Big Fat Sheep's Generous Gift! (Please Bookmark, Please Recommend)

"Captain Inuzuka, have you heard of me?"

Hearing the undisguised friendliness in Inuzuka Tsume's tone, Nara Kaikei felt somewhat puzzled.

He considered his memory fairly good.

Today should have been his first time meeting Inuzuka Tsume.

That fairy-like big cat girl from earlier was one thing; her favorable attitude could barely be chalked up to "soliciting customers."

But this female veterinarian, female senior, female vice-captain from the Inuzuka Clan...

Inuzuka Tsume gathered up the remaining white bedsheet from the hospital bed, frowned slightly in discomfort, then tossed it straight into a nearby trash can.

Perhaps the lingering "cat smell" on the sheet had irritated this utterly devoted dog person...

"Don't forget where this is, little Nara. This is the Beast Taming and Rehabilitation Class."

Inuzuka Tsume clapped her hands, then smiled warmly at Nara Kaikei, revealing a pair of rather sharp canine teeth.

"Sister Pingzi took very good care of me before she retired.

"Come to think of it, if she hadn't retired, this vice-captain position wouldn't have fallen to me!"

So it was because of Pingzi...

Nara Kaikei understood.

"Oh, right, little Nara, remember to keep that burning incense stick safe."

Inuzuka Tsume walked toward the desk in the corner of the ward, still speaking as she went.

"Although Nekomura comes from the Black Market Merchant Clan, I have to admit that the quality of the goods she sells is truly guaranteed. They're far better than Manten Hall's by who knows how much.

"Especially the ninja tools she sells. Even the Uchiha Clan places special orders with her."

Ninja tools?

Nara Kaikei lowered his head and looked at the burning incense stick in his hand.

Although the sharpness of the [Shadow Stitching Technique] was no worse than an ordinary kunai's,

as a B-rank ninjutsu, the [Shadow Stitching Technique] consumed a great deal of Yin Release Chakra when cast.

Therefore, developing a certain level of weapon proficiency had long been included in Nara Kaikei's personal strength-development plan.

Not to mention that he had previously developed the C-rank jutsu [Wind King Barrier] based on [Camouflage Concealment].

But could that big cat girl from earlier provide ninja tools that met Nara Kaikei's requirements?

With the thought that it might come in handy someday, Nara Kaikei carefully put away the burning incense stick.

Yes, it definitely wasn't because he wanted to see that fairy-like golden-haired big cat girl again...

"Thank you for the advice, Captain Inuzuka."

"You're far too polite for a kid!"

Though her words were not particularly courteous, the radiant smile on Inuzuka Tsume's face showed that she was quite pleased.

"Actually, the relationship between our families could have been even closer. When Hana-chan was born last year, I wanted to become in-laws with Sister Pingzi, but unfortunately, she turned me down." (Hana-chan, Inuzuka Hana)

Nara Kaikei lowered his head, the corner of his mouth twitching slightly.

Though Inuzuka Tsume wore a wild, spiky hedgehog-like hairstyle, she was actually not yet twenty.

Not even twenty, and already a mother...

Nara Kaikei could only marvel at how prematurely mature ninjas were.

At the same time, he also marveled at Inuzuka Tsume's straightforwardness.

Arranging a childhood betrothal was not impossible.

One of the First Hokage's goals in establishing Konoha had been to hope that the village could break down the clear boundaries between ninja clans.

Moreover, neither the Nara Clan nor the Inuzuka Clan was a "Kekkei Genkai clan."

As clans of secret techniques, neither placed as much importance on their bloodline as one might imagine, unlike the Uchiha Clan and Hyuga Clan.

But no matter how one put it, what kind of "childhood betrothal" had a ten-year age gap?

Sitting behind the desk, Inuzuka Tsume continued the topic from earlier, a nostalgic expression appearing on her face.

"Sister Pingzi said that you matured early and didn't really like undeveloped little girls. You preferred older sisters, especially—"

"Slander! This is absolutely slander!"

