“It’s finally over.” Lying on his bed, Akira let out a long sigh.
He just wondered whether the Third Hokage had really bought his act.
As for Danzo…
That old fox would probably come looking for him sooner or later.
Thinking of that, Akira sighed again.
“Looks like I’ll have to visit Grandma Mito tomorrow.” “Open the status panel.” Name: Akira Abilities: String-String Fruit (Intermediate), Observation Haki (Beginner) Chakra: Chunin Overall Strength: Jonin Items Owned: 10 tons of dog food, 1 Universal Capsule, 1 Portable Tactical Nuclear Warhead Evaluation: You’re now a qualified cannon fodder.
Go fight!
Rewards Earned: Killed 1 Jonin: 3,000 pointsKilled 3 Chunin: 3,000 points Total System Points: 7,361 “Everything looks fine…” Akira rubbed his chin.
“But my chakra…” “As expected, I’m still limited by my age.” “My chakra isn’t growing that quickly.” Even though he could already kill a Jonin…
His chakra reserves were still only at the Chunin level.
What a pity.
“And what’s with all this dog food?” Akira stared speechlessly at the inventory.
“Seriously?” “You expect me to go ask Brother Sakumo for a dog so I can use all this?” “The only useful thing here is the weapon.” He stroked his chin thoughtfully.
“I can always fire it at another village someday.” “…I bet Deidara would love it.” “Should I do another ten-pull?” “…Gamblers never die peacefully.” “But my hands are itching!” “Damn it!” Akira suddenly sat upright.
“No.” “First I’ll wash my face.” “And my hands.” “Today…” “I’m going to be blessed by the gacha gods!” Ten minutes later…
After thoroughly washing up, Akira returned to his bed.
Pressing his palms together, he prayed sincerely.
“Come on…” “Let’s see what I get.” “System.” “Ten-pull!” “Understood.” A burst of light flashed before ten rewards appeared.
500 kilograms of dog food ×7Navy Six PowersPortable Single-Soldier Rocket Launcher (Capable of destroying everything within a hundred-meter radius)One pair of Kushina Uzumaki’s original, worn underwear “…What the hell is this?!” Akira stared in disbelief.
“Only the Navy Six Powers and the rocket launcher are actually useful.” “And even those are among the best things I’ve pulled after all this time.” “And what the hell is that last reward?!” “Do I look like that kind of person?!” “Damn it!” … Early the next morning, having barely slept at all, Akira left home with dark circles under his eyes.
After learning that Kushina hadn’t come to school, he immediately left behind a String Clone to attend class while his real body headed for the Senju Clan compound to visit his little girlfriend.
“You’re here.” Mito smiled gently when she saw him.
“Come in and have a seat.” “Grandma Mito.” “Where’s Kushina?” Akira looked around but couldn’t find the red-haired girl anywhere.
“As for her…” A trace of heartache crossed Mito’s face.
“That child didn’t sleep well at all last night.” “So I decided to let her sleep a little longer today.” She then looked at Akira with amusement.
“But you…” “Shouldn’t you be in school right now?” “…Playing hooky?” By the end of her sentence, her expression had become rather playful.
Like an elder looking at a mischievous junior.
“Haha…” Akira scratched the back of his head awkwardly.
“I was worried about Kushina.” “And besides…” “I already sent my String Clone to class.” “If anything happens there, I’ll know immediately.” “I see.” Mito nodded.
“Do as you wish.” “As long as it doesn’t interfere with your studies.” She picked up her teacup and took a slow sip before asking thoughtfully, “What do you think about what happened last night?” Akira immediately understood.
She was testing him.
After thinking for a moment, he answered, “I think…” “There’s a spy inside the village.” “Oh?” Mito looked pleasantly surprised.
“And why do you think that?” “Even I know Konoha is protected by a barrier.” Akira spoke seriously.
“So how could outsiders pass through it so easily…” “…and escape without alerting either the barrier or the guards?” “That simply doesn’t make sense.” If enemy villages could infiltrate Konoha that easily…
There was no way Konoha could have fought several great nations at once.
It would’ve been destroyed long ago.
Everything about this incident felt…
Wrong.
He even suspected Danzo might have orchestrated the entire thing.
“Heh…” Mito laughed bitterly.
“Even a child like you could figure that out…” “And yet that monkey knows nothing.” “It seems…” “Some people really think I’m already too old.” “…What do you mean?” “Nothing.” Mito shook her head.
“Kushina is in the room next door.” “Go see her.” “She kept calling your name all night.” “If it hadn’t been so late, I would’ve dragged you over myself.” “Alright.” Akira nodded before heading to the adjoining room, leaving behind Mito, who sat quietly with a thoughtful look in her eyes.
No one knew what she was thinking.
… When Akira entered Kushina’s room, his heart ached at the sight before him.
The little girl was drenched in sweat.
Was she having another nightmare?
He gently placed a hand on her forehead.
“Don’t be afraid.” “I’m here.” Almost instantly…
Kushina visibly relaxed.
The frown between her brows disappeared.
A faint smile even appeared on her lips.
She murmured softly in her sleep, “…Brother Akira…” “I’m here.” Akira gently tucked the blanket around her.
Then he looked toward the window.
This time…
He was truly angry.
Whoever had orchestrated everything…
He would make them pay a terrible price.
How could they lay hands on such an innocent, adorable little girl?
Thinking back to what had happened…
A chill still ran through him.
If that man had twitched his hand just a little…
Kushina would’ve died.
That bastard’s arm had been thicker than his thigh.
At the same time…
He silently thanked himself for having recently developed a new application of Wind-attribute chakra.
By coating his white threads with Wind chakra…
He could dramatically increase their sharpness.
Now…
He was confident he could slice straight through steel.
Which also meant…
If he wanted to…
Even a Tailed Beast’s body could be cut apart.
“And this is only the Intermediate level…” “If I reach the Advanced stage…” “How much stronger will the String-String Fruit become?” “Will it awaken?” “And if so…” “What are the conditions for awakening?” He couldn’t help looking forward to finding out.