"Man, we did all that, and iurn, we just get a kunai? I know this wasn’t a petition, but still, this reward sucks," Kaida said, spinning the kunai around his finger.

  "Try eling your chakra into that kunai," Shisui said with a smirk.

  "Whoa, it’s so smooth, there’s little to a all, like…"

  "Yeah, these kunai are made of an alloy of chakra metal and bck iron, one of the toughest binations. Just a single one would cost at least 150,000 to 200,000 Ryo. Even if they made it themselves, just the material cost for all nine kunai would reach around a million Ryo, so this reward is not small by any means," Shisui expined.

  "Well, now I don’t feel so bad about getting this," Kaida said, pg the kunai in his ste seal.

  Just as Jiraiya was about to chime in, a Konoha Jonin responsible for the Daimyo's prote appeared near Jiraiya, delivered a message, and then disappeared. The only reason a shinobi from another vilge could use these jutsu, even movement jutsu, was due to the Daimyo's orders. Otherwise, using any jutsu in an enemy vilge could be very dangerous. After receiving the message, Jiraiya turo the group.

  "It’s great that you liked yift, but there’s a ay get another one as well. Lord Daimyo is calling us," Jiraiya said.

  "All of us?"

  "Yes."

  The four of them looked toward the VIP area where the Daimyos were seated during the matches. Notig this, Jiraiya added, "He’s not here; we have to go to his lodgings."

  "The’s go," Shisui said, and everyone began moving.

  …

  "Hohoho, Jiraiya, wele, wele! Have a seat," the Daimyo said, obviously in a good mood.

  "Thank you, Lord Daimyo," Jiraiya replied, taking his seat, while Shisui and Team Konoha stood before the Daimyo.

  "You guys did great in the exam, eveer than what I expected from Konoha. I am very happy with your performahe Daimyo said with a kind smile on his face.

  "We’re gd that we were able to meet your expectations, Lord Daimyo," Itachi, the team leader and the only orained in royal etiquette, responded while the others bowed their heads.

  "Hoho, so well-mannered. Good! Since you all did so well, I want to give you some gifts—not to your vilge, so don’t say that. Just tell me what you truly desire," the Daimyo said, havihrough this situation multiple times. Every time, the ninja would simply ask him to support their vilge, and he was bored of hearing that.

  "I am already going to support Konoha, so I want you to ask for something you genuinely want," the Daimyo said, eager to hear something different.

  Itachi and Kabuto were silent. Though Kabuto was tempted to ask the Daimyo to support his orphanage, he k might leave a bad impression of Konoha, so he refrained. Besides, he didn’t have much else to ask for. As for Itachi, he ractically a prince, g nothing. Jiraiya uood this about both of them, but he noticed a look of hesitation on Kaida’s face.

  'I just hope that boy doesn’t say anything foolish about the poverty in the Fire try. The Daimyo would definitely be offended if he were shown the reality of his rule,' Jiraiya thought, having withe journey and how emotional the three Genin… now in… had been along the way. Fortunately, his fears were unfounded.

  "Sir, while we were in Lightning Valley, I made a pet, and I would like t it back to Konoha. Is that possible?" Kaida asked, at which both Kabuto and Itachi turo Kaida with gres that asked, 'Are you serious?'

  Kaida igheir reaasterfully.

  "Which pet? A dog?" the Daimyo asked, a bit intrigued by the request.

  "No, sir, it’s a cute bear," Kaida replied with a smile.

  "Oh, you found a bear cub, huh?"

  "No, sir, the bear isn’t a cub. It’s an adult bear, around two and a half meters tall, and it use chakra too," Kaida added.

  "…"

  "…"

  "…"

  A silenveloped the room as Itachi and Kabuto gave Kaida deadpan looks.

  "You said you made a pet in Lightning Valley," the Daimyo said.

  "Yes, Lord Daimyo."

  "And it’s an adult bear?"

  "Yes, Lord Daimyo."

  "Ohat even use chakra?"

  "Yes, Lord Daimyo."

  "And you want t it back to Konoha?"

  "Yes, Lord Daimyo."

  "Hahahahaha! Amusing, truly amusing. Since I promised you a reward, sider it dohat bear will be allowed to follow you back to Konoha. Or would you prefer it captured and delivered to your vilge?" the Daimyo asked, genuinely amused by the unusual request.

  Finally, Jiraiya and Shisui sighed in relief. No matter how unusual the request, it wouldn’t harm Konoha, which had been their main .

  Afterward, everyo Jiraiya was told to leave.

  …

  "Quite an iing disciple you have there, Jiraiya," the Daimyo remarked.

  "He sure is… unique, Lord Daimyo," Jiraiya replied.

  "Well, aside from that, I assume there’s something you want to say to me?" the Daimyo asked.

  "Yes, Lord Daimyo. As you know, all three of them are young talents from Konoha, and since we’ve brought them here, others may try something. That’s why I would like to request we leave as soon as it’s ve for you," Jiraiya said.

  "Normally, I would have to stay here a while longer for some meetings, but since I got ara week here in Kumogakure, I have nothing pressi. I don’t mind following your request. Make all the arras—we will leave tomorrow. I’ll also need some time to fulfill my promise," the Daimyo said, to which Jiraiya nodded and took his leave, knowing the workload was substantial.

  …

  "Why didn’t you mention this bear pet of yours to me?" Shisui asked as they walked away from the Daimyo’s room.

  "Because I thought I wouldn’t see him again anyway. It’s not like we could smuggle a three-meter bear right under Kumogakure’s nose. I’m just gd the Daimyo could arra," Kaida replied.

  "Well, we could have arrahat if you’d asked. It’s not like that bear has a tract with someone from Kumogakure. By paying a fee, we could have easily taken it."

  "How much?"

  "Depends on what Kumogakure would demand, but knowing them, it would be around 1-5 million Ryo."

  "Then will Lord Daimyo pay that much for us?" Kaida asked.

  "He doesn’t have to. That fee is for permission to take the bear, but the Daimyo doesn’t . Just a promise to send some missions to Kumogakure iure is enough," Shisui expined.

  "Well, it’s all good if we get him for free," Kaida said, shrugging.

  "What’s so good about that bear anyway?" Shisui asked.

  "He’s very intelligent, almost strong enough to match a in in a direct frontation, and he’s cute. He’s the perfect pet to guard our house when we’re out," Kaida said.

  "Well, when you put it that way, it really does sound like a good idea," Shisui agreed.