Chapter 74: Let's Get This Over With

Disclaimer: I own nothing, this is purely a fanfic for enjoyment.

Cross-over from various games, books, anime, manga, and movies.

The familiar characters you see here belongs to their respected authors and owners.

'thoughts'

"Active skill name or magic spell"

'Active skill name or magic spell in thought'

"Activation phrase"

'Activation Phrase in thoughts'

"speech"

action*

time*

noise*

Gaia/gamer system talking

Description: Info on skill

[Item Name] - Rank: F- to EX - Durability: 1 to Unbreakable - ATK: 0 to N/A

Description: Info on the item

[Title] - Info

Chapter 74: Let's Get This Over With

The next day*

Year 24: Day 70: Nothing Much

(Hidden Leaf Village)

"Kind of the same as my original body, but I made sure to limit to only as much as this body can handle it. Therefore, if I go passed a limit of what my body can channel, be it [Mana] or [Sword Qi], this body will end up badly wounded or destroyed at worst." I replied, after sending my original body back to the [Ark] to guard this universe. "I have to train this body to handle it, otherwise, I can't fight in long-term battles and have to finish it as soon as possible."

"Huh, so you have to redo those training methods for control again like before, where you return back to the basics, but including body training as well." Esdeath said to me, then walk over to the door, waiting for me to finish putting on my clothes, which is still the default ones, which may or may not be replaced at some point today. "By the way, are planning to use one of the swords you have in the [Gate of Babylon], buy one in this village or make your own with that [Blacksmith Skill] you have."

"Planning to make one myself, after all, I got the [Skill] in the first place. May as well make use of it. Plus, I think this will be a good way to increase my insight into the [Dao of Sword] if I slowly craft countless swords. Not to mention, I won't have to worry about starting from the very beginning with a normal [Blacksmith Skill]." I grin, that having the [Sengo Muramasa's Blacksmith] is literally like having Sengo Muramasa himself before me as my personal teacher.

"Alright, come on. Since I can't really speak with Saya Hyuga without drawing unwanted attention nor can I grab Hinata to train her myself since she already training under her Mother. Besides those two, there is the fact that we can't openly speak out loud and have to rely on [Archive] to speak." Esdeath noticed the look on my face right away, "Just for speaking to each other without hiding much, that's all. So, just have your original body use the [Skill: Archive] to connect just us two."

A few hours later*

(Hidden Leaf Village: Amaguriama)

"Ha! And you call this place a sweet shop." Esdeath sneers at the crying workers, where Esdeath decided to have some fun, by fun, she meant to challenge the locate food shops in the Hidden Leaf Village to a food duel. To prove that all the food here not made by her may as well be taste like cardboard and she will show the entire village, who is the best and the [Goddess of Food] shall bring them all down with her cooking of delicious foods, to the point no one can live without them. Giving her the people to command through food alone.

Her first conquest is the popular sweet shop, Amaguriama, that specialized in ċhėstnut candies, such as ċhėstnut jellies and hams, and roasted-chestnuts. Along with making better other sweets the Amaguriama's sells, being the dango, mame-daifuku, manju, and sweet bean paste.

This led to a crowd to form due to the loud noise Esdeath making, luring both civilians and ninja to see what all the commotion. But, were shocked and confused, to see Esdeath defeating the workers and even the owner of the Amguriama through a cooking match.

Luckily, before coming here, we managed to get in time for me to craft myself a sword, and hot damn, [Sengo Muramasa's Blacksmith] is overpowered even at level 1, because I managed to craft a sword in so little time, that it breaks the actual time needed to make a sword that's not faulty in any way for a simple sword or be able to even finished making one in the first place.

[Common Sword] - Rank: E++ - Durability: 150/150 - ATK: 195 (200 - 5)

Description: This is a [Common Sword] made out of a mixture of materials; crafted by a talented [Blacksmith], but still needs more practices due to some mistakes made during the crafting phrase. However, through a special [Refinement Technique] had led to this [Common Sword] to be better than normal, which is the result of the increase in durability.

