It's Too Troublesome to be Hokage

[A-level Technique: Darkness Walking Technique]

Technique Description: Let everything fall into the abyss of darkness!

Technique Effect: Create an absolutely dark physical environment that completely blocks the opponent's vision—only the caster can see clearly within the darkness.

Technique Evaluation: It's pitch black.

Although Nara Shikadan had successfully learned this A-level illusion technique with a single click from the panel, he still opened the ninjutsu scroll in his hand and inspected it carefully.

"Is something wrong with an A-level illusion technique for ranged attacks?" he asked quietly.

Nara Shikano patted his forehead in sudden realization. "Huh? You haven't noticed—ah, I almost forgot you still have a chakra crystal!"

"Shikadan, the effect of Darkness Walking Technique is to create an absolutely dark environment. Don't you realize how 'big' this illusion is for our Nara clan?"

In such utter darkness, the Nara clan's signature [Shadow Secret Technique] would be rendered useless.

As a "Nara ninja" who broke from tradition, Shikadan finally understood the clan leader's meaning.

"Does the Third Hokage know the characteristics of our clan's ninjutsu?" Shikadan asked sharply.

"That's impossible!" Shikano shook his head, revealing a hidden truth.

"What I mean is, this darkness technique wasn't given by the Third Hokage—but by someone else."

A flash of insight struck Shikadan, and he locked eyes on the clan leader.

"Shimura Danzo?"

"Yes—Shimura Danzo!" The old patriarch tapped the scroll in Shikadan's hand. "After that incident, the Ino, Deer, and Chou clans completely fell out with Shimura Danzo. By the way, I forgot to tell you—afterwards, Yakushi Nono left Root, and Yamanaka Hayashi was taken back by the Yamanaka clan's elders."

Shikano stroked his beard, cold fury flashing in his eyes.

"Losing three senior ninja subordinates in a row is a heavy blow for Danzo. He deliberately disgusted us with this petty business—and secretly altered the appeasement rewards from the Third Hokage."

"Clan leader, as much as I hate Shimura Danzo, are you saying his Root can now interfere with the Hokage's Anbu directly?"

"That puzzles me too." Shikano's cold look faded, replaced by confusion.

"Logically, the Third Hokage has ruled Konoha for decades. The Anbu should be free from external interference… but Danzo…"

He shook his head, dismissing the thorny issue.

"In short, Shikadan, our feud with Danzo will not end so easily."

"Be careful."

"Don't worry, clan leader." Shikadan nodded, fierce determination burning in his eyes. "I also don't believe this matter is over."

Don't create enemies who keep you awake at night.

This was Shikadan's unchanging principle.

But if such an enemy truly emerged—he would cut off trouble at its root to protect his peace of mind.

"Sure enough, just as I thought—Shikadan is hardworking, motivated, decisive, and resolute!" The patriarch secretly nodded.

"As for sealing techniques and water escape ninjutsu, I'll handle them quickly. If there's anything else you need, come to me. And about chakra crystals… I'll do my best."

"Thank you, patriarch."

"I should be the one thanking you." Shikano gripped the scroll of [Shadow Beast Fake Painting] tightly.

This technique was another comprehensive treasure, rivaling [Lacquer Eyes]!

If [Lacquer Eyes] and [Shadow Beast Fake Painting] gained popularity in the clan, the Nara might really contend for the Fourth—no, the Fifth Hokage!

Leaving the clan lands, Shikadan headed to Kikyo Orphanage.

Chakra crystals, sealing techniques, water escape ninjutsu—the clan leader remains generous.

And there are unexpected gains.

Though the patriarch didn't care much for [Darkness Walking Technique], Shikadan saw great potential in this area illusion.

Of course, the most important was still [Shadow Transformation Technique].

In good spirits, Shikadan quickly returned to the orphanage.

With Sand Village troops dispatched recently, the Kikyo Orphanage—once crowded with Akimichi clan ninjas—now seemed quieter.

Still, in Kikyo City and Konoha, many came to taste the orphanage's new specialty: fried chicken.

Compared to before, customer flow had normalized.

With more guests, adoption chances for the children also rose.

Upon Shikadan's return, an unexpected visitor was at the orphanage.

