437 Learning Ninjutsu in a Glance

Life gradually returned to calm.

After making a phone call to the Land of Haze, it seemed they didn't care much about their reputation, nor about those two ninja—there was no real response at all.

The Shinju extortion attempt failed.

The key issue was that he'd been keeping the two Haze ninja brothers locked up in prison the whole time—and he still had to pay for their meals.

So Shinju started thinking about whether he could incorporate these two guys into Konoha instead…

Afterward, Shinju had ANBU specifically investigate them and discovered that all the mission commission fees earned by the four brothers had been used to build orphanages…

As a result, Shinju asked Shikamaru to act as a mediator and figure out a way to get the two brothers to willingly join Konoha and pledge loyalty to it.

...

As they walked out of Konoha Prison, Yoruga and Yūga both felt a bit incredulous.

"Konoha doesn't seem as bad as people make it out to be. The Hokage here isn't some fanged demon, and the people here aren't all villains either."

"Yeah. Maybe we were too narrow-minded."

Hearing their conversation, the guard escorting them out burst into laughter.

"Hahaha, how could anyone spread rumors like that about Konoha?"

"You should know—today's Konoha is the most livable place for ninja! ❛‿˂̵✧"

"And after the Sixth took office, he not only rebuilt the orphanages, but also launched a pension insurance program through the New Future company, making sure veteran ninja are taken care of in their old age…"

Listening to the guard go on and on about Konoha's benefits, the two brothers froze.

Before today, they had never once considered whether a ninja village was actually worth serving.

...

Hokage Office.

Shinju and Shikamaru stood side by side.

Looking at the setting sun slowly sinking in the distance, Shinju casually asked, "How are those two brothers doing?"

Shikamaru grinned. "Very smoothly. They grew up under the high-pressure policies of the Haze ninja village, and they were people that Haze abandoned. After seeing that Konoha's ninja welfare far surpasses Haze's, they know how to make the right choice."

"There is one thing worth mentioning, though—they're still concerned about the orphanage in Haze. After all, that's where they grew up."

Shinju smiled. "That's easy enough to handle. Konoha raising two orphans is nothing… besides, our birthrate has been dropping these past couple of years. A few more ninja seedlings won't hurt. (๑ت๑)"

Understanding Shinju's meaning, Shikamaru nodded. "Got it."

"Honestly, Shinju, you're starting to look more and more like a real Hokage."

Shinju casually lifted his cup and took a sip of water. "I've always been reliable. ❛‿˂̵✧"

Shikamaru chuckled softly and left.

...

The next day.

The Sealing Team had some clever ninja who developed a new sealing technique and asked Shinju to help test its power.

At this moment, Shinju was trapped inside a blue-violet light curtain, surrounded by more than twenty sealing ninja!

One of the ninja who developed the technique maintained the hand seals while explaining,

"This sealing technique doesn't just have a solid barrier that restricts enemy movement—it can also, to a certain extent, interfere with the enemy's chakra condensation… (◔◡◔)"

Before he could finish—

"Bang!!"

The sealing barrier shattered under Shinju's single punch.

Shinju said calmly, "It's still a bit lacking."

"For ninja with slightly stronger taijutsu, breaking it wouldn't be difficult. Someone like Guy from our village, or the Fifth with her monstrous strength… see if you can find a way to improve it."

Hearing this, the sealing team ninja nodded obediently.

Just as Shinju finished speaking, a green figure streaked across the sky!

Chasing closely behind was Kakashi, his white hair fluttering.

Kakashi complained while running, "Guy! Is it really necessary to go this far just to beat me?! You actually opened the Gate of Rest?! (눈益눈)"

Might Guy didn't forget to mock him while turning his head.

"My physical condition is insanely strong now—I'm not afraid of the strain from the Eight Gates at all!"

"My dear rival Kakashi~ is this all you've got?! Then I'll be claiming my three-hundredth victory! ୧⍢⃝୨"

The competition was apparently too intense; neither of them noticed Shinju and the others below as they thundered off into the distance…

A sealing team ninja muttered, "That was Might Guy and Kakashi just now, right? (≖╻≖;)"

"They're really full of energy…"

Hearing this, Shinju began to wonder whether he should find some work to keep those two old guys busy…

Just then, an ANBU wearing a mask appeared and knelt to report,

"Sixth-sama, the Victor Company you told us to keep an eye on has made a new move!"

...

Hokage Office.

Shinju sat in his chair, looking at the ANBU delivering the report.

"Give me the details."

ANBU: "After our investigation, we discovered that in recent days, multiple employees inside Victor Biotech Company have gone missing. However, due to Victor Company's vast influence, all the news has been suppressed."

Shinju frowned. "The Hashirama cells have already been recovered, and they're still doing experiments… that old man Victor really has a lot hidden up his sleeve! ꐦ≖ ≖"

The ANBU continued, "Also, just as you predicted, Mia and Anato were attacked—suspected to be an assassination attempt by Victor Company—while moving. We intercepted it, and they've now relocated to live within the Land of Fire."

Shinju nodded and tossed a Flying Thunder God kunai from his ninja pouch to the ANBU.

"Good work. Take this kunai and keep investigating Victor Company's movements."

"If anything unusual happens, smear blood onto the Flying Thunder God mark on the kunai—I'll be able to sense it."

The ANBU accepted the kunai, his hand trembling slightly.

A kunai bearing the Sixth's Flying Thunder God mark! This was the Sixth-sama acknowledging his work!

You had to know—this thing was practically Sixth-sama merchandise. On the black market alone, countless people were willing to pay outrageous prices for it!

"What are you shaking for? (ー_ー)!!" Shinju said, utterly speechless.

Under the mask, the ANBU blushed, then vanished.

A few hours later, Shinju finished his day's work and headed to Konoha Prison.

Inside the prison factory.

Orochimaru stomped on the sewing machine, the clatter ringing nonstop as he cursed,

"I've poisoned every single one of these clothes—I'd like to see who dares put this stuff on! (ꐦ°᷄д°᷅)"

Shinju leaned over beside him. "What are you muttering about?"

Orochimaru turned his head. "Nothing. Praising you."

As he spoke, Orochimaru pulled the garment out from under the sewing needle, an eerie smile on his face.

"Shinju, this is clothing I specially sewed for you over these past few days… ´∀`"

Shinju: "..."

If he hadn't just heard Orochimaru's villainous rant, he might actually have believed him.

"Alright, stop pretending. I'm here to ask you something." Shinju politely pushed away the clothes Orochimaru offered and asked,

"Have you ever heard of the Kara organization?"

Orochimaru shook his head honestly.

"That one, no. I really haven't."

Shinju continued, "Do you have any undisclosed experimental bases you never reported?"

"And that biotech company researching Hashirama cells—did you leak them out back then?"

Orochimaru spread his hands. "I really don't know about that. ¯\(ツ)/¯"

"Oh, right—did the person researching Hashirama cells achieve any results?"

Shinju answered truthfully.

"No. They just harmed a lot of people."