Returning to the agency, Hayate Shiranui found Rock Lee and Sasuke Uchiha engaged in a sparring session in the training hall.
Since Lee was currently unable to open the Eight Inner Gates, he was physically outmatched by the already-enhanced Sasuke. Sasuke's current strength surpassed his post-Chūnin Exams self; while he hadn't yet reached the power of his Curse Mark Stage 2, he was undeniably stronger than his Stage 1 form.
Seeing Hayate's arrival, the two assumed there was a mission. They immediately halted their practice and approached him with a respectful bow. "Lord Hayate!"
Looking at the massive craters they had gouged into the concrete floor, Hayate considered their destructive potential. "Go report to Hotaru," he commanded. "Join the excavation efforts. We need to speed up the search for the Dragon Bone."
"If the Dragon Bone proves as effective as I believe, it will significantly accelerate the growth of your strength—and the arrival of those you wish to see most."
At these words, both Sasuke and Lee's expressions flared with excitement. "Yes!" they shouted in unison.
"Go on then. Get over there and help."
Swish!
The two blurred, racing out of the training hall. Hayate quickly shouted after them, "Take a cab! It's more discreet!"
"Understood, Lord Hayate!"
Hayate genuinely feared that in their excitement, they would sprint all the way to Hell's Kitchen. At their speeds, such a display would cause an immediate sensation across New York.
Once they were gone, Hayate returned to his room, settled into a comfortable position on his bed, and entered the System Space. He had recently acquired Shizune's skills but hadn't yet mastered them. Today, he intended to refine his ninjutsu.
Inside the System Space, Hayate entered the Practice Range. A second later, his consciousness manifested in a physical form within an area that perfectly mimicked the Hidden Leaf Village's Third Training Ground.
After a quick warm-up, Hayate began testing Shizune's three signature techniques.
First was Ninja Art: Poison Mist. He performed the hand seals, channeling chakra into his lungs to undergo nature transformation before exhaling. Instantly, a vast cloud of purple toxic gas erupted before him. He experimented with varying the chakra output, finding that more chakra increased the volume and duration of the mist. He practiced deploying it from various positions—standing, crouching, and even mid-air—preparing for every combat scenario. He even tested its efficacy underwater within the practice environment.
Next, he moved to the Hidden Needle Shot. Once he reached a level of basic proficiency, he stopped. While useful, the idea of spitting poison needles didn't particularly appeal to Hayate's aesthetic; it felt a bit "small-time," though he made sure he could at least use it as a backup.
What truly interested him was Shizune's ultimate technique: Swallow Return: Tonton's Dance.
As Hayate performed the seals, the ninja pig Tonton was summoned, charging forward with surprising force. Although she was just a pig, her charge plowed a deep trench into the earth. Simultaneously, Hayate's hands glowed with the blue light of Chakra Scalpels, allowing him to perform rapid horizontal slashes followed by a leap and a final strike.
After testing the skill as a whole, Hayate began the process of "Skill Decomposition." Unlike a game where a skill is a fixed animation, in the real world, he could separate and utilize individual components.
He focused entirely on the Chakra Scalpel. Drawing upon the knowledge imprinted in his mind by the system, he channeled chakra to his palms. High-frequency blades of blue energy soon shimmered over his hands.
This was the tool he wanted. He would leave the pig-assisted combat to Shizune; for himself, he wanted the precision of the scalpel for close-quarters lethality. As a legendary hitman, Hayate knew exactly where the body was most vulnerable. He knew precisely where a single, clean cut would sever a tendon or disrupt a vital meridian.
While he lacked the medical expertise to heal, Hayate was becoming exceptionally proficient at using the Chakra Scalpel for surgical destruction.
Three Days Later.
Over the last three days of system check-ins, Hayate had gained 500 Prestige, 200 Cycle Stones, and 80,000 Copper Coins. Just as he exited the System Space, his phone rang.
It was Hotaru, her voice buzzing with excitement. "Boss! You need to get here now. We've found something unusual. There's an ancient seal deep underground. Come see if this is what you've been looking for!"
Hayate's eyes lit up. "Wait for me. I'm on my way!"
He hung up, grabbed his coat, and rushed out of the room. He snatched his Mercedes keys from the reception desk and shouted to Iruka, "Keep an eye on the shop! I'm heading out. If any clients come by, log their requests."
Without waiting for a reply, he sprinted to the garage, jumped into the 300SL, and floored it. Relying on his enhanced dynamic vision and reflexes, he tore through the streets of New York, the accelerator pressed nearly through the floorboards.
He arrived at the Hell's Kitchen site in record time. The area was now cordoned off by high fences with signs reading: PRIVATE PROPERTY - UNDER CONSTRUCTION - DO NOT ENTER.
Hayate parked at the curb and headed straight for the main gate.