I Just Wanted to Slack Off, But I Was Forced to Become Hokage

Chapter 56: Master Minato, All Encounters in This World Are Reunions After a Long Separation!

In the Rokumeikan, Nara Keisuke was hunched over a desk, his mind rapidly formulating a strategic plan for his battle with Namikaze Minato tomorrow.

Although from the very beginning, when he decided to challenge Minato, he had the thought that "getting the consolation prize is a success," there was a saying that went, "Someone has to win, so why can't it be me?"

But after thinking it over and over, Keisuke still couldn't figure out how to defeat Namikaze Minato, even though he considered his grasp of the latter's abilities to be crystal clear.

In the ninja world, there truly existed some monsters who were beyond common sense. Even if you knew their abilities, you would still feel helpless against them. For example, the S-rank rogue ninja Kakuzu, whom he had dealt with previously. As a small hexagon warrior with almost no weaknesses, Kakuzu was extremely difficult to deal with, even if his intelligence was leaked. Keisuke had only managed to destroy two of his hearts by taking advantage of Kakuzu's lack of sensory skills, which prevented him from seeing through the [Camouflage Concealment]'s transparency effect. And that victory was only achieved through the Ino-Shika-Chō's frontal containment, allowing for a sneak attack.

But Kakuzu and Namikaze Minato were two completely different types of ninja. If Kakuzu was a "small hexagon warrior," then Namikaze Minato was a "compass warrior"! This didn't mean that Minato's other abilities weren't strong, but that his "speed" was on the verge of breaking through the ceiling of what a mortal could achieve!

Below the level of the Sage of Six Paths, the instant-cast, no-hand-sign Flying Thunder God Technique could be considered "pseudo-invincible." Keisuke wasn't without ways to deal with the Flying Thunder God Technique, but unfortunately, he didn't know how to use any of them...

Through his battle with Uchiha Shisui, Keisuke had roughly understood his own power level—a conventional Jonin who specialized in secret techniques. If he were to display all the abilities he possessed, his power level could rise by another tier, but that was about it.

Having access to nearly all of the Nara clan's [Shadow Secret Techniques], Keisuke was very clear on their strengths and weaknesses. To be perfectly honest, the [Shadow Secret Techniques] were not truly powerful ninjutsu. Although they had a nearly "decisive" combat effect—once an enemy was caught, it was almost a guaranteed victory—to achieve this effect, one had to first make contact with the opponent's shadow. However, a ninja's movement and reaction speeds were far beyond those of an ordinary person. For a ninja, dodging ninjutsu attacks was a common occurrence. Even an elite Jonin of the Nara clan would often face the embarrassing situation of their shadow techniques being unable to keep up with the enemy's movements.

This was why the Nara clan had formed an offensive and defensive alliance with the Akimichi and Yamanaka clans back in the Warring States Period. The characteristic techniques mastered by these three secret technique families each had their own strengths and weaknesses. Only by cooperating with each other could they maximize the advantages of their inherited secret arts and cover up their shortcomings. But even so, the "Ino-Shika-Chō" team still had a weakness that wasn't quite a weakness: the raw power of the Akimichi clan, which always acted as the frontal attacker, was truly insufficient...

Ahem, getting a bit off track. Back to the point.

When dealing with slow-moving or careless enemies, Keisuke could often rely on a combination of combat strategy and his shadow techniques to seize the initiative and capture the enemy in one fell swoop. But against Namikaze Minato... Keisuke was not optimistic about the effectiveness of his own [Shadow Secret Techniques]. Moreover, from their last conversation, it was clear that Minato had a considerable understanding of the Nara clan's shadow arts! This further increased the difficulty of using them against him.

'When I challenge Minato, it's not convenient for me to use ninjutsu that aren't my family's secret techniques. All I can rely on are the [Shadow Secret Techniques] and some conventional ninjutsu.'

Keisuke lightly called up his panel, scanning his own [Technique Abilities], intending to find an opportunity for victory. 'And conventional [Shadow Secret Techniques] will have almost no effect during the challenge, because the shadow's movement speed simply can't catch up to him.'

'But to win this challenge, I must make my shadow catch up to him.'

Keisuke browsed through the list, his gaze finally landing on a B-rank technique. [Spiraling Shadow Piercing Bullet]. This was currently the "Shadow Secret Technique" with the fastest attack speed that he had mastered. Although its origin was the Chinoike clan's [Blood Piercing Bullet] and a half-completed [Rasengan], after having developed the [Lacquer Eye] technique, it wouldn't be too unbelievable for Keisuke to unveil such a B-rank ninjutsu.

'But just relying on the [Spiraling Shadow Piercing Bullet] alone isn't enough to be confident.'

'It would be best to integrate the strong control effect of the [Shadow Secret Techniques] into the [Shadow Piercing Bullet]...'

