Master Dan Was Both Clever and Tough Again!

Meikyō had an arrogant look, perfectly imitating the expressions and mannerisms of certain clan members.

"Really?!"

"Are you... questioning the Uchiha Clan's strength?!"

Meikyō revealed his Sharingan and stared coldly at Hida Yuichi.

Hida Yuichi snorted. Then, considering the Uchiha Clan's sky-high pride, he figured they would disdain lying and could only let the matter slide.

At the inn.

"You finished the mission in two days? You're quite capable."

Dan Katō sat in his chair and closed the copy of The Legend of Strong Will Ninja in his hands.

Although he and Jiraiya were rivals in love, Dan Katō was also fairly good friends with him. The two of them recognized each other's strength and character.

Some time ago, Jiraiya had finished the first novel of his life. After it was published, he could not wait to give a copy to every friend he knew.

Dan Katō thought the book was actually decent.

Jiraiya's writing was fairly good, and he had shaped the protagonist, Naruto, well enough. Naruto was a ninja archetype created with an extremely idealistic mindset. However, with its clichéd plot, overly idealized worldview, lack of sufficient climactic moments, inexplicable protagonist power-ups, and a whole series of other flaws and unrealistic fantasies, Dan Katō felt that the book's sales probably would not be very good.

Still, Jiraiya had written the interactions between the protagonist and the female characters with perfect flair, making them immersive and heart-stirring.

"Tell me the full details of this mission, then we'll see how to write the mission report."

Dan Katō said this as he leaned casually back in his chair.

Meikyō, Inuzuka Ryo, and Aburame Nami exchanged quick, covert glances, their hands hidden behind their backs as they flashed a signal.

Proceed according to the original plan!

Before long, Meikyō and the others took turns recounting the entire story they had agreed upon beforehand to Dan Katō.

"So, at first, you split up to gather intelligence. Then Ryo followed the scent of the item you obtained from the Lord's Mansion and found the Stronghold where the Mountain Bandits were hiding."

"Mm-hmm!" Meikyō and the others nodded repeatedly.

That part was basically true.

"Then you attacked the Stronghold, killed every bandit inside, and had Ryo cut off the bandit leader's head. Nami's insects found where the Mountain Bandits had hidden their treasure. Finally, after moving all the treasure out, Meikyō used Fire Style to burn down the entire bandit Stronghold, corpses included, because you were worried that leaving so many bodies there would cause an epidemic."

Dan Katō repeated the account and could not help clicking his tongue.

"What a wonderful script!"

Dan Katō looked at them with an amused expression.

Meikyō's heart skipped a beat.

Oh no. From the looks of it, had he found out?

What should we do?! Help!

Inuzuka Ryo secretly made a tactical gesture with the hand behind his back.

How would I know what to do now?!

Meikyō decided to pretend he had not seen it.

"Ryo, nicely done!"

Dan Katō gave Inuzuka Ryo a thumbs-up, exactly like the gesture Ryo had made in the basement earlier.

"Meikyō, you too. Your methods are tough enough!"

Dan Katō made the same gesture toward Meikyō.

"No, no. You taught us students everything we know. Master Dan, you're the clever and tough one!"

Meikyō shook his head with a bitter smile.

Dan Katō had used some unknown method. It was as though he had truly been there, seeing every movement they made and hearing every word they said.

Could it have been the legendary Spirit Transformation Technique?

Meikyō secretly guessed.

"I didn't teach you to play these little games."

Dan Katō shook his head as well.

"But everyone who saw it gets a share. Besides, as the team captain, half of the profits earned during a mission belong to me according to the rules. So, there's no problem with using half of that 1.5 million ryō to buy me off, right?"

Seeing Dan Katō's half-smiling expression, Meikyō decisively followed his heart. He took out his wallet, separated 250,000 ryō from the 500,000 he had received, and handed it to Dan Katō with shameless eagerness. At the same time, he quickly signaled Inuzuka Ryo and Aburame Nami with his eyes.

The two of them did the same.

At least, judging from his current reaction, since Dan Katō had accepted the money, he probably would not pursue the matter any further.

In truth, Dan Katō had accepted the money on purpose.

He did it precisely so these students would know that he would not hold it against them.

"Actually, it is perfectly normal for ninja to make some extra money while carrying out missions. It is even an unspoken rule tacitly accepted by the Hokage."

Dan Katō picked up the teapot, poured three cups of clear tea onto the table, and gestured to his three students.

The three of them stepped forward and each took a cup.

"Ninja mission payments may seem high, but ninja generally carry out missions in teams, so the amount each person receives is heavily reduced. Add in the costs of daily training, purchasing and maintaining ninja tools, and there is not much left in the end. That is why they selectively earn some extra money on the side."

"Remember, I said selectively."

Dan Katō raised one finger at Meikyō and the others.

"Take Lord Hida, the client for this mission. While you were gathering intelligence, I gathered plenty as well, and mine was far more complete than yours. The evil deeds he committed went far beyond what you imagined. I even suspect that he may have colluded with the enemy, secretly selling Iron Ore and other resources produced in Tetsuseki Town to hostile countries. I will explain all this to Advisor Turnsole in the mission report."

"For people like that, as long as you do not violate ninja rules, there is no problem with seeking some benefits for yourselves within those rules. But when dealing with everyone else, we must still uphold the relationship between ninja and mission clients, employers and employees. Moreover, in such employment relationships, unless you are carrying out a mission such as protecting a daimyō, where the village has additional requirements that will be made clear to you, ninja are generally the ones taking the lead. No matter what, you are ninja of Konoha. Whatever you do, you must not violate the village's principles or damage its reputation."

After that, Dan Katō explained in detail what parts of this mission, including their final maneuvers, had not been handled cleanly and what could still be improved.

When Meikyō had first encountered Dan Katō, he could only judge his character based on the few appearances he had made in the original work.

But after spending so much time with him, Meikyō finally came to truly understand what kind of person Dan Katō was.