After breakfast, Hakushi spoke up and asked:
"How come you have time to visit me today?"
He knew that Ayane didn't have much free time she could control within the Hyuga Clan. Back when the Sakumo squad was still together, she had plenty of leisure, but ever since it disbanded, she'd rarely come out during this period.
The last time she came out, it seemed, was also for Sakumo's funeral.
After that, their interactions had been limited to secretly exchanging intel.
"I took the day off today, so it's fine."
Ayane said with a smile.
"Won't you get in trouble for slacking off like this?"
"Nah, it's no big deal. Our future Clan Leader is a really easy-going person. Unlike those elders who have a strong need for control, he's very open-minded."
Ayane rarely spoke so well of people from the Hyuga Clan.
Hyuga Hiashi—Hakushi had heard of this person before.
The Hyuga Clan's sole designated heir, an outstanding ninja talent, handsome features—before even turning twenty, he'd already become a famed Jonin in the village.
Although his exact strength was still something of a mystery, as the successor to the Hyuga Clan Leader, he was certainly an elite among Jonin at the very least.
An ordinary person couldn't possibly become the leader of a great ninja clan.
After all, ninjas, for the most part, speak with their strength.
Even within the Hyuga Clan, being the Clan Leader's successor and an exceptionally talented ninja means people recognize your authority even more.
It's just like the Hokage position—at minimum, you need strength.
Only after you have power can you talk politics and vote on it.
If you're lacking in ability, you're out in the first round.
"Plus, Ruri's not home right now, is she? I was afraid you'd get lonely all by yourself, Hakushi-kun, so I came over to keep you company and chat. But if you find me annoying, I can go home right now. As long as it's your order, Hakushi-kun, I'll obey, so please feel free to do whatever you want with my body."
She put on a devoted and sincere face, with not a trace of resistance—her eyes so gentle they could make a man's bones turn to jelly.
But Hakushi was sure that, deep down, she definitely had another side to her.
"Don't worry, you're not bothering me. Just don't interrupt my work, that's all."
"Okay."
Ayane nodded obediently.
'As long as it's Hakushi-kun's order, I'll offer up my body and soul unconditionally'—that was the underlying message she tried to convey to Hakushi.
Looking back, Hakushi realized that for a brief instant just now, he really did feel a flash of desire and impulse.
Compared to Ruri, who had a virtuous heart even when protesting, Ayane was the real deal—totally predatory.
"By the way, I didn't expect you to have made a second clone. That one's entrance was really weird."
Ayane recalled how, when she'd first arrived, she'd been easily spotted by the Shadow Lady, who had silently slipped out from the shadows in the walls.
If it weren't for her strong perception, she probably wouldn't have realized she was already being watched.
"You mean the Shadow Dancer? I gave her Yin Style abilities."
Just like Earth General, Shadow Lady also had the name "Shadow Dancer"—or anyway, that was her codename or identity marker.
Strictly speaking, neither of them counted as normal living beings.
Setting aside Earth General and his nearly Immortal Body, the Shadow Dancer's abilities were even harder to defend against.
Hakushi created her to protect his own safety.
Since he'd decided to give up on training as a way to power up, it meant he wouldn't focus on front-line combat anymore.
Given that he might face attacks he couldn't foresee, the Shadow Dancer was born as his Guardian—and as an Assassin.
She could manipulate shadows and store herself within them, and normally she'd hide inside Hakushi's shadow.
When an enemy approached, she could use the shadows to defend him, or use them to attack.
So, her speed and skill with Yin Style are both off the charts.
If she integrates Immortal Techniques in the future, her shadow's speed and power will increase even further.
"Yin Style? Like the Nara Clan's Shadow Imitation Jutsu?"
Thinking about the Shadow Dancer's strange way of appearing, that explanation made sense.
"More or less, but there are differences."
The Nara Clan's Shadow Jutsu doesn't have much offensive power; it's mainly strong control, creating opportunities for teammates to attack.
But the Shadow Dancer's Shadow Jutsu is geared toward both defense and offense—an all-in-one Shadow Ninjutsu.
After all, this clone was created specifically to protect his life—not like Earth General, who was basically just a walking communicator.
When he made Earth General, his technique was still pretty raw.
So, compared to Shadow Dancer, Earth General's form of life was that much stranger and more unusual.
As his creation techniques keep improving, any clones he makes from now on will naturally get stronger and stronger.
By then, it'll be time to further enhance the two clones he already has.
"That's one dangerous ability. I'm honestly starting to pity your enemies."
Ayane, just by thinking about it, could tell how insidious this way of fighting was. For a ninja of flesh and blood, it was absolutely terrifying.
Hakushi-kun really is as wicked as ever.