Shikkotsu Forest Contract Scroll

Chapter 44: Shikkotsu Forest Contract Scroll

Kumogakure, Raikage Building.

Dodai sat at his desk, flipping through documents.

He was the Third Raikage's right-hand man, a wielder of Lava Release, and the chief examiner for the legendary Double Lariat throughout the generations. In Kumogakure, there was a rule: once "A" was confirmed as the Raikage candidate, "B" had to be chosen as the Raikage's guard. Between A and B, there was a blood-pumping combination technique called the Double Lariat. As the man who could serve as chief examiner, his standing was no less than Shimura Danzō's in Konoha.

Just then, Dodai's eyes suddenly went wide.

Holy shit, this kid!

What had he seen?

An infiltrator with the number 9527 had actually become Tsunade's student?

This was like absurdity's mother opening the door for absurdity—absurdity had come home!

Tsunade was one of the Konoha Three Ninjas, a student of the Third Hokage. This was almost equivalent to the Third Raikage taking on a student, only for that student to be a spy from Konoha.

"Is this for real?"

After the shock, Dodai felt a sense of unreality. But this secret report had been sent by his cousin, Tsuchihashi. Blood was thicker than water; he had no reason to mess with him. Besides, who would dare toy with the Raikage? With that explosive temper of his, one spark and he'd blow.

Thinking this, Dodai quickly stood up and headed to the Raikage's office. After receiving permission, he pushed the door open and walked in.

"Raikage."

Dodai gave a slight bow before speaking. "Tsunade of Konoha has taken on a new student. He is a ninja of Kumogakure."

"...?"

The Third Raikage's face was full of question marks.

Do you even hear what you're saying?

"It's true."

Dodai presented the secret report Tsuchihashi had given him.

"Who sent him there in the first place?"

After reading it, the Third Raikage frowned and asked, "How could someone like this be sent as a spy?"

"Hikawa's talent wasn't apparent back then; they misjudged him. I'll punish them when I return."

Dodai paused, then continued, "But there's no denying this is a tremendous blessing for our Kumogakure."

"Is he loyal?"

The Third Raikage tapped the table and asked.

"Raikage, you know this. Every infiltrator has a secret technique planted in their mind."

Dodai said with absolute certainty. "He would never dare to betray."

What he didn't know was that when the Yamanaka Clan ninja had extracted the memories, the secret technique had already been erased by Hikawa's system. But whether it was there or not, it was as if it still was—because Hikawa possessed the A-rank Infiltrator trait. Even if Kumogakure wanted to test him, they wouldn't expose him.

"In that case, his luck really is remarkable."

The Third Raikage couldn't help but sigh.

"Indeed."

Dodai agreed.

Infiltrators went through all kinds of inspections, yet Hikawa had miraculously passed every single one.

"Kumogakure has always repaid debts and rewarded merits."

The Third Raikage thought for a moment, then asked, "What reward do you think he should receive?"

"The training method for Lightning Release Chakra Mode."

Dodai then stated his reasoning.

Lightning Release Chakra Mode, simply put, used Lightning Release chakra to stimulate the body's cells for physical training.

The reason Kumogakure produced so many tough fighters was Lightning Release Chakra Mode, which was also the prerequisite for Lightning Release Body Flicker Technique.

After Hikawa learned it, he would need to earn more merits to exchange for the subsequent Body Flicker techniques if he wanted to keep getting stronger.

"Besides that, there's another use."

Dodai said with a smile, "Lightning Release Body Flicker Technique is unique to Kumogakure. If he dares to betray us, we can force him to use it and expose him."

After hearing this, the Third Raikage agreed.

After leaving Konoha Knowledge Bookstore, Hikawa turned onto a street specializing in ninja tools.

In the Ninja World, money was important, but strength was the foundation.

Money lost could be earned again, but a person lost was gone for good.

The first thing Hikawa did with his money was find a Sword Forging Master.

He already had a target in mind.

Soon, he stopped in his tracks.

Among a row of Japanese-style ninja tool shops, one stood out that resembled a martial arts dojo from his past life.

A plaque hung at the entrance, bearing four large characters: Tenten's Ninja Tools.

Tenten, in the original work, was one of the Konoha 12, a teammate of Neji Hyuga and Rock Lee, skilled in Ninja Tool Throwing.

Most importantly, she had incredible luck—she could even pick up Six Paths Ninja Tools while walking.

As the saying went, "Since ancient times, spear users have had E-rank luck."

Although Hikawa was forging a Samurai Sword, not a spear, luck was still important. In short, he was going for good fortune.

He walked into the ninja tool shop, and a young man greeted him.

At this point in time, Tenten hadn't been born yet, so this was likely her father.

The original work never mentioned her parents.

He wondered if her father was called Nian Nian or Yue Yue.

"Hello, little one."

The young man asked with a smile, "Are you looking to buy some ninja tools?"

"I want to forge a Samurai Sword."

Hikawa paused, then said, "With Chakra Metal added."

"That won't be cheap."

The young man's eyes lit up as he asked, "Where are your parents?"

"My guardian is Tsunade."

Hikawa said with a serious expression.

"Don't joke... wait, you're Hikawa?"

The young man was about to say he was joking, but then he remembered the news he'd heard today.

In Konoha, no one would dare claim to be Tsunade's student lightly.

And an ordinary kid wouldn't know about Chakra Metal, so the young man believed him.

"It'll cost one million."

The young man held up one finger and said.

"Deal."

Hikawa had checked the market price before, and it was about right.

"Even though you're Tsunade-sama's student, since the amount involved is quite large, I'll need a deposit of one hundred thousand Ryo."

The young man paused, then said, "I haven't introduced myself yet. My name is Tenmura."

"No problem."

Hikawa was quite well-off now; one hundred thousand Ryo was just pocket change.

Besides, Tenmura's ninja tool shop was in Konoha—he couldn't run away.

He was now a disciple of the Hokage's line, with Tsunade's backing to rely on.

"How long will it take?"

Hikawa asked after paying the money.

"About two months."

Tenmura thought for a moment and said.

"Alright, I'll come back then."

After leaving Tenten's Ninja Tools, Hikawa jogged all the way to Tsunade's house.

"You're here? Sign this."

Tsunade sat on the sofa, lazily lifting her Jade Feet, her nimble toes twitching slightly as she pointed at the tea table.

On the tea table before her lay an unrolled scroll.

Hikawa glanced at it and immediately recognized what it was—the contract scroll of Shikkotsu Forest.

In the original work, there existed three great Summoning Beast Sanctuaries: Shikkotsu Forest, Ryūchi Cave, and Mount Myoboku.

As summoning beasts, they possessed immense power.

As sanctuaries, they taught their contractors Sage Mode and senjutsu.

Hikawa was still young and couldn't learn it yet, but there was a significant difference between being unable to learn and not being qualified at all.

By signing his name, he secured that qualification.

"Today, I'll teach you the Summoning Technique."

Seeing him sign, Tsunade explained the matters of Shikkotsu Forest to him.

Though Hikawa already knew, to avoid arousing suspicion, he could only listen again.

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