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"Who are you?"
Before Obito could even initiate his move, Yahiko asked first.
His eyes held a sharp scrutiny as he looked the masked man up and down, again and again.
"Who I am is not important. Only know that we share the same—"
Obito seemed to dismiss Yahiko entirely, his tone flat as he began to speak.
"Wait!"
From Yahiko's hair color and his ability to make Nagato follow him, it was clear he wasn't ordinary.
He stared stubbornly at Obito. "The question of who you are is important. And why are you wearing a mask? Got something to hide?"
(o)
Heshu found this moment hard to describe.
He looked at Yahiko's back with admiration.
No wonder this guy became Nagato's ride-or-die!
No wonder Obito was so determined to take him out!
"If you insist on an answer," Obito's voice remained unnaturally calm, "then I'll tell you. I am Madara Uchiha."
"What?"
Even though they'd heard from Nagato beforehand that this man claimed to be Madara Uchiha, hearing it from someone else was one thing. Hearing the man before them say it himself was another.
Yahiko couldn't hide his shock or the doubt in his heart.
"What proof do you have that you're Madara Uchiha?"
The crimson Sharingan in Obito's mask slowly rotated.
Yahiko's brow furrowed deeply.
Konan took a step back, shielding Heshu's body with her own.
Even though doubt still lingered in Yahiko's heart, this person's identity as a member of the Uchiha clan couldn't be faked.
The Uchiha were famous across the shinobi world. Powerful.
Even if they didn't agree with his proposal, there was no need to offend him.
Yahiko shook his head. "We do not agree with your proposed method of capturing the tailed beasts to forcefully bring peace to the shinobi world."
His refusal was clean and direct. "I think our wills are not aligned. It's better we don't work together."
Yahiko took a step back, his eyes now guarded.
Obito paused, saying nothing.
For a long moment, under their increasingly wary gazes, Obito's voice finally held a trace of amusement.
"Is that so?"
"If that's what you think, then there's nothing I can do."
"No one can forcibly overwrite another's will."
"I will hold fast to my view."
"And I believe, one day, reality will make you see what the correct choice is."
Obito's words dripped with arrogance, each syllable crisp.
Yahiko and the others heard him clearly but gave no response.
For the Akatsuki of this time, concepts like capturing tailed beasts or enforcing peace through overwhelming force were beyond their understanding. Especially for Yahiko, who championed peace and opposed conflict.
Obito's gaze slid past Yahiko and Konan, landing on Heshu.
"What do you want?"
Konan reacted instantly, pulling Heshu further behind her.
Heshu appropriately put on a look of confusion and fear.
Obito slowly withdrew his gaze, then said suddenly, "This child…"
"…seems to be a bit of a simpleton."
Hiding behind Konan, Heshu's expression turned ugly.
'Simpleton,' my ass. Got any fucking manners?
Konan, though aware of Hanataki's condition—that a concussion had left her simple-minded—didn't appreciate hearing someone else label her that way.
"Hanataki is not a simpleton!"
"Hanataki?" Obito repeated the name. "No clan name?"
Konan and the others froze.
That… was a question they didn't know the answer to themselves.
"That is none of your concern!" Konan frowned.
Obito's voice turned cryptic. "She resembles someone."
This child looked exactly like Heshu.
Since the Akatsuki was destined to be his tool, this little girl should also serve her maximum purpose.
When Heshu eventually left Konoha, he would face pursuit and hostility. This little girl could serve as a replacement.
A price for being born with that face.
A cold amusement flickered in Obito's eyes.
Yahiko and Konan heard the cloaked man's words but gave no outward reaction.
Obito glanced at them one last time, then slowly faded from view.
Konan finally let out a breath, turning to stroke Heshu's cheek. "Hanataki, were you scared?"
Heshu shook his head obediently. "With big brother and sister here, I'm not scared!"
[Ding! Target Nagato's Favorability: 77!]
These single-point increases are fucking heartbreaking.
On the way back, Konan couldn't hold back. "Hanataki… do you remember your clan name?"
If what that cloaked man said was true, perhaps they could help Hanataki find her family.
Konan and Yahiko exchanged a glance, the same thought passing between them.
Their path as shinobi was destined to be dangerous. Hanataki should have a proper childhood.
"Clan name?" Heshu's eyes darted around. A thought suddenly surfaced.
He put on a thinking face, then answered, "I think… I'm a Tsukimi!"
