Here's a bonus chapter for you all! Thank you so much for waiting. I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments, and I hope you have a wonderful time reading!
Kumogakure, Wind and Thunder Temple
The delegation sent to Konohagakure had returned, and since the Raikage had relocated his office to the Wind and Thunder Temple, everyone gathered there once again.
The distribution of rewards and recognition for merit was always an eagerly anticipated event.
In Kumogakure, it was even more so.
The Third Raikage, despite his brashness, hot temper, thick skin, and—let's face it—less-than-stellar looks...
But! When it came to dividing the spoils, he was nothing if not fair.
Although the mission to Konohagakure hadn't yielded any groundbreaking achievements, the most critical objective—a sealing technique—had been secured.
With this sealing technique, the Two-Tails could now be contained.
And having a Jinchūriki meant the village would no longer be as vulnerable as before.
Fewer ninja would be needed for defense, which meant more resources could be allocated to other endeavors.
Over the past year, the Raikage had been nearly driven mad by financial strain.
His strained relationship with the Daimyō of the Land of Lightning meant he couldn't simply request funds like the Hokage could. Instead, he had to tighten the village's belt.
After some discussion, the rewards were finalized.
The young man named Taku, who had been instantly defeated by Kagami Uchiha and captured by Konohagakure, was chosen to become the Jinchūriki.
Members of his clan stepped forward to congratulate him.
In Kumogakure, being a Jinchūriki didn't mean ostracization or loneliness. On the contrary, it symbolized higher status and respect.
As for the others, aside from receiving substantial monetary rewards, many were promoted.
When it was Rinjin's turn, thanks to his prior arrangements with Ayawai, he was successfully assigned to the External Affairs Division.
After bidding farewell to the Third Raikage, Rinjin returned to Kumogakure.
The next morning, Rinjin reported to the External Affairs Division at the Raikage's building.
Soon, he was greeted by a middle-aged man with slicked-back hair and a wiry mustache.
After a brief self-introduction, Rinjin learned that this plump man named Tsuchibon was the team leader of the division and the younger brother of a high-ranking advisor, Tsuchishō.
Rinjin didn't comment on this revelation, though he chuckled inwardly.
Compared to Konohagakure, the Raikage's familial influence seemed even more entrenched, with positions of power deeply intertwined like the roots of a tree.
Under Tsuchibon's guidance, Rinjin toured the modest office.
There were seven or eight desks, all unoccupied, with clutter piled haphazardly.
"Haha, everyone's out on field missions, so it's just me holding down the fort," Tsuchibon said, clearing a desk covered in junk with a single swipe of his sleeve. "Here, this will be your desk from now on!"
Wow, a master of desk-clearing?
Seeing Tsuchibon's dust-covered sleeve, Rinjin nodded with a peculiar expression.
Satisfied with Rinjin's response, Tsuchibon grinned and grabbed a dusty scroll from another desk. After shaking it off casually, he placed it on Rinjin's desk.
"Rinjin, this is the External Affairs Division's exclusive jutsu, the Heaven-Sent Technique. Master it as soon as possible, and feel free to ask me if you have any questions."
Hearing this, Rinjin hesitated for a moment before picking up the scroll, which he had been eager to obtain yet was so casually tossed to him. He asked softly, "Tsuchibon-sama, where can I find you if I have questions?"
It wasn't an unreasonable question. The office looked like it was rarely used!
If he encountered any problems, was he supposed to come here and wait for someone?
Rinjin felt that even if he waited until the Fourth Great Ninja War, this office might still remain empty!
"Uh... never mind, don't wait until later. Just read it now and ask me any questions right away!" Tsuchibon scratched his head and laughed sheepishly.
What?! Could it be that my guess was right?
Was this department the legendary "ghost office" where people got paid for doing nothing?
Damn, this is perfect for me!
If you'd assigned me here earlier, I wouldn't have bothered being a spy! I'd have been one of you from the start!
Why wait until now, when my mission is nearly complete, to tell me about such a great place?!
After a moment of stunned silence, Rinjin finally opened the scroll under Tsuchibon's urging.
Meanwhile, Tsuchibon pulled up a chair and sat across from Rinjin, speaking casually.
"Don't underestimate our department. The External Affairs Division is responsible for all field mission logistics across the village.
This includes not only providing supplies but also transmitting critical information back to the village.
I've read your file. You once went on a mission with Ryuto's team, right? You should remember the bandit suppression mission!"
Rinjin nodded.
"The town you found at the time had one of our colleagues stationed there—a deputy director, no less!
He was the one who used the Heaven-Sent Technique to send the currency and goods you confiscated back to the village."
Hearing this, Rinjin became intrigued and asked curiously, "Tsuchibon-sama, does everyone in the External Affairs Division know the Heaven-Sent Technique?"
"Of course!" Tsuchibon nodded emphatically, then added proudly, "But only the deputy director and I have the chakra capacity and sensory ability to transport large quantities of goods.
Your other colleagues can only send scrolls. But even that's enough."
At this, Rinjin mentally noted this critical piece of information.
To the Third Raikage, the Heaven-Sent Technique was essentially a fixed-point version of the Flying Raijin Jutsu!
Unintentionally, Tsuchibon had revealed the most intriguing and valuable piece of information to Rinjin.
Seeing Rinjin remain silent, Tsuchibon continued, "The Heaven-Sent Technique is an extremely rare space-time ninjutsu. Unlike the instantaneous movement of the Flying Raijin Jutsu, it doesn't require spatial sensitivity.
Instead, mastering the Heaven-Sent Technique requires extensive sensory abilities!"
As he spoke, Tsuchibon raised two fingers and began explaining.
"Our village trains sensory ninja in two categories:
The first category consists of close-range sensory specialists who can detect the strength of an enemy's chakra through various terrains.
Of course, 'close-range' here refers to within one kilometer.
The second category is our External Affairs Division, specializing in long-range sensory abilities that can extend over a thousand kilometers.
However, we can only sense specially designed locator scrolls."
"What are these locator scrolls?" Rinjin asked.
In response, Tsuchibon pulled out a palm-sized, nondescript scroll from his ninja pouch and slowly unrolled it.
The scroll was covered in intricate, mysterious patterns.
Waving the scroll in his hand, Tsuchibon added, "This is a locator scroll. It's standard-issue for the External Affairs Division, and you'll need to learn how to draw them yourself."
After placing the scroll on the desk, Tsuchibon stretched lazily.
"Once you can sense the locator scroll, you'll know where to find me for questions!
Oh, by the way, you have a week off!"
With that, he waddled out of the office, his plump belly swaying.
What?! No work, and I get a vacation first?!
What kind of heavenly department is this? I love it already!
Carrying the scroll, Rinjin leisurely strolled out of the office.
Back home, Rinjin lay on his bed, enjoying the convenience of the Shadow Clone Jutsu.
Meanwhile, he pondered his mission in Kumogakure.
The Lightning Release Chakra Mode had been obtained through his earlier efforts and by rescuing numerous Kumogakure ninja.
The Heaven-Sent Technique was now in his possession, thanks to the mission to Konohagakure.
As for the intel Hiruzen Sarutobi wanted, Rinjin had gathered enough bits and pieces to report back.
What remained were the Two-Tails Matatabi and the Eight Gates Technique, which Rinjin had coveted for a long time!
Now, all he needed was an opportunity—an opportunity where everyone let their guard down!