Chapter 36: You Call This a Local Specialty?

"Woohoo~! Hit me with another figure-eight maneuver, then go into a high-speed dive and pull up!"

Yamanaka Shinno firmly adhered his feet to the hawk's back using chakra, spreading his arms wide as the wind roared past him, the world flipping upside down.

In that moment, he felt truly free.

Vast lands stretched beneath him—dense forests, secluded villages, and winding rivers cutting through the greenery. The breathtaking scenery was only slightly marred by the absurd sight of a large green toad bounding down the main road at a gallop, kicking up dust clouds as it went.

After indulging in the thrill of aerial stunts for over an hour, Shinno finally activated the Flying Thunder God markings inside Namikaze Minato's tool pouch, teleporting back onto the toad's back.

"Can't you use your own Flying Thunder God markers?" Minato asked, rubbing his temples as he glanced at the kunai strapped to his waist.

While he was glad that his friend had mastered the technique, Shinno's habit of constantly using his markers gave him an oddly uncomfortable feeling—like he had left home fully clothed only to have someone sneakily tug down his pants.

"Nope. Flying Thunder God is a trump card, and I'm not about to let just anyone know about my personal markers," Shinno replied casually, throwing an arm around Minato's shoulders, making no effort to hide his distrust of the village's higher-ups.

Minato sighed. "And how exactly do you plan to write this mission report?"

"Hmm… How about this? For the Land of Tea, we'll say we completed our intel-gathering and left before anything else happened. As for Summoning Island, we report everything honestly."

"And the jōnin who 'committed suicide'?"

"The official report? Suicide. Privately… Well, we'll have a quiet word with the Third Hokage. I'll also hand over the Hōzuki Clan's secret techniques and the Gengetsu's legacy. After all, I'm nothing if not a devoted inheritor of the Will of Fire." Shinno grinned.

Minato rolled his eyes. "How very thoughtful of you."

He wasn't fooled for a second—Shinno was expertly shifting any potential blame onto the Third Hokage. The Hōzuki Clan's techniques weren't something just anyone could master. Whether it was the Hydrification Technique, the Water Gun Jutsu, the Great Water Arm Technique, or Water-Based Healing, all of them required a special bloodline.

The same went for Gengetsu's secret techniques. Not only did they demand exceptional water-style proficiency and genjutsu talent, but one also needed to modify the Hydrification Technique into an oil-based form—something the Hōzuki Clan had struggled to replicate for generations after Gengetsu's death.

So what did this mean for Konoha? Well, it was similar to having access to First Hokage Senju Hashirama's Wood Release scrolls. If no one could actually use them, they were practically useless… but if a genius appeared who could learn them, then they became invaluable.

By handing over these scrolls, Shinno ensured that the Third Hokage would take responsibility for them. And once they were officially recorded, not even the village elders—those two old schemers—could use it against him in the future.

"No need to thank me, I'm just doing my duty." Shinno smirked.

Minato sighed. "If only your actions ever matched your words."

"Oh? And where did you learn to be this sarcastic, 'Little Sun'?"

"From you, obviously."

"Hey, hey, Honoka, you be the judge here—"

Honoka, who had been quietly watching their banter, covered her mouth and giggled. Her initial anxiety about moving to Konoha was starting to ease, thanks to these two.

...

Two days later, inside the Hokage's office.

Sarutobi Hiruzen read through the mission report submitted by Shinno and Minato, then shifted his gaze to the nervous Uzumaki Honoka standing beside them. His eyes finally landed on the two scrolls of secret techniques and a sealed scroll on his desk.

His temples throbbed. He felt like he was suffocating.

Bringing an Uzumaki to the village was one thing. The village elders had already approved the plan to gather any surviving members of the Uzumaki Clan. Even though Honoka had previously worked in Kirigakure's research labs, as long as she had Uzumaki blood and bore no hostility toward Konoha, she would be warmly welcomed.

But this—this was something else entirely.

The Samehada?

The Hōzuki Clan's secret techniques?

The legacy techniques of the Second Mizukage?!

Were they trying to get Kirigakure to declare war tomorrow?!

"This mission is now classified as top secret," Hiruzen finally said, massaging his forehead. "The Hōzuki Clan's techniques will be sealed away as high-risk forbidden jutsu. As for the Second Mizukage's legacy… add it to the Scroll of Seals. You may each choose two jutsu as your reward."

He let out a long, weary sigh.

This was supposed to be a relatively simple recon mission. How had it escalated to this level?!

If he punished them for bringing back high-level techniques, it would set a dangerous precedent—who would bother retrieving valuable knowledge in the future if they were penalized for it?

Shinno's face lit up. "In that case, I'll be taking this sword. I promised Kushina I'd bring her back a souvenir."

Before Hiruzen could respond, Shinno smoothly stepped forward and retrieved the scroll sealing the Samehada.

Minato twitched slightly at the blatant excuse.

Samehada was a 'local specialty'?

Well…

Maybe not 'local,' but it was technically a specialty…?

"...Kirigakure values the Seven Ninja Swords highly," Hiruzen said after some deliberation. "Until things are settled between them and Sunagakure, keep a low profile and don't flaunt it."

In the end, he chose not to confiscate the sword. By tradition, ninja kept whatever spoils they acquired on missions. Taking someone's rightful spoils could cause resentment and distrust among the ranks.

Besides, Kirigakure and Sunagakure were already at each other's throats. For now, they wouldn't risk starting another war over a single blade.

Still, best to be cautious. It would be safer to wait until the fighting escalated before openly acknowledging the acquisition of Samehada.

"Got it!" Shinno grinned even wider.

The Third Hokage was such a good man!

Before returning to the village, Shinno had worried that keeping Samehada might be troublesome. But now, seeing this younger and more decisive version of Hiruzen, he felt pleasantly surprised.

Not bad, not bad!

Since the old man was being so reasonable, he'd make sure to scam him at least two fewer times in the future!

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