[Detecting Host has met the exchange criteria]
[Exchange "Multi Shadow Clone Jutsu" immediately?]
The hard work wasn't in vain. The Sunday morning sun was bright, just like Sean's mood at this very moment—beautiful, with a hint of excitement.
He had finally grinded out the 500 "Reader Feedback Points."
A smile couldn't help but appear on his lips. Even his gaze toward Maha softened considerably.
The old man, with his dog-like nose, put down his H-manga and glanced over. "Is the brat possessed?"
"What are you smiling about?"
"You still want a beating?"
'Yes, yes, yes... whatever you say, old man. As expected of an old dog, he can't stop eating shit.'
Sean glanced at the H-manga in Maha's hand... "That Day Auntie Called Me to the Cornfield".
He sneered coldly. "Can't satisfy your sister-in-law or your wife's younger sister, so now you're fantasizing about your auntie?"
"Grandpa, just give up. Is it really that hard to admit you're not up to it?"
"If you really can't, beg me, and I'll teach you the 'Expansion Jutsu'."
"You really do want a beating, don't you?!" The old man's eyes widened. "So what if you have the 'Expansion Jutsu'?"
"If you're willing to teach it, this old man... is really daring enough to take it!"
'Take my ass! With that scrawny body of yours, can you even lift the big staff?'
Sean sighed. "Let's forget it. Enhancement types have strong limbs and simple minds. Even if I gave it to you, you probably couldn't learn it."
Maha: "..."
He quietly clenched his fist. "Just tell me if you'll give it or not."
"We'll see about your future performance. Right now... I don't have time." Sean winked at Maha with a mischievous smile.
His consciousness sank inward. He silently said to the "Sage," "Exchange."
[Received.]
[Exchanging "Multi Shadow Clone Jutsu"...]
A familiar white light entered the space between his eyebrows.
In the vast white sea of consciousness, clouds billowed and converged, forming a human figure.
White hair, red eyes, wearing blue armor under a white haori, and an iron headband on his head. It was exactly the Nidaime Hokage—Tobirama Senju!
"Senpai, I told you we'd meet again." Sean, hands in his pockets, looked at Tobirama with a smile.
Tobirama opened his eyes, a faint arc on his lips. "Brat, you can tell me your identity now, can't you?"
As he spoke, Tobirama moved his wrists and ankles. Compared to last time, he could clearly feel his body was much lighter and more relaxed, far from the previous stiffness and blockage. This meant that in the time he was away—
The boy had clearly made significant progress again!
"Don't be hasty," Sean smiled and silently asked the "Sage," 'Can I conjure some small things?'
[Of course.]
[This is the Host's consciousness space. As long as the Host wishes, any object can be conjured.]
'Using "thought" to move "Nen"... it's really convenient.'
"In that case, let's have two bowls of Ichiraku Ramen." Sean waved his hand, and two steaming bowls of ramen floated in the air.
The boy raised an eyebrow and made an inviting gesture. "Senpai, why don't we 'slurp' while we talk?"
Tobirama's eyes flickered, and he chuckled. "Guhehehe."
He copied Sean, squatting beside him, and began to slurp the noodles loudly.
It was a familiar taste, much like Konoha's special miso broth. He took a bite of the chashu, and the juices exploded in his mouth. In an instant, Tobirama felt as if he had returned to Konoha, seeing that small eatery with the curtained door.
The owner, wearing a tall chef's hat, smiled as he welcomed and saw off customers. The small shop was filled with the warm, lively atmosphere of home...
"It's really nostalgic."
A warm current flowed through Tobirama's heart. He slurped the last noodle and looked deeply at Sean. "You must eat quickly."
"Especially on the battlefield. The enemy won't leave you ample time to enjoy your food."
"Is Senpai an enemy?" Sean asked Tobirama with a smile, his face puffed up like a bun because his mouth was stuffed with food.
Tobirama was stunned for a moment, then burst out laughing. "Interesting brat. This is your home turf. Of course... you call the shots."
"Since I call the shots..." Sean tilted his head back and drank everything, noodles and broth. He finally had time to extend his right hand to Tobirama. "Sean Zoldyck. It's a pleasure to meet you, Senpai."
'Sean Zoldyck? What a strange name.' Tobirama's eyes flashed. He grasped Sean's right hand. It was fair but strong, the knuckles covered in thick calluses. 'He's a trained fighter.'
"I won't introduce myself. Because you probably know me better than I know myself."
'As expected of a man from the Senju clan. That insight alone is extraordinary.' Sean smiled and shook his head. He stood up, pulled a pack of cigarettes from the billowing clouds nearby, and tossed one to Tobirama.
"What is this?" Tobirama caught the cigarette and fiddled with it. As a relic from the First and Second Great Wars, he had never seen this new-era product. He looked at Sean curiously.
He watched as the boy skillfully pulled a lighter from the clouds, lit his own cigarette, and then tossed the lighter to Tobirama. He took a deep drag and blew out a faint smoke ring.
"This isn't just a 'thing.' It's the future."
'The future? "Konoha's future?"'
"Yes and no."
"Hmm." Tobirama copied Sean, lit the cigarette, and tried to take a puff. The nicotine taste shot straight into his nasal cavity, almost making him choke.
"Cough, cough... Brat, are you messing with me?" Tobirama coughed a few times, a look of disgust on his face.
Sean laughed loudly. "I forgot to tell you, Senpai... smoking too much of this is bad for your health."
"Then why are you smoking it?" Tobirama glared at Sean, annoyed.
Sean's smile faded. He looked at him meaningfully. "I just wanted to tell you, Senpai, that in here, we are both strangers."
"These cigarettes you've never seen were my beloved in my past life. In this life... I've never smoked one, just like you."
"So... you are not a ninja, and you have never been to Konoha." Tobirama understood Sean's meaning, his voice low.
Sean didn't answer. He quietly finished the cigarette. Only then did he say, "Although I've never been to Konoha, there's one thing you judged correctly, Senpai."
"I know you better than you know yourself. I even know everything about Konoha, including its past... and its future!"
The boy paused, looked at him deeply, and added, "In gratitude for you teaching me the 'Multi Shadow Clone Jutsu,' if you have any questions, you can ask them now."
Tobirama's head snapped up. A bright light shone in his blood-red eyes. He stared straight at Sean... and smiled.
"Knowing how to repay a favor. You're better than those naturally evil Uchiha."
"The Uchiha? Just trash." Sean said contemptuously. "The people I despise most in my life are those arrogant bastards, including Madara Uchiha!"
"Hahaha!" Tobirama burst out laughing. "Well said, Sean!"
"They are just a bunch of arrogant parasites!"
"Anyone who gets involved with them will become unfortunate!"
"I don't even doubt... that Konoha will be destroyed at the hands of those bastards!"
"Well, you guessed right on that one," Sean interjected.
'Gah?!' Tobirama's smile froze.