Under the cover of night, the city shimmered with countless lights, appearing exceptionally prosperous and breathtakingly beautiful.
On the top floor of a towering building, a group of men sat in tense silence, locked in a deadly staring contest.
"I've dedicated half my life to the organization," a middle-aged man sneered, cornered with no way out. "And now they won't even grant me a retirement? How heartless."
His tone carried no surprise—only resignation. It was as if he had long expected this outcome.
The others exchanged silent glances before raising their silenced pistols and gleaming daggers.
"Sitting around waiting to die isn't my style," the man growled, his eyes flashing with defiance. "If you want to kill me, then be ready to die with me!"
Before the others could react, he lunged first.
"!!!"
A fierce yet soundless battle erupted. Within moments, the struggle ended. The middle-aged man collapsed into a pool of blood—alongside more than a dozen of his former comrades.
As his vision darkened and consciousness began to fade, regret clouded his thoughts.
Who betrayed me? Anyone with half a brain should know… We were friends once—good friends…
His final breath left him with a bitter sense of unfinished purpose and resentment.
When the cleanup crew finished, the rooftop returned to silence. Only the faint metallic scent of blood lingered in the cool night air.
…
"Hinata-sama! HINATA-SAMA! "
Voices echoed around her.
Hinata awoke from darkness, blinking against the light, her mind hazy and overwhelmed by the chaotic shouts nearby. Everything felt noisy, distorted, and strange.
Her thoughts were tangled; her memories were scattered like broken glass.
Who am I? Where am I? What… am I supposed to do?
The guards assigned to protect her exhaled in relief when they saw her eyes flutter open.
"Thank goodness! You suddenly fainted—it scared us to death!"
"Hinata-sama, are you alright? Do you feel any pain or discomfort?"
"We should take her to the hospital immediately!"
"If the clan leader finds out, we'll be in serious trouble!"
"At a time like this, can you stop worrying about that?"
Their anxious voices overlapped and echoed in her head, each word amplified until it became unbearable. Her mind buzzed like a swarm of bees, unable to process anything.
Overwhelmed, Hinata closed her eyes—and fainted once more.
"!!"
The guards panicked. They dared not delay another second, rushing her to the hospital where a whirlwind of medical checks and tests followed.
…
"It's nothing serious," Hinata murmured weakly when she regained consciousness again. "I'm probably just… overtired. I'll be fine after some rest."
When she opened her eyes this time, she was already back home.
Throwing off her blanket, she rose unsteadily and walked toward the mirror.
Her reflection stared back—familiar, yet foreign.
"This isn't… a dream?" she whispered, stunned.
While she was unconscious, something extraordinary had happened.
A soul from another world—an older man with years of experience and an unyielding will—had collided with Hinata's original consciousness.
Instinctively, both fought for control.
Although the man possessed the hardened mind of an assassin, Hinata's spiritual strength was equally formidable. The battle between their wills raged fiercely, neither side yielding ground.
But as time passed, both began to weaken. If they continued, they would destroy each other entirely.
Facing mutual annihilation, the two came to an unspoken understanding.
Neither wanted to die.
And so, they chose to merge.
Thus, Hinata remained the same outwardly—but within, she was no longer the same person. Her soul was now a fusion of two lives, two worlds, and two minds.
[Ding!]
[Integration complete. Homeland construction initializing…]
A mechanical voice echoed in her mind.
Before she could react, her consciousness was pulled into a vast, open space—roughly a hundred square meters wide. Dense fog rolled along the perimeter, hiding whatever lay beyond. There was no way out.
Before her eyes, a glowing interface materialized—a control panel with several tools and icons.
The toolbar held items like hoes, shovels, nails, hammers, and wrenches.
The materials library contained piles of wood and steel.
At the bottom corner flickered a question mark. When Hinata focused on it, glowing text appeared:
"Clear the weeds, build your home, and complete the construction using the available tools and materials.
Reward: Mastery of the Gentle Fist."
"…What?"
She blinked. With a thought, she withdrew back into her body. Another thought—and she returned to the strange foggy space.
It wasn't an illusion.
Frowning in concentration, Hinata—now with the mind of a former assassin and the instincts of a shinobi—began to work.
She started by clearing the weeds, then dug the foundation according to the blueprint displayed in the manual. Despite her confusion, her hands moved with practiced precision.
Time flowed differently here—ten days in this dimension equaled only one day in the real world. That meant she could work as long as she wished without worrying about time outside.
…
[Ding!]
[Home construction complete. Reward obtained: Gentle Fist Mastery!]
A rush of energy surged through her body.
Hinata's eyes widened in awe as comprehension flooded her mind. Her understanding of Gentle Fist—its flow, rhythm, and chakra precision—had skyrocketed to an entirely new level.
It was as if the difference between a wooden stick and a steel pillar had been bridged in an instant.
Then, another notification appeared:
"Evaluation: 94.57 points.
Bonus reward: Select one — Byakugan Optimization, Neural Reaction Boost, or Strength Enhancement."
Before Hinata could choose, the virtual wheel spun on its own and landed on Byakugan Optimization.
Nothing seemed to change immediately, leaving her puzzled.
Then, new text appeared:
"Expand your territory and continue building your Homeland using the provided tools and materials.
Reward: 80 Divine Void Strikes. (Each section grants 10 Divine Void Strikes.)"
Her surroundings shifted.
The once modest hundred-square-meter space expanded tenfold into a sprawling thousand-square-meter plain.
The new blueprints showed far more complex structures—roads, a logging camp, a quarry, and even a steel plant.
This was no simple project.
Hinata studied the diagrams closely. Since her performance had been graded, she knew that the quality of her work directly affected her rewards.
A score of 94.57 was excellent—but perfection offered far greater returns.
To get the best reward, I need to give my best effort.
She spent time measuring distances, calculating angles, and planning the optimal construction layout before beginning again.
Her first target was the logging camp nearest to her original home, and she followed the blueprints down to the finest detail.
This time, thanks to her prior experience, her efficiency was significantly higher, and the results were nearly flawless.
When the camp was finished, all the wood in her materials library vanished.
"Hmm… Does each facility consume its own resource type?" Hinata mused.
Once the logging camp began automatically replenishing timber, she immediately started constructing roads and infrastructure.
Here, she never felt hungry, tired, or sleepy.
But unlike most, she didn't lose track of time.
In her previous life as an assassin, precision timing had meant the difference between success and death. Arriving a second too early or too late could have been fatal.
That sharp sense of timing remained with her—even now, in this strange familiar world.
…
Timing it perfectly, Hinata stepped outside. The morning air was cool and fresh, but as soon as she emerged, her eyes began to itch and sting.
Before she could react, her Byakugan activated on its own. The veins around her eyes bulged, making her reflection in the window look almost fierce—predatory, even.
"Byakugan optimization…?" she murmured, recalling the earlier notification.
A wave of pain and prickling surged through her eyes, forcing her to close them tightly. When the discomfort finally faded, Hinata blinked—and her breath caught in awe.
Everything looked different.
Her vision was sharper and brighter than ever before; her field of view had nearly doubled. Even more astonishing, time itself seemed to slow within her gaze—objects moved with a subtle lag, as if the world had adjusted its pace for her alone.
"So this is… optimization?" she whispered. "Incredible."
[Translator's Note: This is the end of the chapters. The rest is just extra wordings so we can meet the requirements for power stones voting.]
Chapter 1: Soul FusionUnder the Night's Veil
Under the cover of night, the city shimmered with countless lights, appearing exceptionally prosperous and breathtakingly beautiful.
On the top floor of a towering building, a group of men sat in tense silence, locked in a deadly staring contest.
"I've dedicated half my life to the organization," a middle-aged man sneered, cornered with no way out. "And now they won't even grant me a retirement? How heartless."
His tone carried no surprise—only resignation. It was as if he had long expected this outcome.
The others exchanged silent glances before raising their silenced pistols and gleaming daggers.
"Sitting around waiting to die isn't my style," the man growled, his eyes flashing with defiance. "If you want to kill me, then be ready to die with me!"
Before the others could react, he lunged first.
"!!!"
A fierce yet soundless battle erupted. Within moments, the struggle ended. The middle-aged man collapsed into a pool of blood—alongside more than a dozen of his former comrades.
As his vision darkened and consciousness began to fade, regret clouded his thoughts.
Who betrayed me? Anyone with half a brain should know… We were friends once—good friends…
His final breath left him with a bitter sense of unfinished purpose and resentment.
When the cleanup crew finished, the rooftop returned to silence. Only the faint metallic scent of blood lingered in the cool night air.
…
"Hinata-sama! HINATA-SAMA! "
Voices echoed around her.
Hinata awoke from darkness, blinking against the light, her mind hazy and overwhelmed by the chaotic shouts nearby. Everything felt noisy, distorted, and strange.
Her thoughts were tangled; her memories were scattered like broken glass.
Who am I? Where am I? What… am I supposed to do?
The guards assigned to protect her exhaled in relief when they saw her eyes flutter open.
"Thank goodness! You suddenly fainted—it scared us to death!"
"Hinata-sama, are you alright? Do you feel any pain or discomfort?"