1st Effect: [Iron Core] - Increase the durability of 50 max points and making it a bit harder breaking the sword.

This is actually better than the [Empire Common Sword], even though, the [Common Sword] lost 5 points in ATK. Nevertheless, this is my first sword made by my own hands instead of using the [Wisdom of The Sage] to create it out of nothing.

Sadly, I only raised 2% EXP for the [Sengo Muramasa's Blacksmith] and 1% for [Sengo Muramasa's Blade-Testing Art]. With the latter, which was the caused for the lost 5 points in ATK. Kind of swung it wrong somehow during the testing. Nevertheless, I gained experience points for the two [Skills] is a win-win for me. Though, I kind of cheated still by using the [Gate of Babylon] to provide me the materials to craft the [Common Sword]. Of course, I made sure to only use the [Gate of Babylon] to provide me raw resources and not store anything else. Leading me having to carry the [Common Sword] by hand like I don't have an [Inventory] at all.

"Come on, Ragna, it's time for us to conquer the other local food shops." Esdeath didn't bother to look at the ninja looking at us, where some of them are planning to question us or in our point of view, they'll try to interrogate us. Which is laughable, after all, if there is one thing we made sure to check on before coming here was the Hidden Leaf Village's Torture and Interrogation Force. Well, Esdeath was very disappointed in their methods and could do better before she even got her Teigu in the past.

"Alright." I replied, not bother the fact that we're drawing attention, something we shouldn't do in the first place; furthermore, with my current body, I can be killed easily if I'm caught off guard.

3 hours later*

"So, why did you call us for?" Esdeath demand, causing the ninja around to glare at her for being so disrespectful towards their leader. But, neither Esdeath nor I feel anything from being glared at.

Minato Namikaze, the Fourth Hokage, and known as the Yellow Flash over the world due to his speed and the Father of Naruto Uzumaki. Alive in this dimension along with his wife, Kushina Uzumaki. However, due to being stuck in this Office Room for a long period of time had dull some of his battle sense. A fact, that both Esdeath and I know after making sure to read the character sheets of those that are important in the dimension, mostly the ones inside Hidden Leaf Village than outside of it.

"I would like to ask a few questions. One of them is who are you two." Minato said in a polite tone, not seem to be offended by the tone of voice Esdeath used.

"Well, seeing how you're speaking in such a polite tone." Esdeath nods her head while closing her eyes for a few seconds, not caring the ninja around would take advantage of the fact she has her eyes closed and allowing them to attack her while she can't see them. "I won't tell you."

"Eh?" Minato looks confused, wondering he heard her correctly, so just to be sure, "Did you say, you won't tell me? As in you won't reveal your name and your companion's?"

"That's right." Esdeath grin at Minato, "Why should I tell you my name or even my companion's name?"

Minato upon hearing this, narrow his eyes at the woman before him, who clearly doesn't know she and her companion are surrounded. "I don't think you know what kind of situation you're in right now." Minato doesn't like making threats as they are used for people that can't even back it up. No, he makes promises that he can keep. "I will give you one chance to rethink your answer before things get dangerous."

"No, I don't. But, you might." Esdeath didn't lose her grin, causing the ninja to release their killing intent at Esdeath, ready to teach her a lesson for being so arrogant up to this point.

"And-" Minato was about to say something when a heavy presence appears throughout the entire room, causing almost everyone to feel like they will die the very moment they move a muscle.

Minato didn't say anything, no, more like he can't even speak at all! This caused Minato to break into cold sweats and wonder where is this presence coming from. He already rules out the woman as he can tell it not coming from her, as she slowly walking towards him like she couldn't feel the heavy presence of crushing him slowly.

Esdeath snaps her fingers, signaling her husband to stop whatever he is doing, which she will learn about it later, but now she needs him to stop for now.

And just like that, the heavy presence disappeared instantly the moment Esdeath snapped her fingers.

