You are very strong, but my painting style is better than yours!

Of course, when he can instantly kill high-level monsters, he will discover that Iori's true strength is far more than that.

The saying goes, "The higher you look up, the more lofty it becomes." At Kageno's current level, he is not yet able to make a general judgment on Iori's level; he only knows that Iori is "incredibly strong."

"Since becoming stronger takes time, what do you mean by 'lacking something'?"

"You must be good at using your brain to think, Shadow."

Iori casually pressed the piano keys, and the vibration of the strings produced a penetrating tone that, though brief and fading away, seemed to linger in her ears.

"The reason you were able to become stronger so quickly is that you had already honed your physical body through traditional training methods and learned a lot of physical skills and meditation techniques, accumulating a deep enough foundation."

On the other hand, you possess a 'childlike heart' that others lack.

To be single-minded in pursuing a goal, not to work hard passively, but to actively devote all one's energy to it, with unparalleled focus, unmatched awareness, and even... at any cost!

Such a person will achieve success in any field.

"Hehe, you flatter me, teacher~" Kageno Minoru blinked, seemingly not finding anything strange about his mindset.

He simply thought it was cool to become a "Shadow-level powerhouse," so he was willing to give up everything he had.

That's why Iori looked at him differently.

To be honest, even Iori herself isn't as "pure" in mindset as Kageno Minoru.

If Minoru Kageno were to be transported into the body of a demon lord in another world, he'd definitely be a guy so diligent it would drive even the hero to despair...

Of course, true powerhouses need not only strength and mindset, but also sufficient expertise in other areas in order to create a legend!

"Experience and judgment can be accumulated over time; what you lack right now is henchmen."

"Henchmen?" Minoru immediately thought of the Flame Dragon. "Like wild beasts?"

"No, they are extensions of your hands and feet, tools used to carry out your will, that is, what is called—"

【organize】!"

Iori stared at her disciple: "Kage, can you understand the importance of an [organization] to a strong person?"

"I know!"

Minoru Kageno's reaction was unexpected, giving the impression that he had been holding back for many years before finally letting it all out.

"I know it perfectly!"

The so-called 'BOSS' should be the pinnacle of an organization!

A strongman without subordinates can only be a lone wolf, the kind of guy who suddenly appears when the protagonist is in trouble and then mysteriously disappears after the matter is resolved, but he will never be a big shot who controls the situation!

If the bigwigs behind the scenes don't have power, then they have to do everything themselves—how can they be considered 'behind the scenes'?!

Like the blonde vampire in *Dodo!*, without controlling so many superpowered individuals, the oppressive feeling of seemingly having the entire dark side of society under his control simply couldn't be conveyed. Even possessing time-manipulation abilities couldn't make him a 'savior of villains'!

There's a "JOJO" in this world too? Oh no, is it called "DODO"?

Iori raised an eyebrow in surprise and decided to go back and look for the manga in this world. Even if it wasn't the one he remembered, it should be a very similar work that he could use to pass the time.

"An organization... mysterious and powerful, with uniforms and code names, active in the shadows of the world, an organization unknown to the public but actually influencing everything!"

Minoru Kageno blushed with excitement, his eyes filled with longing: "That's the kind of setup a 'Shadow-level powerhouse' should have!"

Seeing how quick he got it, Iori smiled and nodded in satisfaction.

Besides what Minoru Kageno mentioned, there is another very important factor, which is also the most important significance of the [Organization] to the [BOSS]—

A strong person needs someone by their side who can say, "As expected of Lord XX!"

"As expected of Aizen-sensei, he hit the nail on the head with just a few words. It was truly enlightening!"

—Yes! That's exactly the feeling!

Ding!

[CG included]

As expected of Lord Aizen!

Category: Art Style

quality:--

grade:--

Rewards Overview:

Art style value +2;

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Nodding silently, Iori glanced meaningfully at Minoru Kageno:

This apprentice is so thoughtful; it's no wonder he's put so much effort into him.

In contrast, none of the characters like Kaname Tosen, Mayuri Kurotsuchi, Najenda, and Esdeath, who have spent so much time with Iori, have generated such CGs. It's truly disappointing!

"It's great to be able to reach a consensus with you on this matter. It's true that we, master and apprentice, have similar tastes and principles."

Iori reached inside her trench coat, actually opening the [Dimensional Array], and casually tossed an item to Minoru Kageno.

"Hey... what's this?"

When Minoru caught it, she discovered that it was a bottle of an unknown red liquid, and unlike ordinary glass containers, it was specially made to look like a potion bottle from an RPG game.

From this, the boy sensed extremely pure magic power, and also felt a sense of familiarity.

Iori didn't answer immediately but looked at him with amusement. Kageno seriously examined the bottle for a few seconds before suddenly realizing, "Monster blood?"

"It's not that simple."

Iori explained, "Among my acquaintances are some incredibly resourceful individuals who can acquire all sorts of extremely rare items through unknown channels, including materials that are extinct in modern times."

One of them is called 'Magic Fluid,' a magical potion that can transform ordinary humans into magicians. By injecting it into the spinal cord, it can create a pseudo-magic circuit in a short period of time.

