Before long, Crimson Lotus opened the door and walked in.
When she saw Ringo Ameyuri lying naked on the bed, she let out a scream and then turned and ran away.
"You're such a grown-up, and you have no shame~!"
The innocent girl only thought that Ringo Ameyuri slept naked.
On the way back.
Having long since arranged everything, Akira Sarutobi opened the scroll and examined its contents.
This scroll belonged to Ringo Ameyuri.
After the Mist's higher-ups discovered her illness, they had sent an expert to test her.
Although Ringo Ameyuri successfully killed the other party, it also confirmed for the Mist's higher-ups that she was critically ill, so they sent Raiga Kurosuki and the others.
The corpse sealed within the formula of this scroll was precisely the Mist expert Ringo Ameyuri had killed in return.
A Snow Clan Jonin affiliated with the Anbu.
The Snow Clan was also the clan that Haku belonged to in the original story.
This clan possessed a Kekkei Genkai known as Ice Release.
Akira Sarutobi had previously wondered why injecting the Will of Fire into Ringo Ameyuri had allowed him to obtain Ice Release.
Now, the answer had been revealed.
After killing the other party, Ringo Ameyuri had likely intended to take the corpse to an underground exchange for money.
Aside from all sorts of strange collectors.
Ninja corpses were also items fought over by every nation.
After so many years of development, the ninja profession had long formed a mature set of methods for analyzing information from corpses.
It was possible to extract information from the deceased's lifetime, secret techniques, and even Kekkei Genkai from a corpse!
Therefore...
One of the most valuable things in the Underground Black Market was the corpses of ninja from bloodline clans.
"In other words, I can extract and analyze the principles behind Ice Release's combination from this corpse..."
Many people knew that Ice Release was formed from the combination of Water and Wind nature transformations.
But exactly how they were combined was something even the Uchiha Clan's Sharingan could not replicate.
Therefore, the secret of Ice Release was not hidden in hand seals, nor was it hidden in techniques. It was... hidden in corpses and bloodlines!!
Akira Sarutobi's heart burned with excitement, and he wished he could immediately return home to examine the corpse.
Nonō had gone out on a mission.
Among the remaining Medical Ninja, who did he know?
Akira Sarutobi's first thought was his mother, Biwako Sarutobi.
As one of Konoha's first-generation Anbu ninja and a subordinate of Senju Tobirama.
She was also a female ninja renowned for her Medical Ninjutsu.
Not only had Biwako Sarutobi trained Hebi as her disciple, but after Tsunade left the village, she had taken charge of the medical department.
According to the original story's development, Biwako Sarutobi and Hebi would later deliver Uzumaki Kushina's baby.
"Only..."
Thinking of his mother's selfless personality, she would most likely expose this matter in the end and tell everyone.
"No..."
Akira Sarutobi shook his head.
"Let me think some more..."
Besides, after injecting the Will of Fire into Ringo Ameyuri, the system had gained a new function.
It was called "Will of Fire Weapon Brand."
More precisely, it was a formula.
The template for the formula was a "blank cursed seal."
At present, this cursed seal only had a pattern and shape. It could be customized to a certain extent, but it had no specific effect.
Akira Sarutobi customized the pattern by imprinting his own name onto it.
He also frightened Ringo Ameyuri by telling her that if she disobeyed him, a single thought from him would make her die instantly.
Akira Sarutobi believed he could bluff her for the time being.
As time passed, this cursed seal's functions would surely expand, giving it even more possibilities.
Perhaps one day, it really might be able to control other people's lives and deaths.
"Anyway, the first Will of Fire Weapon... is mine!"
Two days later.
Akira Sarutobi, Ino Yamanaka, and Ruri Hyuga returned to the village.
Unaware that Akira Sarutobi had obtained a Will of Fire Weapon, Ino Yamanaka let out a long breath and happily looked at the bustling entrance. "We're back..."
The moment he entered, before he had time to reflect, a scene at the entrance caught Akira Sarutobi's attention.
A man with a bowl-cut hairstyle had thick eyebrows and a beard.
What drew even more attention was the skintight outfit he wore, making him look even more like a kappa.
The instant she saw him, Ino Yamanaka's expression changed. "The Eternal Genin... Might Duy..."
