S-rank Mission

Yozuki A was not surprised by these people's identities. He counted the spoils, then directly handed the long sword to Chiba Shun.

He said, "You can have this sword. I have no use for it."

"We killed them together. You have the right to a share of the spoils too."

"The money will be used as compensation for everyone."

Chiba Shun's eyes lit up. "Then, thank you!"

He truly had not expected Yozuki A to be so generous.

After all, Yozuki A had been the main force in killing that Jonin.

Theoretically, Chiba Shun had only provided support. It would have been good enough if he received a small share of the spoils.

Moreover, they had suffered tremendous losses today, yet their only gain was this one corpse. It definitely had to be divided among everyone.

Chiba Shun had thought that receiving one hundred thousand ryo would already be the limit.

Quite a few people had died, while others had been crippled or injured. They all deserved more than he did.

Aside from the corpse, this long sword was definitely the most valuable item. It should theoretically have gone to Yozuki A, yet Yozuki A had unexpectedly given it to Chiba Shun.

After putting away the long sword, he released the two children he had protected earlier.

The two children cried out in surprise when they were suddenly released.

This time, however, they did not cry. Instead, each held a kunai and stood back-to-back, watching their surroundings vigilantly.

Seeing this, Yozuki A said to Chiba Shun, "You taught these children well."

Chiba Shun smiled and comforted the two children for a while.

Only then did he realize that one of them was a girl, seemingly the one he had saved.

When they had been ambushed earlier, Chiba Shun had merely instinctively grabbed a nearby child and dodged. He had not paid attention to who it was.

After comforting the children, Chiba Shun looked up and saw a one-armed Kumogakure Chunin using a scroll to store corpses.

Chiba Shun's heart stirred. He quickly stepped forward and asked, "Senior, is there anything I can do?"

The man had originally been expressionless. Chiba Shun did not know whether he had become disheartened because he had lost an arm, or whether he was simply distressed by their side's terrible losses.

Yet after hearing Chiba Shun's words, he still forced out a smile. "My name is Asano Yujin. Just call me Yujin."

He did not dare let Chiba Shun call him Senior.

Chiba Shun's performance in the earlier battle had far surpassed his own. Shinobi respected strength, not to mention that he had now lost an arm.

Chiba Shun did not mind. Smiling, he asked, "Senior Yujin, now that you've lost an arm, what are your plans afterward?"

At those words, Asano Yujin's expression darkened further. He said nothing and merely shook his head.

Having lost an arm, his strength had fallen drastically. He definitely could not remain in this sort of elite squad.

It was uncertain whether he could even retain his position as a Chunin.

Seeing this, Chiba Shun said, "Why not come to our Ninja Academy, Senior Yujin?"

"You could teach the children how to use and make scrolls."

A glimmer of light flashed through Asano Yujin's eyes. He nodded. "Thank you."

Then, seeing that Chiba Shun seemed interested in what he was doing, he began teaching Chiba Shun how to use Sealing Scrolls on the spot.

Many combat-oriented shinobi learned supplementary skills, and the skill Asano Yujin had learned happened to be Sealing Scrolls.

He had to thank his former squad leader for that. That Jonin teacher had enjoyed making Sealing Scrolls.

Chiba Shun had not been as fortunate. His squad leader knew nothing, so he had learned nothing either.

Chiba Shun studied while helping him out.

After a while, the little girl Chiba Shun had saved also ran over to help.

Chiba Shun glanced at her in surprise, then praised her a few times.

The three of them quickly sealed all the corpses into scrolls.

After resting a little longer, everyone had finished treating their injuries and hurried toward Kumogakure.

Along the way, Yozuki A took the initiative to speak with Chiba Shun. "Chiba Shun, the Ninjutsu you used earlier was quite unusual. You could wield four swords at once."

"I have a companion who has recently been researching a similar sword style, but his research is still theoretical. He has not put it into practice yet."

Chiba Shun naturally knew he was referring to Killer B. His sword style had actually been inspired by Killer B's Eight-Sword Style from the original story.

So Chiba Shun said, "Someone actually has the same idea as me? That's great."

"After we return to the village, we can spar and exchange insights."

"I also have a companion whose swordsmanship is even better than mine, though he went to the Land of Iron. I don't know whether he has returned yet."

At that, Yozuki A fell silent.

Killer B's identity as a Jinchūriki was special. Ordinary shinobi found it difficult to approach him, and allowing Chiba Shun to meet Killer B was not something Yozuki A could decide.

Seeing that Yozuki A said nothing, Chiba Shun did not say more.

The group quickly returned to the village.

The moment Chiba Shun returned to Kumogakure, he was summoned by the Third Raikage and the other higher-ups.

Chiba Shun did not immediately report the details of the journey. Instead, he took out a scroll.

When the Third Raikage and the others saw the thirty-seven Ninjutsu recorded on the scroll, they were all shocked.

Especially after the Third Raikage examined the two A-rank Jutsu and confirmed they were genuine, the looks the higher-ups gave Chiba Shun changed.

