Chapter 182: The Reward for Helping the Fūma Clan
1st: Sasame Fūma
The forest was quiet, save for the soft rustle of the trees and the occasional chirp of birds hidden in the dense foliage. A thick fog hung low, curling around the trunks like a protective blanket. Malik found a cozy spot beneath a large tree, its roots twisted and knotted, providing just enough space for a picnic blanket. He had already set up the blanket, a soft deep blue fabric that contrasted with the natural greens of the forest floor. A basket full of freshly baked goods, fruits, and warm drinks lay at the center, inviting and warm in the cool morning air.
Malik glanced up as Sasame approached, her outfit simple but fitting for a shinobi. She wore her usual attire: a sleeveless, light-colored vest that was zipped up, paired with dark green shorts. The belt slung across her waist, and her beige leg warmers added to her appearance as a capable, battle-ready individual. She looked comfortable yet alert, as though ready for anything. As she sat down beside him, Malik handed her a cup of hot coffee, the steam rising and swirling in the cool morning breeze.
They exchanged a few pleasantries, the kind of light conversation that floats between two people who are still getting to know each other better. But soon, the tone shifted when Sasame brought up her cousin, Arashi.
"You know, before he joined Orochimaru… Arashi was different," she began, her voice soft but laced with a hint of sadness. Malik listened attentively, watching her face as she recounted the memories. "He was always so protective of me, like an older brother. Before all this...corruption, he was one of the kindest people I knew."
Malik saw the mixture of joy and sorrow in her eyes. She told him about two specific memories that stuck with her. The first was from when she was very young, no more than five or six. Arashi had taken her to the edge of their village, pointing out different plants and telling her which ones were safe to eat and which ones were poisonous. "He always knew everything," she said with a wistful smile. "I looked up to him so much."
The second memory was just a few months before Orochimaru's arrival. Sasame recalled a day when they had both trained together in the forest, practicing chakra threads. "He was so proud of how far I'd come," she said, her eyes bright for a moment. "I could tell that he believed in me, believed in the Fūma Clan."
Malik leaned back, listening closely as Sasame spoke, her words carrying the weight of both nostalgia and heartache. He could see how much her cousin meant to her and how much his loss had affected her. There was a long pause after she finished, the air between them filled with unspoken emotions.
Then, Sasame did something unexpected. She turned to Malik, her gaze steady. "What about your family?" she asked quietly. "You've done so much for us, but I don't know anything about where you come from."
Malik hesitated, caught off guard by the question. He hadn't expected her to ask about his past, especially not today. But there was a softness in her eyes that made him feel safe, like he could share something personal.
"I'm from a very faraway place," Malik said, his voice thoughtful. He glanced up at the towering trees, the fog curling around their branches like whispers from another world.
"Do you miss it?" Sasame asked, curiosity lacing her words.
"Sometimes," Malik admitted. "More on certain days than others. It's strange… you don't really think about how much you miss something until you're too far away to go back."
Sasame nodded, clearly understanding the feeling. "And your family?"
Malik sighed, his thoughts drifting back to a time long ago. "I've got two older sisters. They were a lot older than me, though, so growing up, they were always busy with their own lives. My mom made good money, so we never really struggled, but she was always working. I was alone a lot of the time." He paused, giving her a half-smile. "All I really had was the internet to keep me company."
Sasame blinked, confusion crossing her face. "Internet?"
Malik laughed, shaking his head. "Forget I said that. It's not important."
Sasame didn't press further, letting the subject change. "And your father?" she asked, her tone softer now.
Malik's expression shifted, a more somber look crossing his face. "I don't know," he said quietly. "Whenever I asked my mom or sisters about him, they'd get upset, so I stopped asking. I've never known anything about him."
Sasame's eyes softened, her own sadness reflecting in his story. "That must have been hard," she said gently.
