Leo shook her awake. She opened her eyes and jolted at the sight of the bright sky.

"Hello, sleeping beauty. We're currently cruising at umm…" he looked down past his flying pig "… let's just say 1,000 kilometres. We'll be in Meadows soon."

She sat up, smoothing up her torn clothing. "I see. Will I get new clothes?"

Leo eyed her critically. "Yeah… I don't really like that kimono. I don't like your dress sense in general. No kimonos in my house. Also, your makeup looks terrible. I hate makeup. Wash it off."

"Do you have anything I can cover up with?"

"Hmm… it doesn't really matter but…" Leo flipped through his storage and pulled out a hooded cloak. "Here."

She equipped it. "Will I be working with others?"

"Huh?"

"When making recipes."

"Oh, well, I have many zombies at base. You can pick any one of them if it means I get churros faster. I'll make sure everyone knows you're a Class 1C so nobody will touch you." He clapped his hands together. "I know! I'll gather everyone in the hall and make the announcement! That way, you can do talent assessment and pick the best ones out of everyone! Go, me!"

"Class 1C?"

"Oh, I have a sort of caste system in all my bases. Let's everyone know their places better. To motivate them a little, you can get upgraded or downgraded within your level but transferring between classes is rare. Classes go from 1 to 5 and levels go from A to E."

"That sounds like an interesting system."

Leo grinned. "I know, right? I stole it from another player and made it better by adding the levels. That way, the lower classes are less likely to rebel because the level As and Bs are busy maintaining their level and dominating the Es and the lower levels have hope of progression and revenge against people of their own class. That way, they're more focused on gaining the system than taking it down. And once they've gained from the system and participated in their corruption…" Leo laughed. "Humans are so simple! In order to stay on the moral high ground, they start rationalising. Before you know it, they are supporting the system as the natural order of things. It's amazing how corrupt people can get if you hand them a little power. It's always hilarious to see the Class 4As and 5As abusing the Es as if they have any importance. Infighting and small-mindedness is always funny."

"And how do you deal with those who rebel?"

"We have mental health checks. I have a system of mind readers who all report back to me. All rebellious thoughts are noted and they are reconfigured once they pass a threshold. The Class 1s and 2s all have personal files. The tricky and important ones have mental checks, slave seals and rooms in my insurance building! Rebellion is impossible."

"Insurance building?"

Leo's eyes lit up. "Oh, it's a marvellous bit of engineering and architecture! I'll give you a tour! It's completely secure. Escape is impossible yet the inside looks like a luxurious hotel. It has gyms, swimming pools, casinos, spas, anything you could want! I love all the pretty lights!"

"What's it for?"

"Hostages, of course!"

"I see. You seem like you have a pretty efficient system there."

Leo's eyes positively sparkled as he grasped her hands. "Really? You like it?"

"Could you give me a tour?"

Leo let out a muffled high pitched squeal and tackled her to the ground. "Finally! Someone who appreciates my work! Even Princess and Hitoshi gave me that silly disgusted look!" He pulled back to look at her face. "I knew I wasn't wrong, I knew it! You're one of me!"

There was a deep rumbling noise and the pig vibrated. Leo smiled. "We're in Meadows!"

They landed five minutes later at the edge of a small town. Despite its size, it had a huge fortified wall and the gates swung open for him. People kneeled with their heads buried in the soil as the two of them passed through the streets.

"There's a lot of shops for such a small place."

"It's close to the border so I stop here a lot. I'll show you my tenth favourite sweet shop later!"

"Okay."

They walked into a large clothing shop with shining floors and no other customers. There were men's and women's wear, accessories, makeup, jewellery, shoes, everything. The shopkeeper locked the doors and put up a sign saying 'Reonarudo-sama is visiting'.

"How may I serve you, Reonarudo-sama?"

"I need clothes for my friend over here. Meet Anoushka! She's kind of cute but the makeup and stiff clothes ruin everything."

