The Shadow Soldier Corps Takes Shape!

'A-Rank Miscellaneous Item [Nature Mask Forging Method]?'

Nara Kaikei stared at the newly refreshed entry notification on the panel, momentarily stunned.

If he remembered correctly, this was the first time the [Ninja Scroll] had produced a reward that was not a jutsu.

Nara Kaikei had always thought that the [Ninja Scroll] was simply a "ninjutsu scroll" and could not produce anything else...

But after reading through the Item Effect of the [Nature Mask Forging Method], Nara Kaikei's heart immediately surged with excitement.

'What Nature Mask? Isn't this a ninja mask for the Shadow Soldier Corps?!'

When he had obtained the B-Rank secret technique [Super Beast Imitation Painting], Nara Kaikei had once imagined a "Shadow Soldier Corps" under his command. (Chapter 18)

But he had never expected it.

Before he could transform the "Ink Beasts" into "Shadow Beasts."

The "ninja masks" capable of commanding the "Shadow Soldier Corps" had emerged first from the [Ninja Scroll].

Of course, in his ideal vision, each "ninja mask" would correspond to a leader of the Shadow Soldier Corps, with each leader commanding a corps assigned to different functions and duties.

The [Nature Masks] that currently existed only within the scroll's contents could, at most, be considered the embryonic form of the Shadow Soldier Corps.

Nara Kaikei focused intently as he examined the scroll's contents on the [Nature Mask Forging Method].

According to the description in the [Nature Mask Forging Method].

No matter their grade or specifications, all forged [Nature Masks] could only store Chakra of a single nature.

Furthermore, [Nature Masks] could not replenish Chakra energy on their own.

They could only be replenished through manual input, and the Chakra supplied before and after had to remain the same attribute.

At the end of the [Nature Mask Forging Method], it mentioned the best materials for forging [Nature Masks].

'The first choice is a Ninja Heart, especially one that has just refined and stored a large amount of Chakra with Nature Transformation.'

Nara Kaikei frowned slightly and instinctively ruled out that option.

He was not the hardened, cold-blooded Kakuzu. He was deeply repulsed by such cruel acts as "Heart Extraction and Self-Use."

'Second would be biological tissues such as bones, blood, hair, and nails...'

'Failing that, wood from a special kind of tree that absorbs Chakra for nourishment...'

The contents recorded in the [Nature Mask Forging Method] made Nara Kaikei's brow furrow deeply.

It seemed he could only search for the last kind of material—

'Wait! There's another material mentioned at the end.'

Nara Kaikei looked toward the small line of text recorded at the bottom of the scroll.

'Calculations suggest that Chakra Crystal may be the best material for forging [Nature Masks]... But it is too difficult to acquire and far too expensive. Neither affordable nor practical. Extracting human hearts is simpler, so this option is abandoned.'

'Uh, old man Kakuzu was pretty down-to-earth...'

Nara Kaikei pressed his fingertip against the icy [Chakra Crystal] ring.

He did possess an A-Rank [Chakra Crystal].

But using that [Chakra Crystal] to forge a [Nature Mask]...

Nara Kaikei could not bear to do it.

In his eyes, a [Nature Mask] was not even as valuable as a [Chakra Crystal]!

At least the latter could recharge itself automatically!

'Maybe I can find a middle ground.'

Nara Kaikei's thoughts began to race.

'First, make a [Nature Mask], leaving a gap that can hold a [Chakra Crystal]. Then embed the [Chakra Crystal] inside and use its energy... Isn't that basically a Stone Mask for some ultimate life-form?!'

Although he was making fun of himself, Nara Kaikei still felt that this method was highly feasible.

But the safest method was still to purchase Chakra Crystals from outside sources...

'But Chakra Crystals are really expensive! Even old man Kakuzu can't afford them. I definitely can't!'

For a moment, Nara Kaikei felt quite helpless.

His family's assets could indeed be considered substantial.

But according to the clan head, one [Chakra Crystal] could buy at least three mountains!

Treasures of that caliber were not something Nara Kaikei could buy more than a few of, even if he emptied his entire fortune.

Besides, unless he truly had no other choice, Nara Kaikei was absolutely unwilling to inherit the family estate.

Compared to that, he would rather earn and spend his own money.

Money earned that way could be taken and spent with peace of mind.

For example, the one million ryō in monthly research funding he had "earned" from the clan head earlier.

Even if Nara Kaikei spent it all at once, he would not feel the slightest psychological burden.

'As expected, the money-making plan needs to be put on the agenda. It's time to discuss ways of making money with Sister Nonou...'

'But for now, one [Chakra Crystal] is enough to splurge with.'

'Rather than consider higher-grade [Nature Masks], I should think about how to use the abilities and resources at hand to create suitable [Nature Masks]...'

Nara Kaikei silently considered his many abilities.

His Water, Earth, Wind, and Fire attributes were balanced, and with his family's Yin Release Secret Technique, he could at least make five masks: "Yin," "Water," "Earth," "Wind," and "Fire"...

Later, he could find a chance to test his talent for Medical Ninjutsu. Perhaps he could add a "Yang" attribute mask as well...

Beyond that, fusing Chakra with two different elemental natures also seemed to be a novel path for mask creation...

Just as Nara Kaikei was considering different [Nature Masks].

The Pig Deer Butterfly team finally arrived and joined the others.

When the Old Clan Head saw that the several chūnin, especially Nara Kaikei, had not suffered even the slightest injury, he immediately let out a long sigh of relief.

To be honest.

The Old Clan Head had just been rather worried that Kakuzu had ostensibly given up on the three of them, only to secretly attack Konoha's other weaker young ninja.

Fortunately, it had only been a false alarm...

