Naruto: Scatter

Byakuya put away the kunai and summoned his Zanpakuto before sheathing it. He gazed into the eyes of Minato who stood there smiling like a fool. 'To smile like this even after a defeat... Truly worthy of his nickname of Sunshine...' His thoughts get interrupted as the sound of applause comes from the side. 

Turning to the sound, he spots both Jiraiya and Hiruzen clapping. 

"What a wonderful display of skill." Hiruzen nodded. 

"Although it left much to be desired." Jiraiya mumbled, thinking about how Minato could've won even though he was holding back, but he had treaded too carefully around the boy's newfound strength. 

Hiruzen walked towards Byakuya, patting the boy's shoulder while glancing at his Zanpakuto. He noted the different look it had. Previously it looked like an ordinary katana, but now it has a simple cross guard, with an open frame much like a four-pane window. It has a bronze guard, with lavender hilt-wrapping, and a white sheath. 

"It seems you've awaken the true form of your Kekkei Genkai." Hiruzen smiled friendly at the child. 

Byakuya glanced down at the sword. 'This isn't the true power of my Shikai... It seems I'm still too weak to fully utilize it...' "Yes, Hokage-sama." Byakuya nodded. 

"Well then..." Hiruzen pat his shoulder once more, going silent for a while before speaking up again. "I approve of your graduation. Congratulations, Byakuya. You've officially become a Konoha Genin." He announced, pulling a ninja headband out of his sleeve. 

Byakuya narrowed his eyes at the prepared headband and accepted it. 'It seems he's predicted it... Did he know my strength before I came to him?' He thought. 

"I can't put you in a team right now as most people are preoccupied with the recent conflicts on all sides, but I will place you under Jiraiya's care for the moment." Hiruzen spoke up, glancing at Jiraiya which instantly shut the man up. 

"Thank you, Hokage-sama." Byakuya bowed slightly. 

"Alright!" Jiraiya clapped his hands together, garnering everyone's attention. "Now that that's finished, what did you call me here for Sarutobi-sensei?" He asked, his attention shifting between Byakuya and Hiruzen. 

"Oh yes..." Hiruzen mumbled. "It is the growing conflict from Iwagakure, they're sending out more and more of their shinobi into our borders. It's only a matter of time before a war breaks out." He revealed as Jiraiya hummed. 

"Those bastards are something else." Jiraiya stated causing Hiruzen to shake his head at the crass words, but after a second nod. 

"I need you to gather a few men and station a platoon within Kusagakure. I fear Iwagakure wouldn't stop their relentless assault anytime soon. I hope you will bring forth some hesitation in their moves." Hiruzen spoke, taking out his pipe after finishing. 

"Will do." Jiraiya nodded, his expression serious. "Is the platoon members already selected?" He asked, to which Hiruzen nodded. "Then we will depart tomorrow." He announced before walking towards Minato and Byakuya. "Minato, go inform your teammates. And Byakuya, you'll tag along for now." 

"Yes, Jiraiya-Sensei!" Minato nodded and vanished with a swirl of leaves. 

While Byakuya bowed slightly towards the Sannin. "I will go prepare then, Jiraiya-sama." He spoke before walking off. 

Jiraiya raised an eyebrow at his teacher, the Hokage. "Kid seems a bit stiff..." He commented dryly. 

And so the night passed quickly. 

The next morning, Byakuya could be seen standing at the Village's gates early in the morning, dressed in his white formal clothing with his family crest on his right shoulder, while his headband was strapped on his left. His hair was tied in the same high ponytail he always wore.

a Few hours later, Jiraiya and his team reached the gate. Behind them stood a few hundred ninjas. 

"Alright, We've all gathered, so let's move out." Jiraiya spoke up, loud enough for everyone to hear him. 

Byakuya walked to the back of the whole group and they all exited the Village. Not long after, Minato approaches him. a Smile ever present on the young man's face. 

"Morning, Byakuya." Minato grinned as he spoke, extending his arm for a handshake. 

Byakuya nodded slightly. "Goodmorning, Minato-san." He greeted back, not accepting the handshake as they weren't that close. 

Chuckling awkwardly, Minato took his hand back and walked next to Byakuya. "So, Byakuya." He called out, capturing the boy's attention. "During our spar, I noticed you didn't know any Jutsus outside of the basic three." 

Hearing Minato's words, Byakuya nodded in agreement. "That is true." 

Minato's smirk slowly came back. "Well if you know what Chakra nature you have, I might be able to teach you a jutsu during our travel." He announced, watching on as Byakuya narrowed his eyes. 

"What's the catch?" Byakuya asked. 

Minato responded, lifting up a single finger. "There is one... You need to drop the formalities when talking to me." He spoke, his grin growing wider. Jiraiya had told him to see if he can crack this boy's stiff nature. They all thought it was likely due to his noble family raising him, but it became a defense mechanism after his family got slaughtered. 

"I accept." Byakuya nodded, readily agreeing. "I have high wind affinity." 

Minato raised an eyebrow, not expecting Byakuya to accept so easily, but brushed it off. "Hmm..." He hummed. "I don't know a lot of wind jutsus, but I might have one you'd like." Minato spoke, rubbing his chin in thought before grabbing Byakuya's shoulder, pulling him a bit away from the group. 

"It's a C-Rank jutsu called Great Breakthrough." Minato starts explaining as they walked. "The seals are as such... Tiger → Ox → Dog → Rabbit → Snake" He spoke as he went through the seals slowly before turning to a tree and breaths out a destructive gust of wind, causing the tree to lean slightly after the impact. 

Byakuya focused fully on Minato's every move before trying to replicate it. Going through the seals, Byakuya clamped his hands in the snake seal and breathed in heavily, his chest bloating up before he breathed it out as fast as he could. 

But unlike Minato's controlled destruction, Byakuya's great breakthrough was only gathered together just after leaving his mouth. After traveling a bit further, the wind scattered, dissipating the jutsu. 

Narrowing his eyes, Byakuya started weaving the seals again, breathed in and breathed out. Same thing happened, but this time the range was a bit further. 

'Amazing...' Minato thought, hiding his surprise while he spectated Byakuya's progress. 'His talent in wind release has far surpassed mine.'

Minutes turned to hours as the group traveled through the land, during which Byakuya had held up his end of the deal and had referred to Minato in a more friendly way, dropping the San suffix. 

Jiraiya suddenly raised his arm, stopping the groups advancement. "Prepare for battle." His voice broke the silence as everyone present took out their weapons.