"We should take her to the hospital immediately!"
"If the clan leader finds out, we'll be in serious trouble!"
"At a time like this, can you stop worrying about that?"
Their anxious voices overlapped and echoed in her head, each word amplified until it became unbearable. Her mind buzzed like a swarm of bees, unable to process anything.
Overwhelmed, Hinata closed her eyes—and fainted once more.
"!!"
The guards panicked. They dared not delay another second, rushing her to the hospital where a whirlwind of medical checks and tests followed.
…
"It's nothing serious," Hinata murmured weakly when she regained consciousness again. "I'm probably just… overtired. I'll be fine after some rest."
When she opened her eyes this time, she was already back home.
Throwing off her blanket, she rose unsteadily and walked toward the mirror.
Her reflection stared back—familiar, yet foreign.
"This isn't… a dream?" she whispered, stunned.
While she was unconscious, something extraordinary had happened.
A soul from another world—an older man with years of experience and an unyielding will—had collided with Hinata's original consciousness.
Instinctively, both fought for control.
Although the man possessed the hardened mind of an assassin, Hinata's spiritual strength was equally formidable. The battle between their wills raged fiercely, neither side yielding ground.
But as time passed, both began to weaken. If they continued, they would destroy each other entirely.
Facing mutual annihilation, the two came to an unspoken understanding.
Neither wanted to die.
And so, they chose to merge.
Thus, Hinata remained the same outwardly—but within, she was no longer the same person. Her soul was now a fusion of two lives, two worlds, and two minds.
[Ding!]
[Integration complete. Homeland construction initializing…]
A mechanical voice echoed in her mind.
Before she could react, her consciousness was pulled into a vast, open space—roughly a hundred square meters wide. Dense fog rolled along the perimeter, hiding whatever lay beyond. There was no way out.
Before her eyes, a glowing interface materialized—a control panel with several tools and icons.
The toolbar held items like hoes, shovels, nails, hammers, and wrenches.
The materials library contained piles of wood and steel.
At the bottom corner flickered a question mark. When Hinata focused on it, glowing text appeared:
"Clear the weeds, build your home, and complete the construction using the available tools and materials.
Reward: Mastery of the Gentle Fist."
"…What?"
She blinked. With a thought, she withdrew back into her body. Another thought—and she returned to the strange foggy space.
It wasn't an illusion.
Frowning in concentration, Hinata—now with the mind of a former assassin and the instincts of a shinobi—began to work.
She started by clearing the weeds, then dug the foundation according to the blueprint displayed in the manual. Despite her confusion, her hands moved with practiced precision.
Time flowed differently here—ten days in this dimension equaled only one day in the real world. That meant she could work as long as she wished without worrying about time outside.
…
[Ding!]
[Home construction complete. Reward obtained: Gentle Fist Mastery!]
A rush of energy surged through her body.
Hinata's eyes widened in awe as comprehension flooded her mind. Her understanding of Gentle Fist—its flow, rhythm, and chakra precision—had skyrocketed to an entirely new level.
It was as if the difference between a wooden stick and a steel pillar had been bridged in an instant.
Then, another notification appeared:
"Evaluation: 94.57 points.
Bonus reward: Select one — Byakugan Optimization, Neural Reaction Boost, or Strength Enhancement."
Before Hinata could choose, the virtual wheel spun on its own and landed on Byakugan Optimization.
Nothing seemed to change immediately, leaving her puzzled.
Then, new text appeared:
"Expand your territory and continue building your Homeland using the provided tools and materials.
Reward: 80 Divine Void Strikes. (Each section grants 10 Divine Void Strikes.)"
Her surroundings shifted.
The once modest hundred-square-meter space expanded tenfold into a sprawling thousand-square-meter plain.
The new blueprints showed far more complex structures—roads, a logging camp, a quarry, and even a steel plant.
This was no simple project.
Hinata studied the diagrams closely. Since her performance had been graded, she knew that the quality of her work directly affected her rewards.
A score of 94.57 was excellent—but perfection offered far greater returns.
To get the best reward, I need to give my best effort.
She spent time measuring distances, calculating angles, and planning the optimal construction layout before beginning again.
Her first target was the logging camp nearest to her original home, and she followed the blueprints down to the finest detail.
This time, thanks to her prior experience, her efficiency was significantly higher, and the results were nearly flawless.
When the camp was finished, all the wood in her materials library vanished.
"Hmm… Does each facility consume its own resource type?" Hinata mused.
Once the logging camp began automatically replenishing timber, she immediately started constructing roads and infrastructure.
Here, she never felt hungry, tired, or sleepy.
But unlike most, she didn't lose track of time.
In her previous life as an assassin, precision timing had meant the difference between success and death. Arriving a second too early or too late could have been fatal.
That sharp sense of timing remained with her—even now, in this strange familiar world.
…
Timing it perfectly, Hinata stepped outside. The morning air was cool and fresh, but as soon as she emerged, her eyes began to itch and sting.
Before she could react, her Byakugan activated on its own. The veins around her eyes bulged, making her reflection in the window look almost fierce—predatory, even.
"Byakugan optimization…?" she murmured, recalling the earlier notification.
A wave of pain and prickling surged through her eyes, forcing her to close them tightly. When the discomfort finally faded, Hinata blinked—and her breath caught in awe.
Everything looked different.
Her vision was sharper and brighter than ever before; her field of view had nearly doubled. Even more astonishing, time itself seemed to slow within her gaze—objects moved with a subtle lag, as if the world had adjusted its pace for her alone.
"So this is… optimization?" she whispered. "Incredible."
…
Chapter 1: Soul FusionUnder the Night's Veil
Under the cover of night, the city shimmered with countless lights, appearing exceptionally prosperous and breathtakingly beautiful.
On the top floor of a towering building, a group of men sat in tense silence, locked in a deadly staring contest.
"I've dedicated half my life to the organization," a middle-aged man sneered, cornered with no way out. "And now they won't even grant me a retirement? How heartless."
His tone carried no surprise—only resignation. It was as if he had long expected this outcome.
The others exchanged silent glances before raising their silenced pistols and gleaming daggers.
"Sitting around waiting to die isn't my style," the man growled, his eyes flashing with defiance. "If you want to kill me, then be ready to die with me!"
Before the others could react, he lunged first.
"!!!"
A fierce yet soundless battle erupted. Within moments, the struggle ended. The middle-aged man collapsed into a pool of blood—alongside more than a dozen of his former comrades.
As his vision darkened and consciousness began to fade, regret clouded his thoughts.
Who betrayed me? Anyone with half a brain should know… We were friends once—good friends…
His final breath left him with a bitter sense of unfinished purpose and resentment.
When the cleanup crew finished, the rooftop returned to silence. Only the faint metallic scent of blood lingered in the cool night air.
…
"Hinata-sama! HINATA-SAMA! "
Voices echoed around her.
Hinata awoke from darkness, blinking against the light, her mind hazy and overwhelmed by the chaotic shouts nearby. Everything felt noisy, distorted, and strange.
Her thoughts were tangled; her memories were scattered like broken glass.
Who am I? Where am I? What… am I supposed to do?
The guards assigned to protect her exhaled in relief when they saw her eyes flutter open.
"Thank goodness! You suddenly fainted—it scared us to death!"
"Hinata-sama, are you alright? Do you feel any pain or discomfort?"
"We should take her to the hospital immediately!"
"If the clan leader finds out, we'll be in serious trouble!"
"At a time like this, can you stop worrying about that?"
Their anxious voices overlapped and echoed in her head, each word amplified until it became unbearable. Her mind buzzed like a swarm of bees, unable to process anything.
Overwhelmed, Hinata closed her eyes—and fainted once more.
"!!"
The guards panicked. They dared not delay another second, rushing her to the hospital where a whirlwind of medical checks and tests followed.
…
"It's nothing serious," Hinata murmured weakly when she regained consciousness again. "I'm probably just… overtired. I'll be fine after some rest."
When she opened her eyes this time, she was already back home.
Throwing off her blanket, she rose unsteadily and walked toward the mirror.
Her reflection stared back—familiar, yet foreign.
"This isn't… a dream?" she whispered, stunned.
While she was unconscious, something extraordinary had happened.
A soul from another world—an older man with years of experience and an unyielding will—had collided with Hinata's original consciousness.
Instinctively, both fought for control.
Although the man possessed the hardened mind of an assassin, Hinata's spiritual strength was equally formidable. The battle between their wills raged fiercely, neither side yielding ground.
But as time passed, both began to weaken. If they continued, they would destroy each other entirely.
Facing mutual annihilation, the two came to an unspoken understanding.
Neither wanted to die.
And so, they chose to merge.
Thus, Hinata remained the same outwardly—but within, she was no longer the same person. Her soul was now a fusion of two lives, two worlds, and two minds.
[Ding!]
[Integration complete. Homeland construction initializing…]
A mechanical voice echoed in her mind.
Before she could react, her consciousness was pulled into a vast, open space—roughly a hundred square meters wide. Dense fog rolled along the perimeter, hiding whatever lay beyond. There was no way out.
Before her eyes, a glowing interface materialized—a control panel with several tools and icons.
