Chapter 406: Pestering to Marry
Once the construction of the Land of Demons branch was complete, Ishiro waited there for a few more days. Then, the Anbu responsible for clearing out the rogue ninja in the country returned one after another.
This time, the cleanup of rogue ninja, wanderers, bandits, and thieves was faster than expected. This was because a monster had appeared in the cleanup team—a monster who, upon meeting an enemy, would create a hundred shadow clones, and each clone, without a word, would immediately launch a Great Fireball.
That's right, this person was Riori Uzumaki. If the Riori who had learned the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique could find almost no opponent among chunin, then the Riori who had learned a long-range attack was capable of a one-sided steamroll against any non-defensive, ninjutsu-type jonin.
As long as her teammates cooperated and created an opportunity for her, then facing the overwhelming impact of a hundred Great Fireballs, few taijutsu jonin could dodge. If they could, they would die in the second overwhelming wave. Only those ninjutsu-type ninja who were skilled in defense could enjoy the high-class treatment of being worn down to death by Riori's massive chakra reserves.
It could be said that if one didn't have prior intelligence and gave Riori time to prepare, then the fate of a jonin was also sealed.
Because of the existence of this energetic monster, the Anbu's speed in clearing out the rogue ninja in the Land of Demons was extremely fast.
"Lord Tsuchikage, the cleanup operation within the Land of Demons has been fully completed. Most of the rogue ninja and wanderers have been driven to the Land of Bears. No more can be found within the Land of Demons," the Anbu in charge of this operation reported to Ishiro.
Ishiro nodded. "Alright, let's return to the village. The patrol ninja for the Land of Demons border are already in place."
After the branch construction was completed, the relevant personnel arranged by the village had all arrived. Ishiro was no longer needed to oversee the branch.
The returning team was much smaller than when they had come. Not only were the supplies gone, but there were also fewer people. The party traveled light, and their speed was fast. It didn't take long for them to return to Iwagakure.
After being away from the village for over a month, upon his return, Ishiro convened a high-level meeting as usual.
"Shinya Matsutani's Sage Art has already reached your level," the speaker was Ikura. His first words gave Ishiro, who had been about to speak, a shock.
"So fast?" Ishiro found it hard to believe. Even if Shinya's talent was high, it couldn't be this infuriating, could it?
Ishiro calculated in his head. It seemed that from the first time he had entered Sage Mode with the help of external forces like the liquid natural energy, to now being able to enter it independently in a normal environment, it had taken him a full five or six years. A path that had taken him five or six years, he had done it in not even fifty or sixty days?
Ishiro felt a little depressed. Although he had long known that this was not a hot-blooded manga and that this was a ninja world that depended on talent, he still found it a bit hard to accept.
"Where is Shinya Matsutani? Has he gone to the Land of Snow branch?" Ishiro asked listlessly.
Bella smiled. "Not yet. Knowing you were coming back soon, he's still in the village."
Bella was also very satisfied with Shinya. Using the resources spent on Ishiro's Sage Art training as a standard, the resources Shinya had consumed were far less than Ishiro's. This was a proper money-saver for the village. So, before Ishiro had returned, Bella had led the high council in passing a motion to reward Shinya with many good things.
Bella continued, "Under Shinya's guidance, Ikura's progress in practicing Sage Art has also improved a lot. It's a double blessing."
Sage Art training had always been the most expensive project among the village's various research initiatives. Bella was very excited about the progress of both Shinya and Ikura.
Ishiro looked at Ikura.
Ikura said, "I'm still a long way from success, but at least I'm making progress now, unlike before when I was stagnating."
"My progress is not only because of Shinya's guidance; I must also thank you for your enlightenment before." Previously, Ishiro's analysis of the several paths to power beyond the Kage level had changed Ikura's mindset, making it much easier for him to practice Sage Art.
"Shinya's ninja cat, Kohana, should also be able to start Sage Art training in another two years," Ikura added.
Ishiro nodded and summarized, "In any case, this is all good news. I'll go check on his Sage Mode later."
"Is there any other good news?" Ishiro asked jokingly.
Bella picked up where he left off. "Actually, there is. Kanako's Paper Release is steadily improving, and her production of explosive tags is getting higher and higher. I'm very much looking forward to what level she can reach in the future."
Ishiro nodded. "It's a good thing that Kanako can make explosive tags, but it must not delay her normal training. She is still young, and who can say how far she will go in the future. She must not sacrifice her future for the sake of making money."
Bella said, "Don't worry, I understand. According to the standard you set for her, the time she spends making explosive tags each day does not exceed two hours."
Ishiro nodded, then asked again, "How is the situation in the ninja world? Have Suna and Kumo withdrawn their troops?"
Saka shook his head. "Not yet. They're probably planning to learn from Konoha's past tactic of squatting on the Seven-Tails. No matter how much the outside world scolds them, they'll hold on for as long as they can, trying to get as many benefits as possible."
