Kakuzu Attacks!

In the middle of a broad, flat official road.

Big Horn the deer strode on all fours, pulling the wooden cart as it plodded slowly toward Konoha.

On the simply designed deer cart.

Nara Kaikei was using [Flat Shadow Technique], hiding his real body within the shadow of a [Shadow Clone].

This had been mentioned before. (Chapter 22)

[Flat Shadow Technique] was a Nara secret art that was "very unlike the Nara Clan."

Although the name [Flat Shadow Technique] contained the word "shadow," it was not purely a Yin Release secret technique.

The key to [Flat Shadow Technique] was to make one's body as thin as a shadow and maintain that state.

And the Chakra consumed in this process was not Yin Release Chakra, but ordinary Chakra.

Before yesterday, Nara Kaikei's ordinary Chakra amount had not been enough to sustain [Flat Shadow Technique] for very long.

But after obtaining the A-Rank Ninja Tool [Chakra Crystal].

Nara Kaikei could use this C-Rank secret technique for as long as he wanted.

While maintaining [Flat Shadow Technique].

Nara Kaikei was also silently practicing the cultivation method of the Sage Clan Talent he had newly acquired from the Temple of Fire—the [Sage Clan Guiding Technique].

Nara Kaikei had begun studying this vital secret technique concerning Natural Energy as soon as he returned to Kyoto yesterday, and he had made considerable progress.

At this moment, as he continued to breathe in and out.

Nara Kaikei felt his consciousness gradually emptying, slowly entering a state of deep meditation.

Second by second, time passed, until at a certain special instant.

Nara Kaikei's consciousness suddenly broke free of the restraints of his real body and entered the nearby [Shadow Clone].

At the same time, his real body, hidden in the shadows, continued maintaining [Flat Shadow Technique] and [Sage Clan Guiding Technique].

This is the ideal cultivation method for now!

Nara Kaikei closed his eyes, growing accustomed to the unique sense of lightness and ethereality possessed by the [Shadow Clone].

My consciousness can reside in the [Shadow Clone] and maintain normal communication and activity.

Meanwhile, my body can lie flat... no, it can cultivate the [Sage Clan Guiding Technique] around the clock without interruption.

Nara Kaikei felt immensely pleased with this state.

Between body and mind, at least one of them had to stay on the road, right?

Just then, Inoichi Yamanaka, who was responsible for sensing ahead, suddenly made a hand signal.

Asuma Sarutobi, Kurenai Yuhi, and Shibi Aburame, the three Chunin, exchanged glances and moved in perfect coordination.

Not long afterward, accompanied by several screams, the three emerged from the dense forest beside the road carrying the scent of blood and returned to the main group.

Nara Shikano, who was driving the deer cart, glanced at the slightly panting Chunin and lightly patted Big Horn's rump.

Big Horn understood at once and slowed its pace. Its already sluggish speed immediately became snail-like.

Yet this extremely slow pace gave Asuma Sarutobi and the other two ample time to rest.

Although the return trip had far fewer people than the journey there—Might Guy's team was still carrying out its merchant caravan escort mission.

The return journey did not become faster. Instead, it slowed even further.

The reason was simple.

Their mission to clear out [Bounty Hunters] had not made much progress yet!

Along the way back.

Inoichi Yamanaka repeatedly used his sensory abilities to locate the Bounty Hunters roaming near the official roads of the Land of Fire.

Once he determined a target's position, it was time for Asuma Sarutobi's team to act.

In barely half a day.

The three Chunin had cleared out an unknown number of Bounty Hunters attempting to ambush passing merchant caravans, reaping quite a harvest.

On the deer cart, Nara Kaikei's heart remained as still as an ancient well.

Opponents at the Chunin or even Genin level could at most trigger C-Rank combat missions.

Tasks of that level no longer held Nara Kaikei's interest.

Unless it was a special target like Diroku.

Otherwise, Nara Kaikei would rather spend more time learning and mastering the high-level ninjutsu he already possessed!

On the way back, constrained by the circumstances, Nara Kaikei had no way to study [Camouflage Concealment] or [Super Beast Imitation Painting].

But secretly rolling up some "balls" was still possible.

With the specific training method of the Rasengan already known.

Nara Kaikei, who was naturally skilled at Chakra control, made remarkably pleasing progress.

On the deer cart, Nara Kaikei held his right hand flat, palm facing downward before turning it upward. A pitch-black shadow immediately gathered in his palm, forming a ball the size of a ping-pong ball.

Within that "ball" made of pitch-black darkness, streams of Yin Release Chakra continuously spun in irregular motion.

This is only the first stage.

Nara Kaikei lightly clenched his hand, dispersing the shadow ball into nothingness.

But incorporating it into [Shadow Piercing Bullet] won't take much effort.

The virtual panel suddenly popped up.

[B-Rank Jutsu: Spiral Shadow Piercing Bullet]

[Jutsu Effect: Self-developed jutsu, advanced Shadow Secret Technique]

[Jutsu Effect: Infuses one's Yin Release Chakra into a shadow, materializing it into a condensed, sturdy, high-speed rotating projectile. It fires from a single point like a bullet, with an initial velocity capable of exceeding the speed of sound and formidable power.]