The toolbar held items like hoes, shovels, nails, hammers, and wrenches.
The materials library contained piles of wood and steel.
At the bottom corner flickered a question mark. When Hinata focused on it, glowing text appeared:
"Clear the weeds, build your home, and complete the construction using the available tools and materials.
Reward: Mastery of the Gentle Fist."
"…What?"
She blinked. With a thought, she withdrew back into her body. Another thought—and she returned to the strange foggy space.
It wasn't an illusion.
Frowning in concentration, Hinata—now with the mind of a former assassin and the instincts of a shinobi—began to work.
She started by clearing the weeds, then dug the foundation according to the blueprint displayed in the manual. Despite her confusion, her hands moved with practiced precision.
Time flowed differently here—ten days in this dimension equaled only one day in the real world. That meant she could work as long as she wished without worrying about time outside.
…
[Ding!]
[Home construction complete. Reward obtained: Gentle Fist Mastery!]
A rush of energy surged through her body.
Hinata's eyes widened in awe as comprehension flooded her mind. Her understanding of Gentle Fist—its flow, rhythm, and chakra precision—had skyrocketed to an entirely new level.
It was as if the difference between a wooden stick and a steel pillar had been bridged in an instant.
Then, another notification appeared:
"Evaluation: 94.57 points.
Bonus reward: Select one — Byakugan Optimization, Neural Reaction Boost, or Strength Enhancement."
Before Hinata could choose, the virtual wheel spun on its own and landed on Byakugan Optimization.
Nothing seemed to change immediately, leaving her puzzled.
Then, new text appeared:
"Expand your territory and continue building your Homeland using the provided tools and materials.
Reward: 80 Divine Void Strikes. (Each section grants 10 Divine Void Strikes.)"
Her surroundings shifted.
The once modest hundred-square-meter space expanded tenfold into a sprawling thousand-square-meter plain.
The new blueprints showed far more complex structures—roads, a logging camp, a quarry, and even a steel plant.
This was no simple project.
Hinata studied the diagrams closely. Since her performance had been graded, she knew that the quality of her work directly affected her rewards.
A score of 94.57 was excellent—but perfection offered far greater returns.
To get the best reward, I need to give my best effort.
She spent time measuring distances, calculating angles, and planning the optimal construction layout before beginning again.
Her first target was the logging camp nearest to her original home, and she followed the blueprints down to the finest detail.
This time, thanks to her prior experience, her efficiency was significantly higher, and the results were nearly flawless.
When the camp was finished, all the wood in her materials library vanished.
"Hmm… Does each facility consume its own resource type?" Hinata mused.
Once the logging camp began automatically replenishing timber, she immediately started constructing roads and infrastructure.
Here, she never felt hungry, tired, or sleepy.
But unlike most, she didn't lose track of time.
In her previous life as an assassin, precision timing had meant the difference between success and death. Arriving a second too early or too late could have been fatal.
That sharp sense of timing remained with her—even now, in this strange familiar world.
…
Timing it perfectly, Hinata stepped outside. The morning air was cool and fresh, but as soon as she emerged, her eyes began to itch and sting.
Before she could react, her Byakugan activated on its own. The veins around her eyes bulged, making her reflection in the window look almost fierce—predatory, even.
"Byakugan optimization…?" she murmured, recalling the earlier notification.
A wave of pain and prickling surged through her eyes, forcing her to close them tightly. When the discomfort finally faded, Hinata blinked—and her breath caught in awe.
Everything looked different.
Her vision was sharper and brighter than ever before; her field of view had nearly doubled. Even more astonishing, time itself seemed to slow within her gaze—objects moved with a subtle lag, as if the world had adjusted its pace for her alone.
"So this is… optimization?" she whispered. "Incredible."
…
Chapter 1: Soul FusionUnder the Night's Veil
Under the cover of night, the city shimmered with countless lights, appearing exceptionally prosperous and breathtakingly beautiful.
On the top floor of a towering building, a group of men sat in tense silence, locked in a deadly staring contest.
"I've dedicated half my life to the organization," a middle-aged man sneered, cornered with no way out. "And now they won't even grant me a retirement? How heartless."
His tone carried no surprise—only resignation. It was as if he had long expected this outcome.
The others exchanged silent glances before raising their silenced pistols and gleaming daggers.
"Sitting around waiting to die isn't my style," the man growled, his eyes flashing with defiance. "If you want to kill me, then be ready to die with me!"
Before the others could react, he lunged first.
"!!!"
A fierce yet soundless battle erupted. Within moments, the struggle ended. The middle-aged man collapsed into a pool of blood—alongside more than a dozen of his former comrades.
As his vision darkened and consciousness began to fade, regret clouded his thoughts.
Who betrayed me? Anyone with half a brain should know… We were friends once—good friends…
His final breath left him with a bitter sense of unfinished purpose and resentment.
When the cleanup crew finished, the rooftop returned to silence. Only the faint metallic scent of blood lingered in the cool night air.
…
"Hinata-sama! HINATA-SAMA! "
Voices echoed around her.
Hinata awoke from darkness, blinking against the light, her mind hazy and overwhelmed by the chaotic shouts nearby. Everything felt noisy, distorted, and strange.
Her thoughts were tangled; her memories were scattered like broken glass.
Who am I? Where am I? What… am I supposed to do?
The guards assigned to protect her exhaled in relief when they saw her eyes flutter open.
"Thank goodness! You suddenly fainted—it scared us to death!"
"Hinata-sama, are you alright? Do you feel any pain or discomfort?"
"We should take her to the hospital immediately!"
"If the clan leader finds out, we'll be in serious trouble!"
"At a time like this, can you stop worrying about that?"
Their anxious voices overlapped and echoed in her head, each word amplified until it became unbearable. Her mind buzzed like a swarm of bees, unable to process anything.
Overwhelmed, Hinata closed her eyes—and fainted once more.
"!!"
The guards panicked. They dared not delay another second, rushing her to the hospital where a whirlwind of medical checks and tests followed.
…
"It's nothing serious," Hinata murmured weakly when she regained consciousness again. "I'm probably just… overtired. I'll be fine after some rest."
When she opened her eyes this time, she was already back home.
Throwing off her blanket, she rose unsteadily and walked toward the mirror.
Her reflection stared back—familiar, yet foreign.
"This isn't… a dream?" she whispered, stunned.
While she was unconscious, something extraordinary had happened.
A soul from another world—an older man with years of experience and an unyielding will—had collided with Hinata's original consciousness.
Instinctively, both fought for control.
Although the man possessed the hardened mind of an assassin, Hinata's spiritual strength was equally formidable. The battle between their wills raged fiercely, neither side yielding ground.
But as time passed, both began to weaken. If they continued, they would destroy each other entirely.
Facing mutual annihilation, the two came to an unspoken understanding.
Neither wanted to die.
And so, they chose to merge.
Thus, Hinata remained the same outwardly—but within, she was no longer the same person. Her soul was now a fusion of two lives, two worlds, and two minds.
[Ding!]
[Integration complete. Homeland construction initializing…]
A mechanical voice echoed in her mind.
Before she could react, her consciousness was pulled into a vast, open space—roughly a hundred square meters wide. Dense fog rolled along the perimeter, hiding whatever lay beyond. There was no way out.
Before her eyes, a glowing interface materialized—a control panel with several tools and icons.
The toolbar held items like hoes, shovels, nails, hammers, and wrenches.
The materials library contained piles of wood and steel.
At the bottom corner flickered a question mark. When Hinata focused on it, glowing text appeared:
"Clear the weeds, build your home, and complete the construction using the available tools and materials.
Reward: Mastery of the Gentle Fist."
"…What?"
She blinked. With a thought, she withdrew back into her body. Another thought—and she returned to the strange foggy space.
It wasn't an illusion.
Frowning in concentration, Hinata—now with the mind of a former assassin and the instincts of a shinobi—began to work.
She started by clearing the weeds, then dug the foundation according to the blueprint displayed in the manual. Despite her confusion, her hands moved with practiced precision.
Time flowed differently here—ten days in this dimension equaled only one day in the real world. That meant she could work as long as she wished without worrying about time outside.
…
[Ding!]
[Home construction complete. Reward obtained: Gentle Fist Mastery!]
A rush of energy surged through her body.
Hinata's eyes widened in awe as comprehension flooded her mind. Her understanding of Gentle Fist—its flow, rhythm, and chakra precision—had skyrocketed to an entirely new level.
It was as if the difference between a wooden stick and a steel pillar had been bridged in an instant.
Then, another notification appeared:
"Evaluation: 94.57 points.
Bonus reward: Select one — Byakugan Optimization, Neural Reaction Boost, or Strength Enhancement."
Before Hinata could choose, the virtual wheel spun on its own and landed on Byakugan Optimization.
Nothing seemed to change immediately, leaving her puzzled.
Then, new text appeared:
"Expand your territory and continue building your Homeland using the provided tools and materials.
Reward: 80 Divine Void Strikes. (Each section grants 10 Divine Void Strikes.)"
Her surroundings shifted.
The once modest hundred-square-meter space expanded tenfold into a sprawling thousand-square-meter plain.
