Where are you, Hinata?
Kurenai frowned, scanning the training field. She had left subtle openings—illusions, false sound cues, false clones—but Hinata ignored them all.
Minutes ticked by. The hour neared its end.
Did she actually run away?
Disappointed, Kurenai released a sigh and returned to the clearing, where Kiba and Shino were tied to wooden posts.
"Hinata forfeited," she said, voice even. "Only the two of you are left. Unfortunately, that means you fail. You'll have to return to the academy and continue your studies."
"What?!" Kiba exclaimed. "If Hinata's gone, then the two of us can just split the bells!"
Kurenai smiled faintly, her tone patient. "You really think two fresh genin could steal a bell from me, a jōnin? This exercise isn't about strength. Even if ten of you attacked together, you wouldn't succeed. The test is about teamwork, coordination, and trust."
She crossed her arms. "We were supposed to try again this afternoon—but since Hinata fled, there's no point continuing."
Kiba clenched his fists. "I won't accept that!"
"Regardless of the reason," Kurenai replied, her voice firm, "abandoning your mission halfway is—"
She stopped mid-sentence.
Something was wrong.
The wooden post nearest her shimmered—and in a puff of smoke, it transformed into Hinata.
Before the haze even cleared, Hinata's hand shot forward like lightning.
"Byakugan!"
The veins around her eyes bulged as her palms thrust forward in rapid succession, aiming straight for Kurenai's tenketsu points.
"What—!" Kurenai's eyes widened. She had never noticed the switch. When did she replace the post?
Instinct took over. She pivoted back, countering with a palm strike of her own, while silently activating genjutsu.
Hinata ducked low, evading the blow by inches, and retaliated with a cross strike aimed at Kurenai's side.
Kurenai adjusted instantly, catching Hinata's wrist mid-motion.
Gentle Fist and Byakugan—the deadliest combination of precision and insight. For ninjutsu or genjutsu users, being struck even once could be catastrophic; having one's chakra points sealed meant complete incapacitation.
Through her refined Byakugan, Hinata could see Kurenai's every movement as if in slow motion. If her body could keep up with her vision, victory would already be hers. But her current strength wasn't enough. She knew it—and instead of forcing a win, she focused on creating an opportunity.
…
"Is that… Hinata?" Kiba's jaw dropped.
The same girl who blushed at every word was now moving with flawless precision, exchanging blows evenly with their jōnin instructor.
It didn't even look real!
Shino, as usual, said nothing, his gaze hidden behind his glasses—but even he was impressed.
…
The clash ended as suddenly as it began. Both fighters stepped back. Kurenai's expression shifted from disbelief to cautious respect.
Hinata lowered her gaze shyly and opened her hand. Two silver bells rested in her palm, gleaming softly in the sunlight.
"You…" Kurenai stared, speechless, as the alarm clock rang—marking the end of the hour.
Composing herself, she asked, "Did you plan to wait until the very last moment?"
Hinata nodded slightly, walked over, and began untying Kiba and Shino. Her face was flushed pink as she muttered an apology, her voice barely louder than a whisper.
Kurenai blinked in disbelief.
Where did the fierce warrior from moments ago disappear to?
Then she noticed the dried mud smeared across Hinata's uniform.
"No wonder Kiba couldn't track your scent," Kurenai said with a sigh. "Where exactly did you put this mud?"
Hinata's voice was so soft that Kurenai had to lean in to hear her.
"…I rolled in it," she admitted.
Kurenai could only rub her forehead.
Turning to Shino, she asked, "Did you sense her?"
Shino nodded. "She masked her scent, but not her chakra. My insects could still sense it."
Kurenai glanced between them thoughtfully. In such an unfamiliar test, Hinata had quickly analyzed the situation, weighing both her team's strengths and weaknesses, and devised a sound strategy.
She had hidden herself, waited patiently for an opening, and struck only when success was certain—using both intellect and restraint.
Her plan had been steady, deliberate, and precise.
That's not weakness, Kurenai thought. That's discipline.
…
Kiba was the first to break the silence. "So, Sensei—Hinata got the bells. Does that mean we pass?"
Kurenai paused, then exhaled a quiet laugh.
"…Pass."
Kiba leapt into the air, cheering. "Yes! I don't have to go back to the academy!"
Hinata smiled faintly, her eyes soft and modest as ever.
Shino, standing a step behind them, adjusted his glasses in silence.
Kurenai looked at her new team—mismatched, inexperienced, but brimming with potential—and smiled.
…
After discussing the mission details, Kurenai dismissed the team.
She needed time to compose herself—and to quietly investigate Hinata's past. Something about that girl felt… inconsistent with the reports she'd read.
…
That evening, the three jōnin instructors—Kurenai, Asuma, and Kakashi—gathered for a barbecue. Smoke and the rich scent of grilled meat filled the air as they talked shop.
"This generation's Ino–Shika–Chō trio looks promising," Asuma remarked between bites. "A bit rough around the edges, but with some polishing, they'll become solid shinobi."
Kakashi gave a lazy shrug. "My team's not bad either. One of them even managed to touch the bell." He sounded as casual as ever, though his single visible eye crinkled with faint amusement. "At that age, that's already impressive."
Kurenai leaned forward with a grin. "You two will never guess what happened with my team."
Asuma raised an eyebrow. "What, your kids managed to surprise you already?"
Kurenai's eyes glinted. "Someone from my class stole both bells."
The two men froze mid-bite.
"…You let them win, right?" Asuma asked skeptically.
"Yeah," Kakashi added flatly, not even looking up from his skewer. "No way a fresh graduate could take the bells from a jōnin unless you went easy on them."
Kurenai sighed, smiling wryly. "Why would I let them win? She took them fair and square—on her own skill."
"...She?" both men echoed at once, equally stunned.
…
Meanwhile, Hinata had just returned from a small family gathering at the Hyūga compound.
A servant informed her that the items she'd requested had been prepared and placed in her room. Her mood instantly brightened.
Rushing back, she found a small wooden box placed neatly in the center of her room.
Opening it, she felt a satisfying weight in her hands. Judging from the heft, everything had been made to exact specifications.
Being the Hyūga clan's eldest daughter does have its perks, she thought. Ask, and it's done.
The box contained her custom-made weighted training gear—sleek, fitted perfectly to her figure, and deceptively normal-looking once worn. She examined each piece, testing the balance and the material's smoothness.
…
She began dressing methodically.
First, she removed her outer clothes and slipped on the weighted top—seventy kilograms—and fastened the straps snugly.
Then, she secured the weighted wristbands, ten pounds each, three per arm for a total of six.
Finally came the weighted leg wraps, twenty jin (about ten kilograms) apiece—four per leg.
After redressing in her usual attire, no one would suspect that Hinata was carrying nearly three hundred pounds of hidden weight.
…
The moment she tried moving, she nearly stumbled.
Without chakra reinforcement, her body felt unbearably heavy.
After only a few steps, sweat trickled down her temples, and her cheeks flushed from the exertion.
"Okay," she whispered to herself. "This will do. Weight training will help with both strength and speed… and I can train anytime, anywhere."
Taking a stance, she began performing a full set of Gentle Fist techniques.
Each motion was deliberate, every strike controlled.
By the end, her body trembled with fatigue, her chakra nearly drained—and most notably, her stomach growled loudly.
…
Hiashi, preparing for bed, paused when he heard movement outside his room.
"What now…?" he muttered, stepping into the hall—only to learn that Hinata had requested a midnight meal from the kitchen.
Three meals a day were expected.
But midnight snacks?
Hiashi was stunned.
What on earth did I raise?
Her appetite and behavior were completely different from before.
If not for his absolute trust in his wife, he might have suspected…he got cuckold.
[Translator's Note: This is the end of the chapters. The rest is just extra wordings so we can meet the requirements for power stones voting.]
Under the Night's Veil
Under the cover of night, the city shimmered with countless lights, appearing exceptionally prosperous and breathtakingly beautiful.
On the top floor of a towering building, a group of men sat in tense silence, locked in a deadly staring contest.
"I've dedicated half my life to the organization," a middle-aged man sneered, cornered with no way out. "And now they won't even grant me a retirement? How heartless."
His tone carried no surprise—only resignation. It was as if he had long expected this outcome.
The others exchanged silent glances before raising their silenced pistols and gleaming daggers.
"Sitting around waiting to die isn't my style," the man growled, his eyes flashing with defiance. "If you want to kill me, then be ready to die with me!"
Before the others could react, he lunged first.
"!!!"
A fierce yet soundless battle erupted. Within moments, the struggle ended. The middle-aged man collapsed into a pool of blood—alongside more than a dozen of his former comrades.
As his vision darkened and consciousness began to fade, regret clouded his thoughts.
Who betrayed me? Anyone with half a brain should know… We were friends once—good friends…
His final breath left him with a bitter sense of unfinished purpose and resentment.
When the cleanup crew finished, the rooftop returned to silence. Only the faint metallic scent of blood lingered in the cool night air.
…
"Hinata-sama! HINATA-SAMA! "
Voices echoed around her.
Hinata awoke from darkness, blinking against the light, her mind hazy and overwhelmed by the chaotic shouts nearby. Everything felt noisy, distorted, and strange.
