Chapter 186 : Boosted Luck?

"Wow, you've really changed since the last time I saw you," Ran remarked, gazing at Esdeath nestled in his arms with a hint of amusement.

Who would have guessed that the fearless Queen of hand-to-hand combat, feared even by foreign tribes and Teigu wielders, would reveal such a tender side when it comes to love?

If anyone else witnessed Esdeath's current demeanor, they'd surely be taken aback.

"Only you seem to notice," Esdeath replied, his cheeks flushing red.

The ninjas watching the scene exchanged glances, silently acknowledging the undeniable display of affection.

[Onoki: Envy, ask Fifth Hokage to teach the secrets]

[Kurotsuchi: Ah, man, as you grow younger, your thoughts become increasingly wicked.

[Akatsuchi: Isn't the revival of the mother exhilarating? Father?)

[Onoki: You two are truly... obviously, you're flattering from the sidelines.)

[Fourth Raikage Ai: In this case, you wouldn't deny it now.

[Onoki: You're quite the witless one, no one would mistake you for dumb if you didn't speak."

[Jiraiya: The younger and older brothers are truly exemplars for our generation.

[Hatake Kakashi: Ask the Fifth Hokage master to teach me. (With earnest eyes))

Kakashi is the disciple of Namikaze Minato.

Namikaze Minato was a student of Jiraiya, who in turn was a student of Sarutobi Hiruzen.

Both Sannin and Uchiha Ran had been mentors to Kakashi, though their relationships were complicated.

[Nohara Rin: Kakashi. (Smile))

[Might Guy: Kakashi! (Heartache)

[Uchiha Obito: Kakashi! (Rage)]

[Ran: Both men and women want you, and you seem to handle it better than I do." 

[Hatake Kakashi:...]

[Senju Hashirama : In terms of flirting, I would like to call you the strongest, Fifth Hokage.

[Uchiha Madara: Hashirama, learn to speak by yourself. Why do you want to copy me?

[Senju Tobirama: Quite the comedian, have you patented your jokes yet?)

[Uchiha Izuna: Tobirama, daring to disrespect my older brother, I'll handle you myself.)

[Senju Tobirama: Silence, you unredeemed scoundrel! Evil Uchiha, even if you side with Big Brother Hashirama, I won't be afraid."

[Uchiha Ran: Huh? Evil Uchiha?]

Though he had abandoned the Uchiha name, there's still some kinship left in him.

[Tobirama: I'm referring to Madara and Izuna.

[Uchiha Madara: Hmph, next time, I'll also be on the list, then we'll spar again." 

[Senju Tobirama: Oh, I'm quaking in my boots.]

(.....)

A bunch of people loitered around the building.

Uchiha Ran paid no further heed, but pulled Esdeath aside, smiling. "Esdeath, there's something I hope you can help me with."

"If you're my man, you know I've got your back," Esdeath replied affectionately.

Man, is this what ultimate loyalty looks like? It's kinda scary.

"After you've pacified the northern tribes and returned to the imperial capital, deliver this to the emperor of the empire," Ran said, handing a scroll to Esdeath.

Contained within this scroll was the strongest of Genjutsu, Kotoamatsukami.

This ability allows for direct infiltration of the target's mind, altering their will without detection.

It's rather enigmatic, but after delving into research, Ran discovered the prime utility of this ocular technique lies in sneak attack.

What does that entail?

Essentially, if you covertly employ it on someone, unless their spiritual power is formidable enough to detect intrusion, they won't evade being influenced.

The victim, by nature, will believe these thoughts are their own, and will unconsciously rationalize them.

Even if the authorities are convinced of your disappearance, the individual affected will remain oblivious to your true intentions!

And if used forcefully, it can be potent.

But the target's mental fortitude mustn't be too resilient.

Say your mental strength is five and your opponent's is ten. You can still manipulate them using "Kotoamatsukami." However, if their mental strength is fifty, it becomes substantially more challenging.

If the adversary's mental fortitude is rated at a hundred, what's commonly termed Genjutsu becomes just that: ordinary Genjutsu.

In simpler terms, an individual possessing godlike prowess can forcibly manipulate the will, perceptions, and thoughts of anyone whose mental resilience is inferior to their own.

When encountering someone whose mental resilience surpasses their own, resorting to clandestine tactics becomes imperative to achieve objectives covertly.

Furthermore, this ability resides solely within Shisui's left Mangekyō Sharingan . Its potency is such that it requires over a decade to cool down after each employment, unless, of course, it's utilized by someone like Danzo, who has Hashirama's cells, enabling a shorter cooldown period for the technique.

The recuperation time of this ocular prowess hinges upon the targeted individual.

