Chapter 117: Kekkei Genkai, Secret Technique, Jinchuriki; Take What You Can Get
Hidden Cloud Village, Raikage Office.
The door was pushed open, and Darui walked in, looking slightly disheveled, with the lingering smell of something burnt still on him.
'Boss, you called for me?"
'Yo, Darui, did you go to Thundercloud Gorge and get struck by lightning?" Shi raised an eyebrow, looking a bit surprised.
'Sigh, don't mention it... I heard a powerful Ronin came to the training ground recently, so I went to take a look, and ended up getting pushed onto the stage..."
Darui scratched his head, looking a bit embarrassed.
Fourth Raikage A stood up, his burly frame making the whole office feel a bit cramped.
" Darui, what was the result? Did you win?"
'Uh..." Darui looked even more awkward.
He straightened his body, then bowed his head: 'I'm very sorry, Boss, I lost."
'Huh?!"
Seeing A getting worked up, Mabui, who was standing to the side, interjected: " Darui, did you use Storm Release?"
'I did. But since it was a sword fight and the opponent isn't a Ninja, I only used a Chakra blade and Lightning Release Chakra Mode, without using Ninjutsu. I lost by one move in the end."
'Interesting." Dodai, sitting in the corner, stroked his chin. 'To be able to beat Darui in swordsmanship, his strength should be at the Jonin level."
" Darui, are you sure he isn't a Ninja?" Mabui was a bit incredulous and voiced her doubt.
'Hmm... I'm not sure." Darui recalled carefully. 'The opponent calls himself a swordsman of the Demon Slaying Style, Yoriichi, and is currently on a warrior's pilgrimage. I heard he hasn't used any Ninjutsu these past few days, and his... aura? It doesn't feel like a Ninja to me."
"...Hmph." The Raikage sat back down, his thick fingers tapping on the desk. 'No matter how strong his swordsmanship is, it's just a technique for using Chakra blades. It's not a Kekkei Genkai or a Secret Technique, so it's no big deal."
'If we can rule out the possibility of him being a spy, we could recruit him." Dodai pondered. 'It might be good to let him open a dojo in the Village to teach swordsmanship."
'Whatever. You guys handle it." The Raikage waved his hand, clearly not very concerned about this matter. 'Compared to a Ronin, I'm more concerned about the situation in Konoha."
Mabui took out the invitation for the Joint Chunin Exams and placed it on the table; it was crumpled and patched up, clearly having been crushed and torn.
'This is why I called you here." The Raikage pointed at the invitation. " Konoha is going to host the Joint Chunin Exams. Although they've invited us before, this is an official invitation. What do you think?"
Darui frowned: 'Didn't the Boss already refuse once? Why invite us again, and make it so formal..."
'Probably to show off." Shi was the first to share his opinion. 'Over a month ago, Konoha was attacked by Uchiha Madara. The official story is that the Third Hokage joined forces with the elites of the Uchiha Clan to repel Madara, but the actual situation is unknown."
'Inviting all the major nations to participate this time is likely intended to use the 'next generation's' military might to intimidate other countries and stabilize the situation."
'It seems Konoha is really eager to prove itself." Dodai shook his head. 'This actually makes me suspect that Konoha might have suffered heavy losses."
'It's also possible they have the confidence to do so." Mabui offered her perspective.
'Maybe they're just putting on a show and don't think we'll agree at all..." Darui sighed. 'Why don't we just refuse like last time? That way, no matter what they're planning, it won't have anything to do with us?"
'No, we're going." The Raikage tapped the invitation.'Since Konoha dares to open its doors, we will send people to test their bottom line."
'If Konoha is really so weak that they need a bunch of brats to hold up the stage..."
A dangerous light flashed in the Raikage's eyes. 'Then we'll take the opportunity to snatch some benefits. Kekkei Genkais, Secret Techniques, or even... Jinchuriki."
The atmosphere in the office became heavy.
...
Yoriichi looked at the canyon in front of him that seemed like it could make someone fall into it, his mind racing through several thoughts.
'This is... Samui?"
He had an impression of this woman—a Jonin of the Hidden Cloud Village in the original story, and also a student of Killer Bee.
Her strength was average, but her personality was calm and knowledgeable, not as reckless as the other muscle-brains in the Hidden Cloud Village.
But the problem is...
'She looks so weak, could it be..."
'Um... Who are you, and why do you want to become my apprentice?" Yoriichi put on a puzzled look.
'Ah, excuse me."
Realizing she hadn't introduced herself, Samui quickly explained: 'My name is Samui, a Chunin of the Hidden Cloud Village. I saw your battle with Lord Darui and was deeply shocked; that kind of swordsmanship is exactly what I have been pursuing. I implore you, sir, to take me as your apprentice and teach me the Demon Slaying Style swordsmanship!"
'She really is a Chunin..."
Yoriichi's interest dropped significantly.
He had thought she was at least a Jonin, in which case she could help him build some connections in the Hidden Cloud Village and get some chakra metal.
And this is it?
Samui clearly noticed Yoriichi's lack of interest. She bit her lip: 'I know my current strength isn't enough, but I can tell that your swordsmanship, Mr. Yoriichi, has already reached an extremely high realm. I am not asking you to teach me everything, even just giving me a few pointers would be—"
'Why do you want to learn the Demon Slaying Style?" Yoriichi interrupted her.
Samui was stunned for a moment, then took a deep breath: 'Because I've encountered a bottleneck."
Her voice was calm, but Yoriichi could hear the suppressed anxiety within it.
'I've been stuck as a Chunin for three years. My strength hasn't improved significantly, and my mission completion rate is just average. The juniors in the Village younger than me are starting to catch up, while I'm still..."
Samui hesitated for a moment, then continued, 'I also have a troublesome younger brother to take care of. If I go on like this, let alone protecting him, I can't even protect myself."
Yoriichi raised an eyebrow.
This woman was actually quite honest.
It wasn't some high-sounding nonsense about 'pursuing the ultimate sword path, " she just wanted to become stronger to protect her family.
He could understand that motivation.
But understanding is one thing; taking an apprentice is no child's play.
You have to know that in the Ninja World, a formal apprenticeship is akin to acknowledging a father-figure; it's a complete binding of relationships and interests.
'I am still training, and I don't plan to take any apprentices for the time being." Yoriichi shook his head directly. 'And it's unlikely you can leave the Village to wander the world with me, right?"
Samui's expression dimmed instantly.
She opened her mouth, wanting to say something, but found she couldn't refute it at all.
That's right, she is a Ninja of the Hidden Cloud Village; how could she abandon her brother and the Village to wander around with a Ronin?
'However..." Yoriichi changed the subject, 'While I am staying here, it's no problem to teach you a few basic moves."
Watching Samui suddenly look up, with hopeful light shining in her eyes, Yoriichi sneered in his heart.
'Although she's only a Chunin, she is a local after all. Since I couldn't connect with the higher-ups of the Hidden Cloud Village, I'll teach her a little bit to keep her hooked for now; maybe it will come in handy later."
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