Black Ghost Conan

This Black Ghost was a byproduct of his Ajin physique. On a whim, Shinichi Hyuga had named him Conan.

After mutating, he looked exactly like Shinichi Hyuga, except that his entire body was wrapped in black bandages. He could even train on his own.

He had inherited Shinichi Hyuga's emotions and doted on Reiko Hyuga even more than Shinichi himself did.

His intelligence was no different from his original's, making him the equivalent of a Shadow Clone that could exist permanently.

When Conan saw Shinichi Hyuga, he gave a slight nod and continued rocking Reiko Hyuga's cradle. His eyes seemed to reproach Shinichi for being too loud just now.

"Lord Shinichi, you're back!"

A clear, lilting voice called out. It belonged to Inuzuka Feihua, the ninja babysitter Shinichi Hyuga had hired. She was a Chunin from the Inuzuka Clan, and she had brought along a little black-and-white dog named Xiaohua.

In fact, Xiaohua's most important job was to keep Reiko Hyuga company and play with her.

Woof, woof~~

Xiaohua barked.

Reiko Hyuga woke at the sound.

Black Ghost Conan turned and glared at Xiaohua. As if it had been targeted by a predator, Xiaohua huddled up and rubbed against Inuzuka Feihua, letting out a series of whimpers.

"Daddy, you're back!"

Reiko Hyuga rubbed her sleepy eyes and spotted Shinichi Hyuga.

She hopped down from the cradle, ran over to him, and stretched out both arms to be picked up.

Shinichi Hyuga smiled more brightly than ever. The negative emotions weighing on him seemed to wash away as he stepped forward, crouched down, and embraced Reiko Hyuga.

This was his happiest moment.

"Reiko, were you a good girl this afternoon?"

Holding his soft, cuddly daughter, Shinichi Hyuga's voice grew gentler.

"Daddy, Sister Feihua brought me tonkotsu ramen and four-color dango today. They were so yummy!

"But Xiaohua seems sick. It fell down several times today while I was riding it."

Reiko Hyuga answered in her childish voice, then wriggled out of Shinichi Hyuga's arms and went over to Xiaohua to stroke its head.

Shinichi Hyuga looked at Black Ghost Conan and immediately understood the reason. Conan had been trying to train his chakra lately, but he never seemed to get the hang of it. Recently, he had started trying to cultivate Natural Energy, which was what had made Xiaohua so agitated.

A lifelike expression appeared on Black Ghost's face. It looked like jealousy.

And a hint of resentment!

His greatest wish was to be there for Reiko Hyuga. His feelings for her were no weaker than Shinichi Hyuga's.

But because of his unusual form, he couldn't show himself and could only stay by her side in secret.

In the end, he came up with a solution: train in ninjutsu.

The Clone Technique combined with the Transformation Technique—that was why Black Ghost Conan was training so frantically. Unfortunately, while his Taijutsu talent was exceptional, his talent for ninjutsu was abysmal.

He could only produce chakra with Shinichi Hyuga's help, probably because of his form.

When Shinichi Hyuga wasn't there to help him, the solution was to train in Senjutsu directly, since his original body couldn't be corrupted by it.

"Then Daddy will come with you tomorrow! We'll go on a picnic," Shinichi Hyuga said gently.

He had been busy running around lately and had barely spent any time with Reiko.

"Really? I love you the most, Daddy!"

Little Reiko turned and flung herself at Shinichi Hyuga again. Her eyes brimmed with longing as she planted a loud kiss on her father's cheek.

"Feihua, you don't have to come anymore starting tomorrow. This is Xiaohua's payment."

Shinichi Hyuga set his daughter down and walked over to Inuzuka Feihua. He took out a black pouch, which he had originally intended as a wedding gift for Minato Namikaze.

But Minato Namikaze, as Hokage, had refused to accept money as a gift.

So he would give it to Xiaohua instead. His daughter and Black Ghost Conan must have put Xiaohua through a lot; the poor thing was probably traumatized.

"Lord Shinichi, you don't have to. I accepted the mission, so I'm already getting paid and earning merit. How could I take your money too?"

Inuzuka Feihua waved her hands repeatedly.

A mission this easy and close to home was a rare, choice assignment. She had Xiaohua to thank for it.

"This is for Xiaohua, not you. Take it.

"It's getting late. Hurry home."

Shinichi Hyuga firmly pressed the pouch into Inuzuka Feihua's hands, much like a relative forcing a red envelope on someone during a New Year visit.

Inuzuka Feihua was at a loss, and Xiaohua tugged at her pant leg, leading her away from Shinichi Hyuga's home.

This was its pay for being worked like a pack animal. Why wouldn't she accept it? Now it could buy premium dog food.

That was also why it liked playing with Reiko: Shinichi Hyuga paid so generously.

Xiaohua was quite intelligent too. The Inuzuka Clan's Ninja Dogs were the most numerous Ninja Beasts registered with Konoha, as well as the most cost-effective.

The Inuzuka Clan had become one of Konoha's prominent families by making a profit from selling Ninja Dogs.

Only the father, daughter, and Black Ghost Conan remained in the courtyard. Perhaps because Reiko had just woken up, she started searching for ants to play with.

"You didn't give him the wedding gift. Did something happen with Minato Namikaze?" Black Ghost asked.

"He's Hokage now, and he didn't accept any money at the wedding. There were some other complications too. Do you want to link our minds and take a look?" Shinichi Hyuga asked, sounding a little tired, but still explaining.

"I doubt that. He probably accepted money from Jiraiya and the Third, didn't he? His feelings have changed!"

Black Ghost mocked him. He simply wanted to see Shinichi Hyuga make a fool of himself. They shared the same memories, but had different personalities.

As he spoke, he extended a hand. Black particles linked with Shinichi Hyuga's head, connecting their memories.

After a brief connection, their memories merged.

"Those bastards deserve to die. You spent the whole afternoon flirting with Orochimaru?" Black Ghost digested the memories in his mind, baffled.

His tone grew even more mocking. "Don't you have any other plans for Minato Namikaze? You should at least give him something. He's the Hokage, after all!"

"I gave him a big blessing! You deal with the competition, and I'll handle everything else," Shinichi Hyuga shot back in annoyance.

Black Ghost's original plan had been to slaughter the competition until Reiko was the only option left.

Shinichi Hyuga's plan was to secure his place in the Hidden Branch Main House by an overwhelming margin, because Black Ghost's plan carried too many risks.

After rejecting Black Ghost's plan, he believed victory was assured.

"We should've done this from the start. Once the list is confirmed, I'll make my move before the clan meeting. Now help me train my chakra." The bandages on Black Ghost Conan fluttered as if he were discussing something trivial. He eagerly began training.

"Reiko, it's time to get the things ready for tomorrow's picnic. Do you want to help?"

Shinichi Hyuga called out to Reiko, who was digging up an ant nest nearby.

"Daddy, I'm coming!"

Reiko trotted over on her little legs, shaking the dirt from her hands as she came to her father.