For the next two days, the system's missions focused on Taijutsu and Clone Jutsu training. The rewards weren't as thrilling as the previous ones, offering only minor boosts to reaction speed and stamina.
Day Four.
Dressed in a practical black shirt and trousers, his new forehead protector securely fastened, Byakuya arrived early at the Ninja Academy to wait for Vice Principal Hiroya.
"You're here, Byakuya."
"Good morning, Principal," Byakuya greeted respectfully.
Hiroya opened his office door with a beaming smile. "Come in, come in. Fill out this form to register as a Genin... Are you excited? Becoming a ninja of the Hidden Leaf, protecting the village—what an honor!"
No feeling whatsoever, Byakuya thought.
"Yes, sir. It is my privilege to become a Leaf Genin. I won't let down the guidance you've given me, Principal Hiroya."
"Heh, just do your best. That's all that matters."
After Byakuya finished the Genin registration form, Hiroya pulled another document from his drawer.
"This is..."
"Oh, this? It's an application form for an off-the-books position in the ANBU Training Division."
Byakuya's heart skipped a beat, but his face remained blank and confused. "ANBU Training Division... off-the-books personnel? I've never heard of such a department."
"Just fill it out. I was friends with your parents; they were heroes of the Leaf, and you are their son. I wouldn't harm you."
Byakuya reassessed the Vice Principal. He had assumed Hiroya was one of Hiruzen Sarutobi's men, but it turned out he was actually a pawn of Danzo Shimura.
"Principal, a Genin like me... am I really..."
"As long as a person has value, they aren't trash. But a person with zero value? Do you know what happens to them, Byakuya?" Hiroya asked, his smile never wavering.
Damn it. What a snake. I've acted this incompetent, and I still get targeted? Root really is scraping the bottom of the barrel!
At this point, arguing was useless. He had no power to resist.
Byakuya obediently filled out the application for the "ANBU Training Division Off-the-Books Personnel"—a euphemism for Root's expendable assets.
Hiroya picked up both forms. "Genin Byakuya Senkaku, it's time for you to head to the warehouse. I'll take these documents to the Hokage's office."
"Sorry for the trouble, Principal."
"Heh, it's no trouble at all."
---
Hiroya went to Danzo first, trembling slightly as he placed Byakuya's application on the desk.
"Lord Danzo, this is the application for Byakuya Senkaku."
"The disappointing son of Tetsuji and Shika Senkaku?"
Hiroya was surprised that Danzo knew the names of Byakuya's parents.
"Yes, sir."
Danzo was silent for a long time before picking up the paper. "His handwriting isn't bad. I approve. Hiroya... is this piece of trash the only recruit you found for the organization this month?"
"Lord Danzo, Jonin Mimura has been watching too closely. I... I couldn't make a move on the others."
"Hmph. No wonder you pushed this Byakuya kid forward. Just padding the numbers."
"I apologize! I will double my efforts!" Hiroya fell to his knees at Danzo's feet.
"Go. Hiruzen is too busy to manage the Academy properly. I'll find a way to make him the Honorary Principal so you can become the actual Principal."
"Thank you for your cultivation, Lord Danzo!"
After delivering the Genin registration to the administration desk at the Hokage's office, Hiroya returned to the Academy. He took a detour to the warehouse.
"Working hard, I see!"
Byakuya was swinging a sword, over and over again, with intense focus.
The standard iron sword from the school warehouse was heavy. The humans of this ninja world and the humans from his previous life on Earth were practically two different species. A sword of this weight would be a struggle for an adult back then, let alone a child.
> [System: Hard Work Pays Off]
> Limited Time Mission (2 Days): Swing Sword (1458/16000)
> Reward: Minor increase in Kenjutsu (Sword Technique) Talent.
This was the first time the system had offered a talent boost as a reward. The task seemed simple—swing a sword—but Byakuya had tested it. Lazy, half-hearted swings didn't count. The counter only went up if he swung with full concentration and perfect form.
"Principal! Forgive me for unauthorized..."
"You're the warehouse manager. As long as you do your job, I'll turn a blind eye to this."
"Thank you, Principal!"
Hiroya patted him on the shoulder, feigning mentorship.
"Your application for the ANBU Training Division has been approved. I will be your handler for the time being. If there is a mission for you, I will notify you personally."
"I will follow your lead in everything, Principal!"
Hiroya was very satisfied with Byakuya's submissive attitude. It gave him a taste of the power the high-ups in the village enjoyed daily.
"Good. You can't compare to the geniuses, so you really should work harder. Don't worry, I won't give you any tasks that are too difficult," he said posturingly.
"Thank you for your kindness."
"Being a warehouse manager isn't your final destination. As long as you are loyal, this is just the starting point."
Having said his piece, Hiroya turned to leave. Byakuya bowed deeply.
"Yes, sir!"
Hiroya patted his shoulder one last time and walked away with his hands behind his back, already fantasizing about the day he would become the true Principal of the Academy. Maybe then, he'd actually have a use for Byakuya.
Once the power-hungry Hiroya was gone, Byakuya suppressed his disgust and threw himself back into his training.
As he swung the sword, he also practiced his Storm Style. By channeling Storm chakra into the blade, its speed and force increased drastically, gaining piercing power and a paralyzing effect.
Before clocking out, he returned the iron sword and glanced around the warehouse. It was filled with shuriken, kunai, senbon, puppets, various weapons, support scrolls, chakra induction paper, and in the corner... explosive tags.
No wonder the warehouse was located far from the main classrooms. It was basically a small armory.
He locked the three heavy security doors.
Wearing his Leaf forehead protector, Byakuya slowly walked away.
It coincided with the end of the school day.
He ran into several of his former classmates. They glanced at him, found him familiar, and after a moment of recollection, cried out in surprise.
"You're Byakuya Senkaku? When did you graduate?"
"Wait, how did you graduate before us?"
"Heh, the Academy definitely opened the back door for you. With your skill level, there's no way you passed normally. You're just a lucky beneficiary of the new wartime policy."
"Forget him. My treat today—class reunion at Ichiraku Ramen!"
Byakuya listened quietly. He didn't argue, nor did he suddenly reveal his power to slap them in the face.
The Way of Laying Low was profound. The biggest taboo was losing your patience and showing off.
He stopped at the village market to buy fresh vegetables, milk, eggs, and pork.
After swinging that sword 9,745 times today, his arms were overloaded. Every muscle fiber screamed in pain, and he nearly dropped his grocery bags.
As he walked home, head down, his twice-enhanced sensory perception suddenly alerted him. Someone was watching him.
He followed the gaze.
It was his classmate, Kurenai Yuhi. Standing next to her, buying dango, was her father—the Elite Jonin, Shinku Yuhi.
Kurenai's talent for Genjutsu had been praised by teachers many times; they said she would be the Leaf's future "Genjutsu Mistress."
She pointed a finger at Byakuya's forehead protector.
Byakuya just glanced at her, then immediately turned and walked away without looking back.
Leaf ninjas were all a little mentally unstable. To maintain his low profile, it was best to avoid them as much as possible.
"What's wrong, Kurenai?"
"Dad, that's Byakuya Senkaku. He was my classmate. I didn't expect him to graduate before me."
Shinku Yuhi, wearing a ninja skullcap and the standard green flak jacket over black gear, looked in the direction she pointed. But the boy had already disappeared into the crowd.
"Let's go. Time for dinner. I have to rush to the front lines tonight. I don't know when I'll be able to have dinner with you again."
"You're so strong, Dad. You'll definitely beat the Cloud Village and come back safe."
"Never underestimate any enemy, Kurenai. That's how you get killed."