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

Chapter 43 The Beginning of the Shadow Legion!

'Grade A Miscellaneous Item [Mask Forging Method]?'

Nara Rinka was slightly taken aback when she saw the updated list of included items on the panel.

If he remembered correctly, this was the first time the [Ninja Scroll] had yielded a non-technique reward.

Nara Rankei had always thought that the [Ninja Scroll] was just a simple "Ninjutsu Scroll" and wouldn't yield anything else...

After browsing through the effects of the [Nature Mask Forging Method] item, Nara Ranka felt a surge of excitement.

"What?! This is a 'Ninja Mask'! Isn't it just a 'Shadow Legion Ninja Mask'?!"

When Nara Ranke obtained the B-rank secret technique [Super Beast Imitation Painting], he had envisioned a "Shadow Legion" under his command. (Chapter 18)

But what he never expected was...

Before transforming the "Ink Beast" into the "Shadow Beast".

The "Ninja Mask," which enables the command of the "Shadow Legion," was obtained from the [Ninja Scroll] ahead of time.

Of course, the ideal "ninja mask" is one where each mask corresponds to the leader of a Shadow Legion, each commanding a Shadow Legion with different functions and responsibilities.

The [Nature Mask], which currently only exists in the scroll content, can at best be considered the prototype of the Shadow Legion.

Nara Rinka intently browsed the scroll containing the "Methods of Forging Natural Masks".

Based on the description of the "Material Mask Forging Method".

Regardless of their specifications or grade, all the forged [Nature Masks] can only store chakra of a single nature.

Additionally, the [Nature Mask] cannot replenish its chakra energy on its own.

It can only be replenished through manual input, and the chakra replenished before and after must maintain the same attribute.

At the end of the [Property Mask Forging Method], the best material selection for forging [Property Masks] is mentioned.

"The best choice is a ninja's heart, especially a heart that has just been refined and stored with a large amount of elemental chakra after nature transformation."

Nara Rinka frowned slightly, subconsciously ruling out this option.

He wasn't the cunning and cold-blooded Kakuzu; he was still very averse to the cruel act of "poaching one's own heart for personal use."

Secondly, there are biological tissues such as bones, blood, hair, and nails...

"Or perhaps, it's the wood of a special tree that absorbs chakra to obtain nutrients..."

The contents recorded in the scroll of "[Mask Forging Method]" made Nara Rinka frown deeply.

It seemed he had no choice but to search for the last type of material—

Wait! They mentioned another material at the end.

Nara Rinkazu looked at the line of small characters recorded at the end of the scroll.

"Based on calculations, chakra crystals might be the best material for forging [Nature Masks]... but they're too difficult to obtain, and the items are too expensive. We can't afford to buy them or use them. It's simpler to extract human hearts, so we'll abandon that approach."

"Hmm, Kakuzu-sama is quite realistic..."

Nara Rinka's fingertips pressed against the cold [Chakra Crystal] ring.

He does possess an A-grade [Chakra Crystal].

But using this [Chakra Crystal] to forge a [Nature Mask]...

Even the laurel trees in Nara are too precious to bear.

In his eyes, the [Nature Mask] was not even as valuable as the [Chakra Crystal]!

At least the latter can recharge automatically!

"Perhaps I can take a middle ground."

Nara's approach to acquiring laurels is flexible.

"First, create a [Nature Mask], leaving a gap large enough to accommodate the [Chakra Crystal], then embed the [Chakra Crystal] within it and use its energy... Is this some kind of ultimate life form's Stone Mask?!"

Despite making fun of himself, Nara Rinkei still felt that this method was very feasible.

However, the safest way is to purchase chakra crystals from outside sources...

"But Chakra Crystals are really expensive! Even Kakuzu can't afford them, let alone me!"

For a time, Nara Rangsuke was quite helpless.

His family's assets can be considered quite wealthy.

According to the clan leader, a single Chakra Crystal can buy at least three mountains!

Even if Nara were to sell his entire fortune, he couldn't buy more than a few of these priceless treasures.

Moreover, Nara Rangatsu would never have wanted to inherit the family fortune if he hadn't had absolutely no other choice.

In comparison, he still prefers to earn his own money and spend it himself.

This kind of money is safe to receive and safe to use.

For example, the research guarantee fund of one million taels per month that was previously "earned" from the clan chief.

Even if you spend all your money on Nara laurels at once, you won't feel any guilt.

"As expected, the money-making plan still needs to be put on the agenda. It's time to discuss the money-making plan with Nonou-nee-san..."

"However, for now, one [Chakra Crystal] is enough to squander."

"Instead of considering higher quality [Characteristic Masks], we should think about how to use the available resources to create suitable [Characteristic Masks]..."

Nara Rinka silently contemplated his many abilities.

With a balanced combination of the four elements of water, earth, wind, and fire, and the family's secret Yin-遁 (Yin Escape) technique, at least five masks can be created, representing "Yin," "water," "earth," "wind," and "fire"...

Later, I can find an opportunity to test my medical ninjutsu talent, and maybe even get a "Yang" attribute mask...

In addition, fusing two different types of chakra seems to be a novel method of mask creation...

Just as Nara Rinka was contemplating different types of "masks of nature".

The Ino-Shika-Cho team finally arrived here and reunited with everyone.

When the old clan leader saw that several Chunin, especially Nara Rinkachi, were completely unharmed, he breathed a sigh of relief.

To be honest.

The old clan leader was just worried that Kakuzu had openly abandoned the three of them, but secretly chose to attack several other weak young ninjas from Konoha.

Fortunately, it was just a false alarm...

Nara Rinka and the others were also keeping an eye on the situation of the Misadventure Ino-Shika-Cho team.

