Paper Style Konan Takes Hinata as Her Disciple

Thinking of the turbulent events of his youth, Kakuzu could not help but sigh inwardly.

Decades ago, during the Warring States period, he had been an elite of Takigakure Village when he received an assignment from the higher-ups to assassinate the First Hokage.

After infiltrating the Land of Fire, he found Hashirama Senju and fought a world-shaking battle with him. In the end, he lost by a narrow margin to the God of Shinobi...

Of course, that was only the version passed around in the Shinobi World.

The truth was that, in his reckless youth, he had foolishly decided to challenge Hashirama Senju.

But the instant he witnessed the power of Wood Release, he chickened out. He threw a shuriken from eight hundred miles away, then ran off overnight carrying a train on his back...

Even so, he considered it an incredibly badass achievement, something he could brag about for the rest of his life.

After all, regardless of the outcome, he really had exchanged blows with the First Hokage and escaped unscathed in the end. Looking across the entire Shinobi World, how many people could boast such an accomplishment?

As for whether anyone would question him, there was no need to worry. Most people from that era were already dead anyway.

Yeah, I may not have any other skills, but I sure know how to stay alive!

In the entire Shinobi World, the only person of his generation left was probably that old bastard Ōnoki.

That old fellow strutted around every day as if he were the greatest thing in the world, but in truth, he was no better than Kakuzu.

Back when he met Madara Uchiha, his legs had gone weak from fright too. When it came to such embarrassing incidents, they both understood without needing to say it...

Everyone had long grown accustomed to Kakuzu's boastful remarks, so no one paid much attention.

Pain continued, "No matter where this Dao Sect came from, since it has powerful experts stationed there, we need to investigate it. More importantly, we need to know whether the emergence of this force will affect our plans."

Hearing this, Itachi Uchiha nodded before asking, "Then who should carry out this mission?"

At those words, everyone present exchanged looks. None of them seemed particularly willing to take the job.

Seeing this, Pain frowned slightly. He knew perfectly well that every member of the organization had their own little calculations.

These people might all be renowned figures, but every last one of them was afraid of dying.

For example, Kakuzu, who had just been bragging, feared being killed so much that he had specifically acquired several hearts. Hidan, sitting nearby, had placed his faith in Jashin in order to gain greater vitality.

Then there was Orochimaru, who had already left Akatsuki and dreamed of attaining immortality.

Among this lot, Itachi Uchiha and that big idiot Kisame, whom they had sent out earlier, were already considered quite brave...

Thinking of this gave him a headache. Leading this team well truly was not easy.

After thinking for a moment, Pain—or rather, Nagato, who controlled him from behind the scenes—made a decision.

He said, "Haku, you will handle this matter."

As his words fell, lifelike paper butterflies appeared one after another. They flew along a peculiar path before gathering together and transforming into a beautiful young woman.

She wore a black cloak embroidered with red clouds outlined in white, similar to the others' attire, along with light purple fitted trousers.

Her pale bluish-purple hair was tied into a neat bun, and a light blue paper flower rested on the right side of her head.

Her light orange-yellow eyes, delicate features, and light purple eyeshadow gave her an air of pure beauty, yet also revealed her decisive and sharp character.

She was Konan, one of Akatsuki's original founders.

She possessed a peculiar paper ninjutsu and now served as Nagato's assistant and partner, usually handling Akatsuki's internal affairs.

She showed no resistance to the task Pain assigned her, merely nodding in acceptance.

Then her body turned into paper once more and vanished...

Meanwhile, in Konoha Village, Chen Feng opened the system panel again to inspect what he had gained over the past few days.

Host: Chen Feng

Reputation Points: 3534 (Well-Known)

Skills: Pure Yang Limitless Skill (Slightly Accomplished), Tai Chi Fist (Entering the Hall)

Feng Hou Qi Men (Slightly Accomplished)

Passive Skill: Billionaire Pauper

Looking at his three thousand-plus Reputation Points, the corners of Chen Feng's lips curled upward. Naturally, it was time to continue upgrading his skills.

His consciousness lightly tapped the Feng Hou Qi Men entry, and its realm rose once again, becoming Entering the Hall!

At the same time, his Reputation Points instantly dropped to three digits, turning into "534."

Chen Feng bared his teeth in pain. That single upgrade had consumed a full three thousand points. The cost was just too high.

Taking a deep breath, he thought, Since I've already spent the bulk of it, there's no point saving these remaining five hundred or so. I might as well splurge today!

With that thought, he raised the Pure Yang Limitless Skill to the Entering the Hall realm as well, spending a full five hundred Reputation Points.

The little fortune he had painstakingly saved up was drained dry once more.

Looking at the mere two-digit number of Reputation Points remaining, Chen Feng immediately felt the pressure mounting. The system was indeed powerful, allowing every skill to be upgraded directly.

But its appetite was truly enormous. He had barely begun, yet one upgrade already required thousands of Reputation Points. He did not dare imagine what harsh requirements future upgrades would demand.

"I can't keep this up. I have to stir something up!"

He thought this to himself, deeply reflecting on his previous lazy behavior.

Just then, however, a crisp knocking sounded by his ear. "Bang, bang, bang!"

Chen Feng's expression shifted. He rose to his feet, walked over, and opened the courtyard gate. Standing outside was Hyuga Hiashi, his face solemn.

Beside him stood a timid little girl. She was none other than the Hyuga Clan's eldest daughter, Hyuga Hinata.

After sizing them up, he followed the rules of hospitality and invited them inside.

He asked, "May I ask what brings the Hyuga Clan Head here? Could it be that you have come to ask for cultivation methods again?"

Hearing this, Hyuga Hiashi bowed and said seriously, "I am very sorry. What happened before was this old man's fault. I apologize to you for my previous recklessness, sir!"

Chen Feng was somewhat surprised that the other man had taken the initiative to apologize. He waved his hand and said, "It's nothing. As long as the Hyuga Clan Head understands, there is no need to come personally and apologize."

Hyuga Hiashi said, "Besides expressing my apologies, I have come today because of my daughter."

Chen Feng raised an eyebrow slightly and said, "Hyuga Clan Head, just say what you wish to say."

Hyuga Hiashi was not one to beat around the bush. He went straight to the point. "I hope that you can accept my daughter as your disciple and allow Hinata to cultivate by your side..."