Lack of education

Mabui closed the door after seeing off Enel's group and returned to A, who held the strange fruit in his hands while seemingly trying to pierce it with his gaze.

"Raikage-sama, do you have a candidate in mind for the fruit?" Mabui asked, curious to know what was going on in the Raikage's mind.

Contrary to the expected response, the Raikage turned to look at her.

"Mabui, aren't you interested?"

"I find it an unreasonable idea," the silver-haired kunoichi calmly shook her head. "I rarely go on missions or head to the battlefield because my focus is to support you here, Raikage-sama. So, I think it's more appropriate for another woman to have this opportunity."

"I guess you're right," A sighed.

Mabui was an excellent kunoichi and secretary, even knowing the Heavenly Transfer Technique, but the fruit's power would be best utilized in combat. If given to her, it would at most serve to save her from a sneak attack, and as a jonin, she wasn't careless enough to fall into such an ambush.

"It's a shame that B can't eat this fruit," the Raikage lamented as he placed the Bara Bara back in the box, not doubting the information Enel had provided. "A perfect jinchuriki, along with his eight-sword style and immunity to cuts, would give him more security and strength."

"Should I take a sample to the laboratory and try to replicate it like the SMILES?"

It's not like they had succeeded after all this time...

"Forget it, we only have one, and it's better to make it count," the Raikage dismissed the proposal and tried to think about who to invest this ability in. Moreover, if they already found it challenging to comprehend the SMILES, he had no doubt that Enel had taken more severe measures to protect this thing.

After considering many skilled kunoichis in the village, he ended up with three final candidates:

Killer B's apprentice, Karui.

Undeniably loyal to the village, close to its circle of influence, and a quick-reacting kenjutsu practitioner. It's just that her character still needed refinement, and she preferred using mid-range electric ninjutsu.

Kumogakure's best silent assassin, Batui.

The ability to separate and control limbs would take this already lethal kunoichi's art of eliminating targets to another level, using more cunning methods.

Last but not least, Atsui's sister, Samui.

Her character was the opposite of Karui's, and she knew how to control her emotions to think rationally. Her kenjutsu was significantly better due to her extensive experience using the tantō on missions, and this ability would make her unbeatable against other users in confrontations.

After discussing their ideas with Mabui and weighing the pros and cons in a lengthy conversation, the first to be ruled out of the selection was Batui.

According to Mabui, it made no sense for a stealthy assassin to use this type of ability that required intense close-quarters combat to maximize its potential. It was better suited for a kenjutsu-capable user.

This left them with only Karui and Samui to decide between.

At the end of the day, they decided to give the fruit to Samui for the simple reason that Karui had a decade less experience in comparison, and Samui's personality would allow her to flexibly use the ability, seizing any stealthy opportunities that arose.

It was already night when Samui was called to the Raikage's office and offered the fruit.

"Raikage-sama, with all due respect, I don't want to have animal traits for a minor increase in strength," Samui said determinedly, surprising those present.

Mabui sighed at the Raikage's lack of explanation, causing Samui to mistake this "superior" fruit for something like the SMILES. She had no choice but to step forward and explain the situation to clarify everything.

Samui listened attentively, and after deliberating for a few minutes, she considered that the ability was worth it and would fit well with her fighting style, especially because it wouldn't really change her and would only give her something akin to an unusual Kekkei Genkai. She would have to adjust her physical movements to effectively incorporate this ability, but that was an acceptable price.

She regretted it the moment she bit into it and accidentally swallowed a bit...

"I swear I didn't know it would taste so bad!" Samui's icy reproachful look sent shivers down the Raikage's spine. "They didn't tell me anything about it!"

"Eating something with a bad taste is not new for a ninja; soldier pills taste terrible to begin with, so maybe they just assumed it wouldn't bother us," Mabui deduced, trying to calm the situation.

Samui demonstrated her emotional control and quickly calmed down, taking the tantō from her waist and preparing to test her new ability.

"Don't overdo it and try something small to start," the Raikage ordered.

He had a team of ninja medics prepared in the next room in case of any accidents; it's always good to be cautious with these things.

Samui stopped aiming at her elbow and instead moved the tantō smoothly and decisively to cut her pinky finger.

The room's air tensed as they saw the finger fall to the floor, but when they realized there was no blood and Samui showed no signs of pain, everyone released a sigh they didn't know they were holding.

It was good that they hadn't been deceived.

Before the Raikage or Mabui could speak, Samui proceeded to cut her arm into several pieces quickly, trying to exert the newly obtained ability she knew how to execute almost instinctively. She made the pieces float in front of her without them falling to the ground.

Moreover, the pinky finger rose from the floor and joined the arm in pieces as they moved somewhat erratically.

"How does it feel, Samui?" Mabui asked, still concerned.

"It's a strange feeling," Samui furrowed her brows, trying to get used to the unfamiliar sensation. "It's as if I suddenly have another organ; it will take me some time to adjust."

Exercising patience, Samui took three minutes to reassemble her arm correctly and ensure there was no problem.

"Now, put away the weapon and try to exert the ability without it," the Raikage said. "According to Enel, you should be able to separate body parts at will without the need to be cut."

Samui obeyed the order and sheathed the tantō at her waist while trying to use the feeling from before when she assembled the arm in reverse. It took her a few long seconds, but she succeeded.

Under the astonished gaze of the Raikage and Mabui, Samui's head separated from her body and moved effortlessly around her body as if it were a moon orbiting the planet.

"My butt has gotten bigger again..." Samui murmured as she gained a new perspective of herself and could examine herself more carefully.

—Samui? —the Raikage looked in astonishment at the disconnected part of her neck.

—Everything is fine, Raikage-sama —Samui landed her head on the desk and reported seriously— I feel no discomfort, and I have complete control.

—This is insane... —Mabui was truly at a loss for words.

She could still somehow rationalize the SMILES as some kind of trigger causing a genetic mutation and granting animal traits.

But this...

—Mabui! —they heard from outside before Atsui entered the Raikage's office— I heard they saw my sister coming... huh?

His words froze when he saw his sister's head on the Raikage's desk, looking back at him and causing such a strong shock that he fainted.

—She didn't even ask for permission to enter —Samui shook her head at her brother's lack of manners.