Hidden Talent, I Need to Keep a Low Profile

Although he had officially become Hanzo of the Salamander's disciple, Rinto had not seen that shameless bastard even once in the more than a week since their last meeting in the office.

Instead, a Special Jonin named Mizuguma had taken over his lessons.

This Jonin Mizuguma looked utterly ordinary, if a little ugly. His large nose and the sparse tuft of hair carefully combed over his forehead were especially conspicuous.

Whenever Rinto attended class, he could not help worrying that the carefully arranged wisps atop Mizuguma's head would drift away in the wind like dandelion fluff.

Rinto had once asked why he did not just cut it off and shave himself a super-cool bald head. Mizuguma had replied in a melancholy tone, "This! This isn't just hair. It's a man's last shred of stubbornness."

Only later did Rinto learn that this mature-looking man was merely eighteen years old, in the prime of his youth.

The room Hanzo of the Salamander had arranged for Rinto was in a high-rise building at the center of the village, right beside Hanzo of the Salamander's office building.

Rinto's room happened to be on the top floor.

Though it was the top floor, with excellent lighting and ventilation, this was Amegakure, not Konoha.

The year-round rain meant this country saw sunlight only a few times a year, and the drainage on the upper floors was several grades worse than on the lower ones. This had also given rise to a strange local custom.

Most people lived on the lower floors, while the upper floors were mostly used to place the coffins of the dead.

The only fortunate thing was that outside Rinto's room stood a fierce human-faced statue. Its tongue stuck out so far that it was big enough for a person to sit on.

Rinto did not dare sit there. The thing was extremely slippery when it rained, and he feared that one misstep would send him tumbling down and turn him into a meat patty. If he came back to life as a corpse afterward, that would be hard to explain.

A week had passed since the first time—his last meeting with Hanzo of the Salamander. During that week, Rinto had been learning the rules of the ninja world under Mizuguma's guidance.

Only after learning those rules did Rinto realize just how lacking in Martial Virtue it had been to bluff Ineyū with the Great Fireball Technique last time. No wonder that guy had nearly exploded with rage.

Apparently, that sort of move was considered a universally despised low trick in the Shinobi World. Any ninja who considered himself someone of standing would never use it.

Moreover, if an opponent pulled that sort of stunt, it would be seen as an extreme sign of disrespect.

Thinking of that, Rinto silently mourned Ineyū for three seconds.

"Knock, knock... knock." A rhythmic knock interrupted Rinto's mourning.

With a sigh, Rinto apologized to Ineyū in his heart and promised to make up the mourning next time he had the chance. Then he got up and opened the door.

Outside, Mizuguma wore a raincoat over his Jonin uniform. He entered Rinto's room and casually placed the breakfast he had brought along on the table.

"Eat. Once you're done, we'll officially begin today's Chakra Extraction Technique lesson." As he spoke, he pulled out a chair and sat at the table.

He took a teapot from his robes, then seemingly produced a teacup out of thin air. He poured a cup of hot tea and placed it before Rinto.

Watching Mizuguma's smooth, practiced movements, Rinto's mouth twitched slightly.

He had to admit, this guy was genuinely thoughtful. In local terms, he was "yasashii." And at only eighteen, he was already a Special Jonin—a textbook case of a naive rich kid.

If he did not look so old and his hair were not so hopeless, he might have married and had children long ago.

Rinto reached out, accepted the teacup Mizuguma offered him, thanked him, then grabbed his breakfast and began wolfing it down.

Seeing Rinto eat so happily, Mizuguma did not sit idle either. He began chattering away.

"A week has passed, so you've probably mastered the basic common knowledge about ninja. Starting today, we'll begin learning the Chakra Extraction Technique."

"I already know it," Rinto mumbled indistinctly through a mouth stuffed full of food.

Mizuguma rolled his eyes without hiding it. "No, you don't. I know exactly what the Jashin Cult is like. The chakra extraction method they taught you was a watered-down version!"

"Huh?" Rinto swallowed the food in one gulp, his eyes widening.

There's a watered-down version of this too? How come I've never heard of that?

"Forget it. You don't need to know what a watered-down version is. Just pretend you've never learned it."

After saying that, he stood and walked over to the bed, sitting cross-legged on it.

To be honest, Rinto's bed was basically a waterbed with a leak. The dampness in his room was severe enough that, if he were not immune to death and illness, arthritis alone would have been enough to make him suffer.

Mizuguma touched the moisture on the mattress, his brow creasing almost imperceptibly as he muttered under his breath.

"Lord Shinda has gone too far. Can people even live in a room like this? No, I'll find Lord Hanzō today and have him change the room."

Still muttering, he ignored the dampness and sat cross-legged on the bed, assuming the posture for extracting chakra.

"Watch carefully. I'll demonstrate once."

With that, he slowly closed his eyes.

"The most important thing in extracting chakra is focus. Empty your mind completely, then control your spiritual energy and physical energy, combining them to create chakra."

After finishing breakfast, Rinto pulled over a chair and sat beside the bed, watching with a serious expression.