The new blueprints showed far more complex structures—roads, a logging camp, a quarry, and even a steel plant.
This was no simple project.
Hinata studied the diagrams closely. Since her performance had been graded, she knew that the quality of her work directly affected her rewards.
A score of 94.57 was excellent—but perfection offered far greater returns.
To get the best reward, I need to give my best effort.
She spent time measuring distances, calculating angles, and planning the optimal construction layout before beginning again.
Her first target was the logging camp nearest to her original home, and she followed the blueprints down to the finest detail.
This time, thanks to her prior experience, her efficiency was significantly higher, and the results were nearly flawless.
When the camp was finished, all the wood in her materials library vanished.
"Hmm… Does each facility consume its own resource type?" Hinata mused.
Once the logging camp began automatically replenishing timber, she immediately started constructing roads and infrastructure.
Here, she never felt hungry, tired, or sleepy.
But unlike most, she didn't lose track of time.
In her previous life as an assassin, precision timing had meant the difference between success and death. Arriving a second too early or too late could have been fatal.
That sharp sense of timing remained with her—even now, in this strange familiar world.
…
Timing it perfectly, Hinata stepped outside. The morning air was cool and fresh, but as soon as she emerged, her eyes began to itch and sting.
Before she could react, her Byakugan activated on its own. The veins around her eyes bulged, making her reflection in the window look almost fierce—predatory, even.
"Byakugan optimization…?" she murmured, recalling the earlier notification.
A wave of pain and prickling surged through her eyes, forcing her to close them tightly. When the discomfort finally faded, Hinata blinked—and her breath caught in awe.
Everything looked different.
Her vision was sharper and brighter than ever before; her field of view had nearly doubled. Even more astonishing, time itself seemed to slow within her gaze—objects moved with a subtle lag, as if the world had adjusted its pace for her alone.
"So this is… optimization?" she whispered. "Incredible."
…
Chapter 1: Soul FusionUnder the Night's Veil
Under the cover of night, the city shimmered with countless lights, appearing exceptionally prosperous and breathtakingly beautiful.
On the top floor of a towering building, a group of men sat in tense silence, locked in a deadly staring contest.
"I've dedicated half my life to the organization," a middle-aged man sneered, cornered with no way out. "And now they won't even grant me a retirement? How heartless."
His tone carried no surprise—only resignation. It was as if he had long expected this outcome.
The others exchanged silent glances before raising their silenced pistols and gleaming daggers.
"Sitting around waiting to die isn't my style," the man growled, his eyes flashing with defiance. "If you want to kill me, then be ready to die with me!"
Before the others could react, he lunged first.
"!!!"
A fierce yet soundless battle erupted. Within moments, the struggle ended. The middle-aged man collapsed into a pool of blood—alongside more than a dozen of his former comrades.
As his vision darkened and consciousness began to fade, regret clouded his thoughts.
Who betrayed me? Anyone with half a brain should know… We were friends once—good friends…
His final breath left him with a bitter sense of unfinished purpose and resentment.
When the cleanup crew finished, the rooftop returned to silence. Only the faint metallic scent of blood lingered in the cool night air.
…
"Hinata-sama! HINATA-SAMA! "
Voices echoed around her.
Hinata awoke from darkness, blinking against the light, her mind hazy and overwhelmed by the chaotic shouts nearby. Everything felt noisy, distorted, and strange.
Her thoughts were tangled; her memories were scattered like broken glass.
Who am I? Where am I? What… am I supposed to do?
The guards assigned to protect her exhaled in relief when they saw her eyes flutter open.
"Thank goodness! You suddenly fainted—it scared us to death!"
"Hinata-sama, are you alright? Do you feel any pain or discomfort?"
"We should take her to the hospital immediately!"
"If the clan leader finds out, we'll be in serious trouble!"
"At a time like this, can you stop worrying about that?"
Their anxious voices overlapped and echoed in her head, each word amplified until it became unbearable. Her mind buzzed like a swarm of bees, unable to process anything.
Overwhelmed, Hinata closed her eyes—and fainted once more.
"!!"
The guards panicked. They dared not delay another second, rushing her to the hospital where a whirlwind of medical checks and tests followed.
…
"It's nothing serious," Hinata murmured weakly when she regained consciousness again. "I'm probably just… overtired. I'll be fine after some rest."
When she opened her eyes this time, she was already back home.
Throwing off her blanket, she rose unsteadily and walked toward the mirror.
Her reflection stared back—familiar, yet foreign.
"This isn't… a dream?" she whispered, stunned.
While she was unconscious, something extraordinary had happened.
A soul from another world—an older man with years of experience and an unyielding will—had collided with Hinata's original consciousness.
Instinctively, both fought for control.
Although the man possessed the hardened mind of an assassin, Hinata's spiritual strength was equally formidable. The battle between their wills raged fiercely, neither side yielding ground.
But as time passed, both began to weaken. If they continued, they would destroy each other entirely.
Facing mutual annihilation, the two came to an unspoken understanding.
Neither wanted to die.
And so, they chose to merge.
Thus, Hinata remained the same outwardly—but within, she was no longer the same person. Her soul was now a fusion of two lives, two worlds, and two minds.
[Ding!]
[Integration complete. Homeland construction initializing…]
A mechanical voice echoed in her mind.
Before she could react, her consciousness was pulled into a vast, open space—roughly a hundred square meters wide. Dense fog rolled along the perimeter, hiding whatever lay beyond. There was no way out.
Before her eyes, a glowing interface materialized—a control panel with several tools and icons.
The toolbar held items like hoes, shovels, nails, hammers, and wrenches.
The materials library contained piles of wood and steel.
At the bottom corner flickered a question mark. When Hinata focused on it, glowing text appeared:
"Clear the weeds, build your home, and complete the construction using the available tools and materials.
Reward: Mastery of the Gentle Fist."
"…What?"
She blinked. With a thought, she withdrew back into her body. Another thought—and she returned to the strange foggy space.
It wasn't an illusion.
Frowning in concentration, Hinata—now with the mind of a former assassin and the instincts of a shinobi—began to work.
She started by clearing the weeds, then dug the foundation according to the blueprint displayed in the manual. Despite her confusion, her hands moved with practiced precision.
Time flowed differently here—ten days in this dimension equaled only one day in the real world. That meant she could work as long as she wished without worrying about time outside.
…
[Ding!]
[Home construction complete. Reward obtained: Gentle Fist Mastery!]
A rush of energy surged through her body.
Hinata's eyes widened in awe as comprehension flooded her mind. Her understanding of Gentle Fist—its flow, rhythm, and chakra precision—had skyrocketed to an entirely new level.
It was as if the difference between a wooden stick and a steel pillar had been bridged in an instant.
Then, another notification appeared:
"Evaluation: 94.57 points.
Bonus reward: Select one — Byakugan Optimization, Neural Reaction Boost, or Strength Enhancement."
Before Hinata could choose, the virtual wheel spun on its own and landed on Byakugan Optimization.
Nothing seemed to change immediately, leaving her puzzled.
Then, new text appeared:
"Expand your territory and continue building your Homeland using the provided tools and materials.
Reward: 80 Divine Void Strikes. (Each section grants 10 Divine Void Strikes.)"
Her surroundings shifted.
The once modest hundred-square-meter space expanded tenfold into a sprawling thousand-square-meter plain.
The new blueprints showed far more complex structures—roads, a logging camp, a quarry, and even a steel plant.
This was no simple project.
Hinata studied the diagrams closely. Since her performance had been graded, she knew that the quality of her work directly affected her rewards.
A score of 94.57 was excellent—but perfection offered far greater returns.
To get the best reward, I need to give my best effort.
She spent time measuring distances, calculating angles, and planning the optimal construction layout before beginning again.
Her first target was the logging camp nearest to her original home, and she followed the blueprints down to the finest detail.
This time, thanks to her prior experience, her efficiency was significantly higher, and the results were nearly flawless.
When the camp was finished, all the wood in her materials library vanished.
"Hmm… Does each facility consume its own resource type?" Hinata mused.
Once the logging camp began automatically replenishing timber, she immediately started constructing roads and infrastructure.
Here, she never felt hungry, tired, or sleepy.
But unlike most, she didn't lose track of time.
In her previous life as an assassin, precision timing had meant the difference between success and death. Arriving a second too early or too late could have been fatal.
That sharp sense of timing remained with her—even now, in this strange familiar world.
…
Timing it perfectly, Hinata stepped outside. The morning air was cool and fresh, but as soon as she emerged, her eyes began to itch and sting.
Before she could react, her Byakugan activated on its own. The veins around her eyes bulged, making her reflection in the window look almost fierce—predatory, even.
"Byakugan optimization…?" she murmured, recalling the earlier notification.
A wave of pain and prickling surged through her eyes, forcing her to close them tightly. When the discomfort finally faded, Hinata blinked—and her breath caught in awe.
Everything looked different.
Her vision was sharper and brighter than ever before; her field of view had nearly doubled. Even more astonishing, time itself seemed to slow within her gaze—objects moved with a subtle lag, as if the world had adjusted its pace for her alone.
"So this is… optimization?" she whispered. "Incredible."
