Book Artist: "On your head? Are you serious?"
Eriri was completely floored, unable to follow Sakata Gintoki's erratic train of thought. She was certain that the suggestion An Ran-san had given was never intended to result in headwear.
Curly-Haired Boy: "Humph! I just tested it, and now I can headbutt my way through solid walls! It's the perfect application! An Ran-san, you truly are a genius!"
This is an Actor: "As long as you are happy."
Beyond that, what else could An Ran say?
Scarlet Snake Fairy: "Can you truly use such a thing in battle?"
Li Mochou subconsciously visualized the scene, and a slight shiver ran through her. It was far, far too... eye-catching.
Book Artist: "The enemy will die of laughter! They'll literally die of laughter! Gintoki, why are you so demonic?"
Curly-Haired Boy: "Mark my words, Ali-chan! In a fight, it doesn't matter how you fight, as long as you win! Those who hesitate are the ones who lose!"
Angel of the Hidden Rain Village: "No matter how much you dress it up, it doesn't change the fact that it is perverted behavior, Gintoki."
Just as Konan sent her message, the entire chat group interface suddenly flushed with a deep, dark gold. The window shook violently, and a crimson notification flared across every member's screen.
This is an Actor: "Opened the red envelope to obtain the Mythical Talent: [God of Swords]."
Book Artist: "?"
Curly-Haired Boy: "?"
Angel of the Hidden Rain Village: "Mythical Level?"
Skirt-Lifting Maniac: "So cool! I don't really know what 'Mythical' means, but it sounds amazing!"
The special effects accompanying the prompt were certainly grand enough to warrant the praise.
Scarlet Snake Fairy: "One can draw talents from these envelopes as well as items?"
Angel of the Hidden Rain Village: "You are truly worthy of your title, An Ran-san. A Mythical talent must be incredibly potent."
This is an Actor: "Ah, it seems I am quite lucky."
A detailed description of the talent expanded before An Ran's eyes.
[God of Swords] Innate Sword Bone, Supreme Intent. Effect: Increases the learning speed of all sword techniques by 500%. Increases the destructive power of all sword techniques by 500%. Significantly increases the probability of seeing through an opponent's sword strikes.
It was a staggering ability, well-deserving of its Mythical status. Even so, An Ran remained composed. He copied the description and shared it with the group.
Book Artist: "'Quite lucky'? Just 'quite lucky'? Is that all?!"
Curly-Haired Boy: "Damn, that's a broken, bug-like ability! Do you even grasp how insane that is?!"
If Gintoki had such a talent, he wouldn't bother waiting for opportunities; he would simply charge into the Tendoshu headquarters with his wooden sword in hand.
Scarlet Snake Fairy: "According to the description, both the learning speed and the power of sword techniques are increased fivefold?"
Angel of the Hidden Rain Village: "And he can see through the enemy's moves."
This is an Actor: "Yes. That is why I said it is quite good."
What An Ran—or rather, Aizen—lacked least was talent. Throughout the millions of years of Soul Society's history, no one had ever matched his innate genius. Even after arriving in the Shinobi World, it had taken him only a few years to reach a level of strength far surpassing that of a Kage.
Even without his character templates or the powers of a Shinigami, Aizen already stood above the Kage level. He hadn't even begun to train seriously yet; this was merely the byproduct of his years spent researching the nature of chakra.
Such talent was terrifying.
Therefore, to him, "quite good" was the simple truth. However, such honesty came across as egregious posturing to the other members.
Book Artist: "I've been played! An Ran-san completely played us! My eyes are burning from the flex!"
Curly-Haired Boy: "You did that on purpose! You definitely did that on purpose, you bastard! You act all calm on the outside, but you're definitely laughing on the inside! Just admit it, Gin-san sees right through you!"
Angel of the Hidden Rain Village: "Haha, An Ran-san has a side like this too. How interesting."
This is an Actor: "Tsk."
He decided to let them have their fun. Explaining the reality of his situation would be both exhausting and tedious.
Curly-Haired Boy: "Tsk? What kind of attitude is that? Are you looking down on me, you bastard?!"
Book Artist: "If you don't mind me asking, what exactly is there about you to look up to? Your talent for cross-dressing? Or the bear-print panties currently on your head?"
Skirt-Lifting Maniac: "Pfft! I'm sorry, but... Hahahaha!"
In her school dormitory, Saten Ruiko couldn't stop laughing.
"Saten-san?" Uiharu Kazari, wearing an apron and clutching a spatula, came running out of the kitchen. "Did something happy happen?"
"Ah, it's nothing." Saten Ruiko shook her head, wiping tears of mirth from her eyes. "I was just chatting with some friends. It was very funny."
Chatting with friends?
Uiharu blinked, looking around the room. Not only was there no one else present, but Saten's phone was currently plugged into the desk across the room. Where were these friends?
"Is it..." Uiharu's eyes widened with sudden fear. "Saten-san, please don't tell scary stories like that!"
"Eh?" Saten Ruiko froze for a second, then realized the issue. Uiharu couldn't see the holographic chat interface floating in the air. She quickly pivoted. "Haha! I really scared you, didn't I? I'm sorry, Uiharu-chan!"
"Oh, Saten-san, you and your ghost games!" Uiharu huffed before returning to the previous topic. "Anyway, I've already accepted Shirai-san's invitation. Saten-san, please don't pull any stunts like that when the time comes."
"Shirai's invitation? Oh, the thing with that Level 5." Saten Ruiko curled her lips. "I don't really want to go."
As a Level 0 with no powers, Saten struggled with deep-seated insecurity. She instinctively resisted the "harmonious and friendly" meeting with a Level 5 that Shirai Kuroko had proposed. She didn't believe such high-ranking figures would truly care to know someone like her. Besides, the friends in the group were far more fascinating.
However, Uiharu was clearly looking forward to it, watching her with pleading eyes. "Saten-san..."
"Okay, okay. I'll go." Saten Ruiko waved her hands in defeat, turning her attention back to the group.
Curly-Haired Boy: "You bastards, I'm done with you! Konan-san, they're bullying me! Your cute Gintoki needs comfort!"
Angel of the Hidden Rain Village: "I don't have the time. [Picture]"
Clicking the image revealed a landscape swathed in dense, heavy fog, with low-rise buildings barely visible through the grey haze.
Scarlet Snake Fairy: "Where is this?"
Angel of the Hidden Rain Village: "I am currently in Kirigakure. I am preparing to retrieve the Six-Tails."