Chapter 70: The Answer from the Bespectacled Nun  

Relying on the Root hidden deep in the shadows, Shimura Danzo's intelligence gathering ability was formidable.

Sometimes, he learned things even Sarutobi Hiruzen did not know at first.

For example, he had received information about the "disappearance of the Third Kazekage" a step ahead of Hiruzen.

And today's news that Sunagakure had dispatched troops also came through Root's vast network.

Danzo's original plan was to use the chaos of the early war stage to have two jonin—Yamanaka Hayashi and Shimura Arata—forcefully abduct Nara Shikadan and brainwash him in Root's base.

But what he never expected was that this supposedly foolproof sneak attack failed.

Is the legendary spy Yakushi Nono just too skilled? Or does Nara Shikadan have other unknown cards?

Danzo glanced at the corpse lying on the floor, his eyes fixing on the pool of blood on the chest wound.

That wound looks like it was pierced by a Wind Style Vacuum Ball... Could it be a counter ninjutsu technique?

He mulled over why his plan had failed.

Then, the explosive news he had just dropped caused an uproar in the Hokage's office.

Most of Konoha's ninja knew war was coming and were mentally prepared.

But when they heard that Sunagakure had sent troops, several people in the office couldn't help but feel nervous.

In wartime, everyone united against outside threats.

Even if the Ino-Shika-Cho alliance was dissatisfied deep down, under the banner of "foreign war" they had to set aside their unhappiness.

Nara Shikaku and Yamanaka Inoto, responsible for the village, remained in the Hokage's office.

Meanwhile, "irrelevant" people like Nara Shikano, Akimichi Torifu, Nara Shikadan, and Yakushi Nono were politely ushered out.

"Yakushi Nono."

Danzo's cold voice came from behind, seeming well-meaning but actually full of malice.

"I hear you've been working hard to make money recently. I suggest you find a bodyguard to protect it. Institutions like orphanages are easy targets for theft.

"And be careful not to let your children be kidnapped by those with bad intentions."

Yakushi Nono suddenly turned around and looked at her former superior in disbelief.

At that moment, a familiar voice spoke beside her.

"Yes, during war, children are the easiest to lose."

Nara Shikadan stepped forward without looking back.

"No matter which clan—Nara or Shimura—without children to inherit the future, they will quickly perish!"

Danzo's gaze suddenly shifted to Shikadan's back, and murderous intent instantly condensed.

He never thought the other party would have the courage and guts to threaten him in return...

[Detected: A-level ninja battle mission triggered!]

[A-level mission: Dark Ninja]

[Mission content: Defeat/kill Shimura Danzo]

[Mission reward: A-level ninja secret scroll]

"Huh? The mission triggered?"

Shikadan paused, turned around, and met Danzo's undisguised murderous glare.

"Why, Elder Shimura, don't you agree with me?"

Shikadan smiled brightly.

"Where the leaves of Konoha fly, the fire will also continue. The flames will keep illuminating the village and let new leaves sprout.

"This is the Will of Fire!"

Danzo snorted coldly.

"For the sake of the village, some bad leaves must be removed in advance!"

"Then some rotten roots should be cut off as soon as possible!" Shikadan didn't back down.

"Shikadan!"

Nara Shikano raised a hand and pressed Shikadan's shoulder, glancing at Danzo with an indifferent look.

"Elder Shimura, these are just children's jokes, don't take them to heart.

"But please remember one thing: our Nara clan hates trouble.

"But because of this, we are very good at solving it."

…

Outside the Hokage Building,

"I'm so sorry, Shikadan."

Nara Shikano scratched his goatee, his face full of sighs, no longer calm and commanding as before.

"The family didn't fight for you.

"The sudden outbreak of war is something no one can predict."

Shikadan shook his head and looked at Yakushi Nono beside him.

"But clan leader, Nono was both a member of Anbu and a jonin of the medical emergency team.

"Can we take this opportunity to relieve her of her Anbu duties?"

The old clan leader agreed without hesitation.

"Though it sounds troublesome, I'll have Shikaku help handle it later."

Shikadan hurriedly expressed his gratitude, and Nono smiled softly in relief.

Seeing this, the old patriarch looked at Shikadan jokingly, shook his head, and left with a smile.

