Nara Shikadan's development of the [Lacquer Eye] technique had revolutionized the way the Nara clan used their secret arts.
It had freed their hands—literally—and dramatically reduced the physical toll of their jutsu.
From Nara Shikano's perspective, no amount of investment into Nara Shikadan would ever be too much.
"Speaking of the clan elders…"
Shikano stood up, his voice casual yet deliberate.
"Shikadan, want to come with me to meet them?"
He did, in fact, plan to convene a meeting of the Nara elders—not because of Shikadan's accomplishment, but because of a far more ominous reason: News from the Third Hokage.
The Third Kazekage of Sunagakure had vanished.
And with that, the Third Shinobi World War had found its fuse.
The only question left was—
Which nation would strike first?
Both Konoha and the Nara clan needed to prepare.
And Shikadan's [Lacquer Eye] ritual scroll was a rare stroke of fortune in an otherwise looming disaster.
"Meet the elders?"
Shikadan shook his head.
"If possible, I'd like to go to Shadow Pavilion first."
Shadow Pavilion—home to the Nara clan's deepest collected knowledge.
Medical records. Secret techniques. Centuries of accumulated wisdom.
"Excellent." Shikano nodded approvingly.
As expected of Shikadan. How long had it been since the clan had birthed a genius with this much drive?
Genius wasn't scary.
A genius who worked harder than normal people? That was terrifying.
If Shikadan doesn't die halfway through…
Forget Senju, Uchiha, or Hyuga—maybe, just maybe, the Nara clan could catch up to the Hozuki clan of the Mist…
Shikano couldn't help feeling hopeful.
"In addition to access to Shadow Pavilion, the clan will also provide you a gift of chakra metal—top-grade material, perfectly suited for Shadow Chakra, to be used in forging ninja tools."
He quickly wrote up a borrowing license to ensure Shikadan's access to the most restricted scrolls would go uninterrupted.
"And finally, two 'special rewards'. Depending on your needs and fate…"
Shikano tapped his chin thoughtfully.
"I was planning to give you a monthly research fund of one million ryo, but considering your family background… maybe this kind of money doesn't interest you?"
What was an angel investor?
This was an angel investor.
Shikadan was getting dizzy from the flood of rewards.
But the last sentence broke through his composure.
"Chief… do you think not accepting money makes someone stronger?"
A moment of silence.
Too reasonable.
Too shameless.
Shikano nearly choked on air.
To most, being a ninja wasn't a particularly expensive profession.
Break a kunai? Lose a few shuriken? Suck it up.
If you had enough chakra, you could power through.
But to certain kinds of ninjas?
It was a money pit. Even the daimyo's treasury would struggle to keep up.
Seeing the clan leader fall silent, Shikadan quickly backpedaled, trying to salvage what was left of his moral high ground.
"It's not about the money, Chief. I just like the feeling of earning and spending on my own."
"…Oh? Really now?"
Shikano was convinced Shikadan was a closet money-grubber—but he had no evidence.
"Then it's perfect. I've got another task for you—And it's related to those two 'special rewards' I just mentioned."
After parting ways with the clan leader, Nara Shikadan made his way toward Shadow Pavilion.
Shikano hadn't elaborated on the mysterious new "mission," only telling him to report back the next morning.
'A new S-rank mission? Doubtful.'
Shikadan mulled it over on the walk.
'I'm a freshly minted Genin. Even pulling a B-rank mission was a stretch—and that was only thanks to Tsunade's backing.'
Still, those two special rewards lingered in his thoughts.
'The Nara clan has already given me so much—money, secret arts, chakra metal… What else could they possibly offer?'
No matter how he spun it, he couldn't imagine what those two "rewards" were.
And frankly, as a secret technique family, the Nara didn't have much left to give.
Finally, Shikadan gave up guessing.
"One million ryo monthly and chakra metal... that's already huge."
His thoughts drifted to the special incense gifted by Nekobaa.
