The entire ramen shop fell silent.
Every customer stared in shock, as if time itself had frozen.
Shuoye stood proudly, calm and unshaken.
"You… you…"
Sarutobi Asuma lay sprawled on the floor, face pale and twisted in pain. That kick had likely broken at least two of his ribs.
The rich aroma of ramen still lingered in the air—
Yet it now felt heavy and suffocating.
Shuoye shrugged lightly, a faint smirk curling at his lips.
"If you have time, practice your fundamentals."
He paused deliberately.
"The Hokage's… son?"
His tone was casual.
Dismissive.
Asuma's face flushed crimson with rage.
"You—"
He tried to retort—
But Shuoye's eyes suddenly narrowed.
A killing intent as sharp as a blade descended.
Asuma felt an invisible pressure crush down on him.
His body trembled.
His mouth opened—
Yet no words came out.
It was as if his throat had been seized.
Nearby, Mitarashi Anko had initially felt satisfaction seeing Asuma beaten—
But Shuoye suddenly froze.
A shadow flickered through his thoughts.
Orochimaru.
His gaze sharpened instantly.
He stepped toward Anko, fingers brushing lightly across her neck.
The air seemed to stop.
Anko's cheeks flushed bright red, like a tomato tossed into boiling water.
Her heart pounded wildly.
"You… what are you doing?"
Her voice trembled.
"Has Orochimaru not acted yet?"
Shuoye wondered inwardly.
His expression softened.
"There was a bug on your neck."
With that, he turned and walked away.
Anko remained frozen in place, heart racing, face burning, unable to understand the complicated emotion lingering in his gaze.
Asuma, meanwhile, overwhelmed by rage and humiliation—
Passed out completely.
On the street.
Kushina Uzumaki puffed her cheeks, clearly upset.
"Oh? I didn't realize Shuoye-sama was so close with Anko."
Her tone was light—
But the tension in her eyes betrayed her.
Shuoye laughed softly and ruffled her red hair.
"Don't overthink it. She's just a friend."
He looked at her gently.
Kushina's face immediately turned red.
"Hmph! Why are you explaining it to me? I don't care!"
She turned her head away stubbornly.
"Next time, I'll activate Vibration Mode—Second Gear."
"I-I don't even want it…"
She pinched his waist hard again, her face so red it looked ready to drip blood.
Shuoye couldn't help but sigh inwardly.
She was far too easy to coax.
Then—
A faint sound brushed against his senses.
Interesting.
They can't help themselves anymore?
"Kushina. Wait."
He stopped walking and turned to her with a faint smile.
"You head back first. I need to handle something."
Kushina froze, worry flooding her face.
"Where are you going? I can come with you!"
"Some matters require my attention. Be good."
His tone was calm—
But absolute.
Kushina reluctantly nodded.
Under Shuoye's watchful gaze, she walked away in the opposite direction, glancing back once with concern.
Shuoye then turned.
His eyes sharpened like an eagle's.
"You've followed me long enough. Show yourselves."
From the shadows—
A cold voice responded.
"Mad Demon-sama, Danzō-sama invites you to the Root headquarters as a guest. Please do not make things difficult for us."
Polite words.
Unquestionable authority.
At that moment—
A mechanical tone echoed in Shuoye's mind.
[Ding! God-Tier Choice Activated!]
[Option 1: Go to Root headquarters and become a test subject. Reward: Weapon Fruit ×1]
[Option 2: Escape immediately. Reward: Ninjutsu — Super Beast Imitation Drawing]
[Option 3: Reverse course and wreak havoc in the Hokage's Office. Reward: Zanpakutō — Kyōka Suigetsu (Shikai Release)]
"Option 3."
There was no hesitation.
The Weapon Fruit or Super Beast Imitation Drawing would not bring a qualitative leap in strength.
But Kyōka Suigetsu—
Aizen's Zanpakutō.
Its illusionary power was absolute.
"Let's go."
Feeling the new power awakening within him, Shuoye smiled faintly.
The Root captain blinked in surprise, clearly not expecting such cooperation.
Still, he said nothing and led the way.
However—
As they approached the Hokage's Office—
Shuoye suddenly stopped.
Then—
He turned and strode directly toward the Hokage's building.
"Mad Demon-sama! What are you doing?! Please consider our position!"
The Root captain's voice rang out urgently from behind—
Laced with threat.
And killing intent.