Burning Hand, Hot Palm

"Fox, crow, Godzilla."

Writing these options down on paper, Akihi Yu stroked his chin.

The crow is the simplest; there are plenty of crows in Tokyo, and he could snatch one up at any time to serve as a summoning animal.

Akihi Yu prepared to scout for a "fated bird" and imbue it with mana to act as his summon, though most of the time, he would simply use a shadow clone crow to go out.

A fox is also a must-have, after all, the fox is the divine messenger of the Inari god Miketsu: because foxes prey on creatures harmful to agricultural production—mice. In front of other shrines, one finds statues of guardian dogs; but at the shrines of the Inari god, stone foxes are placed at the entrance.

However, to realize the concept of a "divine messenger" in Akihi Yu's mind, he still needed to develop a new ability.

That is: Wood Release!

As everyone knows, Wood Release and Senju Hashirama are two different concepts.

What is strong is never Wood Release, but Senju Hashirama himself: counter-examples include the frequently humiliated Yamato, and the friend of the Third Hokage's grandson Konohamaru, Kazamatsuri Moegi. She also possesses the Wood Release kekkei genkai, yet she can only use it for some grass and wood camouflage; the level of disappointment is off the charts!

It would be more accurate to call it "Grass Release" than Wood Release.

"Both Earth and Water have been raised to C-rank; theoretically, I can already attempt to fuse them into 'Wood Release'."

A so-called kekkei genkai is the product of two types of mana fused together; for instance, Earth + Water fuses into Wood Release, Water + Fire fuses into Boil Release, Water + Wind fuses into Ice Release, Fire + Wind fuses into Scorch Release, and so on.

If it were a ninja from the World of Fire, one would have to be at the elite jonin level to even qualify to attempt fusing a kekkei genkai.

For example, Kakashi, after losing Obito's Sharingan, later developed his own "Purple Electricity," which would be a new "kekkei genkai" if passed down to his descendants.

Akihi Yu is equivalent to an Otsutsuki, so naturally, he does not need such harsh conditions: he only needs two "chunin" level elemental techniques to attempt a fusion into a kekkei genkai. Of course, the power of the resulting kekkei genkai would only be at a "normal" level; naturally, it would be stronger than ordinary five-element techniques, but only to a limited extent.

Strength is not the issue; in fact, no matter what the technique is, as long as the mana is sufficient, one can overcome any obstacle with sheer force.

The ability to make withered wood bloom in spring is what truly fits the title of a god of "Abundance."

As for Godzilla.

Tapping the pen in his hand against the notebook in front of him, Akihi Yu couldn't help but shake his head.

Unless a summoning animal of that massive size could withstand a nuclear bomb, it would end up in a laboratory within minutes of appearing in this technological world. And to withstand a nuclear bomb, it would at least need to be at the level of a Tailed Beast.

That is too far off.

"Yu-kun, what are you thinking about?"

Class representative Ai Nao's voice came from behind. Akihi Yu turned around while his palm brushed over the notebook.

"Just zoning out. Is something the matter?"

By the time he turned around, the notebook was already clean and blank.

"Amame Ei. She transferred."

As the class representative, Ai Nao was also a member of the student council, so she could easily learn the truth about Amame Ei's transfer from other members.

"Hmm."

"Is that all? Just 'hmm'? Aren't you curious, Yu-kun?"

"Why would I be curious? Amame Ei's identity as a 'young lady' has been exposed; she certainly isn't suited to stay at this school."

The two had once witnessed Amame Ei, dressed in fine attire, surrounded by a group of important figures.

Therefore, Akihi Yu's explanation was very reasonable, even though changing schools was not Amame Ei's own intention.

The current Amame Ei is the "shrine maiden" of the Inari god, possessing healing abilities and followed by the "Earthquake Catfish."

If she were to remain in this public school—should some blind thugs show up, it wouldn't be Amame Ei's safety he would worry about, but rather the fear that the "Earthquake Catfish" would fly into a rage and kill someone!

Killing people aside, If the commotion were to become too large, it would be very troublesome for the government to cover up the traces.

"Sora sent me a text; Amame Ei transferred to their school and is in the same class as Nagisa."

"I see."

Although class representative Ai Nao still had doubts about this matter, she was smart enough not to keep asking.

