Chapter 191

[Check Out My Patreon For +20 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!! For $5][www.p@treon.com/zaelum] 

[Thank You For Your Support!]

====

[New Fanfics For The Week Poll!!] [THE POLL IS UP!! IT'S FREE!]

[I've Already Confronted the Five Kage, and the System Just Arrived!] 

[Savior in the DC Universe] 

[Marvel: I Started by Containing SCPs] 

====

On the last day of the month, Kyomu took Yugito out of the village under the cover of night.

Planning to use the Reaper Death Seal to summon the Reaper and kill him, Kyomu had 15 gold coins as a fallback if the Sage of Six Paths made a move. Refreshing the passive skill a bit earlier than scheduled was not a big issue.

However, Yugito had other thoughts.

What was Kyomu planning so late at night? But before she could think further, Kyomu stopped.

"Here will do."

"Yugito, I will use the Reaper Death Seal. When you see the Reaper, do not be afraid."

She nodded timidly. "I fear no one but you."

Kyomu felt a bit awkward seeing her demeanor and words. He had been harsh with her in the past. But now that she was on his side, he wouldn't treat her that way anymore.

He patted her head before forming hand seals.

Having recently mastered the Reaper Death Seal, Kyomu couldn't yet use it without seals.

Chakra flowed through his body as he completed the seals. The Reaper Death Seal activated.

In the next moment, the Reaper from the Pure Land responded to the summons, appearing behind Kyomu without delay.

With a menacing appearance and expression, the Reaper, biting a knife and holding prayer beads, looked down at Kyomu and smiled wickedly.

Previously, due to the Reaper Death Seal, he had only mildly punished Kyomu. But now, this person who had repeatedly taunted him summoned him again. What for?

After a brief thought, the Reaper's grin widened.

No matter Kyomu's intention, once the Reaper Death Seal was used, he could devour Kyomu's soul. Unless someone used his knife to cut open his belly, there was no way to resurrect him.

A string of cold laughter echoed as the Reaper removed the knife from his mouth and licked the blade, thrusting it toward Kyomu's back.

This time, he would take Kyomu's soul completely, leaving no chance for revival.

Simultaneously, Kyomu moved, drawing Yoei, which gleamed brightly in the night.

The Reaper looked disdainful. Though Yoei was a divine weapon, as the Reaper of the shinobi world, he could not be harmed by physical attacks.

Unfazed, he continued to bring the knife down toward Kyomu's soul, but then he stopped, shocked.

What was happening?

Kyomu turned his head, looking into the Reaper's eyes with disdain and mockery.

"Are you so arrogant?" Kyomu, holding back his anger for months, finally had an outlet. "Didn't you cut away all my Yin chakra?

You were quite impressive then.

Oh, you seemed confident just now too, but what about now? Can you still be that arrogant?"

The Reaper opened his mouth, looking at the blade lodged in his stomach. He touched his body, which showed no visible damage, but felt his power and soul force rapidly draining.

"You... dared to slay a god?!"

"So, you can speak," Kyomu sneered, pulling Yoei out. The mark only he could see shattered.

"But are you really a god?" Kyomu turned. "Besides guiding souls to the Pure Land, what else can you do?

Can you send souls into reincarnation, or punish evil souls, or prevent souls from returning to the world?

You can't do any of that, yet you dare call yourself a god. Ridiculous!"

In the time it took for this taunt, the Reaper's shadow had almost completely faded, leaving him speechless.

"Take that!" Kyomu grabbed the knife and prayer beads from the Reaper.

In the next moment, the Reaper's shadow shattered and vanished.

As the Reaper dissipated, a cold wind blew, chilling Kyomu to the bone. But he soon smiled.

The Yin chakra the Reaper had taken was back, along with a bonus—Hiruzen Sarutobi's soul.

In a state of confusion and basic instinct, Sarutobi's soul drifted aimlessly, seeking the Pure Land.

Kyomu noticed a bright mark on Sarutobi's soul and, with a grin, swung Yoei again, shattering the mark.

With a burst, Sarutobi's soul disintegrated into nothingness.

"Hah, old bastard!" Kyomu laughed, sheathing Yoei. "Didn't expect a second encounter, nor that I could use you like this."

Feeling satisfied, Kyomu counted the coins from the Reaper and Sarutobi's soul.

Not bad, 77 coins!

Adding his remaining 15 coins, Kyomu now had 92 coins, enough to last a year.

"Haha, excellent!" Kyomu laughed heartily, while Yugito remained puzzled.

