"Alright, now that you know my objective, you can finally relax!" Reiji let out a sigh, visibly drained.
"I'm not worried." Amai nodded obediently, though her gaze lingered on Reiji's fingers still resting on his sole.
"It's just… I have a tiny request."
"Go ahead."
"Uh, I want to assign an ANBU to follow you."
Reiji instantly rolled his eyes.
Ever since crossing over, he'd been watched by Jashin cultists, then by Amegakure, and later by Konoha's watchdog. And now this?
At this rate, in ten years, the entire ninja world will know I like singing while I'm on the toilet!
No way. Absolutely not!
He shook his head so hard it looked like it might fall off.
Seeing this, Amai pouted and tilted her head with stubborn defiance.
Here we go again.
This guy's acting up—again. Reiji reached toward her feet, ready to tickle.
"Alright, alright!" Amai quickly cut in, muttering,
"You always bully me… I must've been blind to ever fall for you."
After grumbling, Amai raised her head, eyes brimming with grievance.
"Fine, I'll compromise. I give you the intel, and you let me assign someone to follow you."
Reiji's face twisted in agony.
Seriously?!
This woman's too sneaky!
Why can't she ever just let things go?! You're driving me nuts!
Fueled by irritation, Reiji snapped, "Damn it—you follow me then!"
Amai's eyes lit up like fireworks.
Whoa—did I just hit the jackpot?
Immortal body? Check. Lock him down? Check. Keep him like a pet? Check. Toss him into battle and not even worry if he dies? Perfect!
Her eyes sparkled, and she nodded repeatedly, tears of joy practically streaming from her mouth.
Reiji could clearly tell what she was plotting.
He let out a heavy sigh and clutched his forehead.
What the hell!
This busty lunatic is just like Hiruzen Sarutobi!
Always trying to trap me into something!
Would it kill you to focus on something useful for once?
After a brief pause, Reiji lifted his head and shook it slowly, but firmly.
"Nope. Go cool your head somewhere else."
"Huh? Reiji, you little brat! How can you go back on your word?!" Amai snapped.
Reiji nodded with zero shame. "Yup. I go back on my word. I have no shame, after all."
Seeing Reiji so smug about his shamelessness made Amai furious. She trembled with rage, jabbing a finger at him.
"You bastard! You lied to me about everything!
Now I have no intel, nothing at all! Just kill me already—I'll pretend I was dumped by a heartless scumbag!"
Reiji had completely lost his patience. It was almost dawn, and he'd had enough.
"Fine. I'll let you go. Starting today, I abandon this identity. Get ready!
Get ready for 24/7 bombings that'll keep you up day and night!
If even one person in Kumogakure can sleep peacefully, I swear I'll change my surname from Sakuhō!"
Seeing Reiji finally explode, Amai recoiled, shrinking back in fear.
She realized she'd really pissed him off this time.
Reiji wasn't about to argue anymore. With one hand, he formed a seal, appeared behind her in a blink, and grabbed her shoulders.
"Flying Thunder God Technique!"
The world spun. In a flash, Amai found herself back in her own home.
Without thinking, she spun around and threw herself at Reiji, slamming into him like a missile.
"Reiji! No! I won't follow you, and I won't send anyone after you either!
Please don't start bombing us—I'm begging you!"
You were the one who just bombed me!
Reiji's face twisted oddly. He had to admit, it really was a suffocating sensation.
"Ahem... Well, alright, seeing how... sincere you are."
With that, he gently pushed Amai away, formed a seal with one hand, and vanished again.
Staring at the familiar room, arms now empty, the filthy Amai suddenly smiled with a sly curve to her lips.
"Hmph. Men."
At that moment, Reiji silently stood behind her, lips curling upward.
Heh. Crafty woman.
Things hadn't gone exactly as planned, but the result was close enough.
That was why Reiji had deliberately submitted information that seemed half-baked at first glance.
For a civilian ninja to climb into the upper ranks of a power structure monopolized by the Third Raikage's clan—nearly impossible.
So he needed a wedge. A stake driven into the high ranks.
Amai—clever, selfish, cold on the outside but warm within—fit perfectly into his plan.
He originally figured she'd either try to recruit him or intimidate him after grasping the intel.
Who would've thought... Amai turned out to be Mikiko. What a small world.
Fortunately, things turned out well.
...
In the blink of an eye, a month passed.
Aside from the occasional harassment from Amai, Reiji had been immersed in intense training.
Not just genuine training—he was putting on a show, making it look like he was working himself to the bone.
His reasons were threefold:
First, to prove his determination to the Third Raikage.
Second, so his future displays of power wouldn't seem too abrupt.
And third, simple physical tempering.
Reiji's motto: "If something doesn't have at least three or four benefits, I'm not doing it."
Just like with jobs—if I don't get triple the pay, I'm not doing it.
And now, the Chūnin Exams in Kumogakure were just days away.
Reiji also received notice that his assessment would begin in three days.
The moment he heard the news, he went to ask about the exam details.
The result was completely different from what he had expected.
No written test, no survival trial—just fights. Straight-up one-on-one combat. Nothing but fighting.
