After hearing Richard's answer, the image of a classic ninja in tights immediately flashed through Emma Frost's mind.
Though she didn't speak, Richard could deduce her thoughts just from her expression.
"Not the type of ninja you're imagining," he clarified. "You'll gradually understand in the coming days."
"Hmm!" Emma nodded.
She hugged Richard's right arm and brought her seductive red lips close to his ear. Like a succubus from hell, she whispered in a charming, alluring tone: "You've been in that ninja world for so long. You must be exhausted. Would you like to take a bath and... relax?"
Though Emma had never visited other universes herself, after learning that Scarlett and Jessica had come from the zombie universe, she understood that the time flow ratio between that dimension and theirs was 100:1. In other words, she knew Richard had spent five or six years in the Naruto world.
Anyone with basic intelligence could discern Emma's subtext. Though Richard hadn't been intimate with her for some time, he wasn't in a rush to indulge at this moment. "We'll discuss relaxation later. Did anything significant occur in Silver City during my absence?"
"Nothing particularly noteworthy," Emma immediately responded. "Except that more mutants have begun settling in the outer city."
That's a relief!
Richard sighed inwardly. Then, he embraced Emma's waist and immediately teleported to his palace quarters.
Upon returning to the Marvel Universe, all his abilities had been restored. Beyond his mutant powers, the hellfire plundered from Ghost Rider and various abilities taken from the Eternals had also returned in full.
In an instant, Richard and Emma materialized in the massive bathroom of his palace. Though the royal complex contained numerous residences, Richard's palace was not only the most luxurious in the entire compound but also the largest in area. The bathroom alone spanned one to two hundred square meters, featuring a massive hot spring-like temperature-regulated bath at its center.
Upon arrival, Emma—wearing a form-fitting white dress—immediately began assisting Richard like a personal attendant, removing his clothing piece by piece. After completing this task, she disrobed herself and joined Richard in the thermal bath.
Soon, sounds unsuitable for children's ears echoed throughout the bathroom.
After spending more than an hour there, Richard escorted Emma—flushed and weakened—to the adjacent bedroom. After placing her on the bed, he said: "Rest for now. I'll head to my study."
"Mmm," Emma murmured softly.
Under her watchful gaze, Richard retrieved clean clothes from the closet, dressed himself, and teleported directly to his study.
Once there, he first backed up various information acquired in the Naruto world to his private server. After processing this data, he teleported again, arriving at his vibranium-constructed private training facility.
Upon first returning to the Marvel Universe, he had quietly circulated chakra throughout his body. Though there seemed no issues with its operation, he still wanted to test various ninjutsu to determine whether techniques from the Naruto world might experience unforeseen effects in the Marvel universe.
Without hesitation, he immediately formed a Rasengan. He proceeded to test Ōdama Rasengan, Wind Release: Rasenshuriken, Chidori, Chidori Sharp Spear, Chidori Stream, Eight Gates Released Formation, Almighty Push, Universal Pull, Shadow Clone Technique, Body Flicker Technique, Flying Thunder God Technique, Flying Thunder God Slash, Flying Thunder God: Second Step, Fire Release: Fireball Technique, and more.
Though he avoided testing genjutsu and certain exceptionally powerful large-scale ninjutsu, he briefly evaluated most other ninjutsu and taijutsu techniques. These tests confirmed that Naruto-world ninjutsu and taijutsu could be perfectly executed in the Marvel universe.
This result didn't particularly surprise him. Chakra used by shinobi represented energy produced through the balanced mixture of physical and spiritual energies. In other words, chakra didn't rely on external forces.
Senjutsu chakra would likely experience some limitations due to dimensional differences, as it required absorbing natural energy alongside physical and spiritual energies, achieving perfect balance between all three. But standard chakra functioned normally.
After testing ninjutsu and conducting physical training in his vibranium facility, Richard teleported back to his study and opened his attribute panel—visible only to him.
Rather than examining his template fusion progress or mutant abilities, he reviewed his other powers:
[Superpowers: Hellfire, Soul Absorption, Healing, Mental Control, Super Strength, Energy Illusion, Energy Projection, Super Speed, Immortality, Cosmic Energy Manipulation, Ninja Cells, Ninja Constitution, Rinnegan, Tenseigan, Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan, Wood Release, Dust Release]
Judging solely by the number of abilities, his gains in the Naruto world seemed modest—only seven powers recognized by the system. In reality, however, his journey proved tremendously rewarding.
Beyond kekkei genkai and kekkei tōta like the Sharingan, Rinnegan, and Tenseigan, he'd mastered numerous ninjutsu and forbidden techniques, including the Eight Gates, Flying Thunder God, and Edo Tensei. The system simply didn't display all the ninjutsu, genjutsu, and taijutsu he'd acquired—otherwise, the list would span several pages.
Additionally, he'd used rune seals to transform all Ten Tailed Beasts into energy crystals. His collection now included numerous Sharingan, Byakugan, Akatsuki rings, Hashirama cells, and more.
In the year following his world challenge completion, Richard had accomplished much beyond waiting for Hinata and Ino to reach adulthood.
He'd killed Ōnoki, the Third Tsuchikage, plundering his Dust Release. He'd traded Itachi Uchiha's Mangekyō Sharingan for Sasuke's, granting Sasuke the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan. For himself, Richard had transplanted Sasuke's Mangekyō into others, then killed them—using the same method as his Rinnegan upgrade—allowing him to acquire the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan.