Though relieved to be free of Root's control, Yakushi Nono still noticed Nara Shikano's mischievous grin, causing a blush to rise on her fair, smooth face.

"Let's go, Sister Nono."

Shikadan openly took Nono's left hand.

"Let's go to Konoha Hospital first to remove the remaining chakra-suppressing drugs from your body."

Nono, feeling a bit guilty, felt the warmth from Shikadan's palm, and her blush deepened.

The bespectacled nun gently tried to pull her hand back, but before she could, she gave up and quietly persuaded herself,

"Shikadan's grip is too tight…"

Shikadan and Nono chatted and laughed all the way to Konoha Hospital.

While Nono sought a medical ninja to treat her injuries and remove the drugs from her body, Shikadan called up his virtual panel.

Just as he was about to leave the mission target range, he selected the A-level mission against Shimura Danzo and received a B-level [Ninja Secret Scroll].

"I wonder what's inside Danzo's secret scroll..."

Shikadan quickly opened it.

[Opening...]

[Contents of this B-level Ninja Secret Scroll: Technique]

[B-level Curse Technique: Tongue Eradication Seal]

[Technique Description: Cuts off the flow of words to stop the spread of disasters]

[Technique Effect: Anyone who speaks of the sealed subject will be paralyzed and unable to move]

[Technique Evaluation: Every sin will be punished by the tongue!]

"Hm? This curse technique?"

Shikadan raised an eyebrow.

Seems like every Root ninja plants this... but Sister Nono doesn't have it on her tongue.

The [Tongue Eradication Seal] is a special sealing technique.

But Shikadan currently has no need to hide information with it.

What interested him more was the targeted method of this seal toward the special existence of "language."

If I remember correctly, there are also special ninja tools for language attacks among the Six Paths Sage's ninja tools...

Shikadan didn't have time to ponder more.

Nono finished treatment and came out slowly.

"Sister Nono, how is it?"

"The doctor used fine extraction to remove all the drug molecules.

"My right arm has almost recovered; I just need to take care of it myself going forward."

"That's great!"

Shikadan wanted to hold Nono's hand again, but this time she cleverly dodged.

Nono tapped Shikadan in the air a few times, then turned and walked out of the hospital.

Outside, Shikadan tried once more to hold Nono's hand—but this time, she didn't pull away.

Hand in hand, they returned to Kikyo Orphanage.

Only when near the orphanage did Nono pull away.

"Shikadan, go back to your room and wait for me."

Shikadan nodded obediently.

Back in his room, he made sure to wash up thoroughly.

Not long after, Yakushi Nono arrived carrying a huge black scroll.

Shikadan half-lay on the bed and patted the space beside him.

"Shikadan..."

Nono didn't know whether to laugh or cry but still approached with the scroll.

"I have something serious to tell you."

After speaking, she handed the scroll to Shikadan sincerely.

"Shikadan, I truly appreciate all you've done these days.

"But aside from this self-developed ninjutsu scroll, I have nothing else to give you."

Shikadan spread out the scroll, and on the white paper was a familiar beautiful handwriting.

"This is..."

"Super Beast Fake Painting."

Nono explained,

"Medical ninjutsu is taught in the village, but this is something that truly belongs to me."

"Sister Nono, you're amazing!"

Shikadan gave two thumbs up with heartfelt praise.

If the [Super Beast Fake Painting] from the big fat sheep at the start was a "ninjutsu" only usable as-is,

Then this version from Nono was a "principle," detailing development ideas and how the ninjutsu worked.

With this super detailed [Super Beast Fake Painting], Shikadan could quickly transform it into a Yin Dun ninjutsu.

Then it would be time to complete the second family S-level task and obtain the second S-level technique!

Nono's smooth face broke into a relaxed smile.

"But there is one thing I must remind you."

Shikadan tossed the scroll aside and spread his arms wide.

"When someone gives you a thumbs up, they might not really want to praise you...

"But to hit you instead."

The bespectacled nun blinked.

Shikadan leaned in and gently attacked her mouth.

"Pop!"

-End Chapter-

Visit the Patreon!!

Read 30 chapters ahead, more on the way!

P@treon.com/TrashProspector