The Boundless King: Anime Mania

Aki stood atop a floating stone, arms crossed, his slowly rotating pupils reflecting the rising virtual sun. His body felt different—lighter, denser, endless. Every movement carried an unnatural smoothness, an eerie weight.

Ael watched him carefully. "So? What's the verdict?"

Aki exhaled, raising his hand.

The air shivered. A faint ripple spread out, bending the light around him as if the world itself was adjusting to his existence.

"…It's weird," he admitted. "I don't feel stronger in the normal sense. I feel… unbound. Like nothing can truly contain me anymore."

Ael nodded. "That's because your bloodline isn't about raw strength—it's about endless existence. The moment you truly understand what that means, your power will reach a level that even I might struggle against."

Aki grinned. "So you admit I'm catching up?"

Ael smirked. "Keep dreaming, brat."

The System chimed in. [Though she has a point, Dear~ You're still wasting too much energy when you fight.]

Aki raised an eyebrow. "Wasting?"

[Of course. You have an infinite energy pool, but that doesn't mean you should throw it around carelessly. Control, Aki. You need control.]

Ael clapped her hands. "Good. That means today's training is simple."

She pointed to a single leaf.

Aki stared at her. "…You want me to train with a leaf?"

Ael nodded. "Your task: keep this leaf floating perfectly still using your energy alone—without overloading it and tearing reality apart."

After an entire day of mental torture training (which consisted mostly of Aki yelling in frustration while Ael and the System made fun of him), Aki decided to take a break.

He wandered through the village, hands in his pockets, feeling the subtle shifts in his control. The world no longer felt fragile beneath his fingers—he was learning restraint.

The System, always eager to tease, purred in his mind. [You know, Dear, the way you're growing is simply magnificent~]

Aki rolled his eyes. "Flattery will get you nowhere."

[Oh? But your heartbeat tells me otherwise~]

Aki scoffed but couldn't fight the small smirk tugging at his lips. "You're getting bold, System."

[Because you're getting irresistible, my love~]

Ael snorted in the background. "God, just marry already."

Aki groaned. "Don't encourage her!"

Then—

A soft yelp echoed through a small alleyway nearby.

Aki turned his head, frowning.

Stepping closer, he saw a familiar figure seated on a stone, holding her foot.

"…Hinata?"

The girl jolted, her face instantly flushing red the moment she saw him.

"A-Aki-kun?!"

Her voice came out so small, so full of surprise and nervousness, that Aki couldn't help but grin.

Hinata immediately looked away, hiding behind her sleeves. "W-What are you doing here…?"

Aki shrugged. "Just walking around. What about you?"

Hinata hesitated, then slowly lifted her foot.

Aki's eyes narrowed. A faint bruise was forming around her ankle.

"…You hurt yourself."

Hinata flinched, embarrassed. "I-I just slipped… It's nothing!"

Aki crouched in front of her, tilting his head. "Yeah, no. That looks painful."

Before she could protest, his hands glowed with soft, pale light.

Hinata froze.

"W-Wait, y-you know medical jutsu?!"

Aki smirked. "What, you thought I only knew how to blow things up?"

Hinata turned even redder. "N-No! I-I just didn't expect…"

Aki gently placed his hand over her injury, his energy seeping into her skin. Unlike normal medical ninjutsu, his healing didn't just mend the wound—it restored her body to a state of perfect balance.

Hinata shivered. "T-That feels… really warm…"

Aki chuckled. "See? Told you it was nothing."

The bruise faded completely, and Hinata stared in awe.

"You're… amazing, Aki-kun…" she whispered.

Aki blinked, surprised at the genuine admiration in her voice.

Then—

Hinata realized what she said.

Her entire face went crimson, and she immediately passed out.

Aki stared.

Ael burst out laughing in his mind.

[PFFT! You really broke her, huh?]

Aki sighed, rubbing the back of his head. "Well… Guess I'm carrying her home."

With an amused smile, he gently lifted Hinata and began walking toward the Hyuga compound.

After dropping Hinata off (and awkwardly explaining to her guards why she was unconscious), Aki found himself strolling through Konoha's quiet streets.

The System hummed. [You're quite the heartthrob now, huh, Dear?~]

Aki sighed. "Not you too."

[Oh, come on. That girl was practically melting in your presence. You should be proud~]

Aki rolled his eyes but smiled slightly. "She's… nice."

[Oh? Do I detect a little affection there?]

"…I just think she deserves better than how people treat her," Aki admitted.

The System went quiet for a moment.

Then—

[…You really are kind, aren't you?]

Aki smirked. "I try."

[And that's why I adore you, Dear~]

Aki felt warmth spread through him at the System's words. Maybe it was just playful banter, but there was a strange sincerity in its tone.

As he walked, he felt the weight of his power settle in his body. The world no longer felt distant or fragile—it felt like something he could shape, mold, and protect.

And for the first time since arriving in this world, he felt like he belonged.