CHAPTER 252: CHAPTER 252: PROTECTING THE DAIMYŌ? WHAT KIND OF PROTECTION ARE WE TALKING ABOUT?

When it comes to peace, everyone has a different approach, but the truth is, hardly any of them work. Even Jiraiya didn’t really know what to do.

He believed that if everyone just dropped their grudges and got along, peace would follow.

But...

That kind of thinking was too idealistic.

Even within a single village, there were conflicts—so how could people from different ninja villages or countries, each with their own interests, truly live in peace?

Unless the shinobi world constantly faced a greater external threat, or there was an overwhelmingly powerful figure suppressing all conflict—someone like Hashirama Senju or Uchiha Madara. Either way, both had once brought about a rare period of unity across the ninja world.

However...

Even that peace was only temporary.

Kyoichi had never pinned his hopes on something like peace.

"Come to think of it, the Great Toad Sage did offer me some guidance once," Jiraiya suddenly remembered something.

"He said he dreamed that I’d travel the world and become a writer."

After he said it, he mulled over the memory and shook his head.

"But again, that’s the same old thing—the Toad Sage gives the beginning and the end, and I’m the one expected to make it all happen..."

"Congratulations," Kyoichi clapped softly. "You’re starting to understand the pattern."

Jiraiya squinted at him with exasperation.

This guy...

Was he mocking him?

Whatever...

As Kyoichi had said, there was no point dwelling on it. If he treated every student he met like the Child of Prophecy, then it didn’t matter who the real one was.

They’re all my wings.

Thinking that, Jiraiya couldn’t help but chuckle slyly and pulled out a book.

"Oh right, I meant to give you a gift the other day, but Tsunade interrupted. Heh, this one’s a treasure—one of a kind!"

He pulled out a manuscript.

Kyoichi glanced at it.

"Icha Icha Paradise."

Good grief!

So ending the war early was just an excuse to help you publish sooner, huh?

"Hehehe, take a look. This one’s the culmination of my experiences traveling across nations, packed with everything I’ve learned in life."

Jiraiya grinned wickedly.

Kyoichi flipped through it casually and remarked flatly, "Pretty mid. I thought you had talent in this area, but even your writing lacks imagination."

"Wha—mid?!"

Jiraiya froze, then grew indignant. "This is all based on firsthand experiences from the Land of Hot Water! Exciting stuff that a little brat like you couldn’t even begin to imagine!"

He was furious.

He could admit defeat in other areas, but not this one! And this punk dared to look down on his masterwork?

He’d barely even been an adult for a few days!

"You think realism sells? People read novels to explore fantasies and stimulate their imagination, not to watch you brag about your escapades."

Kyoichi skimmed a few more pages.

To be fair...

Jiraiya’s writing was competent—technically solid—but the style was too stiff. As someone from the modern world, Kyoichi found it tedious.

Too grounded in reality.

"...Ugh..." Jiraiya was momentarily speechless.

This brat had never even had those experiences, yet he could theorize like an expert.

"If you don’t believe me, write your next story with a principal as the protagonist, and the supporting characters are a kunoichi and a female teacher. Just tell the story of the principal and his tangled relationships. I guarantee it’ll be a hit."

That one’s been market-tested and proven.

After handing the book back, Kyoichi added,

"Seriously, you’re a pro in this field? Then why would you need my advice?"

Jiraiya held the manuscript, once again shaken.

This brat... really knows his stuff?

Still...

When he thought about the plot: a male principal and female ninja and teachers...

Tssss...!

A rush of inspiration hit him like a lightning bolt.

He couldn’t resist!

Jiraiya had to admit it—Kyoichi’s story concept really was good.

"Damn it! Even in this area I’m getting outdone! Is this guy really a genius or what? No—if Tsunade finds out he’s good at this too... Heh heh..."

But of course, Jiraiya didn’t dare actually say anything.

He got along well with Kyoichi, and Kyoichi had helped him—there was no way he’d stab him in the back.

Besides...

Tsunade wouldn’t believe him. She’d probably beat him senseless.

Hospital-grade injuries, at that.

Not worth it.

"...Maybe I’ll just use his suggestion. Worst case, I’ll give him a cut of the royalties."

Perfect. Got a plot for the next book.

