I, who just wanted to be lazy, was forced to become the Hokage.

Chapter 36 The First Step Towards Sage Mode!

Looking at the brightly lit [Immortal Clan Guiding Technique] on the panel.

Nara Rinka admitted that his thoughts just now were probably, possibly, perhaps a little loud.

Right now, all he wanted to do was crouch down at lightning speed, place his hands on Dilu's shoulders, and call out urgently with heartfelt sincerity.

"Master Dilu, are you alright?"

Take advantage of the opportunity to continuously shake the ground's shoulders.

Nara Rinka quickly flipped through the [D-rank technique: Immortal Clan Guiding Technique] listed on the panel.

"It wasn't the magical technique or Sage Mode I imagined."

"No wonder! I knew it! How could a secret technique of Sage Mode's caliber possibly be found in a D-rank scroll?"

Nara Rinka reviewed all the information recorded in the technique scroll in his mind.

The panel's description of the [Immortal Clan Guiding Technique] is somewhat mystical, but in reality, it's just a method of meditation and breathing.

The ultimate goal is to allow people to clearly perceive the existence of natural energy!

After browsing through the details of the [Immortal Clan Guiding Technique], Nara Rinka felt a mix of joy and worry.

After all, it's only a D-rank [Ninja Scroll]. Being able to obtain a technique of this quality is already an incredibly lucky result.

This is also why Nara Rinka was pleasantly surprised.

However, in contrast.

As a D-rank technique, who knows how long it would take to cultivate the [Immortal Clan Guiding Technique] before one could sense the existence of natural energy.

If it takes decades or even centuries to sense natural energy, then it's better to research other ways to sense natural energy!

Regardless, the [Immortal Clan Guiding Technique] is ultimately a cultivation technique that allows one to perceive natural energy.

Being able to sense the existence of natural energy is a crucial first step in studying "Sage Mode"!

Nara Rinka temporarily put aside his unnecessary worries.

"Ji Riku is the 'talent of the immortal race' of our Fire Temple generation. He is not only exceptionally talented, but also diligent and hardworking."

Master Zhongjue approached silently and gently placed his palm on Dilu's forehead.

"I thought he would be a worthy opponent for Nara, but I didn't expect his combat experience to be so lacking."

Di Lu slowly woke up. He looked at the abbot and his opponent who were close at hand, and the scene of his defeat just flashed through his mind.

He sprang to his feet with a nimble movement and bowed deeply to Abbot Zhongjue at a ninety-degree angle.

"I'm sorry, Abbot, I've lost!"

"Don't worry about it, Dilu."

Master Zhongjue smiled and helped Dilu up, then tapped his forehead three times.

"You are simple and honest, and it is only natural that you are not good at the tricky fighting style among ninjas."

Nara Rinka, who was listening to this, felt that something was not quite right.

Di Lu is honest and simple, so does that mean he is cunning and treacherous?

Is the abbot of the Fire Temple a little petty?

"So this is real combat between ninjas, is it, Chukaku?"

Nara Kano chimed in with a smile.

"The essence of ninja combat is deception."

Master Zhongjue shook his head and said nothing more.

The ninja monks of the Fire Temple, and the ninjas of Konoha.

Although they are both "superhumans" who can use chakra.

Ultimately, however, the two sides have completely different understandings of chakra.

"Nara's little benefactor."

Master Chung-kaku looked towards Nara Rinkaku, his smile remaining unchanged on his bald head.

"Even the best apprentice ninja monks in the Fire Temple are no match for you."

"Do you still want to fight a formal ninja monk?"

A formal ninja monk?

Nara Rinka glanced at the group of bald, muscular men not far away and instinctively wanted to nod in agreement.

He hadn't taken the D-rank ninja battle mission triggered by Jiraiya seriously.

Unexpectedly, the D-grade scrolls obtained after the war contained an extraordinary technique called [Immortal Clan Guiding Technique]!

If even apprentice ninja monks are this good, then surely professional ninja monks must be even more powerful?

If Nara Rinka can defeat a formal ninja monk, he will definitely receive a higher level of reward.

Perhaps we can directly extract the "Mini Gundam" ability from the Fire Temple...

Master Chukaku was not surprised by Nara's decision to take on the role of the sage, and once again called out the name of a ninja monk.

A muscular, bald man emerged from the group of hunky men.

A C-rank ninja battle mission then popped up on Nara Rinka's panel.

The muscular bald man's physical skills far surpassed those of Jiraiya, and his experience and judgment were also far superior to those of the apprentice ninja monks.

After a brief exchange, Nara Rinka realized that his basic ninjutsu and taijutsu abilities posed no threat to the enemy, and ultimately chose to use the [Shadow Technique] to end the battle.

The moment the Shadow Binding Technique took control of the muscular bald man, the latter essentially lost all ability to resist and could only admit defeat with his hands behind his back.

Nara Rinkazu eagerly opened the newly acquired C-rank [Ninja Scroll].

[Opening...]

[This C-rank ninja scroll includes: Techniques]

[Rank C Technique: Arhat Fist]

[Technique Description: Ninja Temple Legacy, Steel Fist Fluid Technique]

[Spell Effect: An overwhelmingly powerful iron fist unleashed with astonishing arm strength]

[Surgery Evaluation: Primarily focused on the integration of waist and hip movements]

"..."

Upon seeing the "Arhat Fist" skill pop up on the panel, Nara Rinka was speechless for a moment.

