"Substitution Jutsu!"
In an instant, his body was swapped with a block of wood, while his real self appeared behind a wooden chair, kunai in hand.
He was visualizing the chair as Mimura. He imagined the exact moment the shuriken would fly toward him, using the Substitution Jutsu to confuse the opponent before launching a counterattack.
"Completing this series of system missions has only given me minor boosts to speed, sensory perception, stamina, and chakra," Byakuya mused, "but it puts me in a state where I'm genuinely improving every single day."
"My stamina is full, allowing me to focus entirely on Mimura's movements. My enhanced senses and speed let me realize his shuriken was a fake instantly. In fact, the moment he threw it, my body instinctively wanted to use the Substitution Jutsu. Thankfully, I held back."
"This is the cruel reality of the Third Great Ninja War. I absolutely cannot stand out. If I can lay low, I will lay low. There is no shame in appearing weaker than others."
"My only ambition is to survive this chaotic world."
He glanced at the clock. 10:00 PM. He washed up, lay down, and went to sleep.
A graduation exam for just one person? Interesting.
---
Morning.
Out of habit, Byakuya mentally pulled up the Hard Work Pays Off interface.
He froze.
> [System: Hard Work Pays Off]
> Limited Time Mission (2 Days): Practice Substitution Jutsu (15/20)
> Reward: Minor increase in Chakra Control.
> Destiny Choice 1: Successfully pass the Hidden Leaf Village Ninja Academy Graduation Exam.
> Reward: Kekkei Genkai: Storm Style (Ranton).
Lightning Style attacks were destructive but difficult to control.
Water Style attacks were flexible and offered tactical variety but lacked raw power.
Storm Style was a Kekkei Genkai—a Bloodline Limit—that combined the best of both. Easy to control, high damage, high penetration, and it came with a paralyzing effect.
Looking at all the bloodline limits in the ninja world, Byakuya figured Storm Style was solid—probably a Tier 3 ability.
He recalled how Darui used Storm Style in the original story. He didn't get much screen time, but it was impressive—like laser-guided missiles. However, it seemed like the development was lacking; he only used a few techniques.
But what did the system mean by "Destiny Choice 1"? Did that imply there was a "Destiny Choice 2"?
"If I fail the exam, will a second choice trigger when the missions refresh at midnight? No... my natural chakra affinities happen to be Lightning and Water. Storm Style is practically custom-made for me. I'm taking Choice 1!"
---
Byakuya arrived at the Ninja Academy on time and sat at his usual desk.
When the bell rang, Mimura appeared at the door and called him out.
"Come with me to the exam room."
"Yes, sir."
Mimura offered a rare, reassuring smile. "Don't be nervous. The Hidden Leaf needs manpower right now; I won't make things too difficult for you."
"Thank you, teacher."
Having a student like this is actually kind of distressing, Mimura thought to himself.
Noticing that Byakuya was introverted and didn't want to talk, Mimura didn't push it.
On his way home yesterday, Mimura had replayed the class performance in his head. Most students were fine, but Byakuya... when that shuriken was thrown, his body seemed ready to move, but then abruptly stopped, allowing the hit.
Mimura shook his head inwardly.
Byakuya's grades over the years have been barely above dead last. He's not skilled enough to fake that kind of incompetence. I'm overthinking it.
"We'll waive the written test," Mimura said as he led Byakuya down the hall. "As for your practical graduation exam, the content is... perform the Substitution Jutsu seven... actually, five times."
They arrived at an empty classroom. Mimura had originally intended to say "seven times," but considering Byakuya's pathetic skills, he lowered the bar to five on the fly.
A real graduation exam would never be this simple.
But yesterday's class had proven that Byakuya was effectively useless in combat application. Since he couldn't use the jutsu in a fight, he would have to demonstrate it mechanically. Calling it a "performance" would be more accurate than an "exam."
The system mission required exactly five more repetitions. Byakuya's expression shifted slightly.
