On the third day after returning from Perseus Hollow, Lin Shuo stood on the beach east of Lumina Square.
The morning sea breeze carried a salty dampness, and the sun had just risen above the horizon, dyeing the sea gold and red.
He extended his right hand, palm up.
[System command: access Water Release chakra]
Blue chakra gathered in his palm, swirling and gradually forming a ball of water-at first only the size of a ping-pong ball, then slowly swelling to the size of a basketball before stabilizing at roughly half a meter in diameter.
Shimmering light rippled across its surface, and tiny vortices flowed within.
Lin Shuo could clearly feel how this chakra differed from Fire Release and Lightning Release-it was gentler, more sustained, like the breathing of the sea.
This was the "Water Release Chakra Affinity" the system had rewarded him with after he recovered Isobu.
Although he had been able to use Water Release before, he had mostly relied on Sharingan copying and Chakra Nature Transformation to simulate it, which limited its power.
Now, however, he could truly draw on the power of "water."
"Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet Technique!"
Lin Shuo formed hand seals with both hands: Snake, Ram, Monkey, Boar, Horse, Tiger.
The sea suddenly bulged upward, and an enormous dragon formed from seawater roared into the sky, circled once overhead, then slammed into a distant reef.
Boom!!!
The reef shattered, spraying water everywhere.
Its power was at least thirty percent greater than before.
More importantly... the consumption.
Previously, Water Release on this scale would consume around thirty percent of his chakra.
Now it had used only fifteen percent.
"Just as I thought." Lin Shuo lowered his hand, watching the blue chakra dissipate from his palm. "The attribute bonuses Tailed Beasts provide are very real."
He thought of Kisame.
That man, known as the "Tailless Tailed Beast," had relied on his enormous chakra reserves and talent for Water Release to overpower the Lava Release of Roshi, the Four-Tails' Jinchūriki.
Water countered fire. That was a basic elemental matchup.
But Four-Tails Son Goku possessed not only Lava Release, but monstrous strength-the terrifying power to shatter mountain rock with a single punch.
And his temperament... hotheaded, stubborn, and difficult to talk to. In that respect, he was exactly like his Jinchūriki, Roshi.
Two-Tails Matatabi was gentle, and Isobu was laid-back. Both could be dealt with through communication.
The Four-Tails? He would probably have to beat him into submission before they could talk.
"Lin Shuo!"
A clear voice rang out behind him.
Lin Shuo turned and saw Yuzuha running toward him with a schoolbag on her back, her red hair flying in the morning breeze.
"What are you doing here?"
She ran up to him, panting slightly.
"I thought you'd be at the ramen stall."
"I came to practice a little," Lin Shuo said.
Yuzuha's eyes lit up. "Because you're going to face the Four-Tails?"
"Mm." Lin Shuo nodded.
"Water Release counters Lava Release. A little more preparation never hurts."
Yuzuha tilted her head at him, a mischievous gleam in her green eyes. "Then how much have you recovered, Lin Shuo?"
"...About eighty percent."
"Only eighty percent?"
Yuzuha puffed out her cheeks. "Then you're not allowed to go! Wait until you've fully recovered!"
Looking at her puffed-up face, Lin Shuo's lips curved slightly. "All right."
Only then did Yuzuha nod in satisfaction. "That's more like it~"
She checked the time. "Ah! I'm going to be late! Remember to eat breakfast, Lin Shuo! I'm off!"
She rose onto her tiptoes and kissed Lin Shuo on the cheek, then turned and ran toward the station.
Lin Shuo watched her disappear around the street corner, then continued practicing.
Water Release: Water Formation Wall.
Water Release: Water Prison Technique.
Water Release: Great Waterfall Technique.
He unleashed one Ninjutsu after another by the sea, his chakra flowing more and more smoothly.
He could feel his understanding of Water Release deepening-not just its power, but its control as well.
For instance, he could now make a Water Dragon Bullet turn in midair, control the thickness and coverage of a Water Formation Wall, and even split the Great Waterfall Technique into three streams that attacked from different directions.
He had never been capable of such fine control before.
"It looks like the Three-Tails' chakra characteristics really are suited to Water Release."
Lin Shuo murmured to himself.
He looked toward the distant horizon.
Solov Hollow lay to the north, near a volcanic region.
