Bully Lord In the Chunin Exam (NarutoVerse)

Kuro's mind quickly drifted back to what he knew about the remnants of the Otsutsuki from the anime. They were legends in their own right—ancient, ruthless entities whose sole purpose seemed to be the consumption of planets for their energy. Their existence was tied to the darkest parts of galactic history, and the very mention of their name sent a cold shiver down his spine. He could almost feel the weight of their presence lingering in the air, even though they were not here for now. The Otsutsuki didn't just invade planets—they drained them dry, leaving only scorched husks behind, void of life or energy. If they were involved in the creation or distribution of Titanium-X, the stakes were even higher than Kuro had anticipated.

"The Otsutsuki," Kuro muttered under his breath, the disdain evident in his tone. "Universal parasites that drain planets dry and leave nothing but ash. Of course they'd be involved."

Rose's gaze didn't falter. She had likely expected this response from him, and she showed no sign of impatience. Her expression remained as calm and unreadable as ever. "Their role in this matter is indirect but significant," she explained. "They left remnants of their technology in this world, including Titanium-X. It has remained dormant for centuries, its power unnoticed—until now. At least for now, the people of this world have no way to find or harness the power of Titanium-X."

The pieces clicked together in Kuro's mind as he processed her words. The Otsutsuki weren't actively hunting for Titanium-X in this world—they had left it behind, a leftover artifact from a time long past. But its dormant power had not gone unnoticed by others, and now, Fire Fly's attention had fallen on it. The combination of the Otsutsuki's remnants and Fire Fly's ambitions was a deadly one, and Kuro now understood just how much danger this world—and the universe—was in.

"And Xaker?" Kuro asked, his voice sharp and biting. His thoughts quickly turned to the man he had encountered in the past in only name once, a man whose reputation was built on ruthlessness and unyielding precision. "What makes him so dangerous?"

Rose's expression softened for the briefest moment, a flicker of understanding passing through her features. "You've encountered him before, have you not?"

The question brought a flash of memory to the forefront of Kuro's mind. A distant encounter—one that had left him scarred, both physically and mentally. His fists clenched, and he leaned forward slightly, his gaze hardening. "Once," he admitted, his voice low but filled with a mixture of frustration and grim resolve. "It wasn't a fight I could win, or should I say, Xaker never actually fought me directly—it was just his shadow. Xaker isn't just strong; he's methodical. He doesn't mess up."

Rose nodded slowly, her eyes narrowing as she processed his words. "Then you understand the challenge you face." Her voice grew more solemn as she continued, "Your mission is simple in theory but monumental in execution: ensure Titanium-X stays out of Fire Fly's hands. To do this, you will need more than your own strength."

Kuro's mind raced as the weight of her words settled over him. The mission was indeed simple in its objective—stop Xaker, stop Fire Fly, and keep the Titanium-X from falling into their hands. But as Rose had pointed out, the execution would be far from simple. Xaker was no ordinary adversary. His calculated precision, his ability to read situations and respond with cold efficiency, made him a dangerous opponent. Kuro knew that if he were to take Xaker on, he couldn't afford to rely on his usual tactics. The Fire Fly General Manager had resources and skills that Kuro didn't have at his disposal. The scales were tipped in Xaker's favor, and Kuro would have to find a way to level them out.

Rose's gaze never wavered as she regarded him, as though waiting for him to fully absorb the gravity of the situation. Her next words carried a quiet urgency. "You will need allies," she said, her voice firm. "The battle you face is one that cannot be won alone."

The words struck Kuro like a blow to the chest. He had always prided himself on his independence, on his ability to operate without relying on others. He was a loner by nature, trusting few and keeping his circle tight. But the truth was undeniable: in this case, he could not afford to fight Fire Fly on his own. He would need help—powerful help. The thought of working alongside others was uncomfortable, but the stakes were too high to ignore.

"Who?" Kuro asked, his voice tinged with reluctant curiosity. "Who can I trust in this world to help me?"

Rose's lips curled into a slight smile, as though she had expected the question. "There are others within the Hidden Leaf Village who can assist you," she said, her voice steady. "Their skills and knowledge will be invaluable in the coming conflict. But you must be careful who you trust. Not everyone will be what they seem. And I, or should I say the system, will grant you a temporary skill. When the time comes, you'll be able to tap into the power of Kurama, which will merge with your battle suit. But it'll only be for one use—it's not a skill that can be used repeatedly."

Kuro nodded, absorbing the information. Trust. That was always the hardest part of any mission. But he knew Rose was right. He couldn't take on Fire Fly alone. If he were to succeed, he would need to find allies who understood the stakes and who could fight beside him with equal determination. The Hidden Leaf Village was home to many powerful individuals, but Kuro would have to tread carefully. It was a world of secrets, and in a place filled with so many potential allies and enemies, choosing the right ones would be the key to survival.

As the conversation continued, Kuro's mind shifted focus. The immediate mission had grown clearer—stop Xaker and prevent the Fire Fly Corporation from obtaining Titanium-X. But beneath the surface of this seemingly simple objective, there were far deeper currents at play.