This operation wasn't a difficult matter for Keisuke. But to save time, he still quietly created a group of [Shadow Doppelgangers] to brainstorm.

As night fell, with the help of numerous [Shadow Doppelgangers], Keisuke finally researched a new B-rank ninjutsu.

[B-rank Technique: Spiraling Shadow Binding Bullet]

[Technique Name: Self-Developed Technique, Advanced Shadow Secret Technique]

[Technique Effect: Infuse one's own Yin Release chakra into a shadow and materialize the shadow into a condensed, solid, high-speed rotating pellet. The initial firing velocity can exceed the speed of sound. Upon hitting an enemy's shadow, the Yin Release chakra stored within the [Spiraling Shadow Binding Bullet] will instantly erupt, thereby temporarily restricting the opponent's ability to move.]

[Technique Evaluation: Sir, the times have changed!]

'A Shadow Paralysis Jutsu that has an incredibly fast attack speed and can be fired from a long range!'

Nara Keisuke dispelled his many doppelgangers, left the Rokumeikan, and went home to rest. 'I hope it can display its proper effect in tomorrow's battle...'

The night passed without incident.

The next morning, Keisuke was awakened on time by his personal biological clock. The first thing he did upon waking was to check his panel, wanting to see if there was any information he was looking for. Sure enough...

[Within one natural day, remained motionless aside from satisfying basic physiological needs... Your [Speed] attribute has been enhanced!]

[Speed +24]

[Speed: E- → D-]

In addition, there was another message about his [Strength] attribute increasing to D-rank.

"It really is 'remaining motionless' that increases my [Speed] stat." Looking at the panel information, Keisuke's expression was very complex.

"To increase [Stamina], I need to eat;

"To increase [Strength], I need to conserve energy;

"To increase [Speed], I need to lie flat.

"As expected, it's [Lazy Ninja Goes to Heaven]! The most suitable place for a lazy person is probably a hibernation pod filled with nutrient fluid, isn't it?"

Once upon a time, Keisuke had thought his golden finger was a pure and simple "mission consolation-prize system." He never expected it to be a "forced laziness system"...

"Whatever. The increase in my [Speed] stat has also increased my chances of victory in today's battle by a sliver." Keisuke closed the panel, washed up, and ate. "It's just being forced to be lazy, right? It's not unacceptable."

After breakfast, Keisuke hurriedly left Kikyo Castle and headed for Konoha. The location Minato had arranged for their spar was not in the suburbs of Kikyo Castle, but in a Konoha training ground.

Arriving in the village, Keisuke first went to Manten-dō to purchase some battle-preparation ninja tools, then went to the Third Training Ground.

At five minutes to ten in the morning, Keisuke sat silently on the ground of the training field, continuously adjusting his breathing. Just then, a yellow flash streaked by. Namikaze Minato appeared before him.

Unlike before, Minato today had shed his Jonin-exclusive green vest, wearing only a deep blue tracksuit.

"My apologies, Nara-kun." Minato noticed Keisuke the moment he arrived. He looked slightly surprised and quickly nodded in apology. "I'm late."

I thought a Nara clan ninja would be at least half an hour late... I didn't expect this child to have arrived so early, and it looks like he's been waiting for quite some time... The Nara clan really has produced an unconventional, diligent ninja...

Keisuke couldn't perceive the little sun's inner thoughts. "No need to apologize, Jonin Namikaze." Keisuke stood up from the ground, looking at Minato calmly. "There are still a few minutes until the agreed-upon time. I was the one who came too early. I trust you don't mind that I made some battle preparations in the Third Training Ground beforehand?"

Battle... preparations?

Minato's mouth twitched, and a hint of cold sweat appeared on his forehead. It seemed he had underestimated how seriously this child was taking today's challenge...

"It's no problem at all." Minato took a kunai from his ninja tool pouch and held it in his hand. "Since we're both here, let's just start the spar. We'll use this kunai as the signal. When it hits the ground, the battle officially begins. How about it?"

"No problem." Keisuke took a deep breath, mentally preparing himself for battle. "Let's begin!"

The two stood opposite each other, each performing a "Seal of Confrontation."

Minato lightly tossed the black kunai in his hand, throwing it into the air. The iron kunai flipped a few times in mid-air, then slowly fell, piercing straight into the ground.

And the instant the kunai made contact with the ground.

Swoosh!

Minato's figure suddenly vanished from his spot, his movement speed impossible to see clearly. Keisuke's pupils contracted slightly. His nose detected the approach of an unfamiliar scent before his eyes did, and it was right behind him.

"The battle begins," Minato's voice came from behind him, and along with it came the cold scent of an iron weapon. "However, it has also ended, Nara-kun."

"Is that so?" Keisuke's voice sounded unhurried as the pre-arranged shadow spread out like a circular net at his feet. "I don't think so."

(End of Chapter)

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