It's somewhat rare, but not strange, to find a taijutsu ability in a C-rank [Ninja Scroll].

But the question is, could we avoid driving it out at this time?

I was really looking forward to "Welcome - Thousand Hands Kill", but instead I got "Arhat Fist".

Nara Rinkachi was starting to wonder if the [Immortal Clan Guiding Technique] he had just used up all his luck for the day...

The old patriarch then spoke up, saying, "It seems there's no need to continue the fight."

The moment Nara Rinka used the [Shadow Technique], the competition lost its meaning—at least in Nara Kano's eyes.

The old clan chief hoped that Nara Rinka could master the use of the advanced ninja tool, [Chakra Crystal], through sparring with the ninja monks of the Fire Temple.

But the old clan chief understood it clearly.

When facing Jiraiya, a genin-level opponent, Nara Ranke was able to win by relying on chakra and tactical strategies.

However, Nara Rinka, who could only use "physical fitness" and "basic ninjutsu," was somewhat outmatched against a formal ninja monk of Chunin level, and could only rely on his clan's secret techniques to win.

Hearing the clan leader's words, Nara Rinka nodded, though somewhat unwilling.

Although he still wanted to challenge stronger ninja monks in an attempt to obtain higher-level [Ninja Scrolls].

However, it must be admitted that in a relatively fair head-on confrontation, a pure taijutsu-type Steel Fist style Jonin can be considered Nara Rinkei's current "nemesis"—provided that the Shadow Clone Technique is not exposed.

"It seems today's only gain is one [Immortal Clan Guiding Technique]."

Nara Rinka took a deep breath to calm her agitated emotions.

"That's quite a great result!"

"Since Kano says so, then let's end this sparring match here."

Master Zhongjue still had that same squinting, smiling Maitreya face.

"However, young Nara, I see that you are still young and there is a lot of room for improvement in your physical fitness."

"How about coming to the Fire Temple for a few years to train and improve your physique?"

The invitation extended by Master Zhongjue was quite unexpected.

Nara Kano also looked at Nara Rinka, waiting for his answer.

"Thank you for the kind invitation from Master Zhongjue."

Nara Rinka shook his head, directly declining the abbot's offer.

"But I have a clear understanding of myself."

"I lack physical talent and skill in martial arts. If I put too much effort into it, the result will inevitably be that I get half the results with twice the effort."

Nara Rinkei is not averse to physical combat, but would never consider it his primary focus.

Moreover... the Steel Fist style of the Fire Temple is really not a good place to go.

Nara Rangsuke doesn't want to become "Nara Bro".

Master Zhongjue seemed quite disappointed. "Alright..."

Just as Nara Rinka and the clan chief were preparing to pack up and leave the training ground.

A familiar, shrill voice reached the ears of everyone present.

"Old Monk Zhongjue, where are those two ninjas who came from Konoha? Hand them over to me!"

The people in the training ground looked in the direction from which the sound came.

Nara Rinka instantly recognized the other party's identity—the few guardian ninjas who had blocked the road in Daimyo Prefecture earlier.

"Kazuma, this is the Temple of Fire, not the Daimyo's residence."

Master Zhongjue was unusually without a smile.

"This is not a place for you to show off your power."

"Old monk, I'm not here to cause you trouble today."

Kazuma glanced at Master Chung-jue with a hint of fear, but the fire-character kerchief at his waist seemed to give him enough confidence.

"Konoha ninja—I'm not talking about you!"

Nara Kano, who was just about to step forward, was stopped by Kazuma's shout.

"Yes, you, it's you, you brat, come out here!"

[A Rank B Ninja Battle Mission has been detected!]

[Rank B Mission: Protecting the Twelve Ninja Warriors]

[Mission Objective: Defeat/kill Kazuma, one of the Twelve Guardian Ninja]

[Mission Reward: Rank B Ninja Scroll]

Nara Rinka glanced at Kazuma across from her with a puzzled look.

After Master Zhongjue's introduction, he had already recognized the other party's identity.

Isn't he the stupid guardian ninja who later planned to attack Konoha but was killed by Sarutobi Asuma outside the village?

"Well, at least it's a B-rank mission..."

Nara Rinka was about to step forward.

Master Zhongjue floated in front of him and raised his hand to protect him.

"Kazuma, I'll remind you again, you're no longer a ninja monk of the Fire Temple! You're not welcome here."

Seeing Master Zhongjue's attitude, Nara Rinkaku assessed the situation and decided to speedrun the mission.

You've completed the [Rank B Mission: The Twelve Guardian Ninjas] speedrun!

You have obtained a C-rank [Ninja Scroll]!

Kazuma also planned to say something else.

Master Zhongjue, however, was unwilling to continue communicating with the other party.

"The ninja monks of the Fire Temple!"

"exist!"

"The Buddha also has an angry Vajra appearance, driving out traitors and restoring purity to the temple."

"yes!"

A barrage of red chakra fists.

That was the last thing Kazuma saw before he fell into a coma.

Thank you so much "Sakura1314" for the generous donation!!

-

【Luohan Fist】is not an original addition; a character in the original manga also uses this martial art.

Jirobo.

He was the enemy that Choji Akimichi fought during Sasuke's mission to retrieve the stolen goods.

Furthermore, the Arhat Fist is truly a C-rank martial art...

-

(End of this chapter)