Kakashi shook his head and looked toward Sasuke.
"That's the last one."
"My name is Uchiha Sasuke. There are many things I hate, but nothing I particularly like. And though I don't want to talk about dreams, I do have an ambition: to revive my clan and kill a certain man with my own hands."
Watching the dead-serious Sasuke, Kano felt a pang of pity; if she had the strength she might actually help him.
Right now the only piece she had on the board was Mizuki, and even he probably couldn't beat Sasuke.
"All right, the three of you are colorful characters—very entertaining. We start missions tomorrow."
"What kind of mission?"
The ever-curious Naruto raised his hand.
"We'll begin with something only the four of us can do."
"Which is?"
"A survival drill."
Kakashi's scare routine followed; Kano knew the drill and saw no point in dwelling on it. This test was less useful than figuring out how to tackle her system quest.
"Goal: five fans. Still two short."
[Go for it, host! Sing where it's crowded and you'll hook those fans! ψ(｀∇´)ψ]
Normally she'd have scrapped this vague quest and rolled for an easier one.
But the reward had come from outside the system—once lost, it was gone for good.
"For 0.3 kaccha of Chakra—let's do this!"
[As Idols, fans are our believers; to reach a bigger stage we need numbers. Let's harvest the first batch (3/5) ♪ Reward: 0.3 kaccha Chakra.]
The three she had so far were Naruto (easy), Shikamaru (only after a choke-hold), and Ino (after a night as a dress-up doll plus a song).
Whatever—she'd buy a camera and sell Sasuke photos; that ought to reel in fans.
[Is singing really that hard? ٩(๑`ȏ´๑)۶]
Too embarrassing—hard pass.
"Oh, and skip breakfast—you'll just throw it up."
With that advice Kakashi dismissed the team and they scattered for home.
Walking back, Kano still wondered where to nab the last two fans. Maybe grab Konohamaru? A kunai at his throat would secure a yes.
[host, stop scheming! Sing while you walk—some cutie might hear you and recruit you as an academy Idol! (*'▽'*)♪]
"I'm forty if you count my past life—how am I supposed to sing and dance?"
[Back Street Girls are middle-aged men and they do it. You already sang for Ino, remember? ԅ(¯v¯ԅ)]
"That was different—Ino's family."
She visited the Yamanaka place constantly; they were close enough to share skirts.
If Ino weren't straight, Kano would've pushed further.
[Start with people you know—your parents, for instance (´▽｀)ノ♪]
Kano waved frantic no's at the thought.
"No way, no way, no way!"
[Why not? Even if you bomb, they won't blab. Mom adores you—one song and she's yours ✧٩(ˊωˋ*)و✧]
"But… but…"
[Help me, host—I'm in debt. No quest clear, no performance bonus, no repayment. You'd let a cute idol system get sold to the mines? (இдஇ; )]
"Fine—just this once. No more cringe quests after."
After dinner, the Nara living room. Kano stepped in wearing a cute dress.
"What now, girl? Even if you skip Ninja duty, act like a lady."
Shikaku was irritable; his daughter had never behaved like a child, yet her stunts grew weirder. Her Ninjutsu talent was mediocre—only the Shadow Binding Technique so far, not even the Shadow Imitation.
"Kano's adorable—let her be. She passed the Academy mid-ranks, so she's studying. Praise her."
Mother Yoshino turned with a smile.
"Go ahead, sweetie. I support whatever you do. Mid-rank marks deserve a month's allowance—buy the skirt you like."
"Thanks, Mom."
Blushing, Kano pocketed the coins.
"Where's my reward? I hit mid-rank too."
"Reward? With your talent, anything but first is failure. No allowance for a month."
"Seriously, the bias here…"
Shikamaru shut up; Mom always spoiled Kano while cracking the whip on him and Dad.
"So, why did you gather us, Kano?"
"I… I want to be… an… Idol, and I'd like you… to be my fans…"
Her face burned crimson.
Never doing system quests again!
Shikamaru burst out laughing.
"No wonder you begged me to be a fan yesterday—Idol, hahaha!"
"Die, Shikamaru!"
She glared murder; he clapped both hands over his mouth. He knew her nightly secret training—if she jumped him he couldn't fight back.
"Shikamaru, stop mocking. Your sister's cute—she'll be the greatest Idol in the Ninja World." Yoshino clapped. "Kano-chan's going to sing? Mommy's excited!"
"Um… here goes."
She sang the village's current hit, stiff with nerves but managing the full tune.
"Wonderful—you practiced hard."
Yoshino cheered until Kano wanted to vanish, though she was grateful.
Fans +1.
Compared with Mom, Dad was unmoved.
"Rubbish. Practice Ninjutsu instead of songs."
Shikamaru rolled his eyes; if only Dad knew how hardcore she really was.
Kano sighed—winning Dad would take leverage.
"Dad, become my fan and I'll teach you my original Ninjutsu."
"You? Create a jutsu? With those grades…?"
Before he finished, her hands flashed through a dozen seals.
"Shadow Deer Technique!"
Her petite shadow stretched and a deer leapt out.
"It's solid!"
She hopped; the Shadow Deer caught her on its back and trotted a circle for the family.
Shikaku instantly saw potential—twenty combos with Nara Clan arts flashed through his mind.
A technique this advanced—she invented it?
"Where did you get this?"
"I made it. Say you're my fan and I'll hand over the theory."
"Deal—fan me. Spill the details."
[Quest complete. Reward: 0.3 kaccha Chakra + Voice Candy]