Her thoughts were tangled; her memories were scattered like broken glass.
Who am I? Where am I? What… am I supposed to do?
The guards assigned to protect her exhaled in relief when they saw her eyes flutter open.
"Thank goodness! You suddenly fainted—it scared us to death!"
"Hinata-sama, are you alright? Do you feel any pain or discomfort?"
"We should take her to the hospital immediately!"
"If the clan leader finds out, we'll be in serious trouble!"
"At a time like this, can you stop worrying about that?"
Their anxious voices overlapped and echoed in her head, each word amplified until it became unbearable. Her mind buzzed like a swarm of bees, unable to process anything.
Overwhelmed, Hinata closed her eyes—and fainted once more.
"!!"
The guards panicked. They dared not delay another second, rushing her to the hospital where a whirlwind of medical checks and tests followed.
…
"It's nothing serious," Hinata murmured weakly when she regained consciousness again. "I'm probably just… overtired. I'll be fine after some rest."
When she opened her eyes this time, she was already back home.
Throwing off her blanket, she rose unsteadily and walked toward the mirror.
Her reflection stared back—familiar, yet foreign.
"This isn't… a dream?" she whispered, stunned.
While she was unconscious, something extraordinary had happened.
A soul from another world—an older man with years of experience and an unyielding will—had collided with Hinata's original consciousness.
Instinctively, both fought for control.
Although the man possessed the hardened mind of an assassin, Hinata's spiritual strength was equally formidable. The battle between their wills raged fiercely, neither side yielding ground.
But as time passed, both began to weaken. If they continued, they would destroy each other entirely.
Facing mutual annihilation, the two came to an unspoken understanding.
Neither wanted to die.
And so, they chose to merge.
Thus, Hinata remained the same outwardly—but within, she was no longer the same person. Her soul was now a fusion of two lives, two worlds, and two minds.
[Ding!]
[Integration complete. Homeland construction initializing…]
A mechanical voice echoed in her mind.
Before she could react, her consciousness was pulled into a vast, open space—roughly a hundred square meters wide. Dense fog rolled along the perimeter, hiding whatever lay beyond. There was no way out.
Before her eyes, a glowing interface materialized—a control panel with several tools and icons.
The toolbar held items like hoes, shovels, nails, hammers, and wrenches.
The materials library contained piles of wood and steel.
At the bottom corner flickered a question mark. When Hinata focused on it, glowing text appeared:
"Clear the weeds, build your home, and complete the construction using the available tools and materials.
Reward: Mastery of the Gentle Fist."
"…What?"
She blinked. With a thought, she withdrew back into her body. Another thought—and she returned to the strange foggy space.
It wasn't an illusion.
Frowning in concentration, Hinata—now with the mind of a former assassin and the instincts of a shinobi—began to work.
She started by clearing the weeds, then dug the foundation according to the blueprint displayed in the manual. Despite her confusion, her hands moved with practiced precision.
Time flowed differently here—ten days in this dimension equaled only one day in the real world. That meant she could work as long as she wished without worrying about time outside.
…
[Ding!]
[Home construction complete. Reward obtained: Gentle Fist Mastery!]
A rush of energy surged through her body.
Hinata's eyes widened in awe as comprehension flooded her mind. Her understanding of Gentle Fist—its flow, rhythm, and chakra precision—had skyrocketed to an entirely new level.
It was as if the difference between a wooden stick and a steel pillar had been bridged in an instant.
Then, another notification appeared:
"Evaluation: 94.57 points.
Bonus reward: Select one — Byakugan Optimization, Neural Reaction Boost, or Strength Enhancement."
Before Hinata could choose, the virtual wheel spun on its own and landed on Byakugan Optimization.
Nothing seemed to change immediately, leaving her puzzled.
Then, new text appeared:
"Expand your territory and continue building your Homeland using the provided tools and materials.
Reward: 80 Divine Void Strikes. (Each section grants 10 Divine Void Strikes.)"
Her surroundings shifted.
The once modest hundred-square-meter space expanded tenfold into a sprawling thousand-square-meter plain.
The new blueprints showed far more complex structures—roads, a logging camp, a quarry, and even a steel plant.
This was no simple project.
Hinata studied the diagrams closely. Since her performance had been graded, she knew that the quality of her work directly affected her rewards.
A score of 94.57 was excellent—but perfection offered far greater returns.
To get the best reward, I need to give my best effort.
She spent time measuring distances, calculating angles, and planning the optimal construction layout before beginning again.
Her first target was the logging camp nearest to her original home, and she followed the blueprints down to the finest detail.
This time, thanks to her prior experience, her efficiency was significantly higher, and the results were nearly flawless.
When the camp was finished, all the wood in her materials library vanished.
"Hmm… Does each facility consume its own resource type?" Hinata mused.
Once the logging camp began automatically replenishing timber, she immediately started constructing roads and infrastructure.
Here, she never felt hungry, tired, or sleepy.
But unlike most, she didn't lose track of time.
In her previous life as an assassin, precision timing had meant the difference between success and death. Arriving a second too early or too late could have been fatal.
That sharp sense of timing remained with her—even now, in this strange familiar world.
…
Timing it perfectly, Hinata stepped outside. The morning air was cool and fresh, but as soon as she emerged, her eyes began to itch and sting.
Before she could react, her Byakugan activated on its own. The veins around her eyes bulged, making her reflection in the window look almost fierce—predatory, even.
"Byakugan optimization…?" she murmured, recalling the earlier notification.
A wave of pain and prickling surged through her eyes, forcing her to close them tightly. When the discomfort finally faded, Hinata blinked—and her breath caught in awe.
Everything looked different.
Her vision was sharper and brighter than ever before; her field of view had nearly doubled. Even more astonishing, time itself seemed to slow within her gaze—objects moved with a subtle lag, as if the world had adjusted its pace for her alone.
"So this is… optimization?" she whispered. "Incredible."
…Under the Night's Veil
Under the cover of night, the city shimmered with countless lights, appearing exceptionally prosperous and breathtakingly beautiful.
On the top floor of a towering building, a group of men sat in tense silence, locked in a deadly staring contest.
"I've dedicated half my life to the organization," a middle-aged man sneered, cornered with no way out. "And now they won't even grant me a retirement? How heartless."
His tone carried no surprise—only resignation. It was as if he had long expected this outcome.
The others exchanged silent glances before raising their silenced pistols and gleaming daggers.
"Sitting around waiting to die isn't my style," the man growled, his eyes flashing with defiance. "If you want to kill me, then be ready to die with me!"
Before the others could react, he lunged first.
"!!!"
A fierce yet soundless battle erupted. Within moments, the struggle ended. The middle-aged man collapsed into a pool of blood—alongside more than a dozen of his former comrades.
As his vision darkened and consciousness began to fade, regret clouded his thoughts.
Who betrayed me? Anyone with half a brain should know… We were friends once—good friends…
His final breath left him with a bitter sense of unfinished purpose and resentment.
When the cleanup crew finished, the rooftop returned to silence. Only the faint metallic scent of blood lingered in the cool night air.
…
"Hinata-sama! HINATA-SAMA! "
Voices echoed around her.
Hinata awoke from darkness, blinking against the light, her mind hazy and overwhelmed by the chaotic shouts nearby. Everything felt noisy, distorted, and strange.
Her thoughts were tangled; her memories were scattered like broken glass.
Who am I? Where am I? What… am I supposed to do?
The guards assigned to protect her exhaled in relief when they saw her eyes flutter open.
"Thank goodness! You suddenly fainted—it scared us to death!"
"Hinata-sama, are you alright? Do you feel any pain or discomfort?"
"We should take her to the hospital immediately!"
"If the clan leader finds out, we'll be in serious trouble!"
"At a time like this, can you stop worrying about that?"
Their anxious voices overlapped and echoed in her head, each word amplified until it became unbearable. Her mind buzzed like a swarm of bees, unable to process anything.
Overwhelmed, Hinata closed her eyes—and fainted once more.
"!!"
The guards panicked. They dared not delay another second, rushing her to the hospital where a whirlwind of medical checks and tests followed.
…
"It's nothing serious," Hinata murmured weakly when she regained consciousness again. "I'm probably just… overtired. I'll be fine after some rest."
When she opened her eyes this time, she was already back home.
Throwing off her blanket, she rose unsteadily and walked toward the mirror.
Her reflection stared back—familiar, yet foreign.
"This isn't… a dream?" she whispered, stunned.
While she was unconscious, something extraordinary had happened.
A soul from another world—an older man with years of experience and an unyielding will—had collided with Hinata's original consciousness.
Instinctively, both fought for control.
Although the man possessed the hardened mind of an assassin, Hinata's spiritual strength was equally formidable. The battle between their wills raged fiercely, neither side yielding ground.
But as time passed, both began to weaken. If they continued, they would destroy each other entirely.
Facing mutual annihilation, the two came to an unspoken understanding.
Neither wanted to die.
And so, they chose to merge.
Thus, Hinata remained the same outwardly—but within, she was no longer the same person. Her soul was now a fusion of two lives, two worlds, and two minds.
