"The cost went down."
After leaving the Gundam SEED world, Hanabi checked on her Character Reincarnation Card.
The Popularity Points required to enter the Gundam SEED world using this card had decreased.
That meant her plan had worked.
Based on her experience in the Naruto world, as long as she provided the right "setup" and "hook," the story practically wrote itself.
These "setups" and "hooks" gave the narrative a proper anchor to introduce the character from.
Hashirama's Cells were, at the end of the day, still human cells. Granted, they were cells from a "plant-person," but they weren't quite what Hanabi was after.
"If we factor in the sequels, there's someone in that world who was developing a type of 'Accord'—a step above ordinary Coordinators—with telepathy and mind-reading abilities."
In SEED, Lacus Clyne could brainwash people in the literal sense.
In a way, the conspiracy theories about her were completely vindicated.
"I think that person's name was… Aura Maha Khyber?"
The one who "reverse-aged" in the theatrical film.
But those were retconned additions to the setting, and Hanabi didn't know much about them.
Fortunately, none of that really affected her plans.
She was taking an entirely different route.
"Still, the SEED world over there doesn't use the Hirai-face art style either—I wonder what Lacus Clyne's actual design looks like in a real world…"
After all, it was a real world. The Coordinators over there were all stunning, men and women alike. Though in Hanabi's estimation, none of them held a candle to herself or Inori—but they were still above average.
That cookie-cutter Hirai-face look from the "original" simply didn't exist here.
"But there are more pressing matters right now."
The Production Team for the Second Set was, frankly, incompetent. Up to this point, all they'd done was set target quotas. Not a single project proposal, not a single script—everything was still undecided.
This kind of client was the absolute worst!
"Does the client not have any more detailed requirements?" Hanabi asked.
[None at this time]
After a brief pause, the Stage even added a considerate follow-up.
[The Stage will formulate a plan upon entering the set]
Good grief.
Even the Dimensional Stage couldn't stand watching anymore.
"Oh, right—after I leave, the First Set's timeline will freeze, won't it? What happens on the audience's end?" Hanabi asked.
[The first season of the anime has concluded. The Second Set anime will air immediately following Season 1]
[Once you are promoted to Major Supporting Role, the Stage will adopt a staggered-timeline broadcast mode]
[TL;DR: Don't worry about it]
Hanabi continued. "So when I switch faces for the Second Set, how do my fans count?"
[Fans of the First Set character still count as the performer's personal fans, but they will not grant bonus Popularity Points to the Second Set character]
[However, when a fan becomes a fan of both characters simultaneously, additional Popularity Points will be provided]
Got it. Hyuga Hanabi's fans wouldn't give Inori Yuzuriha free bonus income.
But if someone became a fan of both characters, there'd be a stacking bonus.
"What about my situation in the First Set going forward?" Hanabi asked again.
[Contract renegotiation for the second season anime will take place upon your return]
[The client is very satisfied with your performance. Your role level and compensation in the second season may be upgraded]
"Can I make adjustments to other characters' settings and requirements?" Hanabi pressed.
[You cannot alter the characters themselves, but you may negotiate whether to apply additional performance props to other characters]
"You're way more helpful than you used to be."
Back when she was still an extra, the Stage's replies had been robotic, almost curt.
But now that she'd become a regular employee and climbed a rank, the Stage's attitude had improved noticeably.
During her absence, this world would be in stasis.
When she came back to resume filming, she could sign an even better contract. Not bad at all.
"Good. Let's continue with class, then."
After finishing her senior-year biology course, she found that she could indeed continue on to "postgraduate entrance exams."
Unfortunately, beyond attending lectures, Hanabi couldn't intervene in much else.
Slam!
Ulen Hibiki dropped a stack of documents in front of Hanabi.
"This is nothing short of demonic research material!"
"Why do you say that?"
Hanabi raised her head with interest.
Hashirama's Cells were genuinely fascinating from a research standpoint.
Even stripped of Chakra's influence, they remained a type of totipotent stem cell capable of differentiation.
And more importantly, Hashirama's Cells behaved differently from Hashirama himself—these cells could divide indefinitely like cancer cells, achieving a form of "immortality."
"It's somewhat similar to human cells, but what is this thing? Its density is two to three times greater than normal human cells. Even a Coordinator couldn't reach this level. Is this really human?" Ulen stared hard at "Mana Ouma."
This woman… was like a demon.
"Hibiki-san. If a duck looks like a duck, walks like a duck, and quacks like a duck—then it's a duck. Would you agree that it's a duck?" Hanabi asked.
"Not necessarily. Convergent evolution is always a possibility. Certain organisms mimic other species for survival—wheat and oats, for instance…" Ulen answered without hesitation.
"Then I believe you already have your conclusion." Hanabi smiled. "Besides, I've already told you—this is merely a reference. What you do with it is entirely your own choice."
"That thing is not my research." Ulen's gaze bored into Mana Ouma. "Something like that is far too early for humanity. Carbon-based machines—wouldn't that be a negation of what it means to be human?"
"Don't be so quick to deny something that hasn't been born yet. Perhaps it will be humanity's turning point." Hanabi said. "As things stand, humankind doesn't even qualify as a seed. Only when humanity surpasses its genetic factors will it truly be facing the future."
"I've read your thesis." Ulen said. "Photosynthesis, self-determined sex, hibernation mechanisms, spatial awareness… This reads like preparation for spaceflight. Is this… what an alien species expects of humanity?"
He bought it! He bought it!
Ulen Hibiki had already concluded that Mana Ouma was probably not human.
This was exactly the effect she wanted.
"If you're interested, take a look at this." Hanabi handed over another set of documents.
Once Ulen believed in her, the plan was already half-complete.
"With that, the preliminary groundwork is done."
Returning to the Naruto world one last time, Hanabi began her final wrap-up.
"This is as far as things go for now. It's about time I head to the Second Set." Hanabi stood up.
[Clocking out]
[Attendance recorded]
[Please concentrate. In an unoccupied space, push open the door]
"Mm."
Hanabi walked to the door, pushed it open, and stepped into the void.
[First Set has been suspended]
Hanabi turned around. The door behind her hadn't closed yet, but the world on the other side had already turned black and white—its time frozen.
Hanabi closed the door and turned forward.
She had returned to the original Stage.