New Directions for the Family's S-Rank Missions!

Such powerful energy!

Holding the [Chakra Crystal] in his hand, Nara Kaikei felt as though he were grasping a vast, boundless ocean.

Before the immense Chakra amount contained within this [Chakra Crystal].

The [Precision] that Nara Kaikei had only raised to C-rank this morning seemed like nothing more than a tiny trickling stream, utterly insignificant.

The Chakra amount issue that had been troubling me for so long seems to have truly been solved.

A surge of overwhelming delight rose in Nara Kaikei's heart.

I thought I'd have to keep taking pills to deal with this, but it was solved in one fell swoop!

According to Nara Kaikei's initial estimates.

At his current rate of taking pills, it would take at least another month or so to raise [Precision] to B-rank.

But now, with the [Chakra Crystal], the amount of Chakra Nara Kaikei could command had already reached A-rank.

And with the crucial restriction on his Chakra amount lifted.

The jutsu Nara Kaikei had acquired before, such as [Camouflage Concealment] and [Super Beast Imitation Painting], could now be incorporated into his regular combat capabilities.

The overall boost in strength brought by a small piece of [Chakra Crystal] was undoubtedly astonishing!

Nara Shikano stroked his beard and smiled. "It seems you're very satisfied with this 'second special reward,' Kaikei."

"I couldn't be more satisfied, Clan Head!"

Nara Kaikei's voice carried undisguised delight.

Although, with the S-rank Jutsu [Shadow Clone Technique] and his B+-rank [Sage Wisdom] attribute.

The peak strength Nara Kaikei could display was enough to approach the level of an Elite Jonin.

But that was only through [Shadow Clone].

Nara Kaikei's real body was still an absurdly specialized "clock warrior."

All along, Nara Kaikei had possessed a sufficiently clear understanding of where his abilities stood.

"A pure secret-jutsu turret ninja" was undoubtedly the most fitting assessment. (Chapter 4)

Now, through Nara Kaikei's unceasing efforts, coupled with the tiniest bit of help from the [Lazy Ghost System].

This severely unbalanced ability profile had finally been effectively improved.

Nara Kaikei did not expect to become like the future pinnacle of taijutsu, Might Guy, fighting enemies with nothing but fists and kicks.

But at the very least.

When an enemy came at him with punches and kicks, he needed enough strength, speed, and constitution to react and evade, right?

Moreover, with the [Lazy Ghost System], Nara Kaikei had no intention of turning himself into a specialized fighter.

A hexagonal warrior without weaknesses was what he pursued.

So...

Nara Kaikei asked eagerly, "Clan Head, does the family have any other Chakra Crystals?"

"What do you take Chakra Crystals for, Explosive Tags lying around everywhere?"

Nara Shikano's smile vanished as he blew out his beard and glared.

"This thing is exceedingly precious, practically priceless!"

Nara Kaikei did not think much of it. "Clan Head, I still have the one million ryo you just gave me."

He wanted to use the family's reward money to buy the family's treasured artifact?

The Old Clan Head nearly laughed in anger.

The sound of this brat's abacus was loud enough for all of Konoha to hear!

"What does one million ryo amount to before a Chakra Crystal?"

Nara Shikano spoke sternly, intending to shatter Nara Kaikei's daydream.

"Just this tiny piece of Chakra Crystal could be sold for enough money to buy you three more mountains!

"And that's under the condition that Chakra Crystals have extremely strict usage restrictions.

"Otherwise, who knows how many times higher its price would be!"

One Chakra Crystal was worth three mountains?

Nara Kaikei reined in his wild thoughts and lowered his head to look at the indigo gemstone in his hand.

The deep, cool-toned hexagonal gem was resonating with his Chakra.

A dim, hazy glimmer shone from its crystalline, lustrous surface, like the lingering glow blanketing distant green mountains in the last light of dusk.

Nara Kaikei had thought the Old Clan Head had already given him more than enough.

He had not expected to still have underestimated the man's generosity!

"Clan Head..."

Nara Kaikei looked up and said faintly.

"I've only completed one S-Rank Mission, yet you've given me so many rewards.

"What will you do when I complete other family S-Rank Missions later...?"

"'Other family S-Rank Missions'?"

Nara Shikano immediately laughed.

"Do you think the S-Rank Missions issued by the family are the same as the S-Rank Missions issued by the village?

"Only an exceptionally outstanding contribution to the family can be regarded as an S-Rank Mission."

"But what if I really accomplish something?"

Nara Kaikei said seriously.

"For example, if I develop another advanced jutsu similar to [Lacquer Eye]."

"[Lacquer Eye]'s significance to our Nara Clan is not merely that of an advanced jutsu..."

Nara Shikano shook his head, but he could not ignore the seriousness Nara Kaikei displayed.

"Still, Kaikei, if you truly develop another advanced jutsu, I certainly won't be stingy with the rewards."

Excellent!

Nara Kaikei nodded.

He had found a line of thought for triggering the next family S-Rank Mission!

He just needed to come up with another advanced jutsu comparable in value to [Lacquer Eye]...

Seeing Nara Kaikei's dead-serious expression, Nara Shikano inexplicably felt a little uneasy.

What should I do? This brat seems to have taken my words seriously...

