Did the System Develop a Conscience?

"Ding, system notification: Hunt/Persuade mission. Defeat Yuki Haku and either kill or persuade him. Upon completion, obtain the Kekkei Genkai Frost Release.

Mission failure penalty: Gender swap."

Seeing the mission ahead, Chen was just about to call the system a saint, but upon hearing the final penalty...

"System, is this really okay?"

Chen complained helplessly while continuing his journey to the Land of Demons, while the system remained completely immersed in its own amusement.

Soon, Chen arrived at the Land of Demons.

It hadn't been long since he last left, but upon meeting, Shion dismissed everyone else and then lunged directly at Chen.

Caught completely off guard, Chen was tackled to the ground.

"Would you say this counts as being reverse-seduced?"

The system's voice rang out.

"Can't your mind be a bit healthier?"

"I am merely stating facts. After all, Shion did indeed push you down, didn't she?"

Chen was speechless and could only pretend he hadn't heard it.

"You just wrote back to me recently; is there a reason you've come now?"

"You could say that. There are some things that aren't convenient to discuss in letters.

Simply put, I have a way for people to acquire Kekkei Genkai, and furthermore..."

Chen explained the matter regarding Kekkei Genkai, naturally concealing the existence of the system.

Shion didn't have much understanding of ninjas and simply assumed it was one of Chen's special abilities, so she didn't ask any further questions.

After all, if an ability like foreseeing death could exist, other things didn't seem that strange.

"If that's the case, it's truly excellent. We can cultivate strong individuals without worrying about them betraying us once they grow powerful."

"That's what I thought as well. Although it isn't exactly honorable, as long as they don't betray me, I don't intend to go overboard.

As for the selection of personnel, I'll leave that to you."

As he spoke, Chen took out a scroll.

This was the very item that could allow anyone to obtain Ice Release.

Seeing this, Shion was very curious, yet she showed no greed.

Chen was very gratified by this; after all, if Shion couldn't resist the temptation, it would be a troublesome matter.

"This scroll grants power once a name is signed; one scroll can be signed by three people.

Although the effect is the same regardless of who obtains it, it is best to have children learn it.

After all, compared to adults, children's minds are easier to control, and training from a young age allows for better adaptation to Ice Release."

"I understand. I will arrange this as soon as possible. Once the list is finalized, I will use the Flying Thunder God to send it to you.

Or, perhaps you should come and make the final decision yourself?"

"That won't be necessary. I trust you, so you can take full responsibility for this matter."

Hearing Chen's words, Shion was slightly stunned, and not knowing what she was thinking, she actually began to blush.

Even Chen was confused; he hadn't said anything suggestive, had he?

Why did she suddenly become shy?

Could it be that Hinata's habit of blushing had traveled thousands of miles to infect Shion?

Shaking his head in bewilderment, Chen didn't press the issue; after all, it was normal for girls to have their own private thoughts.

"How long do you plan to stay this time?"

"I'll leave tomorrow. I only thought of this on a whim this time, and although I have a Shadow Clone in Konoha, being away for too long will eventually be discovered."

Although he had begun planning his departure from Konoha, now was clearly not the right time.

Hearing that Chen was leaving tomorrow, a look of gloom appeared on Shion's face.

"Don't be unhappy. I'll come over often when I have the chance.

Besides, aside from delivering intelligence, you can also contact me through the Flying Thunder God if you miss me."

"Really? Won't it disturb you?"

Shion had actually always wanted to use the Flying Thunder God to contact Chen, but she worried it would disturb him or even affect his safety, so she had only contacted him previously when discussing ninja cultivation.

"It won't. The Flying Thunder God was left here for that very purpose.

However, it's best if you send messages to me at night; there might be people around me during the day."

Although a high-level space-time ninjutsu like the Flying Thunder God shouldn't be detected, Chen didn't want to take any risks.

It would be bad if intelligence arrived just as he was being summoned by the Third Hokage.

"I understand. Then I will contact you at night from now on."

"And you'll be staying in the room next to mine tonight."

"What, you won't let me stay in your room?"

Hearing this, Shion instantly blushed. Although she had taken the initiative to kiss and hug Chen earlier, she was still a girl, after all.

Even the boldest person has their limits.

"I..."

"Silly, I'm just teasing you. I'll stay right next door. By the way, I earned some money on this mission, so you should hold onto it for now."

Hearing that Chen was only teasing her, Shion breathed a sigh of relief, yet for some reason, she felt a trace of disappointment in her heart.

"There's no need for the money. Although the Land of Demons isn't wealthy, the national treasury still has plenty."

"Take it. Relying solely on the taxes of the Land of Demons won't be enough to establish a ninja village. It might be fine for now, but in the long run, there will definitely be funding issues. I'll take on missions for the time being to alleviate the pressure, and I'll find a way to secure more capital as soon as possible."

Money isn't everything, but you can't do anything without it; this saying holds true no matter where you go.

Chen and Shion chatted about other things before heading out to dinner together. As night fell, Shion reluctantly returned to her own room.

"System, at this point in time, Haku should already be following Zabuza, right? The mission you issued earlier—you don't intend for me to take out Zabuza as well, do you?"

Although Chen didn't know exactly when Haku had joined Zabuza, it remained a potential threat.

"Not yet, but it won't be long before she encounters Zabuza."

"I remember Haku died at fifteen, and that brat Naruto was around twelve or thirteen at the time. That means Haku should be about the same age as Itachi, right? Haku shouldn't have much combat power at this stage."

Chen hadn't noticed anything amiss when he received the mission, but after careful consideration, he realized it seemed too simple on the surface.

Given the system's infuriating nature, how could such a simple task reward him with Frost Release? Even if Frost Release didn't seem to exist in the Naruto World, it was still a Kekkei Genkai.

"Haku indeed lacks combat power right now. This mission is essentially a handout. What, do you want to increase the difficulty? Should I add killing Zabuza to the requirements?"

"No, that won't be necessary."

Chen hurriedly spoke up. Are you kidding? Challenging Zabuza at this stage? That's just asking for trouble. Although he had just defeated Kakashi, it was obvious that Kakashi's "five-five" handicap and lack of chakra were the reasons; otherwise, Chen didn't believe he would have had any hope of winning.