Departure and Return to the Village

"Ding! Congratulations to the Host for completing the main quest: One Million Draws. Current draw count: 1,025,007. Basic Iai Style quest completed. Reward: Advanced Iai sword technique: Iai Hayashizaki Muso-ryu Tsu, and the title of Iai Sword Master."

"Ding! Congratulations to the Host for becoming a qualified swordsman. New main quest unlocked: Vast Oceans Receive All Rivers. Note: A swordsman should gather the strengths of a hundred schools to compensate for their own weaknesses. (For every two sword styles fused, you will receive ten lottery chances.)"

"Ding! All draw counts have been automatically converted into lottery chances. The draw quest has been cancelled."

"Ding! Congratulations to the Host for obtaining 103 lottery chances."

"Iai Sword Master Title: A Sword Master who has mastered Iai-do techniques. Note: While wearing this title, there is a 50% chance to comprehend Iai Style sword techniques during combat."

"Hayashizaki Muso-ryu Sword Techniques: Koiguchi no Kiri, Nukitsuke, Kirioroshi, Chiburi, Zanshin, Noto. Note: Every move is at the Sword Master level."

Sheathing the blade, heading home.

After a battle, the gains were substantial.

Having completed the third stage of the draw quest, Baiyu finally detached himself from the tedious repetition of drawing his blade, though the tasks ahead were even more difficult.

Fusing sword techniques from two different schools...

Combining Hiten Mitsurugi-ryu with Hayashizaki Muso-ryu?

There were indeed some points of convergence; the super-Godspeed Iaijutsu displayed by Amakakeru Ryu no Hirameki shared some similarities with Hayashizaki-ryu.

But they were merely similarities. To achieve a seamless fusion would be incredibly difficult.

The system was thorough, having even overhauled the unique lottery system...

"The essence of Iai Slash is speed. Every sword style has a way of drawing the blade that involves speed. That is why the Iai-do Hayashizaki-ryu fuses quickly with other styles, but... fusing two completely different schools? That is a real headache!"

Just thinking about it gave Baiyu a migraine.

The progenitor of the Iai-do school, Hayashizaki-ryu.

Judging by the name, Hayashizaki refers to a deity, while 'Muso' (Dream) originates from the legend of "drawing a sword to strike one's own shadow."

Hayashizaki-ryu represents the essence of the Iai Slash. The moves are very simple, yet each one is a technique that every Iai practitioner must master.

Other schools simplify the Iai Slash, integrating it into their own styles until it changes beyond recognition.

The root of all Iai lies in Hayashizaki-ryu. Baiyu felt that the system's step-by-step guidance held a deeper meaning.

By following this path and practicing gradually, he would surely be able to comprehend the essence of the Way of the Sword.

With this thought in mind, Baiyu returned to the shrine.

Inside the shrine, Miroku had known the moment Moryo perished.

There was no excitement, no shock, as if everything had been within her expectations.

There was only a sense of relief throughout her body, as if the shackles had been undone in that very instant.

At the entrance of the shrine, by the torii gate.

Itachi stood beside the stone steps, leaning against the gate and quietly watching the front.

Miroku held her daughter, squatting on the steps with a gentle smile on her face, teasing little Shion.

The group remained silent by mutual understanding, the atmosphere harmonious, filled with the sound of Shion's joyful, silver-bell laughter.

"You've returned. Is that monster dead?"

Itachi straightened his posture and spoke.

As his voice fell, Baiyu's figure appeared right before him.

"You didn't know yet?"

Baiyu asked, looking at Miroku. Logically, the shrine maiden should have been able to sense the death of Moryo.

"I forgot to mention it..."

Miroku said apologetically. Itachi had not spoken, just standing quietly by her side.

He didn't greet Shion either, his cold expression keeping everyone at a distance.

"Mission accomplished. We can go back now."

"It's finished?"