…
Chapter 1: Soul FusionUnder the Night's Veil
Under the cover of night, the city shimmered with countless lights, appearing exceptionally prosperous and breathtakingly beautiful.
On the top floor of a towering building, a group of men sat in tense silence, locked in a deadly staring contest.
"I've dedicated half my life to the organization," a middle-aged man sneered, cornered with no way out. "And now they won't even grant me a retirement? How heartless."
His tone carried no surprise—only resignation. It was as if he had long expected this outcome.
The others exchanged silent glances before raising their silenced pistols and gleaming daggers.
"Sitting around waiting to die isn't my style," the man growled, his eyes flashing with defiance. "If you want to kill me, then be ready to die with me!"
Before the others could react, he lunged first.
"!!!"
A fierce yet soundless battle erupted. Within moments, the struggle ended. The middle-aged man collapsed into a pool of blood—alongside more than a dozen of his former comrades.
As his vision darkened and consciousness began to fade, regret clouded his thoughts.
Who betrayed me? Anyone with half a brain should know… We were friends once—good friends…
His final breath left him with a bitter sense of unfinished purpose and resentment.
When the cleanup crew finished, the rooftop returned to silence. Only the faint metallic scent of blood lingered in the cool night air.
…
"Hinata-sama! HINATA-SAMA! "
Voices echoed around her.
Hinata awoke from darkness, blinking against the light, her mind hazy and overwhelmed by the chaotic shouts nearby. Everything felt noisy, distorted, and strange.
Her thoughts were tangled; her memories were scattered like broken glass.
Who am I? Where am I? What… am I supposed to do?
The guards assigned to protect her exhaled in relief when they saw her eyes flutter open.
"Thank goodness! You suddenly fainted—it scared us to death!"
"Hinata-sama, are you alright? Do you feel any pain or discomfort?"
"We should take her to the hospital immediately!"
"If the clan leader finds out, we'll be in serious trouble!"
"At a time like this, can you stop worrying about that?"
Their anxious voices overlapped and echoed in her head, each word amplified until it became unbearable. Her mind buzzed like a swarm of bees, unable to process anything.
Overwhelmed, Hinata closed her eyes—and fainted once more.
"!!"
The guards panicked. They dared not delay another second, rushing her to the hospital where a whirlwind of medical checks and tests followed.
…
"It's nothing serious," Hinata murmured weakly when she regained consciousness again. "I'm probably just… overtired. I'll be fine after some rest."
When she opened her eyes this time, she was already back home.
Throwing off her blanket, she rose unsteadily and walked toward the mirror.
Her reflection stared back—familiar, yet foreign.
"This isn't… a dream?" she whispered, stunned.
While she was unconscious, something extraordinary had happened.
A soul from another world—an older man with years of experience and an unyielding will—had collided with Hinata's original consciousness.
Instinctively, both fought for control.
Although the man possessed the hardened mind of an assassin, Hinata's spiritual strength was equally formidable. The battle between their wills raged fiercely, neither side yielding ground.
But as time passed, both began to weaken. If they continued, they would destroy each other entirely.
Facing mutual annihilation, the two came to an unspoken understanding.
Neither wanted to die.
And so, they chose to merge.
Thus, Hinata remained the same outwardly—but within, she was no longer the same person. Her soul was now a fusion of two lives, two worlds, and two minds.
[Ding!]
[Integration complete. Homeland construction initializing…]
A mechanical voice echoed in her mind.
Before she could react, her consciousness was pulled into a vast, open space—roughly a hundred square meters wide. Dense fog rolled along the perimeter, hiding whatever lay beyond. There was no way out.
Before her eyes, a glowing interface materialized—a control panel with several tools and icons.
The toolbar held items like hoes, shovels, nails, hammers, and wrenches.
The materials library contained piles of wood and steel.
At the bottom corner flickered a question mark. When Hinata focused on it, glowing text appeared:
"Clear the weeds, build your home, and complete the construction using the available tools and materials.
Reward: Mastery of the Gentle Fist."
"…What?"
She blinked. With a thought, she withdrew back into her body. Another thought—and she returned to the strange foggy space.
It wasn't an illusion.
Frowning in concentration, Hinata—now with the mind of a former assassin and the instincts of a shinobi—began to work.
She started by clearing the weeds, then dug the foundation according to the blueprint displayed in the manual. Despite her confusion, her hands moved with practiced precision.
Time flowed differently here—ten days in this dimension equaled only one day in the real world. That meant she could work as long as she wished without worrying about time outside.
…
[Ding!]
[Home construction complete. Reward obtained: Gentle Fist Mastery!]
A rush of energy surged through her body.
Hinata's eyes widened in awe as comprehension flooded her mind. Her understanding of Gentle Fist—its flow, rhythm, and chakra precision—had skyrocketed to an entirely new level.
It was as if the difference between a wooden stick and a steel pillar had been bridged in an instant.
Then, another notification appeared:
"Evaluation: 94.57 points.
Bonus reward: Select one — Byakugan Optimization, Neural Reaction Boost, or Strength Enhancement."
Before Hinata could choose, the virtual wheel spun on its own and landed on Byakugan Optimization.
Nothing seemed to change immediately, leaving her puzzled.
Then, new text appeared:
"Expand your territory and continue building your Homeland using the provided tools and materials.
Reward: 80 Divine Void Strikes. (Each section grants 10 Divine Void Strikes.)"
Her surroundings shifted.
The once modest hundred-square-meter space expanded tenfold into a sprawling thousand-square-meter plain.
The new blueprints showed far more complex structures—roads, a logging camp, a quarry, and even a steel plant.
This was no simple project.
Hinata studied the diagrams closely. Since her performance had been graded, she knew that the quality of her work directly affected her rewards.
A score of 94.57 was excellent—but perfection offered far greater returns.
To get the best reward, I need to give my best effort.
She spent time measuring distances, calculating angles, and planning the optimal construction layout before beginning again.
Her first target was the logging camp nearest to her original home, and she followed the blueprints down to the finest detail.
This time, thanks to her prior experience, her efficiency was significantly higher, and the results were nearly flawless.
When the camp was finished, all the wood in her materials library vanished.
"Hmm… Does each facility consume its own resource type?" Hinata mused.
Once the logging camp began automatically replenishing timber, she immediately started constructing roads and infrastructure.
Here, she never felt hungry, tired, or sleepy.
But unlike most, she didn't lose track of time.
In her previous life as an assassin, precision timing had meant the difference between success and death. Arriving a second too early or too late could have been fatal.
That sharp sense of timing remained with her—even now, in this strange familiar world.
…
Timing it perfectly, Hinata stepped outside. The morning air was cool and fresh, but as soon as she emerged, her eyes began to itch and sting.
Before she could react, her Byakugan activated on its own. The veins around her eyes bulged, making her reflection in the window look almost fierce—predatory, even.
"Byakugan optimization…?" she murmured, recalling the earlier notification.
A wave of pain and prickling surged through her eyes, forcing her to close them tightly. When the discomfort finally faded, Hinata blinked—and her breath caught in awe.
Everything looked different.
Her vision was sharper and brighter than ever before; her field of view had nearly doubled. Even more astonishing, time itself seemed to slow within her gaze—objects moved with a subtle lag, as if the world had adjusted its pace for her alone.
"So this is… optimization?" she whispered. "Incredible."
…
Chapter 1: Soul FusionUnder the Night's Veil
Under the cover of night, the city shimmered with countless lights, appearing exceptionally prosperous and breathtakingly beautiful.
On the top floor of a towering building, a group of men sat in tense silence, locked in a deadly staring contest.
"I've dedicated half my life to the organization," a middle-aged man sneered, cornered with no way out. "And now they won't even grant me a retirement? How heartless."
His tone carried no surprise—only resignation. It was as if he had long expected this outcome.
The others exchanged silent glances before raising their silenced pistols and gleaming daggers.
"Sitting around waiting to die isn't my style," the man growled, his eyes flashing with defiance. "If you want to kill me, then be ready to die with me!"
Before the others could react, he lunged first.
"!!!"
A fierce yet soundless battle erupted. Within moments, the struggle ended. The middle-aged man collapsed into a pool of blood—alongside more than a dozen of his former comrades.
As his vision darkened and consciousness began to fade, regret clouded his thoughts.
Who betrayed me? Anyone with half a brain should know… We were friends once—good friends…
His final breath left him with a bitter sense of unfinished purpose and resentment.
When the cleanup crew finished, the rooftop returned to silence. Only the faint metallic scent of blood lingered in the cool night air.
…
"Hinata-sama! HINATA-SAMA! "
Voices echoed around her.
Hinata awoke from darkness, blinking against the light, her mind hazy and overwhelmed by the chaotic shouts nearby. Everything felt noisy, distorted, and strange.
Her thoughts were tangled; her memories were scattered like broken glass.
Who am I? Where am I? What… am I supposed to do?
The guards assigned to protect her exhaled in relief when they saw her eyes flutter open.
"Thank goodness! You suddenly fainted—it scared us to death!"
"Hinata-sama, are you alright? Do you feel any pain or discomfort?"
"We should take her to the hospital immediately!"
