Ninjas were truly glass cannons. They wielded supernatural power, but their defense was pathetic.
A Ninjutsu, a blade, or even a single shuriken could end a ninja's life.
The recent duel had taught Taiichi a harsh lesson. In a head-on fight, Nagano Masaru couldn't touch him.
But a moment of negligence, a surprise attack, and a simple wakizashi almost ended his life.
How to improve defense?
Currently, the strongest defense in the ninja world belonged to the Third Raikage. His Lightning Release Chakra Mode and his ultimate physical body provided unparalleled protection.
It was said he could fight the Eight-Tails head-on with just his body. That level of defense was unimaginable.
With the Third Raikage as a reference, Taiichi had some ideas.
First, the physical body. Taiichi believed that as his Advanced Taijutsu leveled up, his physical defense would naturally increase. The System had given him Basic Taijutsu, then Advanced Taijutsu. Maybe there would be Master Taijutsu later.
He had faith in the System and himself.
The only downside was time. Physical conditioning was a slow process; it wouldn't show immediate results.
The second idea was Ninjutsu. There were plenty of defensive Jutsu: Lightning Armor, Earth Hardening, Steel Release, Sand Armor.
Even stronger ones existed: Susanoo, Tailed Beast Cloaks, Six Paths Mode.
Taiichi's favorite was Gaara's future Sand Armor. It looked normal but could block Rock Lee's gated kicks.
That level of defense was more than enough for surprise attacks. Anything stronger wasn't a sneak attack anymore, and Taiichi didn't fear head-on confrontations.
Looking at his list of potential Jutsu based on memory, Taiichi had a headache. He knew of them, but he didn't know how to learn them. In the end, he decided to develop his own.
He dug through the scrolls Tsunade left him. He found some with similar effects but none were quite right.
Since he decided to develop his own, these would serve as references.
He picked up a scroll and started reading, taking notes as ideas sparked.
---
Hokage's Office.
Hiruzen sat behind his desk, smoke curling from his pipe, obscuring his gaze. Homura Mitokado stood beside him as they listened to Koharu Utatane and Masasuke Yamaguchi report.
Koharu handed over the 700 million ryo draft.
Hiruzen took it, exhaling smoke. "700 million. That's nearly 50% more than expected. You did well."
"Very well. This alleviates the village's financial strain. The material acquisitions nearly emptied our reserves," Homura added, relieved.
"However, the Daimyo's attitude..." Koharu frowned. "He used a samurai to test our ninja and had officials try to poach our Genin. Especially Taiichi. They kept mentioning his orphan status. They thought we didn't notice, but it was blatant."
"Oh?" Hiruzen sat up straighter, his expression serious. "Is the Daimyo unsatisfied with his current power?"
"We don't know if he wants more authority or if he has ideas about the 'One Country, One Village' system," Koharu continued.
Homura snorted. "Since the First Hokage established the system, the Daimyo and Konoha have stayed in their lanes. Now he recruits samurai and covets our ninja? Does he want to discard Konoha?"
"There's more," Yamaguchi added. "The Daimyo asked about our manpower and requested regular Jonin squads stationed at the capital. I suspect they want to use 'protection' as a cover for infiltration and poaching."
Silence fell over the office.
"Hiruzen, say something," Koharu pressed. "If the Daimyo moves, what do we do?"
Hiruzen closed his eyes, thinking of Danzo. Danzo would have ideas. But remembering Danzo's hateful look when he demanded the Root roster, Hiruzen dismissed the thought.
"Increase intelligence gathering. Have ANBU monitor the Daimyo's mansion. Without proof, we can't do anything."
"Hiruzen, why not let Danzo—" Homura started.
"Enough, Homura. ANBU can handle this. Root should focus on other villages," Hiruzen interrupted sharply.
The room fell silent again.
"What about Taiichi and the others?" Yamaguchi asked cautiously.
"Hold for now." Hiruzen tapped his pipe. "Since the Daimyo is interested in Taiichi, he'll make more moves. We can use that. Let Taiichi bring back intel."
"You mean... spy?"
---
Days passed. As predicted, the Daimyo's envoy arrived with a commission for three Jonin squads to guard the capital.
It was a provocation to the nervous Konoha leadership.
But it was a legitimate request. As the Land of Fire's ninja village, Konoha couldn't refuse without risking funding and reputation.
Hiruzen selected trusted Jonin, briefed them on the situation, and sent them off.
He knew he couldn't stop the poaching forever. Eventually, someone would succumb to temptation.
Looks like I'll need Danzo after all. He's best at this.
Ignoring the political games, Taiichi was buried in paperwork. His room was littered with discarded drafts.
He was obsessed. Even with Shadow Clones training, he looked like a wreck—bloodshot eyes, messy hair, clothes stained with ink and food.