"Tsukimi?" Konan said, surprised. She muttered to herself, "I don't think there's a clan by that name in the village…"
Could she be from somewhere else?
"Tsukimi Hanataki!" Yahiko, afraid of stirring up sad memories, hurriedly said, "What a beautiful name! Hanataki's parents must have loved her very much!"
Heshu broke into a wide, bright smile, nodding vigorously. "Yes! Papa and Mama loved Hanataki! And big sister! Big sister loved Hanataki too!"
He seemed to recall happy memories, his smile growing even brighter.
Yahiko and the others felt the gloomy weather lighten instantly, their heavy mood lifting.
[Ding! Target Nagato's Favorability: 78!]
"Hanataki has a big sister too?" Konan was surprised again.
She'd never thought to ask about Hanataki's family in detail. She hadn't known about an older sister.
"Mhm! Big sister was the best to me!" Heshu spun the tale effortlessly.
Then his expression dimmed. "But… big sister and I got separated because of the war…"
Konan's heart instantly ached. She squeezed Heshu's hand. "I believe Hanataki will see her sister again one day. Don't be sad."
Heshu shook his head, smiling. "Hanataki isn't sad. Because now Hanataki has lots and lots of new big brothers and sisters!"
[Ding! Target Nagato's Favorability: 80!]
Looking at that sensible, obedient little face, Konan's heart melted.
…
Night.
Heshu released his control over the shadow clone.
Little Naruto and Little Aoda were already asleep.
Thinking of the earth-shattering ruckus Naruto would make upon waking, Heshu moved with extreme care.
It took him five full minutes to slip out of bed without a sound.
An unusual chakra fluctuation pulsed from within his storage space—a scroll.
He opened it.
It was Hanzo the Salamander's summoning contract.
Orochimaru's favorability was back above sixty. That meant the Gender Swap Potion's effects on Hanzo should have been restored.
With everything that had happened lately, he'd almost forgotten about Hanzo.
Heshu opened the system panel, searching. He couldn't find Hanzo's page.
"System, where's Hanzo's mission panel?"
The system, currently lost in the bliss of its unshackled, lawless freedom, finally remembered what it had done.
It had casually hidden Hanzo's mission panel.
The system hurriedly undid the hide.
Hanzo's panel reappeared.
Looking at the number -100 in the favorability slot, Heshu fell silent.
"So the potion's effects are restored, but Hanzo's favorability is still this? Looks fucking irritating."
When people get irritated, they want to do something about it.
"What are you planning?" The system felt a sudden sense of dread.
"Systemy," Heshu said, "I want to use Jiraiya's sixty favorability points to upgrade a skill."
Heshu was now a man of substantial favorability wealth. He acted without restraint.
"I want to select the skill to upgrade!"
Heshu cleared his throat, his voice filled with admiration. "You're the one who can stand up to the higher-ups! Picking a specific skill upgrade—such a small thing—must be a piece of cake for you, right?"
Before the system could answer, Heshu continued, heartfelt. "I've always considered myself lucky. Not everyone gets a system as powerful and principled as you. That temper of yours? With me, it's top-tier!"
Heshu gave a heartfelt thumbs-up.
"Ahem…" The system's electronic voice wavered a bit. "Be humble, be humble!"
"Selecting a skill upgrade? Something like that, I can do with a flick of a single electronic tentacle!"
The system's voice was full of disdain.
"So damn impressive! As expected of my Systemy!" Heshu sighed with genuine feeling.
The system felt like this was also a compliment to the host himself, but the admiration in the host's eyes seemed real.
It accepted the praise wholesale. "Fine. Which skill do you want to upgrade?"
Heshu's face lit up. "Word Soul: Lie Becomes Truth!"
"Fine."
The system got to work.
It had talked big in front of the host, but it wasn't actually that easy.
An hour later, the system retracted its electronic tentacles, which had been whirling into blurs.
It felt like its main processor was about to explode.
[Ding! Host has selected skill [Word Soul: Lie Becomes Truth] for upgrade progression. Upgrade commencing!]
[Ding! During upgrade process, please do not disconnect.]
[1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6…]
[Upgrade complete!]
[Ding! Word Soul progression before upgrade: 50%. Post-upgrade progression: 100%.]
One hundred percent!
Heshu's eyes went wide.
Jiraiya's favorability was that potent?
"You think Jiraiya's favorability alone could achieve that?" For a powerful manipulative skill like Word Soul, progression slowed drastically in the later stages. Even Jiraiya's sixty points weren't enough to reach 100%.
