Over the next two days, the Fate Grid assigned Taijutsu and Clone Technique training. The rewards no longer surprised Byakuya, only slightly improving his reflexes and stamina.
On the fourth day.
Byakuya wore a neat black outfit and a Forehead Protector. He arrived early at the Ninja Academy to wait for Vice Principal Hiroya.
"You're here, Byakuya."
"Good morning, Principal." Byakuya bowed respectfully.
Hiroya opened his office door with a smile. "Come in and fill out this form. You'll register as a Genin... Aren't you excited? Becoming a Konoha Ninja and protecting the village—what an honor!"
Byakuya thought to himself, Not really.
"Yes. It's an honor to become a Genin of Konoha. I won't let you down, Principal Hiroya."
"Heh heh. Just do your best. That's all you need to do."
After Byakuya finished filling out the Genin registration form, Hiroya took another form from his desk drawer.
"What's this...?"
"Oh, this? It's an application to become an affiliate of the Anbu Training Department."
Byakuya was shocked, but kept his expression blank. "An affiliate of the Anbu Training Department? I've never heard of this department."
"Just fill it out. I knew your parents. They were heroes of Konoha, and you're a hero's son. I wouldn't hurt you."
Byakuya reassessed Vice Principal Hiroya. He had assumed the man was one of Sarutobi Hiruzen's people, but it turned out he belonged to Shimura Danzō's faction. "Principal, someone like me, a Genin, is that really..."
"As long as a person has value, he's not useless. But someone without an ounce of value... Senkaku Byakuya, do you know what happens to him?" Hiroya asked with a genial smile.
Damn, what a sly old bastard. I'd already shown how incompetent I was, and he still managed to pull this on me. Root must be desperate if they're recruiting anyone they can get!
At this point, there was no use arguing. He couldn't fight back anyway.
Byakuya obediently filled out the application to become an affiliate of the Anbu Training Department.
Hiroya picked up both forms. "Genin Senkaku Byakuya, you should head to work at the warehouse. I'll deliver your paperwork to the Hokage Building."
"Sorry for the trouble, Principal."
"Heh heh, it's no trouble."
Hiroya went to see Danzō first, then nervously set Byakuya's application on the desk.
"Lord Danzō, this is Senkaku Byakuya's application to become an affiliate."
"Senkaku Tetsuji's son, Shika's good-for-nothing boy?"
Hiroya was surprised that Danzō knew Byakuya's parents' names.
"Yes."
After a long silence, Danzō picked up Byakuya's application. "His handwriting is quite good. I approve. Hiroya, is this good-for-nothing the only person you've found for the organization this month?"
"Lord Danzō, Mimura Hamaki is keeping a close eye on me. I... I haven't had a chance to make a move."
"Hmph. No wonder you pushed Senkaku Byakuya forward. You're just using him to make up the numbers."
"I'm sorry. I'll work twice as hard." Hiroya knelt at Danzō's feet.
"Go back. That fool Hiruzen can't keep up with the Academy's affairs. I'll find a way to make him honorary principal, and you can take over as the real principal."
"Thank you for your guidance, Lord Danzō!"
Hiroya delivered the Genin registration paperwork to the staff at the Hokage Building, then returned to the Academy, taking a detour to the school warehouse.
"You're really dedicated!"
Byakuya was diligently swinging his sword again and again.
The ordinary iron swords in the school warehouse were very heavy. People in the Shinobi World really were a different species from those on Blue Star in his previous life. An adult would struggle to wield a sword this heavy, let alone a child.
[Heaven Rewards Diligence, Perseverance Leads to Success Time limit: 2 days — Sword swings (1458/16000) Reward: Slight increase to swordsmanship talent]
This was the first time the Fate Grid had offered a talent-boosting reward. The task looked simple, but Byakuya had tested it: casual swings didn't count. He had to focus completely and swing with absolute precision for it to work.
"Principal, I didn't mean to—"
"You're the warehouse manager. As long as you do your job, I'll turn a blind eye."
"Thank you, Principal!"
Hiroya patted him on the shoulder, seemingly with approval.
"Your application to become an affiliate of the Anbu Training Department has been approved. I'll be your direct superior for now. If there's a task for you, I'll notify you personally."
"I'll follow your lead, Principal!"
Hiroya was pleased by how obsequiously Byakuya acted. He even got a taste of the pleasure Konoha High Command must feel when savoring the power they wielded.
"Hmm. You're no match for those geniuses, so you really should work hard. Don't worry, I won't give you any overly difficult missions," he said with affected seriousness.
"Thank you for your kindness, Principal."
"Being a warehouse manager isn't the end of the road for you. As long as you're loyal, it's only the beginning."
With that, Byakuya bowed deeply.
"Yes!"
Hiroya patted his shoulder again, clasped his hands behind his back, and strolled to his office. He imagined how he would make his mark once he became the Academy's real principal. Perhaps one day he might truly have a use for Byakuya.
After dealing with Hiroya, whose desire for power burned hot, Byakuya suppressed his disgust and focused entirely on swinging his sword.
As he practiced, he didn't forget to train Storm Release. Storm Release chakra coated the blade, abruptly boosting its speed and power while giving it piercing and paralyzing effects.
Before clocking out, he returned the iron sword and looked around at the warehouse's stock of shuriken in various sizes, kunai, senbon, puppets, all kinds of weapons, support scrolls, chakra nature sensing paper, and the Explosive Tags in the corner...
No wonder the warehouse was far from the classrooms. It was practically a small arsenal.
He locked the warehouse's three heavy doors.
Wearing his Konoha Forehead Protector, Byakuya ambled away.
School had just let out.
He ran into several classmates. They glanced at him, thought he looked familiar, then recalled who he was and cried out in surprise.
"You're Senkaku Byakuya? When did you graduate?"
"Wait, how did you graduate before the rest of us?"
"Hey, the Academy must've let you graduate early. With your skills, there's no way you'd have passed otherwise. You're just a lucky beneficiary of the new policy."
"Forget him. I'm treating everyone today. Class reunion at Ichiraku Ramen!"
Byakuya listened quietly. He didn't argue or make a show of himself in a fit of anger.
The Way of Survival was profound. The greatest taboo was getting restless and drawing attention to yourself.
At the market in Konoha, he bought fresh vegetables, milk, eggs, and pork.
He had swung his sword 9,745 times that day, pushing his arms past their limits. Every muscle throbbed with pain, and he could barely carry his groceries.
As he trudged home with his head down, his twice-slightly-improved perception suddenly picked up someone watching him.
He looked toward the source of the gaze.
It was his classmate from the Academy, Yuhi Kurenai. Standing beside her was her father, Konoha Jonin Yuhi Shinku, buying dango skewers.
The Academy teachers had often marveled at Yuhi Kurenai's talent for genjutsu, praising her as a future "genjutsu master" of Konoha.
She pointed at Byakuya's Forehead Protector.
Byakuya merely glanced at her, then immediately walked away without looking back.
Konoha Ninjas were all a little crazy. To stick to the Way of Survival, it was best to avoid getting involved with them.
"What is it, Kurenai?"
"Dad, that boy's Senkaku Byakuya, my classmate from the Academy. I didn't expect him to graduate before me."
Yuhi Shinku wore a ninja cap and a black outfit with a green flak jacket. By the time he looked toward Byakuya, passersby had obscured the boy from view.
"Let's go home and eat. Dad has to leave for the front tonight. I don't know when I'll get to have dinner with you again."
"Dad's so strong. You'll definitely defeat Kumogakure and come back safely."
"Never underestimate any enemy. You'll pay for it if you do."
Before you continue