[Ding!]
[Integration complete. Homeland construction initializing…]
A mechanical voice echoed in her mind.
Before she could react, her consciousness was pulled into a vast, open space—roughly a hundred square meters wide. Dense fog rolled along the perimeter, hiding whatever lay beyond. There was no way out.
Before her eyes, a glowing interface materialized—a control panel with several tools and icons.
The toolbar held items like hoes, shovels, nails, hammers, and wrenches.
The materials library contained piles of wood and steel.
At the bottom corner flickered a question mark. When Hinata focused on it, glowing text appeared:
"Clear the weeds, build your home, and complete the construction using the available tools and materials.
Reward: Mastery of the Gentle Fist."
"…What?"
She blinked. With a thought, she withdrew back into her body. Another thought—and she returned to the strange foggy space.
It wasn't an illusion.
Frowning in concentration, Hinata—now with the mind of a former assassin and the instincts of a shinobi—began to work.
She started by clearing the weeds, then dug the foundation according to the blueprint displayed in the manual. Despite her confusion, her hands moved with practiced precision.
Time flowed differently here—ten days in this dimension equaled only one day in the real world. That meant she could work as long as she wished without worrying about time outside.
…
[Ding!]
[Home construction complete. Reward obtained: Gentle Fist Mastery!]
A rush of energy surged through her body.
Hinata's eyes widened in awe as comprehension flooded her mind. Her understanding of Gentle Fist—its flow, rhythm, and chakra precision—had skyrocketed to an entirely new level.
It was as if the difference between a wooden stick and a steel pillar had been bridged in an instant.
Then, another notification appeared:
"Evaluation: 94.57 points.
Bonus reward: Select one — Byakugan Optimization, Neural Reaction Boost, or Strength Enhancement."
Before Hinata could choose, the virtual wheel spun on its own and landed on Byakugan Optimization.
Nothing seemed to change immediately, leaving her puzzled.
Then, new text appeared:
"Expand your territory and continue building your Homeland using the provided tools and materials.
Reward: 80 Divine Void Strikes. (Each section grants 10 Divine Void Strikes.)"
Her surroundings shifted.
The once modest hundred-square-meter space expanded tenfold into a sprawling thousand-square-meter plain.
The new blueprints showed far more complex structures—roads, a logging camp, a quarry, and even a steel plant.
This was no simple project.
Hinata studied the diagrams closely. Since her performance had been graded, she knew that the quality of her work directly affected her rewards.
A score of 94.57 was excellent—but perfection offered far greater returns.
To get the best reward, I need to give my best effort.
She spent time measuring distances, calculating angles, and planning the optimal construction layout before beginning again.
Her first target was the logging camp nearest to her original home, and she followed the blueprints down to the finest detail.
This time, thanks to her prior experience, her efficiency was significantly higher, and the results were nearly flawless.
When the camp was finished, all the wood in her materials library vanished.
"Hmm… Does each facility consume its own resource type?" Hinata mused.
Once the logging camp began automatically replenishing timber, she immediately started constructing roads and infrastructure.
Here, she never felt hungry, tired, or sleepy.
But unlike most, she didn't lose track of time.
In her previous life as an assassin, precision timing had meant the difference between success and death. Arriving a second too early or too late could have been fatal.
That sharp sense of timing remained with her—even now, in this strange familiar world.
…
Timing it perfectly, Hinata stepped outside. The morning air was cool and fresh, but as soon as she emerged, her eyes began to itch and sting.
Before she could react, her Byakugan activated on its own. The veins around her eyes bulged, making her reflection in the window look almost fierce—predatory, even.
"Byakugan optimization…?" she murmured, recalling the earlier notification.
A wave of pain and prickling surged through her eyes, forcing her to close them tightly. When the discomfort finally faded, Hinata blinked—and her breath caught in awe.
Everything looked different.
Her vision was sharper and brighter than ever before; her field of view had nearly doubled. Even more astonishing, time itself seemed to slow within her gaze—objects moved with a subtle lag, as if the world had adjusted its pace for her alone.
"So this is… optimization?" she whispered. "Incredible."
…Under the Night's Veil
Under the cover of night, the city shimmered with countless lights, appearing exceptionally prosperous and breathtakingly beautiful.
On the top floor of a towering building, a group of men sat in tense silence, locked in a deadly staring contest.
"I've dedicated half my life to the organization," a middle-aged man sneered, cornered with no way out. "And now they won't even grant me a retirement? How heartless."
His tone carried no surprise—only resignation. It was as if he had long expected this outcome.
The others exchanged silent glances before raising their silenced pistols and gleaming daggers.
"Sitting around waiting to die isn't my style," the man growled, his eyes flashing with defiance. "If you want to kill me, then be ready to die with me!"
Before the others could react, he lunged first.
"!!!"
A fierce yet soundless battle erupted. Within moments, the struggle ended. The middle-aged man collapsed into a pool of blood—alongside more than a dozen of his former comrades.
As his vision darkened and consciousness began to fade, regret clouded his thoughts.
Who betrayed me? Anyone with half a brain should know… We were friends once—good friends…
His final breath left him with a bitter sense of unfinished purpose and resentment.
When the cleanup crew finished, the rooftop returned to silence. Only the faint metallic scent of blood lingered in the cool night air.
…
"Hinata-sama! HINATA-SAMA! "
Voices echoed around her.
Hinata awoke from darkness, blinking against the light, her mind hazy and overwhelmed by the chaotic shouts nearby. Everything felt noisy, distorted, and strange.
Her thoughts were tangled; her memories were scattered like broken glass.
Who am I? Where am I? What… am I supposed to do?
The guards assigned to protect her exhaled in relief when they saw her eyes flutter open.
"Thank goodness! You suddenly fainted—it scared us to death!"
"Hinata-sama, are you alright? Do you feel any pain or discomfort?"
"We should take her to the hospital immediately!"
"If the clan leader finds out, we'll be in serious trouble!"
"At a time like this, can you stop worrying about that?"
Their anxious voices overlapped and echoed in her head, each word amplified until it became unbearable. Her mind buzzed like a swarm of bees, unable to process anything.
Overwhelmed, Hinata closed her eyes—and fainted once more.
"!!"
The guards panicked. They dared not delay another second, rushing her to the hospital where a whirlwind of medical checks and tests followed.
…
"It's nothing serious," Hinata murmured weakly when she regained consciousness again. "I'm probably just… overtired. I'll be fine after some rest."
When she opened her eyes this time, she was already back home.
Throwing off her blanket, she rose unsteadily and walked toward the mirror.
Her reflection stared back—familiar, yet foreign.
"This isn't… a dream?" she whispered, stunned.
While she was unconscious, something extraordinary had happened.
A soul from another world—an older man with years of experience and an unyielding will—had collided with Hinata's original consciousness.
Instinctively, both fought for control.
Although the man possessed the hardened mind of an assassin, Hinata's spiritual strength was equally formidable. The battle between their wills raged fiercely, neither side yielding ground.
But as time passed, both began to weaken. If they continued, they would destroy each other entirely.
Facing mutual annihilation, the two came to an unspoken understanding.
Neither wanted to die.
And so, they chose to merge.
Thus, Hinata remained the same outwardly—but within, she was no longer the same person. Her soul was now a fusion of two lives, two worlds, and two minds.
[Ding!]
[Integration complete. Homeland construction initializing…]
A mechanical voice echoed in her mind.
Before she could react, her consciousness was pulled into a vast, open space—roughly a hundred square meters wide. Dense fog rolled along the perimeter, hiding whatever lay beyond. There was no way out.
Before her eyes, a glowing interface materialized—a control panel with several tools and icons.
The toolbar held items like hoes, shovels, nails, hammers, and wrenches.
The materials library contained piles of wood and steel.
At the bottom corner flickered a question mark. When Hinata focused on it, glowing text appeared:
"Clear the weeds, build your home, and complete the construction using the available tools and materials.
Reward: Mastery of the Gentle Fist."
"…What?"
She blinked. With a thought, she withdrew back into her body. Another thought—and she returned to the strange foggy space.
It wasn't an illusion.
Frowning in concentration, Hinata—now with the mind of a former assassin and the instincts of a shinobi—began to work.
She started by clearing the weeds, then dug the foundation according to the blueprint displayed in the manual. Despite her confusion, her hands moved with practiced precision.
Time flowed differently here—ten days in this dimension equaled only one day in the real world. That meant she could work as long as she wished without worrying about time outside.
…
[Ding!]
[Home construction complete. Reward obtained: Gentle Fist Mastery!]
A rush of energy surged through her body.
Hinata's eyes widened in awe as comprehension flooded her mind. Her understanding of Gentle Fist—its flow, rhythm, and chakra precision—had skyrocketed to an entirely new level.
It was as if the difference between a wooden stick and a steel pillar had been bridged in an instant.
Then, another notification appeared:
"Evaluation: 94.57 points.
Bonus reward: Select one — Byakugan Optimization, Neural Reaction Boost, or Strength Enhancement."
Before Hinata could choose, the virtual wheel spun on its own and landed on Byakugan Optimization.
Nothing seemed to change immediately, leaving her puzzled.
