As the shadow clone monitored the fight, with a lot of struggling, Sung Jin-woo was finally able to defeat the monsters just barely, as Naruto expected.
"He is a hunter who can't just keep growing... But, he can do it amidst of action. Interesting..." He thought.
"Interesting indeed..." Naruto commented, his ever-present smile playing on his lips as he studied the young man with blue eyes and slick orange hair standing before him. "So, you're saying you're from the Hunter Bureau of USA, and they want to meet me. Correct, Mr. Adam?" He asked casually, having just returned to find this unexpected visitor outside his apartment building - an agent of the Federal Bureau of Hunters America.
"Yes, correct," replied Agent Adam with a slight bow. "First, my apology for showing up so suddenly in a place like this without prior notice. Though, we tried to contact you several times before through E-mail and other means, but couldn't reach you in any way, so this is a drastic step we had to take," he explained, clearly uncomfortable about the impromptu visit.
"Hmm~?" Naruto tilted his head, a playful smirk dancing on his lips as he lazily waved his hand. "And what could the mighty USA want with little old me? I mean, I know I'm amazing and all, but showing up at my doorstep is pretty bold~"
"I have information I would like to pass to you," Adam said, his tone growing more serious.
"Hmm? Information?" Naruto replied with a lazy yawn, stretching his arms overhead. "Sorry, but I'm not really interested in whatever boring paperwork you're peddling. I have a date with my couch that's way more appealing~" He started to turn away, waving his hand dismissively.
"A information no other country other than us have," Adam stated firmly, his eyes narrowing slightly as he watched Naruto's retreating form. A hint of panic crept into his voice as he quickly added, "Our Deputy Director would like to meet you himself, and he specifically emphasized that this information would be of particular interest to someone of your capabilities,"
"Ahh~ So tedious," Naruto spun around, a playful smirk on his face as he tilted his head. "Your Deputy Director, huh? Must be pretty important if somone important as him wants to meet little old me. But you see~" He raised his finger in a mock teaching gesture, "If it was really that interesting, wouldn't your Director be the one wanting to meet instead?"
Naruto watched with mild amusement as Adam looked down slightly, unable to counter his observation about the Director.
"Give me oooone good reason why I should waste my precious time~?" Naruto sang out, his voice carrying a playful lilt as he rocked back on his heels.
Adam's head snapped up, his response coming quickly, almost desperately, "Are you aware that there is an awakened who can elevate the level of an awakened?"
For the briefest moment, something flickered across Naruto's ever-present smile - a flash of genuine interest, perhaps. But it was gone as quickly as it appeared, replaced by his usual carefree expression.
"Eh~?" Naruto's playful demeanor suddenly shifted, his eyes sharpening behind his blindfold as an
overwhelming pressure filled the air. "You think…I… need a power boost, Mr. Adam?"
Adam felt his knees nearly buckle under the intense gaze, cold sweat breaking out across his forehead as he struggled to maintain his composure.
Just as quickly as it came, the pressure vanished as Naruto's usual carefree smile returned. "But you know what~? I think I'll meet your Deputy Director after all. Sounds like it could be fun~"
Relief washed over Adam's face so obviously it was almost comical, his shoulders visibly relaxing.
'Well, well... might be worth checking out how someone's playing around with awakening levels,' Naruto mused to himself, his ever-present smile hiding his curiosity. 'Besides, knowledge is power... even if I already have more than enough of both~ and the fact that I know a hunter who is elevating in power, it's good to keep track of this information,'
...
Few minutes later,
"Nice to meet you." Naruto shook hands with the deputy director of Hunter Management Bureau, Michael Conner, as Adam white stood at the side watching the scene.
As their greeting ended, Both of them took seats at the sofas near them.
"I will handle the interpretation—" Adam began formally, only to be cut off by a dismissive wave from Naruto.
"Ah~ No need for that," Naruto interrupted in perfect English, his voice carrying an amused lilt. "Wouldn't want anything lost in translation, now would we~?" He turned his attention back to the Deputy Director, his smile never wavering. "So, what's this fascinating information that got me all the way here~?"
Michael Conner straightened in his seat, his expression serious as he reached for his briefcase. "Let's get straight to the point, Hunter Naruto." He pulled out a sleek black folder and placed it deliberately on the table between them. "This is an immigration document for the United States of America. Something that would typically take years to process..." He paused meaningfully, his tone carrying the weight of authority. "But for someone of your caliber, it's different. One word from you, and American citizenship is yours. Immediately."
"My, my~" Naruto's expression remained unchanged, though his voice carried a hint of amusement. "Starting with bribes already? And here I thought we were going to have an interesting conversation~" His tone shifted slightly, maintaining its playfulness but with an edge of warning. "Now, about that information Mr. Adam mentioned... If this was just bait to get me here, well..." He left the threat hanging in the air, though his smile never faltered.
"Sooo~" Naruto drawled lazily, leaning forward slightly. "About this person who can upgrade awakened ones... where might they be?"
A slight smile crossed Michael Conner's face. "She's already here." He pressed a button on his desk intercom. "Please bring Mrs. Selner in."
The door opened smoothly, and a woman stepped into the room with measured grace. She carried herself with quiet confidence, her dark skin contrasting elegantly with her cream-colored blazer and navy pencil skirt. Her curly black hair was styled professionally, framing a face that spoke of both wisdom and sharp intelligence. What caught Naruto's attention, however, were her striking turquoise eyes - they seemed to hold an unusual depth, almost as if they could see through any facade.
"This," Conner gestured respectfully toward the woman, "is Mrs. Norma Selner. She is only the third person in the world with the extraordinary ability to help awakened hunters exceed their natural limits."
"Oh~?" Naruto's eternal smile widened slightly as he studied the newcomer. "Now this is getting interesting~"