"Golden Finger, since when did you have a newbie period?!"
"Why didn't anyone tell me?!"
If there was a newbie period, you should've said so earlier!
And only eight deductions allowed? Most newbie periods start with at least ten!
This was just stingy.
"Can't you at least match industry standards? Was two more really too much to ask?"
No matter how much he cursed inwardly, the Deduction Cheat Ability remained unresponsive.
Though if it had responded, that would've been terrifying.
Kin sighed helplessly and began tallying the techniques he currently possessed:
Basic Internal Energy, the Four Styles, Cat Language, Spirit Bullet, and his newest technique.
Exactly eight.
Basic Internal Energy and Spirit Bullet were essential. The former was his foundation—critical for his future cultivation—while the latter was his strongest ranged trump card. Though it had no long-term growth potential, early-game damage output relied entirely on it.
As for the Four Styles:
Shave (Soru) provided excellent mobility.
Paper Drawing (Kami-e) was superb for evasion.
Iron Body (Tekkai), however, was practically useless. What ninja would just stand there and tank jutsu head-on?
Finger Gun (Shigan)? Absolute trash. Even his self-created Serpent Strike outperformed it. He'd only developed it to complete the set.
And Cat Language? Completely worthless right now!!
"I should've deduced more powerful techniques instead."
He gritted his teeth.
A technique that could raise his ceiling—if released to others, their progress would directly elevate him.
What a waste.
In his past life, he'd never heard of a "Golden Finger" that hid its newbie period.
Why did he have to get stuck with this one?
He glanced at Orochimaru, who was engrossed in Hashirama Cell experiments and hadn't noticed his internal crisis.
Kin turned his attention to the update log displayed above the input box:
[1. Instant mastery ability removed.]
[2. External progression boost removed.]
[3. Added detailed deduction process information.]
[4. System will now absorb all knowledge from connected individuals; host may freely access their knowledge.]
[5. Deductions will utilize absorbed knowledge automatically—no manual theory input required.]
[6. Host comprehension increased by 10%.]
"Tsk." Kin sucked in a sharp breath, his molars aching from clenching.
The noise drew a questioning look from Orochimaru.
"Just... remembered something," Kin waved him off hastily. Once Orochimaru returned to his work, Kin reassessed the updates with mixed feelings.
The newbie period was clearly over—difficulty had spiked.
But functionality had also improved dramatically.
He'd never lack for jutsu again. Anyone who practiced his techniques would effectively donate their knowledge to him.
Kin's gaze lingered on Orochimaru.
For example, the future Edo Tensei. Though retrieving it would be tedious, it was now within reach.
From today onward, he could search for any technique by name or condition.
Deductions no longer relied solely on his own knowledge—the collective wisdom of his "network" expanded the possibilities.
Most ideas could now be deduced instantly.
Unless it fell into everyone's blind spot—then it would still fail.
No more writing thesis-leve lprinciple papers or collecting jutsu manually.
Just input the desired technique's name and effects, and the system would handle the rest.
But without instant mastery or external progression...
Even learning would be a struggle!!
The sole consolation was that deductions now provided step-by-step breakdowns, plus the 10% comprehension boost.
Learning would still be easier than for most.
But it used to be effortless!!
"Was this Golden Finger designed for grad school?!"
First came the introductory tutorial, now the difficulty ramp.
Hard to rate this "feature."
Still, if he could rise using this system, eventually he wouldn't even need it—he'd be capable of independent deductions.
Phase one: undergrad essays. Phase two: grad school. Phase three: full doctorate.
"Guess it's 'live and learn' forever, huh?"
But first—
"Unawakened Uchiha integrating Hashirama Cells."
The input box flickered as characters rapidly populated it, presenting data and conclusions:
Step 1: Awaken Sharingan.
Step 2: Achieve Mangekyō.
Step 3: Modify Hashirama Cells.
Result: Perfect fusion, zero side effects.
"Thanks, genius."
If he could awaken his Sharingan, he wouldn't need a deduction!
The log even "helpfully" noted that Sharingan awakening required extreme emotions to generate special chakra, with Mangekyō demanding even more intensity.
