Chapter 35 – The Turning Tides of War
I leaned back in my chair, exhaling slowly. Now, all that was left to do was wait.
Hina had already sent the salesgirl off with a briefcase full of ryo, and soon enough, I'd have the Earth and Wind ninjutsu manuals, along with every taijutsu and genjutsu scroll she could get her hands on. A solid foundation.
Still, there was nothing more frustrating than waiting.
Hina must've noticed my restless energy because she leaned forward slightly, amusement flickering in her eyes.
"You seem impatient."
"I just don't like sitting still."
She smirked. "Then let's talk. You've been keeping up with the war, right?"
That got my attention. I straightened slightly, my curiosity piqued.
"Depends," I said. "Which part?"
"The biggest news," she answered, crossing one leg over the other. "The Second Hokage is dead."
I didn't react immediately. I already knew this was coming. Tobirama Senju, the man responsible for so much of Konoha's foundation, had finally met his end.
"He went out fighting, huh?" I said, keeping my tone neutral.
Hina nodded. "Ambushed by the Gold and Silver Brothers. He held them off long enough for his team to escape, but in the end…" She trailed off, not needing to finish.
I hummed, resting my chin on my hand. "The Gold and Silver Brothers… Kumo's so-called treasures, huh?"
Those two were a menace. Kinkaku and Ginkaku—users of the Sage of Six Paths' sacred tools, infamous for wielding ridiculous amounts of chakra due to surviving inside the Nine-Tails' stomach. A pair of broken characters if there ever was one.
"Not the most honorable way for a Hokage to go," I muttered. "Getting jumped by a couple of rogue brothers with too much chakra and not enough sense."
Hina shot me a look. "He sacrificed himself so his squad could escape. That's honorable."
"Oh, it's honorable, alright. Just also a little ironic."
"Ironic?"
"Think about it." I gestured lazily. "Tobirama was the one who created the ANBU, made the Chūnin Exams a thing, and structured the entire shinobi system to focus on teamwork and survival. And yet, in the end, he pulls a classic 'stay behind and hold them off' move."
Hina exhaled, but I caught the slight twitch of her lips. She probably didn't disagree, but she wasn't about to say it outright.
"Either way," she said, "his student is Hokage now."
Ah, right. That part.
"Hiruzen Sarutobi," I said.
"You know of him?"
More than you'd think.
I knew exactly what kind of man Hiruzen was. The so-called Professor. The God of Shinobi (of his era, at least). The man who would oversee Konoha's golden years and its darkest moments.
Right now, though? He was young.
He wasn't the aging leader struggling with political pressure or the man who'd later hesitate in dealing with Orochimaru. He was at his peak—sharp, analytical, and powerful.
"A smart choice for Hokage," I said, rolling my shoulders. "Tobirama always liked his brains. Guess we'll see if that's enough to keep Konoha together."
Hina watched me curiously. "You sound like you're expecting trouble."
I snorted. "Hina, it's a war. Trouble's already here."
She didn't argue that.
"And speaking of war," she said, tilting her head, "I assume you know about the other notable names in this conflict?"
I did.
This was the time when legends were being forged in fire and blood.
Across the battlefield, young prodigies were making their mark.
The First Kazekage's legacy was in the hands of the current generation.
The Mist was sharpening its blades, their future Swordsmen in training.
The Raikage's forces were moving with brutal efficiency.
And in Konoha?
The future Sannin were still kids, barely scratching the surface of their potential.
Orochimaru, with his unsettling brilliance, was already standing out.
Jiraiya was no doubt getting himself into trouble.
Tsunade was probably still innocent, unaware of the horrors she'd witness soon.
They weren't legends yet. But they would be.
"Yeah," I muttered. "I know about them."
Hina studied me, then smirked. "You're an odd one, Murakami."
"Flattered."
"You don't just hear about events—you analyze them like you've seen them before."
If only she knew.
"It pays to look at the bigger picture," I said vaguely.
She hummed, clearly not satisfied, but let it go.
"Well," she said, standing up, "since you're so interested in the bigger picture, keep an eye on how this war shifts. Konoha may have lost its Hokage, but they're not weak."
I smirked. "Please. If there's one thing Konoha has, it's main character energy. They'll be fine."
Hina rolled her eyes, muttering something under her breath about me being impossible.
I just chuckled.
Tobirama was gone. Hiruzen was in power. The war was still raging.
And me?
I was sitting in a Lotus Store, waiting for my next step forward.
The world was moving. And I had no intention of staying behind.
Just then, I noticed a familiar chakra signature stepping into my sensory range.
I turned to the door a split second before I even heard the footsteps approaching.
Without hesitation, I raised a single hand and performed the transformation seal, my chakra molding around me in an instant. My form shifted, and within seconds, I looked exactly like the same random guy I had turned into earlier.
Just in case.
Hina arched a brow but said nothing.
Moments later, the door creaked open, and Akari, the same salesgirl from before, stepped inside. She moved with a practiced ease, not hesitating as she approached Hina's desk.
In her hands was a scroll.
"Here it is," she announced, presenting the scroll to Hina. "All the requested materials have been purchased and sealed within."
Hina took the scroll with a nod of acknowledgement. "Good work."
Akari bowed respectfully before turning on her heel and exiting the office without another word. The door clicked shut behind her, leaving the room silent once more.
