Akira’s training regimen gained another task, chakra nature transformation.
Everyone knew that chakra had two types of transformation, shape transformation and nature transformation.
Shape transformation was easy to understand.
It involved changing the form, structure, and physical shape of chakra.
Nature transformation was just as straightforward.
It altered chakra’s inherent properties, allowing it to imitate one of the seven elemental attributes.
Mastering the nature transformation of a particular element meant mastering that element’s ninjutsu.
Combining the nature transformations of two different elements produced a kekkei genkai, turning its wielder into a bloodline shinobi.
Over time, chakra would even alter one’s genes, allowing the bloodline to be passed down to future generations.
Which meant…
The reason civilian shinobi remained civilians was because their ancestors hadn’t worked hard enough to create a bloodline limit.
As for combining three different nature transformations, that produced what was known as a kekkei tota, such as the Third Tsuchikage’s Dust Release.
Akira couldn’t help wondering whether, with the system, he might eventually be able to fuse even more chakra natures together.
As for the system’s gacha function…
He wasn’t placing too much hope in it.
The Ninja World was full of godlike monsters throwing hands with each other.
Unless the system one day introduced something absurdly powerful, like a Black Myth-themed banner, most ordinary pools simply wouldn’t be enough.
He had spent over seventy pulls on the previous Tomb Raider banner.
He had practically cleaned Lara out.
But no matter how legendary an adventurer, master of modern and ancient weapons, or genius archaeologist Lara was, she wasn’t a superhero.
She had no supernatural powers, so the benefits she’d provided were ultimately limited.
The current Sifu Banner was much the same.
Akira was waiting for an opportunity.
A banner that could propel him straight to the top.
Until then, he needed to find ways to earn more Reputation.
Should he mass-produce firearms?
He considered it briefly before abandoning the idea.
Better to grow stronger first and reach a higher position before worrying about things like that.
Introducing firearms too early could easily bring about the end of the shinobi era.
It might even trigger an even greater war.
Better to keep training.
Everyone knew Wood Release was formed by combining the Water and Earth chakra natures.
Akira possessed Water, Earth, and Wind affinities.
Theoretically, he could attempt to cultivate Wood Release.
He wasn’t greedy enough to expect it to rival Senju Hashirama’s.
If he could eventually reach Yamato’s level, he’d already be satisfied.
Hashirama’s overwhelming strength came from his enormous chakra reserves and Asura’s chakra.
Even without Wood Release, he would still have been terrifying with any other elemental techniques.
━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ The next morning…
Akira was only halfway through breakfast when Hiruko came rushing over in excitement.
Grabbing Akira by the arm, he immediately tried dragging him outside.
“Hold on.” Akira stopped him with one hand.
“Hiruko, what’s gotten into you?” Hiruko’s face was practically glowing with excitement.
“Akira, did you forget?
Danzo-sensei said yesterday that we’d officially start taking missions today.” “I figured we should get to Konoha’s Mission Hall early so we can pick a good one.” Akira calmly continued eating breakfast.
“What’s the rush?” “Even if you get there early, you can’t accept any missions.” “In the Mission Hall, aside from assignments directly issued by the village, only the squad leader has the authority to accept missions.” Hearing that, Hiruko’s excitement finally cooled.
Realizing there was no point in arriving early, he simply sat down and quietly waited for Akira to finish breakfast.
After eating, Akira changed into ordinary clothes and checked his shinobi pouch one last time before heading out.
The two of them didn’t go directly to the Mission Hall.
Instead, they made a detour to Hatake Sakumo’s house.
They had already gotten his address over dinner yesterday.
Sakumo’s parents had both passed away, so like Akira, he lived alone.
Getting in and out wasn’t difficult.
It was only six in the morning.
Sakumo was still asleep.
Unlike Akira and Hiruko, most people weren’t that obsessed with training.
Six o’clock was still sleeping time.
So Akira began practicing Water nature transformation.
Sitting beside the bed with a towel in his hand, he attempted to use chakra to make the towel become wet.
Meanwhile, Hiruko opened the notebook he always carried and began reviewing his medical studies.
When Sakumo finally opened his eyes…
He froze.
Why had two people suddenly appeared in his room overnight?
Not only that, they were both studying diligently and had even thoughtfully refrained from waking him.
Why did he suddenly feel guilty for being the only lazy one?
Seeing Sakumo awake, Hiruko greeted him immediately.
“Sakumo-niisan, we’re heading to Konoha’s Mission Hall.” “Want to come with us?” Sakumo yawned.
“I need to wash up and eat first.” “And next time, don’t quietly sneak into my house.” “Next time for sure.” Sakumo climbed out of bed, then astonishingly completed his entire morning routine, washing up, getting dressed, and eating breakfast in record time.
The three of them soon arrived outside the Mission Hall.
Danzo hadn’t specified a meeting time the previous day, so they simply waited outside.
Akira continued practicing nature transformation.
Hiruko had already pulled out another medical textbook and immersed himself in it.
Sakumo looked back and forth between them.
He had the strange feeling that if he didn’t practice something himself, he’d seem completely out of place.
So he planted a wooden stake nearby and began practicing the fundamentals of his swordsmanship.
People constantly entered and exited the Mission Hall.
Before long, someone informed Danzo that his three students were already waiting outside.
Soon afterward, Danzo arrived wearing his usual gloomy expression.
“It seems you’re eager to complete your first official mission.” “Very well.” “Today, I’ll let you experience your first taste of blood.” He held up a mission scroll.
It was a C-rank mission.
Bandit extermination.
Akira raised an eyebrow.
Straight to bloodshed?
No chasing lost cats first?
So this was the style of Konoha’s future Darkness.
Konoha really was the same terrifying organization as ever.
Even during peacetime, they still started children off by making them kill.
Six-year-olds committing murder…
It would be stranger if they didn’t grow up psychologically damaged.
No wonder the Ninja World produced so many fanatics and lunatics.
Without another word, Danzo led the three of them out.
shinobi traveled quickly.
Moving at full speed, they reached their destination in less than half a day.
Danzo pointed toward a mountain stronghold ahead.
“That’s the place.” “Kill them all.” The three children instantly vanished as black blurs.
It was an ordinary bandit camp with roughly thirty or forty outlaws.
Hatake Sakumo immediately drew his sword and charged straight in.
Akira took out his bow.
Hiruko remained beside him as protection.
At the front, Sakumo cut down one bandit after another.
From the rear, Akira continuously fired arrows, providing precise covering fire.
Whenever an enemy slipped through, Hiruko dealt with them.
Not a single member of the team hesitated or showed mercy.
Watching from the sidelines, Danzo nodded in approval again and again.