Naruto rebirth! Born again with a system.

Chapter 49: New Gear!

The streets of Konoha were bustling with evening activity as Team 15 made their way toward the village's main weapons shop. The buildings casting large shadows with the setting sun low in the sky. The air carried the familiar scents of cooking food and the distant sound of training exercises echoing from various clan compounds.

"There it is," Tatsuma said, pointing ahead to a building with a distinctive wooden sign carved in the shape of crossed kunai. The shop's windows displayed an impressive array of gleaming weapons, and warm light spilled out onto the street.

As they approached the entrance, Kōzaru noticed Yuki and Riku sniffing the air with interest. The scents of metal, leather, and various oils used for weapon maintenance created a unique bouquet that his ninken companions found fascinating.

"You two can come in, but behave yourselves," Kōzaru warned gently, earning enthusiastic tail wags from both dogs.

The bell above the door chimed as they entered, and all three teammates stopped in their tracks, their eyes widening at the sight before them. The shop was far more extensive than any of them had imagined, having only used the weapons they had been given either in the academy or from family up until this point.

"Welcome to Higurashi Weapons and Ninja Supplies," called out the shopkeeper, a middle-aged woman with greying hair pulled back in a practical bun. "What can I help you young ninja with today?"

The main section of the shop was filled with weapons of every description. Rows of kunai and shuriken were arranged by size and quality, from basic academy training models to masterwork pieces that gleamed with perfect balance. An entire wall was dedicated to swords—from simple tanto to elaborate katana, each blade secured in individual displays.

"Look at all of this," Aotaka breathed, his eyes immediately drawn to the sword section. Even though he was satisfied with his current blade, he couldn't help but appreciate the craftsmanship on display.

Kōzaru's attention was caught by a display case filled with specialized weapons. Senbon needles arranged in neat rows, their deadly points catching the light. Massive demon shuriken hung from wall mounts, their multiple blades creating intimidating silhouettes. Wire coils of various gauges were stacked nearby, along with an impressive collection of explosive tags sealed in protective containers.

"This place has everything," Tatsuma said, his voice filled with awe as he took in the smoke bombs, flash bangs, and other tactical equipment.

"That's the weapons section," the shopkeeper explained, noticing their amazement. "Over there," she gestured to the left side of the shop, "we have gear and clothing. And in the back corner, you'll find our medical supplies and enhancement pills." She said as she crossed her arms over her chest, a slight smile on her face as she remembered her first time in a weapon shop.

Following her directions, they moved toward the gear section. Mannequins displayed various types of protective equipment—from simple wrist guards to full chest plates. Jackets, pants, and specialized ninja clothing hung from racks, each piece designed for both protection and mobility.

"This is more like it," Kōzaru said, running his fingers along a dark jacket with reinforced shoulders.

The medical section caught their attention next. Alongside standard bandages and antiseptics, there was a locked display case containing various pills. The familiar reddish-brown soldier pills were prominently displayed, but what really caught their eye were the dark blue pills sitting in a separate container.

"What are those blue ones?" Tatsuma asked the shopkeeper.

"Ah, those are recovery pills," she explained, unlocking the case. "While soldier pills restore chakra, these restore physical health and stamina. Very useful for ninja who take a lot of physical damage in battle."

"How much are they?" Aotaka asked, leaning in to get a better look.

"Same price as soldier pills," the shopkeeper replied. "Very popular with front-line fighters. Although they won't protect you from server wounds, they will help you recover much faster."

"We'll take two each," Kōzaru said immediately, earning nods of agreement from his teammates. They had all experienced the benefits of the soldier pills earlier, and the idea of having similar restoration for their health was too valuable to pass up, knowing it would most likely effect them differently thanks to their system.

After purchasing the recovery pills, they split up to select their individual gear. Each of them had different needs and fighting styles to consider after all, having some time to kill before their mission started.

Kōzaru headed straight for the clothing section, his damaged jacket serving as a clear reminder of what he needed. His eyes settled on a dark, short-sleeved combat jacket that looked both practical and durable. The material felt sturdy under his fingers, and the cut would allow for maximum mobility.

"This one's perfect," he murmured, holding it up to check the fit.

But clothing alone wouldn't be enough. He moved to the armour section, examining various pieces of protective gear. His fighting style relied heavily on close-quarters combat, which meant his arms and torso took the most punishment.

A set of armoured plates caught his eye—sleek designs that would protect his wrists and forearms while still allowing full range of motion. The plates even extended to cover the backs of his hands, providing protection for his knuckles during strikes when he wasn't using his claws.

"These should help," he said, testing the flexibility of the joints.

For additional protection, he selected a padded chest piece designed to be worn under clothing. It was lightweight but reinforced in key areas, perfect for someone who relied on speed and agility.

Meanwhile, Tatsuma was examining the projectile weapons section with the intensity of a scholar. His earlier experiences had shown him the value of having multiple tactical options, and he was determined to expand his arsenal.

"More shuriken, definitely," he said to himself, selecting several sets of high-quality throwing stars. "And these explosive tags could be game-changers."

His eyes wandered to the demon shuriken display, and he whistled low under his breath. The massive, multi-bladed weapons were intimidating to look at, but he could imagine the tactical advantages they offered. After some consideration, he selected two of the smaller models, ones he could carry on his back without being too encumbered.

"I'll need a way to carry these," he said, looking around for suitable straps and harnesses.

He also grabbed protective gear similar to what Kōzaru had selected—wrist guards and shin armour that would protect his extremities without hindering his mobility.

Aotaka, meanwhile, was focused on more practical concerns. His sword was already serving him well, but he needed to round out his equipment with basic supplies. He selected several sets of kunai, testing their weight and balance with the practiced eye of someone who understood weapons.

