The next morning, Noah woke from his dreams.
In twelve or thirteen years, this was likely the most comfortable sleep he had ever had.
Looking at the sleeping figure beside him-her smooth face still flushed-Noah couldn't help but let out a mischievous grin.
The smile faded quickly. He exhaled deeply and closed his eyes, entering System Space.
In the Ninja Universe, System Space was almost useless-the differing power systems prevented any real communication. But now, back in his familiar territory, Noah needed to converse with the System properly.
During his time there, he had thoroughly reviewed everything he knew and pushed the development of Holy Light and Darkness powers. These had been immensely helpful.
To some degree, he had fused them-far beyond his previous plan of using them merely as balance.
Entering the System Space now felt strangely comfortable. Noah didn't question it. He took a deep breath, and his power began to hum.
A massive ring of alternating light and shadow appeared. Six smaller spheres, each glowing differently, floated within it. The space pulsed with an inexplicable rhythm.
Noah felt the power quietly-it was intoxicating.
But he snapped back to focus. He hadn't forgotten his purpose.
He didn't close his Domain. "You there, System?" he called softly. "Time to come out."
"I told you long ago, speak plainly. But humans never drop their habits," the System replied in his mind. "Which question do you want first?"
Noah smiled. He didn't care which answer came first-they had known each other too long for formalities.
He rubbed his chin. "Can my Domain be fused again? I reviewed my life's work in another universe. It was an unbelievable boost..."
"And you fused Holy Light and Darkness. I know." The System interrupted.
"Rest assured, I already ran simulations there. Now that you're back, you can start this project. Such experience is extremely beneficial."
Noah laughed. "That couldn't be better. But another question-can the 'magical adaptation' of Ninjutsu be completed?"
"That requires practice. Some things may not suit you. But I can find a way for that 'Giant Phantom Warrior' you want. Magicalizing that technique would massively boost mages here."
"Good." Noah nodded.
He didn't care about ordinary Ninjutsu. Earth, Water, Wind, Fire-magic could replace them all. Lightning-based magic, however, was trickier. Its significance in Western myths made it special, and he had little affinity for it.
Only Thor and the promiscuous leader of the Olympian pantheon seemed capable of wielding it, but in their hands, it was just a terrifying weapon. In this universe, the Olympians no longer existed, and Noah had no interest in them for now.
His focus was clear: finish what needed to be done here-strengthen Earth's mages, build a highly defensive magical circle. Only then could he feel secure.
"Can we upgrade my Domain now? I want to feel this fusion process. I have a sense this will be a major breakthrough."
"Certainly. As for your intuition, I won't comment. I am neither human nor mage," the System replied.
"Relax. I'll control your magical power."
"Go ahead." Noah nodded, calm.
For a moment, his Domain trembled, on the verge of collapse. Then a strange power took over. The forces inside ran faster, smoother.
Noah felt a twinge of depression: his own Domain seemed novice compared to the System's precision. But soon he realized-humans have distractions, machines do not. Naturally, the System's control was superior.
He watched honestly as his power accelerated. Azure and emerald glows intertwined. Gold and black lights entwined as well. Noah smiled-it was a good start, showing his Naruto-world experience had paid off.
The System began manipulating all Noah's elemental powers into fusion. Noah flinched but stayed calm; if the System messed up, it would likely self-correct.
The powers fused, repelled, fused again, repelled again. It was chaotic.
Noah worried it was too early. The Domain's foundation was set, the fusion proceeding-but this process required patience. Adding Holy Light and Darkness to elemental and Time-Space forces was headache enough.
Divine Transformation could wait. His current Domain strength was sufficient.
Survival was the ultimate goal. Thanos was a looming threat; the odds of success were slim. But reaching this point, Noah felt mostly safe. Future matters could wait.
Yet the System pressed on.
"No, now is perfect," it said. "I want to verify what happens when these eight powers fuse. Your experience in the other universe makes this the best opportunity. This is not intuition-it is calculation."
"Fine, continue... wait? This... this is-"
"...Noah?" Hermione stirred beside him, rolling over with a sweet smile.
"Long time no see," she murmured.
"Clearly someone was having fun last night," Noah teased, pinching her nose gently.
"Truly... long time no see, dear," she replied.
He glanced at the time. "Heavens, it's so late."
"They have a meeting today," she said, standing.
"No need to go. No one will blame you," Noah said, pulling her back into his embrace.
"Stay a bit longer, okay?"
"What's gotten into you? I didn't expect you to become sentimental after six months."
"I guess... well, for you it's only half a year. For me, it's been twelve or thirteen years."