[C-Rank Technique: Wind King Barrier]
[Effect]: Self-developed jutsu — Invisible Blade
[Description]: By finely controlling ambient water molecules using [Camouflage Hidden Jutsu], this technique wraps them around the surface of a weapon, rendering it transparent.
[Evaluation]: People keep bumping into my sword.
'A-rank technique [Camouflage Hidden Jutsu]… and now, a C-rank derivative [Wind King Barrier]!'
Looking at the refreshed system prompt, Nara Shikadan's eyes lit up.
Is this like the relationship between the S-rank [Flying Thunder God Technique] and its B-rank variant [Flying Thunder God Slash]?
The panel continued updating:
[You have developed a C-rank technique: Wind King Barrier.]
[Ninjutsu attribute has slightly increased.]
[Intelligence attribute increased: C → C+]
'My [Intelligence] attribute leveled up! My mental energy also got a boost!'
Shikadan was thrilled.
'My [Ninjutsu] stat still hasn't changed… but that's okay. Once my [Stamina] increases, everything else will fall into place.'
This feedback from the system made Shikadan even more excited.
'So it's not just learning new techniques—developing derivative techniques from foundational jutsu also boosts my [Intelligence] stat!'
He admired the black kunai in his hand, now cloaked in the transparency of [Wind King Barrier].
Compared to the full [Camouflage Hidden Jutsu], [Wind King Barrier] consumed far less chakra. And in close-quarters combat, its effects were just as terrifying.
Still, Shikadan didn't let the joy of inventing a new jutsu cloud his judgment.
'[Wind King Barrier] is incredible for stealth weapons, but… I'm in no position to fight hand-to-hand!'
Aside from his often-mocked [Stamina] stat, his [Taijutsu], [Strength], and [Speed] stats were all bottom-tier.
As for swordsmanship? Let's just say he couldn't even find the sword hilt in a dark room.
If I relied on [Wind King Barrier] to dive into close-range combat, I'd be signing my own death certificate!
'My real strength lies in the [Shadow Secret Technique]—that's my foundation.'
Shikadan collected himself and got back on track.
'Combining [Wind King Barrier] with [Shadow Gathering Technique]—that is the direction I need to pursue.'
After all, if [Wind King Barrier] could render a weapon invisible…
Why not use it to conceal the shadows themselves?
Of course, that was far more difficult.
[Wind King Barrier] and [Camouflage Hidden] were non-elemental techniques. The [Shadow Gathering Technique], on the other hand, was a Yin Release secret art passed down through the Nara clan for generations.
Merging the two essentially meant adding Yin nature transformation to a neutral technique.
'It's kind of like how Naruto's [Wind Style: Rasenshuriken] evolved from the Rasengan—by adding wind-nature chakra.'
Shikadan released the chakra on the kunai and let his thoughts drift.
'But unlike Naruto, I don't have [Multi Shadow Clone Technique] to speed up training…'
His chakra reserves and physique simply couldn't support that kind of jutsu. If he wanted to complete this fusion, he'd have to go the slow, painful way: solo grinding.
And truthfully… after solving the physical stamina issue with [Lacquer Eye], wouldn't it be smarter to learn weapon techniques than waste time with punch-kick taijutsu training?
Shikadan wasn't unaware of the long-term benefits of physical training.
But at his current E-rank [Taijutsu] level, he was still struggling to pass Ninja School exams—let alone reach the heights of ninja who could kick their way into the final boss fight.
The road ahead is long and difficult…
Shikadan sighed, closed the [Skill Ability] panel, and opened a different menu on the Lazy Ghost System.
Mission Guarantee System.
'The only known way to obtain [Ninja Secret Scrolls] is through completing combat missions. For a given target, B-rank battle missions are available once per month. The frequency of other ranks is still unknown.'
He stretched lazily, resisting the urge to roll over.
'With my current strength, completing B-rank or higher missions is basically impossible…'
But surprisingly, high-tier Ninja Secret Scrolls weren't actually that hard to obtain.
According to system rules, Shikadan realized:
In theory, I could "challenge" a Kage-level ninja—then surrender right before the fight starts to claim a guaranteed mission reward.
