I Just Wanted to Slack Off, But I Was Forced to Become Hokage

Chapter 22: Promotion to [Special Jonin]!

"My first S-rank technique, [Shadow Doppelganger Technique]!"

Nara Keisuke stared at the panel, a feeling of surprised satisfaction flashing through his mind. But before he could finish reading the effects of the [Shadow Doppelganger Technique], several more messages refreshed on the panel.

[Having learned the S-rank technique [Shadow Doppelganger Technique], your [Ninjutsu] and [Wisdom] stats have been enhanced! Overall evaluation has increased!]

[Ninjutsu: B+ → A-]

[Wisdom: B → B+]

[Overall Evaluation: C+ → B- (Special Jonin)]

"An S-rank Yin Release ninjutsu developed based on my family's secret techniques has boosted my strength by so much!" Feeling the surging spiritual energy within himself, Nara Keisuke's joy was written all over his face. "It's only because my physical energy can't keep up; otherwise, my overall evaluation could have continued to rise."

He looked at his [Ninjutsu] stat, which had already broken the ten-thousand-point mark. Then he glanced at his [Stamina] stat, still hovering in the double digits. Nara Keisuke silently took a Military Ration Pill from his ninja tool pouch and popped it into his mouth.

[Stamina +10]

"Not to mention the [Taijutsu], [Strength], and [Speed] stats, which are still stuck at E- rank..."

"Currently, my [Ninjutsu] and [Wisdom] levels are high enough, and since I've found a clear method to improve [Stamina], I can totally devote some of my energy to improving the other three stats."

"I'm not aiming for the pinnacle of taijutsu, the kind that can 'kick the series finale into existence,' but at the very least, they can't be my obvious weaknesses."

Right now, Nara Keisuke's stat panel resembled a modified "compass warrior," or perhaps a "clock warrior." [Ninjutsu] and [Wisdom] were extremely prominent, like the "second hand" and "minute hand" of a clock. [Stamina] was mediocre, progressing slowly like the shortest "hour hand." And [Taijutsu], [Strength], and [Speed] were nearly zero.

"The only difficult problem is that I haven't yet figured out a targeted method to improve these three stats."

Nara Keisuke was concerned about the lag in his "Strength, Speed, and Taijutsu" stats, but it wasn't a desperately urgent matter. This was because his current combat style was primarily "crowd control," which allowed him to avoid exposing his weaknesses to the greatest extent possible.

"I should first take a look at the effects of the [Shadow Doppelganger Technique]!"

Nara Keisuke carefully reviewed the effects of his first S-rank ninjutsu word by word and came to a conclusion. "No hand signs, Yin Release clone, tangible-intangible conversion, and consciousness vessel."

These four effects were each incredibly powerful!

Nara Keisuke's attention was first drawn to the "tangible-intangible conversion" of the [Shadow Doppelganger Technique]. This was because there was a very famous space-time ninjutsu in the ninja world that had a similar effect.

Uchiha Obito's Mangekyo Sharingan's unique dōjutsu, transcending cause and effect and the horizon, the eye in the divine realm—Kamui!

"According to the description of the [Shadow Doppelganger Technique]'s effect, if I place my consciousness into the [Shadow Doppelganger], does that mean I can also enter a 'dematerialized state' that ignores attacks?"

Nara Keisuke was well aware that there was a fundamental difference and gap between the "tangible-intangible conversion" of the [Shadow Doppelganger] and Kamui, an advanced space-time ninjutsu. But for other ninja, both "shadows" and "space" were attack targets they could basically never touch. Was there really any significant difference between the two?

Nara Keisuke was very pleased with this discovery. Who didn't know how broken "Kamui" was?

Moreover, if it were just "clone dematerialization," Nara Keisuke wouldn't have been so happy. The key was that he possessed the strong operational ability to turn this combat concept into reality!

Nara Keisuke opened his [Technique Abilities], scrolled back a bit, and found another C-rank secret technique he had just learned.

[C-rank Secret Technique: Flat Shadow Technique]

[Technique Description: At the user's request, turn the body into thin paper.]

[Technique Effect: The user infuses chakra into their own shadow, making their body very thin and merging with their shadow, providing an extremely strong hiding and concealment effect.]

[Technique Evaluation: I will always love paper-thin characters.JPG]

The C-rank technique [Flat Shadow Technique] was a very "un-Nara-like" Nara secret technique. Judging from its effect, the [Flat Shadow Technique] was more suited for solo ninja who specialized in stealth and assassination. But nowadays, the vast majority of Nara clan ninja operated in teams.

Nara Keisuke didn't know which ancestor in the Nara clan's history had developed this secret ninjutsu. But this C-rank ninjutsu could undoubtedly be paired with the [Shadow Doppelganger Technique] to create an excellent combination.

Nara Keisuke's mind raced, instantly devising a combat strategy with a perfect score in insidiousness.

