"Hm?"
When Sarutobi Hiruzen saw a flicker of hesitation cross Shuomo's face over the reward, he was a little surprised.
Shuomo actually wanted to claim a reward this time.
That was a good thing. It wasn't ideal to let his War Merit keep piling up unused, so this was a perfect chance to spend some of it.
"Hokage, I'd like the Spirit Transformation Technique and the Four Beast Seal."
Shuomo thought it over before answering.
Yayoi had asked him to exchange for these on his behalf.
Shuomo had accumulated a great deal of War Merit, and he didn't care much about it himself. After all, they were only a few S-rank techniques.
He had no use for the War Merit. All he wanted was to protect Konoha and uphold his Will of Fire.
He might as well put his War Merit to good use and help Yayoi and the others grow stronger.
That would make their next mission much easier, too.
"Oh, those two techniques. They're not bad choices."
Sarutobi Hiruzen smiled, then took the scrolls containing the two techniques from the Sealing Scroll.
"Shuomo, there's no rush to return them. Bring them back once you've learned them."
Most people had a time limit for returning scrolls, but Sarutobi Hiruzen trusted Shuomo.
He was a devoted heir to the Will of Fire and wouldn't try anything underhanded.
Though Sarutobi Hiruzen was sure Shuomo would pass these techniques on to Yayoi or someone else, at least he was going through the proper motions, wasn't he?
"Shuomo, tell us in detail how the mission went," Danzo said after Sarutobi Hiruzen handed Shuomo the scrolls.
His one uncovered eye fixed on Shuomo.
"During the mission, we cleared out spies in the Border Forest, then ran into Sunagakure and Iwagakure.
"Iwagakure had a strong