As long as he offered a French military salute before getting flattened, he might still walk away with a B-rank scroll in hand.
The only downside? It'd be a social suicide mission.
Even so—where would he even find a Kage-level ninja who'd agree to be "challenged"?
Back in Shikadan's little room, the bathroom door creaked open.
Tsunade leaned out, droplets falling from her golden hair like fine tassels, her skin glowing pale and soft beneath the steamy mist.
"N-Nara!"
Shikadan sat up in a daze, suddenly alert.
"…Do you have a change of clothes?"
Shikadan flopped back down, mind blank.
"Wait—you're not wearing any clothes?"
"Who wears clothes in the shower!?"
"…Hold on a second—why are you taking a shower?"
Didn't you say you just wanted to wash your hands!?
Tsunade hesitated, finally realizing what had happened.
She'd only meant to wash up a little—but somehow, she'd ended up showering in a Genin's bedroom.
"I got covered in dust during the fight…"
She fluffed her hair, voice laced with awkward playfulness.
"Hurry up and get me something clean to wear! I'm not putting those dirty, bloody clothes back on!"
What kind of ninja cares that much about hygiene!?
And there wasn't even blood on your clothes!
Grumbling inwardly, Shikadan went to another room in the orphanage and returned with a nun's habit.
He handed it through the bathroom door, eyes covered.
"This is Sister Nono's… the size might be a little—"
Bang.
The door slammed shut before he could finish.
Soon after—
Sister Tsunade, steaming like a hot spring goddess, stepped out.
A soft floral scent spread across the room.
Wearing an oversized nun's habit, Tsunade looked less like a religious figure and more like a divine punishment wrapped in holiness.
The size really is too small…
"It's a little tight," she muttered, tugging at the fabric.
No kidding.
Shikadan turned red. "If that's uncomfortable, I can borrow something from another nun—"
"Stop!"
Age was a forbidden topic. Tsunade cut him off immediately.
Wearing slippers that didn't fit, she shuffled to the bed and plopped down hard beside him. The nun's habit and bedframe groaned simultaneously under the impact.
Shikadan reflexively pinched his thigh. In this moment, he missed both the Great Compassion Mantra and the Ice Heart Sutra.
Tsunade seemed to enjoy his panic. She crossed her legs and made herself more comfortable.
"Oh, right—Nara. I left the 100,000 ryō in the bathroom. Don't forget to pick it up."
Wait, what?
Shikadan stared at her.
Tsunade, unaware of the misleading setup—the venue, the clothes, the timing—explained calmly:
"Originally, it was the mission fee for escorting you home. But after what just happened…"
Her voice trailed off. Her meaning was clear.
As one of the Legendary Sannin, Tsunade-hime felt utterly humiliated. Not only had she extorted a Genin for 100,000 ryō, she'd failed the mission, got protected by her client, and now she was borrowing clothes from an orphanage nun.
If the situation weren't so serious, she'd retire out of shame!
Shikadan nodded. "Got it."
"…Good."
Tsunade reached out and hooked her index finger at him.
"Now come here. I need to examine your body."
"…???"
Shikadan knew full well Tsunade had no bad intentions. But still—his mind blanked.
Slowly, he crept toward the bed.
Tsunade took his left hand in hers.
"Didn't I ask earlier—"
Creak.
The door opened again.
In walked Yakushi Nono, carrying a bento box.
There stood Tsunade, draped in a nun's habit, sitting on the bed. There stood Nara Shikadan, kneeling by the bed, hand in hers. The room was filled with mist, warmth, and ambiguous tension.
Nono's glasses nearly fell off her face.
"S-Sorry! I didn't mean to interrupt!"
"Nono? Come in!"
Tsunade, oblivious to the misunderstanding, waved her in warmly.
"Sorry to trouble you today!"
Seeing Tsunade's exposed arms in her own clothes, Nono's eyelids twitched violently.
Why is she wearing my clothes!?
Shikadan seized the chance to escape.
He darted forward, took the bento box from Nono, and shoved a piece of hand-rolled sushi into his mouth.
"Sister Nono, let me explain—!"
[While eating... your Stamina attribute has slightly increased.]
"Ahem!"