Kushina's eyes flared with fury, her voice rising in a scolding shout.
"You're telling me all this—aren't you afraid I'll tell Minato? Or the Third?"
"Or is it…" Her voice trembled slightly. "You actually want to be like your teacher Orochimaru? Become a rogue ninja?"
"Kehehe…" Shin let out a strange chuckle. "Let's not even discuss whether anyone would believe you."
"Do you really think there's anyone left in the Hidden Leaf I'm afraid of?"
"Your dear little brother here—maybe not invincible in Konoha—but if I wanted to leave, do you think anyone could stop me?"
"Hell, I could even kill Minato before I go… Tell me, would he even see it coming?"
"You wouldn't dare! That's… that's impossible!"
Kushina shook her head in disbelief. "You're only sixteen! How could you possibly have Kage-level strength?"
"Even the First Hokage didn't—"
Shin rolled his eyes. What the hell do you know?
Senju Hashirama was a total cheat code.
"For me, sixteen years is more than enough," Shin said softly, brushing his fingers against her cheek.
"Kushina, becoming my woman… you won't lose out."
As the words left his lips, golden lines suddenly radiated across his body.
A translucent golden figure appeared behind him—etched in glowing lines, clad in ancient, ornate armor, shimmering with divine light. Complex, mystical patterns flowed across its entire form.
It was none other than a vastly weakened, youthful mini-version of—Heaven and Earth Manifestation.
In an instant, a terrifying aura crashed down on Kushina like a tidal wave.
She stared at the man cloaked in this illusory figure, utterly speechless.
What… what is this?
He actually has a power like this?
The sheer pressure made her feel like an ant beneath a god's heel.
"Kushina??" Shin smirked, giving her cheek a light slap. "Weren't you going to report me?"
Kushina's face had gone ghost-pale. Her voice came out hoarse and dry.
"Who… who are you really? Are you even human?"
ヾ(￣□￣;)?
"C'mon now, Kushina, what nonsense are you spouting? I'm your sweet little junior, remember?"
Shin chuckled, lowering his head slightly.
And then—he kissed her trembling lips.
(?＞﹏＜)
"Mm—!"
Kushina squeezed her eyes shut in despair, a single tear slipping from the corner of her eye.
Just as her breath began to hitch and she thought his hands were about to cross a line—
Suddenly, the pressure vanished.
She opened her eyes to find Shin had already stepped away.
He let out a low laugh, turned, and walked down the stairs.
Leaving only the sight of his carefree, retreating back.
Kushina stared after him, heart pounding in confusion and dread.
Just what kind of person… is he?
It took a long while before she managed to calm her racing thoughts and push down the panic in her chest.
I can't tell Minato.
I absolutely can't tell him.
That guy—he really would attack Minato.
And Minato trusts him completely. He wouldn't be on guard.
But if Konoha drives him away, what about the crisis he predicted?
If Minato and I are fated to die…
Then what about Naruto?
Kushina's heart was a storm of tangled thoughts.
She stood frozen for a while, then slowly made her way downstairs.
But just as she reached the lower steps, her eyes widened.
In the shadowed corner below, three figures were slumped in a heap.
Judging by their attire—they were ANBU.
Which meant… that guy had silently knocked out the ANBU guards stationed nearby?
No wonder he'd dared to speak so brazenly.
But he'd been right next to her the whole time! When had he acted?
A chill ran down Kushina's spine.
…
Shin stepped out of the Hokage Residence and started walking toward the Ninja Prison.
He'd just fleeced Kushina for quite a bit—totally worth it.
Not to mention, Kushina had tasted just right—soft lips, a sweet mouth, and a deliciously soft behind…
As for that whole "precognition" thing? Only an idiot would believe that.
And yet, the Hidden Leaf was full of idiots.
But who could blame them? Shin knew the plot.
So any prophecy he "revealed" always hit the mark.
No wonder they believed him.
Shaking off the thought, Shin turned his focus inward to refresh his divine techniques.
[Ding! Consumed 10,000 Hatred Value. Refreshed Spiritual Void Sword Control Technique (Level 4).]
[Ding! Consumed 100,000 Hatred Value. Refreshed Spiritual Void Sword Control Technique (Level 5).]
[Spiritual Void Sword Control Technique (Level 5): Next level requires 1,000,000 Hatred Value.]
Shin grimaced at the steep cost.
The stronger the Divine Powers, the more Hatred Value it took to upgrade.
That's why the Eight-Nine Arcane Art and Heaven and Earth Manifestation had been stuck at Level 1 all this time.
One million Hatred Value was no joke.
But if he waited until he saved up enough…
He'd be long dead on the battlefield.
So—refresh more!
[Ding! Consumed 100,000 Hatred Value. Refreshed Sword Drawing Technique (Level 9).]
[Sword Drawing Technique (Level 9): Next level requires 1,000,000 Hatred Value.]
He kept refreshing until the very last drop of Hatred Value was gone.
But Shin was satisfied.
He'd been reborn into the Ninja World sixteen years ago.
From a timid mouse to someone who could now stand on his own—He'd endured more hardship than most would ever know.
That's why he never opened up to anyone.
Because he understood this world all too well.
In the Shinobi World, crazy people were everywhere.
They killed my parents? I'll just smile and forgive them.
My family or the village? Of course the village is more important. Mom and Dad? They can die—lunatic.
The girl I liked died, so now the world must burn—pure love war god.
"The entire Shinobi World is full of nutcases," Shin muttered.
But he didn't mind.
After all, he was destined to become—
The Great Lord of Love in the Naruto World!