It's Too Troublesome to be Hokage

"An A-rank miscellaneous item—[Forging Method of the Nature Mask]?"

Nara Shikadan blinked in surprise as the panel updated.

If he remembered correctly, this was the first time a [Ninja Secret Scroll] had yielded something that wasn't a technique.

He had always assumed the scrolls only produced secret arts—hence the name. But after skimming through the description of the [Forging Method of the Nature Mask], his heart suddenly surged with excitement.

"[Nature Mask]... Isn't this exactly like the 'Ninja Mask of the Black Shadow Corps'?!"

When he had first obtained the B-rank technique [Super Beast Imitating Drawing], Shikadan had imagined commanding his own elite force—the "Black Shadow Corps." But what he hadn't expected was that before he could finish evolving his "Ink Beasts" into "Shadow Beasts," the "ninja mask" meant to command the Corps would be handed to him by the system.

Granted, the ideal design was for each mask to correspond to a commander—each leading a different branch of the Corps with distinct responsibilities and strengths.

The [Nature Mask] described in this scroll was still just a prototype at best.

Shikadan studied the forging method closely.

According to the scroll, regardless of size or level, each [Nature Mask] could only store a single elemental chakra. Additionally, these masks could not generate chakra on their own. They required input from a human user—and what's more, the chakra had to always match the original element.

Near the end of the scroll, it detailed the best materials for mask creation:

"The optimal choice is a ninja heart—especially a freshly refined one, post-elemental transformation and saturated with chakra."

Shikadan's expression immediately darkened.

No.

He wasn't Kakuzu.

He had no interest in cold-blooded cruelty like ripping hearts out of ninja corpses to make accessories.

He continued reading.

"Alternatively: biological materials such as bone, blood, hair, or nails…"

"Or: special wood from trees that absorb chakra to grow…"

Each suggestion was worse than the last.

"Looks like I'll have to go with the final material—wait."

Shikadan paused.

At the very bottom of the scroll was a line of tiny print.

"In theory, chakra crystals may be the best possible material for forging [Nature Masks]...

However, due to rarity and high cost, this method is uneconomical and not recommended.

It's simpler to dig out a human heart and discard it after use."

Shikadan was silent for a long time.

"...Kakuzu, you really were brutally honest."

His fingers absently rubbed the surface of the cold ring on his finger.

He did have a chakra crystal—an A-rank quality one, at that.

But...

"I'm not willing to use it."

In his eyes, the value of that [Chakra Crystal] far surpassed that of a [Nature Mask]. The crystal could recharge itself, after all.

A rare resource like that should not be wasted.

"Maybe there's a compromise."

Shikadan's thoughts turned creative.

"I could forge a [Nature Mask] with a socketed compartment for the [Chakra Crystal]... then embed the crystal to power the mask's functions..."

"Am I making some kind of 'Stone Mask' from an ultimate lifeform manga?"

Even while mocking himself, Shikadan found the idea perfectly feasible.

Of course, the safest method would still be to buy more chakra crystals externally—

"But they're insanely expensive! Even Kakuzu couldn't afford them—how could I?!"

He sighed.

His current family assets were considerable, but according to the clan leader, a single [Chakra Crystal] could buy three mountains. Spending his entire fortune might net him one—and he wasn't even sure he'd find a seller.

More importantly, Shikadan had no intention of inheriting his family's wealth unless he had no other choice. He preferred to earn and spend his own money—guilt-free.

Like the one million ryo monthly stipend he "negotiated" from the clan leader for research purposes.

Even if he blew that in one go, he wouldn't feel bad.

"Yeah... making money has to become a priority."

"I'll need to sit down with Nono-san and hash out a new plan."

But that was for later.

Right now, he had one chakra crystal—just enough to experiment.

Instead of wasting time fantasizing about a perfect high-grade mask, it was better to use his current abilities to build something that works.

Shikadan silently assessed his chakra attributes.

He had a balanced spread across Water, Earth, Wind, and Fire.

