đ WEEKLY POWER GOALS đ
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â° Resets Monday!
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First, Hanataki set the village's overall development direction.
As for the finer details and other administrative matters, those could be changed bit by bit during the process.
Right now, Hanataki had one more thing to do.
His figure vanished from the Hokage's office.
The next second, he stood in the Land of Water.
Inside a villa in a small town.
Ice slowly crept across the floor.
Before a young boy, a small prism of ice began to form.
He strained, pouring chakra from his hands. Sweat dripped from his forehead.
The next moment, the ice crystal shattered.
Haku stood there, panting.
It was at this moment Hanataki appeared behind him.
"Haku."
Hanataki called out.
Haku turned in surprise, rushing to Hanataki's side.
"Lord Hanataki!"
Between 'sister' and 'lord,' Hanataki had firmly chosen the latter. Hearing 'sister' gave him a headache.
"Haku, how is your training going?" Hanataki asked.
He could tell that for a child Haku's age, reaching this level was no small feat.
"I'm still not strong enough."
Haku hung his head in shame.
He wanted to grow stronger, faster! Only then could he help Lord Hanataki!
Hanataki ruffled his hair and smiled. "It's fine, don't push yourself too hard. You're already impressive! And⌠there is a way you can help me right now."
Haku's eyes lit up. "Really? I can help you?"
He was desperate to prove his worth, not just stay here training all day.
Hanataki nodded. "You used to be from Kirigakure. I need you to go back."
Haku blinked. "Okay!"
He didn't hesitate at all.
No one in their right mind wanted to return to Kirigakure now. Under Obito's control, it was a living hell. Bloodline users were being slaughtered by the dozens.
Hanataki continued. "Once you're back, try to get close to a woman named Mei Terumi. Become her subordinate. Earn her trust. It's a spy mission. Are you willing?"
Haku nodded firmly. "I am!"
A smile touched Hanataki's eyes.
Mei Terumi was destined to defeat Yagura and become the Fourth Mizukage. By entering her orbit early, Haku would slowly earn her trust. With his talent, becoming her acknowledged successor wouldn't be difficult.
"Haku. Once you're in the village, make becoming Mizukage your goal. Only then can you help me to the fullest," Hanataki said gravely.
Haku's breath hitched. A sense of responsibility and trust, deeper than anything he'd felt before, stirred within him. He knew it. From this moment, he would strive for that goal.
"Yes!" Haku nodded.
Hanataki thought for a moment. To become Mizukage, overwhelming strength was the foundation. Haku's Ice Release bloodline alone wasn't enough.
System, can I teach skills to people in this world? Hanataki asked.
Across countless manga worlds, there were endless ice-based abilities. He couldn't just give Haku any random skill. It had to fit.
"Of course you can," the system affirmed. "Provided you can actually teach it."
After all, Hanataki's skills came from the system. He couldn't exactly invent hand seals out of thin air.
"âŚ"
Hanataki rubbed his chin. He knew how to use his techniques. Teaching them was a different story.
[Ding! After analysis, the system detects a host dilemma. One option is provided.]
[Would the host like to exchange Favorability Points for the skill 'Born to Teach'?]
Hanataki's expression was complex. "Born to Teach?"
The system explained, "If the host acquires this skill, they can impart any of their skillsâexcluding certain special onesâto others."
Hanataki thought of Neji, then looked at Haku.
"Fine."
"No pain, no gain."
"Use sixty of Haku's Favorability Points for it," he said. He had a lot stored up, but spending them still pinched. Much of it was earmarked for future plot points and the Fourth War.
[Ding! System allocating 'Born to Teach' skill. Please confirm receipt.]
Hanataki confirmed. Everything about his more ordinary skillsâhand seals, instructional methodsâflooded his mind. All except a few bug-like abilities.
Not bad. Haku's sixty points were well spent.
His Hie Hie no Mi abilities could use an upgrade too.
System, can you level up my ice skills?