Then, new text appeared:
"Expand your territory and continue building your Homeland using the provided tools and materials.
Reward: 80 Divine Void Strikes. (Each section grants 10 Divine Void Strikes.)"
Her surroundings shifted.
The once modest hundred-square-meter space expanded tenfold into a sprawling thousand-square-meter plain.
The new blueprints showed far more complex structures—roads, a logging camp, a quarry, and even a steel plant.
This was no simple project.
Hinata studied the diagrams closely. Since her performance had been graded, she knew that the quality of her work directly affected her rewards.
A score of 94.57 was excellent—but perfection offered far greater returns.
To get the best reward, I need to give my best effort.
She spent time measuring distances, calculating angles, and planning the optimal construction layout before beginning again.
Her first target was the logging camp nearest to her original home, and she followed the blueprints down to the finest detail.
This time, thanks to her prior experience, her efficiency was significantly higher, and the results were nearly flawless.
When the camp was finished, all the wood in her materials library vanished.
"Hmm… Does each facility consume its own resource type?" Hinata mused.
Once the logging camp began automatically replenishing timber, she immediately started constructing roads and infrastructure.
Here, she never felt hungry, tired, or sleepy.
But unlike most, she didn't lose track of time.
In her previous life as an assassin, precision timing had meant the difference between success and death. Arriving a second too early or too late could have been fatal.
That sharp sense of timing remained with her—even now, in this strange familiar world.
…
Timing it perfectly, Hinata stepped outside. The morning air was cool and fresh, but as soon as she emerged, her eyes began to itch and sting.
Before she could react, her Byakugan activated on its own. The veins around her eyes bulged, making her reflection in the window look almost fierce—predatory, even.
"Byakugan optimization…?" she murmured, recalling the earlier notification.
A wave of pain and prickling surged through her eyes, forcing her to close them tightly. When the discomfort finally faded, Hinata blinked—and her breath caught in awe.
Everything looked different.
Her vision was sharper and brighter than ever before; her field of view had nearly doubled. Even more astonishing, time itself seemed to slow within her gaze—objects moved with a subtle lag, as if the world had adjusted its pace for her alone.
"So this is… optimization?" she whispered. "Incredible."
…Under the Night's Veil
Under the cover of night, the city shimmered with countless lights, appearing exceptionally prosperous and breathtakingly beautiful.
On the top floor of a towering building, a group of men sat in tense silence, locked in a deadly staring contest.
"I've dedicated half my life to the organization," a middle-aged man sneered, cornered with no way out. "And now they won't even grant me a retirement? How heartless."
His tone carried no surprise—only resignation. It was as if he had long expected this outcome.
The others exchanged silent glances before raising their silenced pistols and gleaming daggers.
"Sitting around waiting to die isn't my style," the man growled, his eyes flashing with defiance. "If you want to kill me, then be ready to die with me!"
Before the others could react, he lunged first.
"!!!"
A fierce yet soundless battle erupted. Within moments, the struggle ended. The middle-aged man collapsed into a pool of blood—alongside more than a dozen of his former comrades.
As his vision darkened and consciousness began to fade, regret clouded his thoughts.
Who betrayed me? Anyone with half a brain should know… We were friends once—good friends…
His final breath left him with a bitter sense of unfinished purpose and resentment.
When the cleanup crew finished, the rooftop returned to silence. Only the faint metallic scent of blood lingered in the cool night air.
…
"Hinata-sama! HINATA-SAMA! "
Voices echoed around her.
Hinata awoke from darkness, blinking against the light, her mind hazy and overwhelmed by the chaotic shouts nearby. Everything felt noisy, distorted, and strange.
Her thoughts were tangled; her memories were scattered like broken glass.
Who am I? Where am I? What… am I supposed to do?
The guards assigned to protect her exhaled in relief when they saw her eyes flutter open.
"Thank goodness! You suddenly fainted—it scared us to death!"
"Hinata-sama, are you alright? Do you feel any pain or discomfort?"
"We should take her to the hospital immediately!"
"If the clan leader finds out, we'll be in serious trouble!"
"At a time like this, can you stop worrying about that?"
Their anxious voices overlapped and echoed in her head, each word amplified until it became unbearable. Her mind buzzed like a swarm of bees, unable to process anything.
Overwhelmed, Hinata closed her eyes—and fainted once more.
"!!"
The guards panicked. They dared not delay another second, rushing her to the hospital where a whirlwind of medical checks and tests followed.
…
"It's nothing serious," Hinata murmured weakly when she regained consciousness again. "I'm probably just… overtired. I'll be fine after some rest."
When she opened her eyes this time, she was already back home.
Throwing off her blanket, she rose unsteadily and walked toward the mirror.
Her reflection stared back—familiar, yet foreign.
"This isn't… a dream?" she whispered, stunned.
While she was unconscious, something extraordinary had happened.
A soul from another world—an older man with years of experience and an unyielding will—had collided with Hinata's original consciousness.
Instinctively, both fought for control.
Although the man possessed the hardened mind of an assassin, Hinata's spiritual strength was equally formidable. The battle between their wills raged fiercely, neither side yielding ground.
But as time passed, both began to weaken. If they continued, they would destroy each other entirely.
Facing mutual annihilation, the two came to an unspoken understanding.
Neither wanted to die.
And so, they chose to merge.
Thus, Hinata remained the same outwardly—but within, she was no longer the same person. Her soul was now a fusion of two lives, two worlds, and two minds.
[Ding!]
[Integration complete. Homeland construction initializing…]
A mechanical voice echoed in her mind.
Before she could react, her consciousness was pulled into a vast, open space—roughly a hundred square meters wide. Dense fog rolled along the perimeter, hiding whatever lay beyond. There was no way out.
Before her eyes, a glowing interface materialized—a control panel with several tools and icons.
The toolbar held items like hoes, shovels, nails, hammers, and wrenches.
The materials library contained piles of wood and steel.
At the bottom corner flickered a question mark. When Hinata focused on it, glowing text appeared:
"Clear the weeds, build your home, and complete the construction using the available tools and materials.
Reward: Mastery of the Gentle Fist."
"…What?"
She blinked. With a thought, she withdrew back into her body. Another thought—and she returned to the strange foggy space.
It wasn't an illusion.
Frowning in concentration, Hinata—now with the mind of a former assassin and the instincts of a shinobi—began to work.
She started by clearing the weeds, then dug the foundation according to the blueprint displayed in the manual. Despite her confusion, her hands moved with practiced precision.
Time flowed differently here—ten days in this dimension equaled only one day in the real world. That meant she could work as long as she wished without worrying about time outside.
…
[Ding!]
[Home construction complete. Reward obtained: Gentle Fist Mastery!]
A rush of energy surged through her body.
Hinata's eyes widened in awe as comprehension flooded her mind. Her understanding of Gentle Fist—its flow, rhythm, and chakra precision—had skyrocketed to an entirely new level.
It was as if the difference between a wooden stick and a steel pillar had been bridged in an instant.
Then, another notification appeared:
"Evaluation: 94.57 points.
Bonus reward: Select one — Byakugan Optimization, Neural Reaction Boost, or Strength Enhancement."
Before Hinata could choose, the virtual wheel spun on its own and landed on Byakugan Optimization.
Nothing seemed to change immediately, leaving her puzzled.
Then, new text appeared:
"Expand your territory and continue building your Homeland using the provided tools and materials.
Reward: 80 Divine Void Strikes. (Each section grants 10 Divine Void Strikes.)"
Her surroundings shifted.
The once modest hundred-square-meter space expanded tenfold into a sprawling thousand-square-meter plain.
The new blueprints showed far more complex structures—roads, a logging camp, a quarry, and even a steel plant.
This was no simple project.
Hinata studied the diagrams closely. Since her performance had been graded, she knew that the quality of her work directly affected her rewards.
A score of 94.57 was excellent—but perfection offered far greater returns.
To get the best reward, I need to give my best effort.
She spent time measuring distances, calculating angles, and planning the optimal construction layout before beginning again.
Her first target was the logging camp nearest to her original home, and she followed the blueprints down to the finest detail.
This time, thanks to her prior experience, her efficiency was significantly higher, and the results were nearly flawless.
When the camp was finished, all the wood in her materials library vanished.
"Hmm… Does each facility consume its own resource type?" Hinata mused.
Once the logging camp began automatically replenishing timber, she immediately started constructing roads and infrastructure.
Here, she never felt hungry, tired, or sleepy.
But unlike most, she didn't lose track of time.
In her previous life as an assassin, precision timing had meant the difference between success and death. Arriving a second too early or too late could have been fatal.
That sharp sense of timing remained with her—even now, in this strange familiar world.
…
Timing it perfectly, Hinata stepped outside. The morning air was cool and fresh, but as soon as she emerged, her eyes began to itch and sting.
Before she could react, her Byakugan activated on its own. The veins around her eyes bulged, making her reflection in the window look almost fierce—predatory, even.
"Byakugan optimization…?" she murmured, recalling the earlier notification.
A wave of pain and prickling surged through her eyes, forcing her to close them tightly. When the discomfort finally faded, Hinata blinked—and her breath caught in awe.
Everything looked different.
