The scroll unfurled, revealing the pitch-black jutsu inscribed upon it.
"Nine Mask Svāhā, a forbidden jutsu that uses the Nine Masked Beasts, based on the nine-faced child fox, to summon beasts with all sorts of different abilities. Is this the summoning jutsu used by Uzumaki Menma?"
Hanazuki sat cross-legged on the pale blue water. According to the setting of the Limited Tsukuyomi, this technique would be more than enough to let him dominate the battlefield—as long as he didn't run into any particularly troublesome opponents.
In practice, of the Nine Masked Beasts' abilities, only the Nanto Sage and Hokuto Sage, who could restrain their targets, and the Grim Reaper, who could drain chakra, were worth a look. Most of the others weren't worth much.
"Hey, kid, you've got it all wrong. Nine Mask Svāhā is classified as a forbidden jutsu because it has infinite potential."
"Think about it. All you have to do is pour stronger chakra into each of the Nine Masked Beasts and replace their materials and summoned beasts with stronger ones. Then Nine Mask Svāhā's power will grow."
Perhaps because he was enjoying his food, Black Nine-Tails lounged in a little nest made of weeds. Without even lifting his eyelids, he offered his opinion.
"True. This doesn't describe the materials or summoned beasts used to construct Nine Mask Svāhā. Which means you could use an entire Tailed Beast."
His gaze shifted back to the Limited Tsukuyomi Ninja World Sign-in System, and he couldn't help feeling hopeful.
My first sign-in yesterday gave me Black Nine-Tails. So today, it's gotta give me the Rinnegan, right? I wouldn't even turn down the One-Tail...
He signed in, feeling thoroughly satisfied. The reward, which should have appeared in his hands, dropped from the sky and landed on Hanazuki's head.
[Daily Sign-in successful. You obtained Tsunade's personal bra...]
The garment, brimming with a maiden's sentiment and still faintly warm, made Hanazuki furrow his brows. Then his anger flared.
"No! What is this supposed to be? False advertising? The size is wrong, and Tsunade definitely doesn't— Ahem, ahem, ahem."
"Wait, since this is the Limited Tsukuyomi, does that mean things are the opposite? So the Tsunade over there is..."
"Hahahaha! Kid, are you trying to tell me you want a woman too? You actually used your dōjutsu to make something like this! Hahahaha!"
Black Nine-Tails laughed so hard he doubled over, slamming his enormous paws into the water and sending up countless waves. Hanazuki's mouth twitched, and he vanished from the spot.
"Mind your own business, Orange Pig."
"You little brat! Are you trying to pick a fight with me?"
When no answer came, Black Nine-Tails clicked his tongue and went back to sleep in his nest.
The next morning, at the gates of Konoha, the Third Hokage gave his customary speech to rally the troops before battle.
A group of village shinobi about to head for the battlefield between the Cloud Ninja and Konoha gathered together. Hanazuki and Anko waited at the edge of the crowd with the others.
Sarutobi Hiruzen wore his Hokage robes and rubbed his fingers against his pipe. His face was old, yet not a single strand of his hair or beard was gray.
Thin wisps of smoke curled around him as he surveyed the crowd. When he saw all those young faces, he couldn't help letting out a deep sigh.
"War is always detestable. That's why the Hokage of every generation have devoted themselves to finding a path to peace and have continually sought peace with the nations around us."
"But now we're in the middle of a war, and we have no choice but to send you into battle. It's truly unavoidable."
"Wherever the leaves dance, the fire will never die... The light of the fire will drive the darkness from our village, and Konoha's new sprouts will once again grow into towering trees..."
A crisp spit rang out. The voice carried a hint of disdain. Talking about the Will of Fire while sending children who were still tender sprouts onto the battlefield—what could be more hypocritical?
"Just as expected of Lord Hokage. What a way with words! When will we get to learn such profound wisdom from our books?"
The shinobi about to head into battle instinctively turned to look. At the edge of the crowd, a figure who could just barely be called a boy turned away and spat.
"Ptooey! Sorry, my throat's been a little itchy lately. I might have to get it checked out at the hospital."
"Uchiha Hanazuki, are you here to cause trouble on purpose?"
Mitokado Homura, the Hokage Advisor beside him, glared at Hanazuki. Some of the shinobi looked at Hanazuki's innocent face, their expressions turning colder.
"Never mind, Lady Mito. If you've caught a cold, you should take care of yourself. Would you like me to accompany you to the hospital?"
A gentle, kind voice came to Hanazuki's defense. He turned around and narrowed his eyes at the warm, tolerant smile and bright blond hair.
The future Fourth Hokage, Namikaze Minato, known as the Yellow Flash?
As Hanazuki stood there, stunned, the Limited Tsukuyomi Ninja World Sign-in System, which hadn't let him sign in since yesterday's underwear incident, popped up again to remind him it existed.
[You encountered a character from the Limited Tsukuyomi Ninja World who is the opposite of their counterpart. Character sign-in unlocked!] [Character sign-in: Namikaze Minato] [Abilities: Sage Mode (Mount Myoboku version), Rasengan, Flying Thunder God Technique...] [Random draw in progress... Sign-in successful. Today's reward: Flying Thunder God Technique!]
Huh? There was someone even better?
Hanazuki's expression changed from shock to confusion, then to delight and contemplation, before finally returning to normal.
This level of face-changing, on par with a technique from an ancient, mysterious land, lasted less than a second. Even so, Namikaze Minato couldn't help looking surprised.
He'd thought the beginner's protection period would only last a day. Who would've guessed there was something even better? He could sign in by meeting a character who was the opposite of their Limited Tsukuyomi counterpart?
The sudden surprise naturally filled him with joy, but with everyone watching, Hanazuki could only conceal his delight with his excellent face-changing skills.
In fact, Uchiha Hanazuki had often felt inferior because of his talent. He still had a ways to go compared to the truly gifted. After all, his Mangekyō Sharingan was a consumable magic card.
Lost in his own world, Hanazuki didn't notice the fleeting, meaningful looks exchanged by the two Hokage Advisors.
He openly opposes the Will of Fire. As expected of an heir to the evil Uchiha Clan. We can't let our guard down.
"That's all. I wish you all success in battle. For the sake of the sprouts who have yet to grow, let's go."
Sarutobi Hiruzen turned and left. The two Hokage Advisors quietly grew more wary in their hearts, then left as well.
"Are you all right? Do you need to go to the hospital?"
Anko looked worried. Usually a hot-blooded fool, she now wore a deeply concerned expression.
Uzuki Yugao, the teammate they had only met the day before, also looked worried. They were about to head to the battlefield. If a comrade let the team down at a critical moment, she might lose her life too.
"It's nothing. I just need to rest a little. So, are we heading to the battlefield now? If we're not careful, we could end up dead."
"If you're afraid of dying, don't become a shinobi. If you don't have the resolve to give your life to complete a mission, take off your Forehead Protector. Coward."
One disdainful gaze after another fell on Hanazuki. The expressions varied, but most were mocking or hostile, and most came from graduates his age.
He turned his head. The slightly taller, silver-haired boy with the emotionless face brought a smile to Hanazuki's lips.
"Could you be Kakashi, the legendary genius graduate of the Ninja Academy?"