At home, alone in his small apartment, Chiba finished cleaning up and sat cross-legged on the floor.
It was time to check the "update" to his system — and the rewards from his completed quest.
This was important.
Village reputation.
Yamanaka clan favorability.
Those were easy to understand. Just like in any role-playing game — complete a mission, gain rewards, and gradually raise your influence and standing.
But one reward stood out above the rest.
Talent: [Flat-Cut Grandmaster].
Chiba's eyes narrowed.
This wasn't some flamboyant style like Dance of the Crescent Moon, nor the elegant sword forms of Konoha-Ryū.
It was something simpler — purer.
Just… a flat cut.
A single, clean swing.
Yet, when infused with ultimate mastery, even that plain motion could achieve miraculous power — stripping away all ornamentation, all wasted motion — leaving only inevitability.
A cut that nothing could stop.
Even Susanoo could be severed.
Chiba's pulse quickened. If that's true… maybe one day, I can recreate the scene where Sasuke's Kusanagi sliced through Susanoo's armor.
He couldn't help but grin. The thought was thrilling.
Next, he pulled the newly-acquired ninja sword from his reward inventory.
The moment his hand gripped the hilt, a familiar sensation flooded his body.
It felt… natural.
As if he had practiced this motion countless times before.
As if his muscles already remembered the blade.
"Maybe I really can become the king of flat-cuts someday… like Zaraki Kenpachi," he murmured. "Starting tomorrow, sword-training goes on the schedule."
He set the weapon aside.
There wasn't enough space to train indoors — just a small, ordinary apartment with no courtyard.
Practicing here would only invite complaints from the neighbors.
So he sat down again, quietly refining his chakra.
Root Headquarters – Danzō's Chamber
Deep beneath Konoha, in a place untouched by sunlight, Shimura Danzō brooded.
The darkness was thick.
He was in a foul mood.
"Remember — I am Hokage!"
Sarutobi's words still echoed in his ears.
He had heard that same tired declaration countless times.
Who didn't know Hiruzen was Hokage?
Danzō sneered. He was sick of it.
"Hiruzen… you're old," he muttered, voice rough and bitter.
"This position will belong to me sooner or later. Only I am qualified."
His right hand rose, brushing against the bandages over his eye — beneath them, a Three-Tomoe Sharingan fused with Hashirama's cells.
Power pulsed faintly under his skin.
In the dark, his whisper sounded almost like the growl of a ghost.
Yamanaka Household
Meanwhile, in the warmly lit Yamanaka home, dinner was nearly finished.
"Ino, did you find your wallet?" her mother asked gently.
"Mhm. I got it back," Ino replied with a small smile.
Her thoughts drifted to the silver-haired boy she'd met earlier.
Chiba… what a nice name.
"Ino?" Her father, Yamanaka Inoichi, noticed her dazed expression. "What's wrong?"
She blinked. "Ah— nothing!"
Then, to her parents' quiet amusement, she hurriedly finished three more bowls of rice.
"I'm full!"
Before either could comment, she bolted upstairs to her room.
Ino's mother smiled knowingly. "Looks like our daughter met someone interesting today."
Inoichi tilted his head, confused. "Huh? What do you mean—"
He shivered suddenly.
"Cold?" his wife asked.
Inoichi frowned. "Strange… this jacket doesn't feel warm anymore."
Midnight
Night deepened.
Chiba completed his routine chakra training, watching his stat panel increase ever so slightly.
A small, satisfied smile touched his lips.
After washing up, he glanced at the clock.
Almost 00:00.
"It's time to rest," he murmured.
Even in the world of ninja, the human body still had limits.
Overtraining and sleepless nights would only stunt growth — and Chiba had no intention of staying short forever.
He lay down.
The clock ticked softly in the living room — tick, tock… tick, tock…
Then—
The hour, minute, and second hands aligned perfectly.
A sudden chime echoed in his mind.
[Ding!]
[Dear Player, the Virtual Duel Space has been unlocked.]
Chiba froze mid-blink.
"…What?"
A duel space?
Sleep vanished instantly.
He sat up. "System, what's going on?"
No answer. Only another glowing prompt appeared before his eyes.
[Would you like to enter the Duel Space?]
He hesitated for a heartbeat — then nodded.
"Yes."
The world spun. His vision blurred, colors fading into black.
A strange sensation of weightlessness overcame him, and when he opened his eyes again—
He was standing in an endless dark void.
Light drifted around him like stardust.
Then, in front of him, the particles converged — forming the shape of a little girl in a pale pink dress and a half-length purple cape.
A soft, cheerful voice spoke:
"Welcome, dear Player, to the Virtual Duel Space."
Chiba blinked.
"…Wait."
Pink dress, tiny frame, floaty voice…
He stared.
"Paimon?"
The figure smiled brightly.
"Please call me [System Assistant No. 001]!"