"If the clan leader finds out, we'll be in serious trouble!"
"At a time like this, can you stop worrying about that?"
Their anxious voices overlapped and echoed in her head, each word amplified until it became unbearable. Her mind buzzed like a swarm of bees, unable to process anything.
Overwhelmed, Hinata closed her eyes—and fainted once more.
"!!"
The guards panicked. They dared not delay another second, rushing her to the hospital where a whirlwind of medical checks and tests followed.
…
"It's nothing serious," Hinata murmured weakly when she regained consciousness again. "I'm probably just… overtired. I'll be fine after some rest."
When she opened her eyes this time, she was already back home.
Throwing off her blanket, she rose unsteadily and walked toward the mirror.
Her reflection stared back—familiar, yet foreign.
"This isn't… a dream?" she whispered, stunned.
While she was unconscious, something extraordinary had happened.
A soul from another world—an older man with years of experience and an unyielding will—had collided with Hinata's original consciousness.
Instinctively, both fought for control.
Although the man possessed the hardened mind of an assassin, Hinata's spiritual strength was equally formidable. The battle between their wills raged fiercely, neither side yielding ground.
But as time passed, both began to weaken. If they continued, they would destroy each other entirely.
Facing mutual annihilation, the two came to an unspoken understanding.
Neither wanted to die.
And so, they chose to merge.
Thus, Hinata remained the same outwardly—but within, she was no longer the same person. Her soul was now a fusion of two lives, two worlds, and two minds.
[Ding!]
[Integration complete. Homeland construction initializing…]
A mechanical voice echoed in her mind.
Before she could react, her consciousness was pulled into a vast, open space—roughly a hundred square meters wide. Dense fog rolled along the perimeter, hiding whatever lay beyond. There was no way out.
Before her eyes, a glowing interface materialized—a control panel with several tools and icons.
The toolbar held items like hoes, shovels, nails, hammers, and wrenches.
The materials library contained piles of wood and steel.
At the bottom corner flickered a question mark. When Hinata focused on it, glowing text appeared:
"Clear the weeds, build your home, and complete the construction using the available tools and materials.
Reward: Mastery of the Gentle Fist."
"…What?"
She blinked. With a thought, she withdrew back into her body. Another thought—and she returned to the strange foggy space.
It wasn't an illusion.
Frowning in concentration, Hinata—now with the mind of a former assassin and the instincts of a shinobi—began to work.
She started by clearing the weeds, then dug the foundation according to the blueprint displayed in the manual. Despite her confusion, her hands moved with practiced precision.
Time flowed differently here—ten days in this dimension equaled only one day in the real world. That meant she could work as long as she wished without worrying about time outside.
…
[Ding!]
[Home construction complete. Reward obtained: Gentle Fist Mastery!]
A rush of energy surged through her body.
Hinata's eyes widened in awe as comprehension flooded her mind. Her understanding of Gentle Fist—its flow, rhythm, and chakra precision—had skyrocketed to an entirely new level.
It was as if the difference between a wooden stick and a steel pillar had been bridged in an instant.
Then, another notification appeared:
"Evaluation: 94.57 points.
Bonus reward: Select one — Byakugan Optimization, Neural Reaction Boost, or Strength Enhancement."
Before Hinata could choose, the virtual wheel spun on its own and landed on Byakugan Optimization.
Nothing seemed to change immediately, leaving her puzzled.
Then, new text appeared:
"Expand your territory and continue building your Homeland using the provided tools and materials.
Reward: 80 Divine Void Strikes. (Each section grants 10 Divine Void Strikes.)"
Her surroundings shifted.
The once modest hundred-square-meter space expanded tenfold into a sprawling thousand-square-meter plain.
The new blueprints showed far more complex structures—roads, a logging camp, a quarry, and even a steel plant.
This was no simple project.
Hinata studied the diagrams closely. Since her performance had been graded, she knew that the quality of her work directly affected her rewards.
A score of 94.57 was excellent—but perfection offered far greater returns.
To get the best reward, I need to give my best effort.
She spent time measuring distances, calculating angles, and planning the optimal construction layout before beginning again.
Her first target was the logging camp nearest to her original home, and she followed the blueprints down to the finest detail.
This time, thanks to her prior experience, her efficiency was significantly higher, and the results were nearly flawless.
When the camp was finished, all the wood in her materials library vanished.
"Hmm… Does each facility consume its own resource type?" Hinata mused.
Once the logging camp began automatically replenishing timber, she immediately started constructing roads and infrastructure.
Here, she never felt hungry, tired, or sleepy.
But unlike most, she didn't lose track of time.
In her previous life as an assassin, precision timing had meant the difference between success and death. Arriving a second too early or too late could have been fatal.
That sharp sense of timing remained with her—even now, in this strange familiar world.
…
Timing it perfectly, Hinata stepped outside. The morning air was cool and fresh, but as soon as she emerged, her eyes began to itch and sting.
Before she could react, her Byakugan activated on its own. The veins around her eyes bulged, making her reflection in the window look almost fierce—predatory, even.
"Byakugan optimization…?" she murmured, recalling the earlier notification.
A wave of pain and prickling surged through her eyes, forcing her to close them tightly. When the discomfort finally faded, Hinata blinked—and her breath caught in awe.
Everything looked different.
Her vision was sharper and brighter than ever before; her field of view had nearly doubled. Even more astonishing, time itself seemed to slow within her gaze—objects moved with a subtle lag, as if the world had adjusted its pace for her alone.
"So this is… optimization?" she whispered. "Incredible."
…
Chapter 1: Soul FusionUnder the Night's Veil
Under the cover of night, the city shimmered with countless lights, appearing exceptionally prosperous and breathtakingly beautiful.
On the top floor of a towering building, a group of men sat in tense silence, locked in a deadly staring contest.
"I've dedicated half my life to the organization," a middle-aged man sneered, cornered with no way out. "And now they won't even grant me a retirement? How heartless."
His tone carried no surprise—only resignation. It was as if he had long expected this outcome.
The others exchanged silent glances before raising their silenced pistols and gleaming daggers.
"Sitting around waiting to die isn't my style," the man growled, his eyes flashing with defiance. "If you want to kill me, then be ready to die with me!"
Before the others could react, he lunged first.
"!!!"
A fierce yet soundless battle erupted. Within moments, the struggle ended. The middle-aged man collapsed into a pool of blood—alongside more than a dozen of his former comrades.
As his vision darkened and consciousness began to fade, regret clouded his thoughts.
Who betrayed me? Anyone with half a brain should know… We were friends once—good friends…
His final breath left him with a bitter sense of unfinished purpose and resentment.
When the cleanup crew finished, the rooftop returned to silence. Only the faint metallic scent of blood lingered in the cool night air.
…
"Hinata-sama! HINATA-SAMA! "
Voices echoed around her.
Hinata awoke from darkness, blinking against the light, her mind hazy and overwhelmed by the chaotic shouts nearby. Everything felt noisy, distorted, and strange.
Her thoughts were tangled; her memories were scattered like broken glass.
Who am I? Where am I? What… am I supposed to do?
The guards assigned to protect her exhaled in relief when they saw her eyes flutter open.
"Thank goodness! You suddenly fainted—it scared us to death!"
"Hinata-sama, are you alright? Do you feel any pain or discomfort?"
"We should take her to the hospital immediately!"
"If the clan leader finds out, we'll be in serious trouble!"
"At a time like this, can you stop worrying about that?"
Their anxious voices overlapped and echoed in her head, each word amplified until it became unbearable. Her mind buzzed like a swarm of bees, unable to process anything.
Overwhelmed, Hinata closed her eyes—and fainted once more.
"!!"
The guards panicked. They dared not delay another second, rushing her to the hospital where a whirlwind of medical checks and tests followed.
…
"It's nothing serious," Hinata murmured weakly when she regained consciousness again. "I'm probably just… overtired. I'll be fine after some rest."
When she opened her eyes this time, she was already back home.
Throwing off her blanket, she rose unsteadily and walked toward the mirror.
Her reflection stared back—familiar, yet foreign.
"This isn't… a dream?" she whispered, stunned.
While she was unconscious, something extraordinary had happened.
A soul from another world—an older man with years of experience and an unyielding will—had collided with Hinata's original consciousness.
Instinctively, both fought for control.
Although the man possessed the hardened mind of an assassin, Hinata's spiritual strength was equally formidable. The battle between their wills raged fiercely, neither side yielding ground.
But as time passed, both began to weaken. If they continued, they would destroy each other entirely.
Facing mutual annihilation, the two came to an unspoken understanding.
Neither wanted to die.
And so, they chose to merge.
Thus, Hinata remained the same outwardly—but within, she was no longer the same person. Her soul was now a fusion of two lives, two worlds, and two minds.
[Ding!]
[Integration complete. Homeland construction initializing…]
A mechanical voice echoed in her mind.
Before she could react, her consciousness was pulled into a vast, open space—roughly a hundred square meters wide. Dense fog rolled along the perimeter, hiding whatever lay beyond. There was no way out.
Before her eyes, a glowing interface materialized—a control panel with several tools and icons.