Her vision was sharper and brighter than ever before; her field of view had nearly doubled. Even more astonishing, time itself seemed to slow within her gaze—objects moved with a subtle lag, as if the world had adjusted its pace for her alone.
"So this is… optimization?" she whispered. "Incredible."
…Under the Night's Veil
Under the cover of night, the city shimmered with countless lights, appearing exceptionally prosperous and breathtakingly beautiful.
On the top floor of a towering building, a group of men sat in tense silence, locked in a deadly staring contest.
"I've dedicated half my life to the organization," a middle-aged man sneered, cornered with no way out. "And now they won't even grant me a retirement? How heartless."
His tone carried no surprise—only resignation. It was as if he had long expected this outcome.
The others exchanged silent glances before raising their silenced pistols and gleaming daggers.
"Sitting around waiting to die isn't my style," the man growled, his eyes flashing with defiance. "If you want to kill me, then be ready to die with me!"
Before the others could react, he lunged first.
"!!!"
A fierce yet soundless battle erupted. Within moments, the struggle ended. The middle-aged man collapsed into a pool of blood—alongside more than a dozen of his former comrades.
As his vision darkened and consciousness began to fade, regret clouded his thoughts.
Who betrayed me? Anyone with half a brain should know… We were friends once—good friends…
His final breath left him with a bitter sense of unfinished purpose and resentment.
When the cleanup crew finished, the rooftop returned to silence. Only the faint metallic scent of blood lingered in the cool night air.
…
"Hinata-sama! HINATA-SAMA! "
Voices echoed around her.
Hinata awoke from darkness, blinking against the light, her mind hazy and overwhelmed by the chaotic shouts nearby. Everything felt noisy, distorted, and strange.
Her thoughts were tangled; her memories were scattered like broken glass.
Who am I? Where am I? What… am I supposed to do?
The guards assigned to protect her exhaled in relief when they saw her eyes flutter open.
"Thank goodness! You suddenly fainted—it scared us to death!"
"Hinata-sama, are you alright? Do you feel any pain or discomfort?"
"We should take her to the hospital immediately!"
"If the clan leader finds out, we'll be in serious trouble!"
"At a time like this, can you stop worrying about that?"
Their anxious voices overlapped and echoed in her head, each word amplified until it became unbearable. Her mind buzzed like a swarm of bees, unable to process anything.
Overwhelmed, Hinata closed her eyes—and fainted once more.
"!!"
The guards panicked. They dared not delay another second, rushing her to the hospital where a whirlwind of medical checks and tests followed.
…
"It's nothing serious," Hinata murmured weakly when she regained consciousness again. "I'm probably just… overtired. I'll be fine after some rest."
When she opened her eyes this time, she was already back home.
Throwing off her blanket, she rose unsteadily and walked toward the mirror.
Her reflection stared back—familiar, yet foreign.
"This isn't… a dream?" she whispered, stunned.
While she was unconscious, something extraordinary had happened.
A soul from another world—an older man with years of experience and an unyielding will—had collided with Hinata's original consciousness.
Instinctively, both fought for control.
Although the man possessed the hardened mind of an assassin, Hinata's spiritual strength was equally formidable. The battle between their wills raged fiercely, neither side yielding ground.
But as time passed, both began to weaken. If they continued, they would destroy each other entirely.
Facing mutual annihilation, the two came to an unspoken understanding.
Neither wanted to die.
And so, they chose to merge.
Thus, Hinata remained the same outwardly—but within, she was no longer the same person. Her soul was now a fusion of two lives, two worlds, and two minds.
[Ding!]
[Integration complete. Homeland construction initializing…]
A mechanical voice echoed in her mind.
Before she could react, her consciousness was pulled into a vast, open space—roughly a hundred square meters wide. Dense fog rolled along the perimeter, hiding whatever lay beyond. There was no way out.
Before her eyes, a glowing interface materialized—a control panel with several tools and icons.
The toolbar held items like hoes, shovels, nails, hammers, and wrenches.
The materials library contained piles of wood and steel.
At the bottom corner flickered a question mark. When Hinata focused on it, glowing text appeared:
"Clear the weeds, build your home, and complete the construction using the available tools and materials.
Reward: Mastery of the Gentle Fist."
"…What?"
She blinked. With a thought, she withdrew back into her body. Another thought—and she returned to the strange foggy space.
It wasn't an illusion.
Frowning in concentration, Hinata—now with the mind of a former assassin and the instincts of a shinobi—began to work.
She started by clearing the weeds, then dug the foundation according to the blueprint displayed in the manual. Despite her confusion, her hands moved with practiced precision.
Time flowed differently here—ten days in this dimension equaled only one day in the real world. That meant she could work as long as she wished without worrying about time outside.
…
[Ding!]
[Home construction complete. Reward obtained: Gentle Fist Mastery!]
A rush of energy surged through her body.
Hinata's eyes widened in awe as comprehension flooded her mind. Her understanding of Gentle Fist—its flow, rhythm, and chakra precision—had skyrocketed to an entirely new level.
It was as if the difference between a wooden stick and a steel pillar had been bridged in an instant.
Then, another notification appeared:
"Evaluation: 94.57 points.
Bonus reward: Select one — Byakugan Optimization, Neural Reaction Boost, or Strength Enhancement."
Before Hinata could choose, the virtual wheel spun on its own and landed on Byakugan Optimization.
Nothing seemed to change immediately, leaving her puzzled.
Then, new text appeared:
"Expand your territory and continue building your Homeland using the provided tools and materials.
Reward: 80 Divine Void Strikes. (Each section grants 10 Divine Void Strikes.)"
Her surroundings shifted.
The once modest hundred-square-meter space expanded tenfold into a sprawling thousand-square-meter plain.
The new blueprints showed far more complex structures—roads, a logging camp, a quarry, and even a steel plant.
This was no simple project.
Hinata studied the diagrams closely. Since her performance had been graded, she knew that the quality of her work directly affected her rewards.
A score of 94.57 was excellent—but perfection offered far greater returns.
To get the best reward, I need to give my best effort.
She spent time measuring distances, calculating angles, and planning the optimal construction layout before beginning again.
Her first target was the logging camp nearest to her original home, and she followed the blueprints down to the finest detail.
This time, thanks to her prior experience, her efficiency was significantly higher, and the results were nearly flawless.
When the camp was finished, all the wood in her materials library vanished.
"Hmm… Does each facility consume its own resource type?" Hinata mused.
Once the logging camp began automatically replenishing timber, she immediately started constructing roads and infrastructure.
Here, she never felt hungry, tired, or sleepy.
But unlike most, she didn't lose track of time.
In her previous life as an assassin, precision timing had meant the difference between success and death. Arriving a second too early or too late could have been fatal.
That sharp sense of timing remained with her—even now, in this strange familiar world.
…
Timing it perfectly, Hinata stepped outside. The morning air was cool and fresh, but as soon as she emerged, her eyes began to itch and sting.
Before she could react, her Byakugan activated on its own. The veins around her eyes bulged, making her reflection in the window look almost fierce—predatory, even.
"Byakugan optimization…?" she murmured, recalling the earlier notification.
A wave of pain and prickling surged through her eyes, forcing her to close them tightly. When the discomfort finally faded, Hinata blinked—and her breath caught in awe.
Everything looked different.
Her vision was sharper and brighter than ever before; her field of view had nearly doubled. Even more astonishing, time itself seemed to slow within her gaze—objects moved with a subtle lag, as if the world had adjusted its pace for her alone.
"So this is… optimization?" she whispered. "Incredible."
…Under the Night's Veil
Under the cover of night, the city shimmered with countless lights, appearing exceptionally prosperous and breathtakingly beautiful.
On the top floor of a towering building, a group of men sat in tense silence, locked in a deadly staring contest.
"I've dedicated half my life to the organization," a middle-aged man sneered, cornered with no way out. "And now they won't even grant me a retirement? How heartless."
His tone carried no surprise—only resignation. It was as if he had long expected this outcome.
The others exchanged silent glances before raising their silenced pistols and gleaming daggers.
"Sitting around waiting to die isn't my style," the man growled, his eyes flashing with defiance. "If you want to kill me, then be ready to die with me!"
Before the others could react, he lunged first.
"!!!"
A fierce yet soundless battle erupted. Within moments, the struggle ended. The middle-aged man collapsed into a pool of blood—alongside more than a dozen of his former comrades.
As his vision darkened and consciousness began to fade, regret clouded his thoughts.
Who betrayed me? Anyone with half a brain should know… We were friends once—good friends…
His final breath left him with a bitter sense of unfinished purpose and resentment.
When the cleanup crew finished, the rooftop returned to silence. Only the faint metallic scent of blood lingered in the cool night air.
…
"Hinata-sama! HINATA-SAMA! "
Voices echoed around her.
Hinata awoke from darkness, blinking against the light, her mind hazy and overwhelmed by the chaotic shouts nearby. Everything felt noisy, distorted, and strange.
Her thoughts were tangled; her memories were scattered like broken glass.
Who am I? Where am I? What… am I supposed to do?
The guards assigned to protect her exhaled in relief when they saw her eyes flutter open.