Combined with the Nara clan's Yin Release, he could forge at least five masks: Yin, Water, Earth, Wind, and Fire.

Once he explored medical ninjutsu in the future, he might even add a Yang mask.

There was also the possibility of combining two chakra types for more complex masks...

His imagination ran wild with possibilities.

And then—his train of thought was interrupted.

The Ino–Shika–Cho team had returned.

They rejoined the main squad, looking worse for wear.

When the old patriarch saw that all the young Konoha ninja—including Nara Shikadan—were completely unscathed, he exhaled in visible relief.

Truth be told, he'd been very worried that Kakuzu might abandon the tougher Jonin and target the more vulnerable Chunin squad instead.

Fortunately, it was a false alarm.

Shikadan and the others were all intact.

In turn, Shikadan and the others scanned the three-man team from the previous generation.

Yamanaka Inoichi and Nara Shikano looked alright.

But Akimichi Choza…

He was in rough shape.

None of them knew medical ninjutsu, so they couldn't properly treat Choza's injuries. All they could do was apply clean bandages and help him rest.

While Choza sat down to patch himself up, Nara Shikano bit his index finger, formed a hand seal, and slammed his palm to the ground.

"Summoning Technique!"

With a puff of smoke, a tall white ape in a ninja uniform appeared—complete with a Konoha forehead protector.

"Enma?"

Sarutobi Asuma blinked in disbelief.

He immediately recognized the white ape—it was his father's summoning beast.

Why was it being summoned by the old Nara patriarch?!

"Shikano?"

The monkey looked surprised, but not confused. Clearly, he knew Shikano.

"Why summon me today? Something urgent?"

"On our way back to the village, we encountered a powerful bounty hunter," Shikano explained briefly. "I believe this information needs to be relayed to the village immediately. They may also need to send reinforcements."

"A bounty hunter on par with the Sannin?" the white ape repeated.

"Understood."

With that, he formed a seal and vanished.

"I'll notify Hiruzen immediately!"

As the monkey vanished, Shikano finally relaxed, half-collapsing against a deer-drawn cart to catch his breath.

A curious Chunin asked, "Nara Jonin, how did you summon the monkey demon? Isn't that the Hokage's contract beast?"

Shikano gave a weary sigh.

Seeing Asuma step forward, he replied slowly.

"I'm the squad leader of the Jonin class. Because of that role, I need to communicate directly with the Hokage often."

"Using his summoning beast is the most efficient means of contact."

Asuma nodded absently, clearly uninterested in the bureaucratic details.

Even as the Hokage's son, he had no idea what a "Jonin class squad leader" actually did.

Shikano could tell immediately.

But he didn't feel like explaining further.

He was about to close his eyes and rest—until he felt a curious gaze and opened them again.

"What is it, Shikadan? Interested in the Summoning Technique?"

"Very much so!"

Shikadan nodded earnestly.

He had always wondered why the [Summoning Technique] was listed on Shikano's [Secret Ninja Scroll]—now it made perfect sense.

But that only made him more intrigued.

After all, Summoning was a form of space-time ninjutsu!

"Speaking of summoned beasts—hang on."

Shikano leaned forward and covered the ears of the big-horned deer standing nearby.

"Some things might hurt a deer's feelings."

Shikadan nodded understandingly.

Sarutobi Asuma and the others, meanwhile, looked at the father and son duo like they were part of some deer cult.

"The Summoning Technique isn't particularly hard to learn," Shikano continued. "The real challenge is finding a suitable contract beast."

"The Nara clan's deer aren't ninja beasts—they don't have chakra."

"If you want to try the Summoning Technique in Konoha, there are two main directions to consider: the ninja dogs of the Inuzuka clan, and the crows of the Yamashiro clan."

"Of course, I'm not talking about the animals raised by individual shinobi—I mean the special lines those two clans provide to the village itself—"

He didn't finish.

A puff of smoke burst around him, and his figure vanished on the spot.

Reverse Summoning Technique.

-End Chapter-

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