Malik shrugged, his smile returning. "It is what it is." He turned the conversation back to her, noticing the way she stuffed one of his breakfast cakes into her mouth to hide her emotions. He smiled mischievously, scooting closer to her and wiping away the crumbs around her lips with a single finger. Sasame tried to ignore his flirtation, but her face reddened slightly as she continued talking about her parents.
"They died in the war," she explained, her voice quieter now. "It wasn't just our clan that was hit hard. We lost so many… and those of us who survived had to stick together, even if our blood wasn't as thick as it once was."
Malik nodded, listening intently as she talked about the Fūma Clan. She explained how most of the surviving members were distant relatives, not as closely related as before. The once-great clan was reduced to only 22% of its original strength, most of them from branch families.
After a moment of silence, Malik shifted closer until their bodies were touching, feeling the warmth of her presence beside him. "Well, your blood might not be as thick anymore," he said with a smirk, "but I'd say the romantic tension between us is."
Sasame nearly spat out her food, glaring at him with a mix of amusement and irritation. "That was terrible," she muttered, wiping her mouth.
"Terribly good," Malik teased, leaning in closer. "I think it deserves a reward."
Sasame rolled her eyes, but a playful smile tugged at the corners of her lips. "Fine. One kiss. That's all you get."
"One kiss is all I need," Malik replied smoothly, his deep pink eyes locking with hers.
The tension between them thickened as Sasame leaned in, closing the distance. Their lips met, and a shock of electricity seemed to surge through her body. Malik's kiss was soft but passionate, sending a rush of heat through her. As they pulled away, Sasame felt her heart race, her cheeks flushed.
Malik stood up, brushing off his clothes. "You're a messy eater, you know that?"
Before he could walk away, Sasame grabbed him, pulling him back down beside her. She glared at him, her fiery spirit flaring up again. "One more," she demanded, her voice filled with a mix of desire and determination.
Malik shrugged playfully. "If you insist."
And so, they spent the rest of the morning wrapped in each other's arms, their playful banter and romantic tension filling the foggy forest air.
2nd – Kotohime Fūma
Midday sunlight filtered through the narrow windows of Kotohime's room, casting a warm glow across the worn floorboards. Malik stood outside the door, leaning against the frame with his arms crossed and a relaxed, confident smile playing on his lips. He looked every bit the picture of cool, even though he had been up for most of the day.
Inside, Kotohime could sense his presence. She glanced at the door, rolling her eyes at Malik's attempt to be suave. Without a word, she stepped forward and opened the door, grabbing his hand and pulling him inside with an effortless grace.
"You don't have to stand out there like some kind of hero," she said, her voice smooth and teasing. "You look ridiculous."
Malik smirked, stepping inside her room. "I don't need to be a hero to get your attention, Kotohime."
She didn't respond, instead turning her back to him and heading toward the small tea table that was already set up. The room was surprisingly neat for someone like Kotohime, with minimal decorations but enough personal touches to give it a comfortable, lived-in feel. The bed was neatly made, and a few scrolls were placed on a nearby shelf.
She knelt down and started preparing the tea, her movements precise and deliberate. The steam from the pot swirled in the air, filling the room with the delicate fragrance of herbal tea.
Malik joined her at the table, watching as she poured the tea into two cups. He noticed that there was no alcohol this time, respecting the fact that he didn't drink it. Kotohime handed him a cup without a word, and he accepted it gratefully, feeling the warmth of the tea through the ceramic.
As they sat together in silence for a moment, Kotohime's eyes studied Malik with a thoughtful expression. She finally broke the silence, her voice calm but curious. "So, how long are you planning on staying here? You've done more than enough to help the Fūma Clan. They're somewhat stable now. I'm not sure you're really needed at this point."
Malik swirled the tea in his cup, considering her question. He had been thinking about this himself, wondering if it was time to move on. "Maybe this will be my last full day here," he said quietly, his voice carrying a hint of finality.
Kotohime didn't show much of a reaction, but her eyes flickered slightly as she absorbed his words. "Then I'm glad you're spending some of it with me."