"Thank goodness! You suddenly fainted—it scared us to death!"
"Hinata-sama, are you alright? Do you feel any pain or discomfort?"
"We should take her to the hospital immediately!"
"If the clan leader finds out, we'll be in serious trouble!"
"At a time like this, can you stop worrying about that?"
Their anxious voices overlapped and echoed in her head, each word amplified until it became unbearable. Her mind buzzed like a swarm of bees, unable to process anything.
Overwhelmed, Hinata closed her eyes—and fainted once more.
"!!"
The guards panicked. They dared not delay another second, rushing her to the hospital where a whirlwind of medical checks and tests followed.
…
"It's nothing serious," Hinata murmured weakly when she regained consciousness again. "I'm probably just… overtired. I'll be fine after some rest."
When she opened her eyes this time, she was already back home.
Throwing off her blanket, she rose unsteadily and walked toward the mirror.
Her reflection stared back—familiar, yet foreign.
"This isn't… a dream?" she whispered, stunned.
While she was unconscious, something extraordinary had happened.
A soul from another world—an older man with years of experience and an unyielding will—had collided with Hinata's original consciousness.
Instinctively, both fought for control.
Although the man possessed the hardened mind of an assassin, Hinata's spiritual strength was equally formidable. The battle between their wills raged fiercely, neither side yielding ground.
But as time passed, both began to weaken. If they continued, they would destroy each other entirely.
Facing mutual annihilation, the two came to an unspoken understanding.
Neither wanted to die.
And so, they chose to merge.
Thus, Hinata remained the same outwardly—but within, she was no longer the same person. Her soul was now a fusion of two lives, two worlds, and two minds.
[Ding!]
[Integration complete. Homeland construction initializing…]
A mechanical voice echoed in her mind.
Before she could react, her consciousness was pulled into a vast, open space—roughly a hundred square meters wide. Dense fog rolled along the perimeter, hiding whatever lay beyond. There was no way out.
Before her eyes, a glowing interface materialized—a control panel with several tools and icons.
The toolbar held items like hoes, shovels, nails, hammers, and wrenches.
The materials library contained piles of wood and steel.
At the bottom corner flickered a question mark. When Hinata focused on it, glowing text appeared:
"Clear the weeds, build your home, and complete the construction using the available tools and materials.
Reward: Mastery of the Gentle Fist."
"…What?"
She blinked. With a thought, she withdrew back into her body. Another thought—and she returned to the strange foggy space.
It wasn't an illusion.
Frowning in concentration, Hinata—now with the mind of a former assassin and the instincts of a shinobi—began to work.
She started by clearing the weeds, then dug the foundation according to the blueprint displayed in the manual. Despite her confusion, her hands moved with practiced precision.
Time flowed differently here—ten days in this dimension equaled only one day in the real world. That meant she could work as long as she wished without worrying about time outside.
…
[Ding!]
[Home construction complete. Reward obtained: Gentle Fist Mastery!]
A rush of energy surged through her body.
Hinata's eyes widened in awe as comprehension flooded her mind. Her understanding of Gentle Fist—its flow, rhythm, and chakra precision—had skyrocketed to an entirely new level.
It was as if the difference between a wooden stick and a steel pillar had been bridged in an instant.
Then, another notification appeared:
"Evaluation: 94.57 points.
Bonus reward: Select one — Byakugan Optimization, Neural Reaction Boost, or Strength Enhancement."
Before Hinata could choose, the virtual wheel spun on its own and landed on Byakugan Optimization.
Nothing seemed to change immediately, leaving her puzzled.
Then, new text appeared:
"Expand your territory and continue building your Homeland using the provided tools and materials.
Reward: 80 Divine Void Strikes. (Each section grants 10 Divine Void Strikes.)"
Her surroundings shifted.
The once modest hundred-square-meter space expanded tenfold into a sprawling thousand-square-meter plain.
The new blueprints showed far more complex structures—roads, a logging camp, a quarry, and even a steel plant.
This was no simple project.
Hinata studied the diagrams closely. Since her performance had been graded, she knew that the quality of her work directly affected her rewards.
A score of 94.57 was excellent—but perfection offered far greater returns.
To get the best reward, I need to give my best effort.
She spent time measuring distances, calculating angles, and planning the optimal construction layout before beginning again.
Her first target was the logging camp nearest to her original home, and she followed the blueprints down to the finest detail.
This time, thanks to her prior experience, her efficiency was significantly higher, and the results were nearly flawless.
When the camp was finished, all the wood in her materials library vanished.
"Hmm… Does each facility consume its own resource type?" Hinata mused.
Once the logging camp began automatically replenishing timber, she immediately started constructing roads and infrastructure.
Here, she never felt hungry, tired, or sleepy.
But unlike most, she didn't lose track of time.
In her previous life as an assassin, precision timing had meant the difference between success and death. Arriving a second too early or too late could have been fatal.
That sharp sense of timing remained with her—even now, in this strange familiar world.
…
Timing it perfectly, Hinata stepped outside. The morning air was cool and fresh, but as soon as she emerged, her eyes began to itch and sting.
Before she could react, her Byakugan activated on its own. The veins around her eyes bulged, making her reflection in the window look almost fierce—predatory, even.
"Byakugan optimization…?" she murmured, recalling the earlier notification.
A wave of pain and prickling surged through her eyes, forcing her to close them tightly. When the discomfort finally faded, Hinata blinked—and her breath caught in awe.
Everything looked different.
Her vision was sharper and brighter than ever before; her field of view had nearly doubled. Even more astonishing, time itself seemed to slow within her gaze—objects moved with a subtle lag, as if the world had adjusted its pace for her alone.
"So this is… optimization?" she whispered. "Incredible."
…Under the Night's Veil
Under the cover of night, the city shimmered with countless lights, appearing exceptionally prosperous and breathtakingly beautiful.
On the top floor of a towering building, a group of men sat in tense silence, locked in a deadly staring contest.
"I've dedicated half my life to the organization," a middle-aged man sneered, cornered with no way out. "And now they won't even grant me a retirement? How heartless."
His tone carried no surprise—only resignation. It was as if he had long expected this outcome.
The others exchanged silent glances before raising their silenced pistols and gleaming daggers.
"Sitting around waiting to die isn't my style," the man growled, his eyes flashing with defiance. "If you want to kill me, then be ready to die with me!"
Before the others could react, he lunged first.
"!!!"
A fierce yet soundless battle erupted. Within moments, the struggle ended. The middle-aged man collapsed into a pool of blood—alongside more than a dozen of his former comrades.
As his vision darkened and consciousness began to fade, regret clouded his thoughts.
Who betrayed me? Anyone with half a brain should know… We were friends once—good friends…
His final breath left him with a bitter sense of unfinished purpose and resentment.
When the cleanup crew finished, the rooftop returned to silence. Only the faint metallic scent of blood lingered in the cool night air.
…
"Hinata-sama! HINATA-SAMA! "
Voices echoed around her.
Hinata awoke from darkness, blinking against the light, her mind hazy and overwhelmed by the chaotic shouts nearby. Everything felt noisy, distorted, and strange.
Her thoughts were tangled; her memories were scattered like broken glass.
Who am I? Where am I? What… am I supposed to do?
The guards assigned to protect her exhaled in relief when they saw her eyes flutter open.
"Thank goodness! You suddenly fainted—it scared us to death!"
"Hinata-sama, are you alright? Do you feel any pain or discomfort?"
"We should take her to the hospital immediately!"
"If the clan leader finds out, we'll be in serious trouble!"
"At a time like this, can you stop worrying about that?"
Their anxious voices overlapped and echoed in her head, each word amplified until it became unbearable. Her mind buzzed like a swarm of bees, unable to process anything.
Overwhelmed, Hinata closed her eyes—and fainted once more.
"!!"
The guards panicked. They dared not delay another second, rushing her to the hospital where a whirlwind of medical checks and tests followed.
…
"It's nothing serious," Hinata murmured weakly when she regained consciousness again. "I'm probably just… overtired. I'll be fine after some rest."
When she opened her eyes this time, she was already back home.
Throwing off her blanket, she rose unsteadily and walked toward the mirror.
Her reflection stared back—familiar, yet foreign.
"This isn't… a dream?" she whispered, stunned.
While she was unconscious, something extraordinary had happened.
A soul from another world—an older man with years of experience and an unyielding will—had collided with Hinata's original consciousness.
Instinctively, both fought for control.
Although the man possessed the hardened mind of an assassin, Hinata's spiritual strength was equally formidable. The battle between their wills raged fiercely, neither side yielding ground.
But as time passed, both began to weaken. If they continued, they would destroy each other entirely.
Facing mutual annihilation, the two came to an unspoken understanding.
Neither wanted to die.
And so, they chose to merge.
Thus, Hinata remained the same outwardly—but within, she was no longer the same person. Her soul was now a fusion of two lives, two worlds, and two minds.
[Ding!]
[Integration complete. Homeland construction initializing…]
A mechanical voice echoed in her mind.
Before she could react, her consciousness was pulled into a vast, open space—roughly a hundred square meters wide. Dense fog rolled along the perimeter, hiding whatever lay beyond. There was no way out.