Nara Kaikei and the others were also observing the condition of the Cross-Generation Pig Deer Butterfly team.

Inoichi Yamanaka and Nara Shikano were doing all right.

But Choza Akimichi, who had been responsible for breaking through the enemy's defenses, looked utterly miserable.

However, none of those present knew Medical Ninjutsu and could not heal Choza Akimichi's injuries. They could only provide clean bandages for him to dress his wounds as best they could.

As Choza Akimichi bandaged his injuries.

Nara Shikano lightly bit his index finger, formed hand seals, pressed his hand to the ground, and shouted.

"Summoning Technique!"

As a cloud of smoke rose, a large white ape wearing a ninja uniform and a Konoha headband appeared before everyone.

"Enma?"

Asuma Sarutobi froze, immediately recognizing the white ape.

Wasn't this old man's Summoning Beast?

How could the Old Clan Head of the Nara Clan summon him too?

"Shikano?"

Enma clearly knew the Old Clan Head, so he was not surprised by the summoning. He was merely curious.

"Why did you suddenly summon me today? Is something urgent?"

"We encountered a powerful Bounty Hunter while carrying out a mission and returning to the village."

Nara Shikano briefly recounted the day's events.

"I believe this information needs to be sent back to the village as soon as possible.

"At the same time, the village needs to dispatch some personnel to rendezvous with us."

"A powerful Bounty Hunter comparable to one of the Sannin? Understood!"

Enma nodded, formed a hand seal, and vanished from the spot.

"I'll notify Hiruzen as quickly as possible!"

After Enma disappeared, Nara Shikano visibly relaxed. He leaned half against the deer carriage and steadily calmed his breathing.

At that moment, a rather tactless young man spoke up.

"Nara jōnin, how did you summon Enma? Isn't he old man's Summoning Beast?"

Nara Shikano sighed softly. Looking at Asuma Sarutobi, who had taken the initiative to ask, he still forced himself to explain.

"I am the head of the Jōnin Corps. Because of my position, I often need to communicate directly with the Hokage.

"Using the Hokage's Summoning Beast to relay messages is the most efficient means of communication."

Asuma Sarutobi nodded vaguely.

He had absolutely no interest in things like politics.

Even as the Hokage's son, he did not know what exactly the "head of the Jōnin Corps" did.

With a single glance, Nara Shikano could tell that this "Hokage's son" had not understood him at all. But he could not be bothered to explain any further right now.

The Old Clan Head was about to close his eyes and rest when he suddenly sensed another Line of Sight. Opening his eyes, he looked over.

"What is it, Kaikei? Are you interested in the Summoning Technique?"

"I definitely am!"

Nara Kaikei nodded.

At first, he had wondered why the [Ninja Scroll] from the clan head had produced the [Summoning Technique].

So it was because of his position...

But that did not diminish Nara Kaikei's intense curiosity toward the [Summoning Technique].

No matter how one put it, this was Space-Time Ninjutsu!

"Hmm, speaking of Summoning Beasts... Sorry, wait a moment."

Nara Shikano stretched out his hands and covered Big Horn's ears.

"Some things might hurt a deer's self-esteem."

Nara Kaikei nodded, not finding this strange in the least.

But Asuma Sarutobi and the others beside them looked oddly at this grandfather-grandson pair from the deer family.

Deer-crazy, huh?

"The Summoning Technique isn't a particularly difficult ninjutsu. Learning it isn't hard either. The difficult part is finding a suitable Summoning Beast."

Nara Shikano did not mind others listening in on this knowledge and explained openly.

"The Nara Clan's deer are not ninja beasts and do not possess Chakra.

"If you want to learn the Summoning Technique, Kaikei, there are two directions you can try within Konoha.

"The Inuzuka Clan's ninja hounds, and the Yamakami Clan's crows.

"Of course, I'm not referring to the ninja hounds and Ninja Crows raised by the Inuzuka Clan and Yamakami Clan ninja themselves.

"I mean the ones these two clans specifically provide to the village—"

Before Nara Shikano could finish explaining.

A cloud of smoke instantly enveloped him, and his figure vanished from the spot.

Reverse Summoning Technique!

A brief discussion of the [Summoning Beasts] mentioned in this chapter.

Quite a few Summoning Beasts appeared in the manga, the most famous probably being the toads of Mount Myōboku.

Then there were the snakes and slugs of the other two great sacred lands, Ryūchi Cave and Shikkotsu Forest.

However, Summoning Beasts that [wear Ninja Headbands] were extremely rare in the manga.

As it happened, Hatake Kakashi's Eight Ninja Hounds were [ninja hounds wearing Konoha headbands].

Additionally, Might Guy's turtle was also [a turtle wearing a Konoha headband].

There was another example as well.

Hiruzen Sarutobi's Summoning Beast, Enma, also wore a Konoha headband.

By comparison... Shimura Danzō's Baku... did not wear a headband... uh...

The reason for bringing up these special cases.

Is simply to point out that Konoha has special Summoning Beasts that serve Konoha exclusively while also holding Ninja Designations!

The Yamakami Clan's crows are merely a secondary setting created by the author based on the manga.

The Book of the Deceased states that Aoba Yamashiro can control flocks of crows, but it does not say that this is through the Summoning Technique.

A Xin's setting is that "the Yamakami Clan can summon flocks of crows."

There is another example that supports the claim that "ninja villages have dedicated Summoning Beasts."

In [manga, tankōbon, Volume 54, Chapter 512], Motoi of Kumogakure summoned an owl.

According to the Formation Book, that owl, named "Fukurōemon," was mainly responsible for transmitting intelligence for Kumogakure.

Therefore, there truly are Summoning Beasts that serve ninja villages exclusively.