417 Learning Ninjutsu in a Glance

Despite Orochimaru talking as if he were terribly wronged and miserable, Shinju still decided to lock him up for a while.

He didn't trust Orochimaru.

Even though Shinju had already planted the will to guard Konoha deep inside that guy's mind.

There was no denying that Orochimaru was genuinely talented—but talented people often had strange temperaments, and Orochimaru was stranger than most!

After leaving the prison, Shinju headed home. On the way, he happened to pass a fruit shop that was about to close and casually bought some bananas.

At home, Naruto had come back unusually early today and was studying diligently in the living room.

Seeing this scene made Shinju genuinely happy.

He finally understood his parents' mindset from his previous life…

"Naruto, take a proper break. Reading too much hurts your eyes. Come over and have some fruit."

As he spoke, Shinju tossed Naruto a banana.

Naruto put down his book, caught the banana, and sighed.

Shinju asked curiously, "Run into something you don't understand while studying?"

Naruto shook his head. "Lately, I just keep feeling uneasy. Shinju, when do you think the Ōtsutsuki clan will send someone again…"

"The book says the unknown is the scariest, and waiting is the most agonizing. I guess this is that feeling."

Shinju smacked his lips. "You've barely read any books—how did you suddenly start sounding so poetic? --003d_--003d"

"Put your mind at ease. Even if the Ōtsutsuki show up, they won't get past the Konoha fortress."

"But you did remind me of something—we really should start preparing for war. (눈‸눈)"

"The ninja of Konoha are just too weak overall. We need to find a way to raise their average strength…"

"How about talking to Fukasaku and sending all of them to Mount Myōboku to train in senjutsu? (ﾉ∇︎〃 )" Naruto suggested.

Shinju shook his head. "Senjutsu has extremely harsh requirements. It demands specific chakra conditions, so large-scale training isn't realistic. Still, we can send a few top-tier ones… toss Konohamaru in there too."

Naruto: "Then… open up the village's Scroll of Seals?"

Shinju continued shaking his head.

"The jutsu sealed in there are sealed for reasons—either they're too damaging to the body, or they violate basic ethics…"

"But you did give me an idea. We can popularize some practical jutsu within the village—like the Rasengan."

"Your dad developed that technique. The stronger the user, the greater its power. It doesn't demand extreme chakra reserves overall—just that it's hard to learn. We can store it in data form and distribute it, promote it widely…"

"Also, chakra armor can be prioritized for Konoha."

Naruto was stunned. "You're giving it out for free? Shinju, that's insanely generous! (°A°`)"

Shinju shook his head.

"What are you thinking? Of course not. They'll buy it with discount coupons. Konoha ninja get fifty percent off—basically half-sell, half-give…"

Naruto nodded. At that price, it barely covered costs. It was clear Shinju was really going all out to arm Konoha's ninja.

"Alright, enough talk. Get back to studying." Shinju yawned.

"Study hard! ❛‿˂̵✧"

With that, Shinju went upstairs to sleep.

...

The next day.

Claiming he felt unwell, Shinju once again had Naruto cover his duties for the day.

He himself slept in comfortably.

After sleeping until mid-afternoon, Shinju got up, hastily threw together a simple lunch, and decided to head to the Land of Silence for a look.

Half a year ago, Chino had been propped up as the daimyo of the Land of Silence by Suigetsu's unreliable group.

Although Suigetsu said they would supervise Chino and make sure she became a good daimyo, Shinju still couldn't relax!

Whenever that bunch got together, it was already a blessing if they didn't cause chaos—doing anything good was unlikely!

...

At the daimyo's residence in the Land of Silence, Chino stood with her hands on her hips, glaring at the assembled ministers.

"What are you people doing? It's already been half a year—why is the treasury still in deficit… Could it be someone's lining their own pockets? (눈益눈)"

One minister looked like he was about to cry.

"Daimyo, you can't blame us for the deficit. All the new policies you implemented after taking office cost money. And you're even distributing funds to elders over sixty-five… Those people can't generate any value for the state—why support idle mouths?"

"I recall you're already over sixty yourself, aren't you? By your logic, should I have you executed on the spot? (ㅎ‸ㅎ)" Chino said, her Ketsuryūgan activating as her presence surged.

The ministers immediately fell silent, trembling.

This daimyo might look like a little girl, but she was ruthless and seasoned…

Soon, the ministers dispersed. Chino turned and muttered as she walked,

"A bunch of useless gluttons! They can't produce results when asked to work, but they sure know how to talk back! Sooner or later, I'll confiscate all their property! (▼ヘ▼#)"

Just as Chino was about to enter the inner hall, she heard a noisy clatter—clack-clack, rattle-rattle…

She pushed the door open and discovered that Suigetsu's group was playing!

Chino said, "You guys never help when there's real work, and now you're taking turns playing every day—what's that supposed to mean?"

The moment the words left her mouth, she sensed something was off.

Why was there an extra red-haired person at the table today?

Looking again, Chino confirmed the identity and shuddered.

"Shinju… Sixth Hokage-sama… why are you here, sir? (๑❛ᴗ❛๑)"

She forced a smile.

Shinju raised a hand, signaling her not to rush.

"My turn to draw… good tile! I'm ready! ୧⍢⃝୨"

After drawing his tile, Shinju finally turned to look at Chino.

"I came to see how you're doing as a daimyo."

Chino instantly felt a mountain of pressure! (≖╻≖;)

She still vividly remembered Shinju's methods from back then!

"Relax. You've done well."

"I heard that after taking office, you not only pushed hard for foreign trade, but also reduced taxes and provided pensions for the elderly… impressive, Chino. (°Д°)b" Shinju said, giving her a thumbs-up.

Chino was both shocked and honored, replying modestly,

"It's all thanks to the Hokage-sama's guidance."

Shinju said, "Alright, come play cards…"

...

A few hours later.

With Suigetsu, Karin, and Chino repeatedly feeding him good tiles, Shinju won dozens of rounds in a row, laughing so hard his eyes nearly closed.

"Wow, your skills really aren't great! (◔◡◔)"

Chino and the others forced awkward laughs. "Heh heh heh…"

Shinju wasn't stupid—he knew they were deliberately letting him win to keep him happy. He suggested,

"What's for dinner tonight? My treat!"

Chino replied, "No need, I'm already the daimyo of the Land of Silence…"

"Oh right—where did Jūgo go? I've been here so long and haven't seen him once." Shinju suddenly realized Jūgo was missing and asked.

Suigetsu said, "You know Jūgo—he can communicate with small animals. He probably went out to play."

"But it's already dinner time…" Shinju said doubtfully.

Karin waved her hand. "It's fine. He does this all the time. And he's really strong—when he absorbs natural energy and goes berserk, no one can stop him…"

Halfway through the sentence, Karin fell silent.

Shinju said, "Yeah. If he goes berserk outside and starts killing people, that'd be a real problem… We'd better bring him back!"