The more formidable the opponent's mental prowess, the greater the drain on the ocular ability, thus necessitating an extended cooldown period.

Conversely, if facing an opponent with weaker mental resilience, the drain on the ocular ability is minimal, even permitting consecutive usage.

Presently, the aim is to manipulate the hands of Esdeath to gain control over the empire's emperor. 

Despite the target's royal lineage capable of invoking the Shikoutazer, they are but an ordinary individual, making them an easily manageable target.

Once the young emperor is under control, half of tasks one and two will be accomplished.

"Very well."

Esdeath contemplated for a moment before unfurling the scroll.

Somehow, she harbored no apprehensions about the act of utilizing this technique.

Even if Ran harbored intentions of eliminating the young emperor, she wouldn't try to change his thoughts.

Indeed, it was entirely unnecessary.

After all, even by not relying on the emperor, she could entirely crush her opposition—be it the Minister Faction, the Great General Budo, or even the fabled Supreme Teigu, Shikoutazer.

"A token of appreciation for you."

Extending his finger, he gently flicked Esdeath's forehead, leaving an imprint—"Ran"—on her wrist.

This wasn't merely a symbol for the Flying Thunder God Technique.

As his capabilities expanded, so did his proficiency in Sealing Techniques, allowing him to integrate various functionalities into a single Seal.

The Flying Thunder God's technique with spatial movement induction was but one aspect of it.

coupled with a hazard warning,

Secondly, it encompassed a functional space of three cubic meters for storage purposes.

Thirdly, it possessed the capability to convert energy.

Currently, only natural energy can be transformed into the ninja world's energy, Chakra. This is a practice derived from Orochimaru's research on the spell.

Moreover, I've also entrusted Esdeath with chakra seeds, enabling her to train in chakra in the future. After that, she'll immediately begin practicing Sage Mode…

"I have some matters to attend to; I'll join you later."

"As for this portal, assign your most reliable person to guard it. Keep outsiders at least ten kilometers away. Understand?"

"In the future, I'll bring formidable individuals from my world here."

What defines the core strength of the world of Akame ga Kill?

Emperors?

How was Teigu founded?

There are three key elements:

1. Materials from legendary Danger Beasts, such as legendary dragons, beasts, and other creatures;

2. Rare metals like Orichalcum;

3. The exceptional skills of the most seasoned craftsmen, including numerous secretive techniques, summoned by the founding emperor from all corners of the world.

By understanding these elements, we can develop Teigu.

In this world, creatures such as dragons and beasts haven't faced extinction.

While rare metals like Orichalcum haven't been extensively utilized.

The challenge lies in locating highly skilled craftsmen and acquiring their secretive techniques.

However, with Orochimaru, Tobirama, and Sasori present, Ran is unconcerned about this.

Once the ninja world settles in on a larger scale and comprehends the power of Teigu, we'll have the opportunity to procure even greater treasures.

"Then, we must hasten."

Esdeath nodded vigorously.

Though she may portray herself as a delicate woman, it's merely a guise for her true intentions.

But that doesn't mean she's lost herself in the process.

Ran nodded, a determined gleam in his eyes, as he returned to the ninja world.

Once again, he delved into the gold medal list, scanning for any updates.

And there it was, a new entry:

[Weapon List Reward: Advanced. The Cube System Upgraded to Third-order Rubik's Cube.

Capable of crafting intricate labyrinths to ensnare foes, or transforming into a specialized cage, it possesses the unique ability to turn the captive into crystals. When absorbing any swallowed crystals, it inherits between 30% to 100% of their power (depending on the fusion rate).]

Ran absorbed the information with a mix of excitement and apprehension.

"The Cube," or as it's also known, the Black Coffin, was a colossal black cube emanating a rhythmic energy through the power of the right eye.

Its might surpassed even the stone pillars summoned by the Great Black Sky, renowned for their formidable strength and density, and its size was malleable at the wielder's command.

However, the Cube was merely a component of the greater entity, the Black Coffin.

Now, the Black Coffin had evolved into a third-order Rubik's Cube, comprised of twenty-seven smaller cubes, each imbued with enhanced abilities.

The prospect of converting prisoners into crystals was not only astonishing but almost divine in its implications.

This meant that in future encounters with enemies, Ran could potentially harness their cultivation and skills once again.

The problem, however, lay in the inheritance of powers from swallowed crystals, ranging from 30% to 100%—a variability that was to be expected.

"Ran, you've truly outdone yourself!" Ran exclaimed in admiration before proceeding to engage in the lottery.

The turntable spun, the indicator darting across seven sectors before finally settling on the coveted Inheritance tile.

His eyes lit up with excitement.

"It appears I've gained a significant boost in luck from Esdeath!"