All the ninja, including the hidden ones, in this very room, didn't dare to breathe too loudly and try their best not to release a hint of killing intent in any way, even if the heavy presence left the room. It just means that the person that released the heavy presence was only a warning. The ninja that inside this room have their instinct trained for years and can tell by this warning alone, that escaping this room was not even an option at all. Their lives are now under the control of that person.

"So, you were saying?" Esdeath wasn't really asking, but demanding, causing Minato to gulp quietly. "I don't have all day. So speak."

Minato lowers his head, "May I please know your name?" Minato didn't care about honor or pride, whatever it is called. He just wants to live through this and after this shocking life-changing meeting. Minato is going to retire as the Hokage and spend the rest of his life with his loving family, who he loves very much and wish not to leave them for the afterlife. This moment had taught him a lesson, that even becoming the Fourth Hokage doesn't mean shit in front of someone that extremely above his league, that can end him at any moment.

"Ah, that's the tone of voice I was looking for." Esdeath nods her head, "This is the tone of voice you should be using when speaking to me." Esdeath's grin still hasn't changed at all, even her tone of voice is still the same as well. "Now, listen carefully. I'm only here to visit the local places that sell foods. As I am someone who places cooking as something very important and dėsɨrės to prove to the entire world, that I am the best chef, where no one is my match. I am Esdeath Partas Mercer, known as the [Goddess of Food] for my people."

The very moment Esdeath declare her full name and her title, the very dimension has changed.

Leading to me having to channel my original body's [Skills] to this one, where I noticed a large amount of [Karma Threads] forming around Esdeath and me, but mostly with Esdeath. Among the [Karma Threads], there is one that showed the sign of Esdeath becoming a true deity in this dimension.

Seeing this, I was a bit dumbstruck, but remember, that Esdeath is among my wives that can ignore karma itself with pure willpower and determination. With the other ones among my wives would be Ryun due to her being a [Universe Creator] and can burn [Karma Threads] that she deems unworthy, unconsciously or not. Like with Esdeath.

This is something the rest of my wives and I are trying to obtain. It's very lucky, that both Esdeath and Ryun somehow develop such a thing without knowing about it in the first place. The only reason I discovered this was the moment Esdeath earned her title in the Food Wars universe. This discovery has caused a surprise for the family, that knew how important karma is in the multiverse.

Nevertheless, the rest of my wives and I have many ways to deal with karma, but we can't ignore it like Esdeath and Ryun.

Anyway, I can never stop being shocked each time I see Esdeath or Ryun dealing with all the [Karma Threads] trying to form a connection with them.

"Ragna. Come along. We're done here." Esdeath said to me, breaking me of my small shock of her ignoring and rejecting the [Karma Threads] trying to form a connection with her.

I glance at the Fourth Hokage and he doesn't look very good at this moment, then walk outside the room with Esdeath.

A few minutes later*

(Hidden Leaf Village)

'So, what did you do in that room?' Esdeath asks me, as we have our thoughts sent to each other via [Archive] under the control of my original body.

'It's the [Sword Intent] I gained from the [Skill: Immortal Exterminating Four Swords] and for which [Sword Intents] I have obtained. It's the [Slaughtering Sword Intent] from the [Immortal Slaughtering Sword Manual]. Seeing how this one is much easier for me to comprehend compared to the other three.' I explained, to Esdeath, who didn't bother to react to my thoughts physically, that she understand and instead of sending me the 'feelings' that she understood.

'But, I didn't feel any killing intent from that [Sword Intent] and if it has the word: Slaughtering in the name. How come all I felt was your presence a bit more noticeable; however, I did feel a hint of danger coming from you, something that shouldn't be possible for your current body.' Esdeath said to me, where she is a bit baffled upon finding this out.

