"I just happened to collect one or two of your parasitic insect corpses from places you'd been," Nara Haruki replied calmly.
Aburame Aoi was silent for a moment. The explanation felt too convenient. For it to be true, he would've had to overlook his insects, and Haruki would've needed to pay close attention to him despite his low presence. Still, the explanation had no flaws. Accepting the answer with a nod, Aoi turned away without further questions.
[Insecticide developed by Nara Haruki: Quality: Blue Ingredients: Neurotoxins, medicinal herbs Effect: Targets Aburame Clan's parasitic insects, killing them by disrupting their nervous system. Conclusion: Highly effective. Works in a short amount of time. Recognition: 50/100 Reward: +1 Physical Fitness, +10 Chakra]
Watching Aoi leave, Haruki checked his panel. Feedback from the insecticide had arrived. Satisfied, he opened his talent and physical fitness panels.
[Talent Card: Kurotsuchi Mayuri Origin: Bleach Quality: Blue (120/1000) Effect: Research Prodigy – You are naturally gifted in scientific research and development. Focus: Biology and Neurology Passive: Bio-transformation Accumulation: All mastered knowledge will be efficiently absorbed and returned as alternative knowledge or rewards. Achievements: Every recognized creation enhances physical and chakra stats. Recognized works: Dog Food, Insecticide, Yin Release: Shadow Coffin Reward: +3 Physical Fitness, +100 Chakra Obsession: Surpass Urahara Kisuke as a scientist.]
Haruki immediately felt a rush of vitality, and his previously depleted stamina and chakra were restored. Though his panel lacked exact figures, his intensive training and class-wide comparisons let him accurately estimate his status.
In simple terms, a student at the academy rated 10 in physical fitness. A Genin ranged between 10-100. Haruki now stood at over 30+, qualifying him as Genin-level. His chakra allowed for three Clone Jutsus and a Shadow Possession lasting ten minutes.
The Nara Clan wasn't known for chakra reserves. Among the Ino-Shika-Cho trio, Akimichi led in chakra and strength, Yamanaka specialized in mental prowess and sensing, while the Nara often suffered from poor physical constitution.
Many of his clan members regularly took supplements; his father Nara Shikaji was no exception. Haruki believed this clan-wide weakness shaped their tendencies: laziness due to poor health, mastery in medical knowledge due to necessity, and deer-rearing because every part of a deer, especially antlers, was medicinal gold.
Shadow techniques likely played a role too. Chakra in the ninja world derives from both body and spirit. Some chakra natures, once advanced, can backfire if the user's physical or mental state is lacking.
Just as Uchiha struggled mentally due to Yin Release, other clans faced hereditary conditions. The Nara, having no unique bloodline trait yet only suffering weak bodies, seemed lucky by comparison.
Without his golden finger, Haruki might've been another lazy Nara. But now, while not top-tier, he was far from the bottom. Continued recognition of his inventions would keep his stats growing.
Unfortunately, only chakra users could validate his creations. Mass-producing civilian-use tools for passive upgrades wasn't viable.
"Third match: Uchiha Obito vs. Hatake Kakashi!"
The Wild Card Instructor's shout snapped Haruki out of his thoughts. Though the outcome was obvious—Kakashi would win—both participants intrigued him.
Hokage's Office.
Third Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen, having just finished paperwork, watched the academy trials through Telescope Jutsu. Earlier, during a speech, he'd already noted several promising students, including those from civilian backgrounds. He often evaluated performances personally to influence team formation later on—which Genin would be assigned to which Jonin or Chunin.
"Your son, Nara Haruki, performed impressively," he remarked.
"You're too generous, Lord Hokage," Nara Shikaji replied humbly while efficiently sorting documents. He himself wasn't sure what to make of his son. Unlike the lazy norm of their clan, Haruki took initiative. He seemed unusually compatible with shadow techniques.
Though not outwardly energetic, Haruki was certainly more engaged than the average Nara child. Sarutobi nodded in understanding.
"From what I saw, he's already Genin-worthy. He calculates each move with precision. A textbook Nara fighter."
Sarutobi inhaled deeply from his pipe. The Ino-Shika-Cho clans were among his most loyal supporters. Though not the strongest, their unique secret techniques made them invaluable. The Nara handled logistics and strategy, with many women skilled in pharmacology and medical ninjutsu.
The Akimichi were tanks in battle. The Yamanaka, masters of information gathering and torture. All three had deeply integrated roles in the village.
Haruki's use of Shadow Possession and Shadow Strangulation at such a young age impressed Sarutobi. What truly intrigued him, however, was the insecticide incident.
"Has the Nara clan's insecticide advanced enough to kill Aburame parasites?" he asked.
"Insecticide?" Shikaji looked at the crystal ball's bug-covered battlefield and shook his head. "I should ask Yuno. She oversees our medical formulations."
Sarutobi nodded. He was merely curious. The Aburame would probably care more about this than he did. Conflict between the clans didn't cross his mind. The Nara weren't pesticide experts, and the Aburame parasites were resilient, capable of evolving quickly.
After glancing at the next few battles, the Third Hokage dismissed the Telescope Jutsu and resumed his work. Post-War Konoha had been flooded with missions. Most ninjas were out fulfilling contracts while only essential guards remained in the village.
The other ninja villages, nursing war wounds, stayed quiet for now. Konoha, having gained the most from the conflict, also attracted the bulk of mission money. Tensions were still present, but not yet explosive.
This period marked a rare era of peace.
Realizing the rising demand for missions and ninja readiness, Sarutobi had finally acted on Tsunade's suggestion. Using the surplus funds, he invested heavily in Konoha's medical division.
Elsewhere in the village…
A silver-haired middle-aged man loitered on a street near a bathhouse, trying to find the best vantage point. As he approached a peephole, a hoarse voice called out behind him.
"Still up to your old tricks, Jiraiya."
Unfazed, Jiraiya chuckled. He'd already sensed who was behind him. After one last peek, he turned and grinned at the pale man in a white robe.
"Long time no see, Orochimaru. Tsunade didn't come with you?"
"She's drowning herself in work and alcohol at the medical center," Orochimaru replied flatly.