[Mission complete. Please select your reward.]
Oh, right. I almost forgot about that.
So the first few options were too weak to meet the mission requirements?
Thinking it over, Shinmoku opened the reward screen.
It had been a long time since he'd last completed a B-Rank Mission. He'd chosen Water Release then, and later learned that the ninjutsu granted by the system came with maxed-out proficiency. He'd regretted his choice ever since.
Shinmoku was plagued by the happy dilemma of having too many options.
There were so many things he wanted. Even the Fire Release and Lightning Release he didn't particularly need came with powerful techniques like Searing Migraine and False Darkness.
And that was nothing compared to the Uchiha-exclusive Uchiha Flame Formation and Flying Thunder God Slash, which was based on the Flying Raijin Jutsu.
Too bad there was no Flying Thunder God Second Step. That technique seemed to be A-Rank. If it were available, it would've clinched the whole thing.
Better stick with an elemental nature. He was only three short of having them all, so he might as well see it through.
Yang Release wasn't available. It must be in a higher-level pool... Would he be stuck with a random choice when it finally showed up?
Shinmoku shook his head, pushing down his unease.
"Wind Release."
He confirmed his reward.
The reward was issued, and Shinmoku closed the system screen.
...Crap. He forgot to ask for directions.
He could find the exit by retracing his steps, but a wild idea had just occurred to him—he could sense the Flying Thunder God markers in Konoha.
Should he just walk back after all?
No. Now that he'd thought of it, wouldn't it be a waste not to try?
It was only five hundred kilometers. Not that far.
The devil and angel in his mind began to fight. Shinmoku's breathing grew heavier, his heart pounding.
Here goes!
"Flying Raijin Jutsu!"
His veins bulged and his eyes widened.
Just before he closed his eyes, he saw the image of himself that Shinna's clone had taken on in the room.
Ryūchi Cave.
A tall woman appeared and stared at the spot where Shinmoku had vanished.
"Space-Time Ninjutsu?"
She knew about the old woman's test. It was nothing to someone with a steadfast heart, but the slightest sign of weakness would prove fatal.
But even passing the test wouldn't mean the contract scroll could be handed out just like that.
Orochimaru might be unpleasant, but there was no denying his abilities. What made this man worthy of receiving the scroll?
Curious about what the old woman had up her sleeve, she'd agreed to sign a contract with him... Though part of her had wanted to go out and see the world, too.
Now she had no doubts. An Uchiha who mastered Space-Time Ninjutsu couldn't be weak, no matter how you looked at it.
"For three days, that woman came four times."
Shinmoku leaned against the headboard while Shinna stood beside him, speaking with indifference.
"Who?"
Shinna shot him a look that seemed almost scornful.
"...How'd you fool her?"
"Behind the screen, I had my clone jump into the medicinal bath. We didn't speak directly."
"Good."
"And," Shinna continued, "Hinata came once, and Tenten came twice..."
"Can't be helped. Your big brother's got charm."
Shinna gave him a cool look. "Rock Lee came twice, Might Guy came twice, and Neji Hyuga came once."
"Charisma," Shinmoku added, trying to save face. Then he continued, "What did Neji come for?"
"He came with Tenten. They must've stopped by on their way back from training."
"Good."
No questions there. Kai Team were still decent people.
"Now then—" Shinna changed tack. "Where did you go?"
"To Ryūchi Cave." Shinmoku nodded toward the scroll at the foot of the bed. "Got a contract scroll. Want to sign it?"
After taking a second to process the information, Shinna asked gravely, "Was it dangerous?"
"What's dangerous about that?"
"I mean Ryūchi Cave!"
Shinmoku ducked his head. "...It was fine. Pretty fun, actually."
Shinna couldn't tell if he was telling the truth. She said nothing else and didn't even look at the scroll. She glared at him fiercely, then turned and walked out.
After resting for a day, Shinmoku resumed his training.
The days passed, and soon there was only one day left before the Chunin Ninja Exams.
That evening, at the Hokage Mansion.
The Third had a pipe clenched between his teeth as he gazed at the Fourth Hokage's portrait. The tobacco in the bowl glowed and dimmed, while the smoke stretched into thin strands and slowly vanished into the air.
If you were still alive, Konoha would never have fallen into its current state, would it?
Threats loomed both within and without. Konoha's strength had sunk to its lowest point since the village was founded.
The one consolation was that the Will of Fire had been nurtured well. The new generation of ninja was growing quickly, and before long, many powerful shinobi would emerge.
Since becoming Hokage, this was the first time he'd felt so uncertain.
But he wasn't dead yet. He could still protect the children!
He stood and left the Hokage Mansion.
After spending a while at the Konoha Memorial Stone, memories of the First and Second Hokage's guidance came rushing back.
Then he made his way to the Ninja Academy, where some children were practicing Taijutsu.
Across from Kage Rock, Iruka was teaching the new students about the Will of Fire. His own grandson was among them.
After giving a speech, he bid them farewell and headed toward the edge of Konoha, walking all the way to the Uchiha Clan's former compound.
After finishing his training, Shinmoku headed home beneath the sunset. At the entrance, he found the Hokage waiting for him.
"Lord Hokage."
He stopped and greeted him respectfully.
"Shinmoku," Hiruzen Sarutobi asked with a kindly smile, "have you settled in all right since returning to the village?"
"?" Shinmoku was confused, but answered, "Pretty well."
"I came to apologize to you."
"?" Shinmoku blinked. "Is it because of the Anbu?"
"Yes. And Anko as well. She was also given the task of keeping an eye on you."
"..." Shinmoku showed little emotion. "I understand."
"Looks like you already knew." Hiruzen Sarutobi could tell from his expression.
"After all... this is what I do."
Both of them fell silent for a long while.
Shinmoku struggled with himself, then finally sighed.
"Gekko Hayate was killed by Baki of Sunagakure. Kabuto Yakushi was there too. We can assume the Sound Ninja and Sunagakure are working together. If tomorrow's exams go ahead... watch out for the Kazekage."
That was what he'd gathered from the information and reasonable deductions.
The consequences of saying this included—
The Chunin Ninja Exams might end early, lowering his mission rating.
Or his mission rating might rise for providing critical intelligence and protecting Konoha.
He might save the Third's life.
He might eliminate Orochimaru's potential threat. Orochimaru knew that Shinmoku knew he'd impersonated the Kazekage. If Shinmoku stayed quiet, Orochimaru would most likely reveal it afterward, putting him in danger.
"When did you learn this?" The Third asked sharply.
"..."
That was the most immediate consequence: his trust rating had dropped back to rock bottom.