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Chapter 122: The Traditional Nara Win-Win Principle!
🕑 Added 2025-08-10 14:23:31 +0000 UTCChapter 122: The Traditional Nara Win-Win Principle!
"A brand new S-rank technique, [Shadow Manipulation Technique]!?"
Looking at the technique information on the panel, Nara Keisuke's eyes instantly lit up. "It's just as I predicted before! The S-rank [Shinobi Secret Scroll] obtained from a family S-rank mission can indeed, based on one's own abilities, comprehensively create a brand new S-rank ultimate ninjutsu!"
Keisuke focused his attention on the effects of the [Shadow Manipulation Technique]. The first effect was basically in the same vein as the [Shadow Doppelganger Technique] and the [Shadow Transformation Technique]. The only difference was that the tangible-intangible conversion effect of the first two S-rank [Shadow Secret Techniques] acted on doppelgangers and creatures, while the effect of the [Shadow Manipulation Technique] acted on [Shadow Threads].
"Compared to the [Shadow Doppelganger Technique] and the [Shadow Transformation Technique], which cannot be directly used for offense, the [Shadow Manipulation Technique] can barely be considered an attack-type ultimate ninjutsu." Keisuke rubbed his chin and fell into deep thought. "Considering the operating method of the [Shadow Threads] and their tangible-intangible conversion effect, this might be an 'unbeatable' S-rank attack ninjutsu. As long as you dare to take it head-on, you'll be knocked out on the spot!"
The first effect of the [Shadow Manipulation Technique] already made Keisuke feel extremely satisfied. And its second effect was basically in the same vein as the [Shadow Body Manipulation Technique], with nothing particularly noteworthy.
What Keisuke was truly focused on was the third effect of the [Shadow Manipulation Technique]! "The scope of control for this [Shadow Manipulation Technique] is not just the opponent's body, but also includes their chakra, ninjutsu, and even Kekkei Genkai?!"
A brilliant light instantly burst from Keisuke's eyes. He had almost immediately thought of a way to use this S-rank ninjutsu—
"Pakura, I'm coming!"
While Nara Keisuke was rushing off to find Pakura of the Scorch Release to research a new type of Kekkei Genkai experiment, at the Nara clan grounds, the old clan head had already gathered more than half of the family elders and convened a new family meeting.
Inside the spacious and bright Japanese-style conference room, the old clan head sat at the head of the table. One after another, old men with pineapple hairstyles sat on both sides, each with an expression of boredom and trouble on their faces.
"Honestly, the Clan Head has clearly already retired, yet he still calls us all over."
"I still have to feed the deer! Calling me over so suddenly is such a pain."
"Clan Head, can you send a shadow deer to take me home later? You know, my legs aren't what they used to be."
"Same here!"
The conference room was filled with noisy complaints. Almost every elder of the Nara clan was expressing their dissatisfaction with this sudden meeting.
"This is the new A-rank ninjutsu that Lord Hokage just sent to our family." Nara Shikano manipulated his Shadow Gathering Jutsu, lifted a ninjutsu scroll from the side, and showed it to the others. "Last time it was the [Bringer-of-Darkness Technique], this time it's the [Shuriken Shadow Clone Technique]. You should have all heard of the names of these two super high-level ninjutsu, right?"
"Of course we have," said a Nara clan elder sitting in the middle of the left side. "Compared to that flashy but useless [Bringer-of-Darkness Technique], this [Shuriken Shadow Clone Technique] is a bit more sincere. However, has that person from Root made a move against our clan again?"
"No, this is the true reward that the Third Hokage gave our clan for the last incident." Nara Shikano manipulated a shadow tentacle to put down the scroll. "That [Bringer-of-Darkness Technique] must have been swapped by someone in secret..."
"Clan Head, we're all family here. There's no need for riddles," an elder at the front of the right side said lazily. "Just say it's Shimura Danzō! In the village, he's the only one with the ability and the guts to do such a thing. I really can't understand why the Third Hokage would deliberately condone the existence of such a 'Darkness of the Shinobi'. Even if his talent can't compare to the Second Hokage-sama's, he shouldn't be unable to bear a single speck of darkness."
Seeing that the elder's words were about to derail the discussion atmosphere in the room, "Ahem, ahem!" Nara Shikano coughed heavily twice. "This [Shuriken Shadow Clone Technique] is not the focus of this clan meeting! Just now, Keisuke sent me another—no, three ninjutsu scrolls."
Nara Keisuke. The man's name, the tree's shadow. The moment this super genius's name was spoken from Nara Shikano's mouth, the previously noisy conference room suddenly became so quiet you could hear a pin drop.
"That child from Shūsuke's family..." an elder quietly swallowed. "Has he researched another incredible ninjutsu?"
