Shinho returned to the Hokage's office.
This time, Konan's discovery truly surprised him.
Coupled with the system's reward, meant that the Gu Master power system could now be spread in the shinobi world.
Of course, given the current situation, even if others opened their apertures, it would still be difficult for them to break through the limits of a Gu Master and reach the realm of a Gu Immortal.
However, just being a Gu Master was already enough.
In the shinobi world, a Rank Five Gu Master, unless facing the Sage of Six Paths or Kaguya, was virtually invincible.
Shinho lifted his gaze and looked at Mabui.
Her body visibly trembled.
"Did you do as I instructed?"
Shinho glanced at her and asked.
Mabui pursed her lips, her cheeks gradually turning red.
She hesitated for a few seconds, then relaxed her body.
A black tail drooped down from beneath her form-fitting skirt.
"Come here."
Seated in the Hokage's chair, Shinho beckoned her over.
Mabui's heart trembled, but she didn't dare refuse. She could only walk slowly to stand before him.
Shinho grabbed her tail and gave it a slight tug.
Mabui's body instantly tensed, her legs clamping together. It seemed as though a moan would escape her lips at any moment.
"Not bad."
Shinho nodded in satisfaction.
It was indeed plugged in.
Now this, was a proper punishment.
A punishment is something that should serve its purpose.
"From now on, keep your tail exposed when you're in the Hokage's office."
Shinho said as he released her tail.
"Yes."
Mabui's face flushed as she replied.
"I've said it before, I'm always fair."
Shinho said casually, "You should understand what that means, right?"
"You mean… if I make enough contributions, I can remove it?"
Mabui was momentarily startled before hurriedly asking.
She was human, after all. Naturally, she didn't want to wear a tail.
Not to mention, it severely affected her movement.
"You can interpret it that way."
Shinho chuckled.
"I understand."
Mabui let out a sigh of relief.
At least there was hope of taking it off.
Wearing a tail all the time was far too humiliating.
Especially if she were to be seen by Yugito and Samui…
Just thinking about it made her feel like the shinobi world wasn't worth it.
The Hokage's office fell into silence.
Shinho interlocked his fingers, pondering over whom to help open their aperture next.
Tsunade had already opened hers thanks to the Man Triumphs Over Heaven Gu, so she didn't need it.
Hinata, Yamanaka Ino, Shizune, Karin, Hanabi…
Various names floated through his mind.
But simply opening their apertures without Gu worms to use was meaningless.
In the end, he decided to have Hyūga Hinata open hers first since she already possessed Gu worms like the Snow Fairy Gu.
As for the others, he would wait until the Conversion Gu proved effective.
"Mabui."
Shinho glanced at her. "Go call Hinata over."
"Yes."
Mabui immediately turned to leave.
At the doorway, she suddenly paused.
Only after tucking her tail back into her skirt did she walk out of the Hokage's office.
"Mabui."
A familiar voice called from nearby.
Mabui turned her head to see Samui, wearing the same business-style outfit as her.
"How did it go?"
Samui approached and asked.
"It…was nothing"
Mabui replied somewhat awkwardly.
Samui immediately understood, she had probably been taken advantage of.
"There's something else."
Mabui changed the subject. "The Hokage wants Yugito to join the Anbu."
"We'll talk to her about it tonight."
Samui sighed inwardly.
So, in the end, none of them could escape.
"I have another task. I'll see you tonight."
Mabui turned and walked away.
Samui suddenly raised an eyebrow.
Why does Mabui seem to be walking a bit awkwardly?
As a shinobi, whether for running or walking, one underwent specialized training.
Logically speaking, there was no reason for Mabui to move like that.
Unable to figure it out, Samui let it go.
She stared at the Hokage's office for a few seconds before turning back to her own office.
A few minutes later, a knock sounded at the door.
"Come in."
Shinho looked up toward the entrance.
"Shinho-kun."
Hinata entered, still dressed in her long-sleeved top and pants.
"Come here."
Shinho stood up and said, "Sit in my seat."
Hinata hesitated for a moment, her face flushing slightly, before stepping forward.
"Has the Hyūga clan's situation been handled?"
Shinho stood behind her, placing his hands on her shoulders.
"Mm."
Hinata glanced around.
Her shoulders did feel a little sore from the burden she'd been carrying.
But she was more interested in training.
"I've already handed the Caged Bird seal's decryption to Orochimaru.
It shouldn't be long before there's progress."
Shinho took in her faint fragrance around her as he spoke.
"Thank you, Shinho-kun!"
Hinata instinctively looked up.
Shinho's eyelids twitched slightly.
Because of her movement, the fabric of her clothes stretched, accentuating her graceful curves.
