"Ye, you completed the mission very well. This is what Lord Danzō asked me to deliver to you."
Hirazumi handed two scrolls to Makoto.
Makoto accepted the scrolls and nodded calmly without saying anything. Among Root shinobi, there was no need for unnecessary conversation.
Hirazumi didn't say another word either. After handing over the scrolls, he quickly disappeared to avoid exposing Makoto's identity.
Once Makoto sensed Hirazumi's presence fade away, he returned to his room and opened the two scrolls.
One scroll recorded a Fire Release ninjutsu—the Fire Release: Dragon Flame Technique.
The other contained Danzo's evaluation of Makoto's work along with new instructions.
First, Danzo praised Makoto's performance, stating that he had fully utilized his initiative to quickly integrate into the Ninja Academy's system, which was commendable. As a reward, he granted Makoto a powerful Fire Release technique.
Then Danzo warned him not to become arrogant, instructing him to continue developing his position within the Ninja Academy. He was to closely monitor Shisui Uchiha in his class while also keeping an eye on other Uchiha clan students if possible.
Finally, Danzo painted a promising future.
If Makoto could maintain this level of performance, Danzo would arrange for him to be promoted to Special Jōnin and allow him to hold an important position within the academy.
After reading everything, Makoto ignited a small flame in his palm and burned both scrolls into ashes.
"Special Jōnin… an important position… heh."
Makoto chuckled.
If it had been the original owner of this body, he might have been energized by Danzo's praise and promises.
But Makoto?
The rewarded Fire Release technique was something he already knew, and he had zero interest in becoming a Special Jōnin.
So internally, Makoto felt absolutely nothing.
He just found it amusing.
Makoto planned to have his main body train while sending a Shadow Clone to read books.
But then he suddenly realized something—
He had already finished every ninjutsu-related book in his house.
After thinking for a moment, he decided to head to Konohagakure's library to borrow more.
Konoha had a large public library, established during the era of the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju. It contained all kinds of books and materials—including ninjutsu.
Of course, only D-rank and C-rank techniques were available there.
Forbidden techniques or high-level ninjutsu were naturally impossible to find, and even borrowing these basic techniques wasn't cheap.
But that didn't matter to Makoto.
He wasn't going there to borrow ninjutsu.
Instead, he was looking for research materials related to ninjutsu and sealing techniques—more specifically, binding cursed seals.
The ninjutsu rewards from teaching classes were far faster than practicing them himself.
Right now, Makoto wanted to see if he could research a method to remove the Cursed Tongue Eradication Seal placed on him.
Although the curse mark wasn't as disgusting as the Hyūga clan's Caged Bird Seal, having someone else's cursed seal on his body was still extremely uncomfortable.
Walking through the streets of Konohagakure, Makoto looked at the bustling crowds and felt slightly dazed.
It had been over half a month since he transmigrated into the Naruto world, yet this was the first time he had gone out personally.
Even grocery shopping was usually done by a Shadow Clone.
Because of his special identity—and the dangerous nature of this world—Makoto constantly felt a lack of security.
After half a month of "cheating" with the system, he had learned several new ninjutsu and increased his Chakra reserves.
Only now did he feel slightly confident that he wouldn't die from some random battlefield AOE attack.
At the library, Makoto took out his shinobi identification booklet and handed it to the ninja on duty.
It recorded his basic information such as name and ninja registration number.
This library was only open to shinobi.
After confirming everything was in order, the guard nodded and allowed Makoto inside.
Just as Makoto was about to look for materials, a familiar figure approached from the opposite direction.
It was a man with bright blond hair and a gentle smile.
Sensing Makoto's gaze, the man also looked over.
The two exchanged slight nods.
Then Makoto entered the library while the man walked out.
At that moment, Makoto saw the man's system panel.
Name: Minato Namikaze
Chakra: 40,000
Potential: S
Evaluation:Kills Jōnin as easily as slaughtering chickens. Look at him too long and you might explode.
Makoto's expression didn't change outwardly, but inside he was deeply shocked.
This was the first time he had seen someone with over ten thousand units of Chakra.
And not just ten thousand—
forty thousand units of chakra.
That was equivalent to eighty six-year-old Shisuis.
Even the system's evaluation was terrifying.
It made it sound like Jōnin could be killed casually.
At this point in time, Minato had not yet earned the title "Yellow Flash of Konoha."
To the general public, he was simply a capable Jōnin.
His teacher, one of the Legendary Sannin—Jiraiya, was actually far more famous and even considered a candidate for Hokage.
But after thinking about it, Makoto felt the system's evaluation wasn't wrong.
A Minato who had mastered the Flying Thunder God Technique really could eliminate ordinary Jōnin without much difficulty.
Speed-type shinobi were simply too powerful when fighting weaker opponents.
"If only Minato already had a son studying at the Ninja Academy…"
Makoto sighed inwardly.
Then he would have had a perfect excuse to befriend Minato.
In truth, Makoto really wanted to build a connection with him.
Minato possessed exceptional knowledge of sealing techniques, and Makoto was very interested in that.
After all, curse marks were essentially a branch of sealing techniques.
If someone like Minato served as a consultant, breaking the Cursed Tongue Eradication Seal would become far easier.
As for Kushina Uzumaki—
Her status as the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki was far too sensitive.
Makoto had no intention of inviting unnecessary trouble.
After selecting two books related to sealing techniques and three unrelated books, Makoto completed the registration and payment before leaving the library.
At the Southern Mirror Forest of Konoha, Makoto was leading his students in training before their upcoming exams.
"You two haven't forgotten what you said before, right?" Makoto reminded Obito and Might Guy .
"You must pass tomorrow's theory exam."
"Of course! If I fail, I'll accept whatever punishment Makoto-sensei gives!" Obito declared confidently.
Although most of their time had been spent practicing ninjutsu, they had occasionally studied theory and completed test papers.
Just earlier, they had tried previous years' exam papers.
Obito scored 30 points.
Based on his previous experience, that score was well above passing.
At the Ninja Academy, the passing line was half of the average score.
Since the average was usually just over 50, Obito felt completely safe.
"That's right! If I fail, I'll run 800 laps around Konoha!" Might Guy shouted energetically.
He had also scored 30 points.
"Not only will I pass the theory exam, I'm going to take first place in the combat test!"
After more than half a month of Makoto's training, Obito felt that he could easily defeat his former self.
"I won't hand over first place so easily!" Might Guy protested.
Makoto simply smiled without saying anything.
However, since he understood the overall strength of the fourth-year students, he knew they might not necessarily get first place.
That was because Class 1 of the fourth year had a student from the Hyūga clan who was quite strong.
Although that student's potential was only A-rank, Obito and Guy hadn't yet fully awakened their potential.
Obito hadn't awakened the Sharingan.
Guy hadn't mastered the Eight Gates.
Still, it was hard to say.
At this level, there were too many possible surprises.
Makoto glanced at Shisui, who was quietly reading a book nearby.
One thing Makoto was absolutely certain about—
Shisui's results would be completely overwhelming.
He would definitely take first place in the entire grade, both in theory and combat.
If cross-grade competition were allowed…
Makoto suspected Shisui might even become first place in the entire academy.
"I wonder… if my students perform well in the exams, will the system give the teacher a reward too?"
Makoto pondered.
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