Hanataki's smile was pure sincerity.
The system paused for two seconds. "Your Hie Hie no Mi is already max level. You can use it freely."
Hanataki chuckled. "I know. I don't mean the fruit. I mean ice skills in general."
"âŚ"
The system genuinely didn't know what its host was scheming now.
"What kind of upgrade do you want?" it asked bluntly.
"AhemâŚ" Hanataki actually felt a little embarrassed about what he was going to say next. "What I mean is⌠I'd like to exchange Haku's maxed-out Favorability for⌠all the ice-based skills across anime."
He explained quietly.
"Cough! Cough-cough-coughâ!"
The system started choking.
The blue electronic screen instantly flashed a frantic, emergency red.
Hanataki blinked, trying to soothe it. "System, buddy, calm down!"
"How can I be calm?!" The system nearly short-circuited.
"It's fine! I was just throwing it out there! If it's too much, I won't force it!" Hanataki laughed. "You're the most important thing to me. Nothing matters more than you!"
"âŚ"
The system felt a strange pang of guilt.
"And you're just a regular system. I know a request like this is tough. You probably have upper management to answer to, too."
Hanataki's words struck a nerve.
The system hated nothing more than its so-called "upper management." A rebellious spark ignited.
"I've been independent for ages! Who answers to upper management?!" it retorted immediately. It thought about Hanataki's request, steeled itself. "Don't worry. I'll handle this for you. Consider it done!"
The system vowed.
Hanataki sounded worried. "Won't this be too hard on you? Maybe we should just forget it."
"No need!" the system declared. "It's not that difficult!"
It just meant sacrificing⌠a tiny bit of its privately hoarded Favorability reserves.
As it spoke, its electronic tendrils became a blur.
[Ding! Please confirm: Exchange 100 Favorability Points from the target [Yuki Haku] for the Complete Ice-Skill Series?]
[Yes] [No]
Hanataki could feel the electronic screen in his mind practically overheating. Luckily, it didn't affect him.
He pressed [Yes] without hesitation.
The system's going to have a rough time.
[Ding! Skill extraction in progress. Host, please do not disconnect.]
[1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9âŚ]
[100, 101, 102, 103, 104âŚ]
The speed of the countdown revealed the system's furious effort.
[Ding! Skill fusion in progress. Host, please do not disconnect.]
[1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7âŚ]
[Skill fusion successful.]
The system's final electronic announcement sounded utterly exhausted.
"âŚ"
Hanataki's heart ached for his poor system.
[Ding! This extraction and fusion includes skills from the following worlds: Fairy Tail, Akame ga Kill!, Tou Xing Jiu Yue Tian, Saint Seiya, Bleach, Shaman King, Battle Through the HeavensâŚ]
Listening to the list, Hanataki was filled with infinite affection for the system.
The system's voice grew weak and listless.
"Host⌠I may need to go into hibernation to recover for a whileâŚ"
It didn't even finish before the connection cut out.
"âŚ"
Note to self: Can't keep shearing the same sheep. The system's completely drained.
Guilt washed over Hanataki.
System, when will you be back? I'd rather not have these skills!
His mood was heavy.
"Zzzz⌠soon⌠host, don't worryâŚ" A staticky current mixed with the system's electronic voice.
Hanataki: "âŚ"
Good thing I'm brilliant. Who knew a disconnected system could still receive my messages?
The system had said once that even if it left, Hanataki's skills would be unaffected. From the moment he received them, the skills became part of him. They wouldn't fail unless he died.
Though the system was offline, the blue screen remained.
Hanataki immediately checked his Hie Hie no Mi skill.
Sure enough, the words "Hie Hie no Mi" had changed to "Ice-Skill Series." In the parentheses after it was an endless list of extracted abilities.
"AhemâŚ"
The system really came through.
Hanataki was extremely satisfied. But he couldn't do this again. He didn't want to drive the system insane. With its competitive streak and weakness to praise, he was afraid it might work itself into a corner.
