Tamura Hao did not immediately accept the sword, but instead persuaded, "Sensei, please take it. I broke your ninja blade earlier, so consider this a proper replacement."
He added sincerely, "Besides, we'll be doing missions outside the village in the future. If danger comes, it's better if Sensei has a quality weapon to protect both of us."
Seeing Fukai still reluctant, Tamura Hao softened his tone. "Then, consider it a temporary loan from your student. You can return it to me whenever you don't need it."
Yeyumei Ai, who was watching, spoke up to help persuade him: "Just take it. Trouble's definitely coming, and this student of yours is probably right in the middle of it."
Fukai hesitated for a long moment before finally accepting the sword. He understood there was more behind Ai's words. The war clouds weren't just distant—they were looming—and this boy would likely be caught up in the storm.
"I'll protect my student with everything I have. Anyone who wants to hurt you will have to step over my corpse first."
A heavy oath. Fukai still harbored doubts about this unusual genin, but Lord Raikage and Ai had already shown clear favoritism. That was enough. He must not let this student be lost!
But those words made Tamura Hao's eyelids twitch. He recalled the most ominous curse in the world next door—the one that matched "Comrade, stay a while!" in its dreadful finality.
Given that the Naruto world had resurrection techniques—like the Impure World Reincarnation and the Rinnegan's Samsara of Heavenly Life Technique—would Fukai someday say, "Revive my disciple!" if Hao died?
"I'll borrow the blade for now. If you need it later, just say the word."
Yeyumei Ai also accepted the gift and made a straightforward promise to Tamura Hao.
Tamura Hao was very satisfied. The favor of the future Fourth Raikage was far more valuable than a single sword. This connection might save his life one day.
After chatting with Ai a little longer, Tamura Hao left on crutches once he felt steadier. It wasn't easy to move after multiple fractures. The medical ninjutsu had only begun fusing his bones; real healing would require time and medicinal integration.
Right now, his bones were only partially repaired. They were fragile and weak, so he moved with great care.
Back at home, Tamura Hao laid down and opened the scrolls left by Ai and Fukai. Inside were their training insights into lightning chakra nature and form transformation—exactly what he needed most right now.
In the original manga, wind nature change was shown through Naruto's Rasenshuriken training. But lightning nature change was never clearly explained, and it was missing from both the academy curriculum and the public archives.
So far, he had pieced together fragmented theory from various scrolls, but the lack of formal guidance had slowed his progress. It was like fumbling in the dark.
Now, he had the notes of two Jonin-level lightning specialists. Both came from the Yeyumei clan, inheritors of advanced Lightning Release techniques. It was like receiving a pillow when drowsy—exactly what he'd been desperate for.
Lightning nature change was currently the fastest way he could improve his combat strength. In fact, he wondered if he could eventually recreate a version of the Chidori system used by Hatake Kakashi and Uchiha Sasuke.
Even if he couldn't form a full version due to chakra limitations, a simplified, weaker version might still work.
Here, his cheat-like golden finger—his supernatural comprehension—could truly shine. It would help him absorb the information faster and more deeply.
But before Tamura Hao could immerse himself in the scrolls and training, an uninvited guest arrived.
"Honored ninja, your ramen delivery."
A middle-aged man stood outside the door holding a steaming bowl of ramen in one hand while subtly gesturing with the other.
Tamura Hao recognized the hand signs instantly. This was one of Danzo Shimura's operatives.
"Come in."
Tamura Hao calmly surveyed the surroundings, then stepped aside to let the man in and took the bowl.
The man said nothing and entered silently. But as he stepped on the rug, Hao noticed something odd.
"Shadow clone? Cautious."
The carpet didn't depress beneath the man's steps, as if he had no weight. He wasn't levitating—just a clone. This wasn't a real body.
"Danzo-sama has issued new orders. You are to investigate the Hidden Cloud's plans regarding the upcoming war, particularly their strategic actions against the Land of Fire."
He paused. "Also, assess their progress in developing their Tailed Beast-related capabilities."
Straight to the point. Tamura Hao was just as blunt.
"I want the Second Hokage's Sword of the Thunder God."
He didn't flinch. Lightning nature change wasn't easy. Even Ai and Fukai had needed years to master it. In the future, Naruto had only managed wind nature change through massive chakra reserves and thousands of shadow clones.
Even with Hao's golden finger enhancing his understanding, it wouldn't be instant. He estimated at least a year of dedicated training.
Too slow. He needed results fast.
Some ninja tools could help. For instance, the Bashōsen (Banana Fan) once wielded by Kinkaku and Ginkaku could transform chakra into all five elements, essentially bypassing nature transformation.
Unfortunately, that fan had been sealed by their chakra. Without Impure World Reincarnation, it was unattainable. Even the Third Raikage had only managed to reclaim the Kohaku no Jōhei (Amber Purifying Pot), not the fan.
The Sword of the Thunder God, once used by the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju, was a better bet. It had conducted chakra in the form of lightning and might assist his training.
But the demand made the clone's face darken. How dare a lowly subordinate bargain with Lord Danzo?
Tamura Hao stayed calm.
"I need to survive and grow stronger. Only then can I gain trust and rise within Hidden Cloud. The more value I have, the more useful I become to Lord Danzo."
His reasoning was logical. And he slurped the ramen without a care, showing confidence.
The clone frowned. He wasn't familiar with the Thunder God Sword, but he knew anything tied to the Senju clan and Second Hokage would not be easy to obtain.
"I will report your request to Lord Danzo. See that you produce results."
The man fixed Tamura Hao with a long look, then turned to leave.
After all, he was just a delivery man. Staying too long would draw suspicion.
"Take the garbage too. You've lingered long enough. Disguise yourself better."
Tamura Hao handed him the empty bowl and lid and pointed to the trash near the door.
"And next time, bring barbecue. That's punishment for your attitude. I don't like your face."
If there were a direct line to Danzo, this fool would have been replaced already. That bowl of cheap ramen was clearly evidence of embezzlement. Danzo's funds had been skimmed.
Such people were termites gnawing at the roots of the tree of Konoha. If Danzo truly wanted to become Hokage, these corrupt minions needed to be cleared out.
The middle-aged man left with a sour expression, clutching a trash bag. He had never seen such an arrogant, stingy little spy!
But Tamura Hao was now in contact with core Cloud personnel. He had value, and Danzo would not overlook that.
"Lord Danzo, please don't disappoint me."
After the man left, Tamura Hao murmured under his breath, full of confidence in his scheming old boss.
After night fell, he got dressed, put on shoes, and stepped out.
Since Danzo had made contact and issued orders, it was time to fulfill his part of the deal. That meant finding Lord Tutai. The bathhouse was their designated meeting point.
He believed Lord Tutai would be very interested—and might even plan some countermeasures.
A good double agent knew where his true loyalties lay.
And Tamura Hao had never been confused about which path he'd walk.