Kazeo shrugged, eyes gleaming with amusement as he recalled yesterday's events and imagined Daichi's future reaction.
"Just go. Better if you find out yourself," he said.
(Flashback)
After returning from the T&I Department building, the first thing Kazeo did was head straight to the bathroom. He scrubbed his arms, his hands, and every trace of dried blood from his skin with methodical precision. The water ran red for a few seconds before swirling away down the drain.
'I still feel nothing… not even now,' he thought, rubbing harder than necessary. 'What's going on with me? I wasn't like this…' He paused, staring at his own reflection, then muttered internally, 'Maybe it's a good thing. I've spent too much time buried in grief and guilt these past years. Guess, I've just… gone numb. Or maybe the next time I kill someone, I'll finally feel it again.'
His brow furrowed as he toweled off. 'And what's even up with Itachi? We haven't learned anything from him so far. He just dumps something on us, then tells us to go home. When does actual training begin? Do I still have to rely on myself… as always?'
After the bath, he created a shadow clone and ordered it to make another. The two clones silently got to work, each practicing wire manipulation—two wires per hand, four in total per clone. Once he was satisfied with their setup, Kazeo changed clothes, tightened his forehead protector, and stepped outside, locking the door behind him.
Jogging toward the library, he let his thoughts drift again. 'I need to talk to the Hokage about the food business plan. Now that I've perfected pizza and burgers, it's time to go official. Oh, and I still haven't collected the royalties from my book... I should really look into that. Not that I have anything urgent to spend on, maybe I'll reinvest into my future businesses.'
He thought to himself. 'Well, it was never about the money anyways. It was always about influence. The more I contribute to the village, the higher I climb. And the higher I climb, the more leverage I'll have when the time comes to confront Danzo.' His jog picked up pace.
Entering the library, Kazeo walked over to the front desk to upgrade his library card to genin rank, showing his forehead protector and genin ID number. The old librarian-who was different from the man he usually encountered, half-slouched over the desk with a steaming cup of tea in hand, glanced at the items through half-lidded eyes.
After a long blink and a lazy yawn, he tapped a few things on his register and said, "Mmm... Genin Kazeo, huh? Well, listen up, lad. Since you just graduated, I s'pose no one told you—but C-rank and above jutsu scrolls ain't free. They're purchasable. For life, sure, but still not free."
Kazeo blinked, confused, as the librarian continued, adjusting his glasses with a tired sigh. "You tell me the rank of the jutsu you want, you pay the amount, and I give you access. But—and listen closely now—you can't take the scrolls outside. Not even copies. Read 'em here, memorize 'em here, then go home and blow up trees or whatever it is you youngsters do."
"What? I've never heard anything about this," Kazeo said, genuinely surprised. "No one mentioned this before. Why so sudden?"
"Sudden?" The librarian gave a lazy chuckle. "Boy, this rule's older than you are. Every genin knows this... don't you have any genin or chunin friends to tell you this stuff?"
Kazeo fell quiet. Not because he didn't want to answer, but because he didn't have any friends at all.
The librarian noticed the silence, his expression softening just a bit. "Ah... no friends yet, huh? Happens. Civilian kids especially don't get to hear all the backstage rules early on. Don't fret, you'll find your group eventually."
With another yawn, he added, "Anyway, you can check out the jutsu list from the catalogue—I'll give you access once you deposit the payment. And mind you, we've got new cameras set up in every corner. So don't try anything clever or sneaky. Break the rules, and you'll find yourself banned quicker than you can perform 'Clone jutsu.' Got it?"
Kazeo nodded. "Thanks for explaining. I won't break any rules. But... what's this catalogue thing exactly?"
"Catalogue?" The librarian blinked slowly, rubbing his temple like Kazeo had just asked how to spell 'jutsu.' "You ever been to one of those general stores, kid? Where they hand you a paper with all their stuff and prices written on it so you don't keep askin'? Yeah, same idea."
He stretched his back with a soft crack and continued, "Inside that catalogue, you'll find every C-rank jutsu available for genin. Nicely sorted, clear as day. There's catalogues for B and A-rank jutsu too, but you don't get to sniff those until you're at least a chunin or jounin."
Kazeo nodded and asked for the catalogue. The old man handed it over with one hand, already sipping his tea with the other like he was ready for a nap.
Kazeo flipped it open and began reading. The sections were neatly organized—Genjutsu, Ninjutsu, and Taijutsu—with the Ninjutsu section further divided into the five elemental natures. Each section had at least forty techniques listed, with Wind showing forty-two and Fire overflowing with more than a hundred.
As he scanned the prices, his eyes widened. 'Woah... prices are insane. Each C-rank jutsu costs between 400,000 to 550,000 ryo. And a single C-rank mission only pays somewhere between 50,000 to 150,000... So, an average ninja would have to grind through at least eight missions inside the village, or maybe three outside ones, just to buy one technique.'
'I can't even imagine what an A-rank or S-rank jutsu would cost—'
His thoughts were interrupted as the librarian let out a low grunt, rubbing his lower back and muttering, "Ah… almost forgot somethin' important… these old bones and this fuzzy head of mine, tch…"
The old man leaned forward, voice slower this time, almost like he was talking in his sleep. "Listen carefully now… in case you teach any technique you've bought to someone else—be it a genin, chunin, or even some sneaky civilian—you gotta come tell me first. Their name, their rank, where they belong… all that needs to be registered before you teach 'em. Otherwise, you'll land yourself in a whole mess o' trouble."
Kazeo raised an eyebrow. "Why though? I paid for it. I learned it fair and square. What's it matter who I teach? And seriously—how would you even find out if I didn't say anything?"
