For a while, Feng Yao enjoyed a rather comfortable life in Shikkotsu Forest. Every day, he complained about the system and continued familiarizing himself with Sage Mode.
He also had time to listen to Katsuyu Sage share her insights on the Eastern Medical Canon. He had even formed a friendship with Katsuyu Sage. At first, Katsuyu had wanted to make a blood pact with Feng Yao.
But Feng Yao had politely declined. With a troublesome system like his, even if he made a contract, he still couldn't use the Summoning Technique for now.
"Host, I think I just heard you insulting the system."
"Ahem. Of course not. I was praising you."
The system fell silent for a moment, and Feng Yao suddenly had a bad feeling.
"Congratulations, Host, you have triggered a mission: Take revenge on Konoha. Time limit: six months. Mission requirements: As a Konoha rogue ninja, you must retaliate against Konoha within the allotted time. Rewards will be based on the extent of the damage inflicted on Konoha. Motto: Never leave a grudge unpaid. Go become an avenger, young man."
"Are you crazy? Abuse your power to settle a personal grudge? This mission looks like you just came up with it, and that motto is obviously aimed at me. And attack Konoha? Do you think I'm Pain? I'm not dealing with this."
This time, Feng Yao stood his ground, determined to fight the rotten system to the bitter end. He was at least an Immortal now. A man of honor shouldn't have to live under someone else's thumb forever.
"Congratulations, Host, you have triggered another mission: Build a faction. Mission requirements: A powerful transmigrator needs more than personal strength; he also needs subordinates of his own. Gather three experts at or above Jonin level to serve you. Time limit: six months. Mission reward: Youth Preservation Pill. Motto: Begin your own legend in this powerful world, young man."
"...Big bro, I'm sorry, all right?"
"Please complete the mission as soon as possible, or you will be erased."
The system's voice returned to its usual merciless tone. Feng Yao felt like he was choking on bitterness, unable to complain. If he kept provoking it, the system would probably throw another mission at him. He was supposed to gather Jonin-level ninja—was he meant to poach them from the major ninja villages?
"Hey, system, I can understand this mission, but the reward is way too cheap! I have to recruit three Jonin, and all you give me is some lousy Youth Preservation Pill?"
"The host will eventually lead a faction. If you're too ugly, others will laugh at you. The Youth Preservation Pill is essential."
"I feel like you're insulting me, but I have no proof..."
As the two of them bickered, Katsuyu Sage came to bring him a meal. Looking at Katsuyu Sage, Feng Yao suddenly had a bold idea. He walked over and picked up the small Katsuyu Sage.
"Lady Katsuyu, I'd like to ask you a favor."
"What is it? Did you hurt yourself practicing Senjutsu again?"
"Ahem, let's leave that aside for now. I want to build a faction of my own, and I'd like to invite you to be the first to join."
Feng Yao spoke earnestly. Katsuyu Sage's strength was definitely beyond that of a Jonin. She had lived for over a thousand years and possessed not only great power but also a wealth of experience.
"Oh, join your faction? But couldn't you just make a blood pact with me? Then I could help whenever you needed me."
"Uh, it's a little complicated. I can't make a contract, and I only want you to lend your name to my faction. You won't have to do anything."
"I see. You're certainly the strangest ninja I've ever met. If that's all, then I agree."
Yes! His first Jonin-level member was secured. It seemed this wouldn't be too difficult after all. He still had to think carefully about where to find the next two, though. As for taking revenge on Konoha, he'd have to plan that out. Feng Yao didn't want to go too far, since his parents were still living in Konoha.
"System, how much damage do I need to inflict to pass the first mission?"
"At least ten percent."
That seemed acceptable. After all, he'd been hunted by those three Anbu for an entire day. A little payback wasn't unreasonable.
Feng Yao thought carefully about how much time had passed in the Naruto world. Then he suddenly remembered a place where he might be able to recruit two more ninja at Jonin level. It was quite far from where he was, so he would have to set out soon.
The next day, Feng Yao said goodbye to Katsuyu Sage, with whom he had lived for over a week. He activated Sage Mode and set off. Combined with Moonwalk, he moved very quickly. Along the way, he passed through the Land of Fields.
It was a small country bordering Konoha. It originally had no ninja, but Orochimaru later bribed its daimyo and established Otogakure there, turning it into his base.
Feng Yao had considered whether he could recruit Orochimaru as a subordinate, but after thinking it over, he decided against it. Orochimaru was simply too dangerous.
