Chapter 40 – Jean's Generous "Gift"
"Chairman, that strange mutant squad has already submitted the research data to the company, and they're demanding a mission payment of ten million."
In front of Norman Osborn stood the head of the security department, one of Norman's most trusted men.
"Has the research department reviewed the data?"
"They have. No problem—it's indeed the research that Richard and Mary Parker had stolen. However, the researchers say that the Parkers' most crucial core data is incomplete. It's very likely the two never fully cracked this human enhancement technology."
"Are they certain? Or is this the mutants playing tricks on us?"
"I'm sorry, I can't say for sure. The researchers said the integrity of the data is already extremely high, but they can't rule out the possibility that the Parkers destroyed part of it. The operatives tracking them confirmed that the mutants submitted the files right under our noses, so there shouldn't have been any tampering."
Unfortunately for Norman and his men, they had no idea illusions, Sharingan, and telepathy actually existed in this world.
"Alright, I understand. We don't have the time to waste quibbling over this. Transfer the mission reward to them. And what about Richard and Mary Parker?"
"Chairman, their plane encountered turbulence and crashed. The entire aircraft went down on the border. No crew members survived—there wasn't even a trace of their remains."
At that, Norman Osborn finally raised his head. "An accident?"
"It really was an accident." The head of security silently complained in his heart: no one would be so insane as to take down an entire passenger plane just to kill two people. And if anyone did, the price would be far higher.
Norman's expression eased slightly. "Seems like they got what they deserved. How absurd, daring to steal from me… and when they signed the contract, how did they even have the face to ask me for compensation?"
"Cough, cough!" Norman let out two heavy coughs. Looking at his right hand covering his mouth, it was already soaked with blood.
"Leave me."
"Yes, sir."
Time was running out. Norman sighed—this damned hereditary disease plagued him and would torment his child as well. At least he had recovered part of the stolen research.
"Richard Parker, count yourself lucky that I'm merciful. Since you're both already dead, I won't bother with your child. I'll let that be a blessing for my Harry."
Meanwhile, at the Uchiha estate. Still half-asleep, Uchiha Akira groggily unlocked his phone, annoyed. "Who the hell is bothering me so early in the morning?"
Only a few people, like Charles, even had his contact. "Let's see who's so free."
To his surprise, it was a Viber video call from Jean Grey. A yandere girl—what was she up to now?
"Good morning, Akira." What filled the screen was smooth white skin. A white lace camisole barely restrained two threateningly ample curves.
It was Jean Grey, lounging lazily in sleepwear, video calling him.
Alright, Akira admitted he had underestimated Jean. She usually looked quite ordinary, but freed from clothing restraints… she was more impressive than expected.
Akira felt embarrassed by the sight—after all, he and Jean weren't exactly close. Besides, he was still just a teenage boy, and in his past life his experience was only… theoretical.
Seeing him turn his head shyly, Jean became even more mischievous.
"I just woke up and had nothing to do, so I wanted to say hi. Are you busy today? If not, I'll come find you. We can exchange techniques on mental control. I think my telepathic powers are quite similar to some of the Uchiha's abilities."
Jean adjusted the camera but made no attempt to cover her half-exposed chest. Still, she was clever—only showing the "foothills," not the slopes or the peak. She'd heard Eastern boys tended to be reserved, and she didn't want Akira to think she was frivolous.
"I'm busy. Very busy. I have training. And I'm hungry. That's all." Akira cut the call with three flat refusals. He couldn't help it—this was far too much stimulation first thing in the morning.
"Calm heart, unshaken even if the sky falls."
"Calm heart, unshaken even if the sky falls."
"Calm heart, unshaken even if the sky falls."
"No woman in your heart, your sword moves like a god."
"No woman in your heart, your sword moves like a god."
"No woman in your heart, your sword moves like a god."
Akira chanted useless mantras, desperately trying to calm his restless teenage body. Early morning was when his energy was at its peak—and Jean had hit him with that.
"No, no… this yandere girl really is terrifying. I still have to face Konoha's elders, the Akatsuki, Madara, even the Ōtsutsuki… not to mention this world's Ultron, Thanos, and who knows how many other enemies. I can't afford to get lost in women this early!"
"Training, training!" Physical exercise could never be neglected. The Soul Furnace constantly strengthened his body and chakra, but only through daily training could he truly master it. Swordsmanship, too, was a craft built up day by day.
At night, he continued his routine of cleansing Hell's Kitchen. But thanks to Akira's six months of purges, the neighborhood was far calmer, and many of the worst thugs were already gone.
Tonight he set out with Uchiha Izumi, who had strongly insisted on coming. She said she wanted to quickly improve her combat ability, and hoped the clan leader would guide her more directly.
"The scene might be a little brutal. We'll have to deal with the bodies." Recently, the Flerken Da Ju had grown close with some of the Uchiha's ninja cats and no longer wanted to accompany Akira on missions. Which meant someone else had to handle cleanup.
That damn Flerken—seduced by a few female cats, and now utterly distracted.
Back at the estate, Da Ju suddenly shivered. "Meow???"
"I'll be fine. Besides, we're not killing good people. And as a ninja, I need to get used to seeing blood." Izumi declared that she was ready. A true ninja couldn't fear blood.
It took over an hour before they found three men in the middle of a drug deal. With one swift strike, Akira ended all three lives.
For Akira, ordinary souls provided little benefit to the Soul Furnace. But for Izumi, experiencing it for the first time was a revelation.
Everyone knew Clan Leader Akira had a special way of strengthening his kin. And now Izumi had felt it firsthand—her vitality surged, her chakra flowed more vigorously. It was a strange, liberating sensation.
Most miraculous of all was the feeling of breaking through a shackle within her body—suddenly everything moved with far greater ease.
"Don't carry any guilt. Here in Hell's Kitchen, gangsters have no humanity left. I've been killing them for half a year, and only now has the crime rate dropped. These thugs live off drugs, trafficking, and loan-sharking, destroying countless families."
"That's why no matter how many I kill, I feel no guilt. In fact, I'm practically the Bodhisattva of Hell's Kitchen, delivering people from suffering. Well… though they'd probably only believe in God."
"Why don't they resist?"
"Sadly, just as commoners in the shinobi world can't resist ninja, ordinary people here have no ability to fight back. All they can do is endure abuse."
"Once, the Uchiha nearly became Konoha's sacrificial victims too. Falling behind means getting beaten—that's an eternal truth."
Akira believed it was time Izumi learned some harsher realities. To him, this wasn't destiny—it was simply the price of growth.
"I understand, Lord Akira. I'll train hard—hard enough to protect you and the Uchiha."
Akira gently patted the stubborn girl's head. "Don't worry. Even if you're not that strong yet, I'll protect you all."
What he didn't notice was Izumi's Sharingan. Her double tomoe eyes slowly spun… and evolved into three tomoe.