Chapter 71: [S-level Technique: Shadow Transformation Technique]!  

[During Sage Time... your [Wisdom] attribute is enhanced to a certain extent!]

[Wisdom +7]

Regarding how ninjas improve their strength, the recently launched Icha-Icha Paradise Volume 1 by Konoha Love Master had a relevant explanation: Ninjas can concentrate their chakra in a short period, then release it all at once. By mobilizing the entire body's chakra before releasing it, they improve their chakra manipulation level.

At the same time, after such a release, the ninja enters a selfless meditation state known as "the limit of a thousand hammers and a hundred tempers". This state makes it easier to experience the true essence of life, the energy of nature, and the truth of the world…

Although Nara Shikadan hadn't had time to read the famed masterpiece Icha-Icha Paradise, the one time he "released" chakra, he entered a sage mode that could only be felt but not described in words.

What exactly caused Jiraiya—who appeared in the previous book's "Root Ninja Biography"—to fall directly into the next volume's Root Ninja Biography? Shikadan pondered.

Well... I don't even know where the universe ends, how could I possibly know this?

Beside him, Yakushi Nono's face was flushed, graceful and distracted.

Everything that happened had been too sudden, leaving her mind tangled and unable to think clearly.

Nono felt as if she had returned to ninja school—back to the first real combat drills, when Nara-sensei taught her how to fight, the single duel rules, and how to hold and thrust a kunai.

"Shikadan, how are you so skilled?"

"Hm?"

Shikadan turned his head, stretched out his fingers to straighten the thin black round-frame glasses resting on Nono's nose, and gently brushed a strand of wet blonde hair stuck to her sweaty forehead.

"Sister Nono, the night is still young."

[Vitality +7] ×6

The next morning,

Nara Shikadan looked bright and energetic—rare for him to get up early for exercise.

He methodically and vigorously practiced the [Arhat Fist] learned from the Fire Temple.

[Learned C-level physical skill [Arhat Fist]; your [Physical Skill] attribute has been enhanced!]

[Physical Skill: E- → C-]

This improvement is really a leap forward!

Shikadan glanced casually at his panel attributes.

With such large increases in [Strength] and [Speed], it makes sense that [Physical Skill] would skyrocket.

Since figuring out how to boost his [Strength] and [Speed], Shikadan had been trying to be lazy.

Now, both [Strength] and [Speed] had crossed the C-level threshold.

His personal attributes stood as follows:

Ninjutsu: A-

Physical Skill: C-

Strength: C-

Speed: C-

Stamina: C

Wisdom: A-

Compared to when he first got the [Lazy Ghost System], Shikadan's stats had changed dramatically.

Being lazy hasn't quite worked yet; this lazy ghost still has to work hard!

He closed the panel, headed to the orphanage kitchen, grabbed two breakfasts, and took them to his room.

Inside,

Yakushi Nono lay half asleep, seemingly lost in thought—or maybe not thinking at all.

Shikadan approached with a plate, urging her to wash up and eat.

Lazy to bother with makeup or grooming, the most advanced hunters often appeared as easy prey.

The graceful scene of this beauty washing and dressing made Shikadan's index finger twitch.

Snap!

Nono gently slapped away the impolite little hand, raising an eyebrow.

"Shikadan, let me test you."

The bespectacled nun softened her expression but revealed a cold, glamorous look very unlike her usual gentle demeanor.

"What are the three ninja prohibitions?"

"Don't worry, Sister Nono."

Shikadan smiled.

"I have no vices—gambling and drugs have nothing to do with me!"

"What nonsense…"

Nono pursed her red lips and lightly pressed his forehead with slender fingers.

"The three prohibitions: no alcohol, no gambling, and no sex.

"You're still young; don't be so ignorant about moderation."

"Am I still young?"

Nono recalled the majestic stag's horns from last night, looked away shyly, and whispered, "How would I know such things…"

"Don't worry, Sister Nono."

Shikadan held her hands.

"I know what to do."

After receiving Nono's detailed version of [Super Beast Fake Painting] last night, Shikadan understood what was expected of him.

"Sister Nono, how did you create the secret art of [Super Beast Fake Painting]?" he asked with curiosity.

"It's an outstanding technique!"

"Why do you say that like you know it well?"

Relieved the topic returned to familiar ground, Nono sighed and her tone normalized.

"You didn't know? I used to be part of Root and completed many missions for them. In some secret missions, information leakage is extremely dangerous. That's why I developed this super beast fake painting."

At that moment, Nono's thumbnail scratched the tip of her index finger gently, drawing a drop of blood from her fair skin.

She injected Yang Release chakra into the blood bead.

In the next instant, the bead obeyed her will and transformed into a crystal-clear, vivid blood-red scorpion.

"This is the super—huh? Shikadan, what are you going to do?"

Shikadan grabbed Nono's finger seriously.

"Suck blood."

Days flew by.

Shikadan lived quietly in Kikyo Orphanage, oblivious to the outside world.

During the day, he deduced ninjutsu.

At night, he skillfully brewed medicine.

His happy days passed swiftly.

With help from many [Shadow Clones] and Nono's guidance, Shikadan finally deduced the Yin Dun version of [Super Beast Fake Painting].