Four-Tails Son Goku... should be there.
But he was in no hurry.
As Yuzuha had said, he would wait until he had fully recovered.
Besides, he had other matters to attend to.
At ten that morning, at Scott Outpost.
Holding Lin Yue's hand, Lin Shuo passed through the security checkpoint.
The soldier on duty saw them and snapped to attention with a salute. "Senior Lin! Sergeant Orphie is at the training ground!"
"Thank you."
Lin Shuo nodded and led Lin Yue toward the training ground.
Lin Yue wore a pale yellow dress that day, her orange hair tied into two little buns. She looked like an ordinary little girl-if one ignored the three tomoe that occasionally flashed in her eyes.
She held tightly to Lin Shuo's hand and asked quietly, "Daddy... Mommy really won't be angry?"
"Why would she be angry?"
"Because... I didn't tell her we were coming."
"It's fine," Lin Shuo said.
"She won't mind something so small."
They reached the outside of the training ground and could see what was happening inside through the window.
Orphie was practicing her shooting-the tail on her shoulder, "Willowisp," served as a gun rest while she held a modified Ether rifle, aiming at moving targets fifty meters away.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Three shots rang out, and all three bull's-eyes were pierced at the same time.
"Not bad!"
Willowisp's voice came from the tail, her synthesized voice carrying a rare note of praise.
"Your wrist is much steadier-keep it up!"
Orphie lowered her gun and wiped the sweat from her forehead.
Then she did something that made Lin Shuo's lips rise despite himself-
She furtively took a small bag of chips from her combat uniform pocket, tore it open, and quickly stuffed a chip into her mouth.
Her movements were as practiced as if she had rehearsed them countless times.
"Orphie!!!"
Willowisp's roar rang out instantly.
"You're sneaking snacks again?! Food is forbidden on the training ground! And junk food like chips is bad for your-"
"Just one! Just one chip, Captain!"
Orphie frantically hid the chips behind her back, her green eyes full of pleading.
"Besides, this is the new seaweed flavor! It's really good! Do you want to try some, Captain?"
"Try some, my ass! I'm a gun! Guns don't eat chips!"
"Then... then I could share them with Soldier 11 and Trigger..."
"They can't have any either!"
Orphie wilted, her ears drooping like a scolded puppy's.
Watching from outside the window, Lin Shuo couldn't help laughing.
This scene... was all too familiar.
Before he retired, he had caught Orphie sneaking snacks countless times.
Sometimes it was chips, sometimes chocolate, sometimes candy.
Whenever Willowisp caught her, a similar scene would unfold-Orphie pleaded, Willowisp roared, and it ended with Orphie pitifully surrendering her snacks.
According to Soldier 11 and Trigger, when they caught her, they generally wouldn't report her to Willowisp. Instead, they would find ways to make Orphie share some with them.
Their purpose went without saying-they got both snacks and a show.
Lin Shuo had never asked Orphie for food over it, nor had he ever told Willowisp.
In his eyes, it was perfectly normal for such a sweet, adorable girl to crave a snack now and then.
"Daddy," Lin Yue whispered, "Orphie... is so cute."
"Mm." Lin Shuo nodded.
He knocked on the window.
Orphie whipped her head around, and when she saw Lin Shuo and Lin Yue, she froze completely.
The chips in her hand dropped to the floor with a patter.
"...L-Lin Shuo? Xiao Yue?"
Her face instantly turned scarlet, and she frantically tried to hide the chip bag, but it was already too late.
Lin Yue let go of Lin Shuo's hand, trotted over, and crouched to pick up the bag of chips.
"Orphie, you dropped your snacks."
"Th-thank you..." Orphie took the chips, her face so red it looked ready to bleed.
"Um... I-I don't eat these all the time! Only occasionally... occasionally..."
"Occasionally, three bags a day?"
Willowisp sneered.
"Captain!!"
Orphie was on the verge of tears.
Lin Shuo walked into the training ground, took the chips from her hand, and glanced at them.
"Seaweed flavor... it really is good."
"Huh?"
Orphie froze.
Lin Shuo returned the chips to her. "Go ahead. There's nothing wrong with replenishing your energy after training."
Orphie's eyes lit up. "R-really?"
"Mm." Lin Shuo nodded.
