Chapter 16: A Conversation with Nara Shikaku
Nara Shikaku nodded and said, "So you thought of the Hidden Cloud Village's Lightning Release Body Forging Technique, didn't you?"
"Exactly!"
"I agree to the Ninjutsu exchange, but you must answer a few questions for me."
"Ask! I'll do my best to answer what I can."
"Where did you learn about the Lightning Release Body Forging Technique? This isn't something a five-year-old child should know."
The Shadow Clone smiled and said, "So that's what you're asking! Actually, there's nothing to hide. I've seen the Fourth! He left some Chakrainside me to prevent the Nine-Tailed from going on a rampage."
Hearing Naruto's answer, Shikaku understood what was going on. He tentatively asked Naruto, "Since you already know your identity... haven't you thought about...!"
The Shadow Clone knew exactly what Shikakuwas hesitating to ask.
The Shadow Clone looked at Shikaku and sighed, saying, "Like you said, I'm not even five years old yet. What could I possibly do?"
"True! You're not even five yet. Even if you have some strength, what could you do!"
Shikaku sighed and looked at the Shadow Clone, saying, "Alright, my questions are over. I'll get the Lightning Release Body Forging Technique as soon as possible. However, I feel like I'm getting a bit of a bad deal! That glowing Ninjutsu of yours isn't even D-rank, yet I have to give you an A-rank Ninjutsu in exchange. Won't you offer something else for the trade?"
The Shadow Clone smiled and said, "Alright, Uncle Nara, stop testing me. This is just a transaction, why bother trying to gauge me?"
After saying that, the Shadow Clone took a scrollout of his robes and tossed it to Nara Shikaku, saying, "This Ninjutsu was something I developed by accident while working on the Lightning Release Body Forging Technique. It doesn't have a name yet, but I call it Solar Flare. You can give it your own name if you want."
Nara Shikaku smiled as he caught the scroll and said, "Solar Flare? That name is quite fitting, let's just call it Solar Flare! How should I give you the Lightning Release Body Forging Technique once I have it?"
The Shadow Clone thought for a moment and looked at Nara Shikaku. "Roughly how long will it take for you to get it?"
Shikaku pondered for a while and said, "A month at the shortest, three months at the longest! After all, I have to go to the Kinkisho to buy it."
"The Kinkisho?"
"Exactly! Don't tell me you don't know about the Kinkisho? Didn't Minato Namikaze tell you?"
Naruto shook his head and said, "No! I know about the Kinkisho. I'm just a bit surprised that you would go there to exchange Ninjutsu."
"There's nothing to be surprised about. All the Great Clans in the Ninja World go to the Kinkishoto exchange for information and supplies. It's not a secret."
"I was being naive!"
Nara Shikaku shook his head and said, "Anyway, back to the point! How should I give the Ninjutsu to you once I have it?"
The Shadow Clone smiled and left a Flying Thunder God Formula on the table.
"Once you have the Ninjutsu ready, you can go to Ichiraku Ramen for a bowl of noodles on the 1st, 10th, or 30th of the month. I'll be near Ichiraku Ramen during those days."
Nara Shikaku looked at the Flying Thunder God Mark on the table and said in surprise, "I didn't expect you to have even learned the Flying Thunder God."
The Shadow Clone gave a bitter smile and said, "It's fine as a teleportation point, but as for actual combat... I might still be lacking a bit."
"That's already very impressive, considering your age."
Naruto smiled and looked at Nara Shikaku, asking, "Anything else you want to ask?"
Nara Shikaku was silent for a while before looking at Naruto and saying, "It's still best if you don't expose your strength for now, lest you be targeted by someone."
"I know! Danzo Shimura!"
Shikaku nodded, having realized that Minato Namikaze must have told Naruto everything.
"Alright, I have nothing more to say! Until the Third steps down, I won't admit to anyone that I've made a deal with you."
Naruto smiled and said, "Do you think the Third will step down?"
Shikaku remained silent, not knowing how to answer that question. He knew very well that as long as Hiruzen Sarutobi was alive, he would continue to hold onto the position of Hokage.
Seeing Shikaku's silence, the Shadow Clone smiled and dispelled itself.
The sound of the Shadow Clone dispelling brought Shikaku back to his senses.
"Tch! He really is cautious enough, but that's for the best."
Naruto received the memories from the Shadow Clone and couldn't help but smile bitterly.
"I didn't expect to be guessed so easily. But this is fine; from Nara Shikaku's attitude, he seems to be dissatisfied with the Third as well."
After muttering to himself, Naruto thought of another issue. Hiruzen Sarutobi probably knew long ago that the other clans were dissatisfied with him continuing as Hokage, which is why he wiped out the Uchiha Clan—to silence the other clans, large and small.
Even if Great Clans like Ino–Shika–Chō and the Hyuga had any ideas, the smaller clans below wouldn't dare to place their bets easily.
Wiping out the Uchiha Clan was likely a case of killing the chicken to warn the monkey: 'I can even wipe out the strongest Uchiha Clan in Konoha, so why would I fear you other small clans!'
The more he thought about it, the more terrifying it became! Hiruzen Sarutobi is truly a qualified politician!
For the following period, he forged his body in the morning and continued refining Chakra in the afternoon and evening.
After all, there were only so many books in the library, and it didn't take long for him to finish reading them all.
With nothing else to do, Naruto could only sit by the river and refine Chakra.
Just as Naruto was preparing to go home, Uchiha Shisui found him again.
Naruto frowned a bit when he saw Uchiha Shisui. Right now, both Naruto and Uchiha Shisui were being watched.
Especially Uchiha Shisui; he was being monitored by Danzo from the Root.
"Are you very free?"
Uchiha Shisui didn't expect Naruto to speak so bluntly.
"Sorry to bother you! I really..."
Before Uchiha Shisui could finish his sentence, Naruto interrupted him.
"I don't want to hear about your business, nor do I care to, especially from a man who is about to die."
Uchiha Shisui frowned and asked, "What do you mean by that?"
Naruto glanced at Uchiha Shisui. Taking the opportunity to push Shisui aside, he left a Flying Thunder God Mark on Shisui's Weapon Pouch and left immediately.
Uchiha Shisui reached out, wanting to stop Narutoand ask for an explanation. However, seeing Naruto's attitude toward him, Shisui knew very well that even if he stopped him, Naruto wouldn't say much, and even if he did, it might not be the truth.
Uchiha Shisui stood there dazed, muttering to himself, "Has the Uchiha crisis really reached this point?"
When Naruto got home, using the cover of closing the door, he immediately created a Shadow Clone. His true body then used the Flying Thunder God to reach a secluded alley.
After reaching the alley, Naruto immediately used the Transformation Jutsu to turn into a cat, sensing the Flying Thunder God Mark on Uchiha Shisui.