That is, a [Super Beast Fake Painting] performed through "shadow"—no, it was [Shadow Beast Fake Painting]!

As soon as Shikadan succeeded, he shared it with Nono.

"I don't have talent for Yin Dun nature change."

Nono declined the [Shadow Beast Fake Painting].

"Not to mention it involves your Nara clan—"

"It's our Nara clan!" Shikadan interrupted and emphasized.

"Sister Nono, no matter what, [Super Beast Fake Painting] is your creation. You should have a copy of this derivative ninjutsu. Otherwise, I'd be embarrassed to use it."

After repeated persuasion, Nono finally accepted this Yin Dun secret technique.

"In addition, I want your opinion on something, Sister Nono."

Shikadan pointed to [Shadow Beast Fake Painting].

"Do you mind if I share this Yin Dun secret technique with the clan?"

"I already gave you the [Super Beast Fake Painting] scroll, Shikadan. You can do as you wish."

Nono smiled embarrassedly.

"Originally, I planned to ask what you think.

"With Chief Shikaku's help, I withdrew from Root. These past two days, I've thought about how to repay Chief Shikaku and Chief Shikano.

"Seeing this Yin Dun version…"

Shikadan smiled and reassured her.

"Actually, Sister Nono, perhaps in the chiefs' eyes, your greatest help is adding a new member to the Nara clan—"

"Get out!"

Nono spat out her words and blushed as she chased Shikadan out of Kikyo Orphanage.

The Sand Village had sent troops; Kikyo City was tense.

Returning to the clan, Shikadan did not see the new chief but the retired old chief playing chess and drinking tea.

"Hey, Shikadan, long time no see."

Nara Shikano waved with a smile.

"Want to play a thrilling game of shogi?"

Shikadan glanced at the board, shook his head, and took out the [Shadow Beast Fake Painting] scroll he had prepared.

"Chief, remember what I said before?"

The scene was strangely familiar.

Shikano's smile stiffened.

Though retired, he couldn't avoid this trouble…

"Is this the advanced secret technique you mentioned earlier?"

"It's not the one I discussed with the chief and new chief."

Shikadan shook his head.

"This is the one I mentioned on the way back from the Fire Temple."

Shikano's mind shifted; recalling that scene made his throat tighten.

"The one like Lacquer Eyes?"

"Yes."

Shikadan's gaze shifted to his own shadow. Injecting Yin Dun chakra, the smooth shadow surface suddenly bulged.

Under Shikano's eyes, a fat, strong black big-horned deer emerged, carrying Shikadan and walking slowly.

The "shadow big-horned deer" was modeled after Shikadan's family's own deer!

"What is this?"

Shikano's pupils shrank; his tone filled with shock.

"A free-moving shadow beast?!"

Despite his experience, Shikano grasped the technique's key point instantly and asked eagerly,

"Shikadan, is this just a simple deer-shaped shadow beast? Or does it have multiple forms?"

"Of course the latter."

Shikadan's mind shifted; the deer's shadow changed instantly into a majestic black eagle, flapping its wings as if ready to soar.

"In my opinion, this technique's value rivals that of [Lacquer Eyes]."

Shikadan handed over the scroll.

The old patriarch read it quietly.

After a long while, he looked up and murmured,

"The value of this scroll truly rivals [Lacquer Eyes]…"

Shikadan's eyes lit up.

"So this is an S-level task too?"

"Yes."

Shikano nodded seriously.

"Let's call this family S-level task... [Shadow Shikigami]!"

The panel refreshed rapidly.

[Detected: S-level ninja commission task triggered]

[S-level task: Shadow Shikigami]

[Task content: Develop an exclusive shadow beast ritual for the Nara clan]

[Task reward: S-level ninja secret scroll]

Sure enough, a new family S-level task has been triggered!

Shikadan was excited.

The panel had more messages.

[You have submitted a B-level ritual scroll [Shadow Beast Fake Painting] to the client!]

[S-level task [Shadow Shikigami] completed!]

[You have obtained an S-level [Ninja Secret Scroll]!

Just like when [Lacquer Eyes] was submitted, this S-level family task was completed instantly!

Shikadan looked at the old patriarch, who held the [Shadow Beast Fake Painting] scroll with a dazed expression.

Is the clan leader considering the tactical strategy and value of [Shadow Beast Fake Painting]?

Seeing the old chief was still lost in thought, Shikadan decisively opened the new S-level [Ninja Secret Scroll].

[Opening...]

[Contents of this S-level Ninja Secret Scroll: Techniques]

[S-level Techniques: Shadow Transformation Technique]

[Technique Description: An ultimate-level transformation ninjutsu combining [Shadow Secret Technique], [Transformation Technique], and [Super Beast Fake Painting]. No hand seals required; can be cast instantly by will.]

[Technique Effect:

Creates a [Shadow Creature] via Yin Dun Chakra, capable of switching between shadow and physical form. Its strength depends on chakra invested and technique structure.

The [Shadow Creature] is ever-changing, unlimited in number, and its appearance depends entirely on the caster's will and imagination.

The [Shadow Creature] resonates with the caster's Yin Dun Chakra and can serve as a temporary carrier of the caster's spiritual consciousness.]

[Technique Evaluation: Shadow Gundam stands tall above the earth!]

-End Chapter-

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