Fresh blood dripped from Aokawa's cheek, sliding down his jawline. It added a cruel edge to his sharp, handsome features.
Even though Keiko knew the lingering killing intent in his eyes wasn't directed at her, her heart skipped a beat. She shrank back instinctively.
This cold, efficient executioner was a far cry from the terrified boy she had dragged out of the bushes days ago.
It wasn't until he knelt and sliced the ropes binding her wrists that the tension finally broke.
"It's over."
Keiko let out a breath she felt she had been holding for hours. She pulled her traumatized, trembling daughter into her arms, hugging her fiercely.
Then, ignoring the pain in her joints, she pulled Eri down with her, prostrating herself on the floor in a formal dogeza.
"Ninja-sama... thank you for saving our lives. Keiko will never forget this kindness."
She pressed her forehead to the rough wood. Her ruined kimono, already torn to shreds by the bandit, slipped further off her shoulders. Large patches of pale skin, marred by purple bruises, were exposed to the cold air.
Beside her, little Eri mimicked her mother perfectly.
"Ninja-sama, thank you! Eri won't forget either!"
The toddler looked up, beaming a gap-toothed smile that was pure sunshine. It instantly dispelled the stench of blood in the room.
Aokawa chuckled, the ice in his veins thawing.
"Get up, please. It's just karma. Good people deserve good outcomes."
He helped them up, then pointed politely at Keiko's disheveled state.
"You might want to cover up."
Keiko followed his gaze. She looked down and gasped, her face flushing crimson. In her relief, she had forgotten that the beast had practically stripped her naked.
"I—I'm sorry!"
She squeaked, clutching the tattered fabric to her chest like a frightened rabbit, and bolted into the side room.
Aokawa shook his head and turned his attention back to the corpse.
Efficiency first.
He knelt by the body and pressed specific pressure points, halting the blood flow. It was late; dragging a corpse through a mountain forest at night was begging for a bear or wolf attack. He would have to sleep here. The smell of blood needed to be managed.
He dragged the heavy body into a corner, then fetched a bucket of water and a broom from the courtyard. Methodically, he scrubbed the floorboards, washing away the evidence of violence.
Once finished, he wiped the splatter from his own face and clothes.
He turned to find Eri staring at him with wide, dark eyes. She was hiding behind a chair, watching him like he was a mythical creature.
"What is it, Eri-chan?" Aokawa knelt, smiling as he patted her head.
"Big Brother Ninja... you're so cool!" Her voice was solemn, filled with awe.
"Oh? How so?"
"When you went whoosh whoosh and beat the bad guy!" She waved her small arms, mimicking his shuriken throw.
She tilted her head, studying his face.
"And you're really handsome, too. Your eyes are pretty. Your nose is pretty. Even your mouth! You're way better looking than Big Brother Tetsumaru from the village next door!"
Aokawa laughed and pinched her chubby cheek. "Well, Eri-chan is very cute too."
The girl giggled, reaching out to pinch his cheek in return.
The door to the side room slid open. Keiko stepped out.
She had transformed. Her hair was damp, smelling of faint soap mist. She had changed into a clean, deep red kimono. The collar was slightly loose, revealing the elegant line of her collarbone and the pale, slender curve of her neck.
Gone was the weeping victim. In her place was a woman of quiet, mature beauty.
Aokawa opened his mouth to speak, but froze.
Blue text scrolled across his vision.
[You dared to draw your bow against overwhelming violence. You punished evil and upheld good.]
[Achievement Unlocked: The First Hunt.]
[Rewards:]
[Energy Crystals x 200]
[Skill Scroll: Body Flicker Technique (Proficient)]
[Skill Scroll: Shurikenjutsu (Master)]
[Skill Scroll: Trap Making (Master)]
[Skill Scroll: Water Style: Chakra Nature Transformation (Master)]
[Skill Scroll: Water Style: Hidden Mist Jutsu (Master)]
[Skill Scroll: Water Style: Water Clone Jutsu (Proficient)]
Jackpot.
Aokawa's eyes widened. He hadn't expected a loot drop this generous.
But looking at the list...
Byakugan for X-ray vision.
Quincy Arrow for long-range sniping.
And now Hidden Mist to blind the battlefield?
The System is determined to make me the ultimate camper. A Ghost Sniper.
He resisted the urge to test the water chakra immediately. Instead, he mentally clicked on the flashing "Personal Information" icon.
[Status Window]
Race Imprint: Quincy (Common)Fusion Rate: 10.02% [+]Innate Talent: Reishi AffinityRace Skill: Heilig Pfeil (Sacred Arrow)Badge: Innate Full Spirit [?]Kekkei Genkai: ByakuganChakra Natures: Water, LightningEnergy Crystals: 200
Innate Full Spirit?
He tapped the triangle icon.
[Innate Full Spirit: Born of two souls fusing across worlds. Your spiritual energy is significantly denser than average.]
Effect 1: +100% Base Spiritual Energy.Effect 2: +100% Genjutsu Talent.Effect 3: +100% Genjutsu Resistance.
It was a transmigrator perk. Strong soul, strong mind.
He looked at the [+] next to the Fusion Rate. The System didn't say how many crystals were needed for the next Stone Gate summon, but right now, survival was priority. 10% fusion was barely enough to manifest a bow.
He dumped crystals into the fusion.
-1 Crystal. Rate: 10.07%.
(Ratio: 20 Crystals = 1% Fusion).
He dumped the rest.
[Fusion Rate: 20.02%]
The change was subtle but profound. His chakra control tightened. The erratic Nature Energy felt less like a storm and more like a stream he could direct.
Quincies were masters of particle manipulation. As his Quincy fusion increased, his fine motor control over chakra skyrocketed.
Memories of the Gentle Fist—techniques the original Aokawa had struggled with for years—suddenly clicked into place.
Strike here. Flow there.
He extended two fingers. Chakra coated them instantly, sharp and stable.
[Skill Updated: Gentle Fist (Proficient)]
[Skill Updated: Tenketsu Striking (Proficient)]
Perfect.
He wasn't just a sniper anymore. If someone closed the distance, he could break their internal organs.
Wait.
Why was an Academy Student on a kill mission?
The memory surfaced. The Hyuga tax. Low-rank teams were desperate for scouts. They would often hire Hyuga Academy students off the books just for the Byakugan. It was dangerous, illegal, and common. And the Academy turned a blind eye because "combat experience" bred better soldiers.
This world really is rotte—
A tug on his sleeve broke his train of thought.
"Ninja-sama..."
Keiko was standing close. Too close. Her face was flushed, her eyes lowered but intense.
"Let me help you dress..."