Naming Troubles
"Shiro, didn't you say you wanted to become an archer? Why haven't we ever seen you practice?" Chong Jie asked with a puzzled expression.
Qing Yu chimed in from the side, "Yeah, I don't think I've ever seen you use a bow."
"Now that you mention it, you're right," Yamada added, his tone tinged with concern. "You know, in Konoha, there aren't many shinobi who use bows. You might be making things harder for yourself. Have you considered another path?"
As their teacher and a Chūnin, Yamada's advice held weight. After all, archery was almost non-existent among shinobi—taijutsu, ninjutsu, and even genjutsu were far more common.
But Shiro had his own thoughts. He wasn't aiming to be a mere archer. He aspired to emulate a certain "nuclear sword immortal" who could trace countless weapons. Of course, he couldn't explain that. So, he chuckled and shrugged it off with a joke.
"Only low-level Archers use bows. Real Archers use swords."
"…"
"…"
"…"
Seeing that he didn't want to elaborate, the others dropped the topic. Only Yamada offered a final remark.
"Well, it's good to have your own path."
And just like that, the conversation ended. Shiro strange ideals were left unchallenged—for now.
---
A week passed.
Shiro didn't improve much. He wasn't a genius, and training over a few days couldn't change that. Only his Reinforcement Magic showed some progress—he could now enhance objects slightly faster. But Projection Magic remained limited. Due to his meager chakra reserves, the most he could manifest were simple weapons like kunai and shuriken. The projections lasted longer now, but were still unsuitable for real combat.
Still, Projection Magic proved valuable in an unexpected way: it allowed Shiro to "learn" techniques by projecting and analyzing them. In theory, he understood many ninjutsu—he knew their chakra flow, hand seals, and theoretical applications. But in practice? Most of them wouldn't work.
Shiro discovered that he could only use basic ninjutsu and Wind Release techniques. The other elements—Fire, Water, Earth, and Lightning—didn't respond to his chakra at all. He suspected it was because his magecraft and chakra nature clashed. After all, his origin and affinity weren't native to this world. Perhaps the very nature of chakra conflicted with his Type-Moon–style magecraft.
His current hypothesis was that chakra's elemental transformation system was incompatible with the structured, internalized magecraft of his old world. He hadn't yet tested Yin–Yang Release, but he assumed the result would be similar.
Still, the knowledge wasn't wasted. Even if he couldn't use the ninjutsu now, they might come in handy someday—either for teaching or replicating techniques through projection.
To ensure he had at least one ranged attack, he learned C-rank Wind Release: Great Breakthrough. It wasn't much, but it was better than nothing.
---
On this particular day, Yamada's squad gathered in front of the Hokage building. After all, genin earned their income through missions. Not everyone could afford to laze around like a certain blond future Hokage.
Luckily, they had enough war experience—albeit as background fodder in the Second Great Ninja War—that they didn't have to start with D-rank missions like catching cats. They had at least seen the battlefield.
Of course, some things never changed.
Chong Jie and Qing Yu were back at it again, getting cozy with each other even in public.
"Hey, could you two quit with the lovey-dovey stuff? I'm about to hurl," Shiro muttered irritably.
"Heh, if you're that bothered, go get your own girlfriend," Chong Jie teased.
"…"
Do you think everyone's a pervert like you? We're seven!
Before Shiro could retort, Yamada exited the building.
"What's all the noise about?"
"We're just wondering when Shiro will get a girlfriend!" Qing Yu replied, snickering.
Yamada sighed. "Qing Yu, you're seven. Don't you think it's a little early for that? Focus on training. Shiro already ahead of you."
"Exactly!" Shiro chimed in smugly. "All you two do is flirt. Heresy!"
"Tch, whatever. Jealousy looks bad on you," Chong Jie quipped. "So, sensei—what's today's mission?"
At that, Yamada's demeanor shifted. "We've been assigned a C-rank mission. You'll be clearing out a group of mountain bandits."
"Killing?" The question hung heavy in the air. Despite their battlefield support roles during the war, the three weren't used to actual killing. A moment of silence passed.
"Let's move," Yamada said firmly. "It's a long trip, and we have solid intel. I'll brief you more on the way."
---
Even with detailed intelligence, the journey took a full week. When they finally neared the target area:
"Sensei, next time can we get a mission that's closer?" Shiro complained.
"Seriously! I've barely even bathed," Qing Yu added.
"Hehe... I know, I know. My bad," Yamada said sheepishly. He'd overslept on mission registration day, so the better missions got snapped up. "Anyway, prep yourselves—we move soon."
"Yes!" the trio chorused.
Once ready, Yamada gave final instructions.
"The enemies are mostly non-shinobi. I'll stay on standby and observe. Shiro, you'll lead."
"Yes!" x3
Shiro, now their designated field leader, assigned Chong Jie and Qing Yu to flank and infiltrate from the rear. He would take the riskier frontal approach, supported by Reinforcement Magic and Yamada's watchful eye. He even used Projection Magic to trace one of Yamada's shuriken, absorbing its handling and experience. With his low chakra reserves, running two spells simultaneously was taxing, but manageable for now.
"Trace, on!"
Blue circuit lines glowed faintly across his body as Shiro surged forward.
Watching from a distance, Yamada was impressed.
That chakra efficiency... to get this kind of physical boost with so little chakra—it's remarkable. And his speed's increased again.
Shiro didn't hide his approach—he didn't have the chakra or skill to do a proper stealth op. But more than that, he wanted real combat experience.
"Enemy attack!"
Of course they saw him. The shout didn't faze Shiro—it was expected. But it definitely rattled Chong Jie and Qing Yu, who were still circling to the rear.
Wasn't this supposed to be a stealth op?! Did I misunderstand the plan?!
Surrounded, Shiro fought with brutal efficiency. His Reinforcement-enhanced punches took down thugs in one blow—until one bandit he struck vanished in a puff of smoke.
Substitution Jutsu?!
Real shinobi.
He sensed danger and barely dodged a kunai before getting kicked aside by a true enemy.
"How disgraceful. A proper shinobi reduced to a mere bandit?" Shiro scoffed as he got up.
"You Konoha elite wouldn't understand the hardships we've faced—"
"Shut up!" the other interrupted. "Just take him out!"
"Oh? So you can follow orders. Too bad it's too late."
BOOM!
A massive explosion echoed from the mountain.
"Exploding Tags?!" x3
Even Shiro hadn't expected that. But he didn't waste the opportunity.
"Earth Release: Double Suicide Decapitation Technique!"
The kunai-thrower was instantly dragged underground.
"What?!"
The second rogue turned, horrified, and froze for just a second. It was all Shiro needed.
"Trace, on!"
He reinforced his right fist with chakra, launched forward, and struck with all his might—his punch shattered the rogue shinobi's chest. One blow, one kill.
---
Victory.
Despite the surprise, the battle went smoothly. The two rogue ninja weren't even properly trained—they could barely manage the basics of the Three Body Technique.
And behind it all… was Yamada.
Unseen, he had been shadowing the two rogue ninja from the start, close enough to strike if needed. Their inability to even notice him spoke volumes about the gap between rogue shinobi and trained Konoha-nin.
Yamada was "just" a Chūnin, yet leagues above them.
Shiro exhaled slowly, staring at the blood on his fist.
"I'm really glad I was reborn in Konoha…"
"Hey! What're you standing around for, brat?" Yamada's voice snapped him out of it. "Go check on Chong Jie and Qing Yu. They used Exploding Tags. Even if it was just bandits, we'd better hurry."
"Right," Shiro nodded. He had teammates to worry about.