Before her eyes, a glowing interface materialized—a control panel with several tools and icons.
The toolbar held items like hoes, shovels, nails, hammers, and wrenches.
The materials library contained piles of wood and steel.
At the bottom corner flickered a question mark. When Hinata focused on it, glowing text appeared:
"Clear the weeds, build your home, and complete the construction using the available tools and materials.
Reward: Mastery of the Gentle Fist."
"…What?"
She blinked. With a thought, she withdrew back into her body. Another thought—and she returned to the strange foggy space.
It wasn't an illusion.
Frowning in concentration, Hinata—now with the mind of a former assassin and the instincts of a shinobi—began to work.
She started by clearing the weeds, then dug the foundation according to the blueprint displayed in the manual. Despite her confusion, her hands moved with practiced precision.
Time flowed differently here—ten days in this dimension equaled only one day in the real world. That meant she could work as long as she wished without worrying about time outside.
…
[Ding!]
[Home construction complete. Reward obtained: Gentle Fist Mastery!]
A rush of energy surged through her body.
Hinata's eyes widened in awe as comprehension flooded her mind. Her understanding of Gentle Fist—its flow, rhythm, and chakra precision—had skyrocketed to an entirely new level.
It was as if the difference between a wooden stick and a steel pillar had been bridged in an instant.
Then, another notification appeared:
"Evaluation: 94.57 points.
Bonus reward: Select one — Byakugan Optimization, Neural Reaction Boost, or Strength Enhancement."
Before Hinata could choose, the virtual wheel spun on its own and landed on Byakugan Optimization.
Nothing seemed to change immediately, leaving her puzzled.
Then, new text appeared:
"Expand your territory and continue building your Homeland using the provided tools and materials.
Reward: 80 Divine Void Strikes. (Each section grants 10 Divine Void Strikes.)"
Her surroundings shifted.
The once modest hundred-square-meter space expanded tenfold into a sprawling thousand-square-meter plain.
The new blueprints showed far more complex structures—roads, a logging camp, a quarry, and even a steel plant.
This was no simple project.
Hinata studied the diagrams closely. Since her performance had been graded, she knew that the quality of her work directly affected her rewards.
A score of 94.57 was excellent—but perfection offered far greater returns.
To get the best reward, I need to give my best effort.
She spent time measuring distances, calculating angles, and planning the optimal construction layout before beginning again.
Her first target was the logging camp nearest to her original home, and she followed the blueprints down to the finest detail.
This time, thanks to her prior experience, her efficiency was significantly higher, and the results were nearly flawless.
When the camp was finished, all the wood in her materials library vanished.
"Hmm… Does each facility consume its own resource type?" Hinata mused.
Once the logging camp began automatically replenishing timber, she immediately started constructing roads and infrastructure.
Here, she never felt hungry, tired, or sleepy.
But unlike most, she didn't lose track of time.
In her previous life as an assassin, precision timing had meant the difference between success and death. Arriving a second too early or too late could have been fatal.
That sharp sense of timing remained with her—even now, in this strange familiar world.
…
Timing it perfectly, Hinata stepped outside. The morning air was cool and fresh, but as soon as she emerged, her eyes began to itch and sting.
Before she could react, her Byakugan activated on its own. The veins around her eyes bulged, making her reflection in the window look almost fierce—predatory, even.
"Byakugan optimization…?" she murmured, recalling the earlier notification.
A wave of pain and prickling surged through her eyes, forcing her to close them tightly. When the discomfort finally faded, Hinata blinked—and her breath caught in awe.
Everything looked different.
Her vision was sharper and brighter than ever before; her field of view had nearly doubled. Even more astonishing, time itself seemed to slow within her gaze—objects moved with a subtle lag, as if the world had adjusted its pace for her alone.
"So this is… optimization?" she whispered. "Incredible."
…Under the Night's Veil
Under the cover of night, the city shimmered with countless lights, appearing exceptionally prosperous and breathtakingly beautiful.
On the top floor of a towering building, a group of men sat in tense silence, locked in a deadly staring contest.
"I've dedicated half my life to the organization," a middle-aged man sneered, cornered with no way out. "And now they won't even grant me a retirement? How heartless."
His tone carried no surprise—only resignation. It was as if he had long expected this outcome.
The others exchanged silent glances before raising their silenced pistols and gleaming daggers.
"Sitting around waiting to die isn't my style," the man growled, his eyes flashing with defiance. "If you want to kill me, then be ready to die with me!"
Before the others could react, he lunged first.
"!!!"
A fierce yet soundless battle erupted. Within moments, the struggle ended. The middle-aged man collapsed into a pool of blood—alongside more than a dozen of his former comrades.
As his vision darkened and consciousness began to fade, regret clouded his thoughts.
Who betrayed me? Anyone with half a brain should know… We were friends once—good friends…
His final breath left him with a bitter sense of unfinished purpose and resentment.
When the cleanup crew finished, the rooftop returned to silence. Only the faint metallic scent of blood lingered in the cool night air.
…
"Hinata-sama! HINATA-SAMA! "
Voices echoed around her.
Hinata awoke from darkness, blinking against the light, her mind hazy and overwhelmed by the chaotic shouts nearby. Everything felt noisy, distorted, and strange.
Her thoughts were tangled; her memories were scattered like broken glass.
Who am I? Where am I? What… am I supposed to do?
The guards assigned to protect her exhaled in relief when they saw her eyes flutter open.
"Thank goodness! You suddenly fainted—it scared us to death!"
"Hinata-sama, are you alright? Do you feel any pain or discomfort?"
"We should take her to the hospital immediately!"
"If the clan leader finds out, we'll be in serious trouble!"
"At a time like this, can you stop worrying about that?"
Their anxious voices overlapped and echoed in her head, each word amplified until it became unbearable. Her mind buzzed like a swarm of bees, unable to process anything.
Overwhelmed, Hinata closed her eyes—and fainted once more.
"!!"
The guards panicked. They dared not delay another second, rushing her to the hospital where a whirlwind of medical checks and tests followed.
…
"It's nothing serious," Hinata murmured weakly when she regained consciousness again. "I'm probably just… overtired. I'll be fine after some rest."
When she opened her eyes this time, she was already back home.
Throwing off her blanket, she rose unsteadily and walked toward the mirror.
Her reflection stared back—familiar, yet foreign.
"This isn't… a dream?" she whispered, stunned.
While she was unconscious, something extraordinary had happened.
A soul from another world—an older man with years of experience and an unyielding will—had collided with Hinata's original consciousness.
Instinctively, both fought for control.
Although the man possessed the hardened mind of an assassin, Hinata's spiritual strength was equally formidable. The battle between their wills raged fiercely, neither side yielding ground.
But as time passed, both began to weaken. If they continued, they would destroy each other entirely.
Facing mutual annihilation, the two came to an unspoken understanding.
Neither wanted to die.
And so, they chose to merge.
Thus, Hinata remained the same outwardly—but within, she was no longer the same person. Her soul was now a fusion of two lives, two worlds, and two minds.
[Ding!]
[Integration complete. Homeland construction initializing…]
A mechanical voice echoed in her mind.
Before she could react, her consciousness was pulled into a vast, open space—roughly a hundred square meters wide. Dense fog rolled along the perimeter, hiding whatever lay beyond. There was no way out.
Before her eyes, a glowing interface materialized—a control panel with several tools and icons.
The toolbar held items like hoes, shovels, nails, hammers, and wrenches.
The materials library contained piles of wood and steel.
At the bottom corner flickered a question mark. When Hinata focused on it, glowing text appeared:
"Clear the weeds, build your home, and complete the construction using the available tools and materials.
Reward: Mastery of the Gentle Fist."
"…What?"
She blinked. With a thought, she withdrew back into her body. Another thought—and she returned to the strange foggy space.
It wasn't an illusion.
Frowning in concentration, Hinata—now with the mind of a former assassin and the instincts of a shinobi—began to work.
She started by clearing the weeds, then dug the foundation according to the blueprint displayed in the manual. Despite her confusion, her hands moved with practiced precision.
Time flowed differently here—ten days in this dimension equaled only one day in the real world. That meant she could work as long as she wished without worrying about time outside.
…
[Ding!]
[Home construction complete. Reward obtained: Gentle Fist Mastery!]
A rush of energy surged through her body.
Hinata's eyes widened in awe as comprehension flooded her mind. Her understanding of Gentle Fist—its flow, rhythm, and chakra precision—had skyrocketed to an entirely new level.
It was as if the difference between a wooden stick and a steel pillar had been bridged in an instant.
Then, another notification appeared:
"Evaluation: 94.57 points.
Bonus reward: Select one — Byakugan Optimization, Neural Reaction Boost, or Strength Enhancement."
Before Hinata could choose, the virtual wheel spun on its own and landed on Byakugan Optimization.
Nothing seemed to change immediately, leaving her puzzled.
Then, new text appeared:
"Expand your territory and continue building your Homeland using the provided tools and materials.
Reward: 80 Divine Void Strikes. (Each section grants 10 Divine Void Strikes.)"
Her surroundings shifted.
The once modest hundred-square-meter space expanded tenfold into a sprawling thousand-square-meter plain.
