Multi-Anime, I Stand on the Front Lines of Popularity Supremacy

But this Ryougi Shiki, who was as gentle as flowing water, felt acceptable to Sparkle.

However, if you were to say this was another personality of "The Root," Sparkle didn't think so.

Which personality was the other party?

Was she really the Ryougi Shiki from her memories?

This was complicated.

Sparkle immediately gave up thinking about it.

She was just here for training.

The six class sessions weren't much time. According to Ryougi Mana, the stage had paid, and the money the stage provided was naturally the popularity Sparkle had paid—that was her money!

Ryougi Mana had already closed the door by this time, leaving the two of them alone.

"You've trained very well," Ryougi Shiki examined Sparkle, seemingly with great interest. "You... are a swordsman? Hmm, no, are you a ninja?"

"How did you know?" Sparkle asked.

"You're like a princess, your every move is so proper. Honestly, it feels like a waste for me to teach you. But your body looks very weak, yet it's actually something like... hmm, weighted training gear? This Furisode design is quite interesting."

The slightly cheerful tone and analysis were somewhat similar to the Ryougi Shiki Sparkle knew.

But within this cheerful analysis, Sparkle noticed a sense of innate unity in the other party's posture, as if she were truly someone born noble.

In that instant, Sparkle understood.

She herself looked elegant, but that was all acting.

Every movement was very proper, but that was also acting.

However, the other party was not like that.

Aside from the initial greeting, the other party's demeanor couldn't be described as that of a "lady" who was extremely cautious, yet there was a very special feeling in her every action.

Even when Ryougi Shiki made boyish gestures, she couldn't hide that nurturing, motherly aura.

"Oh my, it seems you've understood," Ryougi Shiki said with a smile.

"I'm very sorry," Sparkle looked up. "Actually, my true identity is an actress, no, an idol. It's just that the content I perform is a bit special."

"Oh?" Ryougi Shiki was intrigued.

Sparkle smiled, "My performances are unedited reality shows."

"Ah. If that's the case, hmm, I'm feeling quite inspired today. Since I've already received payment, it wouldn't be right to just sit around." Ryougi Shiki stood up and then opened the door.

"Whoa!" Ryougi Mana, who had been eavesdropping outside, fell in.

She hadn't left and was right by the door.

"Mother, where are you two going?" Ryougi Mana smiled sheepishly and then asked curiously.

Ryougi Shiki glanced at Sparkle, "You don't mind, do you?"

"Of course not." How could Sparkle mind such a cute black-haired moe loli?

Ryougi Shiki looked at her daughter, "The dojo. Do you want to come?"

After saying that, Ryougi Shiki led Sparkle to the dojo. She had initially picked up a bamboo sword, but after thinking about it, she put it down and picked up a katana instead.

"Eh? Is Mother going to be Sparkle-sister's kendo teacher?!" Ryougi Mana was astonished.

"Just watching," Ryougi Shiki said. "It's not good to take payment and teach nothing."

Although the other party said that, Sparkle felt something was off.

The "etiquette" that Ryougi Shiki spoke of was actually contained within her every action.

Including the sight of her raising the katana.

"Come, let me see your sword," Ryougi Shiki said.

"Excuse me."

Sparkle extended her hand, and an ice sword appeared in it.

"Whoa~"

Sparring with Ryougi Shiki felt very good.

Sparkle's physical abilities were currently suppressed, preventing her from using her full strength, but it was a good match with Ryougi Shiki, who also wasn't using her Mystic Eyes of Death Perception.

Although it was supposed to be an etiquette lesson, the two of them ended up sparring with swords the entire time.

Ryougi Mana watched, feeling sleepy, and even fell asleep yawning.

"Hmm..." After a while, Ryougi Shiki suddenly stopped. "Perhaps you could try holding another sword."

"Niten Ichi-ryū?" Sparkle naturally thought of Miyamoto Musashi, who used two swords.

"It's different. Niten Ichi-ryū uses a long sword and a short sword. You might be able to try two katanas."

Sparkle recalled that Jingliu had also said before that she might be able to try dual-wielding, and now Ryougi Shiki was saying the same thing.

"Thank you very much."

"It's nothing, I didn't do anything... Oh, right. Since we're fated to meet, I'll give you a little gift."

Just then, Sparkle suddenly received a prompt from the stage.

["The Root Passing By" has decided to give you a reward]

[Your Performance Outfit - Sparkle Kimono has been upgraded]

[New entries added: Auto-Repair, Auto-Clean]

[New mode added: Battle Mode]

Although it's Ryougi Shiki, it's not exactly Ryougi Shiki, but in essence, it's still Ryougi Shiki. It sounds like a tongue twister, but that's truly how it is.