A faint blue chakra glow gradually emerged around Mizuguma's body, clinging to his skin and continuously flowing along fixed pathways.

Rinto was no longer a complete novice when it came to ninja. He knew that making chakra emerge outside the body consumed a great deal of chakra and energy.

After all, not everyone was like Naruto Uzumaki, capable of powering up and borrowing the Nine-Tails' strength without restraint.

Seeing this, Rinto stopped letting his thoughts wander and carefully memorized the pathways through which the chakra flowed.

"Remember it?" After a long while, Mizuguma asked in a deep voice, sweat covering his forehead.

Rinto nodded quickly.

When he focused, his memory was exceptional. In that short time, he had already committed every pathway to memory.

Seeing Rinto nod, Mizuguma released the hand seal. The blue chakra surrounding his body instantly vanished, and he let out a long breath. It was clear that this method of teaching placed quite a burden on him.

"Give it a try." Mizuguma stood and moved aside.

Rinto nodded again, then sat cross-legged on the bed. Copying Mizuguma, he formed the Ram seal with both hands. At the same time, his memories of how to combine spiritual energy and physical energy surfaced in his mind.

First, spiritual energy and physical energy were mixed together to form stamina. Then, through a particular technique, stamina was converted into chakra.

There were two difficulties involved, and those two difficulties were precisely what determined the differences between ninja.

The first was the process of converting stamina into chakra, also called chakra production technique. During this process, some ninja could precisely convert every shred of stamina into chakra.

Others, however, wasted part of their stamina during the conversion process, with only the remainder becoming chakra.

This was the difference Mizuguma had mentioned between the proper Chakra Extraction Technique and the watered-down version.

As for the second difficulty, it concerned transforming chakra into techniques.

Some ninja could precisely control the amount of chakra used, converting chakra into ninjutsu without wasting a drop.

Others could not do so. Unable to accurately control how much chakra they used, they inevitably wasted some of it.

These two difficulties were what were known as conversion and application.

Sitting cross-legged on the bed, Rinto continuously recalled the techniques for extracting chakra. Within his body, a warm current slowly emerged from his limbs and bones, then began flowing along a strange route.

This! Rinto froze slightly. This speed was indeed much faster than the extraction technique the Cultists had taught him. At the same time, waves of fatigue came from the cells throughout his body.

Rinto knew that this was due to his stamina being consumed.

However, this was nothing to worry about. He had an immortal body. Immortality did not merely prevent him from being killed; it also made it impossible for him to work himself to death.

Simply put, his body possessed unlimited physical energy.

Once he understood his situation, Rinto had a thought and secretly stopped the chakra extraction process, merely maintaining the hand seal for show.

There was no special reason. He simply did not want to reveal his unusual nature while he was still weak, especially when his master was Hanzo of the Salamander, the man known as the God of Shinobi.

From what Rinto remembered, this guy might have been absurdly powerful, but his brain truly did not work very well.

First, during the Second Shinobi World War, he had simultaneously declared war on the three countries of Fire, Earth, and Wind, draining Amegakure's reserves and causing devastating losses.

Then he had colluded with Danzo to kill Yahiko, driving Nagato straight into darkness and forcing him to unleash his ultimate power.

Though Hanzo had escaped with his life both times, what about the Rain Ninja under his command? The dead were dead.

Thinking of that, Rinto sucked in a breath and grumbled inwardly.

I'd better lie low and honestly be a staff officer. The Shinobi World is too dangerous, especially when making a living under Hanzo of the Salamander. The danger level jumps up fifty points right away.

How great would it have been if I'd escaped to Konoha back then? It's peaceful and harmonious, with an excellent living environment, and you can sunbathe whenever you want. Unlike the Land of Rain, where it rains all day. I feel like I'm about to get shingles on my ass crack!

Another week passed. More than a month had now gone by since Rinto arrived in Amegakure.

That day, Rinto was still sitting cross-legged on his bed, "diligently practicing" the Chakra Extraction Technique, while Mizuguma, as if tireless, continued staring sternly at Rinto's every move.

Suddenly, an unusual knock broke the silence of the room. Mizuguma frowned slightly, rose with an unhappy expression, and opened the door.

"Lord Hanzō!" With a startled cry, Mizuguma immediately pulled the door wide open and respectfully stepped aside.

Outside, the tall and imposing Hanzo of the Salamander entered the room expressionlessly, wearing a mask. Behind him, three ninja wearing Amegakure forehead protectors guarded him on either side, including Salamander Shinda, whom Rinto recognized.

Seeing this, Rinto stood by the bed with an honest, obedient look on his face.

Hanzo of the Salamander's gaze swept over Rinto, then he strode over to the table and sat down, beckoning Mizuguma over.

"Fifteen days have passed. How has his training been?"

At those words, a bead of sweat slowly formed on Mizuguma's head. He stammered, "Well... Lord Hanzō, Hei-kun has been practicing the Chakra Extraction Technique recently. He has been extremely diligent and serious, never slacking off in the slightest."

