Choosing a Forbidden Technique from the Book of Seals

In the forest, Aburame Shibi swallowed hard and stared dumbfoundedly at Hyuga Satoru, who stood beside him with a bow in hand.

"Satoru, that move of yours was brutal!"

From a kilometer away, he had fired three arrows in succession and slaughtered several Sand ninjas. Even Shibi could not help but be shocked by such a feat.

Especially the second arrow—it had pierced through three Sand ninjas in a single shot!

Hyuga Satoru put on a pale-faced act as though he had exhausted himself, stowed the metal bow in his storage scroll, and shook his head.

"Teacher Shibi, this isn't the time to discuss that. My chakra is nearly at its limit. We should leave quickly."

"Mm."

Aburame Shibi nodded. After briefly clearing away the traces around them, he hurriedly left with Hyuga Satoru.

At the inn.

The proprietress, Red Dove, was pacing anxiously back and forth. The moment she saw the two of them approach, her eyes lit up and she immediately went over.

"How did it go?"

"It's over."

Hyuga Satoru said.

Over?

Red Dove's eyes widened. What did he mean, it was over? Was the mission complete? Had the Stone ninjas taken the supplies back? What exactly had happened? Her mind was full of questions.

"The mission has been resolved. Red Dove, once we return, I'll report your contribution to the Hokage."

Having completed the mission, Aburame Shibi was in a much better mood. He nodded at the proprietress as he spoke.

"It's... resolved already?"

Red Dove's mouth hung open, her heart still filled with questions. Hadn't they said Sunagakure was involved behind the scenes? And it was over just like that?

There was not even a speck of dust on either of them. It did not look as though they had fought the enemy at all. Could they have simply gone to the scene, taken a look around, and completed the mission?

Aburame Shibi saw Red Dove's confusion and smiled. "This mission really was thanks to Satoru. Otherwise, it would have been troublesome. But due to the mission's confidential nature, I can't tell you the details."

Satoru?

Red Dove looked at Hyuga Satoru beside him in confusion. Such a young ninja did not even seem to be a Chunin.

Could he really have played such a major role?

After bidding Red Dove farewell, the two set off on their journey back to Konoha Village.

On the road, Aburame Shibi said gravely, "Satoru, since this mission involves two major countries behind the scenes, it will definitely be upgraded to S-rank after we report it to the Hokage."

S-rank?

Hyuga Satoru's eyes lit up. The reward for an S-rank mission was at least one million ryo!

That was an enormous sum!

"Right."

Aburame Shibi paused before continuing.

"After we return, I'll discuss it with the Hokage and give you one chance to select a forbidden technique from the Book of Seals. You should think carefully about which forbidden technique you want."

A technique from the Book of Seals?

Hyuga Satoru smacked his lips. It recorded nothing but powerful forbidden techniques, and among them happened to be one particularly famous technique he had coveted for a long time.

After several days of travel, the two finally arrived at Konoha Village.

The moment they reached the village, Aburame Shibi wasted no time and immediately brought Hyuga Satoru to the Hokage's office to report the mission.

After hearing Aburame Shibi's report, Sarutobi Hiruzen's eyes gradually brightened, and he said "good" three times in a row.

If Aburame Shibi's report was true, then after this mission, Hidden Stone Village and Sunagakure would become bitter enemies. Seven elite ninjas and supplies worth over one hundred million ryo—given what he knew of that stubborn old man Onoki, there was no way he would let this grudge go!

That way, Leaf Village would temporarily become the safe side.

Even if the situation in the Shinobi World grew chaotic again and war broke out, Sunagakure and Hidden Stone Village would be the first to fight. Leaf Village could instead sit back and watch.

Sarutobi Hiruzen stroked his beard, his gaze toward Hyuga Satoru growing increasingly appreciative. Under his manipulation, an originally complicated situation had instead developed into one most favorable for Leaf Village.

Hyuga Satoru gave an embarrassed laugh.

In truth, his starting point had not been Konoha Village. The reason he had let Yamato return alive was because he knew that when the Third Shinobi World War broke out, Sunagakure would be the first to stubbornly attack Leaf Village. Stirring up conflict between Sunagakure and Hidden Stone Village should greatly delay the outbreak of the Third Shinobi World War.

At the very least, Sunagakure, already overwhelmed with troubles, should have no mind to come looking for trouble with its big brother at this time.

That would give him more time to develop!

Time was what he lacked most.

Sarutobi Hiruzen nodded and said gravely, "I have a general understanding of how the mission unfolded. This mission is being upgraded to S-rank. In addition..."

He looked at Hyuga Satoru, paused, then said, "Because of your outstanding performance in this mission, you are being rewarded with one opportunity to select a technique from the Book of Seals. I hope you won't waste it."

Hyuga Satoru's eyes lit up. It's here. It's finally here...

Sarutobi Hiruzen took out a scroll from a drawer and handed it to Hyuga Satoru.

"This is the catalogue of techniques in the Book of Seals. Choose one you like from it, and in a moment I'll take you to where the actual Book of Seals is kept."

Hyuga Satoru quickly scanned the catalogue and soon picked out the technique he wanted.

"This one."

He pointed it out to Sarutobi Hiruzen.

"This one?"

Sarutobi Hiruzen could not help frowning. "Why did you choose this technique? This opportunity is extremely important. Once you waste it, it will be difficult to get another one."

After seeing the technique Hyuga Satoru had chosen, Aburame Shibi could not help growing anxious as well and hurriedly tried to persuade him.

"Satoru, this technique places extremely high demands on its practitioner. Are you sure you want to choose it? It would be such a pity to waste this opportunity."

Hyuga Satoru looked resolutely at Sarutobi Hiruzen. "I've decided, Lord Hokage. I choose this technique."

"Very well, since you've already made up your mind." Sarutobi Hiruzen sighed. "But I must remind you: to practice this technique, you must possess enormous chakra reserves. Before you have fully mastered it, never force yourself to use it, or your life may be in danger."

"I understand, Lord Hokage."

Hyuga Satoru nodded solemnly.

The technique he had pointed to in the Book of Seals catalogue was the future prince's signature cheat.

Multiple Shadow Clone Technique!

Not long after leaving the Hokage's office, they ran into Uchiha Rin and Anko, who had been waiting for their return.

"Your mission is finally over. I've been waiting so long my body's about to rust." Uchiha Rin rolled her shoulders a few times and spoke impatiently.

Hyuga Satoru smiled and scratched his head. "There were some unexpected changes in this mission. It was upgraded to S-rank, so it delayed us for quite a while. Once we collect the reward, I'll treat everyone to a meal."

"S-rank?"

Uchiha Rin's mouth fell open in shock, wondering whether she had heard wrong.

"You and Teacher Shibi completed an S-rank mission by yourselves?"

"Mm." Aburame Shibi nodded and said gravely, "Not only that, Satoru also played the leading role in this mission."

Uchiha Rin stared at Hyuga Satoru in astonishment. No matter how confident she was, she knew perfectly well that with her strength, she would not be able to play any significant role in an S-rank mission.

Anko was stunned as well. Her mouth opened wide, then she seemed to think of something and asked worriedly, "The mission was so dangerous. Nobody got hurt, right?"

Aburame Shibi shook his head and looked helplessly at Hyuga Satoru. He truly could not understand why Hyuga Satoru had wasted such an important opportunity on the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique.

After all, among the forbidden techniques in the Book of Seals, the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique was not particularly powerful, and its requirements for use were extremely demanding.

But Hyuga Satoru was already impatient. After saying goodbye to them, he immediately ran to the forest where he usually trained. He had a flashy trick he needed to test.