Developing Ninjutsu wasn't easy. His previous successes—Wild Water Dance, Chakra Sensing, CES Body Flicker—came from sudden inspiration.
This time, he had no clue where to start. He wondered how Tobirama Senju's brain worked to invent so many Forbidden Jutsu.
Minato took three years to develop the Rasengan. Taiichi realized his previous successes were incredibly lucky.
Just as he was spiraling into madness, a knock came at the door.
Taiichi blinked, confused. Who would visit now?
Opening the door, the sunlight blinded him. He shielded his eyes instinctively.
"Taiichi! How long have you been inside? You look terrible!" Yohei exclaimed. Saori gasped beside him.
Taiichi's eyes adjusted. "Yohei? Saori? Why are you here?"
"Did you stay inside until you turned stupid? Did you forget what day it is?" Yohei looked at him like he'd seen a ghost. This disheveled mess was nothing like the confident Taiichi they knew.
Taiichi let them in, muttering, "What day is it?" His brain felt like rusted gears grinding.
"It's our training day!" Saori reminded him gently. "We waited at the training ground for ages. We got worried."
"Ah! Damn it! I forgot!" Taiichi looked guilty.
"By the way, Taiichi, what are you doing? Why is your room a disaster?" Yohei pointed at the sea of paper.
Taiichi slumped into a chair, looking defeated. "I'm trying to develop a defensive Jutsu, but I have no ideas. My head is about to explode."
"No way... You've been agonizing over this for days?" Yohei looked incredulous. Saori stared at him like he was an alien.
"What? Is there a problem?" Taiichi asked, confused.
Saori explained, "Taiichi, I haven't developed Jutsu, but my father said it's a long process. No one expects to start today and finish tomorrow."
Her words struck Taiichi like lightning.
He had tunneled vision. Tobirama spent a lifetime developing Jutsu. Minato spent three years on Rasengan. Taiichi knew this, yet he expected instant success because of his previous luck.
He had let success go to his head.
Realizing this, Taiichi felt a massive weight lift. "Thank you, Saori, Yohei! If you hadn't come, I might have been stuck like this forever!"
"Haha! See, Saori? Good thing I insisted on coming!" Yohei bragged, then turned to Taiichi. "Go clean up! No training today. We're going out to relax. Work-life balance!"
Taiichi was touched. They gave up their training to help him.
"Give me a few minutes!"
He rushed to the bathroom. Fifteen minutes later, he emerged clean and refreshed, though still a bit tired.
"Let's go! My treat! BBQ!" Taiichi announced.
---
Konoha's streets were bustling. Taiichi took a deep breath of fresh air, expelling days of stagnation.
"Hey, Taiichi, spacing out?" Yohei slung an arm around his shoulder. "Look! New dango shop! Sweets make you happy!"
Saori stopped at a grocery store, frowning at the price tags.
"Strange. Rice prices changed again. It wasn't this high two days ago."
"What?" Taiichi looked. "New rice: 120 ryo/kg." It was 100 ryo just days ago.
"Not just rice. Oil, salt... everything is up," Yohei noted, frowning.
They remembered the 700 million ryo funding. "The village must be stockpiling heavily," Taiichi whispered.
Merchants were sensitive. Sharp price fluctuations meant the village was buying in bulk, no longer hiding it.
"Are we going to war again?" Saori whispered, disbelief in her voice. "It's only been a few years of peace."
Silence fell.
Suddenly, Yohei slapped their backs loudly. "Oi! We're here to relax! We even skipped training! War is for the Hokage to worry about. Today, we play!"
Taiichi snapped out of it and laughed. "You're right! If the sky falls, the Hokage will hold it up!"
"Let's go! We're eating our way through the street! My treat!"
Saori smiled, her worry fading. "You said it. Don't complain if I eat too much."
"Haha! Taiichi's wallet is gonna bleed!" Yohei cheered. "Dango first! Then sweets! Then BBQ!"
They regained their energy, eating and laughing their way through town until they ended up at the BBQ place for lunch.
Sipping her drink, Saori said suddenly, "Actually, Taiichi, I don't think you need to rush developing new Jutsu. You're already very strong."
"Yeah," Yohei agreed through a mouthful of meat. "The two of us together can't beat you. You're already Jonin level!"
Taiichi paused, feeling warmth in his heart. Looking at their concerned eyes, his problems seemed smaller.
"Thank you. But I still need to develop it. I just won't obsess over it anymore."
"That's the spirit!" Yohei raised his juice. "Cheers! To our friendship, and to Taiichi's success!"
"Cheers!" x3
Taiichi sipped his juice, watching the liquid swirl in the glass. A thought struck him.
"Say... what do you think is the principle behind the Hozuki Clan's Hydrification Technique?"