"Oh? Is the exam content too stressful?" Mimura sighed, looking at him with pity. "Fine. Four times. No, let's make it three. Surely you can manage three."
Byakuya looked like he was trying to psyche himself up. "Five times is fine. I can do it."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes."
"Alright then. Five times. Begin."
"Thank you for your patience."
Byakuya began to execute the Substitution Jutsu by the book. However, to Mimura's eye, he was using way too much chakra. It was inefficient and unnecessary. With Byakuya's pitiful reserves, four uses should have been his absolute limit.
Sigh. Even if he only does four, I'll just say he did five and pass him.
Sure enough, after the fourth substitution, Byakuya was drenched in sweat.
"Congratulations, Byakuya. You—"
Before Mimura could finish, he watched the boy grit his teeth and force out a fifth Substitution Jutsu, immediately collapsing to his knees from exhaustion.
"Congratulations, Byakuya Senkaku. You have successfully graduated from the Ninja Academy. I brought your diploma and forehead protector. Take them."
Mimura pulled the items from his vest and set them down.
"Due to the manpower shortage caused by the war, you are exempt from the squad survival test usually administered by Jonin. Prepare yourself; a new life as a Hidden Leaf Ninja awaits! Someone else will notify you of your specific assignment."
Mimura turned and walked away without looking back.
He was a busy man; he couldn't waste time on a washout.
What Mimura didn't see was the "dead last" student behind him suddenly flash a subtle, relaxed smile.
For those five substitutions, Byakuya had deliberately flooded his channels to waste chakra, just barely meeting Mimura's expectations of failure.
It all came back to his golden rule: Laying low is King.
In a world where you could lose your life at any moment, the worse you performed, the less people paid attention to you, and the higher your probability of survival.
> [System: Hard Work Pays Off]
> Limited Time Mission (2 Days): Practice Substitution Jutsu (20/20)
> Status: Complete.
> Reward: Minor increase in Chakra Control.
> Destiny Choice 1: Successfully pass the Hidden Leaf Village Ninja Academy Graduation Exam (Complete).
> Reward: Kekkei Genkai: Storm Style.
The Storm Style bloodline limit integrated into his body naturally. It was a subtle, silent rewriting of his genes, cells, and constitution.
The sensation felt innate, almost intoxicating. His understanding of Lightning and Water chakra—both their nature transformation and shape manipulation—deepened in ways that were hard to describe.
He picked up the diploma and the forehead protector.
"Byakuya."
A shadow suddenly loomed over him.
Byakuya looked up and hurriedly bowed. "Vice Principal. Good morning, sir."
"Heh, no need to be so formal," Vice Principal Hiroya said, smiling and patting him on the shoulder. "Congratulations on graduating. From today on, you are a full-fledged Genin of the Leaf."
"I... I wouldn't go that far. I know my own skills."
"I had a friendship with your parents. They were heroes of the Leaf, and you are the son of heroes."
"Thank you, Principal."
"We are living in troubled times. Tell me, Byakuya, would you be interested in staying at the Academy and doing some work within your capabilities? If you don't agree, I'm afraid the village will deploy you to the battlefield. With your current skills... sigh. I really don't want to see the son of my old friends die in action."
For Byakuya, this was an unexpected windfall.
The Third Great Ninja War was a meat grinder for Leaf ninja. Unless you were Minato Namikaze and had the Flying Thunder God technique, nobody could guarantee their survival on the front lines.
Staying in the rear meant he could use his Hard Work Pays Off system to grind safely, letting his strength grow steadily in the shadows.
"I would be willing."
"Good. The Academy's warehouse manager is about to retire. You can take his spot."
"Thank you for your kindness, Principal."
"Take three days off. Report for work at the school in three days. Fill out your Genin registration form while you're at it, and I'll submit it to the Hokage's office for you."
The Ninja Academy warehouse was stocked with piles of ninja tools. It was the perfect place for Byakuya to let his hard work pay off.