Konoha Training Ground No. 37.
In the boundless night, a lone, slender figure suddenly appeared; it was Fujiwara Tetsuya.
Fujiwara Tetsuya, with a wakizashi on his back, stood on a bluestone, quietly gazing at the dark, night-like forest in the distance, his eyes filled with determination.
In the distant depths, it seemed as if tigers and giant bears were constantly roaring.
After his Chakra affinity was tested that day, Fujiwara Tetsuya acquired two C-rank Ninjutsu scrolls from Tanaka Jiro: Water Release: Water Clone Technique and Water Release: Water Prison Technique.
As for Lightning Release Ninjutsu, the three clans did not possess any, or rather, Fujiwara Tetsuya had not held such expectations from the start.
Without expectation, there would naturally be no disappointment.
Although it was just a declining small Ninja Clan, it still gave him a starting point immeasurably better than those commoners.
After trying for several days, he had only just managed to get a basic grasp of Water Prison Technique.
To apply for Genin graduation with this level would be a fool's dream; he probably wouldn't even pass Sanjido Suzuko's hurdle.
Swish!
The wakizashi was held horizontally in front of Fujiwara Tetsuya, its slender blade glinting coldly under the moonlight.
This was one of the last three tachi remaining to the Fujiwara, Tanaka, Uesugi Three Clans.
Perhaps it wasn't valuable, but it carried Tanaka Jiro's earnest hopes.
Lightly flicking the blade, Fujiwara Tetsuya's figure instantly vanished into the dark depths of the forest... "Roar..."
From deep within Training Ground No. 37, a pained roar suddenly echoed.
Beneath a certain tree shade, a two-meter square pit was revealed, with dozens of sharpened bamboo blades stuck into it. On top of those bamboo blades, a two-meter tall brown bear finally lost its breath after several minutes of violent struggle.
Watching the commotion below, Fujiwara Tetsuya, hidden deep in the tree shade, finally let out a long breath.
Two whole days and two nights!
He slaughtered tigers, abused snakes, and trapped bears! He had finally made it through!
[Oh, pure-hearted host! After two days and two nights of torment, you have finally achieved a triple kill! Temporary System Mission complete! Mission rewards are being calculated!]
[Ding! Congratulations, host, for completing the temporary mission. Transformation Technique proficiency has increased by one level, accumulating (18+15+19) * 2 = 104 points of Slaughter Value.]
"System! Allocate all Slaughter Value to Water Release: Water Prison Technique."
[Ding! Slaughter Value allocation complete! host's Water Release: Water Prison Technique proficiency has increased to Intermediate.]
"System, bring up the Ninja panel!"
Exhaling a turbid breath, Fujiwara Tetsuya quietly sensed the changes in his strength.
host: Fujiwara Tetsuya
Kekkei Genkai: None
Ninjutsu: Water Release: Water Prison Technique (19/300 Intermediate) Transformation Technique (Advanced) - E, Body Replacement Technique (Intermediate) - E, Clone Technique (Intermediate) - E
Slaughter Value: 0
Half an hour later, Fujiwara Tetsuya processed the valuable parts of the brown bear and quickly left Training Ground No. 37 with a large package on his back.
The package contained valuable items such as tiger pelts, snake galls, and bear galls, which could be exchanged for some money by selling them to Konoha merchants.
In the evening.
After handling everything, Fujiwara Tetsuya, with four thousand ryo in his pocket and half a butchered pig on his shoulder, returned to the clan compound.
"It's Brother Tetsuya, Brother Tetsuya is back!"
"Brother Tetsuya, where have you been these past two days? Muko hasn't seen you for two days."
In the open space in front of the houses, many children from the Fujiwara, Tanaka, and Uesugi families were playing. They immediately surrounded Fujiwara Tetsuya upon seeing him.
"Brother Tetsuya, of course, went to buy meat for you all to eat!"
Amidst the throng of children, Fujiwara Tetsuya moved his feet with difficulty and placed the pork from his shoulder onto the nearest floor.