"It's nothing."
Shinho shook his head and replied.
"Um… why did you call me over, Shinho-kun?"
A hint of anticipation surfaced in Hinata's heart.
"There's something important. Do you still remember the Gu I gave you?"
Shinho placed his hands together, gently rubbing the soft skin of her neck.
"I remember."
Hinata felt her body heating up slightly.
"You are a shinobi, so technically, you've only been using them through my guidance."
Shinho explained, "But now, there's a way for you to truly become a Gu Master."
Hinata's eyes lit up instantly.
That meant… she could be like Shinho.
"I'm willing."
Hinata answered instinctively.
"Then let's go."
Shinho released her and said, "I'll take you to a place."
"Mm."
Hinata glanced at his hands, feeling reluctant.
Shinho chuckled.
Why did it feel like he was training her in a completely different way?
He extended his hand toward her.
Hinata hesitated briefly before quickly grasping it.
The next moment, the two of them vanished.
"What a beautiful river!"
As soon as Hinata opened her eyes, she saw an underground river with a deep blue hue and couldn't help but exclaim in awe.
"Hinata, walk toward the river and stop when you can't go any further."
Shinho patted her head as he spoke.
"Mm."
Although she didn't understand the reason, Hinata was obedient.
She bent down and removed her shoes, revealing her fair, delicate feet.
After testing the depth of the underground river, she rolled up her pants until they reached her thighs.
Taking a deep breath, she stepped into the water. The river barely submerged her knees.
Suddenly, faint specks of light began to rise from the water.
Hinata glanced around, then stepped forward.
The next moment, the glowing specks flew toward her.
She shuddered as an immense pressure surrounded her, making her feel as if she were sinking into a quagmire.
Gritting her teeth, Hinata pressed on.
One step, two steps, three steps…
With each step, more specks of light entered her body.
At the thirty-seventh step, she could go no further.
It felt as though she was carrying a mountain on her back.
At that moment, an inexplicable sensation surfaced in her mind.
Without a teacher or guidance, Hinata instinctively entered her aperture.
Inside, she saw a vast sea of bronze, where the Gu she had received were floating.
"Come back."
Shinho's voice rang out.
Hinata snapped back to reality and turned around, walking back to shore.
"Your primordial sea is at sixty-six percent capacity, Grade B aptitude."
Shinho placed a hand on her shoulder for a moment before nodding.
Grade B aptitude meant she could reach Rank Three without much trouble. With some luck, she might even reach Rank Four or Five.
"Is that good or bad?"
Hinata asked nervously.
"It's pretty good."
Shinho smiled.
Grade A aptitude was already rare, and in the shinobi world, there was no need to be too strict about such things.
Hearing that, Hinata sighed in relief.
She had been worried about disappointing Shinho.
Whether it was the Tenseigan or the Gu, she had nothing to repay him with, she could only try her best to satisfy him.
Shinho glanced down at her bare feet before crouching to pick up her shoes.
"Th-Thank you, Shinho-kun."
Hinata pressed her lips together and lifted her foot, still glistening with water droplets.
"It's nothing."
Shinho praised, "They're quite beautiful."
Hinata's cheeks instantly flushed red.
She didn't fully understand Shinho's preferences, but… she could try.
"Let's go."
Shinho took her hand.
As the space around them twisted, the two reappeared in the Hokage's office.
…
"I'll teach you how to cultivate."
Shinho walked over to the sofa and said, "Sit in meditation."
Hinata took off her shoes again and sat cross-legged on the sofa.
"Follow my guidance."
Shinho placed a hand on her forehead.
"Mm."
Hinata closed her eyes.
After cycling through the process a few times, she quickly learned how to refine her aperture.
Shinho withdrew his hand and leaned back against the Hokage's chair in a relaxed manner.
He casually picked up the documents on his desk and began reading.
These papers detailed the state of various departments in Konoha.
In Shinho's vision, they functioned similarly to a cabinet or prime minister's office from his past life.
They didn't need to personally travel across the Land of Fire. Their role was primarily to process the reports and documents submitted by civil and military officials.
Overall, they were adapting quite well.
By noon, Shinho had finished reviewing all the documents on his desk.
Since this was the beginning, there had been a large backlog.
Once everything settled into place, he would have more leisure time.
"Hinata, it's time to eat!"
Shinho looked at her still-meditating figure and smiled.
"Mm?"
Hinata opened her eyes but didn't see any food, only his smiling face. Her cheeks turned slightly red.
"What do you want for lunch?"
Shinho walked up to her and pinched her cheek as he asked.
"I… I'm fine with anything."
Hinata murmured softly.
"Is that so?"
Shinho extended a finger and pressed it lightly against her lips.
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