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

Chapter 44 The First Meeting with Minato Namikaze!

"Lord Nara has disappeared!"

The flying bamboo dragonfly cried out in surprise.

Unlike Nara Rangsuke, a member of a ninja clan with a profound family tradition of learning;

He is also different from the Hokage's direct descendant, Sarutobi Asuma;

Even Kurenai Yuhi had a Jonin father.

Flying Bamboo Dragonfly was just an ordinary commoner ninja.

The knowledge about summoning techniques that Nara Kano just shared is "advanced knowledge" that is hard to come by for ordinary ninjas like Tobitake Tobi, and it is of great help.

Therefore, at this moment, when faced with the disappearance of Nara Kano, Tobitake Dragonfly's emotions were the most intense.

"Calm down, Tobita Chunin."

Yamanaka Inoichi spoke up to remind him.

"This smoke is a characteristic of the Reverse Summoning Technique. It must be that Enma, who just returned to Konoha, used the Reverse Summoning Technique to summon Lord Kano back to the village under the orders of the Third Hokage."

"Lord Kano is probably in the Hokage's office right now, reporting the mission progress to the Third Hokage."

After Yamanaka Inoichi's explanation, Tobiki Tsubaki immediately felt at ease.

Nara Rinkachi was still gazing at the spot where the old clan chief had just disappeared.

"I have now learned the [Spirit Summoning Technique], but I haven't mastered the [Reverse Spirit Summoning Technique]. I can learn it from the clan leader later."

Unlike the Summoning Jutsu, the Reverse Summoning Jutsu can be used by either a summoned beast or by the ninja themselves.

From a combat perspective, the [Reverse Summoning Technique] is a very effective method for temporarily avoiding combat damage.

"Yes, if you want to learn the [Reverse Spirit Summoning Technique], you need to find a suitable spirit medium first."

Where is my partner?

In just a short while.

Bang!

Another cloud of smoke rose, and Nara Kano reappeared before everyone.

"I have already reported the details to the Hokage."

Nara Kano's tone was no longer as serious as before, but became very relaxed.

"As per the Hokage's orders, we will continue to carry out the mission of eliminating bounty hunters as originally planned."

"The reinforcements from the village will arrive soon, so there's no need to worry."

Nara Kano hopes that the village will send reinforcements.

It's not because everyone lacks the ability to continue completing the B-level mission, "Bounty Hunter."

Even if Ino-Shika-Cho isn't in good condition, not just any cat or dog can come and cause trouble.

Nara Kano requested reinforcements, but their only defenses were against Kakuzu, who was still lurking in the shadows, and the "invisible ninja" who had yet to show his face!

It's better to be safe than sorry.

Nara Kano didn't want to suffer a setback in the last mission of his ninja career.

"Oh, right, where were we?"

Nara Kano didn't go into detail about "supporting teammates" with everyone, but instead brought up the topic from earlier.

"The ninja dogs of the Inuzuka clan, the crows of the Yamashiro clan!" Tobitake Dragonfly answered enthusiastically.

"Yes, this is it."

Nara Kano leaned against the deer cart and spoke slowly and deliberately.

"The Inuzuka clan and the Yamashiro clan are very special ninja clans in Konoha Village that specialize in raising summoning beasts, and the summoning beasts they raise have become a large-scale group."

"The Inuzuka and Yamashiro clans have a limited number of members. When the number of summoned beasts they raise exceeds the number of members in their clans, how to deal with the excess summoned beasts becomes a problem."

"The solution proposed by the Inuzuka and Yamashiro clans was to rent or sell some of their better ninja dogs and crows to the village."

"The ability of ninja dogs to track the scent and the ability of ninja crows to fly are special abilities that ordinary ninjas do not possess, and they are extremely functional."

"Therefore, the village will also allocate an extra amount of funds to train these ninja dogs and ninja crows, and at the same time issue them ninja headbands and ninja ranks."

"For ninjas who are not from the Inuzuka or Yamashiro clans, they can apply for a special procedure to obtain the qualification to sign summoning contracts with those ninja dogs and ninja crows."

"Of course, this kind of contract is a two-way street."

"Some exceptionally talented ninjas may be able to contract several ninja dogs at once;

"But some ninjas are not welcomed by ninja dogs or ninja crows, and may not even be able to contract a summoning beast."

After listening to the old clan chief's story.

Nara Rinka subconsciously thought of Kakashi Hatake's Dog Flow Wall—no, I mean the Eight Ninja Dogs.

Could it be that Kakashi Hatake also obtained the qualification to form a contract with the Eight-Headed Ninja Dog through this method?

If I remember correctly, all of Kakashi Hatake's eight ninja dogs actually wore Konoha headbands.

Those weren't ordinary ninja dogs; they were ninja dogs with Konoha ninja organization...?

"Nara-sama!"

"I'm so excited," Flying Bamboo Dragonfly asked.

"Where do I apply to make a summoning contract with a crow or a ninja dog?"

"The animal training and rehabilitation center in the medical department is where you can find information about ninja beasts in the village."

Nara Shikanohi replied calmly.

"Of course, you can also directly seek help from the Inuzuka or Yamashiro clan ninjas. Since their clans offer this service, they will naturally not refuse a customer's visit."

Flying Bamboo Dragonfly kept this in mind and planned to test the situation after returning to the village.

For ordinary ninjas like him, "Chunin" is basically the ceiling of their profession.

If I learn the art of summoning and acquire some suitable summoning partners, I might be able to try becoming a "Special Jonin"...