I waited a few more seconds before dispelling my transformation with a light poof. Chakra smoke dissipated, and I was back to my usual, devastatingly handsome self.
Hina rolled her eyes at my theatrics and handed me the scroll.
"Here. Try not to combust from excitement."
I snorted but took the scroll, unfurling it. The familiar storage seal pattern lined the parchment, but I quickly recognized the structure. A compact storage scroll I designed to hold other storage scrolls.
Efficient. Practical. And most importantly…Perfect.
I made it after all.
Inside were the various techniques Akari had just purchased. My eyes scanned the names, taking mental notes as I went.
Earth Style: Earth Wall (C-Rank) – A staple defensive technique, forming solid barriers of earth.
Earth Style: Mud Clone (C-Rank) – A durable clone technique with more physicality than the standard Shadow Clone.
Earth Style: Rock Bullet (C-Rank) – Rapid-fire earth projectiles for mid-range combat.
Earth Style: Underground Fish Projection (C-Rank) – A sneaky maneuver that allows the user to submerge into the ground and launch surprise attacks.
I nodded in approval before continuing.
Wind Style: Gale Palm (D-Rank) – A technique that enhances speed and throwing power by generating a burst of wind.
Wind Style: Air Bullet (C-Rank) – Condensed wind projectiles capable of striking enemies at a distance. Not as strong as Rasengan but still solid.
Wind Style: Wind Cutter (C-Rank) – A sharp, slicing wind-based attack, effective for dismembering or weakening opponents.
Wind Style: Drilling Air Bullet (B-Rank) – A stronger variation of Air Bullet, spinning on impact to maximize penetration and damage.
I whistled. Not bad. These techniques would give me flexibility in both offense and defense.
Then, my gaze fell on the Taijutsu and Genjutsu sections.
Leaf Whirlwind (D-Rank) – A simple yet effective kick-based maneuver, often used as an opener or to create space.
Strong Fist: Foundational Drills (D-Rank) – A training guide covering the basics of Konoha's famous Taijutsu style, emphasizing power and brute strength over finesse.
Silent Step Method (D-Rank) – A movement technique that muffles footsteps, allowing for stealthy approaches and ambushes.
And finally, the Genjutsu:
Demonic Illusion: False Surroundings (C-Rank) – A basic illusion that subtly alters the enemy's perception of their environment.
Demonic Illusion: Hell Viewing (C-Rank) – A fear-based Genjutsu that manipulates the target's subconscious, making them experience terrifying visions.
Paralysis Illusion (C-Rank) – A technique that momentarily locks an enemy in place, restricting movement and leaving them vulnerable to follow-up attacks.
Now this was a solid foundation.
I let out a satisfied hum. A well-rounded selection. Enough to elevate my combat abilities without overloading myself with unnecessary techniques.
"Satisfied?" Hina asked, watching me scan the scroll.
"For now," I said, rolling the parchment back up. "But I'll be needing something else soon."
Hina smirked. "Oh? Already craving more?"
"I'm ten, Hina. I'm always craving more," I deadpanned. "But this time, I'm talking about something a little different."
She tilted her head, waiting for me to continue.
"I need a place to train."
Her brows lifted slightly. "You don't already have one?"
"Oh sure, let me just go practice destructive elemental jutsus in the middle of the orphanage. That won't raise any alarms at all."
She chuckled. "Fair point."
I leaned forward, resting my elbows on the desk. "I need an apartment. Preferably somewhere with enough space for training but isolated enough that I won't have to worry about nosy neighbors."
Hina hummed in thought.
"You know," she mused, "that's not exactly an easy request. Property in Konoha isn't cheap. And more importantly—"
"I'm ten," I finished for her. "Yeah, I know. Kind of hard to buy real estate when you're still considered a kid."
"So you want me to handle it for you?"
"You catch on quick."
She gave me a look, clearly unimpressed.
"Are you sure you want to drop that much on a place? You could use that money for a lot of other things."
I waved a hand dismissively. "What else am I gonna do? Buy a lifetime supply of dango? This is an investment in my future."
Hina sighed, rubbing her temples. "You're lucky I like a challenge."
"And I'm lucky you're not ripping me off," I added, grinning.
"Yet," she shot back.
I smirked.
Having an apartment wasn't just about comfort, it was about freedom.
As much as I could train in the orphanage's back area, it wasn't exactly ideal. The space was limited, and if I started using advanced techniques, it wouldn't be long before someone took notice and started asking questions.
And I wasn't in the mood for interrogation from the Hokage's office.
Not to mention the kids.
"I'll look into it," Hina finally said. "But don't expect miracles. Finding a place that fits all your criteria isn't easy."
"I believe in you," I said, placing a hand over my heart dramatically.
She rolled her eyes. "You're insufferable."
"And yet, you keep doing business for me."
She didn't deny it.
I leaned back, feeling a sense of accomplishment settle in. Step one of my plan was complete.
Now, I had the jutsus. Soon, I'd have a place to train.
And after that?
It was time to start getting serious. Not that I wasn't already, but if before I was waiting to have things handed to me, now, I was taking.
What's the point of my money if I didn't spend them on myself?
Despite my uncaring exterior, I knew that the future was anything but calm.
Yes, staying within Konoha would guarantee my safety, but I wasn't foolish enough to believe I'd be able to keep myself isolated from the happenings of this world.