The librarian gave a lazy shrug and scratched his scruffy cheek. "Heh, most times we don't find out. Not right away, at least. But when a jutsu from our village starts poppin' up in some outsider's hands…" He tapped the desk with a yellowed fingernail. "We trace it back. First, we check who officially bought it, and then who they registered as students. If nobody matches, the village goes huntin' for the leaker."
His eyes narrowed a little, just barely. "And when they catch that outsider—and they usually do—he squeals the name of who taught him. Then… they come knockin'."
Kazeo paused, nodding slowly. After a few seconds, he asked, "What if I teach someone, register their name with you properly… but they end up teaching it to an outsider without my knowledge? Would I still get in trouble?"
The librarian gave a small, wheezy chuckle. "Nah, if you did your part and logged their name, you're clear. As long as you didn't join hands in passin' it along, you're safe. Village'll only question you if there's proof you were in on it—or leaked it yourself. Otherwise…" He leaned back with a creak. "You're golden, kid. So just remember: register the name before you play teacher."
Kazeo nodded, letting the weight of the system sink in. "I would. But… do I have to pay the money first and then learn a jutsu, or can I deposit it later?"
The librarian gave a tired sigh and stretched his arms slowly as if that question had woken him up from a nap he wasn't even having. "Eh… no tabs in this place, kid. You gotta pay first, then I give you the key to the scroll. Locked up safe in the jutsu section—can't have just anyone sniffin' around, y'know."
Kazeo nodded, thanked the old man politely, and headed home to retrieve the money from his storage scroll. Half an hour later, he was back in the library, carefully handing over 500,000 ryō at the desk.
"Air Bullet Jutsu, huh?" the librarian mumbled while rummaging through a drawer for a small key. "Good choice… packs a punch if your lungs are strong." He handed over the key with a half-yawn. "Just don't go blowin' holes in my library walls."
Kazeo gave a small smile and went to the jutsu section, unlocking the appropriate shelf. Though he was tempted to get another scroll, he held himself back. If he tried to withdraw another 500,000, it would definitely raise suspicion—he'd already told the librarian that he took out a loan of half a million, which was the maximum a genin could get without collateral and have to repay it under six months with ten percent interest per month. Any more than that and he'd be dodging questions.
He sat down cross-legged and unrolled the scroll for Air Bullet Jutsu. The description read:
"User compresses air in their lungs and releases it in small, rapid bursts of wind chakra, capable of striking like a solid punch. With increased control and chakra strength, the technique can damage internal organs or break bones if fired in quick succession."
Kazeo narrowed his eyes, impressed. 'Phew… I'm glad I picked this one. Good range, solid power, and can be used in any kind of combat. Of course, the version in this scroll is probably the perfected form—my version's gonna need a ton of practice. Especially if I want to cut the hand signs out completely. But if I can manage that... it'll be one of my most flexible jutsus.'
He couldn't help but second-guess himself for a moment. 'I hope I don't regret choosing this. I passed over Great Breakthrough, Storm Clone, Wind Cutter... so many solid jutsus just for this one.' He exhaled softly. 'It better be worth it. I also need to go meet the Hokage soon or I'll end up broke with just two jutsus to my name.'
After committing every word and diagram of the scroll to memory, Kazeo carefully rolled it back up, returned it to the shelf, locked it, and brought the key back to the front desk.
The librarian looked up from his seat, half-dozing. "All done, eh? Good… good. Try not to cough up a lung learning that one."
Kazeo gave a respectful nod and headed out, determined to master what he'd just invested in.
(Flashback ends)
The mission wrapped up as the sun dipped low on the horizon, casting a golden hue over the Inuzuka compound. The trio sat on a wooden bench near the training field, their clothes damp, their hands pruned, but their spirits lighter than when the day began. Around them, the ninja dogs rolled and barked joyfully, tails wagging with boundless energy.
Daichi lazily patted a fluffy retriever beside him and said, "I feel… way better now."
He didn't say the rest aloud, 'I don't think I'll have any nightmares tonight.'
Kazeo stretched, cracking his shoulders. "Yeah. Weirdly enough, today felt more useful than yesterday's."
Ren, lying on his back beside Kuro who was resting its head on his chest, added quietly, "I thought I'd just get wet, annoyed, and maybe bitten. But… Kuro's actually kind of cool."
They all chuckled, the kind that slips out easily when tension finally breaks.
After a beat, Kazeo asked, his voice lower, more thoughtful, "Do you guys feel... lighter?"
Daichi gave a slow nod. Ren said nothing, but the look in his eyes was softer.
Perched silently atop a tree just beyond the compound wall, Itachi watched them with folded arms, the corner of his mouth lifting slightly.
"Good. It worked," he murmured under his breath, before flickering out of sight.
A second later, he reappeared in front of the trio, silent and sudden like a shadow. "You all did well," he said calmly. "Miss Hana confirmed the completion. Come, we'll return to submit the report."
The genin rose from the bench, brushing off their clothes. Each one took a moment to pat the dogs goodbye, especially Ren who ruffled Kuro's ears with a rare smile. Then, together, they walked toward the Hokage Tower.
After submitting the completed mission form, Itachi handed each of them their cut.
"Meet me tomorrow," he said, his tone as composed as ever. "Training starts at 7 a.m."
Daichi, busy counting his share, looked up. "What kind of training?"
"Just a standard spar," Itachi replied, turning away. "I need to see your real strength before tailoring your regimen."
And just like that he vanished.
The three of them stood still for a moment, the weight of his words hanging in the air.
Then, quietly, they turned and went their separate ways, each heading home to rest or train.
[A/N:- You can read extra chapters and support me on my patreon.
Patreon:- StoryTeller_314
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