bookbashuk Chapter 504 The Question That Is Not Asked
Chapter 504 The Question That Is Not Asked
Chapter 504 The Question That Is Not Asked
Aside from Jirocho's side, there was no one else who absolutely needed Shuji to show up and make an appearance today.
He first went to the commercial street, intending to buy some more things for his office.
After wandering around for a while, he finally bought a few blank sealing scrolls and two secret scrolls about chakra nature transformation before returning to the ninja academy.
There was still some time before noon, so he opened one of the volumes and began to ponder it.
To be honest, it's not that I care about what Tsunade said. After all, it's been six years, and I'm already pretty much good at using other people's techniques.
After all, he has always been cautious about using new things. He prefers techniques that have already proven their effectiveness and have been stable in actual combat rather than creating them himself.
But now that we still have some time, it's not bad to get our brains working.
The direction is actually quite clear: first, we can rule out external ninjutsu.
For those who cannot absorb ninjutsu, the existing techniques are sufficient, while for opponents with chakra-based special attacks, the significance of externally projecting techniques is quite limited.
Not to mention that in another ten years or so, someone will be able to develop scientific ninja tools that can perfectly seal ninjutsu on a scroll.
Of course, Shuji didn't think that kind of thing could eliminate ninjas.
It's a simple principle: the same tool can be used by an ordinary person, and so can a ninja. Those with higher base stats will only use it better. Ultimately, the only ones who will be eliminated are those who can't learn how to use it.
So he shifted his focus to the inside.
Physical enhancement, chakra amplification, or using physical media to manipulate things—these are roughly the possibilities.
That is, put wind, water, and fire aside for now, and leave thunder and earth.
He can use Lightning Release, but he's not particularly adept at it; he's used Earth Release, on the other hand, for many years.
Earth Release is incredibly versatile; if you were to further develop its chakra properties, you could change its hardness and density.
From strengthening the physical body to soaring high into the sky.
Thinking of this, Shuji's interest was even higher than before.
He's been dreaming of cultivating immortality for many years, but whether he'll succeed or not, given his limited developmental abilities, who knows when that will be. But the possibility of flying is something he can certainly hope for.
He's like a mythical beast now, possessing considerable combat power on the ground, and can even mimic the effect of the cliff-breaking sword using ninjutsu, but he just can't fly.
Wingsuit flying isn't impossible, but it's ultimately not convenient enough.
Shuuji thought of Ohnoki again.
The little old man often floats in the air, and although he is short, he is always naturally half a head taller than people.
The Technique of Light and Heavy Rocks is a secret of Iwagakure (Hidden Rock Village), and outsiders cannot learn it.
I wonder if I can exchange something with the old man later.
But the chances of success are estimated to be extremely low.
If you are doing the research yourself —
Shuji scribbled a few lines of thought on a blank scroll.
Instead of using complete light and heavy rocks, the goal is to reduce their density, achieve hovering, and slow descent.
His wind manipulation technique is passable; creating airflow for lift isn't too difficult, and then there's controlling his aerial posture and counteracting external interference.
He drew a few crooked diagrams on the scroll, with arrows and labels crammed together. After finishing them, he looked at them and thought they were too ugly, so he rolled up that part.
It's susceptible to external interference and lacks stability. The Onoki route is definitely better.
Shuji put down his pen and leaned back in his chair.
If we could fly directly, many things would be much more convenient: reconnaissance, maneuvering, traveling, or even just sitting in the sky and daydreaming.
He pondered this for a while, and time slipped away as his thoughts raced back and forth.
The sound of people walking outside in the corridor began.
Iruka appeared at the office door, holding a vase in both hands.
The vase had a light blue glaze and a dignified shape. Although it wasn't particularly valuable, it was clear that it had been carefully chosen.
"Captain Shuji."
Shuji looked over, his gaze lingering on the vase for a moment.
"When giving gifts, avoid doing so in front of students. Doing it so openly will damage my personal image, Iruka."
Iruka Inui smiled but didn't respond. After being teased so intensely for so long, he had learned a thing or two.
Arguing is useless; silence and silly laughter can at least shorten the time it takes to be amused.
Shuji gestured for him to put his things down, then glanced at the list: "Is it your class today?"
