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"Shisui, your sandals are broken."
"No way. I just bought them."
"Lie becomes truth!"
CRACK!
Shisui's ninja sandals shattered mid-air. Stunned, he nearly fell out of the tree.
"Are you okay, Shisui?" Hanataki asked, a worried hand shooting out to steady him.
"I'm fine. Thanks for the… warning." Shisui's face flushed a faint red. Damn it. The quality was terrible, and he'd embarrassed himself in front of Hanataki.
…
"Hizashi-sensei, your pants are about to fall down."
"Hanataki, don't joke like that with your teacher."
"Lie becomes truth!"
The next second, a cool breeze brushed Hizashi's legs. He looked down.
He nearly departed this beautiful world.
"Hizashi-sensei! You're going commando!" Juri's voice held accusation. How could he? It was one thing among men, but Hanataki was a girl!
For the first time in his life, Hyūga Hizashi yearned for the earth to swallow him whole. A nice, deep hole would do.
For the rest of the journey, Hizashi burned with shame for corrupting young Hanataki's innocent eyes.
…
After all that effort—sacrificing Shisui's new shoes (poor guy was still barefoot) and Hizashi-sensei's precious dignity—the skill progress bar for [Word Soul: Lie Becomes Truth] stubbornly remained at 0.5%.
"System! Give me an explanation!"
"Please explore and discover on your own," came the cold, mechanical reply.
"Ha!" Hanataki was furious. "As the client receiving this skill, don't I have the right to ask? Are you secretly sabotaging me? Huh?"
In those other transmigration novels, the system coddled the host like a parent and a butler combined. Why was his so useless?
"…" The system sensed Hanataki's arrogance. Time for a reality check. "If the host questions the system, the binding can be terminated at any time."
"Daddy, I was wrong."
His apology was immediate and sincere. Pride? What was that? It wasn't as important as living. And calling your lifeline 'Daddy' wasn't embarrassing. It was just… filial piety.
They'd arrived in the Land of Rain.
The sky told the story. One side, the Land of Fire: clear and bright. The other, the Land of Rain: choked by dark, heavy clouds.
The closer they got to the Hidden Rain Village, the heavier the downpour became. A light drizzle became a torrent of fat, pelting raindrops. All five of them donned rain cloaks and wide-brimmed hats—Hanataki included. He didn't need it, but blending in was smarter.
The village gates were guarded by two Rain ninja checking documents.
"Halt! Papers!"
The one speaking had a vicious scar across his face. Hizashi, his hat pulled low to hide his unique eyes, hunched his shoulders. "Of course, sir!" He offered the forged papers with both hands, playing the part of a humble merchant. Their mission to meet Hanzō had to stay secret. "These are my children, honored ninja."
The scarred ninja sneered. "Quite the breeder."
Hanataki: "…"
Shisui: "…"
Juri: "…"
"A full house is a blessing!" Might Dai chimed in cheerfully.
Scar-face turned to Hizashi. "Is this oaf your son too?"
"…" Hizashi's eye twitched. "My… servant, sir."
"You bought an idiot for a servant?" The ninja scoffed, thrusting the papers back. "Get lost."
"Thank you, sir!" Hizashi bowed, hurrying his 'family' inside.
Might Dai looked dejected. Being called stupid hurt.
Hanataki, the ever-empathetic angel—and relentless favorability-grinder—moved to comfort him. "Don't be sad, Uncle. You're very smart."
"Really?" Dai's eyes widened with hope.
No, Uncle, I'm just being nice. Why are you taking this seriously?
"Of course it's true," Hanataki nodded solemnly.
"YOSH! I, Might Dai of Konoha, will live up to Hanataki's praise!" Dai's mood instantly flipped. He struck his signature pose, thumb pointing at his chest, and shouted.
Oh no.
Hanataki's heart sank.
Every head on the street turned.
"Konoha ninja?"
"Sounds like it."
"What are they doing here?"
Several hostile gazes locked onto them—Rain ninja among the crowd.
Hizashi shared a single, desperate look with his team.
Scatter!
They vanished before the Rain ninja could move, bolting in different directions.
…
Two days later.
A quieter street in the Rain Village. Shop windows cast warm glows. The air smelled of food from nearby stalls.
A small figure with silver hair sat motionless under a dripping eave. A 'little girl,' ignored by the passing adults. In a village torn by war and internal strife, orphans were common. No one looked twice.
If anyone had looked closer, they'd have noticed the quality of her clothes was far too fine for an urchin.
Hanataki, blissfully unaware he was being pitied, was pondering life's great mysteries.
One, where had his hapless teammates ended up after Dai's big mouth scattered them?
Two, why was his [Word Soul] skill still at a pathetic 0.5% after all his… field testing? Couldn't it at least round up to 1%?
Three, would this damn rain ever stop? It was the perfect weather for a nap.
His Six Eyes pinged. Anomalous chakra. His thoughtful frown melted into blank confusion just as a group appeared at the street's end.
"Hah, Yahiko, craving snacks again?" The voice was cool, but light with amusement.
The speaker was a girl with blue hair, pale skin, and an aloof beauty softened by a gentle smile. She wore a black cloak with red clouds.