Thirty-seven Ninjutsu. Although only two were A-rank, they were all non-Lightning Release Ninjutsu that Kumogakure did not possess.

Who among those present did not know that the greatest obstacle restricting Kumogakure's development was not even its lack of funding, but the village's foundation?

Its lack of Ninjutsu other than Lightning Release was its greatest weakness!

There were too many Kumogakure shinobi like Chiba Shun who did not possess a Lightning Release affinity, yet they could only abandon their greatest talents and cultivate Lightning Release or taijutsu instead.

How many geniuses had the village buried because of that!

Now, Chiba Shun had brought the village dozens of Ninjutsu at once, greatly easing its difficult situation.

This was even more inspiring than having the village's elite complete ten S-rank Missions!

At that moment, the Third Raikage was already thinking that even if Chiba Shun had failed to complete the mission to eliminate the White Fang of the Leaf, he did not intend to pursue the matter.

They were all eager to know exactly what agreement Chiba Shun had reached with Konoha's higher-ups.

No one suspected that Chiba Shun had sold out Kumogakure's interests, because Chiba Shun simply did not know many of Kumogakure's secrets, nor did he possess any authority that would allow him to betray the village.

A moment later, Chiba Shun explained his entire trip to Konoha.

The Third Raikage asked, "Danzo gave you these Ninjutsu? Did he really agree to get rid of White Fang?"

Only then did he remember that dealing with White Fang had been the purpose of Chiba Shun's trip to Konoha.

The Ninjutsu were already in hand. If they could also get rid of White Fang, that would be even better!

Chiba Shun nodded. "Yes. He agreed to work with us to smear White Fang."

The Third Raikage approved Chiba Shun's plan, then discussed the details with the other advisers.

Soon, a conspiracy targeting the White Fang of the Leaf was finalized.

The Third Raikage finally looked at Chiba Shun. After thinking for a moment, he said, "Chiba Shun, you obtained thirty-seven Ninjutsu for the village, including two A-rank Jutsu."

"We'll count that as the completion of one S-rank Mission, along with one opportunity to learn an A-rank Jutsu."

"The previous S-rank Mission will still require confirmation of White Fang's fate."

Chiba Shun was overjoyed and immediately replied, "Thank you, Lord Raikage!"

An extra S-rank Mission, and he could even learn an A-rank Jutsu!

He had struck it rich!

Having grown accustomed to eating and drinking lavishly in Konoha, he had thought that before White Fang died, he would probably have to live in poverty for a while.

He had not expected the Third Raikage to be so generous.

After all, up to this point, he had only completed three B-rank Missions.

They were obtained from killing two intelligence shinobi and exposing Matsuda Shan.

He had not completed a single A-rank Mission.

Now, an S-rank Mission had fallen from the sky. It could completely raise Chiba Shun's standard of living by a huge margin!

He would not have to worry about supplies for some time!

Just as Chiba Shun was rejoicing, Adviser Yukio started causing trouble again.

Somewhat angrily, he said, "Third, these Ninjutsu were not developed by him. He obtained them by representing the village in an alliance with Danzo."

"The village can overlook his unauthorized cultivation, but isn't recording one S-rank Mission too excessive?"

Under normal circumstances, only someone who independently developed a distributable A-rank Jutsu and submitted it to the village could receive an S-rank Mission Record.

Adviser Yukio's argument seemed reasonable, but Chiba Shun was extremely displeased.

He lowered his eyes, unwilling to let anyone see his thoughts.

The Third Raikage frowned. After some thought, he said, "The S-rank Mission will remain, but when these Ninjutsu spread among other shinobi in the future, he will not receive compensation."

The benefits of developing Ninjutsu were enormous, because whenever someone learned a Ninjutsu afterward, the village would provide the developer with a certain amount of compensation.

Yet because of Adviser Yukio's one sentence, Chiba Shun lost this enormous source of income!

What angered Chiba Shun even more was that Adviser Yukio still refused to let him go. He continued, "Fine, but he cannot teach these Ninjutsu to others without authorization!"

Chiba Shun forcibly swallowed back a curse.

He had originally planned to teach these Ninjutsu to his subordinates after taking on disciples.

He could even have taught these Ninjutsu to other shinobi in the village in exchange for compensation.

Now, it was all gone!

This time, the Third Raikage did not object and nodded.

Afterward, the Third Raikage and the others asked Chiba Shun about some more details of his plan with Danzo.

After he finished explaining, Chiba Shun cautiously suggested, "Lord Raikage, I have an idea."

"I think we can also notify the other Shinobi Villages in advance. Tell them that Konoha's higher-ups are dealing with their hero, the White Fang of the Leaf, and have them prepare for war."

"We can also secretly gather troops and be ready to enter the Land of Fire at any time."

After speaking, Chiba Shun secretly glanced at the higher-ups.

What he had said was a serious political mistake.

What was his status? A Chunin!

A Chunin actually dared to suggest that the higher-ups start a war. That was far too disrespectful toward them.