Aburame Hatsuizumi relished the sensation of Hyuga Zixu's hand gently resting atop her head. The moment he stopped, she instinctively nudged his palm with her forehead, silently urging, Why did you stop? Keep going.
Meanwhile, Zixu's mind wandered to peculiar thoughts. How big is this giant rhinoceros beetle? It didn't seem appropriate to give it to Hatsuizumi just yet. Perhaps it would serve better as a reward? Or maybe he could modify it first? Uncertain of its fate, he decided to treat it as a prize for now. Hatsuizumi was bound to win, and if she wanted it, he would give it to her.
"Come to think of it, I haven't given Hatsuizumi anything yet... Alright, let's restore Shiyu."
Zixu signaled for her to retrieve Shigure. Taking the sword into his hands, he slowly drew it from its sheath. Its edge was still razor-sharp, gleaming with a cold brilliance that seemed capable of slicing through water itself.
The problem was, he had no idea how to repair a sword.
However, he did understand one thing—by continuously imbuing a blade with Busoshoku Haki (Armament Haki), condensing its essence over time, any sword held the potential to evolve into a Kurogatana (Black Blade).
Dark energy flowed from Zixu's palm into Shigure, the once snow-white steel instantly turning a deep black, losing all its prior luster. Yet, paradoxically, a faint, eerie glow still radiated from its surface. Under the effects of Haki, the fine scratches and minuscule nicks that marred the blade began to fill in. When he finally retracted his Haki, traces of black remained embedded in the metal. Though the sword had lost some of its sharpness, it now exuded a solemn and unshakable aura.
Hatsuizumi, sensing Shigure's transformation, eagerly began to swing it around, her excitement completely erasing the earlier annoyance she'd felt when Zixu had called her short.
"That should do. I have something else to take care of. You get used to Shigure first," Zixu instructed. "Once you're done, I want to see how far you've progressed in Sage Mode. If you fail… there will be consequences."
After sending Hatsuizumi on her way, Zixu resumed his search for another target. Time was slipping away—if he didn't locate Uzumaki Karin soon, he might lose patience and end up drawing a random reward. Unfortunately, Karin wasn't the type to go out often.
At that very moment, inside her home, Karin was happily rolling around on her bed, clutching a handmade chibi-sized doll of Zixu.
"Hehehe… Of course, the Whirlpool Kingdom should be built by members of the Uzumaki Clan! Zixu-sama, I'm ready! Just imagining it gets me all fired up, guhehehe!"
Her face was flushed with excitement, her expression verging on the obscene—an alarming contrast to her usual demeanor.
Knock, knock, knock~
The sudden knocking on her door shattered Karin's blissful fantasy. Irritated, she hurriedly tucked the chibi doll away and stomped toward the entrance, still dressed in her loose pajamas.
"I already said I'm off-duty! Unless it's an emergency, don't bother me! Doctors need rest too!" she snapped.
Hearing her frustrated response, Zixu hesitated, suddenly feeling guilty. So medical studies really do make people irritable, huh?
"Oh… I see. I'll come back another time and won't disturb you," he replied awkwardly. It was clear that Karin wasn't in the best state of mind, and he had no intention of antagonizing her further.
"Eh? Wait… that voice… Zixu?"
Karin had just been about to throw herself back into bed when she froze, her body stiffening as if struck by lightning.
Moments later, a horrified scream echoed from inside the room.
"Aaaaaaah! Nooooo!!!"
Outside, Zixu wiped the sweat from his forehead. Medical school stress is real… I really put her through a lot by making her study medicine.
Just as he was contemplating how to help with her mental strain, the door burst open. A blur of red shot toward him at inhuman speed. Karin's long, crimson hair whipped through the air, her chakra flaring wildly. Before he could react, she seized his wrist and yanked him into her room with terrifying strength.
Most people would be terrified or confused in such a situation.
Zixu's first thought?
"Wow, this is impressive."
Once inside, he was thrown onto her bed. He turned his head, catching sight of a doll that looked oddly familiar.
"Why does this seem like something I've seen before?"
He picked up the plush figure, examining it curiously.
"Why is it damp? Whose saliva is this?! Oh my god."
Disgusted, he quickly tossed it aside.
Karin, now standing opposite him, had regained her composure—though her intentions were far from pure. She deliberately loosened her pajama top, pressing her arms forward in a desperate attempt to enhance her figure. But no matter how hard she tried, an airport runway would always be an airport runway.
"Zixu-kun finally came to see me, right?" she purred. "Are we here to discuss the plan for the Uzumaki Clan's revival? I'm ready! If it's a boy, we'll name him Uzumaki Zirin. If it's a girl, we'll name her Uzumaki Zirin! What do you think? Let's get started—I'm ready!"
Her eyes gleamed with predatory intent as she fixated on Zixu, resembling a hungry female leopard about to pounce on her prey.
"What the hell is happening?! No—don't take off my clothes! You… you need to calm down! Just listen to me!"
Panicked, Zixu forcibly held her in place. Is this some kind of mental illness brought on by excessive studying? Medical delusion?
Pinned down, Karin gradually settled, though she remained watchful, as if afraid he might escape at any moment.
Zixu didn't dare prolong the conversation. His only objective now was to draw his rewards and leave as fast as possible. He'd have to find an opportunity to give Karin a break—if she kept bottling up her stress like this, there was no telling what might happen.
"System, initiate the draw!"
[Are you sure you want to use one lottery chance?]
"Why are you being so annoying now?! Just draw already!"
[You have received a Baby Starter Set.]
"System, you piece of—!"
Moments later, Zixu emerged from Karin's house, looking thoroughly disheveled, a few suspicious lip marks still lingering on his face.
"I barely managed to escape… I need to be more cautious around her. Karin's combat ability isn't weak…"
For the first time, the fearless Zixu had met an opponent he truly couldn't handle.
"Seems like I'm having terrible luck today. Hatsuizumi's prize is at least somewhat useful, but the others… completely worthless."
He sighed heavily, walking down the dimly lit street as a cold wind blew past, reflecting the chill in his heart.
Nearby, two figures watched him.
"Mr. Zabuza, isn't that Zixu?" asked Haku.
Momochi Zabuza nodded. The two had finished scouting the village and had already reconnected with their former allies from the Mizukage assassination plot. They planned to stay for a few more days to test the waters.
Approaching Zixu, Zabuza clapped a heavy hand on his shoulder.
"Haku, Zabuza. Finished your tour?" Zixu asked, glancing at them.
Deciding there was no point in delaying, he activated his remaining two draws. Given today's luck, he had no expectations.
"There's no way this draw is turning around… right?"
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