'Well, from what I can tell. Due to all my killing intent is sealed inside my original body via the eyepatch and [Heartworld]. This body is free of killing intent as it has not killed another being yet. Also, I did learn something from using the [Slaughter Sword Intent] back in that room. There's no need to think, just kill. There's no need to plan, just kill. There's no need to hesitate, just kill. All I get from the [Slaughtering Sword Intent] is simply, to kill. Nothing else, even the killing intent is not needed as the killing part of the [Slaughtering Sword Intent] is like talking about the weather. One moment casual talk, then the next moment I kill the person I was talking with about the weather.' I tried my best to explain to Esdeath about how unique the [Slaughtering Sword Intent] I have obtained today.

'I see. What about the other three?' Esdeath asks me, curious about what the other three [Sword Intents] I gained from the [Immortal Exterminating Four Swords].

'Haven't got there and I only gained the [Slaughtering Sword Intent] the moment I wanted to attack the ninja when I noticed how they were about to attack you in the room, with the Fourth Hokage.' I said to Esdeath, who send a feeling of being surprised about this, while we walk through the street, where everyone is going on their business. Not noticing there are two godlike beings in this dimension, not including the deities of this dimension. "So, are you planning to continue your conquest on beating all the local food shops?" I asked out loud, to make sure the hidden ninja not to be suspect we have a way to speak to each other with us our thoughts alone.

Well, I think there ninja following us. No clue due to not having any [Detecting Skills/Techniques]. Of course, there is Esdeath, who can, and maybe I just need to ask her to confirm if someone stalking us or not.

"Yup. Planning to do so in a single day." Esdeath replied, 'Is there a downside to using this [Slaughtering Sword Intent]? Because I know for sure, there must be more to it than just killing.' Esdeath knew that the [Volition Sword Intent] was mainly towards survival in general and adapt by evolving, but could do so much more with that alone. So, the [Slaughtering Sword Intent] and the other three must be able to do more.

"Alright, a single day it is. What about tomorrow?" I ask Esdeath while trying to ignore the look we're getting. 'I haven't figure out all of them, but the main one I discovered right away is that the moment I used [Slaughtering Sword Intent]. My body's limiter is removed. This would cause my body to be able to perform physical feats that are way above what I can currently do in the name of killing the target. However, this would lead to damaging the body at the end, depending on how long I go pass my body's limit, and this body doesn't possess any [Healing Skills]. So I really have to be very careful using the [Slaughtering Sword Intent] let alone obtaining the [Slaughtering Sword Dao] that is bound to be much stronger and including a bigger downside to it in some way.'

"Hmm. Maybe visit the other villages?" Esdeath wasn't completely sure, "We could also open a temporary food stall here, to show the people here what real food taste like." The people nearby, that's been following us so far, picked up on this and curiosity got the better of them, even some of them being ninja quickly rush off to spread this news. After all, Esdeath is well known as this point and many people that sell food would dread for Esdeath to visiting them while those that are chosen to be judges are being envied by others for this lucky chance. As they get to eat Esdeath's food without even having to pay for food made by Esdeath, which she charges extremely high back in the Food Wars universe for something simple and small.

Not to mention, that from that point on, all those food judges will have a hard time forgetting the taste of Esdeath's food, and to make it worse, which these food judges would learn sooner than later, that the moment they tasted Esdeath's food. All food made by others will be tasteless or awful from this point on. Of course, if they have equal or better [Cooking Skills] than Esdeath, then they are fine, but if not, then they will have an unsatisfying life ahead of them due to the fact, that Esdeath won't be making food for outsiders of the family for long. Leading some to go crazy from the lack of having any tasty food to eat.

The next day*

Year 24: Day 71: Regrets

(Hidden Leaf Village: Ramen Ichiraku)

"You know, I'm a little surprised it didn't take you yesterday to finish challenge all local food shops." I said to Esdeath, as we enter the Ramen Restaurant that's famous for being the number one place for the main character, Naruto, to have his meal here daily. "Then again, some of the places were closed for reasons."

"Yup, took a bit more effort to get their best workers to show up for me to challenge them, and finally, this is our last place and we can move on to another village." Esdeath said to me, no longer having any interesting in the Chunin Exam.