"After what happened yesterday, won't Imperial Sakura School be affected?"

During the lunch break, the class representative simply chatted with Akihi Yu.

"Of course not."

"The current Imperial Sakura School is probably safer than the Prime Minister's Official Residence."

Imperial Sakura School

"Whose people are those guys in black suits?"

During the break between classes, some female students couldn't help but fix their gazes on the men in black suits standing in the corners of the school, hands behind their backs, wearing sunglasses and standing motionless like statues.

"You don't know?"

This question immediately caused an expression of "surprise" to appear on the faces of the other students, who then left with a light chuckle.

Only the bewildered questioner was left behind.

It was as if she were "out of the loop."

Imperial Sakura School was indeed a private elite academy, but that did not mean everyone there was filthy rich; there were also a fair number of well-behaved girls from middle-class families.

Take Akiyu Sora, for instance. Both parents of the Akihi House who had died in the car accident were doctors, making it a household with a decent income, yet it was only enough to afford private schooling for Akiyu Sora. As for Akihi Yu, he attended an inexpensive public school.

Therefore, not all the female students knew the origins of those "men in black suits."

In fact, even the girls from wealthy families only knew that these men were the bodyguards of the "Second Young Lady of the Nagisa Clan."

At the same time, their parents had all warned them: never provoke that "Second Young Lady of the Nagisa Clan," or face strict family discipline! If they could befriend her, however, they would be handsomely rewarded.

And so—

"Amame-san,"

"We've organized a welcome party for you."

"We're all going to go singing, shopping, and things like that~~"

"Those shops are all owned by my family, so there won't be any outsiders around."

A group of young heiresses surrounded Amame Ei, offering invitations one after another: each wore a perfect smile, their tones soft, enthusiastic, and impeccably polite.

However—

So fake!

Amame Ei could instinctively feel that they didn't truly want to befriend her.

Half were carrying out a task, and the other half were masking their perfunctoriness: that was right, quite a few of the girls were extending their invitations with the practiced air of a "craftsman" performing a routine.

"Thank you all for your kindness,"

"But our schedule is already set, my apologies."

Nagisa Kazuha, also a young lady of status, kept helping her sister handle these invitations, appearing completely at ease.

"Wuu wuu wuu~~~"

"Little Kazuha is the best,"

As the crowd dispersed, Amame Ei, who felt completely drained, hugged her younger sister and complained.

"Are all young ladies this exhausted?"

"Are they?"

Nagisa Kazuha thought about it carefully. Knowing how to socialize had become so ingrained in her life that she didn't feel tired at all, but:

"If you don't like it, you don't have to come to school, you know."

"No way,"

Hearing this, Amame Ei shook her head like a rattle.

"Your house—our house—is full of old men I don't know; it's even more uncomfortable there."

"How about this... Little Kazuha, shall we go to the shrine?"

Only the shrine was a sanctuary of peace for Amame Ei.

"Let's wait until school is out."

Just then, a blonde-haired, blue-eyed woman walked into the classroom.

Although she was only wearing a "low-key" black women's suit, the efficiency characteristic of a soldier could not be hidden in her every gesture.

Or rather, she had no intention of hiding it at all: as a Lieutenant Colonel from America, she had the capital to disregard everything.

Of course, achieving all of this was inseparable from the support of her father, a Major General.

"Amame-sama, may I ask about your divine power..."

Yet even she had to bow respectfully when facing the young girl before her.

"No problem, let's go."

Amame Ei stood up, and just as she took a few steps, a black shadow darted out from her desk.

Plop.

The shadow flew onto the girl's head, Curling into a ball, much like a kitten.

However, this was a black catfish, and it had a miniature torii gate stuck to its back, a sight that made anyone who knew its identity afraid to look directly at it.

Earthquake Catfish.

With the power of this transcendent creature, let alone within ten paces, even within a hundred paces, it was a force capable of rivaling an entire nation!

It was, quite literally, a walking disaster.

"Kazuha, I'll be back soon."

"Stay safe."

Led by the female lieutenant colonel, the two boarded a pitch-black sedan and drove out of the school in a low-profile manner.

Todai Hospital, affiliated with the University of Tokyo Medical School.

As the name suggests, this place belongs to the Todai sphere of influence; while one wouldn't dare call its facilities the absolute best in the world, the gap is certainly not significant.

