S-Rank Mission

Akimichi Toribo ate his fill, thoroughly enjoying the meal.

Umino Sasuke was also quite pleased, stating he had benefited greatly.

Taking advantage of this gathering, he had secretly kept the Infrasonic Radar Technique active, sensing the detailed changes within Akimichi Toribo's body. He analyzed and studied these changes while simultaneously attempting to replicate them.

By the end of the meal, he had finally grasped the underlying principles.

It turned out that in the process of stimulating the vagus nerve endings of the intestines with Chakra, there was a more refined method of Chakra stimulation, one that even reached the level of activating Chakra cells.

The entire process involved multi-layered, high-frequency, and extremely detailed Chakra stimulation, tailored to the different cells and neural networks in each area, thereby increasing the efficiency of food energy conversion.

Furthermore, this stimulation, which was similar to Chakra cell activation, varied in frequency at different times. This led to differences in intestinal peristalsis, as well as the proportions of gastric acid, bile, and digestive enzyme secretion at various times.

For instance, during the initial stages of digestion, the proportion of gastric acid secretion was higher. After eating ceased, the proportion of bile secretion increased. Countless similar small details existed, seemingly minor, but when connected, they formed a crucial system that determined the food energy conversion rate.

Fortunately, Akimichi Toribo was constantly eating and digesting food in front of him, allowing for continuous comparative experiments. It was almost like the Sharingan copying a Ninjutsu. If he had tried to develop it alone, it would have taken decades, even centuries, of tireless research to create such a complex digestive system.

He finally realized that the Digestive Technique he had developed in the afternoon was too simple and crude. Not only was a large amount of food energy wasted, but it also placed a burden on the heart and the detoxification functions of the liver and gallbladder. While problems might not be apparent in the short term, long-term adherence would inevitably lead to excessive physical strain and collapse.

The complete version of the Akimichi Digestive Technique not only achieved perfection in food energy utilization but also addressed the issue of physical burden. Its solution was highly creative, incorporating the concept of an energy circulation system. The power source was not his own Chakra, but rather the food energy generated from recent digestion.

As expected of the Akimichi Clan's secret techniques, they were truly remarkable.

He further recognized the terrifying depth of these Ninja Clans' foundations. For a long-standing clan like the Akimichi Clan, with the accumulated knowledge of countless generations, even a glimpse of their profound heritage was immensely beneficial.

"Sasuke, the contribution points for the mission to intercept the Sand Ninja and bring back intelligence from the Land of Wind have been finalized."

Akimichi Toribo patted his belly and leaned in, whispering, "That intelligence mission in the Land of Wind was of extremely high rank, involving a Jinchuriki. It was an S-rank mission."

"Ah? It was S-rank, and it involved a Jinchuriki?"

Umino Sasuke's gaze sharpened, and his heart trembled. Although he knew about Jinchuriki, he feigned confusion on his face.

Akimichi Toribo didn't elaborate, especially on the sensitive topic of Jinchuriki. He said somewhat sheepishly, "Sasuke, originally, the mission contribution points were to be split evenly between us. Now, you only received thirty percent and one S-rank mission completion record. I've gained such a significant advantage, I feel a bit bad."

"Lord Toribo, thirty percent is already a lot. As long as the captain looks out for your little brother in the future, I'm fine even if all thirty percent goes to you."

Umino Sasuke showered him with flattery, though his heart was overflowing with joy. While mission contribution points were valuable, they were insignificant compared to an S-rank mission completion record.

Mission contribution points could be accumulated by grinding low-level missions, but high-rank mission completion records could only be obtained by risking one's life or through sheer luck.

High-rank mission completion records were essential prerequisites for evaluating ninja ranks and exchanging for intermediate and advanced Ninjutsu.

In the past six months on the front lines, he had braved dangers and fought battles, accumulating only about ten C-rank and two B-rank mission completion records.

Even including his predecessor's more than a decade of ninja career, his mission log had no A-rank mission completion records.

This time, his luck was incredible, managing to obtain a super high-rank mission completion record. He had initially expected at most an A-rank record, but it turned out to be S-rank.

He knew that S-rank missions were typically strategic, large-scale operations, and even Elite Jonin rarely completed more than a few in their lifetime.

The rank of mission completion records not only determined a ninja's rank but also directly influenced the level of Ninjutsu they could exchange for.

For example, to exchange for C-rank Ninjutsu, one must have completed a sufficient number of B-rank missions to be eligible.

Otherwise, no matter how many C-rank missions were completed, it would only increase mission contribution points, allowing the exchange of common D-rank Ninjutsu, but not granting the qualification to exchange for C-rank Ninjutsu.

An S-rank mission completion record was a necessary prerequisite for exchanging for A-rank Ninjutsu and for being promoted to Konoha Jonin.

This policy of establishing necessary prerequisites effectively prevented those who tried to grind low-level missions to exchange for high-rank Ninjutsu and advance their ninja rank.

Originally, during the Second Hokage Senju Tobirama's era, 100 C-rank missions were equivalent to 10 B-rank missions, which were equivalent to 1 A-rank mission, and could be exchanged upwards. As long as enough missions were completed and a large amount of mission contribution points were accumulated, even A-rank Ninjutsu could be exchanged, and in extreme cases, even Forbidden Jutsu might be possible.

However, after the Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi's reforms, the system of exchanging multiple low-rank missions for high-rank missions was abolished. Only after completing missions of the corresponding rank did one become eligible to exchange for Ninjutsu of that rank and be evaluated for ninja promotion.

This policy, while seemingly good at preventing a large number of ninjas from grinding low-level missions and avoiding high-level missions, created an even greater problem: it further widened the gap between Civilian Ninja and Konoha Ninja Clans.

Clan disciples already possessed Ninjutsu inheritances and were often led by Jonin. With the strength of Konoha Jonin, these clan disciples had ample opportunities to complete high-rank missions above their current level. With high-rank mission records, promotion to ninja rank became a natural progression, and exchanging for high-rank Ninjutsu only required mission contribution points.

As for the lower- and middle-class ordinary ninjas without background, they basically had to rely on themselves. While accumulating mission contribution points for exchanging intermediate and advanced Ninjutsu might seem difficult, there was still a chance. As long as they remained ninjas for a long enough time and continuously accumulated points, they could gather a considerable amount.

However, in terms of mission completion record ranks, it often became a bottleneck for the vast majority of ordinary ninjas.