Back home, the first thing Arata did was head into the washroom and open his system inventory.
Inside sat an icon shaped like a purple Rinnegan–Sharingan hybrid.
Just one look at it made Arata swallow hard.
No way… Is this "Genjutsu Resistance" actually related to the Rinnegan?
He immediately opened its description.
[Genjutsu Resistance: Derived from the power of the Rinnegan Sharingan. Grants immunity to any illusion equal to or below Rinnegan-level genjutsu, including Infinite Tsukuyomi.]
After reading it, Arata was instantly overjoyed.
As expected—this ability really was connected to the Rinnegan.
To resist even Infinite Tsukuyomi, the supreme illusion… this was absolutely perfect for him. Now, no matter how terrifying the genjutsu specialist he faced, he had nothing to fear.
Even Itachi's Tsukuyomi—despite its fame—was merely Mangekyō-level. Compared to the Rinnegan, they weren't even in the same league.
Truly, everything produced by the system was top-tier.
This single ability alone was no less than all the rewards he'd received so far combined.
The only pity…
was that the system hadn't directly given him an actual Rinnegan.
If he really obtained one, he'd probably jump straight to Six Paths tier.
But being immune to genjutsu already made him very satisfied. There would be many chances for future rewards—getting a Rinnegan wasn't impossible.
For now, Arata had no opponent suitable for testing this ability, so he temporarily set the thought aside.
Feeling happy, he started training again—not because he suddenly became well-behaved, but because little brother Nawaki had been clinging to his sister all day, as if afraid Arata would "steal her away."
Arata sighed—he understood.
After all, he had just taken away Nawaki's only family. Even if they all still lived together, to a younger brother, it was natural to feel uneasy when his sister "ran off with another man."
Understandable—
but Arata had no intention of giving up.
Sooner or later, he was going to eat Tsunade completely.
---
The next morning, Arata headed straight for the Hokage's office.
The first thing he planned to do was claim Shizune.
The Third Hokage had agreed yesterday, but she had not yet been handed over.
As long as Shizune wasn't officially under his care, the reward would not be confirmed.
Once he stepped inside, he saw Danzō sitting with Hiruzen again, clearly discussing something.
As their mutual enemy, Arata didn't need to guess—
they were very likely plotting something against him.
But Arata didn't care.
Against overwhelming strength, schemes were meaningless.
Just like how the matter with Orochimaru yesterday fell apart instantly.
He sat down casually and said coldly:
"Lord Hokage, you seem rather forgetful. Didn't you promise yesterday to let me adopt Kato Dan's niece?"
Hiruzen's expression darkened. Arata grew more disrespectful by the day, and it irritated him deeply.
If witnesses were around, Hiruzen would maintain his benevolent-grandfather persona.
But now? Only Danzō and Arata were present.
So he didn't bother pretending.
"Kato Dan's niece has already been handed to the Intelligence Division. She has talent in that field.
You need not concern yourself further."
Hearing this, Arata's eyes filled with disgust.
He knew exactly what the Intelligence Division did.
Especially women in that department—they were tools used to extract information from enemy shinobi.
Sending Shizune there was worse than killing her.
Danzō smirked with open disdain.
Arata might be popular now, but ultimately Konoha was still controlled by him and Hiruzen.
A little girl was nothing—
but if she could be used to disgust Arata, then she had value.
He didn't know why Arata cared so much about the niece of a man who once tried to assassinate him—but that didn't matter.
What mattered was that Arata did care.
And that made her useful.
Then Arata spoke, calm but icy:
"What if the people of Konoha learned that their beloved Hokage sent the orphaned child of a fallen hero to become a female spy?
What would they think?"
Danzō snorted.
"And you think they'd believe you?
Konoha doesn't move because you say it moves."
Arata's expression didn't change.
"What if the girl speaks for herself?"
His gaze sharpened, locking onto Danzō.
Even Danzō felt his skin crawl. Being stared down by a Kage-level monster was no small pressure.
Hiruzen finally understood what Arata intended.
This boy was ready to go all out to take Shizune back.
Even planning for a direct snatch.
And truthfully—if Arata wanted to steal her, who could stop him?
He was currently the fastest man in the village.
Once he rescued her and fled, no one could catch up.
If Arata took Shizune and then publicly exposed Hiruzen's actions, the consequences would be disastrous.
After weighing all possibilities, Hiruzen immediately changed his tone.
Putting on his false gentle smile, he said:
"I was only joking yesterday. Shizune is already here—I'll have someone bring her in."
The old fox had prepared two plans. If bluffing failed, he would just hand her over.
Arata, of course, didn't believe a word.
Soon, an ANBU escorted Shizune inside.
She was only about two years old—barely able to walk and talk. She looked around curiously, utterly unaware that her once-tragic future had already been rewritten.
Her big, watery eyes and pale skin hinted at a great beauty in the making.
Arata had never adopted a child before, but a girl as adorable as Shizune?
He had no complaints.
He lifted her into his arms and playfully said:
"Shizune-chan, from now on you'll be living with Uncle Arata. Say goodbye to that dark, scary Intelligence Division~"
She didn't fully understand, but at the mention of that place, her little body trembled instinctively.
Clearly, she already had bad memories from it.
With Shizune in his arms, Arata turned to leave—but Hiruzen called out behind him:
"Arata, don't forget you're still the ANBU Deputy Commander. Aren't you going to report for duty?"
Arata waved lazily.
"I'll go when I feel like it."
And walked out without looking back.