"Are you looking for casual wear?"

"Yeah."

"Please come over here."

The shopkeeper passed clothing after clothing to Leo. He chucked most of them and handed the approved ones to her.

"You may wash your makeup here, Anushika-sama. The changing rooms are right next to the toilet."

Leo tapped his feet against the ground. When she emerged, he blinked. "What."

She looked at him blankly. "Is it that surprising?"

Leo sputtered. "You look like a kid!"

"Yes."

"But-but-you-"

"Makeup. High shoes. Long dresses."

Leo squinted at her tight tee and jeans. "I thought you'd look good in it but… nah, you'll just attract all sorts of wrong attention."

"Then I'll change back-"

"I hate those stuffy kimonos. No dresses in my house."

"I'll wear a skirt-"

"No! I hate those too."

"So no dresses, no skirts and no pants."

"Yeah!"

"…"

"… Oh wait."

"…"

"Pants. You can wear yoga pants."

"Those don't exist."

"Then I'll make them exist."

"And until such a time, what do I wear?"

"Umm…"

"Skirts with shorts underneath."

Leo considered this for a moment before nodding. "Knee length. With a nice button down." He beamed, looking extremely pleased with himself. "There! And you can wear some flats and you'll look like a smart office lady! It's still stiff but it kind of suits you!" He nodded to himself.

"With makeup."

"But-"

"It's makeup or me looking like a kid."

Leo scrunched his nose. "Seeing you as a kid is super weird. Grandma fits you better. Actually, how old are you?" Leo gasped. "I'm old enough to be a grandpa! I never thought of that!"

"So I'll get her to arrange it?"

"Yep!" Leo turned to the shopkeeper and waved his hand carelessly. "Go do that," he ordered.

She emerged in an off-white button down, straight black skirt and heels, her strides long and her hips swaying slightly from the change in heels. Leo walked up to her and stuck his face right in front of hers as he studied her face.

"Hmm," he said. "How much makeup is that? I can't tell."

"Does it matter?"

Leo shrugged. "Well, it looks natural enough." He scanned her body again and nodded approvingly. "You look smart and fancy. I'm sure everyone will like you."

After a quick break at the coffee shop, they took to the skies. Leo took a nap on the pig while she did a few Sudoku puzzles. They arrived at break of dawn. Fires were lit to announce his arrival and everyone knelt, stock still with a few sneaking some peeks at the woman that arrived with their master.

"Welcome to the puppy base!" Leo said as he flourished his arm dramatically.

"Puppy base?"

"Well, the official name is… umm… you can look it up on the map but I call it the puppy base because it has the biggest puppy room."

"Puppy room?"

"I have a room full of pups in all my bases."

"That sounds like a splendid idea."

Leo grinned. "Right? Hitoshi-chan thinks it's dumb and a waste of money but puppies are never a waste and god damn it, I have money to waste."

The pair walked into a large hall. Fearlessly standing before them in the middle of the room was a dark man with hooded eyes and a scruffy beard and moustache.

"Hiiiitooooshiii!" Leo cried gleefully as he dashed over to the lean man, picked him up and twirled him around. "Lemme read your mind! I missed you!"

Hitoshi sighed and the both of them stilled for a moment, eyes cloudy before Leo's smile widened and he put Hitoshi down.

"I'll introduced Anoushka to everyone tomorrow… well, today now."

Hitoshi did a quick scan of her, giving her a nod and acknowledging her presence before looking back at Leo. "What headband do you intend on giving her?"

"Hmm… 1B? Red would look a lot better on her than blue."

Hitoshi gave a well-worn sigh. "Reonarudo-sama, status is very important. Please don't hand her such a high position because you think red looks better."

"But it does! Most of the clothes I got her are white and black because I didn't like the look of colour on her and I like the red-white-black scheme a lot better than blue-white-black. Besides, what's the real difference between 1B and 1C? She's still going to be among the top 10 highest ranked staff in any base she's in."