"But remember to brush your teeth-sugar and salt aren't good for them."
"I will!"
Orphie nodded vigorously, then happily popped another chip into her mouth.
Willowisp's tail trembled with anger. "Lin Shuo! You're indulging her!"
"There's nothing wrong with relaxing once in a while."
Lin Shuo spoke calmly.
"Besides... Orphie has already been working very hard."
He looked at the results board on the training ground-it recorded Orphie's recent training data.
Shooting accuracy: 98.7%
Reaction time: 0.12 seconds
Ether control stability: A+
Every result was top-tier.
Willowisp fell silent.
A few seconds later, she huffed. "...Fine-but Orphie, just this one bag! Do you hear me?!"
"Yes, Captain!" Orphie stood at attention and saluted, though chip crumbs still clung to the corner of her mouth.
Looking at her, Lin Yue couldn't help laughing.
"Orphie, you have something on your face."
"Huh? Where?"
"Here."
Lin Yue rose onto her tiptoes and gently wiped the crumbs from the corner of her mouth with her little hand.
The gesture was natural and affectionate.
Orphie froze.
She looked down at Lin Yue, a complex glimmer passing through her green eyes-tenderness, guilt, and... a certain deeply buried maternal instinct.
"Xiao Yue..."
"Hmm?"
"...Thank you."
Orphie crouched down and gently hugged Lin Yue.
"I'm so happy you came to see me."
Lin Yue hugged her back and whispered, "I'm happy too... Mom."
The last word was so quiet that only Orphie could hear it.
Orphie's body trembled slightly, and she hugged her a little tighter.
Lin Shuo watched from beside them without saying a word.
"Oh, right, Lin Shuo." Willowisp's voice broke the warmth of the moment.
"Have you seen those 'urban legends' on Inter-Knot lately?"
Lin Shuo's gaze sharpened. "I have."
"TOPS's bounty has already risen to twenty-five billion per creature." Willowisp's tone grew serious.
"And... there's movement within the Defense Force."
"What kind of movement?"
"Major General Lorenz-that old fox with close ties to TOPS-held an operations meeting yesterday. The topic was 'Special Ether Creature Capture Operations.'"
Willowisp paused. "Officially, it's about 'protecting public safety,' but everyone knows he wants to capture those creatures before TOPS does."
Lin Shuo frowned. "The Defense Force is getting involved?"
"At least Lorenz's faction will," Willowisp said.
"And they might deploy... heavy equipment."
Heavy equipment.
That meant not just soldiers, but possibly Ether tanks, attack helicopters, and even... bombers designed specifically for Hollows.
If those people found the Four-Tails, a major battle would be inevitable.
"Understood," Lin Shuo said.
"Thanks for the warning."
"Are you going to capture the Four-Tails?" Willowisp asked.
"Yeah."
"Need any help?"
Lin Shuo looked at Orphie and Lin Yue, then shook his head.
"No. This time... I'll go alone."
"Lin Shuo?" Orphie raised her head, her green eyes filled with worry. "The Four-Tails... is really dangerous, isn't he?"
"Yeah." Lin Shuo nodded.
"But I have to go."
He paused, then added, "Don't worry. I'll wait until I've fully recovered-and with Water Release, my chances aren't bad."
Orphie bit her lip. After a long while, she nodded softly.
"...Please be careful."
"I will."
Lin Yue took Lin Shuo's hand too. "Dad..."
"Don't worry." Lin Shuo ruffled her hair. "I'll come back safely."
The training ground door suddenly swung open.
Soldier 11 and Trigger walked in.
As composed as ever, Soldier 11 swept her orange eyes over Lin Shuo and Lin Yue and gave a slight nod.
Trigger, meanwhile, wore a brilliant smile, the indicator on her visor flashing a friendly green.
"Hey, Lin Shuo, long time no see~ Oh, are those Orphie's chips? You've got to share~"
"Trigger! Those are mine!"
"Just give me one~ Just one~"
"No! The captain said I could only have one bag!"
"Captain Willowisp isn't here anyway~ Right, Captain?"
Willowisp said, "...I'm right here!"
Trigger stuck out her tongue, then turned to Lin Shuo. "I heard you're going to capture the Four-Tails?"
Word traveled fast.
Lin Shuo nodded.
