Chapter 54: Chapter 54
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Kusanagi's eyes sparkled with excitement.
What is the essence of ninja battles? Intelligence and deception!
No matter how powerful a shinobi is, as long as they're not at the super-Kage level, even a kunai could take them down if struck at the right moment—let alone a face-to-face encounter with an A-rank ninjutsu.
Excitedly, Kusanagi turned to Toki and asked, "So, can we test it?"
Toki nodded.
"Of course, but there will be a small fee for testing."
Kusanagi agreed without hesitation, replying respectfully, "That's only fair."
The group quickly moved to a training ground.
Kusanagi summoned a young genin and turned to Shiyu. "Patriarch Toki, would a genin suffice for the test?"
Toki nodded. "As long as they have chakra, it doesn't matter whether they're genin or not. All they need to do is wear the glove, channel chakra into it, and select the corresponding scroll."
Kusanagi looked at the young genin and asked, "Did you understand that?"
The genin's eyes lit up with excitement as he stared at the glove.
"Yes, I understand!"
It was an opportunity for the genin to experience high-level ninjutsu—something he couldn't pass up.
He donned the glove, inserted the flame bullet scroll into the groove on the back of the glove, and awaited further instructions.
Kusanagi pointed to a wooden dummy in the distance. "Try it on that target."
"Yes, sir!"
The genin stretched out his hand, channeling chakra into the scroll representing the Fire Dragon Bullet technique.
With a click, the scroll ignited mid-air, and in the next second, a roaring blaze erupted, engulfing the wooden dummy in flames and reducing it to ashes.
"What?!"
Both Kusanagi and his assistant were stunned.
"Instantaneous?!"
Toki smiled, pleased by their reaction. This was precisely the effect he wanted to demonstrate. Seeing it in action was far more convincing than mere explanations.
Initially, the glove's ability to allow a genin to unleash shadow-level ninjutsu was impressive. But the fact that it enabled A-rank ninjutsu to be cast instantaneously elevated its value immensely.
While super-Kage-level shinobi could perform techniques without preparation, most shinobi—even at the peak Kage level—needed time to weave hand seals.
Instantaneous techniques like the Rasengan gained their reputation partly because they didn't require seals.
Kusanagi,still amazed, urged, "Quick! Try the other two techniques!"
Eagerly, the genin channeled chakra into the second scroll. A massive water dragon materialized and surged forward, smashing the target into pieces.
Without any hesitation, the genin activated the third scroll.
Chidori!
The air was filled with a piercing hum and dazzling white light as electricity danced in the genin's hand.
Holding the powerful jutsu, the genin exclaimed excitedly, "This is Kakashi's legendary technique from the Third Ninja War!"
"Chidori!!"
The genin charged toward the training ground wall with lightning speed.
Boom!
The solid concrete wall shattered as the Chidori tore through it, leaving a massive hole.
"Excellent!!"
Kusanagi jumped up in excitement.
"With this, the Taki Shinobi Village is as good as done!"
Turning to Toki, Kusanagi grabbed his hand fervently. "How many of these do you have? I'll take them all!"
Toki chuckled and gently withdrew his hand. "Let's discuss the price first."
"Oh, of course! My apologies—I got carried away," Kusanagi said, smiling sheepishly.
Back in the reception room, Kusanagi lovingly examined the glove as though it were a precious treasure.
"Patriarch Toki, how much does this glove cost?"
Toki waved dismissively. "Don't worry, the glove itself is free."
"Really?!" Kusanagi exclaimed, his eyes lighting up.
"Absolutely," Toki affirmed. "You can have as many gloves as you like, free of charge."
"That's wonderful! Thank you, Patriarch Toki!" Kusanagi beamed, unaware of the hidden cost lurking behind Toki's generosity.
Toki smirked inwardly. Free? The most expensive things are often free.
He continued, "However, the scrolls are another matter. Since they require meticulous effort from our jōnin to craft, they naturally come at a cost."
Kusanagi nodded eagerly. "Of course, of course! Hard work should be compensated. How much are the scrolls? I'll buy them!"
At this point, Kusanagi was already envisioning equipping every shinobi in Kusagakure with these incredible tools. Since the gloves were free, it was a no-brainer.
Taking a sip of tea, Kusanagi felt triumphant. Soon, he could demand more rewards from the daimyo and perhaps even destroy Taki Shinobi Village to monopolize the missions from the Land of Waterfalls.
With these gloves, even the Five Great Nations wouldn't stand a chance!
Toki finally dropped the price list:
"C-rank scrolls: 100,000 ryō.
B-rank scrolls: 200,000 ryō.
A-rank scrolls: 1,000,000 ryō.
S-rank scrolls: 10,000,000 ryō."
Kusanagi, mid-sip, spat out his tea.
"Pfft!"