"Kyomu, that shadow was trying to attack us, right?" she pointed to where the Reaper had been. "But why..."

"Of course, I killed it."

"But I saw your sword didn't harm him."

"That's true, but I still killed him." Kyomu put an arm around her shoulders. "Don't overthink it. I can turn the impossible into the possible. It's basic for me."

Yugito nodded, lowering her head.

Kyomu then released her, turning on guard.

With the Reaper's death due to the 'Second Assured Kill' buff, the Sage of Six Paths might sense something.

But after a while, nothing happened. Kyomu relaxed.

"Whatever the reason for your inaction, I'm out of here."

With that, Kyomu left with Yugito.

Shortly after they departed, a faint shadow of Ōtsutsuki Hagoromo appeared at their previous location.

"Unexpected," he murmured. "Kyomu, I'll keep an eye on you. Don't endanger the shinobi world, or..."

He glanced at the moon, then toward Dragon's Hidden Village.

Through the barriers, Hagoromo saw a unique chakra, that of his eldest son, Indra.

"Hope you find something different in this life."

With that, Hagoromo vanished, returning to the Pure Land to continue monitoring the shinobi world.

Unless a major threat arose, he wouldn't act. Revealing himself could draw other Ōtsutsuki from beyond the stars, which would be disastrous before Ashura and Indra reached Six Paths power.

Despite his anger, Hagoromo had to endure.

Kyomu had unwittingly chosen the right moment.

The next day.

Kyomu spent ten coins to refresh the [Homeland Guardian] passive skill.

The nationwide infrastructure projects continued at full speed, and he couldn't afford to lose momentum.

With ample coins, Kyomu could indulge for a while. His personal strength would naturally grow under the passive skill's effects.

"Fugaku, you seem happy today," Kyomu noted, seeing Fugaku's smile.

"Of course," Fugaku admitted. "I'm going to be a father again!"

Kyomu processed the news. "You mean..."

"Yes, just as you think." Fugaku nodded. "Next year, my second son will be born."

Sasuke, set to arrive next year. Does that mean Naruto's birth is also near?

"Have you chosen a name?" Kyomu asked.

"I just found out last night. Haven't thought about it," Fugaku replied. "Why, Ryukage-sama, do you want to name my son?"

"I wouldn't dare. I'm too young to name others' children." Kyomu shook his head, turning to business. "Fugaku, we need to focus on education."

Fugaku became serious. "Rest assured, Ryukage-sama. Progress is swift."

"Tell me."

"Since the school opened, we've enrolled 1,300 qualified children.

Based on reports and my statistics, about 700 show promise.

This is surprising. In Konoha, the success rate was much lower.

The Land of Dragons is indeed a good place, previously hampered by a lack of resources."

Kyomu felt both relieved and proud.

The number of talented children in the Land of Dragons was high, all thanks to his efforts.

A virtuous cycle: the stronger the village and country, the stronger he became, benefiting everyone.

"Thank you, Minister Fugaku," Kyomu nodded. "With so many promising students, we must nurture them well."

"Rest assured. Our clan's library is vast. Ninja education will be top-notch."

"Also, strengthen the literary and scientific curriculum," Kyomu reminded. "We need well-rounded individuals who can lead in peace and fight in war."

"I'll recruit talent from other nations," Fugaku agreed, though uncertain. "But many children dislike studying these subjects."

"That's normal," Kyomu said, recalling his own childhood disdain for homework.

"We can adjust our approach," he suggested. "In the nine-year compulsory education, prioritize literature and science for the first six years. Ninja training comes after meeting academic standards."

"But won't that neglect some ninja talent?"

"Exceptional talents can receive special admissions," Kyomu smiled. "Those who want to become ninjas will push themselves to study. You can manage the balance, Minister Fugaku."

"Ryukage-sama always has ideas," Fugaku remarked. "Even for children..."

"Go back to work. I have no time for idle chat."

Kyomu gestured to the stacks of documents on his desk, looking troubled.

"So much work. When will I finish?"

"Yugito," Kyomu called after Fugaku left. "Come, I'll teach you how to handle these documents."

"I-I can't!"

"I say you can." Kyomu pulled her over. "If you can't, I'll deal with you."

She flinched but saw a glint in her eye. Her face reddened.

Kyomu didn't notice. He had finally found a free and obedient worker and intended to train her well.

Speaking of workers, Kyomu had two others in mind.

Shisui and Itachi had innate work ethics. Properly trained, they would work tirelessly.

"It's time to develop them."

Kyomu had a plan.

(End of Chapter)