Nara Kaikei's eyes widened as he interrupted her.

Before Inuzuka Tsume could finish speaking,

his face had already flushed red, veins bulging on his forehead as he argued.

"I don't like little girls... older sisters!... Can adults understand a child's preferences?"

"Well, forget it. I really don't understand children that well. Even Hana-chan is looked after by my ninja hound, Kuro-maru."

Inuzuka Tsume shrugged and skipped over the subject.

"Where were we? Manten Hall? Right, Manten Hall's Soldier Pills!

"Doesn't your family run a pharmacy, little Nara? Why did you think of buying Soldier Pills from Manten Hall?"

Nara Kaikei could not quite keep up with Inuzuka Tsume's leaps in thought.

Before he could offer an explanation, she continued.

"Manten Hall's Soldier Pills are filling enough, but their quality and effects are far inferior to other brands, and they digest especially quickly."

Previously, Nara Kaikei's Chakra amount had been extremely meager, so he truly lacked knowledge regarding Soldier Pills.

After a moment of silence, he asked proactively.

"Soldier Pills come in different types?"

"Of course they do!"

Inuzuka Tsume pulled out a pitch-black pill from her ninja tool pouch.

"For example, my family's Soldier Pills have some dog food specially added to them—uh, forget that example!

"Anyway, among Soldier Pills made by the various clans, if we only consider effectiveness, the Akimichi Clan's Soldier Pills are definitely the strongest!"

The Akimichi Clan's Soldier Pills?

Nara Kaikei thought for a moment.

Could she be referring to the "Three-Colored Pills"?

As fellow members of the Pig Deer Butterfly combination, Nara Kaikei knew far more about the Akimichi Clan than the Inuzuka Clan.

He knew that the Akimichi Clan possessed a special secret family medicine—the Three-Colored Pills.

The green spinach pill, yellow curry pill, and red chili pill.

Each was stronger than the last, but each one's side effects were also worse than the last.

Especially the final red chili pill. The severe negative consequences caused after taking it could even endanger one's life!

"If you think Manten Hall's Soldier Pills aren't very effective."

Inuzuka Tsume enthusiastically extended her palm toward Nara Kaikei.

"We can exchange medicine.

"Besides ninja hound food, my Soldier Pills contain some other stimulating substances that can more effectively squeeze the cells and extract more Chakra."

"No, thank you for your kindness."

Nara Kaikei shook his head, refusing Inuzuka Tsume's enthusiasm.

On one hand, he did not like eating dog food.

On the other hand,

although Inuzuka Tsume was rather dissatisfied with Manten Hall's Soldier Pills,

based on her earlier introduction, Manten Hall's Soldier Pills contained no stimulating substances, were extremely filling, and did not damage the cells...

They might suit him better!

Inuzuka Tsume somewhat regretfully withdrew her "special Soldier Pills" mixed with dog food.

"Actually, changing flavors once in a while can be pretty nice."

After chatting for a while, the relationship between Nara Kaikei and Inuzuka Tsume had become much more familiar, and he began to address the main matter.

"Captain Inuzuka, today is my first day reporting to the Beast Taming and Rehabilitation Class..."

"Right! Speaking of which, why are you still here for work?"

Nara Kaikei was deeply confused by Inuzuka Tsume's interrupting reply. Slowly, he let out a:

"Hm?"

Could it be that because I stepped in with my right foot first, I was going to be fired on my first day of work?

"It's like this. Lady Tsunade came to the Beast Taming and Rehabilitation Class this morning and used her authority as department head to transfer your Ninja File."

Inuzuka Tsume spread her hands.

"So strictly speaking, you're no longer a member of the Beast Taming and Rehabilitation Class."

So his thoughts had gone a little too far earlier.

Nara Kaikei adjusted his Sunglasses.

Before he had even started work, he had already been fired.

Standing outside the entrance to the Medical Department, Nara Kaikei looked up at the sky. The warm sunlight left him feeling a little dazed.

