Chapter 28: Preparations for War
"You're telling me that the current Hokage, Danzo Shimura, blamed the Third Hokage for everything that happened before, and even more, requested the support of ninjas from Uzushiogakure. At least ten of them who can use the adamantine chains? And, there was a specific request asking you to go there and help in the war?"
When he repeated what Akane told him, it seemed even more ridiculous.
Akane nodded calmly. It was hard to tell if she accepted it easily or for another reason.
"Will I have to go too?" Tanaka asked.
"I believe so," she replied. "Although no one talks about it, your existence, which seems to have no chakra but something different, has already been noticed by many. Sending several ninjas and leaving you behind, especially with your performance in the last mission, is something that can't simply be done."
"I understand." Tanaka fell silent.
Akane broke the silence that formed, saying, "The Uzukage called you to his office. Honestly, I must say that I don't like the idea of you going too. If you wish, even if others talk, you can refuse to go. But, as I said, that is my wish; the choice is still yours."
With a slight smile, Tanaka replied, "I'll go. Even aware of the risks, I believe I should go."
The reality was that Tanaka was extremely confident. His confidence didn't just come from the level increase but also from the skills and items he acquired in the zombie dungeon.
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[Uzukage's Office]
"Tanaka-kun," Masashi Uzumaki said seriously, "I see you've become stronger."
In return, Tanaka, who nodded briefly, was surprised by what he saw.
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<Third Uzukage>
[Rank S] Lv19 Masashi Uzumaki
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'After a certain level, it becomes [Rank S] while the level resets to zero?' Tanaka pondered.
It was the most plausible explanation he could think of in this situation. And, calculating the levels with a difference of 50, he presumed that upon reaching level 100, instead of going to level 101, it would become [Rank S] Lv1.
"Haha, interesting. You don't even try to deny it." Soon his relaxed expression became quite serious as he clasped his hands and rested his chin on them: "Tanaka-kun. I avoided asking this before, but I can no longer simply pretend I don't know anything. Do you understand?"
Tanaka nodded: "Yes, I understand."
"Whether it's the fact that you no longer have chakra or the fact that this new energy you use allows you to perform jutsus in a shorter interval... Everything about you has become a mystery. There is no record in our clan of an Uzumaki who was able to do the same. Do you understand?" Masashi asked.
"What I possess is indeed different," Tanaka revealed a bit. "My chakra was replaced when I awakened a different Kekkei Genkai. My entire body and mind changed in the process. And, several other things. Like the fact that I can strengthen myself faster."
"Mm, for now, everything you said is within my calculations." Masashi narrowed his eyes: "My question is... What are you still hiding and can reveal... Or rather, what can you reveal to me that could be of some help to the village, especially in the mission the day after tomorrow?"
"If you give me enough material, I can create weapons that will improve everyone's performance. There's also my strength, which should easily rival a Jonin." Tanaka said calmly: "Beyond that, I will use my right to remain silent."
"I'll be honest. If you were from any other village, we would force you to say everything you know." He finally smiled: "But, that is if we were a village like the others. But, since we are basically family; I won't do something like that. In return, I just hope you treat us like family too."
"Mm." Tanaka nodded.
"As for the weapons you said you can make, how efficient can they be?" Masashi asked.
"That depends on the quality of the materials used to create the items." Tanaka said: "But, it should be enough to at least increase someone's chakra by a good percentage just by holding the weapon. Or even enhance their strength. It all depends on the materials used."
"Do you have something on hand that I can evaluate?"
Tanaka didn't respond but instead took out one of the explosive stones.
"This is one of the things I created recently." Tanaka handed it to him.
Masashi's eyes lit up as he murmured, "Interesting... You were able to hide an Explosive Tag inside the spherical stone without losing its destructive power. No! In fact, it's even a bit stronger. This is incredible!"
Tanaka was equally surprised that Masashi discovered all this in such a short time.
'No wonder he is the Uzukage,' Tanaka murmured in his mind.
While Masashi was distracted looking at the explosive stone, Tanaka waited silently.
Masashi seemed like a child who got a new toy, forgetting everything around him.
Realizing his mistake, seeing that he was being overly excited about it, Masashi pretended to cough and said, "Tanaka-kun, this alone could save lives. With this, it would be easy to catch an enemy by surprise, thinking it was just a simple spherical stone."
"If that's the case, I can make several as long as you provide the necessary materials to create them. However, I won't do it for free," Tanaka warned. "Keep that in mind."
"Hahaha, money has never been an issue." Masashi laughed: "All work should be rewarded. I won't ask you to do it for free."
"Mm." Tanaka felt more at ease hearing that: "I'm glad to hear that."
Another thing he didn't mention was that... If he received materials and money to do this for them, Tanaka would raise both his active skill 'Manufacturing' and his passive skill 'Fuuinjutsu.'