After unfastening his wakizashi, he lifted Muko above his head.
Muko, full name Fujiwara Muko, was Fujiwara Sachiko's second daughter.
"It's meat!"
With exclamations, many half-grown children stared straight at the half-pig, their mouths watering profusely, utterly enticed.
Not to mention them, even Fujiwara Tetsuya, since arriving in the Ninja World, had never tasted meat.
"Tetsuya!"
The commotion outside the house startled the adults who were preparing dinner inside. Tanaka Jiro, Fujiwara Sachiko, Uesugi Yuko, and others came out one after another.
"Uncle Jiro, Aunt Sachiko! I'm back."
In that instant, Fujiwara Tetsuya's body straightened.
Unlike before, he now possessed the qualification to bear the burden of the three clans' livelihood.
"We'll talk later, back inside!"
Looking at the gathering children of the three clans, Tanaka Jiro shook his head at Fujiwara Sachiko.
Although Fujiwara Tetsuya had told him beforehand where he was going!
However, looking at the scene before him, even Tanaka Jiro, no matter how dull, understood that Fujiwara Tetsuya had lied to him.
Listening to the loud shouts for meat, he suppressed the urge to ask Fujiwara Tetsuya for an explanation.
That night, the children of the Fujiwara, Tanaka, and Uesugi Three Clans all received a full bowl of meat soup.
The pervasive aroma of meat, after several months, once again wafted through the clan compound of the three clans.
Fujiwara Tetsuya also ate his first truly satisfying meal since coming to the Ninja World... "Did you see blood?"
Under the candlelight, Tanaka Jiro drew Fujiwara Tetsuya's wakizashi, brought it to his nose, and sniffed, his gaze instantly becoming sharp.
Even though Fujiwara Tetsuya had handled it beforehand!
He hadn't been able to completely mask the smell of blood on the blade.
"Yes, Uncle Jiro."
Feeling the heavy gazes from behind him, cold sweat gradually seeped from Fujiwara Tetsuya's forehead.
He wasn't being interrogated by Tanaka Jiro alone!
There were also Fujiwara Sachiko, Uesugi Yuko, and eight or nine other adults.
In addition, there were three figures of young boys and girls: Fujiwara Aiko, Uesugi Tetsu, and Tanaka Yoshito. Like Fujiwara Tetsuya, they were all former Ninja Academy students, but unfortunately, these three Ninja had limited talent and were advised to withdraw from the Ninja Academy after repeatedly failing to advance in their sixth year.
However, after the three found jobs and were able to earn a meager salary, they successfully joined the ranks of the three clans' "adults."
"I'm sorry! I deceived you! I didn't go to Teacher Sanjido for extra training! Instead, I went to Training Ground No. 37."
"These past two days, I set several traps in Training Ground No. 37 and successfully ambushed and killed three fierce beasts. The smell of blood on the wakizashi is from these three fierce beasts."
"Additionally, I exchanged the furs, hearts, and galls from the three fierce beasts for silver, and the money for the meat was paid from that portion of the money."
"Uncle Jiro, here are the remaining four thousand ryo!"
After his apprehension, Fujiwara Tetsuya gradually calmed down.
He recounted everything that had happened openly.
"Tetsuya!"
Looking at the four thousand ryo in front of him, Tanaka Jiro felt his throat dry, huffing and puffing for a long time, not knowing what to say.
He knew!
Fujiwara Tetsuya would choose to take risks!
It was still because of that day.
"Uncle Jiro! Don't worry! From now on, I, Fujiwara Tetsuya, will create a heaven for the Fujiwara, Tanaka, Uesugi Three Clans!"
"That day will not be far off!"
After placing all four thousand ryo into Tanaka Jiro's hand, Fujiwara Tetsuya stood up, picked up his wakizashi, and strapped it to his waist.
Amidst the shocked gazes of everyone, an invisible aura swept in all directions.