtained was that single D-rank scroll.

And honestly?

It was worth it.

Shikadan let out a long breath, stabilizing his restless thoughts.

"Since Shikano said so, let's end it here," Master Zhongjue said, still smiling with his eyes.

"But little donor Nara, you're still young, and your physical foundation has much room for growth."

"Would you consider staying at the Fire Temple to train with us for a few years?"

The unexpected invitation caught Shikadan off guard.

Shikano looked at him quietly, letting the choice be his.

Shikadan responded without hesitation.

"Thank you for the kind offer, Master Zhongjue."

"But I know myself well enough. My physical talent is limited. If I put too much effort into it, the returns would be poor."

He didn't reject physical training altogether—but he knew it would never be his main path.

Besides… the Fire Temple's training style?

Let's just say he had no desire to turn into "Nara the Brickhouse."

Master Zhongjue sighed with mock regret.

"...Very well."

Just as Shikadan and Shikano were preparing to leave the training grounds, a sharp voice rang out.

"Old monk Zhongjue! Where are the two Konoha ninjas? Send them out!"

Everyone turned to the entrance.

Shikadan's brow twitched.

That voice…

It was one of the guardian ninjas who'd blocked their way at the daimyo's residence earlier.

"Kazuma," Master Zhongjue said coldly, his smile now gone.

"This is the Fire Temple, not the daimyo's manor. Don't presume to act with impunity here."

Kazuma sneered but didn't step back.

The "fire" emblem on his waist scarf seemed to embolden him.

"I'm not here for you today, monk."

He pointed.

"You—yes, you! Come out here, brat!"

[B-rank Mission Triggered!]

→ Mission: Defeat or eliminate Kazuma of the Twelve Guardian Ninja

→ Reward: B-rank Ninja Secret Scroll

Shikadan blinked in surprise.

Wait, wasn't this the guy who later rebelled and got killed by Asuma Sarutobi…?

Still, a B-rank scroll was a B-rank scroll...

He was just about to step forward—

But Master Zhongjue floated between them and raised his arm.

"Kazuma, this is your last warning."

"You are no longer a monk of the Fire Temple. You are not welcome here."

Kazuma opened his mouth, but before he could argue—

Zhongjue turned to the monks.

"Ninja monks of the Fire Temple!"

"Yes!"

"Even the Buddha has his wrathful visage. Expel this traitor and restore peace to the temple!"

"Yes!"

An avalanche of red chakra fists crashed forward.

Kazuma had just enough time to widen his eyes before the storm hit.

[B-rank Mission Completed Instantly!]

[You received a C-rank Ninja Secret Scroll!]

-End Chapter-

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