[Congratulations, dear, you've asked a crucial question.]
[Let me reiterate, this System is called the Curse Spirit Mother Auxiliary System. Since you, the Host, are the Curse Spirit Mother, you can give birth to different Curse Spirits from the various emotions produced by humans.]
['Curse Spirits awaiting activation' are Curse Spirits that already exist, while 'Curse Spirits awaiting generation' are new Curse Spirits born from new emotions.]
Shiratori Rin gasped.
So that means…
Shiratori Rin immediately asked, "Since I am the Curse Spirit Mother, can I curse already deceased people to become my Curse Spirits?"
Just like his companion Curse Spirit, Rika Orimoto.
[…Dear, you are truly a Heaven-Defying Genius.]
"Hmm?"
The System was getting more and more arrogant!
[Dear, what I mean is, you are truly, truly a Heaven-Defying Genius.]
"…"
Shiratori Rin urged, "Stop talking nonsense, just tell me if it's possible!"
Before the System could answer, Shiratori Rin added, "If not, you're dead!"
[…]
[Dear, congratulations on unlocking the hidden innate ability—Curse (unactivated).]
Shiratori Rin sneered.
If he hadn't been smart, such a powerful skill would have been brushed aside by the System!
If he could curse deceased people…
Shiratori Rin felt he could form a Curse Corps.
However, given the System's usual behavior, activating this hidden innate ability would surely be quite difficult.
He still needed to collect more emotion points!
"The sword was given to me by Big Brother Iron Hail. I promise I won't run off during training anymore, Teacher, please don't be angry with me…"
Shiratori Rin lifted his head, his watery eyes gazing at Hanzou, carefully tugging at Hanzou's clothes.
Hanzou sighed inwardly.
He had been prejudiced.
Rin hadn't done anything wrong, yet he had misunderstood him.
Hanzou took a deep breath: "Tomorrow, I will teach you swordsmanship."
Shiratori Rin understood Hanzou's meaning; Hanzou was giving himself a way out.
"Thank you, Teacher! I will definitely follow Teacher and study swordsmanship diligently!"
Shiratori Rin promised earnestly.
As if remembering the previous scene, he quickly added, "I won't run around anymore. I'll definitely listen to Teacher and stay in the training ground!"
[Ding!]
[System detected Hanzou's guilt value +3000.]
[Not enough to generate a Curse Spirit. Guilt value has been stored.]
Hanzou's voice came from behind his respirator: "I misunderstood you."
A flicker of surprise crossed Shiratori Rin's mind.
He hadn't expected Hanzou to apologize?
"It was my fault," Shiratori Rin lowered his head, "I acted without telling Teacher."
Shiratori Rin felt a touch on his head.
Hanzou was actually patting his head?
But Hanzou's hand was as stiff as a zombie's.
Like a robot that had been given a command.
Hanzou's tenderness lasted only a minute; he quickly reverted to the stern, unsmiling teacher from the morning.
"Tomorrow morning at five, training will be here again."
The next day.
Five in the morning.
The training ground was dim, still in the dark hours before dawn.
There were even more Rain Ninja in the training ground than yesterday.
When Shiratori Rin arrived, these Rain Ninja had already started training.
Each one seemed full of vigor.
"They're really energetic!"
Shiratori Rin mused in his mind.
He stood in front of Hanzou and called out, "Teacher."
Today, Shiratori Rin had specifically asked the System to time him. He wasn't late; in fact, he arrived at the training ground a minute early.
Hanzou's eyes showed no extra emotion as he said directly, "Before training, attack me with all your strength. Let's see how much you've improved compared to yesterday."
"Yes!"
Shiratori Rin also wanted to test the power of Divergent Fist and Black Flash.
Shiratori Rin and Hanzou moved apart. His right foot slightly receded, and his body's center of gravity lowered.
Seeing their stances, the surrounding Rain Ninja simultaneously stopped their training and quickly gathered around them, starting to watch the fight.
Raindrops slid off Hanzou's body. Only a pair of sharp eyes were visible on his face, which was covered by the respirator.
He stood silently in the rain, unmoving like a mountain, waiting for Shiratori Rin to initiate the attack.
The fine rain was silent. Hanzou and Shiratori Rin stood ten meters apart, confronting each other, the air seemingly solidified.
The watching Rain Ninja involuntarily grew tense.
Although it was just a test of Shiratori Rin's strength, the atmosphere felt like a life-and-death battle.
Since Hanzou was waiting for him to make the first move, Shiratori Rin wouldn't be polite.
He had never been one to adhere to martial ethics.
No, he didn't have martial ethics at all.
Shiratori Rin's figure blurred into an afterimage in the rain. The accumulated water in the puddles under his feet exploded.
The terrifying speed brought by the instantaneous burst of pure physical strength and Curse Power allowed him to cross the ten-meter distance in an instant, appearing in front of Hanzou.
"So fast!"
"Faster than yesterday!"
"This growth rate is too Heaven-Defying!"
"…"
The Rain Ninja's pupils followed Shiratori Rin's figure, and they continuously let out exclamations.
Shiratori Rin's right fist was enveloped in condensed, almost solid blue Curse Power.
His fist tore through the rain, carrying a sharp whistling sound, heading straight for Hanzou's face.
He believed in Hanzou's strength.
If Hanzou's respirator was shattered by him, then Hanzou could give the title of 'Demigod' to Shiratori Rin.
Hanzou's eyes showed no ripples. Shiratori Rin's speed and punch were both within his expectations.
However, he was indeed very pleased with Shiratori Rin's growth rate.
The instant the fist was about to land on Hanzou's face, Hanzou's left foot subtly slid back half a step, smoothly brushing past Shiratori Rin's fist without causing Hanzou any harm.
While dodging Shiratori Rin's fist, Hanzou's arm extended like a venomous snake, his five fingers forming a claw, precisely grasping at Shiratori Rin's right shoulder joint.
Hanzou's movement seemed light, but his fingers could almost crush stone.
Hanzou's evasive action was also within Shiratori Rin's expectations, and he was already prepared for Hanzou's counterattack.
Today's Shiratori Rin was no longer the rookie from yesterday.
He forcefully twisted his waist, his body fully capable of keeping up with his brain's speed.
His left leg, like a steel whip, fiercely kicked towards Hanzou's knee.
A hint of approval flashed in Hanzou's eyes.
His outstretched right hand changed from a claw to a palm, his arm sinking, his elbow precisely blocking Shiratori Rin's sweeping lower leg.
Bang—
A dull thud of flesh colliding rang out.
Shiratori Rin frowned, a sharp pain and numbness spreading through his lower leg.
He took the opportunity to distance himself from Hanzou, staring at Hanzou's elbow. Was that thing made of rebar?
Fortunately, his Physique was special, and the pain and numbness disappeared instantly.
Shiratori Rin raised an eyebrow in surprise; a Heavenly Restriction Physique was truly amazing!
Hanzou lowered his arm. A Ninja's Physique was forged through countless trials. At first, he would also feel intense pain, but when thick calluses covered his body layer after layer, it became difficult to feel pain anymore.