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

Chapter 38 Kakuzu Attacks!

In the middle of the wide and flat official road.

The great antler deer stretched out its four hooves, pulling the wooden cart, slowly making its way towards Konoha.

On a simple deer-drawn cart.

Nara Rinka is using the [Hiryou no Jutsu] to conceal his true form within the shadow of his [Shadow Clone].

As mentioned before. (Chapter 22)

The "Hira-no-jutsu" is a "very un-Nara" Nara secret technique.

Although the name of the technique "Hiryou no Jutsu" contains the word "shadow," it is not a pure Yin Release secret technique.

The key to the [Shadow Technique] lies in making one's own body as thin as a shadow and maintaining this state.

The chakra consumed in this step is not Yin Release chakra, but regular chakra.

Before yesterday, Nara Rinka's normal chakra reserves were not enough to sustain the [Hirage Technique] for very long.

It can be obtained after acquiring the A-rank ninja tool [Chakra Crystal].

Nara Rinka can use this C-level secret technique for as long as he wants.

While maintaining the [Flat Shadow Technique].

Nara Rinkachi was also quietly practicing the cultivation method of the immortal talent he had just acquired from the Fire Temple—the [Immortal Guiding Technique].

Nara Rinkei began studying this important secret technique concerning natural energy as soon as he returned to Kyoto yesterday, and has made considerable progress in his studies.

At this moment, with the continuous breathing in and out.

Nara Rinka felt his mind and consciousness gradually emptying, and he began to enter a deep meditative state.

Time passed second by second, and then at a certain special moment...

Nara Rinka's spirit suddenly broke free from the constraints of her physical body and entered the nearby [shadow clone].

Meanwhile, the true form, lurking in the shadows, continues to maintain the operation of the [Shadow Strike Technique] and the [Immortal Clan Guiding Technique].

"This is currently the most ideal method of cultivation!"

Nara Rinka closed her eyes, familiarizing herself with the light and ethereal feeling unique to the [Shadow Clone].

"Consciousness resides within a [shadow clone], maintaining normal communication activities."

"His body was lying flat... no, it was practicing the [Immortal Clan Guiding Technique] around the clock, without interruption."

Nara Rinka felt very pleased with this state of affairs.

Body or spirit, one of them must always be on the road, right?

Just then, Yamanaka Inoichi, who was in charge of sensing at the front, suddenly made a hand gesture.

Upon seeing this, the three Chunin—Sarutobi Asuma, Yuhi Kurenai, and Tobitake Tobi—exchanged glances at each other and acted in unison.

Not long after, with a few screams, the three men emerged from the dense forest beside the official road, reeking of blood, and returned to the main group.

Nara Shikano, who was driving the deer-drawn cart, glanced at the three Chunin who were slightly out of breath and gently patted the hindquarters of the giant deer.

The great stag understood and slowed its pace, its already sluggish movements becoming as slow as a snail's.

However, this extremely slow pace also gave Sarutobi Asuma and the other two enough time to rest.

Compared to the previous trip, the number of people on the return journey was significantly reduced. (The Mighty Squad is still on caravan escort duty.)

However, the return journey did not pick up speed; instead, it slowed down further.

There is no other reason.

The mission to clear out the bounty hunters hasn't made much progress yet!

On the way back.

Yamanaka Inoichi continuously used his mental perception abilities to investigate the bounty hunters who roamed near the official roads of the Land of Fire.

After clarifying the target's location, it was time for Sarutobi Asuma's squad to begin their operation.

Only half a day had passed.

The three Chunin eliminated countless bounty hunters who intended to ambush passing caravans, reaping a considerable reward.

On the deer cart, Nara Rinka's mood was as calm as an ancient well.

Opponents at the Chunin or even Genin level can only trigger C-rank battle missions at most.

Nowadays, Nara Rinka no longer takes missions of this caliber seriously.

Unless it's a special target like a land-based one.

Otherwise, Nara Rinka would be better off spending more time learning and mastering the advanced ninjutsu he already possesses!

On the way back, limited by the realities of the situation, Nara Rinka was unable to research [Camouflage Concealment] or [Super Beast Imitation Painting].

However, secretly making some "meatballs" is still possible.

Assuming that the specific training method for the "Rasengan" is already known.

Nara Rinka, who was already skilled in chakra control, made very impressive progress in her studies.

On the deer cart, Nara Rinka placed his right hand flat, palm down, then flipped it upwards, and a dark shadow immediately gathered in his palm into a ball the size of a table tennis ball.

Inside the "ball" formed by dark shadows, streams of Yin Release chakra were continuously and irregularly rotating.

This is only the first stage.

Nara Rinka gently grasped the shadow ball, dispersing it into nothingness.

"However, integrating it into the [Shadow Piercing Bullet] requires very little effort."

A virtual panel suddenly popped up.

[Rank B Spell: Spiral Shadow Piercing Shot]

[Spell Effect: Self-developed spell, advanced shadow magic]

[Technique Effect: Infuses one's own Yin Release chakra into the shadow, materializing the shadow into a condensed and sturdy high-speed spinning projectile. Like a bullet, it is concentrated at a single point and ejected, with an initial velocity exceeding the speed of sound, making it extremely powerful.]