Reiji could only sigh and nod in resignation.
Yeah... sounds like something the Raikage would come up with.
Later, he found out that people with brains were treated as special talents in Kumogakure and usually got in through separate recruitment.
For everyone else, fists did the talking.
Still, plenty of strong types who believed in their skills chose to go through this brutal route anyway.
After all, in the Land of Lightning, power was everything—and the Raikage was the biggest fist of all.
As for those recruited for their brains? Even if they rose through the ranks, the best they could hope for was Raikage's advisor.
All in all, it was a kind of rough fairness.
The Chūnin Exams were divided into three parts: ninjutsu evaluation, nintaijutsu evaluation, and taijutsu evaluation.
After learning this, Reiji slipped off under cover of night and headed to Amai's house.
At the time, she was wrapped in a pure white towel, her golden curls still damp as she lazily dried them off. One shoulder peeking out, she looked completely at ease.
This past month had been peaceful for her. Reiji hadn't caused any trouble, and her life had returned to a calm routine—clocking in and out on time.
"Yo, anyone home?"
Reiji stood at the door, knocking politely.
Normally, he was very well-mannered.
So no, he wouldn't just teleport to the mark on her backside labeled "go wherever you want" and pop up behind her.
Inside, Amai set down her towel, tugged her bath towel into place, and stepped out of her room.
"Who is it?" she called out coldly.
"It's me, Raimei!" Reiji shouted.
Hearing his voice, Amai's wary expression instantly lit up with joy. She jogged through the living room and entrance and opened the door.
"Welcome home, Goshujin-sama," she said, bowing slightly—just enough to reveal a bottomless abyss squarely in Reiji's face.
Reiji rolled his eyes.
What the hell? I'm not even staring at the abyss, and it's staring back at me?
Still, he was here to ask for help, so it wasn't the time to act annoyed.
"Uh… I've got a favor to ask." He was about to speak, but Amai cut him off.
"Come in, Goshujin-sama~"
Reiji immediately took a step back, shaking his head.
Something's off with this woman. Ever since last time, she's been acting weird.
"Come iiiiin~" she cooed flirtatiously. Then a pale, lotus-like arm reached out and grabbed his collar.
But she couldn't pull him.
Reiji smirked.
What, trying to pull the old "Oops, I fell~ You're on top of me~ What's that in your pocket~ So hard~" routine?
Keep dreaming.
You're not afraid I'll crush you flat with these one-ton armguards?
"Ahem, cut the crap. Got any C-rank Lightning Release jutsu? Lend me one."
Looking at her flushed face, Reiji spoke coldly.
"No way! If you won't come in, I won't lend it to you!" Amai pouted, completely dropping the ice queen boss act.
Without hesitation, Reiji stepped in with his left foot and walked through the doorway, bumping her straight to the floor.
"Alright. Give me the jutsu."
Sitting on the floor, towel barely clinging on, Amai stared up at him in disbelief.
She felt completely drained.
This man was like an indestructible, cold-blooded weirdo!
With a sigh, she got up and asked, deadpan, "What kind of jutsu?"
"Lightning Release."
She headed into the living room, tone flat. "Are you Lightning-natured?"
As he shut the door and followed her in, Reiji nodded—but added silently:
I wasn't before. I am now.
When they reached the couch, Amai crossed her legs and looked at him. Her eyes suddenly lit up.
"I'll lend you a jutsu... but only if you kiss me."
Confirmed. This woman's definitely lusting after my body—trying to rope me in and turn me into her personal slave.
Fine. Reiji nodded without hesitation.
With a swift clap of his hands, he performed a technique he'd used thousands of times.
"Shadow Clone Technique."
Poof. A clone appeared beside him. With a serious face, Reiji pointed at Amai.
"Go kiss her."
The clone rolled his eyes and shook his head.
"Nope. I just brushed my teeth."
Reiji's face darkened.
What the—?
All I can say is… damn, I really am something.
As clone and original argued, Amai snapped. Her chest, wrapped in the towel, heaved violently—nearly bursting it open.
"Get out! I'd rather die than let you kiss me!"
Reiji silently dispelled the clone and looked at her, now shaking with rage.
He gritted his teeth.
For the sake of becoming a Chūnin! For the mission! Let's do this!
Hiruzen Sarutobi… ugh, I mean Danzō. Making me sacrifice my dignity—this debt, I'll remember!
Vow made, Reiji formed a seal, appeared behind Amai in a flash, and with eyes closed and a blissful grin—planted a kiss on her cheek.
Then whoosh, he vanished.
Next thing she knew, he was back on the sofa across from her.
"Alright, now hand over the jutsu."
Amai, face flushed, jumped up and yelled, "That didn't count!"
Reiji's expression went pitch black.
"It didn't count? You want me to make a thousand clones and smooch you into a pig-faced mess?!"
Amai instinctively shrank back, covering her hot cheeks with her hands. She mumbled softly,
"No, it doesn't count… You took advantage of me, and now you want my jutsu too? Isn't that just freeloading?
You… you have to agree to one more request~"
Reiji could only groan in frustration.
This woman... is an absolute nightmare!