Not only did he currently have the Sound Four under his command, he also possessed the forbidden Impure World Reincarnation technique. He was a ninja whose strength rivaled that of a Kage. If Feng Yao recklessly went to him and asked him to become a subordinate, Orochimaru would probably turn him into a specimen in no time.
A few days later, Feng Yao reached a small road and quietly hid nearby. This was the only route to the Land of Waves.
The person Feng Yao had come to find was the rogue ninja from Kirigakure, Zabuza Momochi. He was definitely Jonin-level, and he had Yuki Haku with him. Haku could form Hand Seals with one hand and possessed a Kekkei Genkai. Zabuza had once said that even he might not be able to defeat Haku.
Judging by the timing, Feng Yao had arrived early. Team Kakashi and Zabuza hadn't met yet.
Feng Yao could only wait in a tree for a while.
"This mission is to kill that bridge builder, Tazuna. I heard he hired ninja from Konoha to protect him."
"Hmph! What kind of ninja could that poor country afford?"
The two speakers both wore Forehead Protectors that identified them as ninja from the Hidden Mist. Their faces were covered, giving them a sinister appearance.
They must be the first pair of Chunin sent to assassinate Team Kakashi. They were known as the Demon Brothers. They had arrived at the ambush site early and were waiting to catch their prey.
"Gentlemen, could I ask you for a favor?"
"Who's there?!"
The two Hidden Mist ninja heard someone nearby and immediately took up fighting stances. One of them threw a Kunai toward the sound.
But it was clearly useless. Feng Yao dodged with Moonwalk and landed right in front of them.
The Demon Brothers specialized in coordinated assassinations. Seeing Feng Yao so close only delighted them. They pulled the chain weapons from their arms, intending to kill him outright.
Feng Yao didn't panic. He softly uttered two words. "Iron Body."
It was one of the defensive techniques of Rokushiki. By concentrating strength within his well-trained body, he could make himself as hard as steel. The chains were no threat to him.
Once Iron Body was active, he grabbed the chains around him and yanked hard. The two men immediately lost their balance and tried to break free.
But Feng Yao wasn't about to let them. He grabbed one with each hand and flung them into the nearby trees.
He slowly walked over to them.
"Don't get worked up. I just have a few questions."
"Water Release: Hidden Mist Technique!"
Realizing they couldn't beat him, the Demon Brothers immediately used the Hidden Mist Technique to escape.
But Feng Yao seemed completely unaffected by the thick fog. He charged into it and kicked both brothers to the ground.
After training in Sage Mode at Shikkotsu Forest, Feng Yao's sensory abilities had improved greatly. Even without activating Sage Mode, he could pinpoint the Demon Brothers' positions in the mist.
He picked up one Mist Ninja in each hand.
"I have a question for you. Answer it, and you can live."
"You're the Konoha ninja assigned to protect Tazuna, aren't you? I never thought Tazuna could hire someone of your caliber, but I won't tell you anything!"
The Mist Ninja struggled and glared at Feng Yao with hatred.
"Is that so? Then die."
With that, a Rankyaku cut one of them in half. Rankyaku was one of the leg techniques of Rokushiki, but it didn't hurt the enemy with a kick. Instead, it used a high-speed kick to create a vacuum blade that slashed at the target.
This was the first time Feng Yao had killed someone after surviving several life-and-death ordeals. But he was no longer the weakling who trembled at the sight of a Kunai. He had to be ruthless with people like these if he wanted to make them afraid.
"Y-you can't kill me! I'll tell you anything you want to know!"
The other man seemed terrified by his companion's death and looked ready to confess everything.
"You should've said that sooner. I want to know where Zabuza Momochi is. You're his subordinates, right?"
"Yes. H-he's a few kilometers north. Take the middle road and you'll reach him. I can lead you there. Just don't kill me."
Feng Yao looked north.
"North, is it? No need to lead me there. I don't trust you..."
Before the man could react, Feng Yao slashed his chest open with another Rankyaku.
The man's eyes had seemed terrified, but several times as he spoke, he had glanced at his companion's corpse. He had also been making some small movement behind his back.
"You... broke... your word."
Blood poured from the man's mouth. He died within seconds. Feng Yao walked over and turned his body over.
His hand was clutching an Explosive Tag. He must have wanted to take Feng Yao down with him when his attention was elsewhere, but Feng Yao had struck as soon as he got the information, leaving him no time to activate it.
"How does it feel to kill someone for the first time, Host?"
