Shiki Uzumaki spread his hands and gave a helpless expression. "Actually, it's not as serious as they say. Leave it to me."
"Oh right, Natsuko-nee, what is that A-ranked ninjutsu? I'm really curious."
Natsuko was stunned for a moment, yet it seemed as though she were clinging desperately to every last hope of rescuing Harada.
Instinctively, she answered, "[Fire Release: Exploding Flame Formation]." To be continued.
Chapter 227 - Suppression
Upon hearing Shiki Uzumaki's words, Chunin Tobahara hesitated briefly before beginning to check the documents in his hand.
As he flipped through the densely written pages, Chunin Tobahara's brows gradually furrowed tighter.
His tone also became stricter when he spoke,
"If I'm not mistaken, Hayate Gekko should've gone on a mission too, so you can't—"
Hearing this, Shiki Uzumaki realized Senior Tobahara had misunderstood him.
"No, that's not what I meant. In my team, besides Hayate-sensei, Seiji went back to learn weapon forging two days ago and won't be able to take missions for the time being. Yuuma is at the hospital studying medical techniques. So, what I mean is, I want to complete this mission alone."
The chunin's expression grew increasingly grim until finally he slapped the table.
"No! Absolutely not!"
Before Shiki Uzumaki could offer any explanation, Tobahara continued forcefully,
"This mission has been assessed as requiring at minimum an experienced chunin squad due to its difficulty level. Preliminary estimates suggest Dai Ni's strength surpasses ordinary chunin, plus he has many subordinates. Even if we consider only rescue operations, at least—"
A flood of reasons came raining down on Shiki Uzumaki, instantly giving him a headache.
Shiki already guessed Senior Tobahara must have once been a teacher.
Yet Shiki wasn't the only one listening carefully—
In Natsuko's eyes, unknown emotions flickered.
She understood one thing clearly—that what this chunin said held truth. Even though Shiki now officially held the rank of chunin,
against Dai Ni, perhaps even that title wouldn't matter much.
"Ah, Shiki, although I know you want to help me. But there's really no need. I'm already very grateful."
Natsuko-nee's voice was soft, yet she still managed a smile.
She couldn't let that kid get caught up in this for her sake.
Seeing this, thinking deeply, Shiki showed slight surprise.
Trying to persuade him to give up?
That forced smile... It was truly suffocating.
Earlier, he hadn't really cared about the mission reward,
but now he felt much more motivated.
Because among chakra natures he controlled, fire was one. Though unfamiliar with Fire Release: Exploding Flame Formation,
he could at least guess what kind of technique it might be just by its name.
And judging by its power, its effects must be considerable.
Combined with being an A-ranked jutsu—such techniques never disappointed. This made the greed hidden somewhere deep within Shiki Uzumaki start stirring restlessly.
So Shiki Uzumaki didn't waste time arguing and spoke up again, "For this mission, logically speaking, I should be qualified to accept it, right?"
"But clearly, based on your experience, you don't meet the requirements for this mission."
Tobahara stood his ground without backing down.
Come on, even though this kid was already a chunin now, there was no way he could just act according to his own whim, right?
Otherwise, he'd end up dead without even knowing what hit him.
He'd seen way too many kids like him—more often than not, those so-called geniuses never made it past their first real battle.
Shiki Uzumaki frowned deeply, thinking about how to handle this mission.
But just at that moment, standing not far from that chunin, there was another chunin in his mid-twenties. However, those pupil-less eyes immediately revealed him as a member of the Hyuga Clan.
"Hey Tobahara, I've seen Shiki's fighting performance during the Chunin Exams," the Hyuga spoke up. "Although he's still just a chunin now, he definitely possesses strength beyond an ordinary one. If this mission is about rescuing someone, he really can handle it."
Though the words were in Shiki's favor, the icy tone made Shiki quite uncomfortable.
"But Haku Mū—" Dan Wú still refused to give in.
However, Shiki interrupted him at this moment,
"Master Hyuga Haku Mū, thank you for your support. Then I'll accept this mission."
With these final words, Tobahara knew he couldn't stop things from proceeding any further.
Besides, the employer was right here. If he kept refusing and dragging his feet, it might damage Konoha's reputation.
"In that case… fine."
With this final sigh, this Class B mission had already been accepted by Shiki Uzumaki.
Just as Shiki was about to turn and leave, suddenly the voice came again from behind.
Hyuga Haku Mū said coldly, "Wait. The mission reward isn't given entirely to ninja, right?"
This—
Shiki turned around. Though grateful for Byakugan's earlier words, he had sensed something off in them.
Now hearing such remarks, Shiki became certain about one thing: This Master Hyuga Haku Mū didn't seem as friendly as he appeared just now.
Seeing the surprise flicker in the red-haired kid's eyes, Hyuga Haku Mū couldn't help feeling somewhat satisfied inwardly.
In fact, ever since Shiki had once declared his intent to change the Hyuga Main House,
There had been many members of the Branch Family who wanted to teach him a lesson—to protect the dignity of the Main House.
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