Not since the "Increase in Chakra Capacity" mission had the system been this generous.
Having returned from the mission late last night, Byakuya overslept. He grabbed a quick bite and went straight to the Academy for work.
He didn't own a katana, but the warehouse was full of them. Every shape and size imaginable.
On the way, he bought two skewers of dango. The three thousand ryo he had looted from the "Anteater Bounty Group" corpses had temporarily solved his poverty problem.
It was lucky they hid their money deep in their gear; otherwise, the explosive tags would have blown it all to shreds.
"How am I supposed to learn the Summoning Jutsu? I don't have a contract with a suitable summoning animal."
"It would be great if I could sign a contract with one of the Three Great Sage Regions. I got a minor boost to my Senjutsu talent earlier; maybe I can even try learning Sage Mode."
The power of Senjutsu was undeniable.
Jiraiya, one of the Legendary Sannin, used Mount Myoboku's Senjutsu to go toe-to-toe with Pain in the mid-to-late stages of the series. His loss was largely due to a lack of intel on Pain's abilities.
If he had known all of the Six Paths of Pain's abilities, given his strength, Jiraiya might have even performed better than Sage Mode Naruto.
Byakuya suddenly realized the Summoning Jutsu scroll was basically useless to him right now. Well, not entirely useless—he could store ninja tools in space-time scrolls to give enemies a "surprise" during battle.
He unlocked the three heavy warehouse doors.
He found a katana that felt right in his hand.
Just like with his sword training, he cleared his mind and focused entirely on swinging the blade.
This kind of guaranteed-return training was addictive. In this world, you could put endless effort into something and still end up with nothing but feathers on the ground. But with the system, effort always equaled reward.
"Training with the katana, Byakuya?"
Hiroya appeared out of nowhere, smiling kindly. "Seeing you work so hard makes me genuinely happy for your parents."
Byakuya stopped mid-swing, put on his black jacket, and bowed. "Greetings, Principal."
"No need for formalities. Between us, we can skip that. I have great news for you!"
"What kind of good news?"
"Well, since there were unexpected complications with the rogue ninja extermination mission, you can choose a ninjutsu as compensation."
"You mean I can choose any ninjutsu?" Byakuya emphasized the word "any."
Hiroya thought for a moment. Danzo hadn't set any restrictions. He nodded. "Basically, yes."
Byakuya's heart skipped a beat.
Though his body was young, his soul was mature. He sensed a puppet master behind Hiroya's words. Who could it be?
"This is a rare opportunity. Once this village is passed, there's no other shop like it."
"Is really any ninjutsu okay?"
"Yes, yes." Hiroya suddenly felt a twinge of unease.
"Water Style: Water Formation Wall."
"Huh? Just Water Formation Wall?"
Hiroya knew this defensive Water Style jutsu. After weaving signs, the user would spew water or summon it from the ground to create a vertical wall for defense.
"Principal, I want to learn the version of Water Style: Water Formation Wall developed by the Second Hokage."
"What's the difference?" Hiroya asked, confused.
Byakuya replied, "I heard by chance that Lord Second's version of the Water Formation Wall has some unexpected effects."
Hiroya didn't know what was special about Tobirama Senju's Water Formation Wall, but since Danzo had given the order and Byakuya had made the request, he would play the errand boy.
"Let me be clear upfront: I might not be able to get approval for Lord Second's specific jutsu. You should be prepared... How about this? Name another jutsu as a backup. If the application fails, I'll get you that one instead."
It was indeed a good chance to fleece Root. Byakuya thought it over and decided he still wanted a Water Style jutsu. Rashomon was too chakra-intensive for now.
"Then... Water Style: Hiding in Mist Jutsu."
Hiding in Mist was just a D-rank Water Style jutsu. It created thick fog to obscure vision and was a mandatory subject for Hidden Mist ANBU.
That alone proved its utility.
It wasn't a pure defense, but the mist allowed you to find enemy openings, retreat if necessary, or coordinate tactical strikes.
"Wait in the warehouse. I'll be back as fast as I can."
"Thank you for your trouble, Principal."
Hiroya's sudden eagerness set off alarm bells in Byakuya's head.
Watching him hurry away, Byakuya picked up the katana and took a deep breath to calm his racing heart. Whatever was coming, he would have to deal with it as it came. Soldiers against enemies, earth against water.
The best solution was simply to get stronger, fast.
Swing!
---
With Danzo's orders in mind, the cautious Hiroya treated Byakuya's request with utmost seriousness.
Normally, he wouldn't bother Danzo over a simple jutsu, but since Byakuya specifically asked for Tobirama Senju's Water Formation Wall, he decided to request an audience.
"I have an urgent matter to report to Lord Danzo."
"You again."
"Sorry to trouble you."
"Wait."
Less than ten minutes later.
"Follow me."
"Thank you."
Hiroya walked tremblingly into Danzo's room.
"Hiroya. Why do you seek me out again?"
Not daring to delay, he repeated Byakuya's request word for word.
Danzo said calmly, "I won't ask how he knows about Lord Tobirama's Water Formation Wall. But if he fails his next mission, I will treat him as worthless trash and dispose of him."
"Yes, sir."
"Wait here. I will retrieve the copy of the Water Formation Wall."
Hiroya was shocked. He hadn't expected Lord Tobirama's Water Formation Wall to be so precious that Danzo himself had to go get it.
It took over half an hour for Danzo to return. He tossed a scroll to Hiroya. "Tell Byakuya to return it once he's learned it. This is the only copy I have."
"Understood. I will keep it in mind."
Hiroya waited a moment, seeing Danzo looking slightly weary as he read through intelligence reports, then quietly backed out of the room.
Internally, he sighed with admiration. Lord Danzo truly is the anchor of the Hidden Leaf. Without him, who knows how many threats would run rampant? Alas, Lord Danzo willingly stays in the shadows for the sake of the Leaf, letting the Third Hokage take all the credit. It's truly a pity.
---
When Hiroya returned to the Academy warehouse, Byakuya was still swinging the sword.
Hiroya decided to watch from the sidelines until Byakuya finished.
Every swing was focused, every breath controlled perfectly.
Seeing such arduous training gave Hiroya a bit more confidence that Byakuya might actually survive his next mission.
He had seen the intel for the mission. It was dangerous. One wrong move meant death.
He thought he'd wait until Byakuya was done, but the sun climbed high into the sky, approaching noon, and Byakuya showed no signs of stopping.
"Ahem. Byakuya."
"Ah, Principal! Forgive my rudeness..."
"It's fine. Focused training is a good thing. The stronger you are, the better you can execute your missions."
"Yes, sir." You shameless bastard, Byakuya cursed inwardly. If not for you, you old snake, why would I be licking blood off a knife's edge?
"Here. This is the Water Style: Water Formation Wall you wanted. You can't keep the scroll. Return it as soon as you learn it—the sooner the better."
"Thank you for your cultivation, Principal!"
He acted excited and surprised, but a chill ran down his spine. Was the one pulling Hiroya's strings... Danzo Shimura, that old goat?
The reason he asked for the Second Hokage's version was just a suspicion—a test. And the result made his scalp tingle.
Danzo was Tobirama Senju's student. It made perfect sense that he would possess his master's jutsu.
Hiroya patted Byakuya on the shoulder. "Your parents' spirits must be so proud seeing you like this."
Byakuya lowered his head. You old snake!!!! I want to punch you so hard!
"Yes, sir."