Hiroya doubted his own ears. "What did you say?"
Even he knew that Water Style: Water Severing Wave was an S-rank jutsu developed by the Second Hokage, possessing unparalleled cutting power among Water Style techniques.
And the Flying Thunder God Jutsu needed no introduction. Minato Namikaze, whose fame in the village was skyrocketing, was renowned for that very S-rank space-time ninjutsu!
"I want Water Style: Water Severing Wave or the Flying Thunder God Jutsu, plus a large sum of money. I'm a bit strapped for cash right now."
Byakuya spoke clearly and without shame, as if his demands were perfectly reasonable—a fair trade.
Hiroya scoffed. "Byakuya Senkaku, did you hit your head during the mission? I know the mission details. At most, you can exchange it for an A-rank jutsu. As for money, that's not a problem; a few tens of thousands of ryo is doable."
Byakuya couldn't be bothered to waste words with this snake. Although his attitude remained respectful, his tone was filled with unwavering confidence. "Principal, you just need to report to your superior. I can provide intelligence worth an S-rank jutsu."
"What?! What intelligence? Tell me, quickly!!"
Hiroya's face flushed red. He grabbed Byakuya by the shoulders and glared, trying to use his status as a superior to pressure the boy into handing over the valuable intel for free.
If Byakuya were truly a ten-year-old child, he might have been intimidated by Hiroya's bluster.
"Principal, why assume such a pitiful posture?"
"What kind of talk is that?! I am your superior! Your merit is my merit! We rise together, we fall together! Byakuya Senkaku! Don't forget, I made you the warehouse manager! Without me, you would have been sent to the battlefield to die by the village!!"
Hiroya was red-faced with anxiety. He desperately wanted to know the intel Byakuya held. If it was truly valuable, the position of Academy Principal wouldn't be his limit; he could climb even higher.
Byakuya sneered inwardly. It was time for things to change.
Laying low didn't mean suffering humiliation like this.
He shoved the frantic Hiroya aside and locked the office door.
Just as Hiroya was about to explode in rage, Byakuya effortlessly tripped him, pinning him to the floor. In the blink of an eye, a kunai was pressed against his throat. A little pressure, and the Vice Principal who held actual power over the Academy would be dead.
Byakuya's expression was blank, his calmness chilling Hiroya to the bone.
"Principal Hiroya, I advise you not to move. Don't bet on whether I dare to kill you."
Hiroya, who had been about to struggle, froze. He forced a smile uglier than a cry. "Byakuya... I was friends with your parents. They were heroes of the Leaf, and you are their son. Don't let a moment of impulse stain their reputation."
"Enough. Stop treating me like a child." Byakuya pressed the kunai forward, the sharp tip pricking the skin of his throat.
Suddenly, Byakuya smelled the distinct scent of urine.
This high-ranking Vice Principal had wet his pants in terror.
Byakuya scoffed. "From now on, do exactly as I say, and you won't lack for credit. Like now—I'm not greedy. I'm sharing part of the merit with you. You will submit those four sealed scrolls. The rest has nothing to do with you."
Watching Hiroya's changing expression, Byakuya coaxed him, "Why be so short-sighted? My strength is not what it used to be. If we cooperate properly, we both have bright futures. Principal Hiroya, you're not stupid. I understand your ambition, and you should understand mine."
"I... there's one thing I don't understand."
"Speak."
"You've been pretending all along?"
"Correct. I just didn't expect you to force me into becoming an off-the-books Root operative."
Hiroya forced a laugh. "Isn't being in the organization good too? But... what exactly happened to you in the Land of Rivers?"
"You don't need to know. Principal Hiroya, are you willing to cooperate with me?"
Hiroya reached out a hand, wanting to shake on it as a ritual of agreement.
But Byakuya glanced at it with disgust and withdrew the kunai from his throat. "You aren't my benefactor. On the contrary, I am yours. We both benefit from cooperation. Oh, right. You probably have no idea of my current strength. To put your mind at ease..."
He formed the seals.
"Water Style: Water Formation Wall!"
Byakuya controlled his chakra, spewing a small stream of water. But this water rotated at incredible speed, like a circular saw blade, accompanied by the crackling sound of popping bubbles.
Hiroya's eyes widened. The Water Formation Wall spinning around Byakuya was laced with tiny, writhing bolts of lightning.
The eerie crackling sound came from the electricity.
"Principal Hiroya, did you see clearly?"
"I saw it! I saw it!"
Byakuya dispelled the Storm Style version of the wall, leaving some regular water to wash over Hiroya.
Although Hiroya looked like a drowned rat, he didn't dare complain.
That jutsu just now—Byakuya had geniusly fused Lightning chakra into the Water Formation Wall, turning a defensive jutsu into one capable of both offense and defense. It had the impact and deflection of Water Style, plus the paralysis and piercing power of Lightning Style.
Hiroya didn't know how he did it, but it proved one thing: Byakuya himself possessed value far greater than any intelligence report.
Hiroya stood up, exhaling the stale air from his lungs. He looked back at his desk; the papers remained dry, untouched by the water. This proved Byakuya's chakra control far exceeded that of his peers.
Words alone had no binding force.
Hiroya could have pretended to agree, then reported Byakuya for insubordination to Root, fabricating a story about him planning to defect with the intel.
But with tangible strength backing him up, Hiroya decided to cooperate.
As for the humiliation? No third party was here.
Since no one saw it, compared to the power and status he would gain in the future, this wasn't humiliation—it was Lord Byakuya Senkaku demonstrating his new jutsu.
Hiroya didn't rush to change his clothes. Instead, he stood before Byakuya and bowed respectfully. "Byakuya, we are both smart people. I know what you want to do."
"Oh?" Byakuya smiled. "What do I want to do?"
"You are still young and don't want too much attention. But to increase your strength, you must demonstrate sufficient value. Someone like you is perfect for Root. I will protect you. I won't say a single word that disadvantages you, and I will do my best to smooth over any trouble."
"Principal Hiroya, I'm counting on you."
Hiroya bowed again. "It is my honor to serve the future renowned Lord Byakuya Senkaku."
Byakuya looked at him calmly. Fearing power but lacking virtue, he thought.
Hiroya changed into clean clothes, collected the four scrolls from the desk, and quickly left the Academy to report to Danzo Shimura.
As the cold wind hit him outside the school, Hiroya's mind cleared. He realized belatedly that Byakuya had intentionally used the intel as bait to make him lose control, then naturally demonstrated his strength to achieve this reversal of hierarchy.
He shook his head and couldn't help but chuckle, whispering to himself, "You're right. I really shouldn't have treated you like a child..."