It's Too Troublesome to be Hokage

Perhaps it was the thought of "fighting the Uchiha clan" being such a hassle that made Nara Shikaku want to retire on the spot.

He brushed the topic aside hastily.

"There's one more thing."

The new clan leader's eyes shifted toward the ring on Shikadan's right index finger.

"Shikadan, I heard from my father that you successfully resonated with the chakra crystal our clan has been collecting and preserving?"

"Yes."

Shikadan lifted his hand and showed him the indigo gem embedded in the ring.

"The result has been excellent."

"Chakra crystals truly are powerful ninja tools—but that's your personal fortune."

Shikaku nodded and moved on to the real subject.

"What I want to talk about is this: chakra crystals contain an enormous reserve of chakra.

"And as far as I know, Shikadan... you don't seem to know many high-level ninjutsu. At least, not beyond the clan's shadow techniques."

No, I actually know quite a few high-level jutsu...

Shikadan looked at the new clan leader with mild confusion. "What are you suggesting, Clan Leader?"

"Our shadow secret arts fall under Yin Release," Shikaku explained. "They're powerful, but they come with strict limitations."

He pulled a wooden box from beside the table and handed it to Shikadan, gesturing for him to open it.

"Compared to conventional elemental ninjutsu, shadow techniques have unique strengths and weaknesses.

"Now that you possess a chakra crystal, you should be able to manipulate far more chakra than before. Learning elemental ninjutsu will help balance out your toolkit."

Shikadan weighed the box in his hands. "So what's inside?"

"Several C-rank elemental ninjutsu scrolls from the clan archives."

Shikaku stroked his chin, tone calm and deliberate.

"Considering the secrecy surrounding ninja techniques, this box contains one ninjutsu for each of the four major chakra natures—Water, Fire, Wind, and Lightning. You can choose based on what fits your needs.

"Also, I heard from Father that you've used Earth Release in battle before. So I included two Earth Release scrolls—one C-rank, one B-rank."

"Go ahead, open it."

Nara Shikano, who had been quietly standing by, gave a small nod. His son had executed the plan flawlessly.

Earlier, the old patriarch had emphasized that Shikadan's current task was to master the power contained within the [Chakra Crystal].

But Yin Release—the core of the Nara clan's shadow techniques—was formed purely from spiritual energy.

Nara Shikano wasn't sure whether the chakra stored inside the [Chakra Crystal] could be converted into this special "shadow chakra."

What he did know was that it could absolutely strengthen ordinary elemental ninjutsu.

So, upon returning to the village, he'd asked his son to gather some scrolls for Shikadan—expanding his offensive and defensive capabilities with elemental jutsu.

Originally, Shikano hadn't planned to deliver these scrolls to Shikadan so soon.

After all, the family had already rewarded him with the [Lacquer Eye] technique scroll, and even a patriarch couldn't distribute clan resources on a whim.

But then the news had spread across Konoha—"Nara Shikadan defeats Uchiha Shisui."

The timing was perfect.

This way, it would seem like a just reward for valor.

Shikadan, of course, had no idea about all these behind-the-scenes politics.

He simply opened the wooden box.

A stream of system notifications flooded his vision.

[C-rank technique: Lightning Release – Earth Walk detected. Learn?]

[C-rank technique: Wind Release – Great Breakthrough detected…]

[C-rank technique: Fire Release – Great Fireball detected…]

[C-rank technique: Water Release – Water Formation Wall detected…]

[C-rank technique: Earth Release – Earth Body Replacement detected…]

[B-rank technique: Earth Release – Earth-Style Wall detected…]

Apparently, the clan had taken into account that Shikadan's chakra attributes included Yin and Earth.

So among the six scrolls, the two Earth Release jutsu stood out in practicality and value.

[C-rank Technique: Earth Release – Earth Clone Substitution]

Description: Instantly transform your body into mud or rock.

Effect: Uses nearby earth to shape a dummy at the moment of enemy attack, deceiving the opponent into thinking they've landed a hit.

