BOOM— The Great Fireball, carrying terrifying heat, slammed into the barrier.
However, not only did the Great Fireball fail to breach the Gentleman’s Cane’s defense, it was actually bounced back by an unseen force.
Sasuke’s expression shifted, and he ducked aside in a hurry.
He barely managed to evade the rebounding flames.
“Incredible!” “It actually reflected the ninjutsu!” Both Naruto and Haruno Sakura were green with envy.
Kakashi was equally impressed by the cane’s ability.
“It’s truly remarkable.” Not only could it defend, but it could also reflect ninjutsu.
Although it had an upper defensive limit, it wasn’t something an average shinobi could easily break through.
If he were to suddenly pull out this Gentleman’s Cane in actual combat, he could definitely catch an enemy completely off guard.
And by testing the cane, Kakashi was finally convinced.
This manga shop really could bring things from manga into reality!
Kakashi turned to Shendai and said seriously, “Boss, your manga shop truly lives up to its reputation.
It can indeed manifest items from manga into the real world.
However, as I’m sure you understand, this matter is of great significance.
I must report it to Lord Third Hokage.
I hope you can understand.” He understood all too well what a manga shop like this meant.
If this shop acquired more manga, if more rewards from those manga appeared in reality… Then the entire village of Konoha, and even the entire shinobi world, would undergo earth-shattering changes as a result.
This was no exaggeration; it was an inevitability.
Rewards like the Gentleman’s Cane in his hand, Sasuke’s flying Imperial Arm, and Naruto’s Transformation Brooch—items that could directly enhance one’s strength—if they appeared in large numbers on a battlefield, they would be more than enough to overturn the course of a war.
Not to mention, he had glimpsed abilities within the manga that were far stronger than these rewards.
If such things were to manifest, the consequences were unimaginable.
For a matter this important, he had to report to the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, as soon as possible.
Shendai smiled lightly.
“As long as it doesn’t interfere with my business, I don’t mind you giving me some free advertising.” Shendai never intended to keep his shop a secret.
All who came were customers.
They came to give him money and bring him benefits.
He had no reason to turn them away.
Kakashi reporting to Sarutobi Hiruzen would only boost the manga shop’s reputation and attract more customers.
Of course, if Konoha attempted to target or restrict the manga shop, Shendai would also make sure they learned the meaning of the phrase “do not provoke lightly.” “Thank you.” Kakashi nodded, then vanished in a blur with the Body Flicker Technique.
Seeing Kakashi leave, Sasuke spoke up as well.
“I’m heading back.” He still needed more practice with the Imperial Arm, Mastema, to master it fully.
Furthermore, controlling an Imperial Arm demanded strong mental fortitude.
That too required constant acclimation and training.
Seeing Sasuke leave, Haruno Sakura departed as well.
As she walked, she continued raging internally, stomping her feet in frustration.
Why did everyone else get amazing things, and she got stuck with a monster?!
This was just so unfair.
“Boss, I’ll be back tomorrow.” Naruto made up his mind then and there.
He was going to dig up every last coin he had stashed in the floorboards and under the cupboards at home.
Tomorrow, he would get an even better reward than Sasuke.
After the group had left, Shendai picked up his teacup and glanced at the system panel.
[Host: Shendai] [Manga: Akame ga Kill!, Sailor Moon—Part 1, Dragon Ball] [Draws: Receive three customers to draw one manga.
Received: 5/3 customers.
Draws available: 1] [Mission: Accumulate fifty customers to receive a mysterious reward.
Received: 5/50 customers] “A mysterious reward… I’m looking forward to it.” Shendai didn’t know what the mysterious reward was, but according to the system’s description, it was a mysterious item related to the manga shop.
He spoke to the system.
“System, draw a manga.” [Beginning draw…] [Drawing manga—Digimon—Part 1] [Digimon—Part 1—Taichi Yagami and his friends head to summer camp together, only to be mysteriously transported to a Digital World.
