Before leaving Amegakure, Makoto gave Hanabi and Fuu their final training assignments.
Both girls were now carrying one of Makoto's Natural Energy Stones.
These stones didn't provide fixed enhancements—the actual power boost acted like a multiplier based on the user's mastery and original stats.
It was similar to the overpower Eight Gates.
When Genin Might Duy opens the Eighth Gate, he can trade hits with the Seven Swordsmen.
When Jonin Might Guy opens the Eighth Gate, he gains power surpassing the Five Kage and nearly kicks God in half.
"During this period, practice sparring exactly as I just explained," Makoto instructed.
"Sparring... you mean just me getting my ass beat?" Fuu pouted, muttering under her breath.
As mentioned before, Fuu and Hanabi were close in age but vastly different in current specs.
One was a Hyuga prodigy; the other had a kaiju (Seven-Tails) living in her stomach.
However, Makoto wanted them to spar in a specific way.
After using the Stone, Fuu and Chomei (Seven-Tails) unlocked a latent ability.
It was this newly emerged ability that reaffirmed the truth: "Different worlds can't be judged by the same standards."
Chomei's prototype resembled a Rhinoceros Beetle.
One of its attack methods was indeed a "Horn Strike."
But aside from that? It flew around like a moth and shot energy bombs.
Biology had left the chat a long time ago.
So, Makoto didn't question why a beetle gave Fuu an ability that should belong to an arachnid.
"Insect Sense."
Or, to use more familiar cultural terms: The Spider-Sense.
Originally, Fuu's speed was already top-tier thanks to her wings.
But being fast alone isn't enough.
Just look at Minato Namikaze.
His teleportation is instant, but his true strength lies in his brain's ability to process information the microsecond he arrives.
When speed reaches a certain level, reaction time becomes the bottleneck.
And the ability Fuu had now obtained was precognition that surpassed conscious thought.
Don't ask why a beetle has Spider-Sense.
This thing shoots Tailed Beast Balls from its mouth; why are you questioning its sensory organs?
If an attack lands, it means her Absolute Evasion isn't perfect yet.
If she misses, it means her Absolute Hit isn't flawless either.
Despite being more powerful, Fuu was currently restricted to Dodge Only mode, which was the source of her complaint about "only being able to take hits."
...
After settling the kids, Makoto and his group embarked on their journey to the Land of Demons.
"Wasn't there a highly anticipated film released in the Land of Snow recently? I heard it was shot on location in the Land of Demons," Tsunade asked, reading an entertainment magazine to pass the time.
"Yes. I wrote the script myself," Makoto replied, his tone carrying a hint of pride.
The film was titled "Hero."
Just when everyone assumed it would follow Koyuki Kazehana's previous films—the classic trope of a heroic princess defeating a generic Demon King—the content delivered a shocking blow to the ninja world's expectations.
The "Villain" whom the protagonist intended to assassinate... actually wanted to conquer and destroy the borders of the Five Nations.
The ending showed the protagonist abandoning the assassination and walking into a hail of arrows to die.
Why? Because he realized the importance of "Unification."
With nations constantly at war, without a unified rule, conflicts would continue endlessly.
One King to rule them all meant peace.
Having only transitioned from warring clans to the "Hidden Village" system decades ago, the ninja world was now discovering the concept of Imperialism for the first time via cinema.
Makoto collaborated with the Land of Snow precisely to subtly influence the ninja world's ideology.
The reason for filming in the Land of Demons was because it housed the "Terracotta Army" (Moryo's Stone Army).
In the movie, they were the majestic guardians of the Emperor.
In reality, they were purely evil constructs waiting to kill everyone.
But no one knew that.
Actually, everyone should enjoy being part of the Terracotta Army.
Because guarding the emperor felt incredibly satisfying.
...
Border of the Land of Demons.
A figure floated mid-air in a reclining position, reading a small book.
Hearing movement, she landed on the ground with a scowl. "I've been waiting so long! You guys finally arrived!"
The waiting person was Kurotsuchi.
Though the Land of Earth bordered the Land of Demons, that didn't mean the Hidden Stone Village was close.
She had flown quite a distance to get here.
"Relax. Having you help us isn't for free—you'll get to enjoy something good too."
Makoto smiled.
What Makoto referred to was, naturally, the same Primal Reversion upgrade that Mei Terumi experienced.
With Mei's precedent (Kyogre), creating a second specially-made stone for Earth (Groudon) posed no difficulty.
Though it still required continuous absorption of the earth's energy to charge up.
"Ah? We're allies now... don't do anything weird!"
Hearing Makoto's words, Kurotsuchi immediately grew flustered, stepping back.
She had misunderstood.
And not in a wholesome way.
Kurotsuchi had always been bothered by what Makoto once told her about his plan to use Hidan to terrorize the ninja world.
She knew Hidan's ability: Reflecting all physical damage back onto his enemies via a blood ritual.
But Kurotsuchi's mind had gone down a dark... cursed path.
'If pain can be reflected... what about other sensations?'
'If Hidan were to... say... thrust a thick rod into his own ass... would the victim feel the same sensation?!'
That would be utterly terrifying!
Sexual assault via a voodoo.
And now, Makoto suddenly said, "I'll let you enjoy it later."
This immediately sent Kurotsuchi's brain spiraling back to that cursed association.
She looked at Makoto's calm facade and saw a deviant face.
"What the hell are you thinking about?" Makoto rolled his eyes.
He couldn't read minds, but he knew she was thinking of something twisted.
He reached into his pouch and tossed a Red Crystal to Kurotsuchi.
"Here, catch."
"This is..."
Kurotsuchi caught the stone.
It was round, smooth and still warm from being in Makoto's pocket.
Round.
Warm.
Red.
"This..." Kurotsuchi looked at Makoto in absolute horror, her face flushing red.
"IS THIS A FUCKING ANAL BEAD?!"
....
We'll be moving from gay joke to furries joke in about 40 chapters, blame Hikari for it!