S-rank Mission

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 him together. You have the right to claim some of the spoils too."

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

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

He truly had not expected A to be so generous.

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

In theory, Chiba Shun had only assisted. 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 single corpse, which would certainly have to be divided among everyone.

Chiba Shun had thought that getting a hundred thousand ryo would already be the absolute 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 undoubtedly the most valuable item. It should theoretically have belonged to A, yet 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 let out startled cries as soon as they were released.

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

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

Chiba Shun smiled and spent some time calming the two children down.

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

When the ambush had happened earlier, Chiba Shun had merely grabbed a child beside him and dodged on instinct. He had not noticed 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 thoughts stirred. He quickly stepped forward and said, "Senior, is there anything I can do?"

The man had originally been expressionless. Perhaps losing an arm had left him disheartened, or perhaps Kumogakure's heavy losses had pained him.

But upon 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. Ninjas respected strength, not to mention that he had now lost an arm.

Yet Chiba Shun did not mind. Smiling, he said, "Senior Yujin, you've lost an arm. What are your plans after this?"

At that, Asano Yujin's expression darkened further. He said nothing, only shook his head.

With one arm gone, his strength had dropped drastically. He certainly could not remain in an elite squad like this.

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

Seeing this, Chiba Shun said, "Senior Yujin, why not come to our ninja academy?"

"You can 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 him on the spot how to use Sealing Scrolls.

Many combat-focused ninjas learned some supporting skills, and the skill Asano Yujin had learned happened to be Sealing Scrolls.

For that, he had to thank his former squad leader. That Jonin teacher had loved making Sealing Scrolls.

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

Chiba Shun studied while assisting him.

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

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

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

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

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

"I have a companion who has recently been researching a similar sword technique, but his research remains theoretical and he has not begun practicing it."

Of course, Chiba Shun knew he meant Killer B. His own swordsmanship 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."

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

"I also have a companion whose swordsmanship surpasses mine, but he went to the Land of Iron. I don't know whether he's returned yet."

At that, A fell silent.

Killer B's identity as a jinchuriki was special. Ordinary ninjas could hardly come into contact with him, and allowing Chiba Shun to meet Killer B was not something A could decide.

Seeing that A had nothing to say, Chiba Shun did not press the matter.

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.

Rather than immediately reporting what had happened during the mission, Chiba Shun took out a scroll.

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

Especially after the Third Raikage examined the two A-rank Jutsu and confirmed their authenticity, the higher-ups' gazes toward Chiba Shun changed.

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

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

Its shortage of jutsu collections outside Lightning Release was its greatest weakness!

There were far too many Kumogakure ninjas like Chiba Shun who lacked a Lightning affinity, yet they could only abandon their greatest talents and instead cultivate Lightning Release or taijutsu.

How many geniuses had the village buried because of this!

Now, Chiba Shun had brought dozens of jutsu to the village at once, greatly easing its predicament.

This was even more exciting than the village's elite completing 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 would not pursue the matter.

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

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

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

The Third Raikage said, "Danzo gave you these jutsu? He truly agreed to get rid of White Fang?"

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

They already had the jutsu. If they could also eliminate White Fang, that would be even better!

Chiba Shun nodded and Responded, "Yes. He agreed to cooperate with us in smearing White Fang."

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

Very soon, a conspiracy against the White Fang of the Leaf was formed.

Finally, the Third Raikage looked at Chiba Shun and, after some thought, said, "Chiba Shun, you obtained thirty-seven jutsu for the village, including two A-rank Jutsu."

"This will count as completing one S-rank Mission, and you will also receive one opportunity to learn an A-rank Jutsu!"

"As for the previous S-rank Mission, we still need to confirm White Fang's fate."

Chiba Shun was overjoyed. He immediately Responded, "Thank you, Lord Raikage!"

An additional 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 likely have to live frugally for a while.

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

After all, he had only completed three B-rank Missions so far.

They were from killing two intelligence ninjas and exposing Matsuda San.

He had not completed a single A-rank Mission.

Now, an S-rank Mission had fallen from the sky, enough to raise Chiba Shun's standard of living by a great deal!

For the time being, he would not have to worry about supplies!

Just as Chiba Shun was rejoicing, Advisor Yukio began causing trouble again.

Somewhat angrily, he said, "Third, he did not develop these jutsu himself. He obtained them by representing the village in an alliance with Danzo."

"The village can overlook the fact that he cultivated them without permission, but isn't recording an S-rank Mission too much?"

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

Advisor Yukio's argument seemed reasonable, but Chiba Shun was deeply displeased.

He lowered his eyes, unwilling to let anyone see what he was thinking.

The Third Raikage frowned. After some thought, he said, "The S-rank Mission credit remains unchanged, but he will not need to be compensated when these jutsu are later circulated among other ninjas."

The profits from developing jutsu were immense, because whenever someone later learned a jutsu, the village would pay the ninja who developed it a certain reward.

But because of a single remark from Advisor Yukio, Chiba Shun lost this huge source of income!

What angered Chiba Shun even more was that Advisor Yukio still would not let him off. He continued, "Fine, but he cannot teach these jutsu to others on his own!"

Chiba Shun forcibly swallowed the curse that had nearly burst from his lips.

He had originally planned to teach these jutsu to his subordinates once he took disciples.

He could even have taught these jutsu to other ninjas in the village in exchange for payment.

Now, it was all gone!

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

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

After finishing his explanation, Chiba Shun cautiously suggested, "Lord Raikage, I have an idea."

"I think we can notify the other ninja villages in advance and tell them that Konoha's higher-ups are moving against their hero, the White Fang of the Leaf, so they can prepare for war."

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

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

What he had just said was a serious political mistake.

What was his status? A Chunin!

For a Chunin to dare suggest that the higher-ups start a war was far too disrespectful of their authority.