The boy beside her—Yahiko—was tall and wore the same cloak. He scratched his head, sheepish at being teased.
Hanataki's mind went blank.
The Akatsuki trio? What are the odds?
They saw him at the same moment.
"Ah, an orphan," Yahiko said, his bright eyes dimming slightly.
Konan's gaze held pity.
Nagato's expression remained utterly flat.
"She looks hungry," Yahiko noted, mistaking Hanataki's stare at a steamed bun stall for longing.
Hanataki: Longing my ass!
Wait.
His sister is Konan. So, technically…
"I'll get her a bun." Konan's own past flashed before her eyes. Lips pressed tight, she bought one bun and walked over, kneeling before Hanataki.
Hanataki looked genuinely confused. What's this beauty doing?
"Little one, you must be starving. Here." Konan's words of comfort were awkward, but she offered the warm, paper-wrapped bun.
…You think I'm a beggar?
Hanataki meant to refuse on principle. His traitorous hands shot out first.
A gift from a beauty cannot be refused.
"…Thank you… Sister." His voice was small. He looked up, wide blue eyes full of stars.
His fingers subtly explored the paper bag. Once. Twice.
His heart sank.
No way. Just one?
You say I'm starving but only buy one?
Classic Konan. Saving every penny for more explosive tags.
Konan's heart softened.
Yahiko walked over, his smile a small sunbeam cutting through the rain. "What's your name, little one?" He patted Hanataki's head.
"Big Brother, my name is Hanataki."
As if I'd give my real name to strangers. Hanataki beamed.
"Hanataki… a lovely name. I'm Yahiko. This is Konan. And that one with the swirly eyes is Nagato." Yahiko plopped down beside Hanataki, introducing them all with sunny honesty.
Wow. Full names. All real.
Swirly eyes? Hanataki glanced at Nagato. Red hair half-covered his face, but the lavender, ringed pupils of the Rinnegan were unmistakable. Yahiko's description was… accurate.
"Why are you sitting here, Hanataki?" Yahiko asked, his hand resting on Hanataki's head. Compassion stirred. Their teacher, Jiraiya, had saved them when they were orphans. They could pass that kindness on. He wanted to give this child a home.
Konan saw the resolve in Yahiko's eyes and smiled. She'd be happy to have this cute child join them too.
[Ding! Target 'Konan' Affection: 40!]
Hanataki suppressed his excitement, letting a cloud of sadness fall over his face. "Hanataki… is waiting for Mama and Papa." He looked down, small fists clenched tight. Tears welled but refused to fall. He knew the truth but refused to accept it. If he waited here, maybe they'd come back.
Yahiko and Konan's eyes reddened.
[Ding! Target 'Konan' Affection: 60!]
[Ding! Target 'Yahiko' Affection: 60!]
Yahiko, a master of getting swept up in his own emotions, was nearly in tears. "Hanataki…" His voice was thick. "Would you like to come with us?"
"Huh?" Hanataki looked up, red-rimmed eyes full of confusion.
"Big Brother means… would you like to wait for your parents with us?" Yahiko wouldn't shatter the child's fragile hope.
"Are Big Brother and Sister's parents gone too?" Hanataki asked with feigned innocence. One small hand grasped Yahiko's, the other took Konan's. "Don't worry! Your parents will definitely come back!" A faint blush colored his cheeks. "Because you're both very good people! You're the only ones who bought me food in two whole days!" He finished in a rush, ducking his head shyly.
Yahiko and Konan's hearts melted. How could a child be so sweet and kind?
Konan turned her head slightly to wipe a stray tear—and met Nagato's completely deadpan expression. She sighed. Hard to maintain the mood with that face.
"Sister, you eat it!" Hanataki pushed the bun toward her as she turned back. "Don't be sad!"
He wants to comfort me? Konan couldn't help it. She pulled Hanataki into a gentle hug. "No, you eat it, little one."
Hanataki's face lit up with pure, unfeigned bliss. He tugged Yahiko's sleeve. "Can I… really wait with you?"
"Of course!" Yahiko's smile was warm.
Hanataki's eyes shone. "I promise I won't be a burden! I eat very little!"
[Ding! Target 'Konan' Affection: 65!]
[Ding! Target 'Yahiko' Affection: 70!]
Half an hour later.
Hanataki sat snugly in Konan's lap, nibbling his bun. Nagato stood beside them, holding an umbrella. Yahiko was up ahead, scouting for more snacks.
My fellow transmigrators were amateurs, Hanataki mused. This is the true winner's path.
They might have hugged Konan. But had they sat in her lap, being fed? No.
They might have defeated Nagato. But had they made him hold an umbrella for them? Absolutely not.
And Yahiko was out there, playing personal shopper.
Life… is good.
He leaned back into Konan's comfortable embrace, a sudden surge of ambition rising. Wait! I can't let this corrupt me—the lap of a beauty, a bodyguard with an umbrella, a secretary fetching snacks. I have greater ambitions! I must not be shallow!
"Hanataki, do you want anything else?" Konan's voice was soft, carrying a faint, pleasant scent. She was like a night-blooming flower.
Hanataki surrendered, sinking deeper into her arms.
…I'll withstand the corruption a little longer. It's fine. I can take it.
As they say, if I don't go to hell, who will?
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