Chapter 2: Devouring Ability

"This amount of food... something is off!"

In the evening, Sato gazed at the spotless rice bowls and plates before him, instinctively rubbing his belly while a faint frown creased his brow.

Oddly, a sense of fullness eluded him, almost as if he hadn't consumed anything at all. Curiously, rather than hunger, a warmth emanated from within him.

This uncanny sensation immediately drew Sato's thoughts to the enigmatic bead nested within his soul.

As he shut his eyes and attuned to his inner self, he perceived the mysterious bead emitting a luminous black glow. Rings of ebony halos spiraled, infusing his being with a comforting warmth, like a cascading current from soul to body.

The connection established through soul binding unveiled the mutation undergone by the mysterious bead.

Notably, the bead had evolved, just as Sato's devouring ability had.

With a swift motion of his fledgling hand, Sato observed dark mist materializing upon his palm. Much like the Dark Fruit of the One Piece World, his hand was soon engulfed, giving rise to a tangible, inky appendage.

Placing the black hand on the table, the mist retained its form, neither dissipating nor altering.

"You're quite the selective one," Sato quirked a brow.

Guided by the soul-binding link, he comprehended the essence of the black mist and discerned the capabilities of the enigmatic "Swallowing Hand."

True to its moniker, the hand facilitated consumption; placing it upon an object initiated the process.

Yet, the devouring ability exhibited a discerning palate, exclusively assimilating what was deemed valuable.

Thus, Sato christened the inky hand "The Swallowing Hand," a fitting name for its distinctive trait.

Aside from the hand's channel, Sato found himself endowed with an additional means of devouring—eating.

His oral orifice had transformed into a veritable "swallowing mouth." More accurately, his physique now boasted a unique attribute: the "swallowing body."

A boundless abyss now dwelled within his stomach. No matter the quantity ingested, hunger eluded him, replaced by a transformation of sustenance into a distinct energy. This process nourished his body, amplifying both physical and mental vigor.

Only once this exceptional energy had been exhausted did hunger eventually resurface.

With his musings concluded, Sato reverted the black hand to its original form, clearing the table before embarking on the extraction of Chakra.

Chakra, a fusion of physical and spiritual energy, manifested as a swirling vortex within his abdomen, enigmatic and elusive.

Sato recognized the necessity of hand seals to manipulate Chakra, a skill to be honed even further upon reaching Kage-level or beyond. Mastery could potentially eliminate the need for seals.

Additionally, proficiency in Muji would offer similar benefits, freeing him from seal reliance.

Gratitude welled within Sato for his parents, both Konoha ninjas, and his family's escape from Nine Tails' devastation.

His parents, Chūnin of Konoha, bequeathed a legacy—knowledge of Chakra extraction, along with a plethora of D-level to B-level ninjutsu spanning combat, illusion, and medical arts.

Adept Chakra control was requisite for Medical Ninjutsu, a facet also covered within the inheritance.

Empowered by these assets, Sato, a fledgling Chakra manipulator, aspired to excel upon entering the ninja academy. He aimed to become a preeminent student akin to Uchiha Sasuke or perhaps even a standout prodigy.

Accordingly, Sato doubled down on his eating regimen.

Half a year passed, a fleeting span marked by successful Chakra extraction.

This enigmatic force, akin to a coiled tempest in his core, necessitated seals for activation.

Sato grasped the significance of seal manipulation for Chakra utilization.

His gaze shifted toward the Hyuga clan, invoking a poignant memory. A revelation surfaced, recalling the true first encounter between Naruto and Hinata during Hyuga Hizashi's funeral.

Despite a common misconception, their initial meeting was forged in snow, preceding the instance when Hinata was confronted by three youngsters.

Observing the azure heavens, Sato mused, "Could this mean snow is on the horizon?"