"The ninja world really is cruel. As long as they know someone is an enemy, they fight with the resolve to die. But now, I'm the same."
"It's good that you can think that way, Host. If you were too softhearted to kill this time, you wouldn't be able to complete the missions this system has in store for you."
"You've got some nerve saying that. Every mission you give me is ridiculous. Couldn't you be a little more professional?"
After speaking, he cleaned up the scene, took all the equipment from the two men, and hastily disposed of their bodies. Then he set off to find Zabuza. At the same time, Team Kakashi was also heading this way, but since the Demon Brothers were already dead, Naruto and the others wouldn't encounter them.
Feng Yao arrived at a wooden house shaped like a spinning top. This was Zabuza's base. The Demon Brother's information had turned out to be true. He couldn't afford to treat Zabuza as casually as he had treated them.
So Feng Yao activated Sage Mode some distance from the house. His hair turned white, and blue markings appeared around his eyes once more.
Feng Yao's senses were even sharper in Sage Mode. He could even tell how many people were inside the house. He quietly climbed onto the roof and listened to the conversation inside.
"Mr. Zabuza, I think we need to be wary of our employer this time. I heard Gato often hires rogue ninja to do his dirty work, then secretly kills them once the job is done."
"Hmph! Who does he think I am? I'm Zabuza Momochi, the mighty Demon of the Hidden Mist! If he tries to play games with me, I'll snap his dog's neck."
The voices belonged to Zabuza and Haku. Their employer this time was Gato, one of the richest men in the world. Unfortunately, they had run into Team Kakashi.
Zabuza's assassination mission would still fail. As rogue ninja, they were constantly on the move, and Feng Yao wanted to recruit them both.
Just as he was about to go in, a chill suddenly ran down his back. A massive Kubikiribōchō, twice his height, came crashing down where he had just been lying.
"Pretty sharp. No wonder you beat the Demon Brothers. Who are you?"
"How did you know? Hmph! Looks like those two bastards got me after all."
"Anyone sent out on a mission has to consider the possibility of being captured. The Demon Brothers didn't exactly lie to you; there were just surveillance tools along the middle road. If I hadn't known about them in advance, I might not have spotted you."
Looking at Zabuza Momochi, his face wrapped in bandages, Feng Yao was even more pleased with his future subordinate. The person inside the house was only a Water Clone, meant to mislead him. Zabuza himself had used the Silent Killing Technique to try to finish him with a single blow, but he had failed.
"I didn't come here with any hostile intentions. My name is Feng Yao, and I came to sincerely invite you to join my faction."
"Hahahaha! You're barely more than a kid, and you think you can make me, Zabuza Momochi, one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, work for you?"
Zabuza laughed in anger at Feng Yao's words and raised his Kubikiribōchō to swing at him.
But Feng Yao's strength in Sage Mode had increased several times over. He caught the Kubikiribōchō with one hand.
At the same time, he used Shigan, one of the Rokushiki techniques. In Sage Mode, the power of Rokushiki increased dramatically. He focused all his strength into his index finger and thrust it forward with a hardened fingertip at lightning speed, easily piercing a person's body.
Feng Yao jabbed a finger at the Kubikiribōchō he was holding. The blade broke with a sharp crack.
Seeing that the Kubikiribōchō, which had earned him countless victories, couldn't withstand even one of his opponent's fingers, Zabuza was shocked by the power of Feng Yao's Taijutsu. He pushed off with his legs and began retreating.
"Water Release: Hidden Mist Technique!"
Zabuza's Hidden Mist Technique was clearly much stronger than the Demon Brothers'. In only a moment, the thick fog obscured their vision.
But Zabuza wasn't trying to escape. He was searching for an opening in the mist. Feng Yao, however, didn't have time to drag things out. His Sage Mode was limited.
"Art of Inorganic Reincarnation!"
This technique could give life to inorganic matter and control it. The stones on the ground suddenly twisted and changed shape, then shot into the fog...
A strong smell of blood spread out from the mist.
"Mr. Zabuza!"
A fierce killing intent flared in Haku's eyes. He charged straight at Feng Yao, throwing silver needles with deadly accuracy at all his vital points.
But Feng Yao dodged them all with Moonwalk. At that point, Haku seemed to have lost his reason. He charged in and fought Feng Yao hand to hand, without even using his Kekkei Genkai.
The outcome was obvious: he was thoroughly beaten. Feng Yao used Iron Body to strengthen his defense and took one of Haku's attacks head-on. Then he grabbed Haku by the neck.