Hitoshi gave up and shook his head before turning to her. "I am Takayama Hitoshi, Reonarudo-sama's second-in-command."

She bowed her head. "Anoushka. I presume myself to be a food researcher. Pleasure to meet you."

Hitoshi nodded. "The same." He turned back to Leo. "I'll get Anushika-san signed up. Your dog misses you."

Leo's eyes brightened. "My poor girl!" Without another glance, he vanished from their eyes.

Hitoshi beckoned her to follow. "I'll enter you into our records and give you your headband."

She followed. "Headband?"

Hitoshi gestured to his own forehead where a single black dot on a white cloth lay. "It shows your status. The number of dots are your class and the colour is your level. It's like the ninja forehead protector. As long as it's clearly visible, it doesn't have to be on your forehead. At the registry, you'll get a handbook and orientation materials and I've specially arranged a zombie show you around."

"Zombie?"

"Broken doll soldiers. Classless slaves. Stick children who've given up on life. You'll know one when you see one."

"I see."

"… What's your connection to Reonarudo-sama?"

"Why do you ask?"

"No matter how much he likes food, 1B is an absurdly high rank to give to a cook. I believe the highest rank in the food department is a 3C. What's more, you're getting a bypass on the standard security measures."

"You mean the mind reading and slave seals?"

"Yes."

"Who know? Maybe he likes seeing me with a single red dot in the middle of my forehead."

Hitoshi watched closely as she smiled at a joke he couldn't grasp. "You have history with him?"

"You could say that. Or maybe it's the red dot on a white background that does it for him. Who knows?"

"Reonarudo-sama's mind works in strange ways on a good day."

They continued this manner of chat until they reached an office where her chakra and blood was taken and put into a book and a headband.

"If anyone tries to take the headband, the office will be alerted and the headband will burn," Hitoshi explained.

She took the headband and placed it around her neck. "To prevent fakers?"

"Pretty much. Trying to pass off as another class is punishable by death."

She scanned the office, taking note of the colour of all their headbands. "I see."

"Well, there's your zombie. See you around."

Hitoshi left and a little naked boy with protruding ribs bowed to her.

"Anushika-sama," his voice rasped. "Please follow me."

She followed the boy as he showed her around.

"This is the administration building."

"This is the cafeteria for 4s and 5s. The mass kitchen is behind."

"These are the lower dorms for 4s and 5s."

"This is the gathering hall. It's general purpose. Bookings can be made with the administration."

"These are the 5th set of training rooms. Bookings can be made with the administration."

"This is the 3rd weapon room."

"This is the weapons repairing room."

"These are the zombification building."

"This is the zombie residence."

"This is the discipline building."

"This is the insurance building."

"These are the upper dorms for 3s."

"This is library. Different sections require different levels of authorisation."

"These are the study areas."

"These are the research labs."

"This is the animal holding area. Animals and failed zombies stay here."

"This is the medical area. You will be called for a check-up periodically."

"This is the mental health facility. You will be called for a check-up periodically."

"This is the food hall for 2s and 3s. 1s can go here or get special room service."

"This is where the food department works. It includes multiple cooking areas, storage areas for different ingredients and a lab."

"These are the private rooms for 2s."

"That is the Great Master's building. Special authorisation or invitation is required to get in."

"This is your private suite."

She dismissed the zombie and was greeted by a maid. "Good afternoon, Anushika-sama. I am-"

"Leo told me I would get to choose my staff. Did you hear anything about that?"

"N-no… I was told to be here…"

"Do you know who chose you?"

"I think it was the administration office."

She looked at the maid for a few more seconds. "I don't really like you."

Fear entered the maid's eyes. "Umm… I'm sorry! Is there anything I can-"

"No, it has nothing to do with you. What were you doing before?"

"I cleaned the private rooms. Before that, I was a scullery maid."

