Returning It to Its Owner

"Mm... Right now, I have six scrolls left in total. Five contain C-rank jutsu, and one contains a B-rank jutsu."

Shizune thought for a moment before answering. It was clear she didn't use the thing often—in fact, she might never have used it in front of anyone since she'd gotten it!

Put simply, while the Ninjutsu Scroll Launcher was a great gadget, it was really more of a trump card to save your life in a pinch.

No one went around flaunting their trump cards in public. That would only create a lot of unnecessary trouble, and defeat the whole purpose of keeping them hidden.

"I see... The jutsu ranks are a little low, though."

Takizawa Dan nodded, but he was still somewhat dissatisfied.

A C-rank jutsu was equivalent to a Chunin's level, while a B-rank jutsu was equivalent to a Jonin's.

Only one jutsu was Jonin-level. That was barely useful. In the crisis-ridden shinobi world, it was nowhere near enough!

After all, the Sannin—Jiraiya, Tsunade, and Orochimaru—were all Kage Level.

And the Akatsuki later on were even worse. It was ridiculously easy for any one of them to single-handedly destroy an entire shinobi village.

It seemed this thing was only good for scaring people or fighting within the village. Take it outside, and it wouldn't be much use... Takizawa Dan thought, deeply disappointed.

"Takizawa Dan, you're underestimating what this thing can do."

Seeing his unhappy expression, Tsunade spoke up to reassure him.

"The reason the Ninjutsu Launcher can serve as personal protection for the daimyo is that the rank of the jutsu scrolls it can hold can be raised without limit."

"If you're willing to pay more, you can get A-rank scrolls, or even S-rank ones—the kind known as forbidden jutsu!"

Tsunade's words immediately made Takizawa Dan see the light.

That was right. Even a handgun could be devastating if it fired high-caliber bullets.

"Then, Lady Tsunade, could you tell me where I can buy jutsu scrolls? I'd like to take a look!"

Takizawa Dan asked eagerly.

Now he was genuinely interested in making good use of the launcher.

If Tsunade was telling the truth, then this wasn't some ordinary gadget, nor was it useless. It was a treasure that could turn the tide in a critical moment, firing instantly without even needing Hand Seals!

"In Konoha... There should be a place that sells all kinds of scrolls. I remember there was a little cabinet with a few scrolls specially made for this kind of launcher."

Tsunade thought for a moment before answering. "After all, launchers like this are extremely rare. Apart from the daimyo of the various countries, no one has one. Those few scrolls are kept there so that, in case a daimyo ever comes to inspect the village, he'll have some scrolls available to replenish his supply."

"I see. But will they sell them to me? If they're for the daimyo..."

Takizawa Dan started to worry again.

There was a very strange rule in the shinobi world. The daimyo were all useless, bloated fools who knew nothing, yet the system still required the shinobi villages to swear allegiance to them and protect their countries.

The daimyo had privileges in all sorts of areas, and these special goods were no exception.

What if he happily made the trip, only for them to tell him the thing was reserved for the daimyo and couldn't be sold to him? That would be mortifying!

"Don't worry. They will." Tsunade patted her chest. "I'm the Hokage, and you're my student. Who would dare refuse to sell to you? A daimyo inspecting a shinobi village is just a formality anyway. No one actually comes. They're pampered, spending every day eating meat and drinking wine. They even need people to carry them whenever they go out. Why would they make the long trip all the way to Konohagakure just to suffer?"

"Uh... That's true."

Takizawa Dan thought about it and realized she had a point.

As the strongest military force, a shinobi village had to maintain a high level of combat strength at all times. Only then could it fulfill its purpose and protect the Land of Fire.

One important requirement for achieving great strength was to live simply and avoid material indulgence and extravagance. That was exactly why there were so few comforts in the village.

The daimyo were used to comfortable lives, so they surely couldn't stand living like ascetics. It made perfect sense that they never came.

"Thank you, Tsunade."

Takizawa Dan looked at her with profound gratitude.

It was true, but better safe than sorry. If word of this ever got out, then even though Tsunade was the Hokage, she would probably be punished.

The daimyo had long been wary of the shinobi villages' formidable strength, yet they were powerless to do anything about it. So as soon as they found the slightest fault with a village, they would do everything they could to seize on it—especially if it was a mistake made by the Hokage!

If it came to that, Tsunade might even lose her position.

Tsunade was risking her own future for Takizawa Dan's sake!

"Come on, it's no big deal. Those things are just sitting there gathering dust, so I might as well let you use them."

Tsunade was casual about it. She waved her hand as though nothing had happened.

Watching Takizawa Dan and Tsunade come to an agreement, Shizune stood by in utter confusion.

That's it? It's settled? I'm her senior disciple, and I don't even matter at all!

If there really was a place where we could get more scrolls, why had Lady Tsunade never told me about it? Yet on this little junior's very first day, she was willing to give up her position as Hokage just to get him a perk?

Waaah... Lady Tsunade, you're so biased!

Early the next morning, Tsunade took Takizawa Dan to the shop that sold scrolls.

Since it was a place that sold scrolls, it was naturally run by a shinobi. This particular shinobi, however, was an ordinary man in his forties who was still only a Genin!

That's right, a Genin. He had graduated from the Ninja Academy and earned his Genin qualification, but he hadn't even made it to Chunin.

In fact, there were many people like him in Konoha. Even Chunin were few and far between, let alone Jonin. Most shinobi spent their whole lives stuck at Genin rank. Their meager, fixed salaries weren't enough to support a family, so they had to find a second job.

In this case, he sold scrolls!