Chapter 15 – The Price of War and the Promotion

Back in Konoha at last, Sal felt more alive than ever. Since arriving in this world, all he had known was the battlefield. Finally returning to the village brought an immense sense of relief.

As the battalion passed through Konoha's grand gates, they were welcomed as heroes. Civilians and fellow shinobi gathered to greet the returning troops, though the glow of celebration was dimmed by the weight of loss.

Even so, Sal couldn't help but feel hopeful.

"The war is finally over. Now I can focus on the future."

But that feeling didn't last long.

Shortly after his arrival, he received news that hit him like a punch to the gut:

Tanaka and Shiraka were dead.

Tanaka had been killed during an Iwa raid on the camp, while Shiraka died completing an escort mission.

The pain was immediate.

Tanaka wasn't just an ally on the battlefield—he was a friend. From the very first day Sal arrived in this world, Tanaka had stood by his side. And now he was gone.

And Shiraka…

She had been the fiancée of Lindam, a friend of Sal's original body, who had already perished in the war.

"She survived the war only to die on an escort mission…"

Their deaths brought a harsh reality crashing down on Sal.

"I knew this world was cruel, but… it's only when it happens to someone close that you truly feel it."

Orochimaru had been right.

Life was far too fragile.

---

Two Years Later

Time passed.

It had been two years since Sal returned from the war. Upon his return, he was promoted to jōnin for his battlefield achievements. As part of his reward, he was granted access to the Scroll of Seals, a privilege reserved for high-level shinobi.

Moreover, as promised, he officially registered Shunpō as a village technique.

Initially, the jutsu was classified as S-Rank, given its extreme utility in combat and the difficulty of mastering it.

However, when the first jōnin attempted to train with it… he ended up crippled.

That was when Sarutobi Hiruzen realized the true danger of the jutsu.

Shunpō was an incredibly fast technique, but it demanded absolute control over chakra and the body. Any mistake, any lack of physical resilience or balance, could result in irreversible injuries. The ninja who tried to master it tore the muscles in his legs and hips, rendering him unable to fight ever again.

In light of this incident, Hiruzen reclassified Shunpō as a forbidden technique, sealing it within the Scroll of Seals.

The event sparked murmurs among the jōnin. A jutsu created by such a young ninja, yet so dangerous it was banned? It only heightened Sal's reputation.

— "That kid… he's a hidden monster in Konoha."

Even with its reclassification, Sal continued using the technique. After all, he didn't need further training. His mastery of Shunpō was absolute, and it remained one of his greatest advantages.

---

Recognition Across the Villages

After the war, Sal continued taking on missions, solidifying his status as one of the village's most efficient jōnin.

Mission after mission, he completed each one perfectly—no failures, no casualties, always executed with surgical precision.

His consistent performance began drawing attention.

At first, it was only within Konoha. But over time, the major ninja villages started noticing his name.

Reports of his missions circulated among spies and informants, and a pattern became clear: Sal was relentless, efficient, and nearly untouchable.

That's how he earned the title "Fluid Specter."

In Kumogakure, rumors spread that he was a monster capable of dodging attacks even while asleep.

Even without being a Sannin or Hokage, Sal was already becoming a feared name in the ninja world.

---

The Future Ahead

Now, two years later, Sal had been promoted once again—this time to Elite Jōnin, one of the highest ranks in the ninja hierarchy. He earned this position after completing numerous dangerous missions and repeatedly proving his strength in battle.

As for the system points…

Unfortunately, opportunities to alter the storyline had been scarce during those two years. A few minor changes here and there earned him some points, but nothing significant.

"Still, it's better than nothing."

Now, with the war over and his position in Konoha secure, Sal began contemplating his next move.

What should he do next? How could he grow even stronger?

If he wanted to keep earning points and advancing his power, he'd need new opportunities.

And in the ninja world, those opportunities never took long to appear.