The new blueprints showed far more complex structures—roads, a logging camp, a quarry, and even a steel plant.
This was no simple project.
Hinata studied the diagrams closely. Since her performance had been graded, she knew that the quality of her work directly affected her rewards.
A score of 94.57 was excellent—but perfection offered far greater returns.
To get the best reward, I need to give my best effort.
She spent time measuring distances, calculating angles, and planning the optimal construction layout before beginning again.
Her first target was the logging camp nearest to her original home, and she followed the blueprints down to the finest detail.
This time, thanks to her prior experience, her efficiency was significantly higher, and the results were nearly flawless.
When the camp was finished, all the wood in her materials library vanished.
"Hmm… Does each facility consume its own resource type?" Hinata mused.
Once the logging camp began automatically replenishing timber, she immediately started constructing roads and infrastructure.
Here, she never felt hungry, tired, or sleepy.
But unlike most, she didn't lose track of time.
In her previous life as an assassin, precision timing had meant the difference between success and death. Arriving a second too early or too late could have been fatal.
That sharp sense of timing remained with her—even now, in this strange familiar world.
…
Timing it perfectly, Hinata stepped outside. The morning air was cool and fresh, but as soon as she emerged, her eyes began to itch and sting.
Before she could react, her Byakugan activated on its own. The veins around her eyes bulged, making her reflection in the window look almost fierce—predatory, even.
"Byakugan optimization…?" she murmured, recalling the earlier notification.
A wave of pain and prickling surged through her eyes, forcing her to close them tightly. When the discomfort finally faded, Hinata blinked—and her breath caught in awe.
Everything looked different.
Her vision was sharper and brighter than ever before; her field of view had nearly doubled. Even more astonishing, time itself seemed to slow within her gaze—objects moved with a subtle lag, as if the world had adjusted its pace for her alone.
"So this is… optimization?" she whispered. "Incredible."
…Under the Night's Veil
Under the cover of night, the city shimmered with countless lights, appearing exceptionally prosperous and breathtakingly beautiful.
On the top floor of a towering building, a group of men sat in tense silence, locked in a deadly staring contest.
"I've dedicated half my life to the organization," a middle-aged man sneered, cornered with no way out. "And now they won't even grant me a retirement? How heartless."
His tone carried no surprise—only resignation. It was as if he had long expected this outcome.
The others exchanged silent glances before raising their silenced pistols and gleaming daggers.
"Sitting around waiting to die isn't my style," the man growled, his eyes flashing with defiance. "If you want to kill me, then be ready to die with me!"
Before the others could react, he lunged first.
"!!!"
A fierce yet soundless battle erupted. Within moments, the struggle ended. The middle-aged man collapsed into a pool of blood—alongside more than a dozen of his former comrades.
As his vision darkened and consciousness began to fade, regret clouded his thoughts.
Who betrayed me? Anyone with half a brain should know… We were friends once—good friends…
His final breath left him with a bitter sense of unfinished purpose and resentment.
When the cleanup crew finished, the rooftop returned to silence. Only the faint metallic scent of blood lingered in the cool night air.
…
"Hinata-sama! HINATA-SAMA! "
Voices echoed around her.
Hinata awoke from darkness, blinking against the light, her mind hazy and overwhelmed by the chaotic shouts nearby. Everything felt noisy, distorted, and strange.
Her thoughts were tangled; her memories were scattered like broken glass.
Who am I? Where am I? What… am I supposed to do?
The guards assigned to protect her exhaled in relief when they saw her eyes flutter open.
"Thank goodness! You suddenly fainted—it scared us to death!"
"Hinata-sama, are you alright? Do you feel any pain or discomfort?"
"We should take her to the hospital immediately!"
"If the clan leader finds out, we'll be in serious trouble!"
"At a time like this, can you stop worrying about that?"
Their anxious voices overlapped and echoed in her head, each word amplified until it became unbearable. Her mind buzzed like a swarm of bees, unable to process anything.
Overwhelmed, Hinata closed her eyes—and fainted once more.
"!!"
The guards panicked. They dared not delay another second, rushing her to the hospital where a whirlwind of medical checks and tests followed.
…
"It's nothing serious," Hinata murmured weakly when she regained consciousness again. "I'm probably just… overtired. I'll be fine after some rest."
When she opened her eyes this time, she was already back home.
Throwing off her blanket, she rose unsteadily and walked toward the mirror.
Her reflection stared back—familiar, yet foreign.
"This isn't… a dream?" she whispered, stunned.
While she was unconscious, something extraordinary had happened.
A soul from another world—an older man with years of experience and an unyielding will—had collided with Hinata's original consciousness.
Instinctively, both fought for control.
Although the man possessed the hardened mind of an assassin, Hinata's spiritual strength was equally formidable. The battle between their wills raged fiercely, neither side yielding ground.
But as time passed, both began to weaken. If they continued, they would destroy each other entirely.
Facing mutual annihilation, the two came to an unspoken understanding.
Neither wanted to die.
And so, they chose to merge.
Thus, Hinata remained the same outwardly—but within, she was no longer the same person. Her soul was now a fusion of two lives, two worlds, and two minds.
[Ding!]
[Integration complete. Homeland construction initializing…]
A mechanical voice echoed in her mind.
Before she could react, her consciousness was pulled into a vast, open space—roughly a hundred square meters wide. Dense fog rolled along the perimeter, hiding whatever lay beyond. There was no way out.
Before her eyes, a glowing interface materialized—a control panel with several tools and icons.
The toolbar held items like hoes, shovels, nails, hammers, and wrenches.
The materials library contained piles of wood and steel.
At the bottom corner flickered a question mark. When Hinata focused on it, glowing text appeared:
"Clear the weeds, build your home, and complete the construction using the available tools and materials.
Reward: Mastery of the Gentle Fist."
"…What?"
She blinked. With a thought, she withdrew back into her body. Another thought—and she returned to the strange foggy space.
It wasn't an illusion.
Frowning in concentration, Hinata—now with the mind of a former assassin and the instincts of a shinobi—began to work.
She started by clearing the weeds, then dug the foundation according to the blueprint displayed in the manual. Despite her confusion, her hands moved with practiced precision.
Time flowed differently here—ten days in this dimension equaled only one day in the real world. That meant she could work as long as she wished without worrying about time outside.
…
[Ding!]
[Home construction complete. Reward obtained: Gentle Fist Mastery!]
A rush of energy surged through her body.
Hinata's eyes widened in awe as comprehension flooded her mind. Her understanding of Gentle Fist—its flow, rhythm, and chakra precision—had skyrocketed to an entirely new level.
It was as if the difference between a wooden stick and a steel pillar had been bridged in an instant.
Then, another notification appeared:
"Evaluation: 94.57 points.
Bonus reward: Select one — Byakugan Optimization, Neural Reaction Boost, or Strength Enhancement."
Before Hinata could choose, the virtual wheel spun on its own and landed on Byakugan Optimization.
Nothing seemed to change immediately, leaving her puzzled.
Then, new text appeared:
"Expand your territory and continue building your Homeland using the provided tools and materials.
Reward: 80 Divine Void Strikes. (Each section grants 10 Divine Void Strikes.)"
Her surroundings shifted.
The once modest hundred-square-meter space expanded tenfold into a sprawling thousand-square-meter plain.
The new blueprints showed far more complex structures—roads, a logging camp, a quarry, and even a steel plant.
This was no simple project.
Hinata studied the diagrams closely. Since her performance had been graded, she knew that the quality of her work directly affected her rewards.
A score of 94.57 was excellent—but perfection offered far greater returns.
To get the best reward, I need to give my best effort.
She spent time measuring distances, calculating angles, and planning the optimal construction layout before beginning again.
Her first target was the logging camp nearest to her original home, and she followed the blueprints down to the finest detail.
This time, thanks to her prior experience, her efficiency was significantly higher, and the results were nearly flawless.
When the camp was finished, all the wood in her materials library vanished.
"Hmm… Does each facility consume its own resource type?" Hinata mused.
Once the logging camp began automatically replenishing timber, she immediately started constructing roads and infrastructure.
Here, she never felt hungry, tired, or sleepy.
But unlike most, she didn't lose track of time.
In her previous life as an assassin, precision timing had meant the difference between success and death. Arriving a second too early or too late could have been fatal.
That sharp sense of timing remained with her—even now, in this strange familiar world.
…
Timing it perfectly, Hinata stepped outside. The morning air was cool and fresh, but as soon as she emerged, her eyes began to itch and sting.
Before she could react, her Byakugan activated on its own. The veins around her eyes bulged, making her reflection in the window look almost fierce—predatory, even.
"Byakugan optimization…?" she murmured, recalling the earlier notification.
A wave of pain and prickling surged through her eyes, forcing her to close them tightly. When the discomfort finally faded, Hinata blinked—and her breath caught in awe.
Everything looked different.
Her vision was sharper and brighter than ever before; her field of view had nearly doubled. Even more astonishing, time itself seemed to slow within her gaze—objects moved with a subtle lag, as if the world had adjusted its pace for her alone.
"So this is… optimization?" she whispered. "Incredible."
…