Yamanaka Inoichi and Nara Kano are alright.

Choza Akimichi, who was in charge of the attack, looked utterly disheveled at this moment.

None of the people present knew medical ninjutsu and could not heal Akimichi Choza's injuries. They could only provide some clean bandages to the best of their ability.

Just as Akimichi Choza was bandaging his injuries.

Nara Kano gently bit his index finger, formed a hand seal, pressed it to the ground, and let out a soft shout.

"Spiritual communication!"

As a cloud of smoke rose, a tall, white ape dressed in a ninja uniform and wearing a Konoha headband appeared in everyone's sight.

"Ape Demon?"

Sarutobi Asuma was taken aback and immediately recognized the white ape's identity.

Isn't this the old man's summoned beast?

How could the old patriarch of the Nara clan also communicate with the other party through spirit communication?

"Shikano?"

The ape demon clearly recognized the old clan leader, so he wasn't surprised by the other's summoning, but rather a little curious.

Why did you suddenly summon me today? Is there some urgent matter?

"On our way back to the village after completing our mission, we encountered a powerful bounty hunter."

Nara Kano briefly recounted the events of the day.

"I think this intelligence needs to be sent back to the village as soon as possible."

"At the same time, we also need to send some personnel from the village to join us."

"A bounty hunter whose strength rivals that of the Three Legendary Sannin? I understand!"

The ape demon nodded, formed a hand seal, and disappeared from the spot.

"I will inform Hiruzen as soon as possible!"

After the monkey demon disappeared, Nara Kano visibly breathed a sigh of relief. He leaned against the deer cart, trying to calm his breathing.

At this moment, a very oblivious young man spoke up and asked a question.

"Nara Jonin, how did you summon Enma? Isn't that the old man's summoning beast?"

Nara Kano sighed softly, looked at Sarutobi Asuma who had taken the initiative to speak, and still managed to muster some energy to explain.

"I am the class leader of the Jonin class. Because of my position, I often need to communicate directly with the Hokage."

"Using the Hokage's summoning beast as a relay for messages is the most efficient way to communicate."

Sarutobi Asuma nodded blankly.

He had absolutely no interest in things like politics.

Even the Hokage's son didn't know what the "class leader of the Jonin class" actually did.

With just one glance, Nara Shikano knew that this "Son of Hokage" didn't understand what he meant at all, but he was too lazy to explain any further at the moment.

The old patriarch was about to close his eyes to rest when he suddenly sensed the presence of another gaze and opened his eyes to look.

"What? Lan Gui, are you interested in psychic arts?"

"I am indeed interested!"

Nara Rinka nodded.

He had initially wondered why the Summoning Technique was found in the clan leader's Ninja Scroll.

It turned out to be due to his job position...

However, this did not prevent Nara Ranke from maintaining a high level of curiosity and exploration regarding the "soul-summoning technique".

No matter how you look at it, this is a space-time ninjutsu!

"Um, speaking of summoning beasts... excuse me, wait a minute."

Nara Kano stretched out his hands and covered the ears of the giant deer.

"Some words might hurt a deer's pride."

Nara Rinka nodded, not finding anything strange about it.

But Sarutobi Asuma and the others nearby looked at the Shika family father and son with some strange expressions.

Is he a deer fanatic?

"Summoning techniques aren't particularly difficult ninjutsu, and learning them isn't hard either. The difficulty lies in finding a suitable summoning beast."

Nara Kano didn't mind people listening in on this knowledge and explained it openly and generously.

"The deer of the Nara clan are not ninja beasts and do not possess chakra."

"Lan Gui, if you want to learn the art of summoning, there are two directions you can try within Konoha Village."

"The ninja dogs of the Inuzuka clan, the crows of the Yamashiro clan."

"Of course, I'm not referring to the ninja dogs and crows kept by the Inuzuka and Yamashiro clans."

"Instead, these two families specifically provided them to the village—"

The story of Nara Kano is not yet finished.

A cloud of smoke instantly enveloped him, and his figure vanished from the spot.

Reverse psychic abilities!

Let's talk about the "summoning beasts" mentioned in this chapter.

There are quite a few summoning beasts that appear in the manga, the most famous of which is probably the toad from Mount Myōboku.

There are also two other sacred sites: Ryuchi Cave and Shikkotsu Forest, known for their snakes and slugs.

However, in the manga, summoning beasts that wear ninja headbands are extremely rare.

Unfortunately, Kakashi Hatake's eight ninja dogs are the ones who wear Konoha headbands.

In addition, Might Guy's turtle is also the turtle that wears the Konoha headband.

Here is another example.

It's Hiruzen Sarutobi's summoning beast, Enma, who also wears the Konoha headband.

In comparison... Danzo Shimura's Baku... didn't have a headband... um...

The reason for mentioning the above-mentioned special cases is...

I just want to clarify one point: in Konoha Village, there exist special summoning beasts that serve Konoha and are part of the ninja system!

-

The crows of the Yamashiro clan are merely a secondary creation by the author based on the manga.

The Book of the Witcher states that Yamashiro Aoba can control flocks of crows, but does not describe it as a form of spirit communication.

Ashin is described as "a member of the Mountain City Clan who can communicate with flocks of crows."

-

In addition, there is another example that can support the claim that "ninja villages possess specialized summoning beasts".

In the manga, volume 54, chapter 512, Motoi of Kumogakure summons an owl.

According to the Book of Formations, the owl named "Owl Guardian" was mainly responsible for transmitting intelligence to the Hidden Cloud Village.

Therefore, there are indeed summoning beasts that specifically serve the ninja village.

(End of this chapter)