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"It looked like I'd still have to make plans to get my hands on some other treasures."

Nara Dan wasn't in too much of a hurry. After all, there were all sorts of strange and unusual items in the Ninja World, and Chakra Metal wasn't the only one.

With that thought, Nara Dan opened the mysterious scroll among the clan's rewards.

When he opened it, he found neither a Secret Technique nor a Forbidden Technique, but a series of insights related to Taijutsu.

The Limits of the Human Body—Tobirama Senju

<The Effects of Chakra on the Human Body—Tobirama Senju>

Cell Activation—Tobirama Senju

<A Brief Discussion of the Eight Inner Gates—Tobirama Senju>

<The Theoretical Contest Between Gentle Fist and Strong Fist—Tenjin Hyuga>

The Art of Dancing—Madara Uchiha

At first, Nara Dan was somewhat astonished, but as a Taijutsu Expert, he was immediately drawn in by the theories.

He read for a long time, until the water in the basin had grown somewhat cool. Only the servant's voice outside, asking permission to come in and change the water, interrupted him.

"I really did underestimate those old-timers. They were willing to spend a lot."

Nara Dan's eyes shone as he set the scroll aside.

Though the scrolls recorded no powerful Secret Techniques or Forbidden Techniques, those whose Taijutsu insights had been included were at least Elite Jonin.

Some of them were even top-tier powerhouses like Tobirama Senju and Madara Uchiha.

For Nara Dan, they were even more useful than Secret Techniques, and perhaps even more useful than Chakra Metal.

There was no doubt that these things hadn't come from the Nara Clan itself. They had been obtained through exchanges of favors and benefits with the other clans.

Though these weren't clan Secret Techniques that absolutely couldn't be passed on to outsiders, many were notes written by the top experts of their respective clans, and were worth a great deal.

Although these clans were happy to build a relationship with Nara Dan, the rising star, they certainly weren't going to give these things to the Nara Clan for free.

One or two clans might have been manageable, but a large number would obviously involve a hefty debt of favors and benefits.

In other words, Nara Dan had underestimated the resolve of those seemingly unremarkable clan elders. They had truly paid a high price to win him over.

The scroll's value alone definitely exceeded that of the profit-sharing contract and the Chakra Metal.

Regardless, these Taijutsu insights were just as useful to him in practice as Chakra Metal.

(Blue) Taijutsu Mastery:

Years of training your body and fighting hand-to-hand have given you unparalleled mastery of human biomechanics, anatomy, and combat theory. On Earth, you are Ip Man; in the Ninja World, you are Might Guy.

Nara Dan stared at the Taijutsu Mastery entry as its color deepened rapidly, dyeing it a brilliant purple.

The purple was even richer than the Copper Head Iron Bone entry had been. A mere spark of opportunity might be enough to push it further into the purple tier.

"Maybe Taijutsu Mastery will be the first purple entry I cultivate myself."

Nara Dan thought to himself.

"Lord Dan, Miss Yuhi is waiting outside."

The servant's voice came through. Someone had come to visit Nara Dan.

Nara Dan rose from the steaming bathwater and let the servants attending him dry him off and help him get dressed.

This time, Nara Dan didn't wear the tight-fitting shinobi clothes he wore for training and missions. Instead, he put on a loose kimono.

The white kimono complemented his long black hair. His muscular body and tall frame were concealed beneath its broad sleeves.

Together with his deep-set eyes and sharply defined features, he looked less like a Taijutsu shinobi and more like the wise man of the Nara House.

When he reached the gate, the first thing he noticed was a pair of striking red eyes.

The slender figure came up to Nara Dan. Kurenai Yuhi, who came up to his shoulder, had to tilt her head back to meet his gaze.

When Nara Dan looked down, he caught a glimpse of deep, snowy whiteness through the neckline.

"Congratulations, Special Jonin Nara Dan."

Kurenai Yuhi smiled with her eyes narrowed. She was still young, but her mature, alluring charm was already beginning to show.

"It's only a Special Jonin,"

Nara Dan said with an unblinking smile,

"And with your talent, Kurenai, becoming a Jonin is only a matter of time. There's nothing to congratulate me for."

Nara Dan was telling the truth. Kurenai Yuhi would become a bona fide Jonin in the future. The Yuhi Clan might not be a major clan, but the Genjutsu they had passed down was distinctive in its own right.

Kurenai Yuhi rolled her eyes, temporarily hiding her charming red eyes.

How were the rest of their peers supposed to measure up when Nara Dan put it that way?

Many of those who had graduated in the same year were still struggling along as Genin at their age.

For most, becoming a Jonin was a goal they would spend their whole lives chasing.

As for that legendary realm, the entire Ninja World could count its members on one hand.

"You're still being modest about this. 'Only a Jonin'? What's the difference between sooner and later?"

"With that awful personality of yours, who knows when you'll ever change?"

Seeing the beautiful girl's coy expression, Nara Dan relaxed for once. He merely smiled apologetically rather than arguing with a girl.

Seeing that Nara Dan had no answer, Kurenai Yuhi gave a satisfied hum and took out a scroll.

"A gift for your promotion to Jonin, Lord Nara Dan. You wouldn't look down on me and refuse to accept it, would you?"

"I wouldn't dare."

Nara Dan wasn't one to stand on ceremony. He took the scroll directly and began reading it right there.

The scroll contained insights passed down by the Yuhi Clan on preventing and dispelling Genjutsu, along with some methods unique to the clan for dispelling Genjutsu.

Nara Dan even spotted Kurenai Yuhi's childish handwriting in it.

Warmth filled Nara Dan's heart. Kurenai Yuhi had known him since the Ninja Academy, so she understood him well. Nara Dan was highly skilled in Taijutsu, but his methods for dealing with Genjutsu were indeed comparatively lacking.

Whether he would ever need to use it or not, her affection was genuine.

Looking at the beauty's elegant black hair, Nara Dan couldn't resist reaching out to touch it.

Kurenai Yuhi hadn't expected Nara Dan to be so "rude." She froze for a moment, then immediately lowered her head, blushing.

With Kurenai Yuhi's head bowed, that glimpse of snowy whiteness looked even more pronounced.

"I'm very pleased with the gift!"

"In return, I'll invite the beautiful Miss Kurenai Yuhi to my barbecue party."

Nara Dan invited her.

"A barbecue... party?"

Kurenai Yuhi looked uncertain, and a little disappointed.

It was true that many shinobi invited their friends to a meal after being promoted, both to celebrate and to build connections.

But a party among friends...

"That's right." Nara Dan nodded lightly.

Seeing Kurenai Yuhi's slightly disappointed expression, he couldn't help smiling.

"It'll just be the two of us at the barbecue."

"Nara Dan?!"

Kurenai Yuhi realized he had been teasing her and flew into a fit of embarrassment and anger, punching Nara Dan.

"Ow!"

Kurenai Yuhi rubbed her reddened little hand and glared at Nara Dan. That guy's body was getting harder and harder.

"Come on, Kurenai."

Nara Dan swept out one big hand, wrapped it around the hand of hers that hurt, and pulled her away from the gate.

As the two of them bickered and flirted on the road, a figure silently watched them from the shadows.

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