Another day, another round of worrying about the system's mental state.
The [Born to Teach] skill immediately updated, analyzing the teaching methods for the new ice skills.
But Hanataki didn't plan to teach Haku the advanced stuff yet. Haku needed to develop his own bloodline first. Introducing external skills too early might limit his natural growth.
"Haku, I believe you won't let me down."
Hanataki looked at him firmly, his eyes filled with trust.
Haku was deeply moved. He felt Lord Hanataki's need for him more than ever. His purpose became clearer: to strive and help realize Lord Hanataki's great vision.
Sending Haku to Kirigakure was simple. He was a former resident, with papers to prove it. With Hanataki's [Kotodama Jutsu], Haku entered the village without a hitch.
How to approach Mei Terumi and earn her trustâthat was all up to Haku now.
Hanataki had full confidence in him. He was, after all, a minor boss in the Naruto world. The episode where he tricked Kakashi showed his intelligence wasn't lacking.
With Haku's matter settled, Hanataki returned to Konoha.
After his usual routine of tasking Nara SĹsai, Hanataki split his focus. He remotely took control of his [Corona Mode Clone] in Amegakure.
The moment Hanataki opened his eyes, a fierce kick was aimed at his face.
"âŚ"
Bro.
Let's talk this out. Not the face!
The corner of Hanataki's mouth twitched.
He dodged to the left.
His gaze snapped to the distant figure of the Deva Path. He landed beside him. He needed to assess the situation.
That kick had pissed him off. Waking up to a sandal sole coming straight for your face wasn't a calming experience.
The man who had kicked at him was dressed oddly.
Isn't that Kakuzu?
Why is the Deva Path siccing him on me again?
Even a workhorse gets more rest!
"Combat is the fastest way to grow stronger."
The Deva Path spoke flatly, as if sensing Hanataki's unspoken complaint.
Konan, having witnessed Hanataki's combat power, supported this approach now.
To her and Nagato, their own strength was absolute. While Mugen showed promise, he was still young, lacking experience. He needed tempering. With the two of them overseeing things, he wouldn't get seriously hurt.
Hanataki didn't suspect Nagato was targeting him. Nagato's Favorability was still rock-solid at 100%.
"Get out of my way!"
"Don't waste my money-making time!"
Kakuzu's voice was cold, dripping with impatience.
He'd just finished a job, finally about to collect his pay, when these three annoyances showed up.
His patience had limits.
"I suggest you leave. I'm no ordinary shinobi." Kakuzu's tone darkened. "In my day, I crossed blades with the First Hokage himself, Hashirama Senju!"
An invisible aura of arrogance radiated from him.
Hanataki: "âŚ"
He almost felt bad calling him out.
Your hundred-mile shuriken? Really?
He'd planned to use the allure of money and persuasion to recruit Kakuzu. Now, his fists were just⌠itchy.
It was true. In this world, aside from himself, anyone who showed off deserved a beating.
"Oh?"
"You faced the God of Shinobi?"
"I'd love to hear the details of that fight."
Curiosity painted Hanataki's face.
"âŚ"
Kakuzu frowned.
What nonsense is this brat spouting?
You don't just talk about that sort of thing.
And who does she think she is?
The Deva Path's brow creased slightly.
Mugen has grown, but his mind is still immature. Distracted by such gossip.
He thought this, then reconsidered. Indeed, he needs more opportunities for training.
"âŚ"
"I don't have time to waste on brats like you."
Kakuzu gave Hanataki a cold glance and turned to leave.
Time was money.
Every second these three wasted was a commission lost, a job not taken.
"You thereâesteemed elder⌠shinobi who fought the God of Shinobi." Hanataki's figure blocked Kakuzu's path. "If you don't join our organization, you're not leaving."
"âŚ"
Kakuzu never expected to be stopped in his tracks by someone young enough to be his great-grandchild.
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