"If I can't find someone better then you, I suppose you could go back to doing that." The maid twitched. "What's wrong?"

"No, it's just that I got promoted to serve you. Being a D or an E means you get pushed around a lot…"

"I see. I'll be in the gathering hall in two hours. You'll get your answer by today."

Yukari stood at the back of the gathering hall with the rest of the kitchen staff. None of them were really sure what the gathering was for but everyone immediately stiffened up when the Master burst through the door to the balcony in the front overlooking the masses with a golden retriever in his arms.

"Greetings, my workers!" He declared. Behind him emerged a severe-looking lady. Her hair was in a tight bun and her headband was around her neck. Yukari couldn't see the dots from this distance. "This is Anoushka! The newest Class 1 and my personal friend! I wouldn't accept any type of nonsense or foolishness around her! Now, she's going to be help me with some very important work and I promised her she can pick anyone to help her. I expect complete obedience from anyone she chooses." He looked back at Anoushka. "Take it away!"

Anoushka approached the railing of the balcony and pulled out a pair of binoculars and an abacus. The hall was tense as they waited for her to finish looking over the crowds with only the light clicking of the abacus ringing through the air. After what felt like an hour, she put down her binoculars and said something to the Master. The Master put down his dog in order to pick her up and jumped off the balcony, landing on the stage in front of the crowd. He then jumped back up to the balcony as she walked up and down the rows of men. Occasionally, she would stop in front of someone to ask them questions and ask them to stand by the side. It took quite a while for her to get to the back of the hall where Yukari was and Yukari caught a glimpse of the single red dot on her band. 1B.

As if sensing her thoughts, Anoushka stopped in front of Yukari. "How long have you been working in the kitchen?"

"Umm… Six years, ma'am!" Yukari hesitantly stuttered. Her heart pounded. As a 5C, Yukari's life was fairly average. She'd worked hard to get promoted. She didn't want to ruin it by accidentally offending a Class 1.

"Are you from this country?"

"Yes! A small village a little south!" She squeaked.

Anoushka's cold, pale face examined her's for a few more seconds before coming to a decision. "You'll do. Go stand by the side."

"Y-yes ma'am!" She scurried to the side as her heart sank and rose and sank again. She prayed this Anoushka wasn't as fickle as the Master and some of the 1s and 2s and she prayed she wasn't going to be cleaning up corpses or be involved in experiments. There was a chance of promotion but if she messed up…

Being a zombie was a fate worse than death.

Osaaki opened the shrine door to the sorry sight of his beloved wife kneeling and crying before the shrine. He padded over to her and knelt beside her, gathering her in his arms as she sobbed and wailed. The light and bounce that Yoshiko once filled her was hollowed out and replaced with grief, desperation and sorrow, dark emotions that a lady such as Atsuko should never have to know and for the hundredth time, Osaaki swore revenge on the Country of Meadows. If it meant war with Earth, so be it.

"She'll come home, right?"

Osaaki kissed her forehead. "Of course she will. She has always been blessed. She will be protected her."

"Ikeda-sama will come home, right?"

Shikamaru turned towards Sachiko as she fiddled with the sleeves of her dress. He turned back to looking out the window. "Accidents happen and miscalculations are always possible. Perhaps this is naïve but I believe she will return. From what I've researched, this Reonarudo isn't very careful or thoughtful and gets drunk a lot. She could probably convince a man like him to do something stupid."

"I've heard a lot of horrible things about Reonarudo…"

"It's alright. She has always had that annoying ability and sense of hers. She'll find a way." Shikamaru sighed. "I hate her. She's so annoying, making me so busy. Where does she get off, dumping all her work and baggage on me?"

"Umm… I may be wrong, but I think you chose to-"

"Shuddup."

