[Yagura Karatachi. The Fourth Mizukage. 42.

Isobu, the Three Tails. 80.

Kisame Hoshigaki. The 'Tailless' Tailed Beast. 46.

Onoki. The Third Tsuchikage. 30.

283 Credits.]

Ah, that's right. Onoki was hiring the Akatsuki to do missions for him for cheaper around this time in Naruto, which made him particularly vulnerable. The fact that I got Yagura surprised me, as I had expected he had already died by this time in the story, but it worked out even better as Obito had access to both Yagura and the Sanbi through the use of his Sharingan.

The plan was coming along nicely. I was avoiding dealing with Konan and Nagato, as both were serious contenders, and while Konan was likely vulnerable to Genjutsu, I suspected Nagato was not, at least not to visual based Genjutsu.

[Polymorph Defense II. -80.

Wyldscape Defense II. -100.

103 Credits left.]

That covers the Defenses. Now the only way I was entirely vulnerable was through an actual physical death. For all the Defenses of the Catalog, surprisingly there wasn't much to protect the Contractor from physical death. I'd say it's a loophole, but no, I was thinking this was an actual hole in the Defense structure on purpose.

After all, Contractors who got overly full of themselves and overly reliant on the Defenses would end up walking headfirst into their deaths in some of the higher Tier worlds, thinking themselves invincible or invulnerable.

"Glad to see my potential Mortal Lover isn't stupid. Yes, the Contractors of the Company are not infallible. Harder to kill, yes, harder to injure, sure, but fully immortal? No. Most of the time, the universes containing the Contractors slowly stop spinning, as if some governing force slowly begins to stall and lie still. Eventually, the universe simply freezes in Time and Space, a form of True Death. It's rather disheartening, even to ones such as myself, but such is the fate of all things. Whether out with a bang or with a whimper, all things end."

'Sounds rather depressing. What's the point in doing anything if all things end?' I mentally questioned back.

"I too had similar thoughts, eons ago. After all, what is the point of taking on Mortal Lovers if they too die? What is the point of me doing my responsibility if all things end with or without my aide? A couple eternities ago, I had an... what would you mortals call it? An epiphany? Yes, an epiphany, an Awakening. An Understanding."

"That although I am Death, I am More Than Death. I don't need to be cold, lifeless, eternal death. I can be the happy death after a long fruitful life filled with friends, aspirations fulfilled, and dreams accomplished. I can be the peaceful death of a commander who has decided to buy his unit time by sacrificing his life for them. I can be the violent death, that roars in challenge against the Endless Night. I can be the endless hunger in the cold winter nights that feed off of the living. I can also be the friendly being that helps someone live just a little bit longer, strive to be just a little bit better, in order to live a fuller life when their time next comes. I can be, and am, More Than Death."

'I see. Thanks, Wendy. You've given me something to think about. I suppose my purpose is to enjoy this universe, this microcosm of reality, for as long as I can. Even if the universe does slowly draw to a halt like the other ones, I'd like to say that I enjoyed it. Every moment of it, as much as I can. Sounds pretty selfish of me, actually, saying that out loud.' I laughed, chuckling to myself.

"You chose to be the Shadow of Gojo Satoru, for a reason. Embrace the selfishness. Living your life always for others, is just as terrible a way to live as it is to live entirely for yourself. A balance is usually best, but that is not so easily done. For mortals or immortals."

I guess that since I completely covered my Defenses, Wendy felt it was safer to reach me even beyond the Nara forest, since I was currently eating at Ichiraku Ramen, though I smirked as I noticed Ayame's flushing face kept sneaking glances at me, before she finally approached me, her face turning almost red.

I did not expect a frying pan aimed dangerously at me as Ayame's eyes narrowed in rage. "I'm going to ask this once, and only once. Where is Naruko Uzumaki? I've been seeing 'her' come around, but those fakes barely eat even a third of what Naruko can pack away, and while they ask for leftovers, they don't complain when I sneak in vegetables and nutrient powder in them, when Naruko always complains about how it changes the ramen broth's texture."

Who the fuck is dumb enough to try and pretend to be Naruko at Ichiraku Ramen?

And for that matter, why are they trying to be Naruko in the first place?

Kakashi Hatake sighed. "I suppose I can't fault them for not being able to pretend to be Naruko at the ramen stand." As he sat down beside me, nodding at me politely.

"Sayuri Uchiha and Sakura Haruno are under a... let's call it a C-class espionage mission. They're under strict orders to pretend to be Naruko during the first month of her treatment plan. I can't say the treatment plan, it's strictly confidential, but it's also so that way Naruko doesn't feel obligated to be out amongst the... rabble, so to speak." Kakashi shrugged lazily at Ayame, who frowned.

"If you guys did anything to Naruko, I will make you pay. She's a sister to me." Ayame warned darkly, her eyes narrowed as she slowly went to the back.

Teuchi came out, nodding to himself as he approached Kakashi. "Kakashi, haven't seen you here in years." Teuchi said warmly.

Kakashi nodded slowly. "Yes, I'm... sorry, Teuchi. It's been a long time." He said quietly.

"The usual? Miso ramen, extra pork?" Teuchi said lightly.

Kakashi's eye widened. "I, you still remember?" He asked, stunned.

Teuchi's eyes grew misty, his smile brittle. "How could I not? She was family... And you're family too, Kakashi. I'm here if you need me. Whether for an ear to listen, or a hand to help."

Kakashi nodded, his voice rough. "Thanks, Teuchi. Yeah, I could use the ear, but not now. Maybe after closing time. Remember the place after work?" Teuchi laughed.

"Couldn't forget! I'll meet you then." Kakashi nodded, got up and left the stand, as Teuchi sighed.

"Kid, getting old sucks, but sometimes, it's nice to meet family you haven't seen in a while." I slowly nodded, finishing my second bowl of ramen, feeling slightly uncomfortable.

Times like these, I feel like I know too much. I wish I could tell them that they don't need to speak in circles just cause I'm here, but then they'd start asking questions. Questions I wouldn't want to answer right now.