"This is your bonus—for uncovering a spy in the village and saving 1 billion taels in village funds. That money was meant for purchasing critical supplies. Losing it would have been a massive blow to Kumogakure..."
Early the next morning, Kanji came to find Tanaka Haruki. He started talking the moment they met, showering Haruki with gratitude and praise on behalf of the village. He also handed him a reward of 1 million taels and an S-rank mission credit. To top it off, Kanji mentioned that a skilled jonin would soon be assigned to mentor him.
At first, Haruki was a little confused. But it didn't take long for him to figure out that this was all part of the Third Raikage's arrangements. Everything that had happened the day before, and the decisions being made now, began to make sense.
"Thank you to Lord Raikage and Lord Kanji for the recognition and the reward. It's my duty as a proud member of Kumogakure to protect the village. If I ever come across another spy, I won't let them go unchecked!" Tanaka Haruki replied with conviction.
His tone was serious. As far as Haruki was concerned, there was no room for traitors in Kumogakure—not while he was around.
"Your loyalty is admirable," Kanji said, nodding. "But make sure not to take unnecessary risks. Spies are extremely dangerous. Next time, report what you find immediately instead of acting on your own."
"I understand. I won't act recklessly again," Haruki replied earnestly.
Kanji offered a few more words of encouragement before leaving. Once alone, Haruki glanced around, made sure no one was watching, and shut the door.
He wasn't fooled. Kanji was only putting on a show. As someone secretly connected to Shimura Danzo, Haruki knew he had probably been monitored for some time. But because he was still too weak and had no real status yet, Danzo would never contact him directly. Haruki had only ever communicated with his local handler—and that man was now dead. Still, it was only a matter of time before Danzo sent someone else. Especially now that Haruki had demonstrated his usefulness.
"A powerful jonin... but who?"Haruki sat on the couch, pondering the words Kanji had used earlier.
Everything had gone according to his plan—securing a jonin mentor, building his reputation, getting closer to the inner workings of the village. But Kanji hadn't said who the mentor would be.
"It's probably not Yeyue. She's strong, sure, but swordsmanship isn't her strength. Still, there are a lot of swordsmen in the village... almost everyone here uses a blade. It's hard to narrow down."
Haruki couldn't figure out the identity yet. But he was sure of one thing: this person had to be someone the Third Raikage trusted deeply. His situation was too sensitive to allow just anyone near him.
Moreover, the mentor had to be skilled in swordsmanship, which Haruki valued above all else. In the future, his enemies would no doubt include the Otsutsuki clan. Against beings like that, ninjutsu only feeds their energy. Illusions are useless. Only taijutsu and kenjutsu—raw physical and sword-based skills—would do real damage.
That's why Haruki was doubling down on physical training and blade work. It would be his ultimate trump card.
"Time to train."
Haruki shook off the thoughts and walked over to his desk. Two chakra threads extended from his fingers, wrapping around two pens, which he began using to write rapidly across manuscript paper.
This wasn't just how he drafted manuscripts—it was also his way of training chakra control and mental multitasking.
Ever since he had mastered chakra threads, he had used them like this. After exhausting physical workouts, he'd sit down and let his chakra threads take over. It didn't require full-body movement, so it was the perfect way to stay sharp.
Graduation was only two weeks away, and after that, he'd be training under his jonin mentor. Haruki needed to write several months' worth of manuscripts in advance, so his training wouldn't be disrupted.
But even more important than writing was mastering chakra control. Especially pure chakra, his unique gift. It was his greatest advantage—one he needed to refine and exploit.
Chakra control was useful even outside of jutsu. For instance, the Super Strength Technique wasn't actually a specific jutsu. It was simply excellent chakra control used to amplify strength, just like walking on water or climbing trees.
There were two main types:
Enhancing physical explosiveness, like what allowed ninjas to leap high and move with inhuman speed.
Releasing chakra externally for destructive power, like Tsunade's legendary punches or Sakura's explosive strikes.
Haruki focused on the first type—amplifying his body. His chakra reserves were limited, so wasteful, flashy attacks weren't viable. Precision and efficiency were key.
That's why he focused on swordsmanship. A well-placed strike with a blade enhanced by chakra could be just as destructive—and much more sustainable.
If he could evolve his chakra burst into a true Super Strength Technique, his power would skyrocket.
While his right-hand fingers used chakra threads to type out his next novel, Haruki's left hand gripped a long Miao Dao sword, perfectly aligned with his arm. Resting on the blade's tip was a smaller Miao Dao, used to build wrist and forearm strength.
He had paid a hefty sum for these: 400 million taels, of which 350 million was spent on chakra-conductive metal alone. The rest covered rare materials and forging costs.
Chakra metal was insanely expensive, but worth it.
Even in the future, Asuma Sarutobi's chakra blades were more valuable than he was. A full-sized Miao Dao made of such materials? Nearly priceless.
If Haruki hadn't made a fortune off his novels, there's no way he could afford these weapons.
Fortunately, chakra metal only formed the core of the blade. If the entire weapon were made of it, the cost would've been ten times higher.
His twin Miao Daos—nicknamed "Big Cat" and "Little Cat"—were forged to his specs. The larger blade was 1.2 meters long with a 40 cm handle, totaling 1.6 meters—a bit taller than Haruki himself. But he was still growing, and with chakra stimulation, he expected to hit 1.8 meters soon.
The shorter one was still formidable: 90 cm blade, 30 cm handle, total 1.2 meters, weighing 5 kg. The big one? 10 kg.
These were serious weapons, but Haruki had the strength to wield them.
People used to joke online that Naruto ninjas were "fragile"—but in truth, their physical abilities were monstrous.
Just look at Rock Lee, who carried massive weights, or Zabuza, who used the executioner's blade with the speed of a ghost. Or the massive blades like Samehada and Kabutowari—all used by brute force.
Even Root ninjas carried enormous blades, like the one who fought a young Shisui Uchiha.
So yes—ninjas could be tanks, especially when chakra enhanced their strikes.
Compared to those oversized weapons, Haruki's twin swords were modest—but effective.
He'd chosen long blades intentionally, to keep distance from opponents. If a foe unleashed some surprise jutsu or secret technique, he'd have more time to react.
He wasn't built for ranged combat; his chakra simply didn't allow it. He was a warrior, first and foremost. That meant closing the gap carefully—and surviving the unexpected.