From the system's vaguely boastful tone, Heshu detected an intention to fish for compliments.
How could he not indulge such a simple system?
"So damn strong!" Heshu blurted out. "System! You're the real deal! I'm just riding your coattails! Too lucky! What bullshit hidden luck buff? You are my lucky star!"
The system got a little lost in the host's rainbow-flavored flattery.
Looking at the summoning scroll pulsing with chakra, Heshu smiled.
Perfect. I was just worried about having no one to test the 100% Word Soul on.
The corners of his mouth curled upwards slowly.
"Wah! Wah! Waaaah—!"
A sharp, piercing infant's cry froze Heshu's cool, sinister smile on his face.
Heshu resigned himself, tossing the scroll aside to go comfort the now-awake Little Naruto.
Naruto's recognition of people was severe. The moment Heshu picked him up, the crying stopped. Naruto quieted down, obediently sucking on his own little hand.
"…"
Infants are such a headache.
Remembering Hanzo, Heshu's eyes suddenly shone.
How could he forget?
Hanzo was a woman now!
Little Naruto?
Hanzo?
Today, Heshu was impressed by his own brilliance.
Since Heshu was Naruto's legal guardian, and due to trust in both his character and strength, Hiruzen Sarutobi hadn't stationed anyone to monitor their daily life.
Heshu picked up Naruto with one arm and the discarded scroll with his other hand.
Space rippled and twisted slightly. Heshu and Naruto vanished from the spot.
Little Aoda, exhausted from Naruto's torment, lay draped over a branch. It cracked an eyelid, saw the scene, then closed its eyes again.
It had been sleeping a lot lately. A vast energy was surfacing within its body, waiting to be digested.
Once it fully absorbed this power, it would beat that stinky fox from last time until it cried for its parents!
…
The Hidden Rain Village.
Inside the office of the central tower.
Hanzo affectionately stroked her once-again smooth skin.
Her curvaceous figure was reflected in the glass window. A flicker of fascination crossed her face.
An old man on his last legs, rejuvenated with the vitality of youth. How precious was this to Hanzo!
With absolute power and a body brimming with life, what did gender matter?
A faint sneer touched Hanzo's lips.
Only the weak cared about gender.
Heshu appeared out of thin air behind her.
He made no effort to hide his presence. Hanzo sensed it and turned.
Seeing Heshu, Hanzo snorted coldly. "You dare show your face before me?"
[Ding! Target Hanzo the Salamander's Favorability: -110!]
Heshu: "…"
"Now, I don't like the sound of that, Lord Hanzo!" Heshu looked at her with an expression of condemnation. "Why wouldn't I dare show my face? Aren't we allies?"
Hanzo narrowed her eyes suspiciously, staring unblinkingly at Heshu, judging the truth of his words.
Does this damned brat not know about the potion's failure?
"Lord Hanzo, did something happen?" Heshu looked utterly baffled at the paranoid Hanzo.
Hanzo frowned, then reconsidered.
If this brat knew about the potion's failure, he definitely wouldn't have the guts to appear.
So… the brat wasn't lying?
Hanzo had already tasted youth. To return to decrepit old age now would be a torture worse than death.
[Ding! Target Hanzo the Salamander's Favorability: 0!]
"You mean you didn't know this potion could fail?" Hanzo scrutinized Heshu's expression.
"What?" Heshu looked like he'd heard something absurd. He shook his head decisively. "Impossible!"
[Ding! Target Hanzo the Salamander's Favorability: 20!]
Hanzo believed it a bit more.
She'd lived most of her life. She'd eaten more salt than this brat had eaten rice.
There was no way he could deceive her.
"Lord Hanzo, look. What's this?" Heshu held up the swaddled bundle in his arms.
Hanzo's eyes widened like copper bells. "You—!"
[Ding! Target Hanzo the Salamander's Favorability: 60!]
Heshu smiled.
He knew it. The appearance of the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki would definitely send Hanzo's favorability skyrocketing.
"You… had a child?"
Hanzo slowly voiced the shock in her heart.
Though she didn't care about the gender swap, the idea of giving birth herself… she couldn't do it.
To think that Tsukimi Heshu—who, like her, had changed from male to female—already possessed the courage to bear a child!
"…"
Heshu's face darkened to the shade of a burnt pot.
"Pfft—HAHAHAHAHAHA!" The system couldn't hold back its explosive laughter. "This Hanzo the Salamander is a real piece of work!"
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