Furthermore, Gimestolanti's Love is a form-fitting leather outfit. Its function is that you won't die from injuries, but you will die if you take it off. That black belt is Kurokawa Karen, a black belt that obeys her every command. The price is an occasional urge to tighten, strangle, or torture someone. Then, Ueno Kuzukasa with the C3 Cube uses the two to perform a combo. The outfit guarantees survival, thereby immunizing against the belt's price.

Chapter Twenty-Six: Don't Blame Me for Causing Trouble Now

[Sparkle Kimono - Battle Mode: Increases Attention by 5% during combat, all attributes increased by 10%]

"Battle Mode, huh..."

Sparkle already had a ninja outfit for fighting.

But what actor would complain about having more performance outfits?

Despite the "upgrade," the quality remained unchanged. It was still a four-star item, not a five-star one.

After entering Battle Mode, Sparkle's body became incredibly agile, and her outfit also transformed. The original kimono became more form-fitting, the shoulders turned into an off-the-shoulder style, and the long skirt became a short skirt.

On the outfit, much of the unnecessary fabric had been cut away, replaced by several red cords as restraints.

.

A kimono is actually very inconvenient for movement, but she was completely unaffected now.

More importantly, Sparkle found that she had become stronger, literally faster and stronger.

But what did "The Root Passing By" mean?

"Thank you very much, Master," Sparkle expressed her gratitude to Ryougi Shiki.

"Well, I didn't do much. But you still have a few more lessons. When you come for class, you can come and play with Mana. She seems to like you quite a bit."

"Yes."

In this etiquette class, Sparkle didn't learn any etiquette.

Or rather, after realizing that her own stance was an act, and the other party's stance was integrated into daily life, Sparkle understood what she was lacking.

—She hadn't truly "mastered" her acting skills.

"Phew, I'm back."

Stepping out of Ryougi Shiki's house, Sparkle returned to the Naruto World. Her own house was in front of her.

"Next up is the promotion mission."

Sparkle left behind 100,000 Popularity Points, waiting for the subsequent promotion.

—Will this mission take place in the current world, or will I have to go to another world?

What kind of mission must be completed, or what goal must be achieved?

She had no clue.

But as an idol, one must naturally face all difficulties.

"Bring it on~"

[Promotion application submitted]

[Party B is planning the proposal]

[Proposal A: The Ninja's Destiny Stage, PASS]

[Proposal B: Otherworld Asura - Dimensional World Melee, PASS]

[Proposal C: Daily Life Short Story Caused by Long-Term Vegetarianism, PASS]

[Proposal D: Damned Girl, PASS]

[...]

[Proposal A has been re-evaluated]

[Final proposal confirmed]

[Test Code: Ninja Trial]

[Test Location: Local]

[Test Background: The Child of Destiny of the Ninja World is about to reach their first critical destiny point. In this crucial moment of destiny, showcase your brilliance! A qualified actor can influence the story's direction and make the camera focus on them.]

[Test Objective: In the upcoming "Land of Waves" destiny event, cause a destiny deviation of more than 10%. On top of that, gain the attention of at least 10,000 fans.]

[During the promotion test, you will receive some supporting role treatment. The Dimensional Popularity Stage will provide maximum assistance in altering destiny.]

"So after considering so many options, you still chose Plan A?"

Sparkle pondered the content of the promotion test.

To go from an Extra to a supporting character, even a minor supporting role, meant possessing a certain level of influence. Affecting the plot with one's own power was also an achievement.

However, the Dimensional Popularity Stage wasn't a task assigned to change the world, but rather to make idols shine brighter. Changing the world was simply because idols should possess such influence.

"And what about fans?"

[After becoming a supporting character, you will no longer be an unknown Extra. The audience will start to pay attention to you and become your fans. This is beneficial for acquiring Popularity Points and selling merchandise. At the same time, an idol's number of fans is also a reflection of their popularity and strength.]

"Ara-ara, this is quite interesting."

The changes Sparkle brought to the entire Naruto World weren't significant.

This didn't mean Sparkle didn't want to stir things up, but rather that as a minor supporting role, it was difficult for her to shake the grand historical currents.

Therefore, Sparkle's previous plans involved subtle nudges from the sidelines.

But since this stage granted her such significant authority... she wouldn't be blamed for causing trouble.

"The next major plot point is the Land of Waves."

"My strength... hmm, dealing with Haku is fine, but facing Zabuza will be a bit troublesome."

If she activated the Byakugan and went all out, it wasn't as if she couldn't fight.

But it wasn't enough.

"But what if I resonate with Master Jingliu..."

When she used Summoning Jutsu to summon Ice Crystal Jingliu, Sparkle had a feeling.

If she resonated after using Summoning Jutsu, Sparkle could merge Jingliu's power with her own.

This was what Jingliu had once called "becoming one."