[Congratulations, host, you've asked a crucial question.]
[Let me reiterate, this system is called the Cursed Spirit Mother Assistance System. Since you, the host, are the Cursed Spirit Mother, you can give birth to different Cursed Spirits from the various emotions produced by humans.]
['Cursed Spirits awaiting activation' are Cursed Spirits that already exist, while 'Cursed Spirits awaiting generation' are new Cursed Spirits born from new emotions.]
Haruki gasped.
So that means…
Haruki immediately asked, "Since I am the Cursed Spirit Mother, can I curse already deceased people to become my Cursed Spirits?"
Just like his companion Cursed Spirit, Rika.
[…Host, you are truly a genius.]
"Hmm?"
The system was getting more and more arrogant.
[Host, what I mean is, you are truly, truly a genius.]
"…"
Haruki urged, "Stop talking nonsense, just tell me if it's possible."
Before the system could answer, Haruki added, "If not, you're dead."
[…]
[Host, congratulations on unlocking the hidden innate ability—Curse (unactivated).]
Haruki sneered.
If he hadn't been smart, such a powerful skill would have been brushed aside by the system.
If he could curse deceased people…
Haruki felt he could form a Curse Corps.
However, given the system's usual behavior, activating this hidden innate ability would surely be quite difficult.
He still needed to collect more emotion points.
"The sword was given to me by big brother Yuma. I promise I won't run off during training anymore, sensei, please don't be angry with me…"
Haruki lifted his head, his watery eyes gazing at Hanzo, carefully tugging at Hanzo's clothes.
Hanzo sighed inwardly. He had been prejudiced. Haruki hadn't done anything wrong, yet he had misunderstood him.
Hanzo took a deep breath and said, "Tomorrow, I will teach you swordsmanship."
Haruki understood what Hanzo meant, Hanzo was giving him a way out.
"Thank you, sensei! I will definitely follow sensei and learn swordsmanship diligently." Haruki promised earnestly.
As if remembering the previous scene, he quickly added, "I won't run around anymore. I'll definitely listen to sensei and stay in the training ground."
[Ding!]
[System detected Hanzo's guilt value +3000.]
[Not enough to generate a Curse Spirit. Guilt value has been stored.]
Hanzo's voice came from behind his respirator. "I misunderstood you."
A flicker of surprise crossed Haruki's mind. He hadn't expected Hanzo to apologize.
"It was my fault." Haruki lowered his head and said, "I acted without telling sensei."
Haruki felt a touch on his head. Hanzo was actually patting his head? But Hanzo's hand was as stiff as a zombie's, like a robot that had been given a command.
Hanzo's tenderness lasted only a minute. He quickly reverted to the stern, unsmiling teacher from the morning.
"Tomorrow morning at five, training will be here again."
The next day.
Five in the morning.
The training ground was dim, still in the dark hours before dawn. There were even more Amegakure ninjas in the training ground than yesterday.
When Haruki arrived, these Amegakure ninjas had already started training. Each one seemed full of vigor.
'They're really energetic.' Haruki mused in his mind.
He stood in front of Hanzo and called out, "Sensei."
Today, Haruki had specifically asked the system to time him. He wasn't late. In fact, he arrived at the training ground a minute early.
Hanzo's eyes showed no extra emotion as he said, "Before training, attack me with all your strength. Let's see how much you've improved compared to yesterday."
"Yes."
Haruki also wanted to test the power of Divergent Fist and Black Flash.
Haruki and Hanzo moved apart. Haruki's right foot slightly receded, and his body's center of gravity lowered.
Seeing their stances, the surrounding Amegakure ninjas simultaneously stopped their training and quickly gathered around them, starting to watch the fight.
Raindrops slid off Hanzo's body. Only a pair of sharp eyes were visible on his face, which was covered by the respirator.
He stood silently in the rain, unmoving like a mountain, waiting for Haruki to initiate the attack.
Hanzo and Haruki stood ten meters apart, confronting each other, the air seemingly solidified.
The watching Amegakure ninjas involuntarily grew tense.
Although it was just a test of Haruki's strength, the atmosphere felt like that of a life-and-death battle.
Since Hanzo was waiting for him to make the first move, Haruki wouldn't be polite. He had never been one to adhere to so-called honor.
Haruki's figure blurred into an afterimage in the rain. The accumulated water in the puddles under his feet exploded.
The terrifying speed brought by the instantaneous burst of pure physical strength and Cursed Energy allowed him to cross the ten-meter distance in an instant, appearing in front of Hanzo.
"So fast!"
"Faster than yesterday."
"This growth rate is too unbelievable."
"…"
The Amegakure ninjas' pupils followed Haruki's figure, and they continuously let out exclamations.
Haruki's right fist was enveloped in condensed, almost solid blue Cursed Energy.
His fist tore through the rain, carrying a sharp whistling sound, heading straight for Hanzo's face.
He believed in Hanzo's strength. If Hanzo's respirator was shattered by him, then Hanzo could give the title of 'Demigod' to Haruki.
Hanzo's eyes showed no ripples. Haruki's speed and punch were both within his expectations. However, he was very pleased with Haruki's growth rate.
The instant the fist was about to land on Hanzo's face, Hanzo's left foot subtly slid back half a step, smoothly brushing past Haruki's fist without causing Hanzo any harm.
While dodging Haruki's fist, Hanzo's arm extended like a venomous snake, his five fingers forming a claw, precisely grasping at Haruki's right shoulder joint.
Hanzo's movement seemed light, but his fingers could almost crush stone.
Hanzo's evasive action was also within Haruki's expectations, and he was already prepared for Hanzo's counterattack.
Today's Haruki was no longer the rookie from yesterday.
He forcefully twisted his waist, his body fully capable of keeping up with his brain's speed.
His left leg, like a steel whip, fiercely kicked towards Hanzo's knee.
A hint of approval flashed in Hanzo's eyes.
His outstretched right hand changed from a claw to a palm, his arm sinking, his elbow precisely blocking Haruki's sweeping lower leg.
Bang!
A dull thud of flesh colliding rang out.
Haruki frowned, a sharp pain and numbness spreading through his lower leg.
He took the opportunity to distance himself from Hanzo, staring at Hanzo's elbow. Was that thing made of rebar?
Fortunately, his physique was special, and the pain and numbness disappeared instantly.
Haruki raised an eyebrow in surprise, a Heavenly Restriction Physique was truly amazing.
Hanzo lowered his arm. A ninja's physique was forged through countless trials. At first, he would also feel intense pain, but when thick calluses covered his body layer after layer, it became difficult to feel pain anymore.
(End of Chapter)
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