Byakuya's appetite was ferocious. He cooked himself a dish of old-school sweet and sour pork. Eating something so comforting felt like it washed away the entire day's depression, tension, and exhaustion.
Reincarnation or not, a man's gotta eat. He even entertained the thought of saving up enough money to open a restaurant right next to Ichiraku Ramen, just to show these mentally unstable Leaf villagers what real cuisine from another world tasted like.
He slept soundly until dawn.
Sitting up in bed, he rotated his right arm. The agony from overworking his muscles with sword practice had mostly vanished.
It wasn't because his constitution was amazing, but because his Storm Style chakra had been gently soothing and revitalizing his muscles all night, like a spring rain nourishing the soil.
"Is this the power of a Kekkei Genkai rooted in one's very bloodline?"
He ate a simple but nutritious breakfast.
Looking at the handsome young man in the mirror, then at the photo of himself with his parents, the soul from another world kept reminding itself that this was his "anchor" in the ninja world.
---
The village was much quieter than usual. He arrived at the Ninja Academy warehouse, unlocked the main doors, and gripped the same iron sword he had used yesterday to continue his training.
"Byakuya Senkaku?"
"Teacher Izumi."
"Ah, the Principal asked me to fetch you from the warehouse. I thought it might be someone with the same name, but I didn't expect it to actually be you, Byakuya."
Izumi was petite, with a baby face and deep dimples that appeared whenever she smiled. She was the Academy's history teacher, primarily lecturing on village history and the Will of Fire to cultivate the students' loyalty to the village.
"I have the Principal to thank for this position."
"So that makes us colleagues, doesn't it?"
"Yes, it does."
"To celebrate having a new colleague, I'll treat you to barbecue after work."
"I couldn't possibly let you pay, Teacher Izumi. It should be my treat."
Her baby face suddenly leaned in close, beaming. "Then it's a deal! No take-backs, Byakuya."
"It's a promise."
The two walked toward the office.
"You know, being the Academy warehouse manager right now is a dream job for many people..." Izumi said, eyes crinkling with a smile. "After all, you don't have to be forcibly sent by the village to die on the battlefield."
"Especially for a ninja like me. I'd just be cannon fodder out there, waiting to die."
Izumi smiled at him. "That's why, Byakuya, you owe the Principal a debt you can never fully repay!"
"I will work hard to live up to the Principal's trust. Someone as outstanding as you, Teacher Izumi, must be one of the Principal's trusted aides. I'll need to learn from you in the future."
"The Principal of the Ninja Academy is the Hokage. I am certainly not one of the Hokage's trusted aides," she chuckled. "Besides, there's nothing special about me for you to learn."
---
They arrived at Hiroya's office.
"Principal, Byakuya Senkaku is here."
"Oh, thank you for your trouble, Teacher Izumi."
Izumi bowed. "If you have no other orders, Principal, I'll go prepare for my class."
"Go ahead."
Hiroya beckoned to Byakuya. "Sit."
"Yes, sir."
Byakuya noticed three ninjutsu scrolls on the desk and immediately had a bad feeling.
Hiroya pulled Byakuya's file from a drawer. "You specialize in Lightning and Water chakra natures?"
"Yes, Principal."
"I have requisitioned the Shadow Clone Jutsu, Lightning Style: Earth Flash, and Water Style: Wild Water Wave for you. Since you are now a Genin, you need some signature techniques."
Byakuya feigned a look of surprise and gratitude. "Thank you, Principal! I..."
"Byakuya, don't be so hasty. I haven't finished."
"Yes, sir." He immediately sat up straight, all ears.
"The ANBU Training Division is also known as 'Root.' You are now a ninja of Root." Hiroya set the file down, stood up from his chair, walked around the desk, and placed a hand on Byakuya's shoulder.
"Root has no need for people without value. But if you demonstrate your worth, the rewards are equally generous. What lies before you is the payment for completing the mission I am about to assign you. Exciting, isn't it?
Of course, ninjas from prestigious clans wouldn't care for such basic jutsu. But you are different. Apart from me, there isn't a single person in the Hidden Leaf willing to teach you."
Byakuya put on a panicked expression. "But Principal, with my... limited abilities, what kind of mission could I possibly complete for you?"