"But this is a good thing. Those small and medium-sized countries in the south now hate Suna very much. Many countries have expressed their hope that our Iwagakure will send ninja to drive them out."
"Especially the Land of Bears. With the influx of rogue ninja and wanderers who were originally active in the Land of Demons, the public security in the Land of Bears is on the verge of collapse."
"The Daimyo of the Land of Bears even hinted to us that we could build a branch in his country, just like in the Land of Demons. But doing so would not be in line with our current situation, so we refused."
Ishiro nodded. "I support your decision. Suna occupying the land of other countries is a good thing for us."
"Let's put that aside for now. Are there any other matters?"
Megumi said, "The joint Chunin Exam hosted by Kirigakure is about to begin. We have also selected a few teams. My disciples and Kawakita's are just right for it."
"Master Ishiro, are you going to Kirigakure? If you're not, then I will lead the team this time."
Ishiro thought for a moment. "I won't go. There's nothing in Kirigakure that absolutely requires my handling."
"Besides, with my reputation, Kirigakure probably wouldn't welcome me."
The group grumbled inwardly. So you also know you have a bad reputation? Then why do you go around causing trouble everywhere? But why the change of heart this time? You're not even cherishing such a good opportunity to leave the village?
Ishiro smiled. "I won't go to Kirigakure, but I still have to make a trip to the village that Orochimaru established. While everyone's attention is drawn to the Chunin Exams in Kirigakure, few people should be paying attention to my movements."
Ikura glared at Ishiro fiercely. It's been over a month, and you still haven't given up on this?
Ishiro laughed. "Don't worry. I promise to go and come back quickly; it won't delay things too much. Isn't the Third going to Uzushiogakure? I'll rendezvous with them and go together. That way, you won't have to worry, right?"
"Then you'll just have to wait in the village for a while. Lord Third has discovered some ruins from the Warring States Period in the Land of Rice Paddies and won't be able to get away for a while," Ikura said grumpily.
Ishiro quickly said, "Perfect. I'll make a trip to the Land of Rice Paddies too, see if I can help with anything. And I've been practicing my Light Release Kekkei Tōta recently and still have some questions to ask the Third."
Saka shook his head. "Alright, alright, stop making so many excuses. If you want to go, just go. But you must first stay in the village for a few days and go only after you've dealt with the backlog of official business."
"No problem," Ishiro hurriedly replied.
"Speaking of ruins, there has been some progress in the research on that shrine you brought back last time," Megumi said.
"Natsuki and Katsumata, combining their work with the soul-sealing techniques of the Land of Demons' Priestess lineage, have sorted out several low-level soul seals. It's just that there's no way to test them."
Ishiro was overjoyed. "They can be tested. I brought back a few puppets this time, which are perfect for testing soul-sealing jutsu."
"If these puppets are too weak, we can also experiment on Yomi."
Seeing the others' confusion, Ishiro recounted the story of how Riori and the others had discovered the terracotta puppets and how he had tracked Yomi with the blood he had left behind.
Bella said with concern, "Can this Yomi be trusted?"
Ishiro laughed. "Of course not. He's a cunning opportunist who can bend and stretch as needed. He's only choosing to submit now out of necessity."
"No doubt, he will definitely choose to escape in the future. But he is a smart person. Before he is absolutely sure, he will pretend to serve us honestly, and he won't be perfunctory in his research work."
Bella nodded. "As long as you're prepared."
Megumi then asked, "I hear Riori has made great progress. She performed outstandingly in the bandit suppression operation this time?"
Ishiro thought of the silly girl he had tricked several times and smiled. "Yes. The Uzumaki clan's massive chakra reserves, plus the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique, plus the long-range, wide-area attack of the Great Fireball Technique..."
"That girl Riori, apart from not being very bright, her talent is actually quite strong. As long as she gets the first move, an ordinary jonin is probably not her opponent. It's just her disposition... I still don't know how to arrange her future."
Thinking of Riori's personality, Megumi couldn't help but laugh out loud.
Bella, having thought of something, suddenly looked at Ikura. "Ikura, you and Yumi should have a child. The Uzumaki clan's bloodline is very strong, and your talent is also good. Your child's talent will definitely not be bad."
Ikura was a little embarrassed but still nodded.
Then, Bella looked at the smirking Ishiro. "Ishiro, when are you going to find a partner? You've developed so many Kekkei Genkai. If you don't pass them down, it would be too much of a waste."
Ishiro's smile froze. He said awkwardly, "I'm looking, I'm looking."
I never thought that even after two lives, I still can't escape being pestered about marriage. Ishiro was a little flustered and hurriedly changed the subject. "Doesn't Riori get along well with Neji? Captain Kitsuchi, let her take Neji out for a stroll more often."
"Taking care of a younger brother in the capacity of an older sister, perhaps she will mature a little."
Kitsuchi nodded, cooperating with Ishiro to change the subject. "I understand. The next time Riori comes to see Neji, I will let them go out for a walk."
(End of Chapter)
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