After all, the Chunin Exam is a bit interesting, but this is just a group of kids fighting each other. For civilians, to see how amazing ninja are, even if they are kids, making them want to get their own kids to join the ninja academy, while veteran ninja wanted to check out the next generation.

"Welcome, to Ichiraku!" Teuchi, the owner of Ramen Ichiraku, a middle-aged man greeted us. "How may I help you?" While continuing to serve bowls of ramen of all kinds to his customers and still greeting us.

"Hey, Dad! We got an order of spicy ramen with ground meat!" Ayame shouted, the Daughter of Teuchi and the only one that helps around this Ramen Bar.

"Alright!" Teuchi shouted back, then bow his head at us a little and point at the seats available on the right, where four seats are available for anyone to take. "Please sit, we will get right to you." Then, Teuchi head to the back to make the order.

"Sorry for the delay, what would you like?" Ayame asks us, taking over the job of taking new orders while Teuchi has to return to his duty as a chef.

"Hmm. Let's see." Esdeath grabs a menu, not in a hurry to pick and slowly read everything on the menu. Especially the ramen.

While Esdeath checking the menu, I was trying to figure a way to develop a [Detecting Technique] somehow with the six [Skills] I picked out for this body. And honestly, out of all six, only the [Immortal Exterminating Four Swords] is my only hope of developing one. It's a good thing this [Skill] don't have a level attached to it, allowing me to use it for a long period of time without it becoming useless among the countless [Skills] I have obtained over the years.

"What do you want, Ragna?" Esdeath asks me as she moves the menu closer to me, so I can see what's on the menu. Snapping me out of my thoughts of trying to develop a [Detecting Technique].

"I don't want anything, honestly." I give Ayame a polite smile, who return one of her own, knowing that I'm just here to be with Esdeath. As Esdeath will be the one eating and soon to challenge Ramen Ichiraku's specialize cooking of ramen.

"You sure? From what I hear, this place is the best place to eat ramen." Esdeath said to me, causing Ayame to puff her ċhėst out in pride from Esdeath's words alone.

"Yeah, I'm sure." I replied, 'I need to work on developing a [Detecting Technique]. I just realize now how defenseless I am against sneak attacks.' I explain my reason why I don't want to waste my time eating something that not cooked by my loving wife.

"Alright. Sorry, I guess my husband must not be hungry yet." Esdeath smile at Ayame, where she wants to see the look on Ayame's face and on her Father's after today when she challenges them in ramen cook-off.

I close my eyes, thinking about among the four [Sword Intents] within the [Immortal Exterminating Four Swords]. I need to think about which of which would help me develop the best [Detecting Technique]. Overall, the [Slaughtering Sword Intent] will help me against any lifeforms trying to sneak attack me. But, there are many downsides from relying on the [Slaughtering Sword Intent] to detect enemies.

The [Trapping Sword Intent] is a maybe since it allows me to sense the space and time. But at the same time, this isn't something meant for solely on searching for enemies. Knowing that it mainly used against an enemy I know their location beforehand, not the enemy in the background, where I need to search for. Therefore, this [Sword Intent] is not the one for me as well.

The [Exterminating Sword Intent] is just a big no. There is no need to think about using this for developing a [Detecting Technique], which leave the [Ending Sword Intent] as my option unless I wanted a much more flaw of a [Detecting Technique].

"Wait, you're the one challenging all the restaurants?!" I heard Ayame scream, causing me to open my eyes, to see Esdeath smirking at Teuchi and Ayame, with the customers on our left are looking at Esdeath with a shocked look on their face. Like they did not expect Esdeath was the one doing all the food duels yesterday.

"That's right. Plus, you were the one that told me which ramen is the best among the rest. So. Yes, I'm challenging the owner of this place to see who is better at cooking ramen and after, we can see what else you can cook." Esdeath grin at Ayame, with Teuchi paling, which means he has also heard about Esdeath's deeds from yesterday.