---

After parting with Jiraiya, Kyoichi finally had a chance to check his system panel.

He’d noticed a system prompt earlier but hadn’t had time to look.

Now he did.

[Your guidance helped Jiraiya find clarity. He now has greater trust in your teachings.]

[Reward: Fire Release — Toad Oil Flame Bullet]

That wasn’t all.

[Quest Completed: "Writing Inspiration"]

[Evaluation: Excellent]

[Reward: Toad Flatness — Shadow Manipulation Technique]

Huh?

Two sets of rewards?

The first one wasn’t a surprise, but the second...

Jiraiya was clearly a "say one thing, do another" kind of guy.

Peak ’Tsundere’ energy.

As for the technique—

Kyoichi vaguely remembered it.

Jiraiya had used it once when infiltrating Amegakure, but Konan had seen through it.

The jutsu allowed the user to merge their shadow with someone else’s, hiding their presence while also controlling the other person’s movements—kind of like an extension of the Shadow Possession Technique.

The only downside?

You had to hold your breath. The moment you inhaled, the technique would end.

Still, it was impressive Jiraiya had created it.

But knowing his tastes...

Kyoichi figured the technique probably originated as a way to sneak out of hot springs unseen and avoid embarrassing incidents.

So yeah—interest really is the best teacher.

No doubt about it.

Getting two useful techniques from Jiraiya in one go?

Kyoichi hadn’t expected that.

Both jutsu were practical and filled gaps in his arsenal.

A huge win.

Totally worth the story pitch.

The Toad Oil Flame Bullet wasn’t too remarkable on its own—Kyoichi didn’t have a toad summon to combo with it—but it did come with knowledge on how to extract and convert chakra into toad oil.

Buy one, get one free.

Still...

He needed to think carefully about how to integrate it into his own fighting style.

Using it as-is wouldn’t be optimal.

With his current business in the village mostly handled, Kyoichi turned his attention to the next task—visiting the Daimyō.

The Daimyō wanted his own ninja squad.

That wasn’t unusual. Kyoichi wasn’t worried about being threatened—what he was concerned about was if the Daimyō tried to play nice.

It’s hard to refuse someone who’s all smiles.

If the Daimyō made a polite request and offered fair terms, it would be difficult to flatly turn him down.

After all...

The man had been consistent in financially supporting Konoha.

"...Fine, I’ll go see him."

It’s just one trip.

Konoha was accessible via Kyoichi’s own teleportation technique, but for the capital, he’d have to travel the old-fashioned way.

Luckily, Asuma and the others were between missions...

He could bring them along, scope out the situation, and decide whether to assign Asuma to the Daimyō’s service for a while.

Frankly, only Asuma was a good fit.

Shisui was Uchiha, and Kyoichi still needed him and Inahori to stir things up with Fugaku—no way he was leaving the Uchiha clan right now.

Kurenai wasn’t a good candidate either.

But Asuma?

Right background, right skill set, right temperament.

Serving the Daimyō wouldn’t be a loss—and might even help Kyoichi get a hand into the Twelve Guardian Ninja setup.

No need to send anyone to fetch them.

He knew exactly where to go.

The Forest of Death.

Shisui’s team was always there.

Outside of missions, they spent their days training in natural energy. If their bodies could handle it, they’d clone themselves and train even harder.

Basically...

Unless necessary, they lived in that forest.

Deep within...

Three of them were seated among the trees, perfectly still and quiet—almost like they were asleep. But the moment Kyoichi reached the forest perimeter, they sensed him.

"Sensei..."

"I’m heading to see the Daimyō. You coming with me, or staying here to train? Fair warning: the Daimyō has been wanting his own ninja squad. Asuma, you might be assigned to protect him for a while."

Kyoichi wasn’t forcing anything.

If Asuma wasn’t willing, he’d pick someone else.

"Protect the Daimyō? S-Sensei... what kind of protection are we talking about?"

Asuma’s expression twisted—clearly his mind went somewhere it shouldn’t have.

Kyoichi gave him a look.

"Obviously professional protection. Stop overthinking. I’m not Danzō."

"...My apologies."

Asuma covered his face in shame.

He’d thought Kyoichi wanted him to spy on the Daimyō...

***************************

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