A Slime That Loves Learning

The group of ninja dispersed one after another, while Kaguya Tsuki refused to immediately summon the ninja blade back.

A Mizuki Clan elder took the lead in declaring that the entire clan would participate once the war began.

As for sending out a new exploration squad, that naturally could not be decided so easily. They had to return and discuss it first.

Not to mention that the ninja clans, large and small, held grudges against one another; some were even embroiled in constant internal strife.

What a scattered mess.

Water Shadow lowered his eyes and sighed inwardly before turning his gaze to the student he had only recently taken in.

"Have you decided?"

"Mm."

Jiang Rui nodded, pulling down his mask. His voice came out muffled.

Seeing his movement, how could Water Shadow fail to see through his little thoughts? He could not help but laugh. At a time like this, he was still hung up on that?

"Enough. You're already a member of the Anbu."

"Really?" Jiang Rui pulled aside his mask, his eyes sparkling.

"Of course." Water Shadow nodded, rose from behind his desk, and walked to the window. "You need to understand what it means that they've lost contact and haven't sent a distress signal."

"It means they most likely all... died the instant they encountered the enemy," Jiang Rui answered.

At that moment, Great Sage's voice sounded. Perhaps because it knew Jiang Rui was in a bad mood and handling something important, it had become more humanlike and did not announce it directly. Instead, it asked first.

Information source received. Open it?

Wait.

Confirmation complete.

On the other side, Third Water Shadow pondered for a while, still somewhat unwilling.

"Even so?"

"Even so!" Jiang Rui nodded firmly and looked at Water Shadow. "When I return, I want to bring back glory and pride, not the title of Rogue Ninja."

That was a naked threat.

Third Water Shadow suddenly turned around. In an instant, immense pressure engulfed Jiang Rui like a flood dragon.

Jiang Rui's heart pounded, but he stared back with determination and stubbornness written across his face. He meant it sincerely.

He might have been good at acting and exploiting his own advantages, but this time, he truly thought so! If Water Shadow refused, he would slip away directly, even if it meant becoming a Rogue Ninja!

Besides, in Naruto, it was not that hard for Rogue Ninja to clear their names anyway...

There were two reasons for this decision. First, he genuinely wanted to save Ito Rei. With Great Sage and All Things, he knew that she was at least still alive!

Second, he felt that his gains during this time in Mist had been far too meager. Coupled with the message on the world channel—"Nagato and the other two are in the Land of Rice Fields!"—

It made Jiang Rui's heart stir. Although he suspected they were fishing, a fish that was too big could drag the angler into the water and drown them!

Water Shadow frowned. His student, who usually behaved with exceptional obedience, had finally revealed a trace of wildness and defiance.

He stared intently into Jiang Rui's eyes. After a long while, he finally nodded lightly. "Fine."

"Thank you, Teacher!!!"

Jiang Rui happily tugged at his sleeve. The easier Water Shadow was to talk to, the more mischievous he became. After more than half a month, even an idiot could tell how much Water Shadow cared for him.

Sigh, maybe this is the effect of being too cute!

Charm... isn't completely useless after all!!

"What else?" Water Shadow's voice was calm and without ripples, but Jiang Rui keenly sensed that he was angry.

"Um..." Jiang Rui nodded. "For this mission, I want to go alone. Or I can follow that squad in secret."

"What?!" Water Shadow, who was usually so composed, actually raised his voice somewhat.

That must have just been my imagination, right?!

Jiang Rui thought as he weakly explained, "It's only been half a month. No matter what, Ito Rei's group couldn't have entered deep into the Land of Fire. Yet they suddenly lost contact... and with their strength..."

Water Shadow seemed to realize something as well and interrupted him. "You suspect there's a traitor among the higher-ups?"

Jiang Rui nodded furiously. Come on, in such a huge Ninja Village, it would be stranger if there were no informants.

Water Shadow had a headache. He nodded and said, "Then let this be your first Anbu mission."

"Secretly head to the Land of Fire, investigate the movements of Hidden Cloud Village and Konoha, and rescue the other squads."

"Yes, Teacher!" Jiang Rui nodded. "Then if there's nothing else, I'll go prepare first!"

"Wait. Come with me." Water Shadow slowly walked out of the room.

Jiang Rui froze.

What for?! Speed is of the essence!

"You have no summoning beast and no messenger. I'll give you the scroll for the Water Mirror Technique. Go back and learn it."

I can use my avatar to send messages in time.

Jiang Rui curled his lips disdainfully.

"I'll also give you Second Water Shadow's notes on ninjutsu..."

???

"Okay!"

He answered and eagerly followed after him.

Main Quest Three: Join the special assassination tactics unit. Complete. Base evaluation slightly increased.

Reward obtained: Assassination: Hiding in Mist Technique/Silent Killing Technique.

Main Quest Four obtained: Assist your faction in achieving victory. Completion will be determined based on the degree of victory and your contribution.

Upon completing this quest, you will return to the real world.

Before completing it, please confirm the completion status of side quests.

So it really was assassination techniques?!

I'm heading further and further down the path of an assassin.

An assassin focused on Spirit and Charm?

That's kind of something, huh?!

There were too many things to complain about. Jiang Rui did not even know where to start.

Thinking about it, whether it was Water Clones or Mist's assassination techniques, they were basically related to his quest choices.

Would he have to consider the rewards to some extent when completing quests in the future?

Then what would the Mobile Unit reward??

Water Prison Wall?!

That was possible! Although it was called the Mobile Unit, it was actually just a guard unit!

After complaining about the rewards for a while, Jiang Rui looked through the Water Mirror Technique and Second Water Shadow's ninjutsu scrolls.

Then Great Sage learned the Water Mirror Technique and part of Hozuki Gengetsu's Water Style...

It learned them directly!!

According to Great Sage, Jiang Rui's Water Manipulation was equivalent to maxed-out magic affinity. Pure water-element spells only lacked a spell model or mana channels.

He could simply replace Chakra with mana and simulate them, though he still had to form hand seals.

What else could Jiang Rui even say?!

Great Sage was freaking awesome!!

However, the technique Jiang Rui coveted most and found the most absurd—

"Steaming Danger Tyranny."

He had not learned it.

Because of Oil Style, he could not learn it.

Great Sage said that thanks to the Hiding in Mist Technique, he could turn water into water vapor, but without Oil Style to work with it...

As for Steaming Danger Tyranny...

Your humble servant simply cannot do it!

But it did not matter. Aside from the operating methods of numerous Water Style techniques, there were some powerful moves that did not require mana channels or models, such as Water Ball Technique and Explosive Water Impact Wave. He could even use those without hand seals.

So his trip to Mist had not been without gains.

At the very least, it had greatly enriched his water-form attacks.

He had also learned how to change liquid into gas.

Next, he would head to the battlefield.

If possible, he would retrieve the corpses of those four unlucky Mizuki Clan members.

Then he would learn Ice Style!

Gas into solid.

Tsk!

Done!

Hydrogen dioxide! Three states!

Physics was so fun!!

I love learning so much, please... vote ⊙⊙!!

Demon Slayer was really good, lol.