"Mon… monster… you monster!"
Under the tranquil moonlight, a scarred ninja from the Land of Lightning pointed a trembling finger at a figure not far away and roared.
Following his gaze—
a slender figure dressed in white stood quietly in the distance. Tall and lean, with silver hair, a trace of fresh blood stained his handsome face.
More than a dozen corpses lay at his feet. Their spilled blood pooled together, reflecting the bright moonlight in a crimson sheen.
…
"Oh? Is that your last wish? Thank you for the compliment. Please rest in peace."
With that, the figure raised a finger, and a Bone Bullet instantly pierced the Land of Lightning ninja's throat.
In the next moment, a series of swishes echoed through the air as ANBU from Kirigakure surrounded the area.
"Lord Asuka, we are late. Please punish us," the leading Kirigakure ANBU said, kneeling before him.
"Enough with the useless formalities. Search for the intelligence these Lightning-nin stole."
With that, Kaguya Asuka ignored their reactions, turned, and walked back toward the village.
The ANBU surveyed the deep craters left by the battle and the tragic state of the Lightning-nin corpses. Not a single scratch marked Asuka's body. They exchanged glances.
This lord's strength has grown even more terrifying…
…
After walking some distance, Asuka took out a set of clothes from a storage scroll and changed. Though he was covered in blood, there wasn't a single wound on him.
"Wolverine's genes are still ridiculously abnormal. It hurts a bit, but this regeneration speed is incredible. With this ability, even dying would be difficult."
This was the key to his meteoric rise in such a short time.
Asuka was not originally from this world. He had once been a graduate student on Earth who, through an accident, transmigrated into the X-Men universe. Relying on his knowledge of the plot, he became an assistant to Colonel Stryker, helping him hunt Mutants and imprison many of them step by step.
At the same time, Asuka secretly collected gene samples from the captured Mutants for research. During an operation to extract Jean Grey's gene as the Phoenix, he accidentally awakened her alternate personality, triggering an eruption of the Phoenix Force.
The Phoenix Force tore space apart, dragging Asuka—along with the mutant gene bank he had concealed on his body—into the Shinobi World. The gene bank fused with his soul.
He had no idea why it bound to him, but the Phoenix Force had always been that unreasonable, trampling over the laws of physics at will.
When he first arrived in the Shinobi World, his soul possessed a Kaguya clan member who had just awakened Shikotsumyaku and overdrawn their life force. Because of that, Asuka unexpectedly activated a fragment of Wolverine's genes. With Wolverine's mutant ability, he gradually secured a foothold in the Shinobi World.
…
Returning to the present, Kaguya Asuka pushed aside his wandering thoughts and quickened his pace. Before long, the outline of Kirigakure came into view.
After entering the village, his steps relaxed slightly as he walked toward the Mizukage Building, considering how to report to the Third Mizukage.
That's right—the current Mizukage was still the Third Mizukage.
The Shinobi World had already endured two Great Ninja Wars. After several years of uneasy peace, tensions were rising again. Undercurrents surged among the Five Great Nations, and friction between the Five Great Shinobi Villages was steadily escalating.
Standing before the Mizukage Building, Asuka organized his thoughts and entered, heading straight for the Mizukage's office.
"That's the situation. Although they concealed their identities, based on the confrontation, they were ninja from the Land of Lightning. Their objective in the Land of Water was to steal intelligence."
"I see. You handled this well, Asuka."
"It was my duty."
"Come to think of it, you haven't rested in quite some time. I'll grant you a few days off. Recuperate properly. The Shinobi World isn't peaceful right now—who knows when your next break will come."
Hearing this, Kaguya Asuka looked at the Third Mizukage. Though fatigue lined the man's face, traces of his former vigor could still be seen.
It seems the Third Mizukage has already sensed the coming storm and is preparing in advance.
"Thank you, Mizukage-sama," Asuka replied.
At the Mizukage's gesture, he turned and left the office.
The Third Mizukage watched the young figure depart and murmured softly, "The Kaguya clan, hm? Bloodline limit families truly do produce geniuses."
…
After stepping out of the Mizukage Building, Asuka looked up at the rare clear sky above Kirigakure. His mood lightened slightly.
Grrr—
His stomach protested at just the right moment.
With some rare free time on his hands, Asuka decided to treat himself and headed toward the food district.
As he approached, a figure entered his line of sight.
He paused.
Then, expressionlessly, he turned around and briskly walked the other way.
Unfortunately, he was still noticed.
In an instant, the figure used the Body Flicker Technique and blocked his path.
"Oh my, isn't this Asuka-kun? What a coincidence. Are you here to eat too?"
She appeared to be around fifteen or sixteen, yet carried a maturity beyond her years. Her voluptuous figure was almost unfair for her age, and her lips curved in a teasing smile.
Seeing there was no escape, Asuka turned back reluctantly.
"Mei Terumī. What are you doing here?"
Indeed, this was Mei Terumī, the future Fifth Mizukage.
"What's that tone supposed to mean?" Mei Terumī said, feigning anger. "It sounds like Asuka-kun doesn't want to see me."
Though phrased as a question, it carried the weight of a statement.
"Not at all. I just didn't expect to run into you in the food district, so I was surprised."
"Why can't I come here to eat? It seems Asuka-kun has quite the misunderstanding about me." Mei Terumī leaned closer, locking eyes with him.
Even Asuka felt slightly uncomfortable under her direct gaze. He averted his eyes and subtly took two steps back.
"In that case, I won't disturb you. I'll take my leave."
He had barely taken two steps when someone tugged at the corner of his clothes.
"Wait, Asuka-kun. No need to be in such a hurry. How long has it been since we last had a meal together? Come on, I'm treating today. Let's have a proper drink."
With that, Mei Terumī dragged him toward the nearest barbecue restaurant.