He wanted to say something else to praise Rinto, but after spending so much time together, he had found that Rinto's chakra had not improved at all. Instead, it had actually decreased. No matter how hard he racked his brain, he could not figure out why.

So, he could only watch over Rinto's cultivation even more seriously and responsibly, like an anxious parent desperate for his child to succeed.

But how could he know that Rinto, who had been determined to hide his abilities, not only had experience outsmarting his parents as a child, but had also accumulated a wealth of valuable experience slacking off and goofing around during his adult working life?

Simply put, Rinto's slacking skills utterly crushed Mizuguma's supervision skills.

As a result, over the past fifteen days, Rinto had not only failed to improve in the slightest—he had actually gotten worse!

Hearing Mizuguma's words, Hanzo of the Salamander nodded expressionlessly. In his view, training desperately in troubled times was only natural and did not deserve praise.

"What about his chakra reserves?" Hanzo asked again.

"Uh..." Mizuguma froze, and more sweat began beading on his forehead.

"He has mastered the chakra cultivation technique very well. Uh, he can now extract chakra anytime and anywhere!"

Seeing Mizuguma's stiff expression as he tried to change the subject, Rinto inwardly smiled, touched by a small wave of emotion.

He knew that if he did not display any talent related to strength, the treatment he currently enjoyed would certainly be taken away.

That meant the food delivered on time every day, the house near the center of the village, and the one-on-one instruction from a Special Jonin like Mizuguma would all be ruthlessly withdrawn.

Though cruel, he knew this was reality. People with little value were not worth investing too much effort into. Still, this was also what Rinto wanted: freedom.

Was being valued, being entrusted with expectations, and having heavy burdens placed upon him not another form of losing freedom?

In this world, Rinto had yet to find anyone for whom he was willing to give up his freedom.

Seeing Mizuguma dodge the question, Hanzo's brow furrowed slightly. At once, Rinto felt the air in the room rapidly grow colder.

"I said! Has Hei-kun's chakra reserve increased?"

Seeing that Hanzo of the Salamander was becoming angry, Mizuguma no longer dared to change the subject. Like an eggplant struck by frost, he dejectedly said:

"Lord Hanzō, no... it hasn't increased much."

"But the time has still been too short, and look, this environment is terrible. It isn't suitable for careful training."

As he spoke, Mizuguma's voice grew softer and softer.

He should not have said so much. After all, he was merely a temporary introductory teacher.

"Enough!"

Hanzo coldly interrupted Mizuguma. If not for the fact that Mizuguma was a Special Jonin exceptionally skilled at teaching, any other Chunin who dared to argue with him like this would have been dragged out and killed long ago.

"Hei-kun, inject your chakra into it."

As he spoke, he expressionlessly tossed a sheet of paper onto the table.

Seeing Hanzo of the Salamander's expression, Salamander Shinda at the side was already delighted.

As the person who had followed Hanzo the longest, Shinda clearly understood how Lord Hanzō behaved when he was angry.

Normally, Lord Hanzō always carried a stern, expressionless look. If someone angered him, his brows would furrow slightly, though his emotions would not be obvious overall. But if Lord Hanzō was deeply disappointed or extremely furious, his expression would instead return to being completely blank.

At the same time, Lord Hanzō would instinctively exude an aura that warned strangers to stay away, making people tremble at the sight of him.

At that thought, Shinda inwardly sneered. To be honest, he had disliked Rinto ever since their first meeting, believing the slippery brat lacked any ninja spirit whatsoever.

In his view, ninja should all be like Lord Hanzō, defeating their opponents openly and honorably with overwhelming strength.

Later, when Hanzo made an exception and accepted Rinto as his disciple, the jealousy in Shinda's heart had burned to its limit.

Seeing Rinto receive such a cold reception, Shinda felt as refreshed as if he had eaten an ice-cold watermelon in the scorching heat of summer.

Rinto did not know what Shinda was thinking. He merely nodded silently, keeping the same honest look on his face as he walked over to the table and picked up the chakra test paper.

Then, under Mizuguma's expectant gaze, Hanzo's icy stare, and Shinda's mocking eyes, he tried hard to look as though he were struggling, while in truth not drawing on even a trace of chakra.

At that moment, everyone's eyes focused on the chakra test paper.

The next second, the corner of Shinda's mouth rose uncontrollably, wild joy climbing onto his ugly face.

It didn't get wet! Hahaha! He's not Water, the element Lord Hanzō values most!

Not only that, the chakra test paper did not change at all. It neither burned, split in two, wrinkled, nor crumbled apart!

Hahahaha! This guy has no elemental affinity at all. What an idiot, a complete idiot!

Seeing that the test paper had not changed, everyone in the room revealed different expressions.

The guards all cast contemptuous sidelong glances at Rinto, their disdain plain to see.

As for Hanzo of the Salamander, his pupils contracted. Though his face remained expressionless, the trace of disappointment deep in his eyes betrayed his thoughts.

This guy has no value beyond a little cleverness!

Thinking that, Hanzo of the Salamander abruptly stood and walked toward the door without looking back. Behind him, Shinda and the guards, each harboring their own thoughts, hurriedly followed.