[You have completed the B-rank Mission: Bounty Hunter!]
[You have obtained a C-rank Ninja Secret Scroll!]
Nara Shikadan stood at the foot of the Hokage Building and calmly closed the system panel.
Turn. Stop. Look up. Stare.
Twelve years old this year, standing downstairs at the Hokage Building like a low-ranking NPC.
No need for ecstasy, and likewise, no need for deep despair. That kind of peaceful life is exactly my goal.
Nara Shikadan stared at the red building before him—symbol of the highest authority in Konohagakure.
But even so, I still know... the new era won't be built by the old.
[Awareness has improved. Spiritual energy has increased. Your [Intelligence] attribute has been enhanced!]
[Intelligence: C+ → B-]
Is human growth about overcoming one's immature past?
A trace of firmness, previously absent, appeared in Shikadan's eyes. He picked a direction and stepped forward.
Set a small goal first—raise my overall strength to the level of a B-rank jonin as soon as possible!
No response from the virtual panel.
Well, it seems a ninja can't issue missions to himself.
As he gradually walked away from the Hokage Building, Shikadan pulled out the black scroll Tsunade had given him earlier.
The scroll was immaculately clean. The surface was smooth and slender, its dark color unblemished, and it emitted a faint scent of disinfectant.
A gift from a fat sheep? How generous!
Shikadan didn't immediately check its contents. Instead, he solemnly stored it in his ninja tool pouch.
Just now, why did Root's Danzo look at me like that?
He said he'd received intel from Iwagakure. Could it be…
Did Sister Nono return to the village because of this?
Yakushi Nono had never revealed her identity as a Root ninja to Shikadan.
But he not only knew that—he knew her future trajectory as well.
Yakushi Nono, Root, Shimura Danzo...
Just as Shikadan was pondering how to free Yakushi Nono from Root—
He arrived at his destination.
"Welcome! This is the Konoha Weapons Shop!"
A polite, enthusiastic voice came from a young, black-haired shopkeeper.
"Our ninja tools cover everything! If you need it, we have it!"
Shikadan looked at the smiling owner and asked tentatively:
"Everything?"
The shopkeeper vowed, "There's nothing we don't sell—only things you haven't thought of!"
"Well, I won't make it hard for you. Let's skip the top-shelf stuff. Start with a Banana Fan."
The Banana Fan—one of the legendary ninja tools once wielded by the Sage of Six Paths—could ignore chakra natures and unleash composite jutsu of the five basic elements: Water, Fire, Wind, Earth, and Lightning.
"...I'm sorry, sir. We're just a small business—we don't carry legendary relics of the Sage of Six Paths."
"Alright, a step down then. Do you have the Uchiha Clan's Flame Fan?"
The Flame Fan—an heirloom forged from the God Tree—could manipulate Wind and Fire Style jutsu and even reflect attacks.
"...I'm sorry, sir. We don't sell Uchiha heirlooms in a Konoha tool shop."
"Okay, one more step down. One of the Seven Ninja Swords from the Hidden Mist—the great blade Samehada."
Samehada: a living sword that absorbs chakra.
"...Still no, sir. We're just an ordinary ninja tools store."
"Kusanagi Sword—"
"Customer! This is a family-friendly department store offering reasonably priced daily-use ninja tools!"
"Oh, you should've said that earlier!"
Shikadan shrugged. The frustration from the Hokage Building finally found an outlet.
"I need a pair of single-lens tactical sunglasses, a chakra test paper, and one Ration Pill."
Sunglasses?
Aburame Clan, right? No wonder you're so long-winded! From today on, I'm blacklisting you people! No more bug rations at this price!
The now visibly older-looking black-haired shopkeeper swiftly pulled out three items from behind the counter and sent off the "Aburame Plague God" at lightning speed and rock-bottom prices.
Tactical sunglasses and chakra test paper—reasonable. But a Ration Pill for 1,000 taels… Could there be secret technology I'm unaware of?
Shikadan tucked away the chakra paper, planning to test his chakra nature in private.
Same for the Ration Pill. Though higher-quality ones probably existed at home, he didn't want to face those fussy in-laws for now, so he settled for testing this one alone.
