"I thought Lord Tsuchikage would need more time to consider his final response," Xing Ran voiced his doubts. Since when had issues between two countries been resolved so quickly?
"Hehe, this has something to do with Mr. Yamanaka as well..." Hearing Xing Ran's words, Ryuzan suddenly wore the expression of someone with inside information.
Xing Ran soon learned the reason. The superior of that scar-headed boss from yesterday was one of the major figures opposing the pro-Konoha faction this time.
After learning about yesterday's incident, the Tsuchikage had no idea what kind of shady leverage he had used Xing Ran's identity and abilities to create, but he had made that major figure relent. This was a breakthrough, so the Tsuchikage wanted to settle everything today while the iron was hot, lest the situation drag on and be exploited by those with ulterior motives.
"Every family has its own troubles," Xing Ran sighed, sending the other two people in the room into flights of imagination.
Junpei thought Xing Ran was referring to the higher-ups of Iwagakure and the Yamanaka Clan, while Ryuzan was far more perceptive. He considered the possibility that Konoha's higher-ups might be just like theirs, with a Radical Faction that wanted to continue the war.
The moment that thought surfaced, Ryuzan could no longer sit still. Although this had been said unintentionally by a Konoha Ninja and was highly questionable in reliability, at such a critical moment, it was better to believe it existed than to dismiss it.
After saying goodbye, Ryuzan hurried off.
Only Xing Ran and Junpei, the two Konoha Ninja, remained in the room, and the atmosphere gradually became lazy and listless.
"Let's play a couple rounds of dice," Xing Ran said, breaking the awkward silence.
"For money?" Junpei looked like a loyal servant guarding his wallet.
"Small stakes make for pleasant entertainment."
"Yesterday, you had pleasant entertainment at someone else's expense to the tune of 6,000 ryō. Even their boss had to come out."
"You want to play big!?"
"Ow, my hand hurts."
Watching Junpei clutch his stomach, his little face wrinkled like a chrysanthemum as he fled into his room, Xing Ran found himself rather bored.
There was no telling how long they would have to remain on standby at the inn. Since they could not leave, what else was there to do?
That afternoon, when darkness had fully fallen, Yamaki Atsushi finally returned. The moment he entered the suite, he saw Yamanaka Xingran sitting on the sofa, engrossed in a scroll.
At the same time, Yamaki Atsushi noticed that his good friend Junpei was hiding in his room, occasionally peeking at Xing Ran through the crack in the door in an extremely furtive manner.
"What are you reading so intently?" Yamaki Atsushi greeted Xing Ran, sat down on the other side of the sofa, poured himself a cup of plain water, and gulped it down.
"A scroll on Medical Ninjutsu. Hmm, I brought it from the clan," Xing Ran casually explained the contents of the scroll in his hands. Realizing that sounded somewhat inappropriate, he quickly added where the scroll had come from.
"Oh, I never expected Xing Ran-kun to have aspirations of becoming a Medical Ninja. That's admirable," Yamaki Atsushi said encouragingly, as if he had discovered another of Xing Ran's virtues.
Medical Ninja were not as commonplace as ordinary ninja. Every Medical Ninja was a village treasure; one only had to look at how, whenever battle broke out, both sides made eliminating the Medical Ninja their first priority.
Tsunade's three rules for Medical Ninja had not been established casually.
"No, no, I'm just browsing. By the way, what did the Tsuchikage say? How much longer must we wait?" Xing Ran did not possess Yang Release Chakra. He was only reading this scroll to pass the time, so he read it very slowly. Under normal circumstances, he could memorize the entire scroll in half an hour. If it contained ninjutsu suited to him, he was even confident he could master it completely within half a day.
Unfortunately, those were normal circumstances. These were not. He did not even have Yang Release Chakra, so what the hell could he master? He was treating it as a way to broaden his horizons.
The scroll contained very little: only the Healing Technique, Mystical Palm Technique, and Yin Healing Wound Destruction.
The Healing Technique concentrated Chakra in the palm and directed it at the target being treated, thereby achieving a healing effect.
The Mystical Palm Technique could use released Chakra to achieve astonishing recovery speeds for both internal and external injuries. It could also use released Chakra to disrupt the circulation of Chakra within another person's body, inducing unconsciousness and other conditions.
Both were well-known, commonly used ninjutsu. The Mystical Palm Technique was an upgraded version of the Healing Technique, combining offense and support. It was harder to learn and required powerful Chakra control.
What Xing Ran particularly focused on was Yin Healing Wound Destruction. Like the Mystical Palm Technique, it was a Medical Ninjutsu that required the user to accurately judge the location where they would be hit before the opponent's attack landed, then swiftly concentrate a certain amount of Chakra there. After being struck, the wound would heal automatically.
It was somewhat similar to the super regeneration ability of his Steel Body.
"Xing Ran-kun truly is a humble person. The Tsuchikage has already discussed matters with Iwagakure's higher-ups. Look, this is the reply. We can set out for home tomorrow." Yamaki Atsushi had an excellent impression of Xing Ran. Not only was his sensory ability strong, but his shuriken skills were also astonishing. Now he was even studying Medical Ninjutsu. Though he had developed a fascination with gambling, he was still, overall, an ambitious young man. Once they returned to the village, Yamaki Atsushi could suggest that Lord Hokage make him quit gambling. Then the Hokage faction would gain another inheritor of the Will of Fire.
Xing Ran did not have as much internal drama as Yamaki Atsushi. Seeing the lavishly made scroll Yamaki Atsushi pulled from his clothes, he whistled. The mission could finally end. Now that he had a way to make money, once he turned in this mission, he could go home and live like a reclusive immortal in secluded cultivation. He would no longer have to be distracted by missions, and his rate of growing stronger should become even faster.
However, Xing Ran quickly thought of something else, and his expression soon returned to calm. How could anyone possibly live so easily in this ninja world? Money could indeed make life easier, but without taking missions, there would be no contributions. Without contributions, relying solely on the clan's few secret techniques would make reaching Kage-level extremely difficult.
Well, life had to go on. At most, it would be easier than before. He would no longer need to worry about food, drink, and daily necessities, and could pursue higher material comforts.
Upon hearing Yamaki Atsushi's words, Junpei, who had finally confirmed that his wallet was safe, also emerged from his room. He lamented that the mission was finally about to end while complaining that Yamaki Atsushi had returned so late.
It was completely dark now, so leaving early was impossible. Iwagakure would not break its rules and open the gates for a few foreign ninja. At this hour, Iwagakure had already closed its village gates, and the Barrier Team had resumed its work for the night. Leaving required quite a few procedures.
Fortunately, the mission was now complete, so the return trip would be easier than the journey here. Once they left Iwagakure, they could summon Konoha's Communication Ninja Birds and send out a few copied messages. Unlike their journey here, which required an envoy to follow formal procedures, all they needed to do on the way back was ensure their own safety. They no longer had to bear the responsibility of the mission.
Before you continue