Two weeks in and most of Yukari's fears had subsided as she settled into her new routine. She was Anoushka's general personal attendant and did things like clean the mistress's suite, pick out her clothes, pass messages and so on. When those were done, she headed to the food department to help out with her mistress. As it turned out, her mistress was just here as a chef and most of the day was spent trying out combinations of flour, water and eggs. She oozed calm and never gave impossible orders to everyone's relief. Yukari would've wondered why her mistress was so highly ranked if not for the Master popping in every day to chat with her.

"Hey, Anoushka?"

"What is it?"

"How long till the cake is ready?"

"One hour."

The Master pouted. "It looks tasty."

"It will take an hour. I can't change the laws of physics and chemistry."

The Master made a grumbling noise and everyone stood on edge. Nothing good happened when the Master was grumpy. Anoushka simply sighed. "I have a surprise for you."

"A surprise?"

"Yes. I managed to dig up some saffron from the spice cabinet." Anoushka handed him a plate of rice.

The Master's eyes rounded. "Is that- That is-"

"Yes. Paella is popular the world over so I know a bit. I don't think this is authentic but I'd like to hear your thoughts."

The Master took a spoon and slowly chewed the rice. To the shock of everyone in the kitchen, he started crying.

He sobbed, choked on the food and hastily tried to swallow it. Anoushka handed him a glass of water.

"How was it?"

"It- it tastes like fancy box paella." The Master sniffed and and wiped away his tears but they kept falling. "Ma used to throw random leftovers into it."

"I see."

The Master looked down at the plate. "Don't you miss it? Your home."

"I've never had one."

"… That's… sad."

Anoushka raised her eyebrows. "Sad? Me?"

Master looked her in the eyes. "Yes. Sad."

They looked into each other's eyes for a few seconds before Anoushka closed her eyes and broke eye contact. "I've never felt strongly with any group. Not a family, not a country… maybe not even a world."

"I loved my Ma and my woman more than anything. They're probably dead now though."

"How about Princess?"

"Princess? She's the most entertaining thing in this world. I fell for her a little when she punched me in the face but I'd turn her into a zombie in a heartbeat if I could get my Ma back." He studied Anoushka carefully before patting her head. "Make more of this. I'll give you anything you need."

"What's wrong, Naruto-kun?"

Naruto looked up to see the concerned eyes of Hinata and looked back down to the ground. "Yoshiko-nee is gone. Kidnapped."

"Kidnapped?! During the invasion?"

Naruto nodded.

"Who?"

"They don't know."

"I-I see."

"…"

"… It-it'll be alright! We'll rescue, right? We'll get stronger and rescue her!"

Naruto thought about it for a moment before nodding. "You're right, Hinata-chan! We'll save her!"

Two weeks later

Anoushka's private suite

"Umm… Anushika-sama?"

Anoushka looked up from her papers to look at Yukari. "What is it?"

"What's… what is your relationship with Reonarudo-sama?"

"Why do you ask?"

"Nothing! I'm just curious."

"It's not that different from your relationship with him. He just happens to like me more."

"R-really? You're not his… girlfriend or anything?"

"It has yet to occur to him that I am a woman."

"I-I see. You're… just friends?"

"… Why are you here?"

"Y-you chose me to serve you…?"

"No, why are you in his service?"

"I get two meals a day, clothes on my back and a futon to sleep in. I even make enough to send a little back home and it's one less mouth to feed for my family. It's impossible for a little farm girl like me to find better work. Reonarudo-sama saved our village from the famine three years ago. He may have his bad parts but he's the best thing that has ever happened to this country."

"Even though he floods the country with drugs and regularly enslaves and tortures people?"

Yukari frowned. "It's not like the Haga dynasty was any better! The people who take drugs are the wrong ones, not Reonarudo-sama. Most of the zombies are gamblers, criminals or foreigners sold by their parents and their countries. They were doomed anyway. When we were hungry, Reonarudo-sama fed us. When we were sick, Reonarudo-sama took care of us. When we were attacked, Reonarudo-sama protected us. He's a great man!"

