Receiving a million ryō didn't change Nara Kazuki's life all that much.
Sure, as a shinobi, he had a lot of expenses—ninja tools, ninjutsu scrolls, mission gear—but they were relatively fixed.
Still, the windfall did mean he could finally go back to training his ninja tool throwing. He had stashed it away after a while due to how inefficient it was—stacking more jutsu proficiency had been a much better return on investment.
The most efficient way to train ninja tool mastery? Explosive tags. Two explosive tag throws equaled one point of experience. Kazuki had discovered that on a mission.
But explosive tags were expensive. So Kazuki had relegated that training to the bottom of his list, focusing instead on stacking Great Fireball Jutsu reps.
Now, though, with money in his pouch and time to spare, he was reconsidering. Still, he didn't rush to grind it. Explosive tags were better reserved for Obito.
As the next three days passed, Kazuki noticed the ANBU's activity ramping up. Where once there was one squad stationed per zone, now there were two—some even had three or four.
Konoha's defense net was tightening.
Which meant...
"The time's almost here," Kazuki murmured, a grin tugging at his lips.
Uzumaki Kushina's delivery was imminent, and Uchiha Obito could strike at any moment. This was it. This was when he could potentially earn a Rewind Point.
At that very moment, Kazuki was hacking away with his sword, over and over.
His Hatake Sword Style was just about ready to level up—his last shot to power up before facing Obito.
Other skills were too far from their next breakthrough, but Kazuki had made preparations. Just in case.
Hell, he'd even gone as far as commissioning a life-sized Rin Nohara puppet from a puppeteer. Hyper-realistic.
"Hopefully I won't have to use it… 'cause if I do..." Kazuki scratched his head.
Using it would be devastating. It would guarantee Obito's aggro would lock fully onto Kazuki, no matter how many Rasengans Minato hurled at him.
But it would also make the game hell difficulty.
Obito, in the current "pre-1.0 version" of the shinobi world, was the final boss. In the future, he'd be temporarily replaced by Nagato, and later by Kabuto.
And explaining to anyone why you were carrying around a fake Rin? Not a fun conversation. Especially when the person in question was, y'know, supposed to be dead.
Definitely a last-resort item.
Shing!
Another clean strike. His sword skill counter ticked up. Just ten more reps.
Nearby, Byakko stood silently, though his mask didn't hide the look of "What the hell is this guy doing?"
Kazuki could feel it.
Kakashi, meanwhile, was unbothered. At this point, nothing Kazuki did surprised him. If Kazuki started cross-dressing tomorrow, Kakashi would just assume it was Transformation Jutsu training.
Kazuki kept swinging his iron practice sword. Not a chakra blade—just regular steel. Sharp enough to train with, though.
In the distance, a drunk vomited all over the street. The smell was nauseating, but none of them moved.
Tonight, they were assigned to patrol the area near Konoha's gate, which was home to a few taverns and bars. Some Uchiha police patrolled the area, their uniforms cutting through the night.
It was calm. Too calm.
Kazuki kept training. Sweat rolled down his back. And then—ding.
Level up.
[This Moment, You Are Hatake Kazuki]
Gain deeper insight into the Hatake Sword Style. Chakra adheres more easily to your blade.
[Rurouni Kenshin]
Your swordplay becomes more fluid. Slightly increased range, speed, and mobility while attacking.
[Go With the Swift Wind]
Hatake Sword Style now incorporates Wind Release. Attacks gain Wind-natured damage. Multiple strikes accumulate "Gale Points." The more points you stack, the more powerful the resultant whirlwind. Points reset upon release.
"..." Kazuki scratched his head.
First option—simple but useful. Better sword control.
Second—basic buffs across the board.
Third—Wind-infused swordplay with a stacking cyclone mechanic.
No contest.
Kazuki picked the third.
How could he resist? It reminded him of his favorite League of Legends champion back in his old world—Yasuo, the windy sword bastard that tilted everyone in solo queue.
If he could stack enough cyclones… maybe he could unleash a hurricane.
Now that would be something.
After choosing, Kazuki set his blade aside and rolled his neck.
Kushina's exact due date was still unknown. It was close, sure—but nobody outside the inner circle knew for certain.
He was just a humble ANBU chūnin, far from that level of clearance.
Just like in the old world—until you reached a certain wealth or power level, no "Epstein" ever invited you to that island.
"Let's move. Shift change," Kakashi said.
Kazuki followed.
He did recall that Kushina gave birth outside the village.
And the next location they were headed to... matched that memory.
He silently walked behind Kakashi, and soon they arrived on the outskirts of Konoha.
Already gathered there were ten ANBU squads.
They were the eleventh.