Nara Rinka was somewhat surprised by the "animal training and rehabilitation class" that the old clan chief mentioned.

He initially thought it was just a regular veterinary class, but it turns out it also includes special services...

Unfortunately, he is no longer a member of the animal training and rehabilitation program.

Moreover, Nara Rinkei had little interest in "ninja dogs" or "ninja crows".

I wish we had "Ninja Deer"...

"Oh right, I remember there's a very special old tortoise in the village, which is also a selectable psychic contract partner."

Perhaps sensing Nara Langui's lack of interest, the old clan chief stroked his beard and added.

"However, that old tortoise has a very strange personality and is extremely picky when it comes to choosing contractors."

After listening for most of the day, Sarutobi Asuma couldn't help but ask.

"Nara Jonin, why do you keep talking about dogs and crows? Our Sarutobi clan also has monkey summoning beasts!"

"Just as you said, this is the summoning beast of your Sarutobi clan."

Nara Kano answered calmly.

"Unless there are special circumstances, apart from the Sarutobi clan ninjas, it is basically impossible for anyone else to have the opportunity to sign a summoning contract with the Sarutobi clan."

"There are many similar examples, such as the Root organization—well, such as the summoning beasts of the Three Legendary Sannin."

"Jiraiya, a toad from Mount Myōboku;

"Orochimaru, a snake from Ryuchi Cave;"

"Tsunade-hime, a slug from Shikkotsu Forest."

"These summoning beasts can ultimately be considered as personal contracts between the three Sannin, and they don't have much connection with the village."

"It's simply impossible for an ordinary ninja to form a contract with a toad, snake, or slug."

to be honest.

Unless it's a relationship at the level of a direct disciple.

Otherwise, it would be virtually impossible to learn a ninja's unique abilities from them.

Moreover, this is not limited to summoning techniques; all ninjutsu are the same.

"Thank you for your guidance, Nara-sama!"

Flying Bamboo Dragonfly expressed its heartfelt gratitude.

Nara Kano waved to him, indicating that it was alright.

He was about to exchange a few more pleasantries when, at that moment, a golden light appeared in everyone's sight.

The newcomer was tall and well-proportioned, with a gentle smile on his fair and handsome face. Although he was wearing a Konoha-style vest, his brilliant golden hair was still as bright and dazzling as a small sun.

"Minato, you're still as fast as ever."

Nara Kano stopped talking, turned to look at the newcomer, and looked pleased and grateful.

"Lord Kano is too kind."

Minato Namikaze bowed slightly, his attitude extremely polite, and then turned to introduce himself to the other Chunin.

"Hello everyone, I am Minato Namikaze."

Get ready for an explosion...

Nara Rinka almost took the initiative to continue the conversation.

He widened his eyes slightly, looking at the eternal yellow flash of Konoha.

Always have a girl with you!

Such a rare sight!

That blond hair, those blue eyes, that vest, that speed... wow!

"Hyōdai-sensei's current strength level is definitely not as high as it was after the Third Shinobi World War, but it should be about the same."

Nara Rinkachi kept making plans in his mind.

"So, is it possible for the current 'Eternal Girl' to trigger an A-rank battle mission?"

"Unfortunately, the Flying Thunder God Technique is an S-rank forbidden space-time technique, which can only be unlocked through an S-rank [Ninja Scroll]..."

Minato Namikaze was unaware that there was a treacherous individual among the crowd who intended to probe his background.

"Lord Kano, I quickly checked and sensed the surrounding area before I came here."

Minato Namikaze said in a serious tone.

"But I didn't sense the bounty hunter with the enormous chakra you mentioned earlier."

"Judging from the ninja's movement speed, he shouldn't have gone too far. Perhaps he's hiding underground, or he's moving by stealth."

"As expected of you, Minato."

Kano Nara admired.

"Since you can't find any trace of them, there's no need to pursue them."

"Continue with the mission!"

Minato Namikaze nodded, walked over to Choza Akimichi, and handed him another scroll.

"Brother Choza, this is a medical ninjutsu scroll that I just brought from the village. It should be of help to you."

"Thank you so much, Minato! I'm extremely grateful!"

Akimichi Choza was overjoyed. If his injuries could be healed quickly, who would be willing to go into battle wounded?

Minato Namikaze's arrival gave the team a strong sense of security.

As planned, the Konoha ninja continued to clear out the bounty hunters around the official roads of the Land of Fire.

They set up camp at Anzhai as night fell.

Nara Rinka is still hesitating about whether or not to go find Ei-dai-mei.

The old clan chief, however, came to us first.

"Lan Gui, I heard from Shui Men that you seem to have something you want to talk to him about?"

About the bamboo dragonfly.

This is a character from the original manga, who also appears in the anime, during the Chunin Exams arc.

The original work does not mention the juvenile stage of the bamboo dragonfly.

The author simply organized the timeline and divided the characters by age, placing Tobi-tsubo into Asuma Sarutobi and Kurenai Yuhi's squad.

In the original work, there are no other ninjas with the surname "Hitake" besides "Hitake Dragonfly", so he was set as a "commoner ninja".

Furthermore, until the Pain invasion, when Tobi was 31 years old, he was still only a Chunin.

This point might also serve as evidence that he came from a "common background".

-

Regarding the Inuzuka and Yamashiro clans renting and selling ninja beasts.

This is just a secondary setting in this book.

For details, please refer to the author's words in the previous chapter.

In Konoha Village, there are indeed dogs, turtles, and monkeys wearing headbands.

(End of this chapter)