Three items, one left to inspect.
A pair of frameless tactical sunglasses: slim black metal arms, dark blue rectangular lenses. High craftsmanship.
"This shopkeeper has good taste!"
Shikadan took out an alcohol wipe from his pouch, sterilized the lenses, and put them on.
"A bit tight the first time…"
After tidying up, Shikadan resumed his walk.
Although Tsunade—Director of the Medical Department—had temporarily recruited him as a young intern for a B-rank mission…
At present, the "Director" had other matters to handle.
Shikadan decided he should report to the Medical Department first.
Next stop: Animal Training and Rehabilitation Center.
"Why are you touching him there?!"
"He's lying here! What else can I do?!"
"You should be doing an autopsy! An autopsy!!"
"You don't need to teach me how to do my job!"
"You're the worst veterinarian I've ever seen!"
Shikadan stood at the door of the Animal Training and Rehabilitation Center, listening to the sharp exchange of two shrill female voices from within.
For a moment, he wasn't sure whether to lead with his left foot or right—or come back in a few days.
Just then, a loud, wild-sounding voice called out:
"Who's outside? Come in!"
Shikadan grit his teeth and opened the door.
What met his eyes was a large room resembling a ward.
The two women stood opposite each other, a narrow bed between them. On the bed lay a creature covered in thick fur.
Shikadan glanced at it.
So it's just a cat—wait, huh?!
"Sunglasses?"
The woman on the left had a spiky afro that warned people not to get close. She was likely the "veterinarian" and had just called Shikadan inside.
"Aburame Clan? Your bugs can't be treated in our rehab unit!"
Then she sniffed.
"Wait! That strong scent of deer... medicinal herbs... and a Ration Pill?! You're not from the bug clan—you're Nara?"
Do you have a dog's nose or something?
Shikadan widened his eyes slightly, then noticed her forehead protector emblem.
An Inuzuka Clan ninja!
Even among sensory specialists, the Inuzuka's olfactory ability—amplified by their secret techniques—was off the charts.
Still, you smelled a Ration Pill and could tell the brand? That's a bit much.
Shikadan nodded to the Inuzuka woman, then shifted his gaze to the other.
In the middle of her voluminous golden waves, a pair of purple triangular cat ears twitched. Beneath finely arched brows were vivid purple eyes, beautiful enough to seem artificial. The aura around her was charming and delicate.
Like a golden cat demon who'd taken human form.
"Nara Clan?"
Her eyes lit up. She didn't approve of the veterinarian's tone or habits—but she trusted that nose.
"The Deer Clan, famous for medical talent and wealth?"
"Yes."
Shikadan adjusted his glasses and introduced himself. The two women returned the favor.
Inuzuka Tsume.
Nekobaa.
"Her real name is Nekumura Himuri," said Inuzuka Tsume, clapping Shikadan on the shoulder. "She's from the Nekumura clan—black market merchants."
"But now she says she's left the clan, dropped her surname, and calls herself 'Nekobaa'... Honestly, I think 'Cat Girl' fits better."
Black market merchant clan?
Shikadan blinked, puzzled.
"I'm guessing you've never heard of them," Tsume added. "They're pretty far removed from fresh Genin like you."
"You may not have heard of them," Nekobaa interrupted, patting her lips with faux modesty, "but our Nekumura Clan—ahem!—I'm different from those people. I'm a legitimate businesswoman!"
With that, she pulled a burning stick of incense from her sleeve and handed it to Shikadan.
"Nara boy, this is a ninja cat token. If you ever need to trade, light this anywhere in Konoha. A ninja cat will come to you."
"But remember—cats are picky."
Shikadan accepted the incense, baffled.
Nekobaa gave him a slow, elegant nod, then vanished like smoke, leaving only a fragrant breeze behind.
"Finally! That troublesome woman is gone."
Inuzuka Tsume stretched and pinched her nose as she walked toward the bed.
"How rude—bringing me a dead ninja cat!
"So, Little Nara—what brings you to the Animal Training and Rehabilitation Center?"