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Chapter 70 is out on patreon!!!
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The negotiating ninja from the Hidden Cloud Village would be at least a Special Jōnin.
Rescuing Hinata Hyūga from someone like that wouldn't be easy.
His own strength was somewhat lacking.
A direct confrontation wouldn't work.
He had to find a way to make someone else deal with that guy—for example, the Root ninja assigned to monitor him, or perhaps the Hokage's Anbu hidden in the shadows.
However!
Regardless of the method!
He had to at least be able to withstand the enemy's attacks before reinforcements arrived. Otherwise, everything would be in vain.
Therefore, he had to increase his own strength.
He currently had 13,400 EXP saved up.
After thinking it over, he spent 6,000 EXP to upgrade the Three Basic Jutsu all to Level 3.
Then, he spent another 4,000 EXP to specifically upgrade the Substitution Jutsu to Level 4.
Having spent 10,000 EXP, he had 3,400 EXP remaining.
There was still half a month before the Cloud Village envoys arrived.
He could still scrape together another 7,500 EXP by then, which he would use to upgrade both the Clone Jutsu and the Transformation Jutsu to Level 4 as well.
The Basic Ninjutsu might not be incredibly powerful offensive techniques.
But!
If used well, they were divine life-saving skills.
He felt this particularly strongly after upgrading the Substitution Jutsu to Level 4.
Level 1 Substitution: He could execute it, but it was hit or miss.
Level 2 Substitution: He had grasped the basics. With preparation, he could execute it with a 100% success rate.
Level 3 Substitution: The technique had stabilized. Even without prior preparation, he could execute it with a 100% success rate.
Level 4 Substitution: He had reached the level of mastery. In any situation, he could rapidly deploy the Substitution Jutsu—even casting it simultaneously while using another ninjutsu.
As for Level 5, he hadn't reached it yet, so he didn't know what it would feel like.
After testing the Clone Jutsu, Transformation Jutsu, and Substitution Jutsu, he found the progression felt similar across all of them.
This meant that Ninjutsu Levels 1 through 4 corresponded respectively to the Learning Phase, Entry Phase, Stable Phase, and Mastery Phase.
Having figured out the level mechanics, Rokuro had some new ideas. He planned to continuously upgrade one of the Three Basic Jutsu the next time he hoarded enough EXP, just to see if there was a level cap for Ninjutsu.
If there was a cap, that would suck.
He really hoped there wasn't.
That way, he could stack a basic ninjutsu until it became a god-tier skill.
With his abilities enhanced, Rokuro began his training.
He needed to properly train his newly upgraded skills so he could seamlessly connect the Three Basic Jutsu even while using the Tyrant Body Style Nintaijutsu.
Facing an impending life-or-death battle, Rokuro became exceptionally serious.
He holed himself up in the training room every day, refusing to step outside.
He trained relentlessly!
He kept training!
Honing all his abilities until he could use them effortlessly.
However!
After seven days of secluded training, he still went out for a stroll in Konoha.
Normally, he went out every seven or eight days.
If he suddenly stopped going out, and then only went out on the day the Cloud Village caused trouble, it would easily arouse suspicion.
By the tenth day of training, he had also pushed his Clone Jutsu and Transformation Jutsu to Level 4.
From then on, any EXP he saved would be kept in reserve to instantly restore his stamina and chakra.
Five days flashed by.
On the day the Cloud Village delegation was scheduled to enter the village, Rokuro left the base and headed into Konoha.
This time, he had already prepared his excuse in advance.
When Danzo or the Hokage inevitably investigated later, he would simply say he wanted to see what the Cloud ninja looked like. Since he didn't get a good look during the day, he decided to follow them at night to get a better view.
It was a perfect excuse.
He refused to believe that either of those two would find a child's simple curiosity suspicious.
Excuse prepared, it was time to execute the plan.
Upon entering Konoha, he headed straight for the village's main gates.
There were already others gathered at the entrance waiting to welcome the envoys.
So, he blended into the crowd of commoners who had gathered to catch a glimpse of the Cloud ninja, waiting together for their arrival.
He waited for a while.
The Cloud ninja still hadn't appeared.
Instead, he spotted Rock Lee running over to join the excitement. He walked up behind Lee and tugged on him. "Hey, Rock Lee! It's been a while, hasn't it?"
Seeing Rokuro, Lee was overjoyed.
In Lee's heart, Kanda Rokuro was a kindred spirit. Rokuro was the only one who didn't look down on him for only being able to use Taijutsu.
"Rokuro! You're here too! Why haven't you been to the Academy lately? I waited a bit extra after school every day, hoping you would show up so we could chat!"
Hearing Lee's excited words, Rokuro smiled. "I'm not interested in the Ninja Academy, so I didn't bother going back. If you want to talk to me, you can find me at Ichiraku Ramen every Monday or Tuesday night!"
"I see! I got it!" Lee agreed, then looked at the crowd around them. "Are you also here to see how good the Cloud Village ninjas' Taijutsu is?"
Rokuro looked out towards the village gates and shook his head. "No, I'm not interested in the Cloud Village's Taijutsu. I just want to see how strong their ninjas actually are. If I get the chance, I want to challenge them!"
Hearing this, Lee gave Rokuro a big thumbs up. "I really admire you, Rokuro! I've never even thought of something like that. It seems I'm too timid. I need to learn from you so I can build up my confidence!"
Rokuro chuckled and asked Lee, "Don't you have class today?"
Lee shook his head. "No. Because the Cloud envoys are arriving, the Academy announced a three-day break!"
So that's how it is!
It seemed Hiruzen Sarutobi was also worried that the Cloud envoys might try to cause trouble during the negotiations.
By giving the Academy students a break, they wouldn't be caught in a single location if things went south, and the children would be protected by their respective clans, keeping them out of danger.