Hydrangea, a Small-Fry Ninja, Confirming a Believer, Raising and Training

"In that case, I'll ask you to arrange food and lodging for you," Konan said, but the feeling was somewhat unfamiliar; she couldn't remember the last time she had said something like that.

It has been since Yahiko's death.

"No need, I have somewhere to stay." Naruto remembered Hydrangea's house, where he had hidden last time, so he could just go straight there.

"A place to stay?" Konan looked confused. "Where?"

"Hmm, I don't remember the way." Naruto scratched his head and smiled. "Oh, by the way, could I borrow someone from you guys?"

"Who?"

"Hydrangea," Naruto said, even though he had acted first and informed the person later, and he had already captured them.

But there's no need to be secretive now; it's better to just be open and honest. Even if Hydrangea is indeed exceptionally talented, Konan and Nagato wouldn't necessarily refuse her.

"Hydrangea?" Konan's expression was indeed a bit strange, proving that Konan knew about Hydrangea. "She's missing. She was a talented Genin."

"She's not missing, I took her with me."

Konan: "."

With just a few words, that bitch silenced her again. You've already taken it all, so why the "borrowing"? Borrow my foot, Naruto Uzumaki, you deserve to die!

Before leaving, Naruto took one of Nagato's Chakra iron rods and one of Konan's indestructible playing cards.

Nagato: "."

Konan: "."

This person is extremely complex; he has a habit of never leaving empty-handed, yet he's also incredibly generous with his Chakra. He's shameless and has a sleazy personality.

Yet, somehow he gives off a reliable vibe, surpassing Jiraiya in some ways. That's it, he's truly graduated.

"This person is the complete opposite of Yahiko," Konan suddenly said.

Nagato didn't know what to say, so he could only nod.

Hydrangea was somewhat dazed, looking around, hardly believing her eyes. After serving more than a year in prison, she had already given up hope.

One second she was reading a book and chatting with her cellmates Yugito Nii and Nii, in the Sealing Space prison, and the next second she was standing on the land of the Land of Rain.

Before I could even feel excited, joyful, or kiss the earth.

She looked up and saw the person she least wanted to see: a head of blond hair, a slightly indifferent yet playful smile, staring at her unhurriedly.

The two stood in an open space in an abandoned building, a light drizzle falling outside. The streets were wet, and the air felt stifling.

"What happened to you?" Hydrangea been locked up for a year, and her spirit had long been worn away.

"What about me?" Naruto said. "Where do you live? I've forgotten how to get there. Lead the way."

Hydrangea was speechless. This person was really something. He not only captured her, but now he was planning to take over her home. Wasn't this bullying an honest person?

"Oh, by the way, don't even think about running away." He suddenly added, "I have a good relationship with your angel, you can go and ask your angel."

"You're now borrowed by me, you know what that means, right? You're now completely employed by me, your life and your person."

"... Hire... hire?" Hydrangea glanced at him timidly. "Will I get paid?"

"What are you thinking about? Of course not." Naruto glanced at her. "Hiring is just a euphemism, a nicer way of putting it. Don't take it too seriously."

Hydrangea: "."

Isn't this blatant slavery? It's outrageous!

However, Naruto showed absolutely no remorse, leisurely following Hydrangea back to her house. He was plotting how to exploit his employees and, incidentally, recruit the Yugito Nii as second-generation employees.

However, as Yugito Nii Kumogakure Jonin the Two-Tails Jinchuriki, Yugito and Yugito have significantly stronger willpower than Hydrangea, a lowly Genin Amegakure.

We must proceed slowly and steadily, and not rush things.

[Ding! Questline III triggered! Follower of the Evil God!]

[Dear world traveler Zhang Ming, the Evil God has extended an invitation to you. Gather ten believers, and the reward will be: Hashirama Cell Activation Technique (fully revitalizes the body, returning you to age eighteen)]

"Once? Is the Evil God that lame?" Naruto muttered as he walked down the street.

"What?" Hydrangea turned around in confusion upon hearing the voice.

"It's nothing, I wasn't talking to you." Naruto waved his hand, somewhat impatiently, and said, "Keep leading the way."

"Oh, oh." The Hydrangea turned back again.

Only Naruto could see the multiple panels that popped up in front of him, which listed three mission lines.

The first one is now grayed out. [Quest Line I: Due to Hinata's favorability and Nine-Tails' Recognition, the host released Nine-Tails. Error occurred, quest line lost, permanently sealed.]

The second quest line currently only shows a small green progress bar. [Quest Line II: Land of Water Arc, Ninja Blade Collection Quest Line is now open! Achievement complete: Broken Sword. Kubikiribōchō. Reward: Izanagi (one-time use item), awarded upon completion of all achievements.]

The third one is the newly activated, weak questline: [Questline III: Followers of the Evil God].

After a moment's thought, Naruto closed the first two panels, leaving the third one open. He scrolled down until he discovered the progress bar at the bottom.