"Then you are here of your own free will?"

"Yes!"

"I see. And I presume most people with any status are here freely?"

"Only the zombies are really slaves. I heard that some of the 2s didn't like it at first but I don't see how they can complain when they have such nice food and their own rooms."

"Ethics aside, from what I've seen, many of them are renowned researchers and other intellectuals. They probably had a life of relative comfort before. To them, this is a downgrade."

"Yeah but now they get to do important work for Reonarudo-sama. Many people would love to be in their position."

Anoushka sighed. "Well, it's an interesting system."

Leo sat with her in one of his many private rooms as he munched on the omelette.

"If I still believed in Him, I'd say you were a godsend, Anoushka." Beside him, Alma whined and brushed her snout against Leo's arm. Leo patted her head and gave her a piece of egg. "But make a portion for Alma next time."

"Christian?"

"Yeah, catholic. My aunt and her family were protestant though. It was super awkward sometimes. But I was never really serious about it and I don't really care about any gods. You?"

"No affiliation."

"Your family?"

"Hindu. My eldest brother converted to Islam though."

Leo winced. "Oh, god."

"It was a little awkward at times."

"I can just imagine the family dinners. I hate family gatherings. Just the thought of it makes me shudder. Everyone pretends to be nice and love you but you know half of them are ashamed to be related to you. I prefer politics so much more. At least the politicians are honest to themselves about their desire to kill you." He paused to take another bite. "Also, I can read people's minds and enslave them in this world. Makes things soooo much easier."

"… Do you really want to return?"

"Return? Nah. I just want to be able to visit once in a while. I wasn't really good for anything in the old world. Here, I have almost everything I want. You?"

"… The innate power difference between players and NPCs cannot be understated. It's a little… boring."

"Who were you?"

"I switched jobs a lot. You?"

"Failed scientist, you could say. I had a small alcohol and drug… thing. And I wasn't good at organisation. But now, I have many splendid, talented and motivated individuals doing that for me! Ah, life is wonderful."

"Doesn't it get boring?"

"Nope! I can get almost anything I want!" He frowned. "Except good food apparently. Japanese food is nice but it sure gets boring after a while. And it's like spicy doesn't even exist."

"It is rather bland. No spices."

"I would bet. I look forward to eating the fruits of your labour."

"Should I train your kitchen staff?"

"Yes! More food, the better! Just walk into the kitchen and start yelling at them. You have a high enough rank to do that."

Shikamaru slammed his head into the desk. "Arggggh. I'm dying."

Sachiko came around the corner and placed some cold soda on his desk.

"Sachiko-san, have I ever told you how much I loved you?"

Sachiko smiled and flipped her hair. "No, but you are welcome to tell me more."

Shikamaru rolled his eyes. He dispelled his henge and downed the soda. After consuming half of it, he placed it back down and suddenly said:

"I wish I was a girl now."

Sachiko raised an eyebrow. "Why?"

"It's awfully tiring to keep up that henge but I don't get respect unless I look like an adult. Yoshiko can just put on a kimono and some makeup and she looks fancy as hell."

"Do you want to be married off and pump out babies?"

"I suppose not. But at least I can laze about and paint my nails. If I'm pregnant, I'll have even more excuse to do nothing."

"Perhaps that's how it is for the upper-class folk," Sachiko said stiffly. "Do you need anything else?"

"No."

Sachiko turned and walked away.

"You should come home more often," his mother admonished.

"Hmm."

She sighed. "Is there anything you want for Christmas?"

"I want a little brother."

"…"

"…"

"…"

Shikaku sighed. "I guess."

"Shikaku?" Mother cried.

Shikaku looked her in the eye. "It means date nights once a week."

"… You could do that?"

"I'll file it under 'matters of clan security'. Hokage-sama wouldn't deny my leave."

She considered. "Hmm… okay."