"I haven't killed him. If you keep acting recklessly, I can't promise what will happen."
The thick fog gradually cleared. Zabuza's hands and left leg were pinned in place by stone pillars formed through Inorganic Reincarnation. But his eyes were filled with even more killing intent.
"You've already lost, Zabuza. Think carefully about my offer."
"Hmph! Just kill me. I'll never let you use me."
"Oh? Are you sure?"
As he spoke, Feng Yao tightened his grip. Haku began to struggle for breath.
"You're not going to threaten me with Haku, are you? He's just a tool of mine. If I die, he'll be worthless too. Do you think I'd accept your terms for his sake?"
"I'm... sorry... Mr. Zabuza."
"Hey, your subordinate is so loyal to you. Why not reconsider? He just charged at me without hesitation to save you. He was willing to risk his life for you. Don't you think that's a little cruel?"
Feng Yao knew very well how Haku and Zabuza felt about each other. Zabuza was cold, but not heartless. He had even shed tears for Haku. Combined with Feng Yao's attempt at a Naruto-style speech, he thought he had gotten through to him.
"Ninja are just tools, when it comes down to it. I only value his bloodline, not him as a person. Kill him if you want."
Damn, this wasn't how it was supposed to go. Feng Yao had followed the script. Why wasn't Zabuza reacting? How had Naruto managed it? Feng Yao grumbled inwardly.
"Host, you're just an ordinary person. Without the protagonist's halo, your words are meaningless."
"..."
Feng Yao stared down Zabuza for a long while. Finally, he released Haku and ended Inorganic Reincarnation.
"Cough... cough, Mr. Zabuza..."
The moment Haku was free, he ran to Zabuza and supported him. Zabuza kept his eyes fixed on Feng Yao.
"What do you mean by this? Do you think that if you spare me, I'll become your subordinate? You're too naive. I'll only look for a chance to kill you."
"I know. But you can't kill me. How about we make a deal?"
Feng Yao realized that fully recruiting Zabuza wasn't possible for now, so he had to take a step back.
"What deal? Let's hear it."
"I know you're a rogue ninja from Kirigakure. You tried to assassinate the Fourth Mizukage because you couldn't stand the village's tyranny. I can help you get revenge and return to your homeland. You've seen my strength. I can make it happen."
Zabuza fell silent. After his failed assassination attempt, he had fled the village and become a rogue ninja. He had wanted to return for years.
He wanted to seize control of the country. Though this kid talked big, his strength was impressive. Zabuza knew he couldn't beat him on his own.
"What do you want in return?"
"It's simple. Work for me for one year. You'll have plenty of freedom during that time; all I ask is that you help when I need you. After a year, we go our separate ways. How does that sound?"
Zabuza fell silent. The offer was clearly generous. A year of service in exchange for the chance to return to Kirigakure was a pretty good deal.
"Fine. I accept."
"Agreed. You can trust me. Someday, you'll be glad you made this choice."
Zabuza didn't respond. With Haku supporting him, he went back inside the house. Feng Yao followed. Several Mist Anbu were inside, all of them trusted subordinates of Zabuza.
"Congratulations, Host. You have completed the mission: Build your faction. One Youth Preservation Pill has been awarded. Use it now?"
"Uh... use it. Let's see what it does. If it's not that impressive, I'm giving you a bad review."
"This system does not accept reviews or criticism. Activating now."
Feng Yao felt as if the bones and muscles in his face had come alive, constantly shifting. He instinctively covered his face with his hands.
The ninja beside him didn't know what was happening. But when Feng Yao finally took his hands away, everyone's minds went briefly blank, and one thought surfaced in each of them:
How could anyone be this beautiful?
Feng Yao's features now looked as if they had been carved by the most skilled sculptor in the world. Every detail was more precise than a screw, yet his face had a naturally harmonious beauty. If he had been a woman, he would have been a great beauty capable of bringing a nation to ruin.
His deep, dark-blue eyes were especially striking. When anyone met his gaze, they felt a sense of warmth and familiarity.
"What happened to your face? It looks different from before."
Even Zabuza took several deep breaths. He was shocked by the change in Feng Yao's appearance, but he also noticed that meeting Feng Yao's eyes gave him a strange feeling of closeness.
But Zabuza was no ordinary person, and he quickly recovered.
"Hey, what's wrong with my face? Has it changed that much?"