Malik raised an eyebrow, surprised by the sincerity in her voice. Usually, Kotohime was more playful and flirty, always trying to get a rise out of him. But today, she seemed different—quieter, more thoughtful. "I'm surprised," he said with a soft chuckle. "You're not trying to seduce me this time."
Kotohime smirked, taking a sip of her tea. "Who says I'm not?"
He grinned at that, shaking his head. "You're planning something, aren't you?"
She glanced at him from over the rim of her cup, her eyes gleaming with amusement. "Maybe," she said, not giving anything away.
Malik leaned back, enjoying the calmness of the moment. There was something different in the air between them today, a kind of understanding that went beyond their usual flirtatious banter. Kotohime wasn't pushing him this time, and that made him realize she was thinking further ahead than he'd given her credit for.
He studied her for a moment, watching the way she carried herself, the way her sharp eyes seemed to see more than she let on. There was more to Kotohime than just her playful nature. Beneath the surface, there was a depth to her, something she didn't often show.
As they sipped their tea in comfortable silence, Malik found himself appreciating the quiet moment between them. It was rare for him to find this kind of peace, especially with someone like Kotohime.
The two of them talked about small things—nothing too deep, just light conversation as they sat in each other's presence. Malik could sense that Kotohime was biding her time, waiting for the right moment to make her next move, but for now, she was content to enjoy the simplicity of their tea.
Eventually, the sun began to dip lower in the sky, casting longer shadows across the forest. As Malik stood up to leave, Kotohime looked up at him, her eyes soft but determined.
"Don't think you're getting away that easily," she said, her usual playful tone returning.
Malik smiled down at her. "I wouldn't dream of it."
They both knew that this wasn't the end, but for today, Kotohime was happy with the time they had shared. There was always tomorrow, after all.
Chapter 182: 3rd – Kagerō Fūma
Kagerō walked silently through the thick forest, her footsteps barely making a sound against the mist-covered ground. The fog clung to the trees, swirling lazily around her as she made her way deeper into the woods. The sound of water reached her ears, faint but unmistakable, the soft lapping of waves against the shore. It was a calming sound, but something about it felt... different.
As she neared the lake, her eyes widened. The water glowed with an ethereal light, a soft shimmer that seemed to push the mist away, leaving a clear, pristine space around the lake. Above, the clouds parted just enough to let the moonlight pour down, casting a halo over the water's surface. It was as if the lake itself had been waiting for her, untouched and sacred.
And there, sitting on the still surface of the water, was Malik. His back was to her, but even from behind, Kagerō could tell he was wearing something different. He was dressed in a loose, sleeveless white tunic that flowed gently in the night breeze, and light pants that allowed him to stay cool in the evening air. His feet rested on the water's surface as if it were solid ground.
When he sensed her presence, Malik turned his head and smiled. "Kagerō," he called out softly, his voice carrying over the water. She stepped forward, emerging from the fog into the clearing, her eyes catching his.
She wore a new dress—a single-strap, light-blue piece that hugged her slender frame perfectly. The fabric was light and delicate, flowing with her movements and shining under the moon's soft glow. It wasn't hard to see through the material, and just like before, she wore nothing underneath. Her flat chest and wild, mint-green bush were barely concealed by the translucent fabric, though she didn't seem to care or even notice.
Malik, with a teasing glint in his eye, mimed throwing an invisible lasso around her. "Caught you, moonbeam," he said with a chuckle, expecting her to play along.
Kagerō, as usual, stared at him with her calm, curious expression, showing no interest in playing his game. But that didn't bother him—he loved her stoic nature, and he sighed, giving her a playful look. "Alright, alright," he said, waving her over. "Come closer."
She approached the edge of the lake, her reflection shimmering beneath her feet in the glowing water. Malik extended his hand to her, his smile soft and warm. "Trust me," he said, his voice low and soothing. "Step onto the water. I won't let you fall."