The toolbar held items like hoes, shovels, nails, hammers, and wrenches.
The materials library contained piles of wood and steel.
At the bottom corner flickered a question mark. When Hinata focused on it, glowing text appeared:
"Clear the weeds, build your home, and complete the construction using the available tools and materials.
Reward: Mastery of the Gentle Fist."
"…What?"
She blinked. With a thought, she withdrew back into her body. Another thought—and she returned to the strange foggy space.
It wasn't an illusion.
Frowning in concentration, Hinata—now with the mind of a former assassin and the instincts of a shinobi—began to work.
She started by clearing the weeds, then dug the foundation according to the blueprint displayed in the manual. Despite her confusion, her hands moved with practiced precision.
Time flowed differently here—ten days in this dimension equaled only one day in the real world. That meant she could work as long as she wished without worrying about time outside.
…
[Ding!]
[Home construction complete. Reward obtained: Gentle Fist Mastery!]
A rush of energy surged through her body.
Hinata's eyes widened in awe as comprehension flooded her mind. Her understanding of Gentle Fist—its flow, rhythm, and chakra precision—had skyrocketed to an entirely new level.
It was as if the difference between a wooden stick and a steel pillar had been bridged in an instant.
Then, another notification appeared:
"Evaluation: 94.57 points.
Bonus reward: Select one — Byakugan Optimization, Neural Reaction Boost, or Strength Enhancement."
Before Hinata could choose, the virtual wheel spun on its own and landed on Byakugan Optimization.
Nothing seemed to change immediately, leaving her puzzled.
Then, new text appeared:
"Expand your territory and continue building your Homeland using the provided tools and materials.
Reward: 80 Divine Void Strikes. (Each section grants 10 Divine Void Strikes.)"
Her surroundings shifted.
The once modest hundred-square-meter space expanded tenfold into a sprawling thousand-square-meter plain.
The new blueprints showed far more complex structures—roads, a logging camp, a quarry, and even a steel plant.
This was no simple project.
Hinata studied the diagrams closely. Since her performance had been graded, she knew that the quality of her work directly affected her rewards.
A score of 94.57 was excellent—but perfection offered far greater returns.
To get the best reward, I need to give my best effort.
She spent time measuring distances, calculating angles, and planning the optimal construction layout before beginning again.
Her first target was the logging camp nearest to her original home, and she followed the blueprints down to the finest detail.
This time, thanks to her prior experience, her efficiency was significantly higher, and the results were nearly flawless.
When the camp was finished, all the wood in her materials library vanished.
"Hmm… Does each facility consume its own resource type?" Hinata mused.
Once the logging camp began automatically replenishing timber, she immediately started constructing roads and infrastructure.
Here, she never felt hungry, tired, or sleepy.
But unlike most, she didn't lose track of time.
In her previous life as an assassin, precision timing had meant the difference between success and death. Arriving a second too early or too late could have been fatal.
That sharp sense of timing remained with her—even now, in this strange familiar world.
…
Timing it perfectly, Hinata stepped outside. The morning air was cool and fresh, but as soon as she emerged, her eyes began to itch and sting.
Before she could react, her Byakugan activated on its own. The veins around her eyes bulged, making her reflection in the window look almost fierce—predatory, even.
"Byakugan optimization…?" she murmured, recalling the earlier notification.
A wave of pain and prickling surged through her eyes, forcing her to close them tightly. When the discomfort finally faded, Hinata blinked—and her breath caught in awe.
Everything looked different.
Her vision was sharper and brighter than ever before; her field of view had nearly doubled. Even more astonishing, time itself seemed to slow within her gaze—objects moved with a subtle lag, as if the world had adjusted its pace for her alone.
"So this is… optimization?" she whispered. "Incredible."
…
Chapter 1: Soul FusionUnder the Night's Veil
Under the cover of night, the city shimmered with countless lights, appearing exceptionally prosperous and breathtakingly beautiful.
On the top floor of a towering building, a group of men sat in tense silence, locked in a deadly staring contest.
"I've dedicated half my life to the organization," a middle-aged man sneered, cornered with no way out. "And now they won't even grant me a retirement? How heartless."
His tone carried no surprise—only resignation. It was as if he had long expected this outcome.
The others exchanged silent glances before raising their silenced pistols and gleaming daggers.
"Sitting around waiting to die isn't my style," the man growled, his eyes flashing with defiance. "If you want to kill me, then be ready to die with me!"
Before the others could react, he lunged first.
"!!!"
A fierce yet soundless battle erupted. Within moments, the struggle ended. The middle-aged man collapsed into a pool of blood—alongside more than a dozen of his former comrades.
As his vision darkened and consciousness began to fade, regret clouded his thoughts.
Who betrayed me? Anyone with half a brain should know… We were friends once—good friends…
His final breath left him with a bitter sense of unfinished purpose and resentment.
When the cleanup crew finished, the rooftop returned to silence. Only the faint metallic scent of blood lingered in the cool night air.
…
"Hinata-sama! HINATA-SAMA! "
Voices echoed around her.
Hinata awoke from darkness, blinking against the light, her mind hazy and overwhelmed by the chaotic shouts nearby. Everything felt noisy, distorted, and strange.
Her thoughts were tangled; her memories were scattered like broken glass.
Who am I? Where am I? What… am I supposed to do?
The guards assigned to protect her exhaled in relief when they saw her eyes flutter open.
"Thank goodness! You suddenly fainted—it scared us to death!"
"Hinata-sama, are you alright? Do you feel any pain or discomfort?"
"We should take her to the hospital immediately!"
"If the clan leader finds out, we'll be in serious trouble!"
"At a time like this, can you stop worrying about that?"
Their anxious voices overlapped and echoed in her head, each word amplified until it became unbearable. Her mind buzzed like a swarm of bees, unable to process anything.
Overwhelmed, Hinata closed her eyes—and fainted once more.
"!!"
The guards panicked. They dared not delay another second, rushing her to the hospital where a whirlwind of medical checks and tests followed.
…
"It's nothing serious," Hinata murmured weakly when she regained consciousness again. "I'm probably just… overtired. I'll be fine after some rest."
When she opened her eyes this time, she was already back home.
Throwing off her blanket, she rose unsteadily and walked toward the mirror.
Her reflection stared back—familiar, yet foreign.
"This isn't… a dream?" she whispered, stunned.
While she was unconscious, something extraordinary had happened.
A soul from another world—an older man with years of experience and an unyielding will—had collided with Hinata's original consciousness.
Instinctively, both fought for control.
Although the man possessed the hardened mind of an assassin, Hinata's spiritual strength was equally formidable. The battle between their wills raged fiercely, neither side yielding ground.
But as time passed, both began to weaken. If they continued, they would destroy each other entirely.
Facing mutual annihilation, the two came to an unspoken understanding.
Neither wanted to die.
And so, they chose to merge.
Thus, Hinata remained the same outwardly—but within, she was no longer the same person. Her soul was now a fusion of two lives, two worlds, and two minds.
[Ding!]
[Integration complete. Homeland construction initializing…]
A mechanical voice echoed in her mind.
Before she could react, her consciousness was pulled into a vast, open space—roughly a hundred square meters wide. Dense fog rolled along the perimeter, hiding whatever lay beyond. There was no way out.
Before her eyes, a glowing interface materialized—a control panel with several tools and icons.
The toolbar held items like hoes, shovels, nails, hammers, and wrenches.
The materials library contained piles of wood and steel.
At the bottom corner flickered a question mark. When Hinata focused on it, glowing text appeared:
"Clear the weeds, build your home, and complete the construction using the available tools and materials.
Reward: Mastery of the Gentle Fist."
"…What?"
She blinked. With a thought, she withdrew back into her body. Another thought—and she returned to the strange foggy space.
It wasn't an illusion.
Frowning in concentration, Hinata—now with the mind of a former assassin and the instincts of a shinobi—began to work.
She started by clearing the weeds, then dug the foundation according to the blueprint displayed in the manual. Despite her confusion, her hands moved with practiced precision.
Time flowed differently here—ten days in this dimension equaled only one day in the real world. That meant she could work as long as she wished without worrying about time outside.
…
[Ding!]
[Home construction complete. Reward obtained: Gentle Fist Mastery!]
A rush of energy surged through her body.
Hinata's eyes widened in awe as comprehension flooded her mind. Her understanding of Gentle Fist—its flow, rhythm, and chakra precision—had skyrocketed to an entirely new level.
It was as if the difference between a wooden stick and a steel pillar had been bridged in an instant.
Then, another notification appeared:
"Evaluation: 94.57 points.
Bonus reward: Select one — Byakugan Optimization, Neural Reaction Boost, or Strength Enhancement."
Before Hinata could choose, the virtual wheel spun on its own and landed on Byakugan Optimization.
Nothing seemed to change immediately, leaving her puzzled.
Then, new text appeared:
"Expand your territory and continue building your Homeland using the provided tools and materials.
Reward: 80 Divine Void Strikes. (Each section grants 10 Divine Void Strikes.)"
Her surroundings shifted.
The once modest hundred-square-meter space expanded tenfold into a sprawling thousand-square-meter plain.