As for Wood Release, he hadn't taken it from Yamato but had already plundered it from Danzō when he killed him.
He'd specially sought out Kisame and others, acquiring all Seven Ninja Swords including Samehada for his collection.
Went to the moon to get the Tenseigan.
Throughout his final year in the Naruto world, Richard had gathered everything of interest—Seven Ninja Swords, jutsu, forbidden techniques, kekkei genkai, and more. Though he hadn't conquered the entire shinobi world, he'd obtained virtually everything that fascinated him.
After dismissing the system panel, Richard teleported from his study back to the bedroom. Seeing Emma had fallen asleep, he removed his coat, lay down beside her, and closed his eyes.
One month later. Silver City Palace.
In the outdoor training ground within the palace complex, Tsunade was sparring with Scarlett, who possessed spider abilities.
At the training ground's edge, Richard reclined on a lounger, observing their combat.
The pre-enhancement Scarlett would certainly have been outmatched by Tsunade. Though an experienced spy, Scarlett faced Konoha's Fifth Hokage—hardly an ordinary opponent.
Upon arriving in the Marvel Universe, Tsunade's strength had inevitably diminished somewhat. Without her slug summoning ability, she'd lost a reliable ally. Nevertheless, Scarlett, despite her spider powers, found defeating Tsunade challenging.
Though primarily a medical ninja, Tsunade's combat abilities remained formidable. Even without releasing her Strength of a Hundred Seal or using techniques like Creation Rebirth and Ninja Art: Mitotic Regeneration, she remained a superhuman opponent with her tremendous strength, Heaven Spear Kick, Palm Sage Technique, Chakra Scalpel, and other abilities.
The fight lasted less than three minutes before Scarlett, despite her spider powers, succumbed to Tsunade. Though defeated, Scarlett showed no disappointment.
When Richard and the others first returned to the Marvel Universe, she, Emma, and the others hadn't fully understood what kind of ninjas Tsunade and Konan represented. Now they recognized that Naruto-world shinobi wielded chakra and possessed extraordinary ninjutsu, genjutsu, and taijutsu techniques.
In Marvel Universe terms, any ninja—even a freshly graduated genin—qualified as a full-fledged "superhuman." Though genin abilities ranged considerably—from merely mastering basic techniques to practically "piloting a Gundam"—all stood well above ordinary humans.
After Tsunade and Scarlett concluded their match, Richard teleported to them and announced, "Let's end today's session here. Emma just sent me a telepathic message—there's significant business requiring attention. Tsunade, please assist with handling these matters."
Tsunade nodded immediately: "Understood."
Both Tsunade and Mei Terumi, with their experience managing villages, now served as administrators of Silver City alongside Emma. However, their authority ranked below Emma's.
Within Silver City's hierarchy, Richard held supreme authority, followed by Emma. Beneath Emma came Tsunade, Mei, Erik, Jean, and others.
After acknowledging Richard's request, Tsunade addressed Scarlett: "You did good. We should train together again soon."
"Absolutely!" Scarlett replied.
Though their acquaintance remained relatively new, Scarlett and the others had developed positive relationships with Tsunade, with no infighting. This harmony wasn't surprising—they were all strong-willed, capable women. Even Clarice, Hinata, and Ino demonstrated maturity beyond their years.
After embracing Scarlett, Tsunade employed Body Flicker Technique and departed the training ground. Richard then teleported away with Hinata and Scarlett.
After escorting both women to their respective residences, Richard returned alone to his study.
Though now back in the Marvel Universe, his lifestyle differed little from his Naruto world routine. Emma and Tsunade managed Silver City's administration, while Scarlett and Konan handled palace affairs. Additionally, his AI assistant Tifa supported both city and palace management.
As for matters beyond Silver City—such as situations in America—Richard paid minimal attention. Unless Reed or Tony personally sought his counsel, he wouldn't even travel to the United States.
Upon arriving in his study, Richard called Fantasy Ship AI Aerith.
"Have all tests on the Fantasy been completed?"
Before his departure to the Naruto Universe, Fantasy had completed its full transformation. Though completely renovated inside and out, the upgraded vessel hadn't undergone navigation testing. When leaving the Marvel Universe, Richard had instructed Aerith to thoroughly evaluate Fantasy.
"All Fantasy systems have been tested, with problematic areas adjusted," Aerith's voice immediately responded. "The vessel stands ready for space navigation at any time."
"Let's not rush the space navigation. I currently have no plans to visit other planets," Richard replied.
"Understood, sir," Aerith acknowledged.
After inquiring about Fantasy, Richard activated his computer and reviewed Banner's recently submitted research report.
Given his limited scientific expertise, upon returning to the Marvel Universe, Richard had entrusted Hashirama cell research to Banner. Though Banner remained unaware of the cells' origin, after discovering their activity and energy far exceeded normal biological components, he'd become fascinated and immediately dedicated himself to researching these intercolumnar cells.
After more than two weeks of study, Banner had finally submitted his initial report. Though lengthy and filled with technical terminology, Richard processed it quickly. While not scientifically inclined himself, he possessed superintelligence courtesy of his Superboy-Prime template. If motivated, he could become a leading expert in virtually any scientific field—he simply lacked interest.
After reviewing Banner's report, Richard temporarily abandoned the idea of transplanting Hashirama cells into Tsunade and the others. He had initially planned to use these cells to further enhance their powers. However, Banner's research revealed a 99% probability of severe transplant rejection! Until Banner resolved this issue, Richard wouldn't risk Tsunade and the others' lives.