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

Chapter 405 New Project!

Having dealt with the issues related to Yekura, Nara Rinka, feeling refreshed, strode towards the underground research institute.

The plan for the Fifth Kazekage to return to his hometown has already taken shape.

However, for this plan to be truly implemented, a formal agreement must be reached between Konoha and Sunagakure.

Konoha wouldn't let Ebizo return to Sunagakure, and Pakura couldn't "save" Ebizo either.

The specific methods and means by which Konoha releases the prisoners will need to be discussed further within the village.

Release them directly, send them to the Land of Returning Wind, and let the Sand Village take them away themselves...

These kinds of trivial matters can still be discussed!

If possible, Nara Rinka would love for Ebizo to be released a little later.

This will also give Yekura more time to train and improve.

Despite undergoing rigorous training and specialized instruction at Nara Rinka, Yokura's skill level has surpassed her peak.

However, compared to a genuine "shadow," Yekura still has a long way to go.

Of course, Nara Rinka could also disregard Yokura's strength and forcefully push her into the position of the Fifth Kazekage.

For example, Troy, the Fourth Raikage of Kumogakure, is only about on par with Pakura at this stage in terms of strength.

Troy became the Fourth Raikage.

Is Yekura unfit to be the Fifth Kazekage?

That's what they say.

But don't forget.

Sunagakure is not like Kumogakure.

The reason why Kumogakure appointed Troy as Raikage was twofold: firstly, Kumogakure couldn't find any truly skilled fighters at the moment, and secondly, Kumogakure didn't need to deal with any major troubles.

The biggest problem here isn't the enemy ninja village, but the tailed beasts!

The Shadow of a village must possess the power to suppress the Tailed Beasts!

Now that the Hidden Cloud Village no longer has the Eight-Tails or the Two-Tails, it naturally doesn't need to suppress the Tailed Beasts.

But Sunagakure Village is different.

In addition to facing problems such as sparse population, harsh environment, and scarce resources, Sunagakure also needs to confront the threat from Shukaku, the One-Tailed Beast!

Rasa was able to become the Fourth Kazekage not only because of his own strength, but also because he was able to suppress Shukaku, the One-Tailed Beast!

If Yekura wants to become the Fifth Kazekage, she needs to be strong enough to at least fight against a rampaging One-Tailed Jinchuriki, if not to defeat Shukaku head-on.

The connection between the Tailed Beasts and their Jinchuriki is very close.

Once a Jinchuriki dies, the Tailed Beast inside him also dies.

When the tailed beasts are sealed inside the bodies of their jinchūriki, they naturally become angry and go berserk.

However, they would not disregard the life of the Jinchūriki and forcibly exchange one for another.

Nara Rinkazu's minimum expectation for the Fifth Kazekage, Yoruichi, was that she could successfully survive Shukaku's rampage using the two bloodline limits, [Scorching Release] and [Swift Release], and then allow the opponent's tailed beast chakra to return to normal.

Of course, Nara Rinka would be happy if Yekura could become even stronger.

However, if Yekura is really too weak, even with two bloodline limits she can't withstand the One-Tailed Beast's rampage...

"That possibility is still quite low; at least [Swift Escape] can guarantee Yekura's mobility."

"Hmm, once Yecang has consolidated her current strength, the next stage should involve finding her a sparring partner..."

"Whether King Mu will travel again, that is the question..."

Nara Rinka, deep in thought, arrived at the underground research institute.

Yekura's challenge was a completely unexpected little surprise.

Just like the bloodline limit secret technique that Nara Rinka just extracted from Yekura's B-rank scroll.

[Rank B Technique: Swift Escape - Deer Slayer Blade]

[Technique Description: An advanced ninjutsu developed by Yekura through tireless dedication]

[Technique Effect: Transforms one's chakra into the [Swift] nature through nature change, infusing [Swift Release] chakra into the body and weapon, granting swordsmanship an acceleration effect like chasing the wind and shadow, further enhancing its slashing power.]

[Spell Evaluation: Sigh, I've lost a knife. I wonder who it's stuck in right now.]

Aside from the name, [Swift Release: Deer Slayer Blade] is a pretty good ninjutsu.

The overall effect is similar to the Cloud Flow Sword Technique of the Hidden Cloud Village, specifically the "Cloud Flow Lightning Slash".

It belongs to the category of ninjutsu that accelerates the killing process.

But perhaps Yekura's physical skills were too ordinary, or perhaps she had only been exposed to [Swift Escape] for a short time.

This technique is only at level B in difficulty.

This can be considered as filling in the ninjutsu database for Nara Rinka.

Something is better than nothing...

Nara Ranke descended to the underground and went straight to where he had previously placed the [Death God Mask]. He picked up the pale, hideous mask and held it in his palm.

Today's biggest find has to be this S-rank ninja tool—the [Death Mask]!

"Aside from the Sage of Six Paths' ninja tool, the Amber Purification Bottle, and the Divine Tree Branch, which only has the appearance but no substance, I have never seen an item of higher quality than S-rank."

"The others, such as the [Flame Fan] and the [Mangekyou Sharingan]... are all rated S-rank."

"The limit for mortals is S-rank... that's not a problem."

Besides this mask, there are more than ten other masks remaining in the Uzumaki Shrine.

Nara Rinka doesn't know why there are so many "Death God masks" at the Uzumaki Shrine.

If the Uzumaki clan severed the inheritance of the [Dead Demon Seal] technique, which is why so many masks were left behind, then that would make sense.

The problem is that Konoha has clearly inherited the legacy of the Uzumaki clan, and even Hokage like Hiruzen Sarutobi and Minato Namikaze all know the Reaper Death Seal technique.

Therefore, Konoha should have known about the existence of the [Shinigami Mask].

But those many "Death God Masks" were piled up in the Uzumaki Shrine like useless junk.

It's quite puzzling.

"Or perhaps, the inheritance Konoha received only contained the [Reaper Death Seal], but not the [Shinigami Mask]?"

"Was the connection between the [Death Mask] and the [Reaper Death Seal] discovered by Orochimaru later?"

"It doesn't seem like it either..."

Nara Rankei toyed with the pale mask in his hand, shook his head, and dismissed the unimportant question from his mind.

He didn't know the specific reasons why Konoha or the Uzumaki clan would discard so many S-rank ninja tools like trash.

But since the Uzumaki clan left behind so many masks, it's a good opportunity for him to conduct experiments without restraint.

"It would be best to figure out how the [Death Mask] is forged."

Nara Rinka summoned the control panel and reviewed the effects of the [Death Mask] ninja tool once again.

"The chakra capacity of this [Death Mask] itself has already reached the S+ level, which far surpasses the chakra capacity of Kakuzu's [Nature Mask Forging Method]."

"If I can figure out how to forge the [Death Mask], I can also create a higher-grade [Nature Mask] that can hold more chakra."

"Of course, the most crucial element lies in the connection between the [Death Mask], the [Reaper Death Seal], and the Shinigami..."

Nara Rinka gazes at a corner of the underground research institute.

Some of these "tools" have been kept around for too long; it's time for them to put their skills to use.

(End of this chapter)