Don't understand? Just think of it as a kind of human modification drug.

Of course, the original 'Magic Marrow Fluid' couldn't meet my requirements, so after downloading the data, I created this 'Magic Energy Serum' using the flesh and blood tissue and spinal fluid of monsters as raw materials, based on the properties of magic in this world.

“Magic serum…” Minoru suddenly realized, “Could it be that you referenced what happened to me, teacher?”

"That's right!"

Iori gave him an approving look: "You used to eat monsters to obtain magic power, but after my modification, you successfully adapted to this power and formed a 'meridian network' in your body that is specifically for the circulation of magic power."

Of course, not everyone can have such a strong body, nor are they as lucky as you... so I prepared this serum for them, which is less effective but gentler in nature.

Injecting this serum into a human body, combined with appropriate modification surgery, could grant them extraordinary powers—sounds pretty good, right?

"Then these people can serve as your 'lackeys,' spreading your influence throughout Japan and even the world!" Minoru Kageno suddenly became excited.

Unexpectedly, Iori shook her head: "No, they are not my 'lackeys.' These potions are for you, my beloved disciple~"

"I?"

Kageno Minoru was taken aback: "Teacher, weren't you planning to build your own faction?"

"Shadow, do you really want to live your whole life under my protection?"

Iori closed her eyes and said in a deep voice, "Just as a fledgling bird will eventually leave the nest when its wings are fully grown, humans must also leave the cradle to stand on their own."

You are a very talented person, and I see great potential in you, but that bright future must be reaped by your own efforts!

"teacher……"

Minoru Kageno took a deep breath, her mood becoming serious as Iori spoke.

Although he was already among the top combatants in humanity, his current level was not enough to stand alone in this apocalypse, and psychologically he implicitly accepted Iori's leadership. He even thought that if Iori formed an organization, he would definitely strive for the title of "ZERO" to ensure that his codename was the coolest.

In other words, he saw himself as Iori's right-hand man.

But now that Iori has suddenly said such a thing, he feels a little uneasy... but also a little expectant.

Ultimately, Minoru Kageno's dream destined him to be someone who wouldn't be subservient to others—what kind of "Kage of Strength" can he be if he can't independently control an organization?

However, the bond, favors, and difference in strength between the two made it impossible for him to challenge Iori from any perspective.

To his utter surprise, Iori actually wanted to help him set up an organization...

"Why did the teacher choose me?" Minoru clenched her fist. "I think you would be a better candidate to be the leader of the organization than me."

"It's probably because I'm afraid of trouble."

Iori opened her eyes, looked up through the gap, and gazed at the beautiful crescent moon in the distance.

"Moreover, the 'world' in my eyes is far broader than this country or this planet, so it is impossible for me to stay in one place for long."

I'm a little disappointed... You're so hesitant and indecisive just because you have the opportunity to lead an organization. Your vision is too narrow, Shadow!

"Well!"

A different kind of light shone in Minoru Kageno's eyes; he was deeply impressed by Iori's demeanor, almost to the point of admiration.

"And don't think this is easy."

Iori smiled, her gaze towards Kageno Minoru carrying a scrutinizing quality.

"This is a trial, Shadow!"

"Trial!"

As a chuunibyou (middle school syndrome) teenager, Minoru Kageno immediately got excited.

"May I ask, what kind of trial is it?"

"I've prepared all the basic supplies for you: food, medicine, guns and ammunition, as well as gold for exchanging for other supplies. As for the serum, I'll leave you about a hundred vials. With such a generous starting capital, I believe you shouldn't have any complaints, right?"

However, correspondingly, the goals I've set for you are also quite high. Consider this your graduation test. Only by successfully building a strong and efficient organization and achieving strategic objectives can you be considered to have graduated from my tutelage.

As for the first phase… let’s set a small goal: to gain covert control of Japan and secure the allegiance of all the sanctuaries—how about that?

"I will work hard!"

Without any hesitation, Minoru Kageno was a restless person by nature. This kind of trial was exactly what he wanted. Moreover, the resources provided by Iori were indeed substantial. If he couldn't complete the first stage goal under these circumstances, he might as well give up his dream of becoming a "Shadow Warrior" and become a stay-at-home good-for-nothing!

"But I have one more request."

"explain."

"Please name my organization, teacher!"

A chuunibyou (middle school syndrome) sufferer never misses an opportunity to name an object or character, but today Minoru Kageno is an exception; he feels that only Iori has the right to do so!

"I trust the teacher's taste!"

"Yeah……"

Iori smiled slightly, pondered for a moment, then parted her lips and softly uttered a name that sent a jolt of electricity through Kageno Minoru's body:

"【Hollow Night Palace】."

Wow, so cool!

The boy gritted his teeth. These words pierced his heart like Cupid's arrow. He had never felt such a connection before, not even when he was with his family.

Please marry me!

—If Iori were a woman, Minoru Kageno might even have the urge to say something like that.

Ding!

[CG included]

Teacher, please go out with me!

Category: Bonds

Quality: Rare

Grade: B

Rewards Overview:

Spirit - Slight increase;

Avoidance of moderate growth;

-

Another CG image...