There, they gain partners in the form of mysterious beings known as “Digimon.” These children are considered the future of the Digital World, and together with their Digimon, they will work to resolve the crisis threatening this strange new realm…] “Digimon’s not bad.” Shendai was fairly familiar with this series.
It featured Digimon with all sorts of strange and unique attributes, along with the ability to continuously evolve.
That concept was sure to be a hit.
He placed the Digimon—Part 1 manga onto the bookshelf.
Seeing that it was about time for a meal, Shendai went into the kitchen and prepared a couple of dishes.
After eating, he continued to wait leisurely for more customers.
… Hyuga Clan Residence.
“Power!” “Power!” “Not just your arms—every part of your body!” “You must ensure that every point of force you release is concentrated on a single point!” Hyuga Hiashi, clad in a white kimono, was pushing his seven-year-old daughter, Hanabi, through her training.
He showed no leniency whatsoever just because Hanabi was still young; if anything, his strictness bordered on the extreme.
Hanabi, dressed in her training clothes with her long hair tied up, continued to throw punch after punch.
Within her white eyes, a fierce determination to keep pushing forward was evident.
Droplets of sweat streamed down her youthful face and dripped to the ground, but she did not pause for even a moment.
Though Hyuga Hiashi appeared stern on the surface, inwardly he fully acknowledged Hanabi’s efforts.
Because he had always been dissatisfied with Hinata’s introverted and timid nature, believing Hinata lacked the capacity to carry on the Hyuga clan’s legacy, Hyuga Hiashi had invested far more energy into her younger sister, Hanabi.
And Hanabi had certainly not let him down.
At such a young age, she had already cultivated her Byakugan and Gentle Fist to a respectable level.
Creak— The door slid open, and Hinata stepped inside.
Hyuga Hiashi did not turn his head, but with his three-hundred-sixty-degree Byakugan vision, he already knew it was Hinata.
He said coldly, “You’re back.” Hinata bowed her head slightly.
“Yes.” “Do not assume you can relax just because you’ve graduated from the academy.
This is only the beginning of your shinobi path.
The true hardships you will face all lie ahead.” Hyuga Hiashi gave a light snort.
“If you do not train yourself to be strong enough, any mission could claim your life.” Though his demeanor was harsh, his concern for his children was no less than any other parent’s.
He simply did not wish to see his two daughters walk the shinobi path as weaklings.
He wanted his daughters to become truly strong, to become people capable of controlling their own destinies.
Back then, it was because he wasn’t strong enough.
He could only stand by and watch as his younger brother, Hyuga Hizashi, chose to take his own life in order to appease Kumogakure—after they had been the ones to first attempt kidnapping Hinata, only to turn around and falsely accuse the Hyuga clan.
Since that day, he had despised himself immensely.
As the elder brother, he had lacked the power to protect his younger sibling.
He refused to let his two daughters repeat his own tragedy in the future.
He had lived through it.
He knew exactly what that humiliation and despair felt like.
“Understood.” Hinata nodded.
Hyuga Hiashi suddenly turned around, assumed a stance, and said coolly, “Hinata.
It has been some time since I last assessed your taijutsu.
Come.
Show me whether you have made any progress.” Hinata was taken aback for a moment, then replied, “Yes.” Hinata mirrored him, taking her own stance.
But it was not the stance of the Hyuga Gentle Fist.
It was the stance of the Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms.
Hyuga Hiashi frowned.
As a taijutsu master of Konoha, he could naturally tell that Hinata was not using any Hyuga Gentle Fist form.
In fact, it did not even resemble any style found in Konoha.
“So, you have learned something new.
Use it, and let me see!” Hyuga Hiashi barked coldly, stepping forward and thrusting out a single palm.
Hinata’s Byakugan activated, the veins around her eyes bulging as she clearly tracked Hyuga Hiashi’s movements.
“The Hidden Dragon Refrains!”