Chapter 78 - 26
Chapter 26: "Crafting Like a Boss (When You're Basically a Magic Ninja Iron Man)"
In which Naruto channels his inner tech gremlin, builds enough firepower to shame a superhero, and gives Danny his first taste of ghost-slaying swagger.
There are a few signs that you've hit your physical limit. One: when your arms feel like spaghetti noodles that've been left in the strainer too long. Two: when even blinking feels like an extreme sport. And three? When you start seeing sparkles even though no one's throwing glitter.
I had all three.
The moment I left Star safely behind her mansion gates—where rich people probably had spa bots and backup IV drips for post-party "tiredness"—my body started shutting down faster than an old laptop after a Windows update.
I barely made it a few blocks on my bike before I considered just... letting gravity do its thing. But then he spoke up.
"Congratulations on your first job as a hero. I am very satisfied with the performance. With more practice, you can do it better and at an easier pace."
I blinked. Then blinked again.
"Wait, was that... praise?"
Naruto's voice wasn't scolding, sarcastic, or full of his usual "embrace the pain" cryptic nonsense. No, this time it sounded... proud. And let me tell you, that hit harder than the plank I'd smacked that ghost-possessed guy with.
I smiled—a wide, goofy, lopsided thing that made my already sore face hurt more. But I didn't care.