"Need observation support?" Trigger asked.
"My visor can lock onto targets remotely and provide real-time data."
Soldier 11 spoke up too. "I can provide tactical analysis-based on the available data."
Lin Shuo looked at them, warmth welling up in his heart.
"Thanks, but this time... I'd like to try on my own first."
He paused, then added, "If I fail, I'll ask for your help."
"All right~" Trigger shrugged.
"But come back alive, Lin Shuo-I still want to eat your ramen."
"I will."
After chatting a little longer, Lin Shuo got ready to leave.
Orphie walked them to the outpost entrance.
"Lin Shuo." She suddenly called out to him.
"Hm?"
"...Here. This is for you."
Orphie took a small charm from her pocket-it was woven from bullet casings and red thread. It looked rough, but a lot of care had gone into it.
"I made it myself... It might not do much, but... take it with you."
Lin Shuo accepted the charm. The bullet casings still held her body heat.
"...Thank you."
Orphie blushed and lowered her head. "N-no need to thank me... Take care on the way back."
"Yeah."
Lin Shuo left, holding Lin Yue's hand.
Once they had walked some distance, Lin Yue whispered, "Dad, Mom really likes you."
Lin Shuo's steps faltered.
"Yeah."
"Then do you like Mom?"
"...I do."
"The same way you like Mom?"
That was a tricky question.
Lin Shuo stayed silent for a long time before saying, "It's different."
"How is it different?"
"The way I like Yuzuha is wanting to spend my whole life with her."
Lin Shuo spoke slowly, but clearly. "The way I like Orphie is cherishing her, protecting her, and wanting her to be happy-but I don't want to marry her or start a family with her."
Lin Yue nodded, only half understanding.
"Then... will Mom be sad?"
"She might," Lin Shuo answered honestly.
"But I'll do my best not to hurt her-in my own way."
Lin Yue fell silent.
She held Lin Shuo's hand tightly, her orange hair glowing warmly in the sunlight.
It was already afternoon when they returned to Lumina Square.
At the ramen stand, Yuzuha was already back from school and chatting with the Bangboo Matatabi and Isobu.
Matatabi sat gracefully on the counter, her crystal casing sparkling under the lights.
Isobu lay sprawled in a corner-truly sprawled, his short limbs spread out and electronic eyes half closed, looking every bit like he was saying, "Don't bother me. I'm trying to sleep."
Shukaku grumbled beside him, "You've only been here two days, and you're already sleeping this much! Are you a pig?!"
"I'm a turtle," Isobu replied languidly.
"Turtles are supposed to sleep."
"That doesn't mean all day!"
"Mind your own business."
The two Bangboo started bickering again.
Yuzuha's eyes lit up when she saw Lin Shuo return. "Lin Shuo! You're back~ How's Orphie?"
"She's doing well," Lin Shuo said.
"Still training."
"That's good~"
Yuzuha smiled.
"Oh, right. Manato sent a message earlier. He said he took a commission-to do a geological survey on the outskirts of Solov Hollow."
Lin Shuo's gaze sharpened. "When?"
"Tomorrow," Yuzuha said.
"He said Ether activity at Solov Volcano has been abnormal lately, so TOPS commissioned them to collect samples."
"Abnormal?"
"Yeah. Apparently, eruptions have become three times as frequent, and in the lava being spewed out... there are strange traces of a creature."
Yuzuha pulled up a photo from Inter-Knot-in the blurry lava flow, the silhouette of some enormous creature was faintly visible.
Four-Tails Son Goku was indeed active.
And... increasingly frequently.
"How long will Manato and the others be gone?" Lin Shuo asked.
"Three days," Yuzuha said.
"But he said they'd only be on the outskirts and wouldn't enter any dangerous areas-they probably won't run into him, right?"
Lin Shuo was silent for a few seconds.
"Not necessarily."
If the Four-Tails' range was expanding, then Manato and the others really could encounter him.
And... given the Four-Tails' temper, he would most likely attack first if he encountered humans.
"Yuzuha," Lin Shuo said.
"Tell Manato to withdraw immediately if he notices anything unusual-don't try to make contact."
"Okay." Yuzuha nodded, then hesitated.
"Lin Shuo, when... are you going?"
"After Manato and the others return," Lin Shuo said.
