To Pakura, there were two people she hated most in this world.
One was Rasa — her fellow shinobi from the Hidden Sand Village, who had betrayed her in secret and handed her over to the Hidden Mist to be killed.
The other was the man standing before her now.
Once, on the battlefield, he had wielded a single sword and single-handedly slaughtered nearly all of her subordinates.
And now, he had imprisoned her, humiliated her…
Even now, he wouldn't spare her body.
Pakura's voice trembled with bitterness and indignation as she spat,
"You're a true demon. How could a village like Konoha harbor someone like you? Cruel, bloodthirsty, ruthless—there isn't a soul you hold respect for."
"You call the Third Hokage 'The Monkey'? You've got no reverence for them at all."
"You're nothing like a Konoha shinobi."
Instead of being angered by her words, Shin wore a look of utter delight, as if savoring a fine wine.
"You're absolutely right... Go on, don't stop."
o(￣▽￣)o
[Ding! Hatred Value from Pakura +1000]
[Loading Martial Arts Divine Power System!]
[Sunflower Manual (Level 0): Pending Activation]
[Evil-Repelling Sword Style (Level 0): Pending Activation]
[Sword Drawing Technique (Level 8): 100,000 Hatred Value needed to level up]
[Rippling Subtle Steps (Level 5): 100,000 Hatred Value needed to level up]
[Six Meridians Divine Sword (Level 5): 100,000 Hatred Value needed to level up]
[Nine Swords of Dugu (Level 4): 10,000 Hatred Value needed to level up]
[Spiritual Void Sword Control Technique (Level 3): 10,000 Hatred Value needed to level up]
[Eight-Nine Arcane Art (Level 1): 1,000,000 Hatred Value needed to level up]
[Heaven and Earth Manifestation (Level 1): 1,000,000 Hatred Value needed to level up]
[Collect Hatred Value to level up Divine Techniques]
[Spend 1,000 Hatred Value to draw a new martial art; spend 10,000 Hatred Value to draw a new Divine Technique]
[You can also feed Divine Powers through killing. The stronger the opponent, the more EXP gained. (Note: This method generates Malignant Aura. Must be released in time, or it will affect mental state.)]
Receiving the 1000 Hatred Value from Pakura filled Shin with joy.
He had been squeezing value from her for quite a while now, milking her for at least several hundred thousand Hatred Value.
Pakura was truly amazing!
But as he progressed and his Divine Techniques reached higher levels, the Hatred Value required for upgrades also grew exponentially.
It was far more efficient to kill for it.
Too bad the war was over. No more large-scale slaughter. What a pity…
"Pakura, you're the best. I knew my love wasn't wasted on you."
Shin leaned down gently, climbing onto the bed.
"Y-You… what are you doing?!"
Panic swept across Pakura's face.
She scrambled backward, hands and feet flailing, her fair back pressing against the cold wall behind her.
o(＞﹏＜)o
"Hehehe… What do you think I'm doing?"
Shin grinned. "After all this time, you still haven't gotten used to it?"
"That can't be. If I recall correctly, weren't you the one who got a little… eager just now?"
Pakura bit her lip and flushed, her cheeks suddenly turning crimson.
"Be good now. I've got to meet sensei at the Hokage Office later. Don't make trouble."
Shin placed his hand lightly on Pakura's head.
With a helpless sob, she murmured:
"You promised to help me kill Rasa…"
Shin chuckled softly. "Of course. I'll keep my word. But for now, let's try something new…"
Pakura's face turned somber. She took a deep breath—
And willingly bent forward...
…
After his "detour" with Pakura, Shin left the Konoha prison and headed toward the Hokage Residence.
Located at the very heart of the Hidden Leaf Village, the Hokage Residence was its most iconic structure.
"Lord Shin…"
Along the way, every shinobi he passed—young or old—bowed respectfully.
Even some seasoned veterans gave him subtle, complicated looks.
Their gazes held admiration, fear, worship… and deep-seated hatred.
"That butcher Shin actually got out of prison?"
"Why didn't he defect with Orochimaru when his teacher fled?"
"He got comrades killed on the battlefield and still has the nerve to walk around alive. Why didn't he learn from Hatake Sakumo and just kill himself?"
"Well, he did help Konoha end the wars in the Land of Wind and the Land of Water."
"Rumor has it he killed a lot of people on the battlefield."
"I think Lord Shin is incredible. Not only did he bring an end to the war, he's also insanely handsome."
"Exactly! I remember he even taught me swordsmanship during the war."
"You greenhorns who've never seen real battle don't understand how powerful Lord Shin is."
…
Shin strolled with a faint smile on his lips, unfazed by the gossip around him.
In fact, he welcomed their hatred.
The more they hated him, the more Hatred Value he gained.
Soon, he arrived at the Hokage Residence and made his way straight to the top floor—the Hokage's Office.
Raising his hand, he knocked on the door.
Knock knock knock!
"Come in."
Hearing the voice from inside, he pushed the door open.
The room was modestly furnished.
A table for meetings, a few chairs.
On one wall hung portraits of the Hokage throughout Konoha's history.
A large window overlooked the plaza outside.
Sitting at the Hokage's desk, with his golden hair and gentle demeanor, was Minato Namikaze—looking for all the world like a docile little Chihuahua.
When he saw Shin enter, he greeted him with a calm, soft gaze.
Also present were two old men and an old woman—
The retired-but-never-relinquishing Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, and the two elders, Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado.
But what truly caught Shin's eye—
Was the beautiful, fair-skinned, full-bellied woman standing off to the side, glowing like a flower in bloom.
An expectant mother…
His eyes lit up instantly. He licked his lips without even thinking.
It was none other than Uzumaki Kushina.