Chapter 157: SSS-Level System Reward

Meanwhile, in the Land of Sea, within the daimyo's residence...

Natsuhane sat alone on his bed. Beside him lay a thoroughly exhausted Uzumaki Honoka, who had already fallen into a deep, sweet sleep. Natsuhane, however, was too excited to sleep.

Just thirty minutes ago, a long-awaited and exhilarating notification echoed in his mind.

[Ding! Uchiha clan member +1, the overall potential rating of this member is SSS. As a special reward, the host gains a new Sharingan skill: Copy!]

[Copy Skill: Allows the user to copy abilities of other Mangekyo Sharingan users and use them permanently.]

[Skill Usage: When encountering another Uchiha with a Mangekyo Sharingan, lock eyes with them using your three-tomoe Sharingan for one second to perfectly copy their ability.]

"Awesome!"

This was a remarkable ability, one that excited Natsuhane so much that he couldn't sleep.

No wonder it was an SSS-level reward; it was indeed extraordinary!

Natsuhane marveled at the thought.

During his time away from the Leaf Village, his mind had been periodically greeted with notifications about the birth of new offspring.

The levels of these offspring were usually A or B, with rewards consisting of basic ninjutsu or chakra capacity, which had gradually dulled Natsuhane's excitement.

But today, the newly born child had brought a delightful surprise to Natsuhane.

"Strange, who could have given birth to this child?"

Natsuhane wondered about the child's mother.

To produce an SSS-level child, the mother must be quite extraordinary.

Could it be Tsunade?

Thinking of her, Natsuhane shook his head decisively.

It hadn't been that long since she became pregnant; it was too soon.

Could it be Kurenai Yuhi?

That didn't seem right either. Despite Kurenai's strength, it seemed unlikely she could give birth to an SSS-level child.

Could it be Konan?

Natsuhane pondered, but it seemed improbable unless Konan had an extremely premature birth.

Unable to pinpoint the mother, Natsuhane decided not to dwell on it.

"Who cares who the mother is? The father is me. I'll meet the child sooner or later..."

With that thought, Natsuhane focused entirely on his newly acquired [Copy] ability.

From his pouch, he retrieved a transparent jar filled with a clear, nourishing fluid, within which floated a crimson, three-tomoe Sharingan.

The Sharingan's owner was none other than Uchiha Shisui.

Natsuhane intended to test his [Copy] ability on Shisui's eye.

With Kotoamatsukami, he would be invincible.

He could use the ultimate charm technique to control women, and Kotoamatsukami to dominate men's minds, turning them into puppets of his will.

Unable to contain his excitement, Natsuhane activated his three-tomoe Sharingan, fixing his gaze on Shisui's eye in the jar.

"Copy!"

...

Moments later, Natsuhane felt a warm flow wash over his right eye, which disappeared as quickly as it came. His left eye, however, remained unaffected.

"Hmm, it seems only the right eye's ability was copied successfully."

Unfortunately, Natsuhane only had Shisui's right eye.

"I'll find someone worth controlling to test Kotoamatsukami on later."

Just as Natsuhane was contentedly preparing to sleep next to Honoka, a black crow landed on the bedroom window, tapping the glass gently with its beak, making a "tap tap tap" sound.

"Itachi?"

Natsuhane recognized the crow as belonging to Uchiha Itachi.

Honoka was sound asleep, exhausted and unlikely to wake soon.

Natsuhane walked to the window and opened it, allowing the crow to fly in. The crow then transformed into a semi-transparent image of Uchiha Itachi.

"What's the matter?" Natsuhane asked.

"Yes," Itachi nodded, "Our organization has taken an interest in you. The leader has sent Kisame and me to investigate your situation. We are already on our way and should arrive by tomorrow."

Natsuhane wasn't surprised by this information.

His recent actions had indeed been a bit flamboyant, so it wasn't shocking that the Akatsuki had taken notice.

"Tell me, what does Pain want?"

"?"

Itachi was slightly taken aback.

Natsuhane even knew their leader's name.

But then again, nothing surprised Itachi about Natsuhane anymore.

He must have learned Pain's name when he used his Mangekyo on him last time.

This time, Natsuhane didn't use his Mangekyo, indicating he trusted Itachi or felt there was no need to use [Insight] anymore since Itachi had no reason to lie to him.

"Pain wants to know your true allegiance. Have you betrayed the Leaf, or are you still loyal?"

Natsuhane: "And what are the outcomes of these two identities?"

While talking, Natsuhane unconsciously activated his three-tomoe Sharingan, ready to copy Itachi's Mangekyo abilities.

Unfortunately, the warm flow didn't appear.

It was probably because this wasn't Itachi's actual body...

Natsuhane thought to himself.

Their conversation continued.

"Two outcomes: one is to recruit you; the other is to eliminate you."

Hearing this, Natsuhane chuckled, "Heh, Akatsuki never changes, always looking to recruit rogue ninjas."

"So... what is your true purpose?" Itachi asked, "This question is from me, not Pain."

Itachi was genuinely interested in Natsuhane's intentions.

Natsuhane sighed, "I'll be honest with you. I haven't betrayed the Leaf, nor am I loyal to it."

This ambiguous answer puzzled Itachi.

"Itachi, my goal has always been the same: to restore the Uchiha clan. Everything I do is for that purpose!"

...