"Excellent speech!" Third Hokage immediately applauded.
A high-ranking official sighed in admiration, "There are risks, certainly, but as long as we properly supervise each ninja's training, it would genuinely increase our chances of survival during critical moments."
Shen couldn't help but feel a little embarrassed as the Konoha leaders showered him with praise—he'd just been trying to avoid pointless losses, after all.
"Oh, by the way, Shen," Third Hokage casually asked, "that shop owner mentioned earlier you're researching performing jutsu without hand seals—is that true?"
"Yes. Through my research, I've discovered hand seals are essentially an encoded password. Legends say the Sage of Six Paths never needed hand seals when using the ninja techniques he created himself. All I've done is decipher their meaning, allowing us to streamline them significantly."
Shen naturally understood what the Hokage was really asking about—the progress report. But he had no intention of hiding anything. After all, Danzo had already taken the blame. As for Third Hokage, well, he could only watch helplessly while Heir grew wild and untamed—an embarrassing chapter he'd rather forget. Ironically, part of the blame should go to the original author for setting things up that way from the beginning!
Third Hokage nodded knowingly. He dreaded having someone like Orochimaru unload tons of theory upon him, leaving him confused for days yet still failing to grasp its meaning.
"So… do you truly believe performing jutsu without hand seals is possible?"
Jiraiya pressed further, naturally drawing everyone else's full attention inside the store.
"Theoretically, it's possible. Practically, though, it's extremely challenging."
"Why?"
"Hand seals were first created to help others—those not like the Sage himself—channel chakra effectively. According to records, those hand seals were supposedly invented by the sons of the Sage of Six Paths. So how exactly did they design such a universal technique suitable for others? The only possibility is that those hand seals were specifically tailored based on both their own physical conditions and those of other individuals. Which means if one could obtain the Sage of Six Paths' exact physiological data, then just like him, one could perform jutsu effortlessly without any hand seals!"
"Do you really think the Sage of Six Paths actually existed?" Third Hokage finally voiced his curiosity regarding whether the legendary creator of ninjutsu was more than just myth.
"Once all impossibilities are ruled out, the only remaining possibility is that the Sage of Six Paths did exist. Otherwise, how can we explain why history mentions only him as the sole exception? Could it be that history itself has been deliberately altered?"
Through extensive research, Shen concluded there was only one real path forward—to become the Ten-Tails Jinchuriki while also holding both Uchiha and Senju power. Unfortunately, few among today's shinobi, raised under this rewritten version of history by the Otsutsuki descendants, would ever accept such a truth.
Even the skeptics had no choice but to accept the truth now. The idea that the Sage of Six Paths was real was so staggering it left everyone speechless.
"I even called myself the Professor of Ninjutsu once! Looks like that title really belongs to you instead, Shen." Third Hokage joked lightheartedly after accepting the facts.
Shen half-teased back, "I don't know thousands of jutsu like you do, but maybe someday in the future…"
The Third Hokage burst into laughter, "Then I'll wait eagerly for the day I can pass that title to you."
"You got it, Hokage Uncle!" Shen agreed happily. With access to all Five Chakra Natures, the immense power of the Sharingan within him, and a mind packed with cheat-like abilities, all he needed was to survive long enough—and then, any jutsu he desired would be his to learn in an instant.
Jiraiya couldn't help but sigh as he watched the elder and younger generations make this pact. Konoha's generation of geniuses continued to surpass their predecessors. He wasn't envious or jealous—he simply felt a tinge of melancholy from sensing how much time had passed.
"That's right, everyone—I still have a major treasure I want to show you!" The group that had just planned to say goodbye became interested upon hearing Shen speak.
Jiraiya called out, "Shen, if you've got something to show us, just bring it out already."
"Hmm? What kind of major treasure is it? Could it be an even more powerful ninja tool?" The Third Hokage was equally intrigued. After all, even the hidden blade and sleeve dart had been impressive—this piece must be something special too.
Shen immediately gave instructions with obvious pride: "Shoda, shopkeeper, bring it out."
"Yes, Master Second."
Shortly afterward, Shoda brought out a large black chest from the warehouse.
After Shen received the chest—which was taller than him—he placed it flat on the ground.
"This object was made from materials synthesized during Orochimaru's research. Its characteristics are high density and extreme hardness."
When the others heard about this miraculous item, they all looked inside after he opened the chest. There lay a pitch-black longsword quietly resting within.
Shen picked up the sword and began explaining, "As long as you inject chakra directly into it, its properties will change—like wind-natured chakra."
So saying, he infused the sword with wind-natured chakra. Soon, invisible winds seemed to surround the completely black blade.
"That way, it possesses some of the characteristics of wind-natured chakra—for example, attack range."
"Swish!"
Holding the sword with both hands, Shen swung it toward a wall five or six meters away. The people present felt like a gust of wind had passed over them. Then, in the next second, a slash mark appeared right in front of the wall.
"T-this… t-this…"
Everyone present stood shocked by the cut mark on the wall—an effect achieved merely through simple chakra injection without forming hand seals.
"It's just unfortunate that the amount of chakra consumed is quite significant for regular ninja. Still, the benefit of not needing hand seals makes it rather convenient."
Actually, the material used to forge this sword was originally what Orochimaru utilized to insulate against various household appliance chakra disturbances. He simply forged it from a small amount of that material—it's just a regular self-defense tool for everyday people.
The Third Hokage didn't believe its usefulness was reduced at all by its high energy cost: "It's still excellent enough. Combined with the previous two ninja tools, even an ordinary person could probably hold their own against a Genin in our village."
Shen didn't let it go to his head: "Truthfully, I'm also planning to develop specialized ninja tools suitable for Chunin and even Jonin ranks. However, at that level, it would probably be better for ninja to fight using their bodies directly instead of relying on tools. Plus, I haven't figured out any ideas yet myself."
"That's certainly true. Indeed, weapons aren't as convenient as one's own limbs and legs, but still prove quite useful as trump cards when crucial moments arrive. By the way, Shen, what would these three ninja tools cost?"
Ever the shrewd businessman, Shen insisted they were dirt cheap—handmade with top-notch quality at surprisingly affordable prices! Moreover, buy five sets and get a free maintenance kit thrown in! As a result, under the expression of pained understanding on the Third Hokage's face, the first major order since opening the shop was finalized.
"Thank you for stopping by, Third Hokage! Hope to see you again soon!" Shen beamed as he cheerfully saw off the important customer.
The Third Hokage nearly tripped at those words. Affordable? Great value for the price? He wanted to believe it, but trusting in magic seemed more reasonable. The only reason he didn't just turn around and leave right then was the excellent after-sales service and a surprisingly good group discount.
"Why is the password to open this scroll so full of himself?" Jiraiya grumbled to his teacher as soon as they stepped outside the shop.
"Who knows? Maybe all geniuses have such strange personalities," the Third Hokage replied, even though he had just as many complaints brewing inside as Jiraiya did.
<><><><><><><><>
Thank you for reading! Your support will keep me updating!
~ Every 50 Powerstones = **4 Bonus Chapters** this weekend!
<><><><><><><><>
Want to read the subsequent content in advance?
Please follow my Patreon:patreon/Tansnovel
Tans Novel - The Fastest-Updating Naruto Fanfiction Account
Read 100+ chapters in advance, with at least 3 new chapters updated every day! More free chapters! 20+ Naruto fanfictions!
Just three steps:
1. Download and open the "Patreon" app
2. Search for "Tans Novel"
3. Click on the collection and enjoy to your heart's content
<><><><><><><><>