[Ding... Congratulations to the host for obtaining S-Rank Weapon: Zanpakuto Hyorinmaru!]
"Hahaha, not bad, not bad! As long as it wasn't Lake Toya. What would I do with that? Eat curry with it?"
Aoi Ren couldn't help but feel thrilled at drawing Hyorinmaru.
He remembered Hyorinmaru from the manga Bleach as the Zanpakuto of Captain Toshiro Hitsugaya of Squad 10. It was the strongest ice-type Zanpakuto in the Soul Society.
Its release command was impressively majestic: "Sit upon the frosted heavens, Hyorinmaru!"
When released, its hilt would extend with a chain ending in a crescent-shaped blade resembling an ice dragon's tail. Its massive spiritual pressure would create an ice dragon from the air itself, capable of changing the very color of the sky.
Its power was easily on par with or even beyond the ice-style bloodline limits in the Naruto world.
Thinking of this, Ren couldn't resist the itch to test it out. He suddenly remembered Konoha's Training Field 44, better known as the Forest of Death — filled with wild beasts, sparsely populated, and usually used for the Chunin Exams.
"Sparsely populated, full of beasts... sounds perfect."
Without hesitation, Ren set out for the Forest of Death.
...
Forest of Death
Wandering deep into the woods, Ren finally stopped. He spotted the perfect target — a black bear with glossy fur and a powerful presence that could easily qualify it as a ninja beast.
"Sigh... unlucky bear, crossing paths with me today."
"Sit upon the frosted heavens! Hyorinmaru!"
Ren wanted to finish this quickly to avoid drawing attention, so he activated the sword's released form right away.
"Thousand-Piercing Ice Pillars!"
With a sweep of Hyorinmaru, a barrage of ice projectiles flew at the bear, riddling it with wounds and leaving it looking like a ragged beggar.
"Roar!"
The bear, enraged, charged at him, smashing its paws into the ground as it ran. Its jaws opened wide, saliva flying as its tongue quivered.
"Ice Dragon's Tail Sweep!"
"Vacuum Ice Blade!"
Ren slashed twice in quick succession. Blades of frigid energy flew forth, slicing through and freezing the bear solid. The vacuum blade kept going, felling several trees before its power finally dissipated.
"I didn't expect Hyorinmaru to be this strong. Good thing no one else is here."
"I've already revealed my Light Release bloodline limit. Let Hyorinmaru be my trump card. Normally, I'll just carry it as an ordinary blade."
"Can't risk that old perv the Third Hokage spying on me with his telescope jutsu. Just the thought gives me chills. No wonder Tsunade left the village."
"Crap, all this noise will definitely draw attention. I need to get out of here!"
Ren wasted no time and made his exit.
...
Moments later, several masked, black-robed ANBU appeared, examining the ice shards, blood, and fallen trees.
"Ice Release jutsu?"
"Could be a member of the Yuki clan from the Hidden Mist fighting someone here."
"Why would Mist ninjas be here? We have to report this to the Third Hokage immediately."
"Let's go!"
The ANBU disappeared, heading straight for the Hokage's office.
...
Hokage's Office
After hearing the report, Hiruzen Sarutobi furrowed his brow.
"Mist Village would send such shinobi to spy on Konoha? Even if we don't know who they fought, we can't let our guard down. No one knows how many they might have sent."
"If Mist is gathering intel, they must be preparing for war."
"Hokage-sama, should we..."
The ANBU trailed off, glancing toward the door.
Creak
The door opened, and in walked an old man leaning on a cane, his body wrapped in bandages.
"Hiruzen, leave this to my Foundation. We can't let Konoha be underestimated. I'll root out any hidden pests in the village."
Few had the authority to enter unannounced like this.
It was Danzo Shimura — one of Konoha's top advisors and leader of the Foundation, as well as Hiruzen's old comrade.
"Danzo, your timing is impeccable."
Hiruzen spoke calmly.
"Hiruzen, you are the tree that shelters Konoha. I am its roots."
Danzo wasted no time on formalities.
"This is our duty."
"Fine. I'll leave it to you, but don't go too far. Konoha must not become the aggressor."
"Hmph. You're too soft, Hiruzen. Konoha fears no one. Trust me, everything I do is for the village."
With that, Danzo left.
"You're dismissed. Strengthen the village's security."
"Yes, sir!"
Hiruzen lit a cigarette, smoke curling around him, his figure half-obscured.
...
Training Field 4 Gate
After testing Hyorinmaru and returning home, Ren realized he'd almost forgotten about the team dinner they had planned. Seeing the time, he hurried over.
Kurenai pouted when she saw him.
"Ren-kun, why are you so late? You almost missed it!"
"I'm here, aren't I? I'm not late yet."
"How can you keep girls waiting? Yugao and I have been here a while."
"Alright, alright, my fault."
Yugao tugged Kurenai's sleeve.
"Kurenai, we agreed to meet at six. We just got here early. Ren-kun isn't really late. Don't be so hard on him."
"Hmph. It's still his fault, but since you said so, I'll let it slide this time."
"Okay, okay. To make it up to you, tonight's meal is on me. What do you two want to eat?"
"Now that's more like it. Hehe."
After a bit of discussion, they decided on barbecue.
And of course, they headed to the Akimichi clan's barbecue restaurant — famous throughout Konoha for good reason. The Akimichi were big people, and keeping their size meant good food. Their barbecue was legendary.
Ren was in a great mood that night. With two cute girls by his side, how could he not be?
He almost reached out to stroke their blushing faces.
And drawing Hyorinmaru had him hungrier than ever.
Soon enough, the night ended, and they went their separate ways despite Kurenai's reluctance.
If she hadn't been the cherished daughter of the Yuhi clan, she might have insisted on staying over at Ren's.
That night, as Ren lay in bed, he thought to himself,
"Tomorrow is my first mission as a ninja. I wonder what it'll be?"
"Orochimaru's our Jonin. Someone like him wouldn't stoop to taking on cat-chasing or dog-walking jobs, right?"
"Ah, forget it. No point in worrying. Time to sleep."
[ 250 - 1 Extra Chapter ]