Thanks to Chinatsu's maneuver, even though Konoha had been at a disadvantage diplomatically, it gained absolute leverage. With Hiruzen Sarutobi firmly arguing its case, agreement after agreement favorable to Konoha was drawn up.
After seeing off the bedraggled Kumogakure ninja, who looked as though his soul had been sucked out of him, Hiruzen Sarutobi thought it over and decided he really ought to give Chinatsu a token reward.
Hiruzen Sarutobi: "What would you like as a reward? Tell me. As long as it isn't too outrageous, I'll grant it."
Chinatsu (smiling): "It's fine. I don't need a reward."
Hiruzen Sarutobi: "Go on. Even Anbu members receive rewards for completing important missions."
Chinatsu (smiling): "I really don't need one. I'm already happy that I could help Konoha, so there's no need for a reward."
Hiruzen Sarutobi: *****
Chinatsu (smiling): "No need."
Hiruzen Sarutobi: ********
Chinatsu (smiling): "Really, there's no need."
A vein bulged on Hiruzen Sarutobi's forehead. Why is this girl so stubborn? I'm only going through the motions, but you could at least show me some consideration. You're making it impossible for me to back down gracefully. Could it be... you're deliberately trying to annoy me???
"No, you absolutely must receive a reward. You don't seem to lack money or a home, so let's make it a ninjutsu. What ninjutsu would you like to learn? Tell me."
Hiruzen Sarutobi let out a heavy sigh. He still had his dignity to consider. Even if he didn't mind taking his subordinates' hard work for granted, others would grumble about it behind his back.
"Since you insist, Lord Hokage, then... all right. I'd like to learn the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique. Would that be okay?"
"Multiple Shadow Clones? That's no problem, but let me warn you first: this ninjutsu can easily drain the user's chakra dry. It carries a certain degree of danger."
The Multiple Shadow Clone Technique.
It was an upgraded version of the ordinary Shadow Clone Technique. The ordinary technique could only produce a few clones at once, a few dozen at most, but the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique could produce hundreds or thousands at once-provided the user had enough chakra reserves, of course.
Actually, Chinatsu was more interested in Flying Thunder God than the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique, but that would be pushing it. If she asked for that ninjutsu now, not only would her chances of getting it be slim, but she could also put herself in danger.
Ugh, being transported into this situation is seriously exhausting. I have to consider this, and then that...
Looking at Chinatsu, who still wore her professional smile, Hiruzen Sarutobi suddenly lost any desire to continue the conversation. He waved a hand, and Chinatsu turned and left the Naruto office, not as an Anbu member, but as herself.
After Chinatsu left, two knocks sounded at the Naruto office door. Knock! Knock!
"Come in."
The office door opened, and the person who walked in was naturally Kakashi, who had accompanied Chinatsu during her Anbu work.
"Lord Hokage."
"You spent the most time with Chinatsu during this mission. Tell me what you've learned about that girl," Hiruzen Sarutobi asked, feeling a headache coming on.
Kakashi lowered his head slightly and fell silent for a moment, then opened his mouth only to close it again.
He wanted to speak, but hesitated...
"Is she difficult to describe?"
"Yes... very difficult... Sometimes she seems as innocent as a child, but other times she seems like a demon... People are all contradictory, of course, but she... I can't really figure her out."
Kakashi's first impression of Chinatsu had been that she was a deeply calculating genius hidden in Uchiha Itachi's shadow. As he got to know her, he became increasingly certain that she was a genius, but he grew less sure about the deeply calculating part.
"Then do you think she... will pose a threat to Konoha in the future?" After a moment of silence, Hiruzen Sarutobi asked the most crucial question.
But Kakashi couldn't even see Chinatsu clearly as a person, let alone tell whether she would threaten Konoha in the future.
In the silent Naruto office, Hiruzen Sarutobi took a deep breath and slumped back in his chair.
One step at a time... we'll see how things go...
Meanwhile, Chinatsu walked out of the Naruto Building holding a scroll containing the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique.
Quite a haul.
Not only had she used her Sharingan to copy Kumogakure's Lightning Release enhancement ninjutsu, but she had also obtained the ninjutsu that opened the door to cheat-like power-the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique.
Sure enough, I really should get into more actual fights~
On her way home, Chinatsu couldn't help smiling. Seeing how happy she looked, the men and women along the street couldn't resist whispering and gossiping among themselves.
"Look, little Chinatsu is so happy. Did something good happen to her?"
"Oh, she must have met her destined man. What a shame. I thought my son might have a chance..."
"I wouldn't be so sure. I've got an eye for these things, and I could tell at a glance that little Chinatsu is the career-minded type. Maybe she's made a breakthrough at work. She's become a ninja again, after all~"
The men and women discussed Chinatsu quite naturally, as though it were only right. Chinatsu let their words go in one ear and out the other. She was in a good mood, after all.
It was now noon on the day after the Kumogakure ninja had been captured, and Naruto and Sasuke still had several hours before school let out. Chinatsu had planned to go home and lie in bed first, but she suddenly remembered that the Ninja Academy seemed to have an activity scheduled for today...
The Ninja Academy's practical combat class!
The Ninja Academy training ground.
"Today, everyone will take part in friendly matches. Remember, friendship comes first and competition second. Don't hit too hard, but don't be too timid either. I'll be watching, and if anything dangerous happens, I'll step in to stop it."
Iruka, the homeroom teacher for Naruto and Sasuke's class, clapped his hands as he explained the details of the friendly practical combat lesson.
They would draw lots to determine their opponents for one-on-one matches. Although class time was limited, these were Ninja Academy students, so their exchanges were basically children's fights: one would take the other out in an instant, or vice versa. They wouldn't take much time, so the aim was to let everyone fight twice during the lesson.
Hearing that they would be fighting, both Naruto's and Sasuke's eyes blazed with fighting spirit.
Naruto: My chance to prove myself is here!
Sasuke: This is a good chance to test my current strength. Assuming I get matched against Naruto, of course. As for the others...
With those thoughts in mind, the two walked up to Iruka, reached out to draw lots, and each pulled out a white slip of paper.
Iruka spent a few minutes sorting through the results, then began announcing them with a hint of surprise.
"Naruto versus Kiba Inuzuka!"
"Sasuke Uchiha versus Shikamaru Nara!"
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