With Big Orange and Ayan present, the two of them behaved quite properly during lunch.
Only the faint clinking of chopsticks and occasional quiet conversation could be heard at the table.
During the meal, Uchiha Anlan briefly sank his consciousness into the Sharingan space.
After injecting his ocular power, he drew today's Myriad Worlds Bubble.
A soft pop echoed through his sea of consciousness.
A rather interesting bubble was "spat out" by the pale blue stone gate.
[Item: Spirit Medium Cultivation Method]
[Evaluation: A cultivation method from another world capable of communicating with souls and the spirits of heaven and earth. Quite noteworthy.]
[Origin: Shaman King]
Beneath the stone gate that emitted its eternal pale-blue glow—
Aside from the still-struggling "zombie" bubble, a worn book wrapped in a pure white bubble floated quietly before Anlan.
The cover looked old, clearly something that had been read many times.
The information written above it caused his expression to shift slightly.
Shaman King… I've watched that anime before.
Anlan fell into brief recollection.
It was a world centered around Shamans—people capable of communicating with the souls of all things.
The protagonist Asakura Yoh, together with the ancient samurai spirit Amidamaru, fought side by side while participating in the global Shaman King Tournament.
The ultimate goal of that worldwide competition was to stop Yoh's brother—
Asakura Hao.
A reincarnated Onmyoji from a thousand years ago.
A man whose power was nearly divine.
After his mother Asanoha was burned alive by ignorant ordinary people, Hao sought to cleanse the world of foolish humans and create a world belonging only to shamans.
The sense of familiarity was strong.
It reminded Anlan of someone else.
Uchiha Obito.
But the difference between the two was enormous.
Obito—
"The world is wrong because Rin died."
His ideology was nothing but selfishness.
Just like Uchiha Itachi, he couldn't truly be absolved.
Hao, on the other hand—
Though he spoke arrogantly like a king calling others "insignificant," and possessed overwhelming charisma that made people follow him even unto death—
In truth, he was gentler than anyone.
And he loved the world deeply.
In the end, Hao revived those who had died and became the Shaman King, the protector of the world.
The story concluded with the classic happy ending of a heroic manga.
Objectively speaking, it wasn't perfect—
But it certainly wasn't bad.
Still…
If there were ever a chance to travel to the Shaman King world, Anlan would like to bring that man here.
The man who had mastered the supreme Onmyoji technique—
Taizan Fukun no Sai, the ritual capable of manipulating life and death.
A reincarnating Onmyoji who revived himself every five hundred years.
If that person were reborn as an Uchiha—
There was no need to say more.
He would be the ultimate "Great Love Uchiha."
Anlan returned from his thoughts.
His attention focused again on the cultivation method in his hands.
This technique could probably be combined with Impure World Reincarnation.
For example—
Fusing with the soul of Senju Hashirama.
Or binding the soul of Senju Tobirama to a special artifact.
A far bolder idea surfaced in his mind.
One that even carried a hint of mischievous cruelty.
If I kill Shimura Danzo…
And imprison his soul…
Could I create a different kind of Ten-Thousand Souls Banner?
Or perhaps replicate something like Yao Lao's resurrection from Battle Through the Heavens?
If I merge the cultivation systems of Shaman King and Naruto, learning from the strengths of both worlds…
There should be tremendous potential.
Countless ideas stirred in his mind.
As Anlan fell into contemplation, a faint smile unconsciously appeared on his lips.
Then a voice from the outside world pulled him back.
"Anlan-kun, someone is coming."
Uchiha Mikoto set down her chopsticks.
She picked up a napkin and gently wiped her lips, which glistened softly in the sunlight.
Looking up, she saw Uchiha Hazuki hurrying toward them.
"Mikoto-sama. Anlan-sama."
Hazuki had come on the orders of Elder Uchiha Hokage.
Her figure was light and agile.
With a single step she crossed the more than ten-meter-wide Naka River, landing before them like a falling leaf.
Seeing the unusual scene of two humans and two cats, she bowed respectfully.
"Elder Hokage requests Mikoto-sama to return to the clan compound immediately."
Facing their questioning gazes, she added with a smile,
"The elder seems to be in a very good mood. It should be excellent news."
"Then I won't be able to train with you this afternoon."
Mikoto turned toward Anlan, a trace of apology in her voice.
Seeing the immediate look of disappointment appear on his face, her heart softened.
She turned her head slightly.
The tips of her ears flushed red.
Then she spoke softly.
"Come to my house for dinner tonight."
The moment she said it—
Anlan's expression instantly changed.
The disappointment vanished, replaced by obvious happiness.
Mikoto immediately realized something.
She had been fooled.
Again.
By this cunning younger brother.
She puffed her cheeks in mild annoyance.
Yet the sweetness rising in her heart could not be suppressed.
In the end she only snorted softly, turned, and left.
Hazuki had long grown accustomed to the young couple's flirting.
At first she had worried about their relationship.
Now she simply bowed politely to Anlan and followed Mikoto.
Watching them leave, Anlan quickly finished his meal.
Then he looked toward the two cats across from him.
Ayan, the silver-striped cat, had a small appetite.
After just a few bites she had already finished lunch.
Now she lounged gracefully while Big Orange fanned her attentively with a feather fan.
In her paws was a beautifully printed novel circulating throughout the ninja world.
After Losing Me, the Cold Noblewoman Who Carried His Child Regretted Everything.
Surprisingly—
This kind of morally chaotic romance novel from Anlan's previous life had exploded like a deep-sea bomb in the ninja world's literary scene.
These addictive, emotionally torturous stories had become extremely popular among nobles who adored the aesthetic of melancholic beauty.
Over the past few years, many dramatic love stories had erupted within noble circles.
This cultural trend had gradually spread downward—
Even influencing female ninja.
The disappointed expression Anlan had shown earlier was actually a trick taken straight from those novels.
A typical white-lotus manipulation tactic.
Pretend to be pitiful—
And Mikoto would immediately soften.
Combined with genuine feelings, Anlan felt confident that soon he could even invite Mikoto to visit his own home.
Seeing that the young master had finished eating and was looking toward her—
Ayan closed her book.
She jumped gracefully into Anlan's arms.
Meanwhile, Big Orange quickly began cleaning the dishes, its round body bustling around the table.
"Young Master," Ayan said calmly.
"There are several intelligence reports to deliver."
Her emerald vertical pupils narrowed slightly under the sunlight.
Earlier that morning she had returned to the Ninja Cat Castle, gathering fresh information from her subordinates.
"Mito Monen—the Konoha advisor elder—has left the village and is traveling to the Daimyo's capital."
"Traces of Sunagakure and Iwagakure have been discovered inside the Land of Rain."
"Kumogakure may also have sent ninja there."
"Hanzo, known as the 'Demigod,' has left Amegakure with several Rain ninja. Their destination is unknown."
"At the same time, a new organization calling itself Akatsuki has appeared within the Land of Rain."
"And…"
Ayan paused briefly.
"In Kusagakure, we have discovered members of the Uzumaki clan—the survivors who scattered across the world after the destruction of the Land of Whirlpool."