No shit.
Next time, don't bother.
"Is this thing turning into a glorified search engine?"
Then again, his network was still small. The collective knowledge of current connections likely didn't include a way to fuse without awakening.
"Lack of foundational data."
"If only I could connect to Madara..."
The real Uchiha Madara was still lurking in the shadows, waiting for a Mangekyō wielder. His jutsu archives and Sharingan research would be top-tier.
Too bad the connection couldn't reach him.
"Damn this Golden Finger to hell."
Kin roared internally.
Daytime. Rice Fields.
Sleeves rolled up, Kin harvested rice stalks while eyeing Namikaze Minato and Kushina—both caked in mud.
Who said ninjas didn't farm? Arable land existed, but the work fell to Genin.
D-rank missions like these were time-consuming, labor-intensive, and paid peanuts. No wonder nobody wanted them.
"Jiraiya-sensei, when do we get real missions?!" Kushina bellowed, glaring at their sensei scribbling in a notebook.
"Higher-rank missions?" Jiraiya set down his pen. Given this team's strength, they qualified.
Officially, new Genin squads needed these chores to "build teamwork."
But these three?
Minato and Kin worked diligently while Kushina visibly slacked.
Their preexisting bonds plus recent磨合 probably sufficed.
"Fine. Today, we upgrade." Jiraiya snapped his book shut.
"Finally!!" Kushina perked up instantly.
Endless crop-gathering, trash-clearing, babysitting, cargo-hauling—
They were ninjas! Not maids!!
"You'll want to change first," Jiraiya wrinkled his nose at their mud-soaked clothes.
"On it!"
Kushina hooked an arm around Kin and Minato's necks and dragged them away at sprint speed.
"Efficient," Jiraiya mused, surveying the bountiful fields.
These crops sustained Konoha's basic needs, but ninja operations relied on Daimyo funding.
After all, shinobi were expensive—food alone didn't cover their costs.
Minutes later, Kushina came barreling back, her two teammates practically airborne from her grip.
Jiraiya facepalmed. Just like Tsunade...
"Jiraiya-sensei, let's go!" Kushina released them, eyes sparkling.
Kin and Minato exchanged glances.
Kin: Dude, marry this girl and you'll die.
Minato: (Blushing) Does he even understand eye-language?
Seeing Minato's flushed face, Kin sighed.
"...Just end me."
Mission Assignment Hall
Jiraiya led his team inside, where Sarutobi Hiruzen sat behind a long table, adjusting his hat.
"Jiraiya."
Slapping the table, Jiraiya declared:
"Old man, give us a B-rank!"
"Hmm." Hiruzen studied the trio.
Minato—top-ranked academy graduate.
Kushina—Jinchūriki.
And Kin.
His gaze lingered until Kin glared back.
Try me. Fresh off verbally dismantling Uchiha Hikaku, taking on the Hokage sounded fun.
Hiruzen turned to Jiraiya.
This one clearly lacked subtlety—unlikely to secretly master forbidden techniques. But cautious Uchiha were dangerous.
Further observation needed.
"Confident in them, I see."
"My first team deserves a proper debut! B-rank it is." Jiraiya thumped his chest. (He wanted to demand S-rank for drama, but best to start modest.)
Against Chūnin-level threats, his squad could handle it.
"Actually, we have a B-rank here." Hiruzen slid forward a scroll.
"Village spy investigation. Confirm target's identity. Eliminate discreetly if confirmed."
Peacetime this wasn't. Bandit-hunting missions were scarce—with war looming, even outlaws had gone to ground.
Jiraiya's expression sobered.
"This won't be easy, old man."
Spy missions were the hardest B-ranks—directly issued by the village, with three phases: reconnaissance, evidence gathering, and assassination.
Worse, the target's strength was unknown. Likely Chūnin, but possibly Jōnin. A B-rank could become A-rank mid-mission—something even Jiraiya would hesitate over.
Most sane teams would decline.
But this was Jiraiya.
"Then watch the Legendary Jiraiya Squad in action! We accept!"
He snatched the scroll.
With him leading? This mission was already in the bag.
(End of Chapter)