"Yes, Captain." Masashi bowed deeply towards the middle aged dark skinned man behind the desk. "I'll take a rest at the medical center."
The Captain nodded at his words. "Yes. You can leave the supplies with the ninja at the front. Your mission is complete." He said, smiling lightly at Masashi, having heard what happened.
Masashi exited the building and handed a few of the scrolls he had to a ninja. 'It's a shame. Seems these people treat each other quite well... If I was at any of Konoha's Platoons, I'd be tortured and grabbed by a Yamanaka for surviving on my own.'
Masashi sighed before asking around where the Medical center was.
---
"You dodged quite the damage." a Medical nin spoke, healing Masashi's wound below his eye.
Masashi chuckled slightly, his eyes dim. "Yeah..." He let out, his shoulders slumped before shaking his head after the healing finished and handing a few scrolls to the one who healed him.
"Can you hand these to the Medic in charge?" Masashi asked, before explaining. "It's the supplies. I would hand it over myself, but I want to rest a bit." He said, smiling slightly.
The medic nodded his head. "Well you're all healed, so rest is a given."
Masashi thanked the man and exited the Medical Center, walking towards the center of the Platoon.
After reaching it, he spotted a few ninjas leisurely chatting. Walking up to them, he greeted. "Hello. My name's Masashi."
The ninjas raised an eyebrow at him. "Didn't you just return from a mission?" They asked as word of Masashi's mission traveled between the Platoon quite quickly.
Masashi rubbed his neck sheepishly. "Haha... Yeah." He spoke and turned to who he sensed was a Jonin. "I just... I'm a big fan of you. I was wondering if I could get your autograph?" He asked, taking out a blank piece of paper with an excited smile.
The Jonin was instantly stunned at Masashi's words. "What..? I didn't know I was this famous. I just got promoted." As he spoke, he went forward and reached for the paper.
Masashi watched on and just as the Jonin grabbed the paper, he used Hoho, retreating to the entrance of the Platoon within a second.
"Masashi?" One of the guards at the gate saw Masashi appearing and called out.
Glancing at them, he undid his transformation and looked straight into their shocked eyes. Lifting his right hand, he formed a half ram seal.
"Kai."
As Byakuya's voice left his mouth, flames engulfed the Platoon in different places. The guards at the gate exploded as well, as Byakuya had placed Explosive seals close to them just before he appeared outside.
Byakuya knew most of the people at the gate wouldn't die because of the explosion. He did that on purpose. Using minimal explosives there, he wanted them to remember his face and report it to their leader.
He needed strength right now. And the easiest way to get Jutsus are with merit. He had effectively claimed this merit. With the victims shouting his name, no one can question who did it.
Taking one more glance at the Platoon and confirming some guards had survived, Byakuya vanished.
---
The next morning, the news of Byakuya's actions had reached Konoha's Platoon, sending them into a cheer.
The Platoon Captain also cheered. The mission didn't put much emphasis in the assassination part, but Byakuya achieved just that, even overachieving and blowing the Platoon to bits.
Although it might seem like it won't bring them much in this war as it was the Platoon closer to Kumogakure that got blown up, but that meant Iwagakure has to recover strength there.
"Meaning less ninjas here." Byakuya muttered, a small smirk upon his lips. "Let's just hope Kumo takes advantage and strike them down while they're at their weakest."
Byakuya was currently traveling back to Konohagakure. Pretty certain he has enough Merit to grab a few good Jutsus.
As he thought about his merit, he took out a green book and opened it. This was the Iwa bingobook given to ninjas by Konoha while they fought against Iwagakure.
It was a great system. It made Konoha ninjas eager to take out some enemies for rewards. When you turn in a bounty, you have a choice between straight cash of merit.
Flipping through the book, most of the first few bounties had large Xs crossed above them.
Byakuya had mostly targeted Chunins and had currently only killed three Jonin.
'My strength is at an awkward state.' He thought.
Byakuya would rank himself among the lowest of Jonins. He could hold himself against an experienced Jonin, but only by using underhanded means.
His Chakra reserves had currently surpassed High-Chunin, reaching Mid-Jonin. And with his larger Chakra reserves, Byakuya realized his sword can shatter into more petals.
That was one of the biggest plusses for Byakuya. When he first released his Shikai, he was quite disappointed by the lack of power, but he somehow knew it wasn't the Zanpakuto's power that was lacking.
Shaking his thoughts away, Byakuya picked up his speed, quickly reaching Konoha just as night creeped up again.
Stepping through the main entrance, Byakuya went towards the ninjas right inside that held record of everyone entering and exiting the Village. Nodding his head at them, he summoned his Zanpakuto, materializing it in his hand.
'Having a Kekkei Genkai is quite fortunate for this mad Village.' Byakuya mused, having used his Kekkei Genkai as a form of identification.
After getting confirmation from the ninjas, Byakuya quickly went to the Hokage Tower.
Not waiting long, Byakuya entered the Hokage's office.
"Ah, Byakuya boy. What can I help you with?" Hiruzen asked, looking up from the papers on his desk.
Byakuya bowed slightly as he spoke. "Sorry to bother you, Hokage-sama. I would like to request a few jutsus in exchange for the Merit I've built up." He explained.
"I see." The Hokage hummed. "If I remember correctly, Jiraiya said you have decent Wind affinity." He spoke, to which Byakuya nodded. "Very well." Hiruzen raised one hand causing an Anbu to appear next to him.
After the Hokage whispered a few words to the Anbu, the Anbu left.
"If you'd like, I can recommend a few jutsus for you?" Hiruzen smiled slightly.
Byakuya nodded, "Please, Hokage-Sama."
a Few seconds later, the Anbu returned and handed over a few scrolls to Hiruzen.
Gazing over them to confirm their contents, Hiruzen reached out and handed them to Byakuya. "Those are five Wind-Release Jutsus. Including two A-Rank and Three B-Rank."
Hearing the Hokage's words, Byakuya raised an eyebrow. 'Two A-Rank?' He thought, but bowed nonetheless, not questioning the Hokage's decision.
Hiruzen's eyes slightly widen. "Oh yes." He muttered, remembering something. "Due to your recent exploits during the war, you are hereby promoted to Chunin." He spoke, waving his hand lightly, signaling the end of the discussion.
"Thank you, Hokage-Sama." Byakuya thanked Hiruzen loudly, bowing slightly before exiting the office.
'Haaah... That old man was somewhere eavesdropping.' He thought, scanning the area as he felt Danzo's Chakra signature somewhere close to the Hokage's Office.
Shaking his head, Byakuya walked away.
Unknown to him, Danzo emerged from a dark corner, staring at Byakuya's back with narrowed eyes. 'This child...' He thought. 'I need him for Root.'