Ninjutsu Exchange Office
"I have three A-Rank mission records. What rank of Jutsu can I exchange for?" Taiichi genuinely didn't know the rules here.
The Chunin panicked slightly. Had his rudeness earlier offended this little genius? He quickly answered, "Two A-Rank records can be exchanged for one B-Rank Jutsu, or one A-Rank record can be exchanged for two C-Rank Jutsu."
"Are those the only options? What if I want to exchange for an A-Rank Jutsu?"
"Apologies. We only offer B and C-Rank exchanges here. Anything higher requires the direct approval of the Hokage," the Chunin explained.
It made sense. B and C-Rank Jutsu were generally safe to practice. Even if you failed, you wouldn't hurt yourself too badly.
But A-Rank and above? Those were dangerous. Messing up could mean crippling yourself or worse. Plus, those high-level techniques were the village's strategic assets, not something handed out freely.
"Alright. Exchange everything for C-Rank Jutsu then. Show me the catalogs for all five elemental natures."
"All five?" The Chunin's jaw dropped. Usually, only Jonin bothered learning a second element to cover their weaknesses. This kid wanted all five?
"Why? Is there a rule against it?" Taiichi asked innocently.
"No, no rule." The Chunin stopped questioning and pulled five scrolls from his desk drawer. "Here are the catalogs for the C-Rank Jutsu available in the village for each nature. Pick what you want, and I'll get the originals."
Taiichi took the scrolls and started reading.
As he browsed, he noticed that while there were many Jutsu, most had overlapping functions. Attack, defense, utility—there were only so many ways to throw an element.
He made his choices quickly:
Water Style: Wild Water Wave
Earth Style: Underground Voyage
Earth Style: Earth Flow Divide
Lightning Style: Lightning Ball
Lightning Style: Lightning Clone
Wind Style: Vacuum Sphere
Aside from the Water and Wind techniques which reinforced his main affinities, the Earth and Lightning Jutsu filled the gaps in his arsenal.
Once he mastered these, he would effectively be an all-element ninja.
He told the Chunin his choices. The Chunin gave him a weird look, probably thinking, Whose kid is this? Wasting precious mission credits on C-Rank Jutsu of every element just for fun?
But then again, maybe this was just how geniuses operated. Mortals wouldn't understand.
A few minutes later, the Chunin returned with six scroll cases.
He handed them over along with Taiichi's registration card, then stared at him with pleading eyes that clearly said: Please leave.
Taiichi, feeling creeped out by the intense staring, took his loot and left without a word.
The sun had already set. Taiichi walked home briskly. His schedule for the next few days was going to be packed.
---
The following days were exactly as busy as Taiichi expected. His routine was full: training, studying, and visiting friends.
He spent time exchanging theories on one-handed seals with Minato and tutoring Rin on medical ninjutsu.
Hard work paid off. The notifications kept rolling in.
> [Congratulations. Skill S-Rank Water Style: Wild Water Dance completed. Lv1 (20/100)]
> [Congratulations. Skill S-Rank Water Style: Great Water Prison Jutsu (Modified) completed. Fused with C-Rank Water Prison and A-Rank Great Water Prison. Merged into S-Rank Great Water Prison Jutsu Lv3 (142/400)]
> [Congratulations. Learned C-Rank Water Style: Wild Water Wave Lv2 (25/200)]
> [Congratulations. Learned C-Rank Wind Style: Vacuum Sphere Lv2 (32/200)]
The Earth and Lightning Jutsu were also registered as skills, albeit at Lv0 (Unmastered). Since these weren't his innate affinities, he had to learn them from scratch. But with the System, mastery was just a matter of time.
Until—
Early one morning, a dusty gray bird fluttered clumsily into Taiichi's sensory range.
The bird was bold. Seeing Taiichi training, it didn't shy away but aimed to land directly on his shoulder.
Taiichi, sensing something landing on him, instinctively reached up and grabbed it.
Squawk!
The bird flew right into his hand.
"Jiji! Let me go! Jiji!" A voice like a broken duck quacked from the bird's beak.
Taiichi held the bird away from his face, grimacing. "Quiet. Diving at me like that? Are you trying to get cooked?" He squeezed slightly.
"Ji~" The bird shut its beak instantly, freezing in terror.
"Talk. Why are you here?" Taiichi opened his hand slightly.
"Jiji! I'm Jiji! I'm Yamaguchi Masasuke's summon! I'm here to deliver a message, Jiji!" The bird shook itself, smoothing its ruffled feathers before speaking again.
Taiichi looked at the bird with a weird expression. Captain Yamaguchi, the definition of serious, has a contract with this goofy bird?
Jiji felt uncomfortable under Taiichi's gaze and shook his feathers again. "Masasuke says there's an emergency mission. Prep supplies. Meet at the village gate in two hours."
It flapped its wings to take off, but Taiichi grabbed it again. "What's the rush? Any details?"
"Jiji! No details! Jiji has to tell Yohei Uchiha and Saori Furukawa! Let go of Jiji!" the bird screeched, its voice becoming even more grating.
Hearing that it needed to notify his teammates, Taiichi released it. He watched it circle once overhead before darting away.
An emergency mission with zero intel? Taiichi thought. That's rare.
He shook his head and sprinted home to pack.
---
Two Hours Later, Konoha Main Gate
When Taiichi arrived, Yohei and Saori were already waiting.
They exchanged greetings, all equally confused about the mission. Usually, they got the briefing first, then prepped gear. This "pack first, ask later" approach was unusual.
They waited a while longer until Captain Yamaguchi arrived, right on time.
"No time to waste," Yamaguchi announced immediately. "The mission is a supply run to a border outpost. Due to... special circumstances, their resupply is two days late. We're on a tight schedule. We leave now. I'll brief you on the way."
"Yes, sir!" x3