"First, use the [Shadow Doppelganger Technique] to create an empty shell of a [Shadow Doppelganger];"

"Then, use the [Flat Shadow Technique] to hide my real body in the [Shadow Doppelganger]'s shadow;"

"Finally, use the consciousness vessel effect of the [Shadow Doppelganger Technique] to place my consciousness within the [Shadow Doppelganger]."

"The [Shadow Doppelganger] can not only use all of my own Yin Release secret techniques, but it also possesses the powerful effect of 'shadow dematerialization.' Its comprehensive combat power even surpasses my own body, and its effectiveness against backstabs and sneak attacks is also excellent."

"Considering my A- [Ninjutsu] and B+ [Wisdom], the [Shadow Doppelganger] can already be considered to be at the level of an elite Jonin!"

"Not only that... this is just the clone's attack!"

Seeing that it was getting late, although there was still a large amount of information and materials to read in the Rokumeikan, it was impossible to absorb it all in a short time. Nara Keisuke put down the ninjutsu scroll in his hand and reluctantly left the archive to go home. This trip to the Rokumeikan had been a truly fruitful one.

Back at home, the family was reunited at the dinner table.

"Keisuke, I heard from Keiko about the Third Kazekage's disappearance. The Clan Head also signaled for war preparations at the clan meeting," Nara Shūsuke said. "I'll finish up my research work as soon as possible, and then Keiko and I will move into the village. The village is safer than Kikyo Castle, after all."

Nara Keisuke nodded while shoveling a mouthful of rice into his mouth. "Speaking of your research—I mean the combined research of the family's secret techniques and the nervous system." Nara Keisuke brought up the matter he hadn't had a chance to mention in the afternoon. "I can help find a sufficiently high-level medical ninja."

Previously, Nara Shūsuke had said his research was progressing slowly due to the lack of guidance from a skilled enough medical ninja. And Nara Keisuke happened to know two elite medical ninja. If Nara Shūsuke was willing, Keisuke could definitely ask one of them to help.

"You're talking about Yakushi Nono'o, right?" Nara Shūsuke's attitude seemed somewhat noncommittal. "Are you and Yakushi Nono'o on good terms, Keisuke?"

Nara Keisuke said frankly, "Very good terms."

After staring at his son for a while, Nara Shūsuke shook his head and said, "You've misunderstood my meaning."

"What Shūsuke means is..." Nara Keiko took over the conversation at this point, her attitude even more direct. "Are you and Nono'o on good enough terms to marry her into our family!"

"Cough, cough, cough!!" Nara Keisuke let out a series of sharp coughs, his face flushing bright red.

"Don't be so surprised, Keisuke." Nara Keiko calmly handed him a glass of warm water. "I'm just telling it like it is. Do you think you're the only one who knows an elite medical ninja, and Shūsuke doesn't? Why hasn't he asked a professional medical ninja to help with his research before? Have you thought about the reason? Our family stands entirely on our secret techniques. We never let our secret technique research records leak out. No matter how skilled outside medical ninja are, they are ultimately not part of our family. Shūsuke would never let an outside medical ninja join his research."

"So, Keisuke, I have another suggestion," Nara Shūsuke said, looking at his son seriously. "You go study medicine, and then come inherit the research institute."

And then you can retire completely and live happily ever after with your dear wife, right? Nara Keisuke gulped down a large mouthful of water.

"Shūsuke, you know Keisuke's physical condition. How can you expect him to learn those Yang Release medical ninjutsu?" Nara Keiko shook her head. "You might as well hope he can actually marry Nono'o. Tsunade-hime would work too! Keisuke, you know me. Your old mom is a proponent of free love. I won't interfere with your personal preferences. Good luck!"

The next morning, Nara Keisuke went to find the clan head as agreed.

Compared to yesterday afternoon, Nara Shikano was now dressed in full military attire. On his back, he carried a giant scroll that was as tall as a man, drawing a great deal of attention.

"Good morning, Clan Head." Nara Keisuke greeted him politely, his attitude warm and friendly. He was still hoping to get more S-rank missions from the clan head and earn more S-rank [Shinobi Secret Scrolls]!

"Keisuke, these are the two rewards I mentioned yesterday." Nara Shikano first returned the greeting, then took out two small scrolls from his pocket and handed them to Nara Keisuke. "One million ryo in research funds, and a sufficient amount of chakra metal."

The early bird gets the worm. This saying was indeed true.

Nara Keisuke took the two small scrolls with both hands, carefully placed them in his ninja tool pouch, and thanked him sincerely. "Thank you, Clan Head."

"And this, you take it for now." Nara Shikano took another small scroll from another pocket and handed it to Nara Keisuke. "When we get to the Hokage's office later, you'll give this mission scroll to Lord Third."

A mission scroll? But not for me, for the Third Hokage?

Nara Keisuke followed the clan head's steps, somewhat bewildered. "Clan Head, what are we doing today?"

"Do you remember what I said yesterday? Those two special rewards." Nara Shikano turned around and said calmly, "Those two special rewards are not in Konoha Village, but in the capital of the Land of Fire, Kyoto."

(End of Chapter)