"…"
After finishing this simulation, Takumi's mind was reeling. He felt a deep sense of awe that took a long time to settle.
'I and Kurotsuchi... spent a lifetime wandering the world together?'
'And... it was so incredibly sweet!'
'To create a peaceful Shinobi World and marry Kurotsuchi, I had even dismantled the Akatsuki along the way...'
'This was true love!'
'This round, I absolutely must preserve these memories carefully. This is even more powerful than the time with Ayame!'
Takumi could hardly wait to meet Kurotsuchi.
This life, especially his relationship with her, was truly remarkable.
Forget everything else, just Kurotsuchi risking her life to help him train in that cave... it was unforgettable!
Nothing less than true love would lead someone to do that...
He took a deep breath, steadying his overwhelmed heart.
The flush on his face slowly faded back to normal.
'Alright, System, wrap it up.'
[Ding! Simulation complete!]
[Calculating results...]
[Please wait...]
[Ding! This simulation's rating is: SS!]
Hearing the system's announcement, Takumi felt a brief thrill, but quickly regained his composure.
It was well-deserved.
This life absolutely merited an SS rating.
A good family background, a cute little sister, a capable teacher, rich experiences and training, glorious achievements...
And crucially, a wonderful, long-legged wife.
This playthrough was nearly perfect.
An SS rating was no exaggeration!
[Ding! As your rating reached SS, you may choose 3 rewards from the following!]
[1. The Demolition ability you honed]
[2. Your accumulated Chakra from decades]
[3. The techniques you developed with Kurotsuchi.]
'I think memories are automatically saved now, right?' Takumi mused, scanning the system panel, 'So what's there to choose? Obviously, take all three!'
Instantly, several powerful surges of energy flooded into Takumi's body.
The demolition ability refined through decades of grueling practice, the modest but hard-earned increase in Chakra Reserve, and the cherished memories of his time with Kurotsuchi...
All integrated into his very being.
'This...' Vivid images flashed through his mind, causing Takumi to blush slightly.
'Kurotsuchi actually has a scar on her... Did I cause that during training...?'
Pushing the slightly irreverent thought aside, Takumi focused on assessing his new capabilities.
He made a slight fist, concentrating.
Immediately, he sensed a complex, deep understanding of demolition principles circulating within him.
His demolition technique was nothing like Deidara's indiscriminate blasting. He possessed pinpoint control.
What did that mean? Imagine an apple sitting on a chair. A standard explosive tag or Deidara's clay would obliterate the apple and the chair together.
But Takumi's technique could destroy just the apple, or even a specific bite-mark out of the apple, leaving everything else untouched.
Precision Demolition Control!
"This level of accuracy might even surpass Killer Queen!" A spark of exhilaration lit in Takumi's eyes.
It was truly worthy of all those years of training. Raw explosive power alone wouldn't have made him this formidable.
Demolition Ninjutsu consumed vast Chakra. With his current reserves, he could only perform the Great Blaze Technique three times.
But with this precision control, he could achieve maximum effect with minimal Chakra expenditure.
He'd killed Itachi, after all, using just a thread of Chakra around his neck.
"So, the next mission..." Armed with this simulation's experience and his new abilities, Takumi knew exactly which mission to pick.
That's right.
The reconnaissance mission to the Land of Earth.
He pulled up the covers and turned off the light, slipping into a satisfied sleep.
Early the next morning, he and Kurenai stood in the Hokage's Office.
"Have you decided on a mission?" Hiruzen asked, holding his pipe.
"Yes. I wish to investigate the specific troop deployments across the ten border fortresses in the Land of Earth."
Hearing this, Kurenai's fine eyebrows drew together slightly. Hiruzen's face also showed clear surprise.
"Are you certain? This is no simple mission. Ten fortresses implies significant troop concentrations. A misstep could lead to your capture."
Kurenai shared the concern. Reconnaissance was one of the most dangerous mission types, second only to assassination.
It required operating deep within enemy territory, surrounded by hostiles. It demanded exceptional stealth, awareness, and composure. One wrong move could mean disaster.
Facing their apprehension, Takumi remained resolute.
"My decision is final. If I cannot handle a mission like this, how can I ever hope to bring peace to the Shinobi World?"
"Besides." He added, "Hasn't the Land of Earth always been a rival to the Land of Fire?"
Hearing this, Hiruzen narrowed his eyes slightly. He studied the young man before him, seeing in his eyes a look full of anticipation and passion for the future. It was as if this journey wasn't to complete a perilous mission, but to meet a long-lost girlfriend.
"Very well. Since you insist on this mission, you may go!"
"Be extremely careful. Return alive!"
Watching Takumi and Kurenai leave the office, Hiruzen silently exhaled a puff of smoke, a gratified sigh escaping him, "To go this far for the village... This boy is Konoha's hope!"
Konoha Streets.
Kurenai walked behind Takumi. Frankly, she felt some pressure about this mission.
Reconnaissance at the Land of Earth's border? And ten fortresses? How many troops must be stationed there? At least a few hundred! For a situation like this, dispatching a full squad was standard. This time, it was just the two of them. Could they handle it?
"Hey, Takumi, are you absolutely sure about this?" Kurenai asked, dropping any pretense of being the mature adult, "This mission is no joke. One misstep, and we could both die out there..."
"It's fine. We all die eventually. Dying together would be nicer, don't you think?" Takumi replied with a smile.
"You..." Kurenai's face flushed. Seeing Takumi's resolve, she didn't press further. She had to brace herself and see it through.
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FOR EVERY 50 POWER STONES, I'LL UPLOAD ONE CHAPTER