"Oyashiro En!" Shikadan recognized the face and immediately used [Flash Technique] to appear beside Yakushi Nono, quietly blocking her view.

The so-called "Rebel Ninja" before him was nearly forgotten—but Shikadan narrowed his eyes now.

"What are you doing here?"

"Genius brother of the Nara clan, haven't seen you in a while. You've grown taller," Oyashiro En smiled.

"You look more like an adult ninja than before."

"Shikadan…" Yakushi Nono gently patted his shoulder.

"Mr. Oyashiro is visiting Kikyo Orphanage.

"Also, according to the fat nun, Mr. Oyashiro wants to invest in our fried chicken business."

"This man…" Shikadan frowned but, mindful of the other's difficulties, didn't reveal Oyashiro's identity publicly.

"Dean Yakushi is right," Oyashiro nodded generously.

"I came with your Konoha ninja team, uh, the young guy who always wears green tights.

"I planned to invest in Konoha real estate, but I accidentally discovered this novel food sold here...

"My business sense says this fried chicken has huge commercial potential."

Shikadan didn't take him seriously.

But Yakushi Nono, aware of the situation, calmly invited Oyashiro En to the orphanage's reception room.

In the simple, plain room, Shikadan and Nono sat on one side; Oyashiro En on the other.

Only a tea table and three cups of coarse tea separated them.

Shikadan no longer felt the need to hide his thoughts.

"Let me be frank, Oyashiro En—your identity is too sensitive, and Kikyo Orphanage does not welcome you."

"Brother Nara, are you the male owner here?" Oyashiro still smiled, undeterred.

"Dean Yakushi hasn't spoken yet."

"Sorry, Mr. Oyashiro," Yakushi said gently.

"Shikadan's attitude reflects mine."

"Oh? Looks like I misjudged your relationship."

Oyashiro adjusted his flashy sunglasses.

"Then let's put aside cooperation for now.

"Dean Yakushi, will Kikyo Orphanage take in homeless babies?"

Homeless babies?

Shikadan frowned as scattered thoughts flashed through his mind.

He didn't comment.

Shikadan could refuse business cooperation—but he knew "children" were Yakushi Nono's fatal weakness.

And Nono knew Shikadan's strengths and weaknesses as well.

Since Shikadan was wary and cold toward Oyashiro, Nono wouldn't rashly accept the request.

"From one who plans to enter real estate, 'homeless infants' sounds unconvincing."

"I actually planned to open an orphan institution," Oyashiro spread his hands and sipped tea.

"Ah! The tea tastes really—"

"In short, things fell apart, so I must leave."

With a bitter face, Oyashiro put down his cup, nodded to them, and left swiftly.

"What on earth is this guy doing here?" Shikadan frowned.

He always felt dangerous people like Oyashiro En had impure motives at Kikyo Orphanage.

"Shikadan, do you know Mr. Oyashiro well?" Yakushi Nono held Shikadan's hand and asked softly.

"We crossed paths before."

Shikadan caught the key point.

"Simply put, Oyashiro En is definitely dangerous!"

Yakushi Nono and Shikadan left the reception together—unaware Oyashiro was not the only "dangerous guest" that day.

As soon as they left, a thin monk hurried over, sweating and out of breath.

"Dean, it's not good."

The monk's forehead was wrinkled; his voice weak and intermittent.

"The fat nun is gone!"

Fat nun?

Nono and Shikadan exchanged glances, recalling Oyashiro who had just left.

Then the thin monk handed over a half-opened scroll.

"The children and I searched nearby, and in the end, a snake brought us this scroll."

"A snake?!" Shikadan raised his eyebrows and signaled the monk to place the scroll on the ground.

"Thank you for your hard work, monk."

Yakushi Nono nodded.

The monk knew the situation was serious, so he didn't linger and left.

He thought it best for civilians not to meddle in ninja affairs.

After the monk left, Shikadan formed hand seals and summoned a [Shadow Clone] to pick up and open the "Snake Scroll."

The message was complex and special; Shikadan couldn't understand it.

"This text seems to require special decoding symbols."

"Yes…"

Yakushi Nono pressed her hand on Shikadan's shoulder, her tone grave.

"This is a secret Root communication.

"The sender of this scroll was Orochimaru—one of the legendary Three Ninjas."

-End Chapter-

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