Naruto: Becoming the Soul King

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How did the mission complete?

Seiryū wasn’t mentally prepared for it.

Then another thought occurred to him, and he muttered, ”Team Four, with a Jōnin Instructor whose superior is Tsunade... could the System have judged it to be the Thirteen Court Guard Squads’ Fourth Division?”

In Seiryū’s understanding, the ”Official Shinigami” mentioned in the mission referred to Shinigami with an official designation.

Shinigami who join the Thirteen Court Guard Squads, the Covert Mobile Squad, or the Kidō Corps are considered Official Shinigami of the Soul Society.

The common thread lies in the term ”official designation.”

Come to think of it, the Ninja squads in the Naruto World are somewhat similar to the Thirteen Court Guard Squads.

Could they also be considered to have an ”official designation”?

If Konoha is treated as the Soul Society, then the Shinigami of the Soul Society would correspond to the ninja of Konoha.

Shinigami correspond to ninja.

Then the squad-leading Jōnin Instructor would likely correspond to the Captains of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads.

After all, Jōnin Instructors lead teams, and the Captains of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads command their own divisions.

The comparison makes sense.

Given how unreliable the System is, it’s entirely possible that it would treat a Jōnin Instructor as a Captain of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads.

Don’t ask why. If you ask, it means the System is having another episode!

Now looking at Tsunade’s circumstances—strong, skilled in Medical Ninjutsu, leading Team Four.

It wouldn’t be surprising for the unreliable System to mistake her for Unohana Retsu, Captain of the Fourth Division.

There are indeed some similarities between the two.

That checks out!

Thinking this far, Seiryū couldn’t help but give the System a mental thumbs-up.

As expected of his idiotic System, it really had its moments!

Still, he asked, ”System, am I now an Official Shinigami of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads’ Fourth Division?”

Although the System was dull and aloof, ignoring him most of the time,

It would occasionally ”Ding” a few responses, though most information required Seiryū to interpret and deduce on his own.

[Ding. Host, please refrain from asking redundant questions. Becoming an Official Shinigami is merely the beginning, a step that does not affect the final result of the Host becoming the Soul King!]

Seiryū: ”...”

So it’s settled then.

Team Four = Thirteen Court Guard Squads Fourth Division.

He was now an Official Shinigami of the Fourth Division.

Previously, he had been wracking his brain trying to figure out how to complete the mission [Become an Official Shinigami of Seireitei].

He had even planned to ask Tsunade to help him get into the Ninja Hospital.

Now it was completed just like that.

This was a pleasant surprise!

”What kind of bad idea are you cooking up now, brat? Let me tell you, the punishment won’t change. This is what you get for failing to get a bell!”

Tsunade noticed Seiryū was deep in thought, and knowing his unreliable nature, assumed he was scheming to get out of the ”punishment.”

That was absolutely not allowed!

A punishment is a punishment!

Seiryū shook his head. ”Isn’t it just washing your feet? Not a big deal. Why keep bringing it up?”

He wasn’t planning to back out, so why the constant reminders?

Tsunade saw it as a punishment, while Seiryū saw it as a reward.

They were clearly not on the same page.

Tsunade narrowed her eyes slightly. ”You’re acting strange, brat. This isn’t like you.”

Seiryū sneered. ”I accept my loss. I’m not a certain bad woman who defaults on a debt whenever she feels like it.”

”Heh...”

Tsunade’s smile stiffened. She didn’t bother to argue anymore.

In any case, the punishment wouldn’t be changed.

This brat was definitely going to wash her feet!

She then turned to the three of them. ”You’ve just graduated. I’ll give you one day to prepare yourselves mentally. After that, you’ll begin your missions. Being a ninja isn’t as relaxed as being in the Academy.”

Kurenai responded, ”I will work hard, Tsunade-sensei!”

Shizune nodded gently. ”I understand, Tsunade-sama.”

Mentioning missions, Seiryū couldn’t help but sigh. ”I know, Genin missions are usually things like cleaning sewers, looking for lost cats and dogs, delivering goods, running errands…”

”I get it. The service industry really isn’t easy.”

Newly graduated Genin need simple tasks to hone their skills.

These missions were often grunt work and part of the backbone of Konoha’s service system.

It really wasn’t easy.

Tsunade gave Seiryū a sharp glare and said slowly, ”No matter what the mission is, you must treat it seriously. This is the first lesson I’m teaching you as your Sensei.”

”There’s one more thing: mission completion rate is also a measure used to evaluate ninja. It is a requirement for promotion to Chunin or Jōnin.”

For promotion to higher ranks, strength is only one factor.

Mission completion rate is another, and a comprehensive assessment is always conducted.

They had all risen through the ranks like this.

Kurenai and Shizune listened attentively and nodded.

Seiryū also nodded and replied seriously, ”Yes, Sensei. We’ll treat every mission with dedication, without slacking off, and strive to be excellent child laborers, excellent service staff, and excellent ninja!”

Tsunade: ”...”

”Alright, get lost now. Stop being an eyesore. Gather here the morning after tomorrow.”

She waved her hand, already tired of bickering. A nice nap was much better than wasting time with Seiryū.

Seiryū glanced at the sky. It was nearly noon, so he suggested, ”Why don’t we leave after lunch? It’s already lunchtime.”

”You really have no shame.”

”Why should I be polite to you? You still owe me money.”

”Kurenai, stay. Shizune, see him out!”

In the end, Seiryū still shamelessly stayed for lunch at Tsunade’s home.

He had to admit, Shizune’s cooking was excellent. Not inferior to Kurenai’s at all.

In the future, when he opened a shop, he could try to trick Shizune into becoming the head chef.

On the way.

”It feels kind of unreal, doesn’t it? Our Jōnin Instructor is actually Tsunade-sama. And have you noticed? Tsunade-sama’s skin is so smooth. I wonder how she maintains it…”

Kurenai chatted idly with Seiryū.

Tsunade was her idol, and becoming her student made her genuinely happy.

All thanks to Seiryū!

Seiryū wholeheartedly agreed. ”Yeah, that bad woman’s skin is really well maintained. Not just her face, even her feet are in great condition.”

Kurenai: ”...”

Why did the topic jump to feet?

Could it be that Seiryū still held a grudge over the punishment?

—

Kurenai touched her cheek and muttered, ”Can learning Medical Ninjutsu help maintain skin? If so, I want to learn it too.”

Seiryū reached out and pinched her cheek. The texture was smooth and nice.

He asked doubtfully, ”Your skin’s already great, and you’re only nine. Isn’t it too early to think about skincare?”

Feeling his mischievous fingers, Kurenai’s cheeks flushed red. Her heartbeat quickened.

She quickly slapped his hand away and said stiffly, ”I’m thinking ahead! I’m serious!”

”You’ll probably be disappointed. That bad woman uses a Sealing Technique to maintain her skin. With your talent, you probably won’t be able to learn it.”

”Huh? It’s a Sealing Technique? Then what about Medical Ninjutsu? Does that help?”

”That’s outside my area of expertise. I haven’t looked into it. Maybe it does. I’ll ask the bad woman later.”

Kurenai earnestly said, ”Then I want to learn Medical Ninjutsu!”

Seiryū patted her head and smiled. ”You don’t need to. If it works for skincare, I’ll learn it. You just focus on Genjutsu. Don’t waste your energy. You don’t have the talent for it.”

”—”

Kurenai puffed up her cheeks, clearly frustrated at being looked down on.

(To be continued.)

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