[Surgery Evaluation: It's a spiral technique; I added a spiral.]

"The name of the technique has changed, and its specific effects have become slightly stronger... but it's still essentially a B-rank ninjutsu."

Nara Rinka scanned the information on the panel and then closed it.

"I'm afraid we'll only be able to further enhance the power of the Shadow Bullet once we've fully mastered the Rasengan."

Around noon.

The Konoha ninja team paused in place to rest and prepare lunch.

The deer-drawn cart carried Nara Rinka and the old clan chief to a shady spot.

"The weather is so nice today."

Nara Kano untied the rope from the giant deer, signaling it to go and forage for itself.

"I hate encountering bad weather during missions, as it wastes more energy for no reason."

"Fortunately, I'm retiring soon..."

"Chieftain."

Nara Rinka interrupted the old clan chief at the right moment, as he had almost lost count of how many flags the other party had planted along the way.

"I have a question I'd like to ask you."

"Okay, go ahead and say it."

Nara Kano lay half-reclined under the shade of a tree, a blade of grass torn from somewhere dangling from his mouth.

"Speak freely about anything you know."

"It's about chakra metal."

Nara Rinka raised his right hand and showed the clan leader his chakra crystal ring.

"The clan leader previously rewarded me with so much chakra metal, and I do indeed have a plan to forge chakra metal ninja tools."

A superior ninja tool capable of transmitting chakra undoubtedly enhances a ninja's strength.

Nara Ranka followed up, asking, "Are there any skilled blacksmiths in Konoha?"

"That is indeed a problem; I forgot to mention it before."

Nara Kano slowly chewed the grass in his mouth and spoke softly.

"Our Nara clan, as well as the Yamanaka and Akimichi clans, are not families that specialize in ninja tools."

"If you want to forge ninja tools, you can only entrust it to someone else."

Nara Rinka nodded and listened quietly.

"In Konoha, there are two shops that specialize in selling ninja tools."

Nara Kano held up two fingers.

"First, Mandiantang. Although the quality of the ninja tools produced by their store is not excellent, the minimum quality is guaranteed."

"Second, Rising Dragon Hall. They are a shop that specializes in selling ninja tools and weapons."

"If you want to forge weapons, I would recommend that you go to Rising Dragon Hall and find its genius boss."

Rising Dragon Hall?

What a majestic name!

Nara Ranke asked curiously, "Clan leader, when you said 'genius boss,' do you mean he's exceptionally skilled at forging ninja tools?"

"No……"

Nara Kano shook his head.

"The owner of Shenglong Hall is surnamed Tian and named Cai."

"..."

My expectations for Nara were instantly dashed.

But then he thought about it again.

His surname is Ten. Could he be Ten's father, one of the future Konoha Twelve?

From this perspective, Rising Dragon Hall seems like a good choice.

But at this time.

Nara Rinka recalled the cat lady he had met at the animal training and rehabilitation center and couldn't help but ask again.

"Clan leader, how is the ninja tool forging skill of the Cat Village clan?"

"Cat Village Clan?"

Nara Kano frowned and straightened his back.

"Lan Gui, where did you hear this name from?"

"Those are a family of black market merchants!"

Nara Rinkei briefly recounted how he met Mrs. Cat.

"So it was just an accident... well, it wasn't really an accident after all."

Nara Kano was relieved.

"The Cat Village clan has always served the wealthy. That 'Cat Lady' you mentioned, she claims to have broken away from the black market merchant clan?"

"That's what Inuzuka Tsurugi said," Nara Ranke nodded.

"Inuzuka, Nekomura..."

Nara Kano seemed to remember something, and suddenly shook his head and smiled.

"Don't believe that 'Mrs. Cat' who claims to be a 'respectable businesswoman.' There isn't a single black market merchant who isn't ruthless."

"However, if we only discuss the level of ninja tool forging, the Nekomura clan is indeed much stronger than the Rising Dragon Hall."

"The Nekomura clan is the exclusive weapons supplier for the Uchiha clan."

"Even those arrogant Uchiha clan members highly regard the quality of the ninja tools provided by the Nekomura clan."

understood!

Nara nods earnestly.

When I return to the village this time, I'll go find Mrs. Cat to forge ninja tools!

After lunch, the Konoha ninjas embarked on their journey once again.

Two or three hours later.

The deer-drawn carriage finally left the area of ​​the Fire Kingdom's capital and arrived at a wide, dense forest region.

Just then.

Yamanaka Inoichi's brows furrowed slightly.

He stopped sending hand signals to Sarutobi Asuma and the others, and instead flashed directly to Nara Kano's side.

"Shikano-sama!"

Yamanaka Inoichi's tone was very serious.

"I just sensed a ninja with an enormous amount of chakra in the dense forest ahead, seemingly waiting for me..."

Before Yamanaka Inobu could finish speaking...

A figure emerged from the deep forest.

Bounty hunter, Kakuzu!

(End of this chapter)