The new blueprints showed far more complex structures—roads, a logging camp, a quarry, and even a steel plant.
This was no simple project.
Hinata studied the diagrams closely. Since her performance had been graded, she knew that the quality of her work directly affected her rewards.
A score of 94.57 was excellent—but perfection offered far greater returns.
To get the best reward, I need to give my best effort.
She spent time measuring distances, calculating angles, and planning the optimal construction layout before beginning again.
Her first target was the logging camp nearest to her original home, and she followed the blueprints down to the finest detail.
This time, thanks to her prior experience, her efficiency was significantly higher, and the results were nearly flawless.
When the camp was finished, all the wood in her materials library vanished.
"Hmm… Does each facility consume its own resource type?" Hinata mused.
Once the logging camp began automatically replenishing timber, she immediately started constructing roads and infrastructure.
Here, she never felt hungry, tired, or sleepy.
But unlike most, she didn't lose track of time.
In her previous life as an assassin, precision timing had meant the difference between success and death. Arriving a second too early or too late could have been fatal.
That sharp sense of timing remained with her—even now, in this strange familiar world.
…
Timing it perfectly, Hinata stepped outside. The morning air was cool and fresh, but as soon as she emerged, her eyes began to itch and sting.
Before she could react, her Byakugan activated on its own. The veins around her eyes bulged, making her reflection in the window look almost fierce—predatory, even.
"Byakugan optimization…?" she murmured, recalling the earlier notification.
A wave of pain and prickling surged through her eyes, forcing her to close them tightly. When the discomfort finally faded, Hinata blinked—and her breath caught in awe.
Everything looked different.
Her vision was sharper and brighter than ever before; her field of view had nearly doubled. Even more astonishing, time itself seemed to slow within her gaze—objects moved with a subtle lag, as if the world had adjusted its pace for her alone.
"So this is… optimization?" she whispered. "Incredible."
…
Chapter 1: Soul FusionUnder the Night's Veil
Under the cover of night, the city shimmered with countless lights, appearing exceptionally prosperous and breathtakingly beautiful.
On the top floor of a towering building, a group of men sat in tense silence, locked in a deadly staring contest.
"I've dedicated half my life to the organization," a middle-aged man sneered, cornered with no way out. "And now they won't even grant me a retirement? How heartless."
His tone carried no surprise—only resignation. It was as if he had long expected this outcome.
The others exchanged silent glances before raising their silenced pistols and gleaming daggers.
"Sitting around waiting to die isn't my style," the man growled, his eyes flashing with defiance. "If you want to kill me, then be ready to die with me!"
Before the others could react, he lunged first.
"!!!"
A fierce yet soundless battle erupted. Within moments, the struggle ended. The middle-aged man collapsed into a pool of blood—alongside more than a dozen of his former comrades.
As his vision darkened and consciousness began to fade, regret clouded his thoughts.
Who betrayed me? Anyone with half a brain should know… We were friends once—good friends…
His final breath left him with a bitter sense of unfinished purpose and resentment.
When the cleanup crew finished, the rooftop returned to silence. Only the faint metallic scent of blood lingered in the cool night air.
…
"Hinata-sama! HINATA-SAMA! "
Voices echoed around her.
Hinata awoke from darkness, blinking against the light, her mind hazy and overwhelmed by the chaotic shouts nearby. Everything felt noisy, distorted, and strange.
Her thoughts were tangled; her memories were scattered like broken glass.
Who am I? Where am I? What… am I supposed to do?
The guards assigned to protect her exhaled in relief when they saw her eyes flutter open.
"Thank goodness! You suddenly fainted—it scared us to death!"
"Hinata-sama, are you alright? Do you feel any pain or discomfort?"
"We should take her to the hospital immediately!"
"If the clan leader finds out, we'll be in serious trouble!"
"At a time like this, can you stop worrying about that?"
Their anxious voices overlapped and echoed in her head, each word amplified until it became unbearable. Her mind buzzed like a swarm of bees, unable to process anything.
Overwhelmed, Hinata closed her eyes—and fainted once more.
"!!"
The guards panicked. They dared not delay another second, rushing her to the hospital where a whirlwind of medical checks and tests followed.
…
"It's nothing serious," Hinata murmured weakly when she regained consciousness again. "I'm probably just… overtired. I'll be fine after some rest."
When she opened her eyes this time, she was already back home.
Throwing off her blanket, she rose unsteadily and walked toward the mirror.
Her reflection stared back—familiar, yet foreign.
"This isn't… a dream?" she whispered, stunned.
While she was unconscious, something extraordinary had happened.
A soul from another world—an older man with years of experience and an unyielding will—had collided with Hinata's original consciousness.
Instinctively, both fought for control.
Although the man possessed the hardened mind of an assassin, Hinata's spiritual strength was equally formidable. The battle between their wills raged fiercely, neither side yielding ground.
But as time passed, both began to weaken. If they continued, they would destroy each other entirely.
Facing mutual annihilation, the two came to an unspoken understanding.
Neither wanted to die.
And so, they chose to merge.
Thus, Hinata remained the same outwardly—but within, she was no longer the same person. Her soul was now a fusion of two lives, two worlds, and two minds.
[Ding!]
[Integration complete. Homeland construction initializing…]
A mechanical voice echoed in her mind.
Before she could react, her consciousness was pulled into a vast, open space—roughly a hundred square meters wide. Dense fog rolled along the perimeter, hiding whatever lay beyond. There was no way out.
Before her eyes, a glowing interface materialized—a control panel with several tools and icons.
The toolbar held items like hoes, shovels, nails, hammers, and wrenches.
The materials library contained piles of wood and steel.
At the bottom corner flickered a question mark. When Hinata focused on it, glowing text appeared:
"Clear the weeds, build your home, and complete the construction using the available tools and materials.
Reward: Mastery of the Gentle Fist."
"…What?"
She blinked. With a thought, she withdrew back into her body. Another thought—and she returned to the strange foggy space.
It wasn't an illusion.
Frowning in concentration, Hinata—now with the mind of a former assassin and the instincts of a shinobi—began to work.
She started by clearing the weeds, then dug the foundation according to the blueprint displayed in the manual. Despite her confusion, her hands moved with practiced precision.
Time flowed differently here—ten days in this dimension equaled only one day in the real world. That meant she could work as long as she wished without worrying about time outside.
…
[Ding!]
[Home construction complete. Reward obtained: Gentle Fist Mastery!]
A rush of energy surged through her body.
Hinata's eyes widened in awe as comprehension flooded her mind. Her understanding of Gentle Fist—its flow, rhythm, and chakra precision—had skyrocketed to an entirely new level.
It was as if the difference between a wooden stick and a steel pillar had been bridged in an instant.
Then, another notification appeared:
"Evaluation: 94.57 points.
Bonus reward: Select one — Byakugan Optimization, Neural Reaction Boost, or Strength Enhancement."
Before Hinata could choose, the virtual wheel spun on its own and landed on Byakugan Optimization.
Nothing seemed to change immediately, leaving her puzzled.
Then, new text appeared:
"Expand your territory and continue building your Homeland using the provided tools and materials.
Reward: 80 Divine Void Strikes. (Each section grants 10 Divine Void Strikes.)"
Her surroundings shifted.
The once modest hundred-square-meter space expanded tenfold into a sprawling thousand-square-meter plain.
The new blueprints showed far more complex structures—roads, a logging camp, a quarry, and even a steel plant.
This was no simple project.
Hinata studied the diagrams closely. Since her performance had been graded, she knew that the quality of her work directly affected her rewards.
A score of 94.57 was excellent—but perfection offered far greater returns.
To get the best reward, I need to give my best effort.
She spent time measuring distances, calculating angles, and planning the optimal construction layout before beginning again.
Her first target was the logging camp nearest to her original home, and she followed the blueprints down to the finest detail.
This time, thanks to her prior experience, her efficiency was significantly higher, and the results were nearly flawless.
When the camp was finished, all the wood in her materials library vanished.
"Hmm… Does each facility consume its own resource type?" Hinata mused.
Once the logging camp began automatically replenishing timber, she immediately started constructing roads and infrastructure.
Here, she never felt hungry, tired, or sleepy.
But unlike most, she didn't lose track of time.
In her previous life as an assassin, precision timing had meant the difference between success and death. Arriving a second too early or too late could have been fatal.
That sharp sense of timing remained with her—even now, in this strange familiar world.
…
Timing it perfectly, Hinata stepped outside. The morning air was cool and fresh, but as soon as she emerged, her eyes began to itch and sting.
Before she could react, her Byakugan activated on its own. The veins around her eyes bulged, making her reflection in the window look almost fierce—predatory, even.
"Byakugan optimization…?" she murmured, recalling the earlier notification.
A wave of pain and prickling surged through her eyes, forcing her to close them tightly. When the discomfort finally faded, Hinata blinked—and her breath caught in awe.
Everything looked different.
Her vision was sharper and brighter than ever before; her field of view had nearly doubled. Even more astonishing, time itself seemed to slow within her gaze—objects moved with a subtle lag, as if the world had adjusted its pace for her alone.
"So this is… optimization?" she whispered. "Incredible."
…