"And I need to recover fully."
"How much longer will that take?"
"Two days."
Lin Shuo felt the flow of chakra within his body.
From eighty percent to full strength, two days would be enough.
His ocular power was recovering a little more slowly, but it was nearly there too.
"Okay."
Yuzuha nodded firmly. "Then you need to rest properly for the next two days, Lin Shuo! No overtraining!"
"Okay."
That evening, after the ramen stand closed.
Lin Shuo sat in his room and opened the system interface.
[Currently held: Ōtsutsuki Fragment ×1] [Ether Crystals: 3470] [Exchangeable: 0.0347 fragments (below 0.1; exchange unavailable)]
He had accumulated the Ether Crystals by killing Ethereals and Ethereals during this period, but he was still far from having enough to exchange for a fragment.
He looked at the other items in the shop.
[Water Release: Hard Vortex Water Blade]-Price: 0.5 fragments [Water Release: Water Severing Wave]-Price: 0.3 fragments [Water Release: Heavenly Weeping]-Price: 0.4 fragments
They were all powerful, high-level Water Release Ninjutsu.
But he didn't have enough fragments.
"System..." Lin Shuo asked inwardly.
"Is there any way to temporarily increase the power of Water Release?"
[Analyzing...] [Recommendation: consume 1000 Ether Crystals to activate the 'Water Release Specialization: Temporary Enhancement' state. Duration: 24 hours. Effects: Water Release power increased by 50%, chakra consumption reduced by 30%] [Activate?]
Lin Shuo thought for a moment.
1,000 Ether Crystals wasn't much.
Besides, it was only a temporary state. He could just use it at a critical moment.
"Keep it on hold for now."
He said.
"I'll activate it when I need it."
[Understood.]
Closing the system interface, Lin Shuo walked to the window.
Lumina Square was quiet at night, with only the searchlights on the distant Hollow containment wall sweeping across the sky.
Solov Hollow was to the north. It should be bustling there now-TOPS exploration teams, Defense Force scouts, and private clients like Manato.
Four-Tails Son Goku... where would he be?
In the lava? In a volcanic crater? Or deeper underground?
Wherever he was, Lin Shuo would go face him in two days.
"Lin Shuo."
The door was gently pushed open, and Yuzuha poked her head in.
"Still awake?"
"Yeah." Lin Shuo turned around. "What's up?"
"Um..." Yuzuha walked in, holding a cup of hot milk.
"Here-to help you sleep."
Lin Shuo took it. The temperature was just right.
Yuzuha sat on the edge of the bed, watching him drink the milk, her green eyes sparkling in the light.
"Lin Shuo, are you thinking about the Four-Tails?"
"...Yeah."
"Really worried?"
"A little," Lin Shuo admitted. "The Four-Tails won't be easy to deal with."
"But you're really strong, Lin Shuo~" Yuzuha said with a smile.
She paused, her voice softening a little. "I'll help too."
"Yuzuha."
"Hmm?"
"This time... just provide support from the perimeter," Lin Shuo said.
"Don't enter the combat zone."
"Why?! I can-"
"Because it's dangerous," Lin Shuo interrupted her.
"The Four-Tails' Lava Release covers a huge area, and the temperatures are extremely high. Your protective suit won't hold up."
Yuzuha pouted but didn't argue.
She knew what Lin Shuo said was true.
"Then... at least let me provide support with my umbrella shotgun from a safe distance!"
"...All right."
"Great~" Yuzuha smiled, then stood up. "Then get to bed early, Lin Shuo! Starting tomorrow, focus everything on recovering!"
She walked to the door, then looked back. "Oh, right, Manato said he'd come by for noodles tomorrow before heading out-do you want to see him, Lin Shuo?"
"Yes."
Lin Shuo nodded.
"There are a few things I need to remind him of in person."
"Okay~ I'll tell him, then~ Good night, Lin Shuo~"
"Good night."
The door closed.
Lin Shuo finished the milk and lay down on the bed.
He closed his eyes, and the information on Four-Tails Son Goku surfaced in his mind-Lava Release, monstrous strength, hot-tempered, stubborn.
A tough fight.
But one I have to fight.
And... I have to win.
[System notification: Host has entered a state of deep recovery. Estimated time until full recovery: 47 hours. Please continue resting.]