Might Duy, as an Eternal Genin, was ridiculed by others.
Because he could not use ninjutsu, he could not become a Chunin.
Everyone said that allowing him to graduate as a Genin was already an exceptional act of mercy from Lord Hokage.
The origin of this matter went back to Senju Tobirama's regulations for ninja examination standards.
Senju Tobirama had established the assessment standards for the Ninja Academy, Genin, Chunin, Jonin, and even the Anbu.
However, the one who made those rules did not know that someone could become strong even without ninjutsu.
And that proved one thing.
—If a ninja could not become a Chunin for a long time, that was what was truly strange.
"Guy, don't be troubled... Although that boy named Kakashi has already graduated early and become a 'Genin,' you can still treat him as someone to challenge..."
"But..."
To others, Might Duy's son looked like a smaller kappa.
Altogether, they were a strange father-and-son duo.
After learning that Kakashi had graduated early, Might Guy had been surprised and shocked, yet also felt it was only natural.
After all, the other party's talent was so outstanding.
This rapidly magnified Might Guy's inferiority complex. He began to feel timid, wondering whether his previous desire to treat Kakashi as a rival was simply overestimating himself.
"There are no buts... Youth will not regret itself. You must bravely move forward. Only then will you not betray your own efforts..."
Might Duy comforted his son, continuously speaking words of encouragement.
Just then, footsteps sounded beside the father and son.
"Young Master Ryo." Noticing Akira Sarutobi approaching, Might Duy immediately stood up and greeted him.
Everyone in Konoha knew Akira Sarutobi.
After all, he was Lord Hokage's son.
"He's completely different from the son of an ordinary person." Standing beside his father, Might Guy felt even more timid.
"Mr. Duy, it's been a long time."
Akira Sarutobi nodded, then looked at Might Guy.
"You're Mr. Might Duy's son, Guy, right?"
Might Guy, whom Naruto fans called the Guy Emperor, was still only an unconfident child at this point.
The path of life's growth was simply this wondrous.
Overcoming hardships and obstacles, and eventually... becoming a confident strong person.
That was a true reflection of many people.
"Y-you know me~?!" Might Guy was somewhat startled.
"Yes, I heard about the story of the child who worked hard and passed the make-up exam..."
Akira Sarutobi nodded.
Half a year ago, Might Guy had failed his entrance examination, but later passed the make-up exam.
"Some people may start off slowly, but through their unrelenting efforts, they will only walk faster and faster..."
The corner of Akira Sarutobi's mouth curved upward, and an incomprehensible glint flickered in his eyes.
"While some people move very quickly at the start, but later... they can no longer move forward in place."
"..."
Might Guy blinked in confusion.
Might Duy beside him, however, appeared thoughtful.
"A momentary victory or defeat decides nothing. In the long run... life is a long road, and some things can be practiced for an entire lifetime..."
A moment later, it was time for Might Guy to go to school, and he waved goodbye.
Watching his departing back, Might Duy was still uncertain.
But after hearing Young Master Ryo's words, he felt that... perhaps effort truly was worthwhile.
"Mr. Duy, in a few days... I may have a mission that requires someone's help. When the time comes... may I invite you to join me?"
Akira Sarutobi turned around. The formal invitation caught Might Duy completely off guard.
His eyes widened, and he found it unbelievable.
This interaction was also witnessed by several people who had just returned.
"Alright, no problem."
After recovering, Might Duy immediately nodded with a sincere expression.
However, he was slightly confused. What kind of mission required a Genin and a Jonin to carry it out together?
Naturally, Akira Sarutobi intended to save Hatake Sakumo.
The Konoha High Command was making arrangements in advance.
Then he needed to make arrangements on his side as well.
After Might Duy left, one child-sized figure swayed over. "Hmph... Some people start slowly, while some people move very quickly at the start, but later... they can no longer move forward in place... Were you talking about me, Young Master Ryo?"
The perpetually unlucky, miserable child... Kakashi had returned from a mission.
"That's right. I was talking about you." Akira Sarutobi looked over and mercilessly began using society's iron fist to hammer the brat.
Have you heard of the tortoise and the hare?
Kakashi.
Before you continue