[Jutsu Evaluation: It's a spiral. I added a spiral.]

The jutsu's name changed, and its actual effect became a little stronger... but fundamentally, it's still B-Rank ninjutsu.

Nara Kaikei scanned the panel's information before closing it.

I'll probably have to completely master the Rasengan before I can further increase the power of [Shadow Piercing Bullet], right?

At noon.

The Konoha ninja team stopped in place to rest and prepare lunch.

The deer cart carried Nara Kaikei and the Old Clan Head beneath a patch of shade.

"The weather is really nice today."

Nara Shikano untied Big Horn's reins and signaled for it to forage on its own.

"What I hate most is encountering bad weather during a mission. It wastes extra energy for no reason.

"Fortunately, I'm about to retire..."

"Clan Head."

Nara Kaikei interrupted the Old Clan Head at just the right moment. He had nearly lost count of how many flags the other man had planted along the way.

"I have a question I'd like to ask."

"Mm, go ahead."

Nara Shikano reclined halfway beneath the shade, a blade of wild grass he had pulled from somewhere hanging from his mouth.

"I'll tell you anything I know."

"It's about Chakra Metal."

Nara Kaikei raised his right hand, showing the Clan Head his Chakra Crystal ring.

"The Clan Head previously rewarded me with so much Chakra Metal, and I do indeed plan to forge a Chakra Metal ninja tool."

An excellent ninja tool capable of conducting Chakra would undoubtedly improve a ninja's strength.

Nara Kaikei asked, "Are there any skilled forging masters in Konoha?"

"That is indeed a problem. I forgot to explain it before."

Nara Shikano slowly chewed the grass in his mouth as he spoke unhurriedly.

"Our Nara Clan, as well as the Yamanaka Clan and Akimichi Clan, are not clans that specialize in ninja tools.

"If we want ninja tools forged, we can only commission others."

Nara Kaikei nodded and listened quietly.

"There are two shops in Konoha that specifically sell ninja tools."

Nara Shikano held up two fingers.

"First, Manten Hall. The ninja tools produced by that shop may not be of outstanding quality, but their minimum quality is guaranteed.

"Second, Rising Dragon Hall. It is a shop specializing in weapon-type ninja tools.

"If you want a weapon forged, I recommend going to Rising Dragon Hall and seeking out Rising Dragon Hall's genius owner."

Rising Dragon Hall?

What a mighty name!

Nara Kaikei asked curiously, "Clan Head, does the 'genius owner' you mentioned mean he's exceptionally skilled at forging ninja tools?"

"No..."

Nara Shikano shook his head.

"The owner of Rising Dragon Hall has the surname Tian and the given name Cai."

"..."

Nara Kaikei's anticipation instantly crumbled.

But then he gave it some thought.

With the surname Tian, could he be Tenten's father, one of Konoha's future Twelve Young Powers?

Looking at it that way, Rising Dragon Hall seemed like a decent choice.

But at that moment.

Nara Kaikei recalled Lady Cat, whom he had met at the Beast Taming and Rehabilitation Class, and could not help asking again.

"Clan Head, how skilled is the Nekamura Clan at forging ninja tools?"

"The Nekamura Clan?"

Nara Shikano frowned and straightened his back.

"Kaikei, where did you hear that name?

"They're the Black Market Merchant Clan!"

Nara Kaikei briefly recounted how he had come to know Lady Cat.

"So it was merely an accident... though perhaps not entirely an accident."

Nara Shikano relaxed.

"The Nekamura Clan has always served wealthy people. That 'Lady Cat' you mentioned claimed that she had left the Black Market Merchant Clan?"

"Captain Inuzuka Tsume said so." Nara Kaikei nodded.

"Inuzuka, Nekamura..."

Nara Shikano seemed to recall something and suddenly shook his head with a smile.

"Don't believe that 'Lady Cat' when she calls herself an 'honest merchant.' Not a single black market merchant is without a black heart.

"However, if we are speaking only of ninja tool forging, the Nekamura Clan is indeed much better than Rising Dragon Hall.

"The Nekamura Clan is the exclusive weapon supplier of the Uchiha Clan.

"Even those proud Uchiha Clan members highly recognize the quality of the ninja tools supplied by the Nekamura Clan."

Understood!

Nara Kaikei nodded seriously.

Once they returned to the village this time, he would go to Lady Cat and have a ninja tool forged!

After lunch, the Konoha ninja resumed their journey.

Two or three hours later.

The deer cart finally left the vicinity of the Capital of the Land of Fire and entered a broad region of dense forest.

Just then.

Inoichi Yamanaka's brow furrowed slightly.

Instead of sending hand signals to Asuma Sarutobi and the others, he directly flashed to Nara Shikano's side.

"Lord Shikano!"

Inoichi Yamanaka's tone was extremely grave.

"I just sensed a ninja with an enormous Chakra amount in the forest ahead. He appears to be specifically waiting for us..."

Before Inoichi Yamanaka could finish speaking.

A figure walked out of the dense forest.

The Bounty Hunter, Kakuzu!