After the attendant left, Minato Namikaze looked at Hoshita Shūichi and the other two, holding the Yagakigami Sword in his hand.
Uchiha Shisui was the first to speak up, "Sensei Minato, I'm more suited to a short sword."
Minato Namikaze then turned his gaze to Hoshita Shūichi.
Hoshita Shūichi shrugged and said, "Sensei Minato, my Tostuka is also a chakra blade."
"Besides, the credit for this mission goes mostly to you, Minato Sensei."
Uchiha Shisui and Kurama Sanyō both nodded in agreement.
Minato Namikaze smiled wryly.
Having such considerate subordinates can be a bit of a dilemma!
Since he didn't use swords or blades himself, he thought for a moment and said, "In that case, I'll hold onto it for now."
Then, Minato Namikaze changed the subject, "We should have some downtime in the coming days. Starting tomorrow, we'll resume our previous training."
"Yes, Minato Sensei!"
...
Back at their quarters, Hoshita Shūichi took out the scroll that Minato Namikaze had given him earlier and spread it open.
Konoha-style Kenjutsu came into view.
It started with the most basic sword techniques, complete with diagrams and detailed explanations.
Hoshita Shūichi focused intently, committing each move to his memory palace.
Soon, his eyes fell on the final technique.
Leaf-Style Dance of the Crescent Moon!
Hoshita Shūichi was all too familiar with this move. It would one day become the signature technique of Hayate Gekkō, who famously used it to strike down Sunagakure Jōnin Baki, only to be countered and killed by Baki's Wind Release prowess.
Clearly, the most critical aspect of the Konoha-style Kenjutsu described in this scroll was this ultimate technique.
It involved the user and two shadow clones attacking simultaneously.
The description seemed simple, but the detailed explanation that followed was highly complex.
It wasn't the execution of the technique that was complicated, but the timing, speed, angle of the attacks, and the coordination between the shadow clones and the user—these were all crucial details.
Hoshita Shūichi was completely engrossed in studying it.
The next day.
Hoshita Shūichi officially began his focused training in Konoha-style Kenjutsu. During his breaks, he continued experimenting on various small animals to improve his medical ninjutsu skills.
Before this mission, he had learned a new medical ninjutsu from Nono Yakushi.
B-Rank Technique: Delicate Illness Extraction Technique!
This technique allows the user to remove toxins and transplant organs within the body.
...
The days of training were far from dull for Hoshita Shūichi because he could feel his progress every single day.
It wasn't just his Konoha-style Kenjutsu and medical ninjutsu improving, but also his chakra reserves, strength, and attack speed.
Even Minato Namikaze and Uchiha Shisui could clearly sense the increase in his strength and attack speed.
On top of that, the Daimyō of the Land of Fire was providing them with excellent food and drink every day, and they didn't have to spend a single ryō.
Time flew by, and seven days quickly passed.
On the night before they were scheduled to leave the Daimyō's residence, Hoshita Shūichi was suddenly summoned by the Daimyō of the Land of Fire.
This surprised everyone.
Minato Namikaze smiled and said, "Since the Daimyō has summoned you, Shūichi, you should go."
Hoshita Shūichi nodded and followed the attendant.
He had already guessed the reason behind the Daimyō's summons. Out of the four of them, he was the most likely to be recruited due to his background.
After all, Minato Namikaze was already a Jōnin with deep ties to Konoha.
Uchiha Shisui came from the prestigious Uchiha clan, and Kurama Sanyō's origins were also notable—the once-famous Kurama clan.
Only Hoshita Shūichi had lost his parents early and grew up in an orphanage, making him seem like an easy target for recruitment and brainwashing.
And sure enough.
When Hoshita Shūichi met the Daimyō of the Land of Fire, he was showered with praise.
A lesser kid might have been completely flattered by this.
Moreover, the Daimyō didn't immediately try to recruit him. Instead, after praising Hoshita Shūichi, he started talking about the current system in the ninja world—how each village was guided by the Daimyō, how the Hokage was appointed by the Daimyō, and how the Daimyō was the real power behind everything!
Hoshita Shūichi nodded obediently, but internally he was thinking, "Joining you is worse than joining Danzo..."
After a lengthy lecture, the Daimyō, satisfied with Hoshita Shūichi's compliant nods, finally left.
The attendant who remained then extended an olive branch, "Hoshita Shūichi, would you be willing to become the Daimyō's personal guardian ninja?"
Without hesitation, Hoshita Shūichi nodded, "Of course!"
"The Daimyō can directly order the Third Hokage to transfer me to the Daimyō's residence."
The attendant was taken aback and then clarified, "What I mean is, would you be willing to leave Konoha and become the Daimyō's personal guardian ninja?"
Hoshita Shūichi shook his head and asked, "With my current strength, could I defend against a Jōnin like Ken'ichi?"
The attendant shook his head.
Hoshita Shūichi continued, "Then even if I became the Daimyō's personal guardian ninja, I wouldn't be able to protect him."
The attendant frowned, "But you have exceptional talent; you're a genius of Konoha!"
Hoshita Shūichi asked again, "Can the Daimyō provide me with ninjutsu?"
The attendant shook his head.
Hoshita Shūichi then asked, "Does the Daimyō have a Jōnin like Minato Sensei who can guide me in my training?"
The attendant shook his head again.
Hoshita Shūichi spread his hands, "In that case, what use would it be for me to join the Daimyō now?"
"I wouldn't be able to fulfill the role of protecting the Daimyō!"
The attendant nodded, acknowledging the logic.
Before he could ask what to do next, Hoshita Shūichi continued, "Therefore, the Daimyō should fully support my development in Konoha, allowing me to grow into a Jōnin who can stand on his own. Only then will I be able to serve the Daimyō effectively."
"And at that time, as a Jōnin, I could help train even more ninjas for the Daimyō."
"After all, raising a ninja requires not just money, but various ninjutsu resources!"
The attendant nodded solemnly, "You make a very good point. I will report this to the Daimyō immediately. Please wait here."
With that, the attendant hurriedly left.
In the Daimyō's chambers, after hearing the attendant's report, the Daimyō smiled, "As expected of a genius, he's absolutely right."
"Let's fully support this Hoshita Shūichi!"
The attendant hesitated for a moment and then said, "Daimyo-sama, this Hoshita Shūichi is very clever. It's hard to predict what might happen in the future. What if he betrays you?"
The Daimyō replied calmly, "So what?"
"What I'm spending is just a bit of money."
"Can 30 million ryō buy a Jōnin who is completely loyal to me?"
"Can 100 million ryō buy a Jōnin who is completely loyal to me?"
"Even if he betrays me in the future, it would just be a loss of 30 million or 100 million ryō, which is nothing compared to what we give to Konoha!"
The attendant quickly responded, "Daimyo-sama is wise!"
The Daimyō chuckled and said, "However, we shouldn't stop recruiting ninjas from outside."
"Also, this kid's suggestion is excellent."
"From now on, inform Konoha regularly to send young ninjas to the Daimyō's residence."
"Preferably geniuses!"
The attendant quickly bowed, "Yes, Daimyo-sama!"
(End of Chapter)
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As promised once we reach the milestone, I will upload the Bonus Chapters!!
This week gonna be a mass upload of ~20 chaps/this week. (though the upload rate per day depends on Powerstones!!)
Also, I added the Romance & Harem Tag, so if anyone wants to quit is best time!
Otherwise, Enjoy the Story!
Support me on Patreon - Read Up to Chapter 85+ There!
patreon.com/RedX43
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