"Asana, what's wrong? Why do you look so pale?" Uchiha Yuan supported the unsteady Hyuga Asana and asked. Upon hearing this, she instinctively looked around.
"Don't worry. There are no Anbu or Root members within 500 meters."
After hearing Yuan's words, Asana smiled and replied, "I just did an experiment with Orochimaru-sensei."
"Orochimaru took your blood again?" A flicker of killing intent flashed in Yuan's eyes as he looked at the weakened Asana.
"This time was different, Yuan. We succeeded. This is what you wanted." Asana handed him a syringe filled with milky-white liquid.
"These past three days… you were working on this?"
"Sort of. Yuan, this injection is our improved version of the First Hokage's cells. We used Yin Release to suppress some of the active properties of the cells, while also enhancing their vitality.
But be warned: this vitality is extremely potent. The user needs a strong Yin chakra nature to absorb it safely. Otherwise, there's still a risk of being assimilated by the cells."
Yuan nodded and stowed away the syringe. "Asana, we'll talk more about the First Hokage cells later. For now, let me take you home."
"Actually, Yuan… more than going home, I really want to have a big meal. How about treating me to some barbecue?"
"Sure." Yuan directly picked up Asana and leaped onto the rooftop.
It was the first time Asana had been carried bridal-style. Under the clear moonlight, she looked at Yuan's side profile, her heartbeat accelerating involuntarily.
She hesitated for a moment and rested her face against his chest.
In the past, because of the Caged Bird Seal, she never dared to dream… But now that her Byakugan had evolved and the seal had clearly weakened—
"No matter what happens in the future, just for today… let me rely on you."
Yuan treated Asana to a lavish barbecue meal, costing nearly 200,000 ryo. Asana alone consumed enough for seven or eight people.
Yuan was dumbfounded. Why hadn't he realized Asana could eat so much before?
After feasting on so much meat, Asana's life force surged rapidly. Yuan could clearly sense her chakra increasing at a visible rate.
"Asana, you…"
"I had to confirm it was safe before letting you use it," Asana said with a smile.
Hearing this, Yuan's heart trembled. An indescribable emotion welled up inside him.
What seemed like a simple reply likely masked great pain and sacrifice.
"Asana… I will definitely help you break free from the Caged Bird."
After they left the restaurant, the two parted ways as usual.
Yuan returned to the Uchiha clan compound.
After half a year of text-based simulation games, his status panel now looked like this:
Chakra: 439
Constitution: 233
Ocular Power: 999
Vitality: 44
Nature Affinity: 4
Level: Lv48 (52/70)
Attribute Points: 0
Just one point short of 1000 Ocular Power. That meant after today's simulation, Yuan could awaken the Mangekyō Sharingan.
He slowly closed his eyes and spun the game wheel. A familiar animation appeared, followed by a string of text:
"You have entered the world of One Piece."
"You were born on the Grand Line."
"At age three, your parents were killed by pirates. You became an orphan."
"Due to your excellent physical attributes, human traffickers targeted you."
"They sold you to the World Government."
"You became a reserve agent for CP (Cipher Pol)."
"After 15 years of brutal training, your strength earned you a place in CP9."
"Your teammate is the strongest rookie of your generation: Rob Lucci, a Devil Fruit user. You're sent to Water 7 to search for the blueprints of the ancient weapon, Pluton."
"After years of surveillance, you confirm the blueprints are in the hands of Iceberg, the mayor of Water 7."
"You encounter Nico Robin, the Demon Child who can read the Poneglyphs."
"You capture her and take her to Enies Lobby."
"Unexpectedly, the Straw Hat crew pursues and assaults Enies Lobby."
"You all view them as mere insects—yet you lose. Robin is rescued, and Enies Lobby is obliterated by a Buster Call."
"You narrowly escape, only to be hunted by the World Government."
"While evading pursuit, you raise money to help Lucci recover."
"After recovering, Lucci redoubles his training."
"Once you defeat your CP0 pursuers, the World Government recruits you into the new CP0."
"Though reluctant, you join because your teammates do."
"You carry out many dirty jobs. This time, your mission is to eliminate Vegapunk."
"But upon arrival at Egghead, you encounter one of the now Four Emperors (Yonko) Straw Hat crew."
"Lucci's awakened Devil Fruit is no match for Luffy. Kaku's awakened form is overwhelmed by Zoro."
"Just as you move to help, Stussy pierces your heart with a Finger Gun from behind."
"As your life fades, you hear her say: 'The World Government doesn't need disobedient dogs. Die in peace.'"
"You died."
Game Over.
Rewards: +2 Attribute Points, +1 CP Agent Skill Draw.
Yuan sighed. Another unusual death—stabbed in the back by his own comrade.
He chose to draw his reward. A small roulette wheel appeared, split into thirty-plus slots.
Some slots had guns, others physical techniques, and others material assets. A quick glance showed that CP0 really had some powerful tools.
Yuan spun the wheel. After a few seconds, it stopped.
"Congratulations, you've obtained Six Powers Training Method."
"Huh? A training method? I used to directly acquire the skill. Why a method this time?" Yuan mused.
He accepted the reward and skimmed through the method. His eyes lit up. Compared to just gaining the technique, this training method was far more valuable.
With it, he could teach the Six Powers (Rokushiki) to other members of the Uchiha clan.
But that could wait.
He added the two attribute points to his Ocular Power.
The next second, his three-tomoe Sharingan began to spin wildly, merging together—finally forming a six-pointed star pattern.
Uchiha Yuan's Mangekyō Sharingan had awakened!
(To Be Continued...)