The impact that the [Lacquer Eye] and the [Shadow Beast Scroll] had brought to the Nara clan elders was unimaginable. It was true. The Nara were smart, lazy, hated trouble, and were not proactive. But this did not mean that the ninja of the Nara clan did not hope for the family to prosper and flourish! With the research talent that Keisuke had displayed, every elder present could see that the next hundred years of prosperity for the Nara clan basically rested on the shoulders of this super genius!
It was no exaggeration to say that back then, when Senju Hashirama and Uchiha Madara were at Keisuke's current age, their strength and talent were not as outrageous as his! The Nara clan elders did not expect him to grow to the level of the First Hokage. But Konoha's "Second Mizukage," the legendary "super forbidden jutsu master"... was it too much to hope for a little? If not, then that little-bearded man from the neighboring Kirigakure, the Second Mizukage who led the Hozuki clan to fame in the ninja world—they could at least hope for that, right?
"They are indeed three very remarkable ninjutsu." Nara Shikano passed out pre-prepared excerpts of the data to every elder present. "For the sake of confidentiality, I have not brought out all the ninjutsu, only the one with the lowest difficulty. C-rank secret technique, the Shadow Imitation Technique."
"Thank heavens, it's no longer some A-rank or B-rank ninjutsu." An elder couldn't help but joke, quickly immersing himself in reading the brief data in his hands. "That super genius has finally considered the difficulties of us mortals..."
A moment later, the elders in the Japanese-style conference room had basically read and understood the general effects of the [Shadow Imitation Technique].
"A very powerful ninjutsu."
"This is a perfect upgrade to the [Shadow Paralysis Jutsu]. As expected of Keisuke!"
"But... why do I feel like I've heard of it somewhere before?"
"Didn't that kid Shūsuke say back then that he was going to research a ninjutsu with this effect?"
"He researched it for so many years and never figured it out, yet his son did."
"I also wish I had a good son who could take over my post sooner..."
Seeing the discussion was about to go off track again, Nara Shikano could only cough heavily twice more to bring the topic back on track. "Keisuke's research is not just a single C-rank ninjutsu. There is also a B-rank, and even an A-rank supporting ninjutsu." The old clan head said concisely, "The family has nothing left to reward him with. I previously said he should be made an elder of the family—"
Before he could finish, he was interrupted by the enthusiastic discussion of the elders.
"No problem!"
"I agree with both hands and both antlers!"
"Clan Head, um, if little Keisuke becomes an elder, can I retire?"
"You fart!"
"The one who should be retiring is me!"
Closing his eyes, Nara Shikano took a deep breath. The shadow at his feet immediately turned into an eagle poised to take flight. The shadow eagle stood by his side, continuously beating its wings, stirring up a great wind in the conference room. This warning finally made the Nara elders, who were all trying to be lazy and retire, settle down.
"Hear me out first," Nara Shikano said coolly. "The position of an elder, for Keisuke, seems to be sufficient. But in the history of the Nara clan, there has never been an elder who could make such huge contributions to the family one after another. My intention is to have Keisuke directly become the clan head!"
"...You won't let us retire because you want to retire yourself—hey, wait a minute!" an elder scratched his head. "Shikano, are you really that kind-hearted as to let your own son retire so quickly?"
"I have discussed this issue with Keisuke before." Nara Shikano paid no mind to the words of his old friend who had known him for many years. "He said he only wants to enjoy the rights and not bear the obligations. But what he doesn't know is that his contributions have already surpassed those of the successive clan heads of the Nara clan!"
"That's true," another elder said. "If we let a clansman contribute to the family without limit, it's easy for things to go wrong. But if this clansman is the clan head... leading the family to prosperity is the greatest mission of the clan head!"
"That's exactly what I was thinking," Nara Shikano said with a light nod. "If Keisuke is unwilling to handle those trivial matters, then he doesn't need to. What's more, to tie down a genius like him with these daily trifles is, on the contrary, a shameful waste."
"Makes sense."
"I agree."
"I only hope that before I die, Keisuke can bring the Five-Tails from Iwagakure back to the family."
"Seconded!"
"...Seconded!"
The old clan head echoed with some difficulty, and then said with a serious expression, "If none of the elders have any objections, then the next time Keisuke has another ninjutsu innovation, I will bring this matter up to him again. At that time, our Nara clan will welcome its youngest clan head in history!"
"Shikano, what about Shikaku then?" an elder couldn't help but ask. "He is the current head of the family."
"Since Shikaku is the clan head, then he should have the magnanimity and foresight of a clan head." Nara Shikano had an air of 'this has nothing to do with me'. "Keisuke enjoys the rights of the clan head, and Shikaku bears the duties of the clan head. For our family, this is a win-win!"
(End of Chapter)