Evaluation: An evolved form of the classic Substitution Technique—now with earth-style materials and greater realism.

Compared to the E-rank [Body Replacement Technique], this version made use of real terrain, was easier to camouflage, and could throw enemies off more effectively.

As for [Earth-Style Wall], it needed no explanation.

That famous "Dog Wall"—a formidable defensive technique—was known by virtually every ninja.

While reading the scrolls, Shikadan used the [Lazy Ghost System] to instantly learn the five jutsu besides [Lightning Release – Earth Walk].

If I'd known this would happen, I wouldn't have spent so much money buying scrolls from Nekobaa before...

Still, it's not a bad thing to have a secret black market channel for rare jutsu.

And the quality of black-market techniques, like [Water Style – Water Severing Wave], is often higher than standard versions anyway.

His thoughts flickered by.

Shikadan gently closed the box and took a slow breath.

"Clan leader, I'm very satisfied with these jutsu."

"Glad to hear it."

Shikaku nodded.

"Since I'm not entirely sure of your chakra nature, I kept the other four elemental techniques at C-rank.

"If you need more advanced jutsu in the future, the clan can assist again."

Though the Nara clan was mainly known for its secret arts, centuries of accumulation had given them access to plenty of conventional ninjutsu.

Even if they lacked what Shikadan needed, they could procure it from outside—though that would mean paying a much steeper price.

Still, for the future of the clan, it was worth it.

"Patriarch, these rewards are... too generous."

Shikadan was quiet for a moment, then said seriously:

"I don't know how to repay the clan."

"What are you saying?"

Shikaku chuckled.

"That's what the clan is for—to support its members.

"If you really want to give something back, then develop more unique secret techniques.

"To be honest, I'm thrilled with [Lacquer Eye]. Skipping hand signs in battle—it's such an advantage!"

Shikaku thought he was just making small talk.

But Shikadan took the words to heart.

Originally, he'd planned to keep a certain distance from the clan—to maintain his independence.

But... the clan had already given him so much.

Maybe, in the eyes of Shikaku and Shikano, this was simply an early investment—a calculated move to nurture a once-in-a-generation talent.

But from Shikadan's point of view, the value of everything he'd received already far outweighed his contributions.

To always take, and never give back—that wasn't sustainable.

Besides, in this case, "giving back to the clan" was functionally the same as completing an S-rank mission.

Sharing self-developed ninjutsu was a win-win.

Shikadan would just be winning more.

So...

"Clan leader, what if I really have developed some unique secret technique?" he asked seriously.

Shikaku froze mid-laugh.

Shikano's eyes widened.

"Shikadan... you're not joking?"

The old patriarch set down his chicken bucket.

"You've really developed a new technique? Something like [Lacquer Eye]?"

"No."

The two breathed a sigh of relief.

But then—

"It's probably not as powerful as [Lacquer Eye]."

Both patriarchs looked at him in disbelief.

What do you mean, 'not as powerful'?!

Do you think [Lacquer Eye] is just a fancy Clone Technique?!

Shikano couldn't help but blurt out, "Shikadan, are you serious?"

"I already have a direction," Shikadan answered. "I should be able to complete it soon."

The jutsu he was referring to wasn't [Super Beast Imitating Drawing].

Though he did want to trade that one for another S-rank reward eventually, it was still based on Yang Style, and had little to do with the clan's Yin-based traditions.

What he had in mind now was the [Shadow Binding Bullet]—specifically, the version without Spiral Acceleration.

First, [Shadow Binding Bullet] had already been shown to Minato Namikaze.

Second, Spiral Acceleration was tied to the A-rank [Rasengan], which he wasn't ready to reveal yet.

And finally, even without the Rasengan enhancement, the technique was still impressive:

No hand seals. Long range. Sonic speed. Low chakra cost. High binding power.

To Shikadan, that was more than enough to justify the clan's investment.

Shikano beamed. "I'll be waiting for the day you unveil it."

Shikaku nodded as well.

Then, a new thought struck him—

If Shikadan really did develop another secret technique... how would the clan reward him this time?

-End Chapter-

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