Not long after, the four beauties of Konoha arrived at the dessert shop one after another.
The moment they saw each other, they all confirmed the same thing—
The strange chat group that appeared in their minds really did allow them to communicate across distance.
All conversations came from real people. There was no impersonation.
"It would be great if there weren't any traps…" Ino muttered.
After introducing Tenten to everyone, she added, "With this, we can send messages anytime, anywhere. Honestly, this ability is even more convenient than our clan's Mind Transmission Technique."
Tenten nodded in agreement. "We don't know yet if there's a distance limit, but it definitely covers at least all of Konoha."
Hinata's eyes flickered with anticipation. "The rules mentioned that our attributes might improve in all aspects… I wonder if that's true."
Sakura scowled. "You're only focusing on the good part. Something this sudden has to come with a catch. And what's with this 'Itsuki Heroine Group'? Joining it makes us his heroines?!"
She crossed her arms. "Forget it. My loyalty to Sasuke-kun won't ever change. Who the hell even is this Itsuki?"
The moment she finished, Sakura's body trembled violently.
"Ahhh!" she screamed, drawing everyone's attention.
Arcs of electricity flashed across her body like she was being electrocuted.
Before anyone could react, the arcs disappeared, and Sakura collapsed against the table, panting.
"Hey, you okay?" Ino poked her shoulder, relieved when nothing seemed broken.
Tenten quickly gave an apologetic smile to the other shop patrons. "Sorry! Just a joke, nothing serious."
The onlookers shrugged and returned to their desserts.
Hinata whispered softly, "The rules said we can't act against the group leader. Sakura insulted him just now… that must've been punishment."
Tenten frowned. "So we really do have restrictions. We'd better take the rules seriously. Luckily, the punishment wasn't too severe."
Though Sakura was fine now, sweat beaded on her forehead.
Her resistance to the chat group only grew stronger—along with her suspicion.
Could this Itsuki have created the group just to trap them?
The rules only benefited him.
But before she could voice the thought, the memory of the shock made her bite her tongue.
"…Doesn't the name Itsuki sound familiar?" Sakura finally muttered.
"Huh? Now that you mention it, I think I've heard it somewhere," Ino replied, frowning in thought.
"This is my first time hearing that name," Tenten admitted.
Hinata hesitated, then spoke up. "Um… Itsuki is our classmate. I thought you all knew him."
"…Ah?"
The three froze.
Sakura and Ino looked embarrassed. They were classmates—but they'd barely noticed him.
Tenten was baffled. How could they not even remember a classmate's name?
Sakura groaned. "He's like a ghost in class. No presence at all. I'm not surprised you forgot him."
Ino nodded. "Yeah. He's so low-key. I don't think I've ever spoken a word to him."
Tenten crossed her arms. "Well, since he's the group leader, this whole thing is probably connected to him. We should find a way to test him."
Ino and Hinata both agreed.
Sakura, however, rolled her eyes. "No thanks. The prompt said I can leave whenever I want. I'm done. I'm quitting this group!"
As long as she left, she'd sever her ties to Itsuki, avoid trouble, and forget all about this stupid "heroine" nonsense.
"Oi, you just got fried like a fish. You're really ready to quit?" Ino teased.
Sakura froze. The memory wipe clause made her hesitate.
Her pride burned. "Fine! Then I'll beat him up at school tomorrow before quitting!"
The others didn't care about the "heroine" label.
Ino was curious, Tenten wanted to see if the future videos were real, and Hinata quietly hoped for the promised buffs.
So they all stayed—for now.
Itsuki, disguised as a passerby in the shop's corner, listened to everything clearly.
Once he confirmed their thoughts, he slipped away quietly.
He already had an idea of how to fabricate the future.
Step one—secure some starting resources.
He activated the system and created a "future."
The system instantly converted his edit into a video and—before he could react—uploaded it straight to the chat group.
"Fuck! You didn't say they'd all see it!" Itsuki cursed inwardly.
He had assumed only he would know his fabricated futures.
Now it made sense why the system said they could be "changed"—he was basically spoiling his own edits!
This damn system… was it trying to make him into a clown?
Too late to take it back.
Meanwhile, the girls who had just left the dessert shop received the new notification.
[Tenten: Wait, there's actually a future video? I'm excited to see this!]
[Haruno Sakura: Hmph. It's probably just some trick to manipulate us into helping this so-called mastermind. Aaagh—!!!]
[Yamanaka Ino: ???]
[Hyuga Hinata: Sakura… broke the rules again.]
[Tenten: Rule 3 said all future videos are true. You shouldn't doubt them.]
[Haruno Sakura: Damn it! Bastard! Ouch, it hurts again!]
[Yamanaka Ino: Hahahaha! Sakura, you're killing me!]
[Tenten: Relax. We're nobodies. No one's wasting effort just to brainwash us.]
[Hyuga Hinata: …Let's just watch the video first. Huh?]
Future Video
[Early morning. Hinata leaves the Hyuga compound and heads toward the Ninja Academy.]
[On the way, she spots several students surrounding Itsuki, bullying him.]
[Itsuki's eyes flare blood-red with rage. He explodes, taking them all down within seconds.]
[Hinata freezes, stunned. In his eyes—two spinning tomoe gleam within the crimson light.]
[The Sharingan.]
[When Itsuki's gaze locks onto her, Hinata panics and turns to flee—only to be caught by him.]
[The Sharingan is taboo during this era.]
[To ensure Hinata's silence, Itsuki suddenly leans forward and kisses her—forcefully, as a threat.]
Hinata gasped aloud as her face turned crimson.