For a moment, Kagerō hesitated, but the look in his eyes reassured her. Without a word, she stepped onto the water. To her surprise, the surface held her weight, and her reflection rippled slightly as her bare feet touched the cool liquid. As she walked closer to Malik, she noticed the fish swimming below, their glowing scales reflecting the moonlight in an almost otherworldly manner.
Malik took her hands in his, her pale skin contrasting beautifully against his deep, milk-chocolate complexion. He spun her gently, lifting them both into the air as they floated above the lake, the stars twinkling like diamonds above them. Slowly, they descended back onto the water, the two of them making a single, graceful ripple that spread across the surface.
"Beautiful, isn't it?" Malik whispered, his eyes locked onto hers. With a flick of his fingers, he conjured a swarm of glowing mayflies, their tiny lights swirling around them like little stars in the night. The air filled with their gentle glow, and Kagerō couldn't help but feel mesmerized by the sight.
Malik led her in a dance, floating up into the air and then gliding back down onto the lake. Kagerō did her best to follow his lead, but she was no dancer. Her movements were stiff, and she stumbled more than once, trying to keep up with him. Malik found it endearing, enjoying the way she jumped awkwardly to match his steps. Her dress lifted and fell with her movements, but Malik barely noticed—his focus was on her expressions, the subtle shifts in her face as she tried to navigate the dance.
"Kagerō," Malik said, his voice soft and full of affection, "your beauty shines brighter than the moonlight reflecting on this lake."
She blinked, not used to such compliments, but something about his words made her heart skip a beat. Malik stepped closer, his hands still holding hers gently as he looked into her eyes.
"Kagerō," he asked softly, "do you wish to fall in love?"
For the first time, Kagerō's usually calm expression shifted. She looked away, her face slightly flushed under the moonlight. Her answer was barely a whisper, but Malik heard it clear as day. "Maybe," she said, her voice quiet and vulnerable.
Malik smiled gently, stepping even closer to her, their faces only inches apart. "May I kiss you?" he asked, his voice a tender murmur, his eyes filled with sincerity. "With your permission this time."
Kagerō's breath hitched, and for a moment, she seemed unsure. But as she looked into Malik's deep, hot pink eyes, she nodded ever so slightly, giving him her silent consent.
Without hesitation, Malik leaned in, pressing his lips to hers in a soft, tender kiss. It wasn't rushed or passionate—it was gentle, filled with the warmth and affection he had come to feel for her. Kagerō's eyes fluttered shut, and for the first time in a long while, she allowed herself to feel something other than duty and survival. The kiss was like a spark, igniting something deep inside her.
When Malik finally pulled away, he smiled at her, his forehead resting lightly against hers. "Thank you," he whispered.
Kagerō didn't respond right away, but the look in her eyes told him everything he needed to know. She wasn't used to these kinds of feelings, but for the first time, she felt a sense of peace. Maybe, just maybe, falling in love wasn't so bad after all.
They floated together in silence, the glow of the mayflies surrounding them, as the moon continued to shine down on the tranquil lake.
Malik sat comfortably atop the thick branches of an ancient tree, its roots stretching far and deep into the forest floor. GrubGrub, his faithful companion, had taken on the form of a massive, camouflaged forest serpent, its scales glimmering in hues of green and gold to match the dense, mist-covered environment around them. They were deep in the heart of the forest, far from any village or sign of civilization.
The tree Malik perched on was old—older than most of the trees around it, with bark that felt almost alive beneath his fingers. Malik could feel the magic thrumming through the very air, a hum of power that echoed the energy of the forest itself. As he sat there, surveying the forest canopy below, something strange began to stir within him.
It was subtle at first, a faint sensation like a whisper, but it grew stronger with every passing second. The forest around him seemed to pulse, and the air thickened with ancient energy. He could feel the weight of something powerful—something ancient and primal—trying to communicate with him.