That meant the monster had been dealt with by Baiyu. He had made absolutely no contribution to this mission.

Even during the battle, he had relied on Baiyu to be saved.

Although Itachi's personality was very gentle, a surge of envy, jealousy, and resentment welled up in his heart.

Envy for Baiyu's growth speed, and resentment for his own uselessness!

Itachi's hands tightened around his sleeves, and that drive within his heart flared up once more.

The strength Baiyu displayed was that of a completely different person compared to when they first met.

Originally, he had been the stronger one, but now it was completely reversed, and the gap in strength between them was only growing wider.

The people of the Uchiha clan had arrogance carved into their very bones.

It was the temperament cultivated by a prestigious family over hundreds of years.

Betting his reputation as a genius, he had to catch up to Baiyu!

The intense activity within his heart subsided in a mere instant, and Itachi subsequently spoke:

"Then when are we returning to the village?"

Just as Baiyu was about to speak, little Shion suddenly ran over.

"Big Brother! Can I train with you?"

Little Shion hugged one of Baiyu's legs, looking up at him with innocent eyes.

Baiyu revealed a smile and replied, "Sure. When Shion grows up, come to Konoha. I'll teach you swordsmanship then."

As he spoke, his peripheral vision flickered toward Miroku.

This woman is restless, isn't she!

To think she would use Shion's mouth to probe him.

Shion is so young; how would she even know what training is?

Child, it is better to grow up by your mother's side.

In his past life, Baiyu was not an orphan, and comparing that to his life as an orphan in this world, he understood perfectly well the benefits of having parents by one's side.

"Are you leaving already?"

Miroku walked over at this moment and asked, feigning ignorance of Baiyu's warning gaze.

Itachi did not answer, instead shifting his gaze to Baiyu.

Baiyu was the captain; the decision had to be made by him.

"Yes. We've been out for quite some time, and including the travel time back, it will be just about a month."

Baiyu said.

"Remember to send the mission reward to the village—the original fifty million, plus the newly added mission bonus. Actually, just give me the new bonus directly! Send the other fifty million to the village."

Baiyu had originally intended for Miroku to send all the remaining money to the village.

But considering the village's tendency to skin people alive, he decided to take it back himself. If it didn't pass through the village, there would be no processing fees.

"As for the extra fees, how much can you spare?"

Baiyu asked. After getting to know the situation over this period, he was well aware that the Land of Demons was not wealthy.

Located in the north of the continent, it was quite barren. This place would be Shion's territory in the future, and Baiyu did not want to fleece them too hard or act beyond their means. If he triggered a war, it would only be little Shion who suffered.

A flash of surprise crossed Miroku's face, and she answered seriously, "The Shrine Maidens of the Land of Demons throughout history haven't really managed the country; we only collect a certain amount of tax to maintain domestic stability. Therefore, the money used to issue missions is the private property of the Shrine of the Priestess. Currently, I can probably scrape together one hundred million."

"Then one hundred million... wait, Itachi, do you have anything to carry money with?"

Baiyu suddenly recalled the agony of moving the money when they first received the one hundred million.

Back then, it was just moving it from outside the door to inside; now, it was moving it from the Land of Demons to Konoha...

"No. With that much money, even the Ninja Cat wouldn't be able to carry it."

Itachi shook his head and said honestly. The sealing scrolls he carried were nearly empty, and they couldn't hold that much cash.

"..."

Baiyu felt his heart begin to twitch. After a moment of silence, he finally said with feigned indifference, "Then just keep it with you for now. You can bring it when you come to Konoha, or I'll come to collect it when I have time."

After completing the mission handover and receiving the seal of Shrine Maiden Miroku as confirmation, Baiyu took Itachi and departed.

Throughout the process, Shion was reluctant to let Baiyu go, crying and calling out for her Big Brother. It was only after reaching an agreement with Baiyu to find him when she grew up that she finally fell asleep in Miroku's arms.