"Yes." Iruka placed the vase on the windowsill, making sure it wasn't crooked.
Shuji took out his wallet from his pocket and placed two large bills on the table.
Iruka tried to decline, saying, "This is as a subordinate—"
"So you really have ulterior motives? You don't need to go through all this trouble to get promoted to principal, Iruka."
Iruka chuckled and took the money: "Actually, you don't need this much."
"I'll run errands for you. Let him in."
"Yes."
Shuji gathered the scattered scrolls on the table, stacked them neatly, and pushed them to one side. Then he sat up a little straighter, adopting a proper business attitude.
The first one to enter was Shino Aburame.
He stood in front of his desk, silent for a long while. Xiu Si didn't urge him, just waited.
"The problem that has been bothering me for a long time," Shino finally spoke, "is that it seems difficult for me to be noticed by my companions."
Xiu Si looked him up and down. High-necked jacket, sunglasses, even his fingers were hidden in the sleeves.
"Your clan has too many worms inside its body, so your own scent is very faint. Coupled with your low-key clothing, it is indeed difficult to be noticed."
He said.
"To increase your presence, you can only start with your appearance. Get a pair of aviator sunglasses, a perm, and brighter colors for your clothes."
Zhi seemed to be deep in thought.
"I see. A strategy like the orchid mantis."
"----perhaps."
"Or perhaps a red hawk moth?"
"That's something we can consider."
Shino went on to give several examples. Shuji was forced to significantly increase his knowledge of brightly colored insects.
When the entomologist finally left, satisfied, Shuji picked up his teacup and took a big gulp.
Next up is Kiba Inuzuka.
"Lord Shuji! Mother said that the ninja dogs we're collaborating with the clan are already in preparation, and they're said to be outstanding children—what preparations should I make?"
Shuji replied, "I am not familiar with ninja dogs."
"Spending time with a lifelong partner is a long process, there's no need to rush. Just be in your best condition to welcome it."
Several more students came in after that, and their questions were pretty much the same. Some asked about their future career paths, while others asked about their areas of expertise.
Shuji replied to each of them. When it was the turn of the cherry-haired girl, he silently counted in his mind—there were only two people left on the list.
The cherry-haired girl stood in front of the desk, her fingers interlaced, and hesitated for a moment before asking the question.
"Lord Shuji is an excellent ninja."
She used that sentence as her opening remark.
"My question is, does Lord Shuji even notice those who follow him?"
The hidden meaning in her words was what teenage girls of this age care about most. Xiu Si understood, but there was only one answer he could give.
"I respect my companions."
He used the same calm tone he used with other students.
"And believe that those who walk the same path will reach the same destination."
Some people walk faster, some walk a little slower. But that doesn't matter, we will meet again in the end.
"As for the crowds cheering along the roadside—"
He thought for a moment, then said the second half of the sentence.
"Applause is something to be happy about, and kindness deserves to be appreciated. That's all."
After Sakura left, there was only one name left on the list.
Shuji glanced around, then began to check the situation outside. Small groups of students were still gathered in the corridor; Sasuke wasn't on the list of those requesting a meeting.
Then Naruto came in.
Just as the blond boy was about to speak, Xiu Si spoke first.
"Why don't you ask Mr. Whirlpool about your questions?"
"Are you tired of spending time with your dad?"
Naruto immediately retorted, "That's not how it works!"
"oh."
Shuji drew out the last syllable.
"Perhaps it's better not to waste other students' time. After all, you know where I live, right?"
Naruto hesitated for a moment, then said, "Shuji-nii himself said that anyone can come!"
"What kind of attitude is this?!"
Shuji said, "Of course, there are two different attitudes towards people who ask questions normally and those who have ulterior motives."
"Naruto, don't you think so?"
The blond boy's shoulders twitched slightly.
"I...I didn't have any ulterior motives!"
Naruto raised his voice, but his confidence was clearly not as strong as before.
"It's because—it's because only Shuji-nii-san can answer this question, that's why I came! I'm very busy, I have to help Dad with his work, I simply don't have time to go to Shuji-nii-san's house!"
"uh-huh."
Shuji pointed to the clock on the wall.
"So, there's one minute left."
"Huh—!"
