The Classified Archive

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If he had to choose between A-rank and B-rank ninjutsu, Naoki felt the most useful options for him right now were the B-rank Shadow Clone Technique and the A-rank Multiple Shadow Clone Technique.

For a taijutsu-type shinobi, the Shadow Clone Technique could instantly multiply combat strength. If used properly, it could often produce miraculous results in battle.

And as a great clan, the Hyuga Clan surely possessed the Shadow Clone Technique, perhaps even the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique.

Naoki had originally planned to first complete Hizashi Hyuga's request, resolve the confidence vote for the clan member's jonin promotion, and then use that favor to ask the clan to let him learn ninjutsu.

Unexpectedly, circumstances had overtaken his plans. Now, there was no time to make that request to the clan.

Even so, he still did not want to use the Third Hokage's special opportunity to learn the Shadow Clone Technique.

The opportunity the Third was offering this time was too rare. It was currently his only legitimate chance to come into contact with sealing arts openly. He had to seize it firmly.

As for the Shadow Clone Technique, he decided to get it from Shisui.

To deal with the Uchiha challenges, Shisui owed him quite a few favors. Asking for a mere B-rank Shadow Clone Technique as thanks was clearly not excessive.

After making up his mind, Naoki said in a deep voice, "Lord Hokage, I hope to learn an advanced sealing art."

The Third frowned. "A sealing art?"

Training in sealing arts placed extremely high demands on a shinobi. Unless someone had specialized in sealing arts since childhood, they often needed to reach the level of elite jonin before they could smoothly train in advanced sealing arts.

This involved not only chakra volume, but also the shinobi's control over their own chakra.

A very small number of sealing arts even required the shinobi's spiritual energy to reach a certain level, or required a special bloodline. Because of that, the threshold for training in sealing arts was very high.

After hesitating briefly, the Third ultimately agreed to Naoki's request.

After all, the right to choose lay with Naoki. Even as Hokage, the Third had little reason to interfere too much in a personal matter.

After confirming Naoki's request, the Third asked Guy and Shisui in turn.

Guy, citing his focus on taijutsu, gave up the chance to learn advanced ninjutsu without the slightest hesitation.

The Third nodded approvingly.

Perhaps it was precisely because of Guy's focus on taijutsu that he would one day shine so brilliantly in that field, becoming one of the very few shinobi in the Fourth Shinobi World War capable of threatening Madara.

As a member of the great Uchiha Clan, Shisui did not lack ordinary A-rank or B-rank ninjutsu, so he had originally prepared to give up this chance as well.

However, seeing that Naoki had chosen to learn something, if both he and Guy refused, it would make Naoki feel awkward. So he casually selected a B-rank Fire Release ninjutsu he did not know.

Afterward, Naoki and Shisui followed the Third to the classified archive located underground beneath the Hokage Building.

On the way to the classified archive, Naoki fully activated the Tenseigan and recorded every detail along the route.

'There are hidden sentries at both corners leading from the first floor to the basement. Two at each point, four total. Judging by chakra volume, they should all be special jonin.'

'There are ninjutsu formulas arranged along the passage. One, two, three... five in total. They should be sensory formulas. If someone entering does not carry the Third's chakra, or some other marker, these formulas should activate in response.'

'Huh. There are sealing formulas on this row of stairs. They look unfamiliar. Not like the style the Uzumaki clan commonly uses.'

As Naoki observed, he analyzed the possibility of infiltrating the place.

The overall security of the Hokage Building was not as strict as he had imagined. That might also have something to do with the village's recent shortage of personnel.

Leaving aside the administrative staff inside the building, there seemed to be a dozen or so chunin guards in the open, while only three or four ANBU teams guarded in secret. That included the bodyguard team protecting the Third Hokage personally.

Although the number of guards was not large, if the Third Hokage himself was stationed there, such a level of security was enough to guard against the vast majority of enemies.

Naoki's expression did not change as he silently put those thoughts away.

Following the stairs under the Third's lead, Naoki and Shisui arrived at the entrance to the classified archive in the basement.

The Third quickly formed a hand seal, then pressed one hand against the archive's heavy door.

Rumble.

The door gave a low sound and slowly opened.

"Come in."

The Third called out and entered the classified archive first.

The moment Naoki stepped through the archive doors, his view opened wide. Only then did he realize that this underground classified archive was far larger than he had imagined.

Shisui casually selected a B-rank Fire Release ninjutsu he did not know from the scrolls recording Fire Release techniques, then silently stepped aside.

Naoki, meanwhile, carefully searched through the scrolls introducing sealing arts.

There were many sealing arts available for Naoki to choose from, including common techniques such as the Five Elements Seal, Four Symbols Seal, and Eight Trigrams Seal, as well as less common ones such as the Evil Sealing Method and Contract Seal.

After comparing and observing them, Naoki discovered that among these sealing arts, the formulas of the Four Symbols Seal most resembled those of the Uzumaki clan. After weighing it briefly, he chose the Four Symbols Seal.

The Third nodded lightly, then put away the introductory scrolls for sealing arts and Fire Release.

The Third reminded them, "Ninjutsu learned through an ANBU team application may not be passed on casually. You should have known that when you became ANBU."

Naoki and Shisui nodded. As members of great clans, they had known such rules for a long time.

The Third gave one final instruction. "Turn in the ninjutsu scrolls within one month. If you are away on a mission, the deadline may be extended. If you encounter an accident, destroy the scroll immediately. It must not be leaked."

"Yes!"

As soon as they left the Hokage Building, Naoki brought up the Shadow Clone Technique with Shisui.

Shisui froze when he heard it. In his mind, given Naoki's strength and his ability to kill an elite jonin from Iwagakure one-on-one, Naoki should have mastered a B-rank ninjutsu like the Shadow Clone Technique long ago.

Naoki could not exactly explain to Shisui that half a year earlier he had still been a small fry like battlefield fodder. So he casually made up an excuse and muddled through.

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