Without thinking, Malik began to channel his mana, letting the energy flow through his body. His hands moved instinctively, tracing symbols in the air as the words of an incantation bubbled up from deep within him. It was as if the very essence of the forest was guiding him, urging him to tap into something long forgotten.
The words of the spell came out in a soft, rhythmic chant:
"By the power of your ancestors, I call upon the strength of your bloodline. Let their essence flow through you and awaken the dormant power within."
As the final words left his lips, a bright light erupted from Malik's fingertips, wrapping around him and then extending outward in shimmering waves of energy. The forest around him responded in kind, the ancient tree beneath him glowing with ethereal patterns that danced along its bark. Symbols—each one unique and representing the history of different clans, tribes, and bloodlines—flashed across the tree's surface, as though it held the memories of countless generations.
GrubGrub, still coiled protectively around the tree, hissed softly, sensing the immense power Malik was tapping into. Malik's eyes glowed a brilliant pink, and as the light intensified, a new skill surged into his consciousness: Ancestral Resonance.
Magic Skill: Ancestral Resonance
Type: Enchantment
Description: Ancestral Resonance is a powerful enchantment that enhances and amplifies the genetic traits inherited from one's ancestors. By invoking this skill, the caster can awaken special abilities or traits dormant within the target's bloodline, unlocking untapped potential.
Abilities:
Bloodline Amplification: The enchantment identified specific genetic traits from the target's ancestors, increasing the likelihood of these traits manifesting in the target. Physical abilities, magical affinities, and rare bloodline skills could now be amplified, bringing forth long-dormant power.
Ancestral Memory: The target gained access to the memories and experiences of their ancestors, providing them with a wealth of forgotten knowledge, techniques, and insights into abilities that had once been thought lost to time.
Genetic Fortification: The target's physical and mental attributes were fortified, their strength, speed, and resilience enhanced by the collective might of their ancestors' bloodline.
Malik's vision blurred momentarily as the power surged through him, bringing with it flashes of memory—not his own, but echoes of the past. He saw warriors from ancient times, their bloodlines running strong through the Fūma Clan and others like them. He felt the weight of their history, the struggles they had endured, and the strength that lay dormant in their descendants.
As the energy subsided, Malik found himself breathing heavily, his body tingling with the residual magic. GrubGrub shifted beside him, sensing that the intense moment had passed, and slithered closer to offer him support. Malik smiled, resting his hand on the serpent's massive head.
"So, that's the reward for helping the Fūma Clan, huh?" Malik mused, feeling the raw potential of his new skill buzzing in his veins. With this magic, he could unlock the hidden power within the clan—help them rise again to their former glory and beyond.
But he knew that power like this came with a price. The Ancestral Resonance skill was potent, but it would require a vast amount of mana to maintain, and he would need to be careful about how he used it. Overuse could leave him drained, and the memories it invoked might overwhelm those he sought to help.
As he sat there contemplating the power he had just unlocked, Malik couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement. With this new skill, he would be able to do more than just protect the Fūma Clan—he could help them thrive, uncover their hidden strengths, and maybe even guide them toward greatness.
He looked out over the forest, the mist still clinging to the trees, and smiled. "Alright, GrubGrub," he said, patting the serpent's side. "Looks like we've got work to do."
With a soft hiss of agreement, GrubGrub shifted its massive body, coiling around the tree as it prepared to take flight once more. Malik stood on the tree's branch, taking one last look at the glowing lake below before leaping into the air. GrubGrub caught him effortlessly, its wings spreading wide as it ascended into the sky, disappearing into the thick mist.
As they soared above the forest, Malik felt a sense of peace wash over him. He knew that the road ahead would be challenging, but with the power of the Ancestral Resonance, he was more than ready to face whatever came next.
And so, with a heart full of purpose and a mind buzzing with newfound magic, Malik and GrubGrub flew toward the future—toward the next chapter of their adventure, knowing that the Fūma Clan's best days were still ahead of them.