The alley was silent.
Moonlight spilled across cracked stone.
A child stood in the center of it.
Small.
Fragile.
Smiling.
Izumi's crimson eyes reflected the night sky.
But what stared back at the world was not innocence.
It was hunger.
Inside her mind, Zack's consciousness struggled like a chained beast.
This isn't right… this body isn't mine…
He tried to seize control.
Tried to suppress her.
But Izumi's soul was sharper.
Faster.
Crueler.
She had adapted to him.
Accepted his memories.
And then… dominated him.
Now they shared the same body.
But only one ruled.
Her.
A faint whisper echoed in her mind.
[Ability Activated]
Lip Absorption – 30 seconds required
Target: Civilian or Ninja
Result: Chakra fully drained
Her lips curved slowly.
Elegant.
Deadly.
"Thirty seconds…" she murmured softly.
"That's all I need."
Morning in the Village
The next day, the Hidden Leaf bustled with life.
Merchants shouted.
Children laughed.
Shinobi passed by rooftops above.
No one noticed the predator walking among them.
Izumi's steps were light.
Calm.
Measured.
Her gaze scanned the crowd like a butcher selecting meat.
There.
A boy near the fountain.
Alone.
Weak chakra.
Perfect.
She approached with a gentle smile.
"Hey… do you want to see something cool?"
The boy blinked.
Curious.
Trusting.
He stepped closer.
Zack screamed inside her mind.
Stop! You're going too far—
Her lips touched the boy's.
Soft.
Harmless.
Innocent.
The system began counting.
10 seconds.
The boy's body trembled.
20 seconds.
His chakra flowed into her like warm water.
25 seconds.
His eyes widened in confusion.
30 seconds.
Silence.
His body collapsed.
Empty.
Izumi pulled back slowly.
Her breathing deepened.
Her heart pounded.
Power surged through her veins.
It was intoxicating.
Her vision sharpened.
Her senses heightened.
Even her control over the body became smoother.
"So this is chakra…" she whispered.
"It feels… delicious."
Growth
She walked away calmly.
No panic.
No guilt.
Only calculation.
The stolen chakra swirled within her.
Not enough.
Still small.
But it stacked.
Accumulated.
Built.
Her steps became lighter.
Her reflexes faster.
Even Zack could feel it.
You're getting stronger…
She smiled.
"Of course I am."
The First Shinobi
By afternoon, whispers began spreading.
A missing child.
Strange behavior.
A suspicious girl.
A young academy student found her near a side street.
"Hey! You shouldn't be wandering alone."
He wore a ninja headband.
His chakra was different.
Structured.
Disciplined.
Stronger.
Interesting.
Izumi tilted her head.
"Will you protect me?"
The boy flushed slightly.
"O-Of course!"
She stepped closer.
Closer.
Zack tried one final time.
He's a shinobi. He'll fight back—
Too late.
Her lips pressed against his.
This time—
Resistance.
His chakra flared.
But the system anchored the drain.
10 seconds.
He struggled.
15 seconds.
His strength faltered.
20 seconds.
She felt real power flowing into her.
25 seconds.
The resistance shattered.
30 seconds.
His body collapsed.
Unconscious.
Izumi stood still for a moment.
This time the surge was stronger.
Hotter.
Heavier.
Her fingers twitched.
Her chakra expanded.
A faint crimson flicker danced in her eyes.
[Chakra Capacity Increased]
Physical Control Improved
New Passive Unlocked: Chakra Sensory (Basic)
She gasped softly.
Now she could feel others.
Like candles in the dark.
Every civilian.
Every ninja.
Every spark of life around her.
Her smile widened slowly.
"This world…"
"…is full of fuel."
The Realization
But something else stirred.
A faint ripple.
Somewhere deeper in the village.
A stronger chakra.
Watching.
Searching.
Izumi's smile faded slightly.
Ah.
So the village had noticed.
Good.
Her heart beat faster.
Excitement.
Danger.
Challenge.
Zack whispered quietly inside her.
If you keep killing… someone powerful will come.
She looked toward the Hokage Monument.
Toward the shadows on the rooftops.
"Then let them come."
Her crimson eyes glowed faintly.
"I want to see how strong this world really is."
Far above, unseen by her…
A pair of sharp eyes observed the street below.
Cold.
Calculating.
Suspicious.
And for the first time—
Izumi felt it.
A presence strong enough…
To threaten her.
To Be Continued…