Chapter 77: Is Your Body Okay?
Akiyama Makoto sent his chakra deep into Tenten's body to investigate her condition, and he was soon relieved. Although this was her first time, her reaction was much milder than his own had been.
He guessed this was because she was a ninja herself, and the scope of her talent improvement wasn't as drastic. It wasn't like his leap from nearly zero talent to Chūnin-level aptitude.
All he had to do now was wait for ten minutes.
He turned his attention back to the previous prompt. Although the bloodline power from this simulation was relatively poor in terms of the eight ninja stats, the enhancements from his affection level with Tenten had hit the bullseye twice in a row.
One had raised her Strength talent to 7. This would make her use of ninja tools more powerful and give her a strong counter-attack capability if ambushed in close quarters.
The other had enhanced the Space-Time Ninjutsu talent he valued most, raising hers to the Advanced level.
What exactly was the level of an Advanced Space-Time talent? To be honest, he had no concept of it either. But if a Low-grade talent could already make her a well-known "mobile warehouse" type of ninja, then an Advanced talent should at least allow her to barely use the Flying Thunder God Technique, right?
Of course, he didn't expect to reach the level of Namikaze Minato with just this talent, but this was already a huge step toward the level of Konoha's Yellow Flash.
What he needed to do next was to simulate with Tenten more often, so that he too could possess an Advanced Space-Time talent, and then cultivate a Top-tier talent with her. After that, he could dedicate a simulation specifically to training this ninjutsu, then learn from that experience in reality and practice diligently. It might not be long before he could replicate the fame of Konoha's Yellow Flash.
As for how to learn the Flying Thunder God Technique, that was naturally not a problem for him. In a previous simulation, he had become the Hokage's advisor to Tsunade. The Scroll of Seals, which was forbidden to ordinary ninja, had become an ordinary document that he could apply to view at any time. Although he hadn't had time to learn the ninjutsu on it then, it was no problem to record it in his mind. The current him could enter a simulation at any time to reference and learn it.
At this thought, he couldn't help but pull a kunai from Tenten's hip pouch. Should I start customizing a Flying Thunder God kunai now...? No, it was better not to. Something so iconic was not suitable for him. If he used it, he might be mistaken for Minato's successor. Although he wanted Minato's combat power, he had no desire to truly become a Konoha ninja.
Just like in the previous simulation, once he became a ninja, he had to accept missions and eventually had to become Tsunade's advisor. Although his simulated self held a high position of power, even forcing Danzō away, that version of him was also destined to have little freedom.
When he said he loved freedom, it wasn't just empty words. It was just that the previous him didn't even have the ability to leave the village and survive, so he was naturally not qualified to talk about it. Once he learned the Flying Thunder God Technique, then the day he could truly experience a life of freedom in the ninja world would not be far off.
Thinking of the wonderful life ahead, a smile curved his lips.
He adjusted her position, letting her sit on his lap, and then gently held her, softly humming the theme song of a drama that she would like "in the future."
At this time, her condition had completely stabilized. Her hands subconsciously gripped his collar, and her lips softly murmured something. Judging by the shape of her mouth, it seemed to be the word "Sweetie."
A moment later, her body trembled slightly.
He stopped his singing and looked down at her, his eyes meeting her somewhat confused gaze.
"Good morning, Tenten."
"Good morning... Why are you holding me?"
"You don't like it?"
She didn't answer immediately. Instead, she closed her eyes. "Give me ten seconds to determine if this is a dream."
With that, she hugged him tightly, so close he could hear her heartbeat and her breath. Her body temperature quickly became scorching hot.
Ten seconds later, she sprang up as if on a spring, cupping her cheeks. "I'm doomed, it's not a dream..."
"I... You..."
Tenten had fallen into a state of confusion. Just as he was about to comfort her, a knock, knock, knock sounded at the door, and a little girl's voice came through. "Grandma sent me to ask if you two need lunch prepared!"
Tenten snapped out of her daze. "No, no need..." she said quickly.
At this moment, Makoto cut in. "Please prepare two of the local specialty lunches for us. We'd like to try your grandmother's cooking."
"Okay, guest!" The little girl's voice was slightly excited, and then she ran off with a cheerful gait.
With this little interruption, Tenten also calmed down a bit.
Only then did he say, "Don't worry, I didn't do anything to you. Even if I want to do something to you in the future, I will ask for your consent first."
Tenten looked back and glared at him. The usually frank and energetic girl seemed to have a hint of charming coyness at this moment.
"By the way, how is your body feeling now? Do you feel any changes?"
Hearing him mention training, Tenten looked at her hands, then moved her body a little, and said with a puzzled expression, "It seems... there's no change."
This answer did not surprise him. The system improved a person's talent, and a change in talent didn't instantly reflect in one's strength, unless it was a massive leap from nothing to something, like his own case.
"Then why don't you try performing one of your usual ninjutsu?"
"Here? Isn't it a bit inconvenient...?" She looked a little troubled, but still took an empty scroll from the side and tried to perform a sealing jutsu.
Then, a look of surprise appeared on her face.
With her hand seals, a set of ninja tools rapidly appeared and disappeared on the scroll. For her, this process was almost instantaneous, yet she felt that the chakra consumption had been reduced.
"Mako!"
Tenten hugged the scroll and rushed over excitedly, directly into his arms. She looked up and said cheerfully, "I think I've really gotten stronger! Your method really works!"
"Of course. Would I lie to you?"
She stared at him deeply, and then burst out laughing. The smile looked a little silly, but it was full of her characteristic, pure emotion.
"Let's go, time for lunch. In the afternoon, we'll go to the training grounds to carefully experience your changes."
With that, he led the way forward.
"Okay," Tenten nodded, then naturally linked her arm with his and walked out of the room with him.
"See, Grandma, Grandma! I told you they were a couple, and you didn't believe me!" A little girl with pigtails pointed at them excitedly. It was Kazematsuri Moegi.
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