To be fair, in the previous S-Rank Mission, [Eye of Shadow], Nara Shikano had already raised the quality of every reward he could give Nara Kaikei to the highest level.

Secret jutsu, medical texts, money, position, treasures...

The Nara Clan truly had nothing else left to offer as a reward.

What if this brat really develops another advanced jutsu? How am I supposed to handle that?

Nara Shikano's thoughts churned.

Ah, forget it... Why should present me worry about future troubles? I'll deal with them when the time comes!

Just as Nara Shikano successfully consoled himself.

Nara Kaikei abruptly said, "When the time comes, can you give me another [Chakra Crystal], Clan Head?"

"Cough! How could that be possible?!"

Nara Shikano coughed heavily.

"Forget about Chakra Crystals. The family truly has no remaining stock of treasures at that level.

"If you have a way, you can try your luck elsewhere.

"But as far as I know, in Konoha, only Princess Tsunade should have one extra Chakra Crystal."

Then forget it...

That Big Fat Sheep's cursed necklace... Stay far away from me!

Nara Kaikei thought for a moment. "Clan Head, do you think the Temple of Fire might have extra Chakra Crystals?"

"How would I know something like that..."

"All right, then."

Nara Kaikei nodded, though he did not seem disappointed.

"But speaking of which, Clan Head, why did you keep such a precious [Chakra Crystal] at the Temple of Fire?"

"That is because within the Temple of Fire's grounds, the [Chakra Crystal] can be replenished more effectively."

Nara Shikano answered subconsciously.

"Replenished more effectively?"

Nara Kaikei's eyes flickered as he recalled the second effect of the [Chakra Crystal] listed on the panel.

Natural Energy?

"That is..."

Nara Shikano had originally intended to explain, but when the words reached his lips, he chose to avoid the subject.

"That is a very important secret.

"When your own Chakra amount can rival the energy contained in a Chakra Crystal, then come ask me for the answer."

So it really was Natural Energy!

Nara Kaikei understood inwardly.

He considered himself quite familiar with the high-level powers hidden within the shinobi world.

Kekkei Genkai such as the Rinnegan and Tenseigan were not things he could even dream of.

As an utterly ordinary ninja.

The only thing Nara Kaikei could hope for was the legendary—Sage Mode!

So-called "Sage Mode" referred to a special state in which one combined one's own Chakra with Natural Energy to create specific "Sage Chakra," causing one's ninjutsu, taijutsu, genjutsu, and other abilities to undergo a comprehensive, dramatic enhancement.

However, not every ninja could train in Sage Mode.

Setting aside the dangers involved.

The most basic requirement for training in Sage Mode was that the ninja had to possess an enormous amount of Chakra within their body!

Nara Kaikei could use the [Chakra Crystal] to temporarily raise his Chakra amount to A-rank.

But his own [Precision] was only C-rank, and the amount of Chakra he could produce was far from enough to meet Sage Mode's requirements.

Rather than fantasizing about Sage Mode, I should think more about how to properly make use of this [Chakra Crystal].

Nara Kaikei tightened his grip on the gemstone in his hand.

Being able to resonate with an A-rank Ninja Tool like the [Chakra Crystal], I can barely count as a miniature Jinchuriki now...

Nara Shikano deliberately prompted, "Kaikei, how do you plan to wear this Chakra Crystal?"

Such a large gemstone really could not just be used bare like this.

Nara Kaikei weighed the [Chakra Crystal] in his hand.

The best method was still to carry it on his person as an "accessory."

The more conventional accessory placements were necklaces, rings, and earrings.

Slightly more unconventional options included headbands and hair ornaments.

And more unusual ones could include collars, toe rings, navel rings...

The Old Clan Head reminded him again, "If you're considering a necklace or a ring, you can open the scroll I gave you earlier and take a look."

At that, Nara Kaikei took out the small scroll containing Chakra Metal. Following the Clan Head's instructions, he opened it and removed a piece of Chakra Metal shaped like a ring.

At the center of the silver-gray ring was a hexagonal gap, perfectly sized to hold the [Chakra Crystal].

Nara Kaikei set the gemstone into the ring and put it on the index finger of his right hand.

"That settles one concern."

Nara Shikano stretched lazily.

"Kaikei, I'll go rest for a while.

"If you want to test the [Chakra Crystal]'s practical combat effects, you can walk around the temple. You might find an unexpected gain."

Regarding the Old Clan Head knowing of Natural Energy.

To avoid unnecessary disputes, an explanation is needed here.

In the original manga, during Pain's invasion, after Nara Shikaku learned from Katsuyu that "Naruto had successfully mastered Sage Jutsu," he told Shikamaru: "If he has learned Sage Jutsu, that means he has become stronger."

This came from [manga, tankobon volume 46, chapter 632].

From this, it can at least be seen that Nara Shikaku had some understanding of Sage Jutsu.

In addition, this book has also mentioned two points.

1. The Old Clan Head was friends with Zhongjue (Diroku's scholarly teacher, a canon character, established in this book as the abbot of the Temple of Fire).

2. The Old Clan Head once said that the Temple of Fire had inherited the ideals of the Sage of Six Paths' "Shinobi Sect." (Chapter 25)

Therefore, taking all this into account.

The Old Clan Head knew of the existence of Natural Energy.