The hand on his shoulder suddenly tightened. "These three ninjutsu are an advance payment. Seven days. You have only seven days to master them. Then, come to me to receive your first mission as a Root of the Hidden Leaf."
Watching Byakuya tremblingly pocket the scrolls, Hiroya smiled and patted him again. "Time flies like a white horse passing a crevice. We are all busy people; I won't keep you."
"Thank you, Principal. I... take my leave."
---
Izumi was leaning against the wall around the corner in the hallway. She spotted the scrolls in Byakuya's arms. "Byakuya, congratulations on taking the most crucial step as a ninja. Don't forget to treat me to barbecue after work."
"Shall we meet outside the school gate then?"
"Sounds good."
Izumi gave him a charming smile.
Back in the warehouse, Byakuya's face went blank as he opened the scrolls. Being alone meant no more acting; he could finally relax.
First was the Shadow Clone Jutsu. Developed by the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju, for espionage, it was so useful that it eventually spread to ninja across all nations.
Lightning Style: Earth Flash and Water Style: Wild Water Wave were basic C-rank ninjutsu. Once you mastered the nature transformation for Lightning and Water, they weren't hard to learn.
And ever since fusing with the Storm Style Kekkei Genkai, Byakuya had gained an indescribable, intuitive understanding of Lightning and Water nature transformation.
He formed the seals.
Boar - Ram - Snake.
"Lightning Style: Earth Flash."
Lightning chakra gathered in his right palm. He slammed it onto the ground, and electricity slithered out like snakes across the floor.
He formed the next set of seals.
Dragon - Ox - Rabbit.
"Water Style: Wild Water Wave."
Water chakra channeled to his throat, and he spewed a jet of water from his mouth.
Testing the feel of releasing both jutsu, Byakuya shook his head inwardly.
These techniques were suitable for his current level, but their power was too weak. They wouldn't be enough to handle whatever Root mission was coming his way.
Root missions were never simple. Every extra trump card was another lifeline.
Besides, the way Hiroya looked at him... he was clearly looking at expendable material!
After finishing his daily training missions, he needed to hit the library. He had to research chakra nature and shape manipulation in depth to develop a Storm Style jutsu unique to him.
Near the end of the day, a teacher came to the warehouse to request a stack of chakra induction paper.
"Why is the floor all wet?"
"I was cleaning."
"You're the new warehouse manager? You're so young. What's your name?"
"Byakuya Senkaku."
"Oh, never heard of you. You must be a relative of the Vice Principal, right?"
"..."
Byakuya didn't answer, which the teacher took as confirmation. He laughed. " having a powerful relative gets you a cushy job as a warehouse manager. Anyone else would have been mobilized by the village to die on the battlefield long ago. I heard the fighting on the front lines is brutal; plenty of Chunin are dying without even knowing what hit them."
After sending the teacher away, Byakuya swung his sword a hundred times.
> [System: Hard Work Pays Off]
> Limited Time Mission (2 Days): Swing Sword (16000/16000)
> Status: Complete.
> Reward: Minor increase in Kenjutsu Talent.
Suddenly, he felt a connection. Looking at the sword in his hand, it felt... familiar.
It was as if he had been born with a love for swordplay and a unique understanding of the blade.
Ignoring the aching in his right arm, he swung again.
He barely used any strength, yet he instinctively utilized the inertia of the heavy iron blade to maximize its lethality.
He locked the warehouse doors.
Focusing Storm Style chakra into his right arm muscles, Byakuya frowned sharply. It stung until he reduced the chakra output. Unlike the passive, silent healing from before, this active stimulation forced the muscles to relax—a highly effective, albeit intense, massage.
He stopped by the Academy library to borrow two books on chakra nature and shape manipulation, then hurried to meet Izumi.
"Byakuya, you're late! You should be punished!"
Izumi's baby face leaned in close again, feigning anger. "Making a lady wait when you're supposed to be taking her to dinner? And those books... don't tell me you're planning to teach yourself?"
"I have no choice; I can't let the Principal down. Sorry for keeping you waiting, Teacher Izumi."
Bathed in the glow of the setting sun, Izumi's face flushed red. She suddenly lowered her voice. "You really are an interesting person, Byakuya."