Seeing the astonished, infatuated looks all around him, Feng Yao felt uncomfortable. This place was full of men, and they were all staring at him with desire in their eyes. It was even more unbearable than fighting Zabuza. Zabuza tossed him a mirror.
"Take a look for yourself."
At first, he'd thought the men around him were a bunch of perverts who'd been starved for years, getting this excited at the sight of another man's face. But when he got the mirror and saw himself, he froze too. He looked completely different from before.
It was a thousand times better than plastic surgery. After all, surgery could never look this natural. Even he felt a little stirred when he looked at that face.
"Holy crap, System, your pills are way too powerful. It's a waste that you didn't pick a plastic surgeon as your host!"
"Everything produced by this system is top quality."
After a moment of silence, Feng Yao handed the mirror back and asked Haku for a mask. He didn't want all these men staring at him like that. Only after he put the mask on did the looks around him lose their earlier intensity.
"Looks like you have quite a few secrets. I'm getting more and more interested in our deal."
Watching Feng Yao's transformation, Zabuza said darkly.
He'd never seen anyone's face change so dramatically in such a short time. And it wasn't some kind of illusion.
The stronger Feng Yao was, the more help he'd be when they attacked Kirigakure in the future. But Zabuza would need to keep an eye on him, too.
Feng Yao gave a light cough.
"It's nothing. Don't read too much into it."
Zabuza glanced at his trusted men and issued an order.
"From now on, this man is our new leader. Whatever orders he gives, you will carry them out without question."
Feng Yao nodded to everyone in greeting.
Just then, an angry voice came from outside. It was directed at Zabuza Momochi.
"Zabuza, you useless bastard! I paid a fortune to hire you, and your two pathetic underlings didn't even get close to the target before someone took them out. Now they're already on the bridge. How are you going to explain this to me?"
At that, Zabuza looked toward the corner. Someone guiltily rubbed his nose, silently thinking that those two would've been no match for the enemy anyway; he might as well have dealt with them himself. Zabuza swung Kubikiribōchō and warned him.
"Gato, spare me the lecture. I'll handle it myself next time. Don't trouble yourself."
With Kubikiribōchō less than half a meter from him, Gato nervously swallowed. The blade should have reached him, but Feng Yao had broken off part of it.
However, Kubikiribōchō could regenerate by absorbing the iron in other people's blood, so there was no need to worry.
"Th-then I'll leave it to you. Don't let anything else go wrong. It sounds like they have a powerful ninja, and I can see you're injured... Will you be all right?"
Although Gato was afraid of Zabuza, he still voiced his concerns. He wasn't worried about Zabuza himself, but about whether Zabuza could finish the job.
"Hmph. Don't worry. Just get ready to collect their bodies."
Zabuza replied darkly, then had Haku usher the others out.
When Haku returned, he saw that Zabuza was injured and spoke with concern.
"Mr. Zabuza, you're in no condition to carry out an assassination right now. I don't think you should go after them yet."
An assassin had to be certain of a fatal strike. If the first attempt failed, the target would be on guard next time. And Zabuza was clearly not at his best.
"Don't worry. They're only a few Konoha Ninja. Come with me, Haku."
Zabuza didn't know that the Konoha Ninja they'd sent this time was Hatake Kakashi, the man known as the Copy Ninja. If he had, he would've been even more cautious.
But Feng Yao wasn't planning to tell him. It'd be best to let Zabuza get beaten half to death, then step in to save him. That way, Feng Yao could earn some goodwill, too.
Just as he was thinking this, Zabuza suddenly turned to look at him.
"Leader, I need to complete the client's mission. Is there anything else you need?"
"Go ahead. I'll stay nearby for a while. I heard you say they're Konoha Ninja. You're a pillar of my organization and a subordinate I have great faith in, so be careful..."
Though that was what Feng Yao said aloud, he knew perfectly well that Zabuza was bound to get thrashed. He'd follow discreetly in a moment. If this hard-won subordinate got killed, Feng Yao would be the one losing out.
"Host, your concern is so fake and revolting that this system is about to throw up."
"Hmph! You've got no taste. It's called the art of managing subordinates. Read a book sometime."
But it was obvious that Feng Yao still had a lot to learn about managing his subordinates, because both Zabuza and Haku were looking at him with undisguised disgust.
"Next time... maybe don't say anything like that. It's too revolting."
"Mr. Zabuza, I think we made the wrong choice."
With that, the two of them left, leaving Feng Yao standing there, utterly bewildered.
Before you continue