The gray progress bar, like a thirsty woman, was mocking his incompetence. The Evil God's stingy reward filled him with extreme dissatisfaction, and he vowed to squeeze the Evil God dry in the future.

Watching the Hydrangea swaying as it walked ahead, Naruto suddenly had an idea. A follower? Wasn't there a perfectly natural, wild follower right in front of him?

Hydrangea was leading the way, holding an umbrella, her mind racing with all sorts of thoughts, which ultimately returned to a state of complete confusion. She couldn't understand what had happened during that disappearance.

How come that person is so familiar with the angel? Not only was he kidnapped, but now he can't do anything about it. He can't even morally condemn him; he's been sold out?

"Hey!" Naruto called out to her, "Turn around, I need to ask you something."

"What?" Hydrangea turned around, looking at Naruto with a blank expression, her eyelids suddenly twitching for no reason. "W-what's wrong?"

"Do you have a faith?" he asked.

"Do I have it or not?" She looked at Naruto, unsure of what to do.

I thought to myself, "Isn't this the one who decides? Even if it exists, what if it doesn't suit your taste? Wouldn't you be going to jail again? Seriously, there's no human rights here! It's outrageous!"

"I think you can," Naruto said calmly, arms crossed.

"I... I have a belief?" Hydrangea tensed up, clenching her fists, her gaze darting around, and stammered, "What is my belief?"

"Huh? Have you forgotten? You told me that yourself." He smiled gently, like a wolf in sheep's clothing, as if to say.

You really need to remember, otherwise...

"Oh! Really? Yes! I said it myself, but I don't think I remember very well." Her palms were sweaty, and the thought of going to jail filled her with despair.

She was only eighteen, and she was certain that the flow of time inside was completely different from that outside. If she went back to that place, even if she came out a year later, her heart would have grown old.

"It's alright. I remember you seem to worship Evil God," Naruto said to her with a smile. "The Evil God of the Land of Hot Water grants his followers the power of immortality."

"Yes! That's it! I believe in Evil God." Hydrangea swallowed and said without hesitation.

What is Evil God? Can you eat it? Whatever, who cares? It's better than going to jail! Seeing Naruto's smile widen, Hydrangea gestured for her to continue leading the way.

She breathed a sigh of relief, having escaped a close call. Whatever happened, at least she wouldn't go to jail again. It was just a casual remark about her beliefs; it wouldn't really affect her.

Hydrangea

[Amegakure - Genin - Female - 18 years old]

[Evil God follower - Playable. (Options hidden)]

[Talents: Spatial Summoning, Summoning Technique]

The left side of the panel features a full-body 3D image of Hydrangea, including various body data indicators. She has short, curly purple hair and wears a gray martial arts suit.

Whether it's strength, reaction speed, or Genjutsu techniques and Taijutsu, they are all extremely weak. Ignoring talent, they are nothing more than a lowly soldier.

At the very bottom of the panel is a review. "A useless summoner."

Naruto: "."

This is something you should keep to yourself; the system doesn't need to explicitly mention it. But what's with this "hide" option? He clicked on it curiously, and it actually responded.

The panel expands, revealing the following operation options: [Single-player training, feeding, costume changing, combat training, and team battle training.] and [Sealing Space training mode selection: Evil God Altar (immortal) and Death God's Underworld (time adjustment).]

"A nurturing system?" Naruto muttered to himself as he walked, holding up his umbrella. "His strength pierced through the floor of the followers' camp, so he has a lot of room to grow?"

Naruto closed the hidden options panel and returned to the questline panel. Seeing that one-tenth of the quest progress bar was now green, he raised an eyebrow.

He remembered that there was another person in the Sealing Space. If he added the Yugito Nii as well, wouldn't the mission progress be one-fifth complete?

Suppressing his slight excitement, Naruto followed Hydrangea home first. After changing his shoes in the entryway, he looked around and found everything familiar.

Still preoccupied with the mission's progress, he first lay down on the gray sofa. Just as he was about to sink his consciousness into the Sealing Space, he suddenly saw the Hydrangea standing tremblingly in the center of the living room.

He frowned slightly, made up a random excuse to send her away, and waved impatiently.

"Go take a shower, make sure you're clean, and don't come out for at least half an hour."

"Huh?" Hydrangea exerted force with her fingers, and her nails dug deeply into her palm.

"What? Hurry up and go." Naruto urged.

"Oh." Hydrangea thought for a moment, realizing that going to jail would be more painful, so she gritted her teeth, found some clothes, and went into the bathroom.

A dozen minutes later, in the living room.

He suddenly opened his eyes, a look of astonishment in them.

"It actually failed?"

Naruto frowned and quickly brought up the panel to check.

The Yugito Nii resolve, believed the Evil God follower had failed.

This is the chapter I owed from the day before yesterday. I have two more chapters to go today. I'm just asking for your monthly votes.