Tsunade skimmed through the screen. Besides the common Ninjutsu, there were also standard Konoha techniques—and even some she had never seen before.
After all, she wasn't Orochimaru, who seemed to collect Ninjutsu like trinkets. Some of these had even been created by Naruto himself.
The sheer variety was staggering—an endless, dazzling catalog of techniques.
There were even Sealing Jutsu listed for exchange. But a tiered system was in place: the higher one's rank, the more advanced Ninjutsu they could access. With Tsunade's current status, she could already exchange for nearly all A-rank techniques.
Bored after a while, she tapped on the section marked S-rank.
Only two options appeared. One was a technique called Wind Release: Rasenshuriken. Though unfamiliar with it, Tsunade felt a faint sense of recognition.
The other was titled Unbreakable Golden Body (Chakra Version). What piqued her curiosity was the note—"Chakra Version." Did that mean another variant existed?
In truth, after the development of Martial Arts, the Unbreakable Golden Body had been split into two distinct versions.
One was the Martial Arts cultivation method—Unbreakable Golden Body—which relied on vital energy and blood. The other was the original, Chakra-based version that Naruto had derived. This version granted incredible strength and resilience, reminiscent of Kumogakure's Lightning Release armor techniques.
But unlike the Martial Arts form, it could not refine the power of life force and blood.
Strangely enough, there were also some eccentric entries, like Earth Release: Soil Turning Technique, Earth Release: Rice Planting Technique, and Wind Release: Fan Technique.
They seemed more like child's play than battlefield techniques—yet the notes showed that many people had already redeemed them, making them oddly popular.
"Can Shizune see this?" Tsunade asked Haku. She knew lower-ranked members had limited access to classified information.
Haku nodded. Since they were from the same sect, Shizune's rank—though slightly lower due to having fewer points—still gave her access. With Shizune's medical skill, advancing would be simple.
Tsunade herself had been delayed for nearly a year in re-promoting her rank because of her previous attempts to conceal her identity.
Now, however, she had reached Orange Rank—a level comparable to Shisui and the others. Only a handful had attained it: Shisui, Uchiha Yu, Uchiha Izumi, and Zabuza.
This rank was usually reserved for Kage-level Shinobi or geniuses of extraordinary talent. Zabuza had earned it by serving as an elder; Uchiha Yu had achieved it in much the same way.
With Haku's confirmation, Shizune leaned over curiously. Tsunade subtly shifted the tablet so her assistant could see.
Shizune's eyes widened at the dazzling list of techniques. Unlike Tsunade, she had grown up with a commoner's perspective and knew just how difficult it was for non-clan Shinobi to access quality Ninjutsu.
Even though she had followed Tsunade from a young age, she understood the struggle. Fresh academy graduates could only learn a handful of basic jutsu from their instructors. From then on, progress depended entirely on earning merits to exchange for techniques. And those exchanges often yielded unimpressive results—the best were hoarded away in vaults.
Yet here, on this small tablet, countless techniques lay at her fingertips. Even she could redeem several A-rank jutsu. Her authority capped her at that level, but it was still astonishing.
"Lady Tsunade! This jutsu—it's incredible!"
Shizune exclaimed, pointing at an A-rank technique glowing on the screen.
Wind Riding Technique.
Startled by her tone, Tsunade leaned closer just as Shizune opened the description.
"It lets you fly?!"
Tsunade's eyes widened. She hadn't checked every technique—who had time for that?—but this one stood out.
"It actually costs fifty thousand points!" she muttered. Though only A-rank, it was the most expensive technique in its tier.
But the ability to fly in the Shinobi world… its value was immeasurable.
Currently, the only Shinobi known to fly was the Third Tsuchikage, Ōnoki. Such a technique was no less rare than space–time ninjutsu.
"Interesting," Tsunade murmured, tapping exchange. A prompt popped up asking for confirmation—yes or no. She confirmed without hesitation.
At the same time, she also redeemed the remaining stages of the Martial Arts cultivation system. She already had the first three; now she added the last two.
In total, she spent sixty-five thousand points. Her balance dropped to nearly zero.
Still, Tsunade felt an odd sense of satisfaction. A shame she didn't have more points—but in truth, Ninjutsu had never held much personal appeal for her anyway.
The tablet in Tsunade's hands felt strangely novel—almost addictive to explore.
"By the way," she asked suddenly, "if someone exchanges for a technique, what's to stop others from just learning it from them? Wouldn't that create loopholes?"
Haku shook her head.
"The Organization strictly forbids it. Anything exchanged can only be cultivated by the individual. If someone is caught passing it on, there are punishments. Even their family members' positions within the Organization can be affected. Lone wolves or not, everyone has something they care about. No one dares lose sight of the greater picture for a short-term gain."
What Haku didn't say was that every high-ranking member was screened for their understanding of the Umbrella Ideology—a process not unlike brainwashing. In truth, Haku herself no longer realized how deep her conditioning by Naruto ran.
"They've really thought of everything," Tsunade muttered in awe.
The signs were clear. The Umbrella Organization wasn't a mere network—it carried enormous ambition. Even the Seven Colors Trading Company, renowned across the entire Shinobi World, was one of Umbrella's hidden arms. Meanwhile, Kirigakure still congratulated itself for its "advantage" in partnering with them.
Umbrella was gathering talent across nations, its roots spreading everywhere. One day, that quiet growth would erupt into overwhelming power.
Just as the Umbrella Ideology book described: a single spark can start a prairie fire.
And sooner or later, Umbrella's fire would sweep through the entire Shinobi World.
...
Elsewhere in the Shinobi World…
A man with a sour expression walked with a severed head in hand. If Naruto were present, he would immediately recognize him—Kakuzu.
The miserly Akatsuki member was agitated. Money had become harder to earn in recent years.
The number of rogue shinobi had dropped sharply—and for reasons Kakuzu couldn't uncover.
If it weren't for the fact that some rogues still butchered innocents, Naruto wouldn't even bother cleaning them up. But for Kakuzu, it meant fewer targets to cash in on.
"Damn it," he growled, "why have rogue ninja decreased so much over the past two years? Is someone else hunting them down? Who dares steal my money!"
He entered what looked like an ordinary restroom. But behind the facade was an underground bounty station, a shadowy network that had existed for over a century.
Descending into the chamber, Kakuzu's presence instantly silenced the noisy hall. Everyone knew him. His strength was terrifying, and his obsession with money was legendary.
"I want to cash in a bounty," Kakuzu muttered, tossing the severed head onto the counter.
The clerk smiled politely. "Lord Kakuzu, you've been visiting less often lately. Don't tell me you've already struck it rich?"
"Hm?"
Kakuzu's eyes flared with killing intent, only to restrain himself at the last moment. The bounty station had deep backing. It had endured for generations and harbored powerful figures behind the scenes. More importantly, this place was his financial lifeline. He couldn't afford to lose it.
His gaze sharpened. "I want to know why the number of rogue shinobi has dropped."
The clerk rubbed his fingers together. "That'll be ten million."
Kakuzu's brow twitched.
Ten million?!
"Why don't you just rob me," he muttered darkly.
...
TN:
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