Hitomi and Izumi Uchiha

The next day, Baiyu got up early and continued his daily training.

He now packed his mornings full: two hours of Draw-Sword Technique practice, one hour of Hiten Mitsurugi-ryu sword techniques, and three hours of mastering the Wind Taming Sword Technique.

He started using Breathing Style from the very beginning and stopped only when he could no longer keep it up.

At present, Baiyu could maintain a full Breathing Style state for an hour.

It might not last as long in battle, but he could manage at least twenty minutes.

Time flew by during his training. In the blink of an eye, it was noon.

Baiyu packed his things and headed for the entrance to Konoha, where he had agreed to meet Uchiha Itachi the day before.

Before that, though, he needed to stop by the weapon shop.

The twin double-edged swords he had commissioned a long time ago should be ready by now.

He wanted to pick up his gear before going on a mission.

In front of the blacksmith's shop, two girls were talking to Kin Uchiha.

"Boss, can't you give us a discount? A million for one sword—that's practically the reward for an S-rank mission."

The pretty, delicate-looking girl said. She wore a purple short-sleeved shirt and dark purple pants. Unless you were naturally beautiful, you couldn't pull off clothes in those colors.

The other girl wore a pale blue shirt with a white vest underneath. Her long hair fell over her shoulders, and her furrowed brows showed how conflicted she felt.

"If you don't have enough money, don't buy equipment. Just use Kunai or something. Even if you had a sword, you wouldn't know how to use it. Konoha's swordsmanship has always been a closely guarded secret."

Kin Uchiha smiled. The two little girls wanted to commission a sword, but they were clearly asking for too much.

There weren't many ninja in the Uchiha Clan who knew swordsmanship, and every one of them had learned it in secret.

You couldn't learn it just by relying on the Sharingan. You had to train, one stroke and one sword at a time.

But how many people born into the Uchiha would practice Taijutsu so painstakingly? Once they awakened the Sharingan, what ninjutsu couldn't they learn, and what Taijutsu couldn't they see through?

That was how arrogant the Uchiha had become.

There was no one in the village who could keep the Uchiha in check.

"It's only a million. We can save up for another month and we'll have enough. Come on, Hitomi! Let's go do a mission."

The two girls were Hitomi Uchiha and Izumi Uchiha.

Izumi said firmly. They had been talking for ages, and the boss still wouldn't budge.

"But..."

Hitomi was torn. She really wanted a sword so she could learn swordsmanship like her big brother Baiyu.

But swords were among the most precious ninja tools.

The more special metals a weapon contained, the higher its price.

"I'll take a custom-made one for five million."

A familiar voice sounded behind them, and Hitomi turned around in delight.

She saw Baiyu smiling at her.

"Big Brother Baiyu!"

"I forgot to have one made for you, too. But it's too late this time, so you'll have to come pick it up next time!"

Baiyu told Hitomi. After acquiring a hundred million, it had slipped his mind.

The moment Kin Uchiha saw him, he rushed inside and brought out the sword Baiyu had commissioned.

Baiyu had scared Kin Uchiha half to death. He suspected that the ninja who had recently been assassinating Uchiha elites was none other than the menace standing right in front of him.

After all, he had noticed that a long sword he'd sold before was now in the hands of this menace.

The guy even dared to kill a Military Police Force squad leader. Kin was just a swordsmith; without a bit of backbone, he wouldn't dare cross someone like that.

Hearing Baiyu's request, he hurriedly said, "A custom-made sword for five million will take a month to finish. I'll need some time to prepare the metal!"

His tone changed in an instant.

What a complete change of face!

Izumi Uchiha curiously studied Baiyu, the big brother her friend was always talking about.

He wore a gray linen shirt with a fine-mesh ninja garment over it. Two long swords hung at his waist, and he didn't give off the slightest hint of a ninja's presence.

He was quite good-looking, but she had no idea what he was like as a person.

He could casually spend five million, so he was clearly well-off.

Countless thoughts flashed through Izumi Uchiha's mind in an instant.

"In that case, Hitomi, you'll have to come back next month to pick it up. I might be going on a mission soon. When I get back, you can train in swordsmanship with me!"

Baiyu was delighted to see that Hitomi really wanted to learn swordsmanship. His understanding of the sword was growing ever clearer, and he could guide Hitomi as she began training.

"Okay!"

Hitomi answered excitedly.

"And who's this?"

The moment he saw Izumi Uchiha, Baiyu finally remembered who that familiar name belonged to.

A name similar to Uchiha Madara's younger brother's, supposedly Itachi's little sister, the one who died so tragically...

He hadn't realized she was Hitomi's friend. So if this girl awakened her eyes... would that mean Hitomi died?

Baiyu couldn't help thinking about it. That damn Kekkei Genkai of the Uchiha required an immense emotional shock.

Could the emotional shock of the most exhilarating moment be enough to awaken it?

With that in mind, Baiyu decided to give the two girls a few warnings.

"For the next little while, don't take on any missions. Wait until I get back before considering any missions above B-rank."

Hitomi nodded seriously, just as she had when she was little. No matter what Baiyu said, she always listened.

"Okay."

"..."

Izumi could only stay silent.

Last time, Baiyu had casually handed Kin Uchiha tens of millions of ryo. This time, he'd taken two swords without bothering to pay the remaining million, and he didn't plan to pay for the five-million one he'd just commissioned either.

"I'll pay you next time! Make sure you finish my divine sword scabbard! And my little sister's sword, too."

"Yes, yes! Definitely next time."

Kin Uchiha smiled ingratiatingly.

He didn't care in the slightest about Izumi Uchiha's scornful look.

After saying goodbye to the two of them, Baiyu headed for the village entrance.

By the time he arrived, Uchiha Itachi had been waiting for quite a while.

When Itachi saw Baiyu, he showed no expression and kept his face cold.

"Let's go!"

Itachi spoke as soon as he saw Baiyu.

"Sure. Let's go!"

Baiyu rubbed his stomach. He hadn't eaten lunch yet. He'd planned to grab a meal in the village.

He could afford to eat out.

But seeing how early Itachi had arrived, he felt bad about dragging him off to eat.

They'd take care of business first.

The two of them went to the Hokage Building. Only a few people were looking at the mission boards in the lobby.

At a glance, they all looked like young boys.

Baiyu went up to the ninja at the mission desk and asked, "Where do I pick up an S-rank mission?"

The mission administrator froze. Usually, an S-rank mission required an elite jonin to lead the team.

After carefully sizing up the two in front of him, he shook his head and said, "Only jonin can take on missions of that rank. The board over there lists A-rank missions, and those boards have B-rank missions and below. Go take a look yourself..."

The administrator's voice wasn't loud, but it stood out in the quiet mission hall. Several people turned around.

"We're jonin," Itachi reminded him. He hadn't put on a jonin vest after becoming a jonin, and Baiyu was wearing training clothes, which had caused the misunderstanding.

"Go find the Third. Don't waste time arguing with them."

Baiyu spoke directly. There was no point in getting worked up over someone like this.

They weren't wearing jonin vests, so the mistake was understandable.

Baiyu looked toward a shadowed corner and said, "Take us to see the Third."

Everyone was startled. Someone was hiding in the hall?

They looked for a while, but no one appeared. A few of the onlookers nearly laughed out loud.

The Uchiha were getting better and better at showing off!

Just then, a white-clad Anbu suddenly appeared from the shadows. He gave Baiyu a long look and said, "Follow me."