Should he go find Big Fat Sheep first?

According to Inuzuka Tsume, he now counted as Tsunade's direct subordinate.

Normally, Nara Kaikei could form a team and accept missions on his own like a "Rogue Ninja," building up his strength and experience.

But Tsunade held direct authority over him.

Whenever Tsunade encountered some mission, she could call him, this handy tool, over at any time to take the blame and lend a hand.

In other words,

when it came to his career as a "ninja," Nara Kaikei was now mostly bound to Tsunade.

As for Big Fat Sheep's maneuver,

Nara Kaikei would be lying if he said he was not confused.

Especially when Big Fat Sheep had not mentioned this matter in the slightest beforehand!

But from another angle,

Tsunade's maneuver had freed Nara Kaikei from the laborious life of an ordinary "ninja tool."

Between "working in the Beast Taming and Rehabilitation Class" and "doing missions with Tsunade,"

Nara Kaikei would definitely prefer the latter.

So, was this a shock? Or a pleasant surprise?

Nara Kaikei gazed from afar toward the Hokage Building.

Big Fat Sheep should still be in the Hokage Building right now, discussing important matters with the higher-ups.

After thinking about it, he chose to head straight home.

Back to the top-floor apartment beside the Ninja Academy, which temporarily still belonged to him.

The Medical Department of Konoha was not far from the Ninja Academy.

In less than ten minutes, Nara Kaikei had returned home.

The first thing he did upon returning was not anything else, but to take out the Pitch-Black Scroll Tsunade had given him earlier.

Arriving in the quiet study, Nara Kaikei spread out the scroll and carefully read its contents.

Elegant handwriting was imprinted across the white paper of the scroll. The densely packed text displayed the writer's effort and care.

These characters feel like I've seen them somewhere before...

After roughly reading the last word on the scroll, Nara Kaikei felt somewhat puzzled.

And shouldn't the secret technique [Super Beast Imitation Painting] belong to Root? Where did Tsunade get this scroll?

Nara Kaikei's doubts lasted only a moment before the information appearing on the panel interrupted his train of thought.

[Detected B-rank secret jutsu [Super Beast Imitation Painting]. Learn it?]

It seems that even with ordinary scrolls, the [Lazy Ghost System] has a one-click learning function!

Nara Kaikei did not hesitate and directly chose to learn it.

[B-rank Secret Jutsu: Super Beast Imitation Painting]

[Jutsu Description: Upon accepting the will infused into it, even false life may become a dancing beast]

[Jutsu Effect: Use ink infused with Yang Release Chakra to draw various animals on paper, granting them "life" that allows them to move. The animals created depend entirely on the caster's will]

[Jutsu Evaluation: Try drawing something that does not exist in reality!]

Many thanks to "Yinian ^_^ Luantianji" for the character reward!!

--

Regarding [Super Beast Imitation Painting], let's discuss it here.

[Super Beast Imitation Painting] is a special ninjutsu mastered by Sai, a Root member and the new member of Kakashi's team, Team 7, in the Shippuden arc.

The Book of the Deceased describes it as a B-rank ninjutsu. Its effect is to use a brush and ink to draw beasts capable of movement.

The issue A Xin wants to discuss is whether [Super Beast Imitation Painting] belongs to Yin Release or Yang Release.

Yin Release creates form from nothing.

Yang Release gives life to form.

Judging from the ninjutsu's manifestation, [Super Beast Imitation Painting] undoubtedly falls under the category of Yin Release, using ink as a framework to transform into beasts of countless varieties.

But according to the Formation Book, Sai has no Yin Release affinity... His Chakra attributes are "Water, Fire, Earth, Yang," so [Super Beast Imitation Painting] also seems to be a Yang Release ninjutsu.

The original manga never mentioned the attribute of [Super Beast Imitation Painting], and the two conclusions summarized above conflict with each other, so A Xin could only make the call himself.

Note that this is a personal setting.

You could also call it a secondary setting.

[Super Beast Imitation Painting] is Yang Release.