"These are good quality," he noted, slipping them into his weapon pouch.

A small collection of explosive tags joined his purchases, though he was more conservative than Tatsuma in his selection. His fighting style relied more on direct confrontation than tactical complexity.

It was while browsing the armour section that something caught his eye. A set of shoulder pads displayed on a side rack, their design immediately familiar. They were reminiscent of the armour worn by the legendary First and Second Hokage—practical, protective, and carrying the weight of tradition.

"Now these are interesting," he said, lifting the shoulder pads to examine them more closely.

The metal was well-crafted, with a design that spoke of both protection and prestige. When he tried them on, however, he immediately noticed a problem. His current shirt, with its long sleeves, created bulk and restricted movement at the shoulders.

Without hesitation, he drew a kunai and began cutting. The sleeves fell away cleanly, leaving his arms bare from the shoulders down. The modification not only improved the fit of the shoulder pads but also revealed the muscular development he had gained from his training.

"Much better," he said, flexing his arms to test the range of motion.

To complete the look, he selected wrist guards that matched the style of his shoulder pads. The entire ensemble gave him a more serious, battle-ready appearance that reflected his growing confidence as a warrior.

"Are you three ready?" called out the shopkeeper as they reconvened at the counter with their selections.

"Ready," they said in unison, laying out their chosen gear with excitement.

The shopkeeper tallied up their purchases. "That'll be quite a bit, but I can see you're preparing for something serious. A dangerous mission I take it? This is quality equipment that will serve you well."

"That's right." Tatsuma said, looking the lady in the eyes as he spoke to her.

"Well, I hope it serves you well. Be safe out there, this war is no place for children." She then said, a hint of sting in her voice from a recent loss perhaps.

Aotaka looked down at his gear and then back to the shop keeper.

"With this new gear I'm sure we will stay alive long enough to upgrade it next time." He said, getting a shocked expression from the shop keeper, before it turned to a small smile.

"I'm sure you will. Be safe."

As they paid for their gear, each of them felt a tangible sense of transformation. The simple act of selecting and purchasing professional equipment had marked a clear transition from academy students to active ninja, something about now looking the part boosting their confidence.

"Let's suit up," Kōzaru said, eager to try on his new gear, getting a nod from the others.

"Yeah!" 

They moved to a changing area in the back of the shop, each of them transforming their appearance with their new equipment.

Kōzaru with his wild brown hair and fierce, almond-shaped eyes marked by the signature red fang tattoos of the Inuzuka clan stepped out. Wearing his new black combat outfit trimmed with fur around the collar, suited for high mobility in the forest with the padded around around his chest. His fingerless gloves and protective forearm bands reflect his taijutsu-focused combat style, giving him a new and professional look.

"How does it feel?" Tatsuma asked as he adjusted his own gear.

"Like I'm ready for anything," Kōzaru replied, throwing a few test punches to check his range of motion. "The armour doesn't restrict movement at all."

Tatsuma appeared next, his transformation the most dramatic of the three. His simple green hoodie and khaki shorts now formed the base for serious combat gear. The black shin and forearm guards gave him a more intimidating appearance, while the weapon pouch strapped to his thigh and the demon shuriken mounted across his back completed the look of a skilled tactician.

"You look like a completely different person," Kōzaru said, genuine admiration in his voice as he looked at his friend.

"That's the idea," Tatsuma replied, adjusting the strap that held his demon shuriken. "I want enemies to know I'm not just some academy graduate." He said with a tense fist.

When Aotaka finally emerged, both of his teammates stopped and stared. The shoulder pads, combined with his newly large bare arms and matching wrist guards, gave him an appearance that was both classical and intimidating. The modification to his shirt revealed the physical development he had gained from his training, and the overall effect was one of controlled power.

"Woo... You look like a young version of the second Hokage," Tatsuma said, his voice filled with respect.

"That's exactly what I was going for," Aotaka replied, a note of pride in his voice. "If I'm going to represent the Senju clan, I should look the part, right?"

"We all look incredible," Kōzaru said, looking at their reflection in the shop's mirror. "But more importantly, we're better protected and better equipped than ever."

"The equipment is only as good as the ninja using it," the shopkeeper reminded them with a smile. "But you three seem to understand that. Good luck with whatever mission you're preparing for." She said, bidding them goodbye.

As they left the shop, each of them felt the weight of their new gear—not just the physical weight, but the psychological impact of being properly equipped for serious combat. The streets of Konoha looked the same, but their place in the world had shifted.

"I feel like we could take on anything," Tatsuma said, his confidence evident in his posture.

"We're definitely not the same kids who graduated from the academy," Kōzaru agreed, Riku and Yuki padding along beside him with their own sense of increased alertness.

"Maybe next time I'll get you guys some gear too." He said, getting a woof from both Yuki and Riku.

"No, we're not," Aotaka said, his voice carrying a note of determination that his friends had been hearing more often lately. "We're ninja now. Shinobi in the world of Naruto." He said, getting a serious nod from the others, all of them having come to terms with their new reality.

As they made their way back toward the meeting point with Minato-sensei, each of them felt the truth of that statement. They had the skills, the equipment, and the determination to face whatever challenges lay ahead. The missing convoy mission would be their chance to prove it—not just to their sensei or the village, but to themselves.

The transformation was complete. Team 15 was ready for war.

.........

That's the end of this chapter, I hope you enjoyed it! If you want faster updates and to get access to more chapters, check out my P.atreon page, the link is in my Bio and the story bio! We are at chapter 60 already and going strong!