Akihiro walked through the streets of Konoha, his heart heavy. The elders' voices still hammered in his mind, each step echoing their decree: "Ceremony after graduation."
He breathed fast, almost panicked.
"Damn… I need a plan. Something… anything."
He thought over everything he remembered from the manga.
Shadow Clones? Forget it. That's for Uzumaki protagonists with infinite chakra tanks. I'm just a poor guy with X-ray vision and NPC stamina.
He forced his mind to think harder.
Forbidden jutsu? Steal a secret scroll? Sure… as if I have the power for that. At best, I steal the scroll and get crushed by the first guard who notices.
The desperation throbbed in his chest. He was trapped between the clan's destiny and his own helplessness.
Then… he stopped in front of a shop window.
Inside, on simple display, was a sword. Not legendary, no glowing blue chakra, no mystical blade that could cut mountains. Just a plain katana, meant for training, reflecting the sunlight.
Akihiro stared for a few seconds, almost hypnotized.
Kenjutsu… of course. The clan only thinks of Gentle Fist. What if I step off the script? Swap the palms for a blade? The Byakugan isn't just for taijutsu—it's for reading movements, sensing the opponent's flow…
His eyes narrowed.
Shit, this might actually work. This could be the hack I need.
Without thinking much, he pushed the shop door open. The bell jingled softly, and an old man with a sparse beard looked up from behind the counter.
"Can I help you, boy?"
Akihiro tried to sound confident, though his voice trembled slightly.
"Uh… how much is the katana in the window?"
The old man raised an eyebrow.
"You look too young to carry a real blade. Still at the Academy, aren't you?"
Akihiro cleared his throat.
"Extra training. I… want to broaden my horizons."
The vendor sighed, but a small smile appeared at the corner of his lips.
"Determined youth… I like that. It's not a high-quality weapon, but it'll do for someone who knows what they're doing."
He brought the katana over and placed it on the counter. The blade's gleam seemed to call out to Akihiro.
"Ten thousand ryō."
Akihiro swallowed. It was practically all the money he had been hiding. Yet, at the same time, it felt as if the sword whispered: "Either take me now, or die a slave to your clan."
He dropped the coin pouch onto the counter.
"Done."
The old man smiled, handing over the sheathed sword.
"Careful, boy. A blade doesn't forgive mistakes."
Akihiro grasped the katana and felt its weight. Unlike anything he had ever held. Not like the forced palms of Gentle Fist, not like the techniques that always failed in his hands.
This… this could be shaped by him.
Leaving the shop, he took a deep breath, the sword strapped to his waist.
"This is it. I know nothing about kenjutsu, but I'm not standing still waiting for the seal. I'll carve my own destiny, even if it's with a cheap iron blade."
An ironic smile tugged at his lips.
"And let's be honest… carrying a sword just looks cooler, right? Hinata's gonna think it's awesome. Way better than sweating and stumbling through Gentle Fist training."
He laughed to himself, imagining the scene: him, katana at his side, saving adult Hinata from some danger, and her looking at him with shining eyes.
Ah… yes. That future is mine.
He headed toward the ramen shop, hunger gnawing at him. Inside, the smell of broth and noodles filled his senses.
He ordered a bowl, sitting quietly at a corner table, the sword leaning against his chair. Each slurp was a small comfort, grounding him after the chaos of his thoughts.
When he finished, he stepped back into the street, wiping his mouth with the back of his sleeve.
The moonlight glinted off the katana, and his mind raced again. I can train tonight. Start small. Kenjutsu basics. Dodge, cut, flow…
He stopped mid-thought, eyes catching a reflection on a nearby shop window. The sword. The weapon seemed to hum in the faint night breeze, as if urging him forward. He ran his fingers along the hilt, feeling the promise of potential.
Overthinking it? Maybe. But I have to. Every step matters. Every strike could be the difference between freedom and a lifetime in chains.
And with that resolve, Akihiro melted into the streets of Konoha, ready to begin his first clandestine training session that very night, determination blazing in his pale Byakugan eyes.