'Maybe I can commission her to craft a ninja tool? If she's willing, that is…Though I should probably ask the clan leader first, in case the family has a better option.'
'As for the money…'
Shikadan was already brainstorming ways to spend it by the time he arrived at Shadow Pavilion.
This wasn't his first time here.
He'd come before, escorted by Shikano, to borrow the ancestral "Eye of Yin Release" research notes.
After presenting the authorization slip to the guarding shinobi, he stepped into the dim hall of knowledge.
Scrolls lined every wall.
Medical texts. Herbal compendiums. Ninjutsu theory. Clan secrets.
Everything.
Shikadan didn't hesitate.
With the [Lazy Ghost System], he could learn any jutsu scroll with a single click.
He immediately made for the core vault—the Secret Technique Area.
The Nara clan's Shadow Arts were deep, complex, and specialized. Each technique was carefully tailored to different combat scenarios.
Even incomplete research notes held valuable insight.
Shikadan wasted no time.
He swept through the mature techniques at lightning speed.
'I've only learned three clan jutsu so far. There's a ton here I still haven't touched!'
[C-Rank Secret Technique Detected: Shadow Hanging Neck Technique. Learn?]
[C-Rank Secret Technique Detected: Flat Shadow Technique. Learn?]
[…] B-Rank: Shadow Shield Technique…
[…] B-Rank: Shadow Personification Technique…
[…] A-Rank: Shadow Slap Technique…
Yes. Learn all of them.
[You have learned 2 C-rank, 2 B-rank, and 1 A-rank secret technique.]
[Your Ninjutsu and Intelligence attributes have improved!]
[Ninjutsu: B- → B+]
[Intelligence: B- → B]
[Overall Rating: C- → C+ (Chūnin Level)]
'This lazy ninja… really is going to heaven!'
Shikadan put down the final scroll with glowing satisfaction.
'Right! The two [Ninja Secret Scrolls]!'
One was from the B-rank mission with Shikano—just a C-rank scroll. Not that impressive now.
But the other…
The S-rank scroll—earned from completing the [Eye of Shadow] mission—that was what truly mattered.
'Start with the C-rank to warm up!'
Shikadan sat upright, hands reverently placed on the scroll.
'Dear ancestors of the Nara clan… bless this roll!'
[Opening…]
[Scroll Contents: Technique]
[C-Rank Technique: Summoning Technique]
[Description: Basic Space-Time Ninjutsu]
[Effect: After signing a contract with summoned creatures or objects, you may summon them freely by expending chakra. Duration depends on chakra investment.]
[Technique Evaluation: "It's decided! You're the one!"]
Shikadan blinked.
'I wasn't planning to summon the ancestors of the Nara clan… but hey! It's still a space-time jutsu! I'll take it!'
He didn't hesitate.
'Now—time for the real prize. S-rank scroll, let's go!'
[Opening…]
[Scroll Contents: Technique]
[S-Rank Technique: Shadow Clone Technique]
[Description: An advanced clone ninjutsu, merging the core principles of Shadow Arts, Basic Clone, and traditional Shadow Clone techniques.]
[No hand seals required. Can be cast with thought alone.]
[Effects:]
Creates a [Shadow Clone] using Yin Release chakra, capable of freely switching between shadow form and physical form.
Clone possesses moderate durability and mobility. It can use all Yin Release techniques the user has learned. Upon dispersal, the clone's memories and experiences are returned to the main body.
The clone resonates with the user's Yin chakra and can serve as a temporary vessel for the user's spiritual consciousness.
[Technique Evaluation: "My shadow… is enough to defeat you."]
Shikadan sat frozen, staring at the panel.
Then he laughed.
'Shadow clone… without hand seals… that uses all my Yin techniques…and even carries my consciousness?'
"This isn't a jutsu—this is an army!"
The war drums of the ninja world might be starting to beat—
But Shikadan?
Shikadan was building a one-man legion.