Chapter 74 — A Shinobi World Growing Restless
"Really? You don't mind, Senior Minato?"
Taichi's eyes lit up with pleasant surprise. He hadn't expected a simple dinner to bring such an unexpected gain.
"Of course I don't mind," Minato laughed gently. "Jiraiya-sensei told me you learn incredibly fast. Who knows—maybe I can learn something from you."
Even though Minato hadn't yet reached his future peak, he was already an elite jōnin.
For a ninja of his caliber to offer to practice together was, without question, a tremendous recognition of Taichi's abilities.
"Then… can we start now?" Taichi immediately stood up, barely containing his excitement.
"Haha, of course!" Minato nodded. Then he turned to Jiraiya.
"Sensei, aren't you going to teach first?"
Jiraiya waved his hand dismissively.
"No, no. I already taught this brat everything I know. I'm out of stock. You two go ahead—I'll just listen from the side."
Seeing this, Minato didn't insist. He began explaining his own understanding of one-handed seals.
As Minato spoke, Taichi felt something within him click.
"So every person's one-handed seals are different… then is there a simpler method to quickly find the hand signs that suit me best?"
Minato shook his head.
"No shortcut. You just have to experiment. Start from your usual two-handed seals. Maintain the same chakra flow, then try forming the seals with one hand. Repeat the process until you find a gesture your body resonates with."
Taichi nodded thoughtfully and immediately began practicing according to Minato's instructions.
Compared to two-handed seals, the range of single-handed gestures was much narrower, the motions smaller and more delicate.
This meant the user needed sharper perception and tighter chakra control—every subtle shift in finger position could nudge the chakra flow off-balance.
Slowly, Taichi entered a state of deep focus.
And gradually, he began to understand.
A faint message appeared in his awareness:
[Insight gained — Skill: One-Handed Seals Lv0 (3/100)]
As expected—his creation-type abilities and the "One Insight, Permanent Insight" trait were incredibly effective at developing new techniques.
Taichi couldn't help smiling.
Seeing Taichi deep in thought, the three others didn't interrupt.
They quietly exchanged their own insights until Taichi finally returned to himself, smiling with newfound understanding.
Minato was the first to ask,
"Taichi, how was it? Did you gain anything?"
"Yeah."
Taichi didn't hide anything. He openly shared his discoveries and even demonstrated the single-handed chakra-guiding seal he had just created.
Minato's eyes widened.
That fast?
No wonder Jiraiya always said Taichi learned at terrifying speed.
Excited by Taichi's progress, Minato pushed the discussion even further.
The four of them soon fell into an energetic exchange of ideas. Though Taichi mostly listened, every comment he did make struck at the heart of the problem, giving Jiraiya and Minato new angles to consider.
They talked until the sun dipped below the rooftops.
Before parting, they agreed—next time they had the chance, they would meet again at Minato's house for more research.
---
Hokage's Office
Thick smoke filled the room.
It curled heavily from Hiruzen Sarutobi's large smoking pipe.
"Alright, Hiruzen, try to smoke less."
Danzo spoke with barely concealed excitement. "You've all read Root's newest report. Well?"
Earlier, he had presented a "pleasant surprise" to the Third Hokage:
A compiled report of Kumogakure's abductions of Kekkei Genkai children over the past year.
Though half a year had already passed since the incident with the abducted Kurama Chizuru, it felt like yesterday when they swore to uncover the culprit.
Now, the investigation's results were finally complete.
Hiruzen flipped through the scroll.
Eight separate child-abduction cases—
all orchestrated or executed by Kumogakure.
Victims spanned multiple countries:
the Land of Water, Land of Fire, Land of Hot Water, Land of Waterfalls…
Each case listed the planner, the executor, and all relevant details.
A meticulously built chain of evidence.
"…Unbelievable."
Hiruzen handed the scroll to his two advisors.
"Homura, Koharu—take a look."
"There's no need to hesitate, Hiruzen," Danzo said, eyes gleaming. "We retaliate. Kumo won't dare make a fuss."
"That's right," Koharu agreed, for once siding with Danzo. "And if Kumo does try something, we'll simply publish this report. What then? Will they go to war with every other village?"
Seeing all three advisors aligned, Hiruzen exhaled deeply and made his decision.
"Very well. Send Sakumo. Have him eliminate everyone involved in the planning and execution of these abductions. Let this be our warning to Kumo."
Danzo's expression darkened instantly.
"Hiruzen, shouldn't Root be the one handling this?! We provided the intel!"
"Danzo."
Hiruzen's tone turned cold.
"Root still needs to monitor other villages. You haven't even finished verifying the intel brought back from Sunagakure. Focus your attention there."
"But—!"
"No buts. The decision is final."
Danzo fell silent.
He understood.
This was Hiruzen putting him back in line.
A reminder not to overreach.
---
Konoha Ninjutsu Exchange Office
Leaving Minato's house, Taichi followed Jiraiya's advice and headed for the Ninjutsu Exchange.
The small room tucked in the corner of the Mission Hall looked unremarkable—yet most of Konoha's shinobi obtained their jutsu from this very place.
Inside was only a desk and a bored chūnin filing his nails.
It was late; no other shinobi were waiting.
When the chūnin noticed someone entering, he straightened—only to slump again when he saw it was "just some kid."
A brat this young?
At best he could have completed a few C-rank missions.
With that, he wouldn't be able to exchange for anything worthwhile.
"Hey kid, you're in the wrong place," the chūnin said lazily. "Mission assignments are in the main hall."
Taichi didn't bother arguing.
He simply tossed his ninja ID onto the desk.
It slid perfectly into the chūnin's reach.
One glance was all it took.
The man stiffened.
A-rank mission… completed.
And the photo matched exactly.
Instantly, a smile bloomed across the chūnin's face—the respectful kind that came from pure survival instinct.
No one wanted to offend a prodigy.
Not when his current strength was unknown, his future limitless…
and his elders probably terrifying.
"Ahem—"
The chūnin straightened.
"Matsushita Taichi, right? What jutsu would you like to exchange for today? B-rank? C-rank?"
He was practically bowing.
---