Naruto's neck snapped back, his gaze bobbing back and forth between the clock and Shuji.
The sudden loss of time caught him off guard, and after Xiu Si repeatedly challenged his prepared remarks, he momentarily lost his logical connection.
By the time he figured it out, a few more seconds had passed.
"So—why doesn't Shuuji-nii want to be Hokage?"
Shuji didn't answer immediately. He looked at Naruto, the corner of his mouth remaining perfectly still.
"When did I ever say I didn't want to be Hokage anymore?"
Naruto's mouth was agape, his expression shifting from fierce to blank.
"This is—uh—it is—"
"Who said that?" Shuji asked.
"Yes—" A thought flashed through Naruto's mind, "Dad said so!"
"Oh, Mr. Whirlpool!"
Shuji nodded, then pointed to the clock.
"Time is up."
Upon hearing this, Naruto took a few steps outside before coming to his senses: "Shuji-nii didn't answer my question at all!"
"But time's up." Shuji tidied his desk. "Besides, if you didn't hear it from me, why ask me?"
"Shouldn't you consult Mr. Whirlpool? Have you forgotten to address your child's concerns because you're so busy with work? That's truly unacceptable."
Naruto pointed at him, and after a long pause, finally managed to utter, "Disqualified! Shuji-nii is the one who's completely disqualified!"
"They didn't do their job properly at all!"
After saying that, he turned around angrily and stomped his feet down the corridor.
After walking a short distance and turning a corner, Naruto disappeared with a bang.
Hiashi Hyuga had initially thought he had given a fairly high assessment of the Kaguya clan, given their long-standing alliance. However, the village's intervention made him realize that his assessment of the Kaguya clan might have been overly cautious.
The village didn't disclose the details of what was involved. Rizu didn't press for answers, nor did he speculate further. His only action was to cooperate as much as possible as requested.
He did not change his tone on the day he sent Taketori Yoichi away, but waited a day before sending a new letter to express his regards.
The wording remained the same about being busy with official duties, but a note was added at the end: "We hope the other party can come often, and Hyuga will definitely do its best to entertain them."
Taketori Yoichi replied quickly. His handwriting was calm and neat, and his words carried undisguised joy. He said that he had already begun to draft plans for the next visit and would inform Hinata in advance.
Hiashi Hyuga didn't get too involved with the parts of the Kaguya clan that he didn't know.
Previously, it was thought that Taketori and Ichi's words to Neji stemmed from his confusion about having a child from a branch family participate in the meal.
Looking back now, I realize that there was much more hidden in that distant relative's words.
Was it the training in Sage Mode that caused other changes in Neji's body?
Hiashi Hyuga couldn't help but guess this.
As someone who also trains in immortal arts, he was also able to barely activate the relevant state.
Unlike Kai, his eye color did not change in any other way; only black facial markings appeared on his face.
The enhancements to physical strength and chakra go without saying.
However, if one insists that such changes could lead a clan to a desolate end, Hiashi doesn't believe it has reached that point.
Under the guise of communication and discussion, Hijikata also probed Kai and Choza, and even consulted Jiraiya.
After several confirmations, the conclusions were consistent: the changes were not yet sufficient to bring about a qualitative change.
So, after finishing his day's work, he returned to the Hyuga clan's territory, waiting for Neji to return.
This time, he asked the question directly.
To what extent has the training in immortal arts changed your body?
Neji realized it. This was no longer the kind of question that came out of mere concern.
"The results of your Sage Art training are the same as yours, Lord Hiashi."
He didn't mention any additional experiments he participated in. But that answer was sufficient for Japan.
The clan head knew that there were other parts affecting Neji's body. That was a village secret.
"Is that the will of the village?" Hiashi asked in a deep voice.
"—No. I'm sorry. This was my own decision. The village simply gave me the opportunity."
Hiashi looked at his younger brother's son. The meaning behind his attitude and words was self-evident.
Given his father's decisiveness, he would probably intervene immediately.
But Hiashi chose to say something different: "Neji. Be cautious enough before making a real decision."
"Things that endure and are truly sustained are often more fragile than they appear, and often heavier than we imagine."
Neji lowered his eyes.
"Yes, Lord Hiashi."