Especially within the private, restricted areas of the hospital grounds that are not open to the public, services are provided exclusively for the powerful and wealthy, with the exorbitant cost of their various advanced equipment being nothing short of staggering.

Yet today, a group of experts—even Professor Osumi and Professor Honjo, who usually hide in the underground base in Setagaya Ward burying their heads in research on Shiba Inus—have all taken the time to come here, for they are about to witness a medical miracle that does not belong to the realm of science.

"Treatment finished. You may examine him."

The emerald light on her palm vanished. Like a 'traditional con artist,' Amame Ei simply held her hand over the patient for a dozen seconds before declaring the treatment over. She stepped back and picked up 'Little Black' from her head to play with it in her arms.

A large group of experts immediately rushed into the ward, and after a thorough examination from head to toe, they all wore expressions of disbelief.

"The cancerous lesions have actually receded!"

"The healthy tissue hasn't suffered any damage at all. This is unscientific!"

"How was this done?"

Never mind the other experts; even Professor Honjo, who has won a Nobel Prize in the field of cancer research, wore a dazed expression.

"With a few more sessions, it might actually be possible to cure him completely."

"Is this the effect of... spiritual power?"

Cancer is the greatest problem facing modern human health.

As for ancient times, cancer was not an issue, because ordinary people simply didn't live long enough for cancer to develop!

Even for the wealthy and powerful, it was rare to live long enough for cancer to manifest. However, as human life expectancy has increased in the modern era, the probability of cancer occurring has naturally risen.

If caught early, one could still save their life through chemotherapy or surgery; but for mid-to-late-stage cancer, the advice given by professionals is to focus on recuperating—keep a calm mindset, and perhaps you might live a few more days.

It is not as if there haven't been billionaires who spent billions to develop targeted drugs, but usually, the person passes away before the drug is even created.

Yet, the young girl standing before them, dressed in a high school uniform, has overturned the worldview of every expert present in an inconceivable way.

"OMG! OMG! OMG!"

Upon learning the results of the examination, the elderly white man who received the treatment exclaimed repeatedly, dancing with excitement like a child in his seventies.

"Mr. Gore, congratulations."

The blue-eyed, blonde female lieutenant colonel offered her heartfelt congratulations.

This elderly congressman and her family were old friends; if one were to trace their lineages back, they could even be traced to the Mayflower. He is a true 'blue-blood aristocrat' and an evergreen figure in both military and political circles.

"Hahaha, call me Uncle, little Tina."

The elderly white man was in a fantastic mood. He pressed his hand against his liver area and turned to ask the experts he had brought with him.

"Can this cure me?"

"Mr. Gore, there is no such thing as a hundred percent certainty in medicine."

After reviewing the test reports, the American experts, though still struggling to fathom the 'miracle' before them, still made a rational judgment.

"We congratulate you first. With a few more sessions of this treatment, there is a very high probability that your cancer will be completely cured."

The facts were right before their eyes. Unless the entire nation of Japan, from its personnel to its instruments, was faking it, then:

The congressman's cancer was on the verge of being cured!

"And, regarding your diet..."

"OK! OK!"

In high spirits, the elderly white man nodded repeatedly. The older one gets, the more one fears death; he had long since stopped playing as wildly as he did in his youth, all for the sake of greedily catching one more glimpse of this world.

"This scene... makes me feel as if my life's research has become meaningless."

With his silver hair neatly combed back and a bitter smile on his face, Professor Honjo couldn't help but shake his head.

"No,"

Professor Osumi, surrounded by a full head of white hair and a beard, spoke up.

"This is a true miracle, and it is destined to only favor a small number of important figures."

"Our research is what can benefit the masses."

"Isn't that right?"

Professor Honjo did not answer his old friend's words. Was he supposed to say—

That he only conducted research for the sake of fame and money?

Seeing that the treatment was a success, Amame Ei hugged 'Little Black' and turned to leave; she still had classes to attend.

The experts in the room wished they could tie her down to study how she performed such unscientific treatment, but that was merely a thought:

Given the abilities Amame Ei had displayed, if anyone dared to touch a single hair on her head, Japan and America would make them understand what the iron fist of a capitalist nation truly meant!

Such a precious transcendent healer is the supreme treasure of both nations!