One-and-a-Half-Star Prize Pool

"All five enemies had been dealt with. These were their bodies."

As he spoke, Master Minato was about to take out the Storage Scroll for Tsunade to confirm when Uchiha Mai grabbed him.

Bro, you really shouldn't be looking at that.

"Oh, right. I almost forgot."

Minato smacked his forehead and gave an embarrassed smile. He had nearly had another airhead moment.

"Since the enemies have been dealt with, let's head back to the village. I can't wait to find a soft bed and get some sleep!"

Tsunade gathered her chakra into a stream of water and let everyone wash their faces. Then she waved a hand, setting the four-person team's next destination.

The five of them leisurely set off again, chatting and laughing along the way without encountering any further incidents.

At sunset, the four finally reached Konoha's entrance. Izumo and Kotetsu were still serving as the village's two gate guardians.

After verifying their identities, Minato announced, "Whew, our team's first mission since being formed has finally ended successfully.

"There were a few minor setbacks along the way, but the result was still good.

"It's getting late. Hurry home, let your families know you're safe, and get some rest. There won't be any missions for the next few days, so everyone can relax properly.

"I'll fill out the mission report later, then report to Lord Naruto and collect the reward. The total reward is 800,000 yen. Half will be split equally among the four of us, while the other half will be distributed according to contribution.

"Let me explain my proposed distribution. Kakashi and Might Guy both rendered meritorious service in protecting Lady Tsunade, so each will receive 150,000 yen.

"Mai was the biggest contributor in persuading Lady Tsunade to return. During the pursuit, he also killed one Chunin and one Jonin, so he'll receive 280,000.

"I'm the captain, and I killed four ninja, so I'll take 220,000.

"If the village grants any additional rewards, we'll discuss how to divide them later. Does anyone have any objections?"

"What?" Kakashi and Might Guy were instantly stunned, staring at Uchiha Mai in disbelief.

"That Jonin who ambushed us... Mai was the one who killed him?"

The two had no objections to Minato's distribution and even felt a little guilty. They had done practically nothing and were getting 150,000 each. Wasn't that too much? Maybe they should take less?

Their main shock came from the fact that they had subconsciously assumed Narita Daisaku had been killed by Namikaze Minato.

That had been a Jonin!

Might Guy's father, Might Duy, had struggled his entire life and was still only a Genin.

Captain Namikaze Minato, Kakashi's father Hatake Sakumo, and even Tsunade were all officially classified as Jonin.

Their strength certainly surpassed that of a Jonin like Narita Daisaku, but Konoha had no official "Shadow Level" rank.

Even if everyone knew that some Jonin were no weaker than Naruto, they would only say that such people "possessed strength comparable to a village's Shadow" or were "powerhouses beyond Jonin."

In Konoha's official records, their rank was still Jonin.

Killing a Jonin at eight years old was one hell of an achievement.

What the fuck, he was eight?.jpg

Forget Kakashi and Might Guy—even Tsunade gave Uchiha Mai a second look. This kid was pretty impressive. She had thought he was only good at playing cards.

And it was foreseeable that once Minato submitted the mission report, Sarutobi Hiruzen would gasp over his "exceptional promise," "rare talent," and "terrifying prowess."

Tsunade also understood that Uchiha Mai could not possibly have killed Narita Daisaku in a direct fight. But a kill was a kill. This was a world that only looked at results.

"I was just lucky. It's not worth mentioning, not worth mentioning."

Uchiha Mai smiled faintly. He had already earned his teammates' trust.

I stole that kill with my own ability. Master Minato acknowledged it, so how could it not count as my kill?

Damn it!

Kakashi and Might Guy clenched their fists. Might Guy in particular felt a complicated surge of emotions and desire: shame, determination...

When you saw someone worthy, you strove to become like them.

They had all graduated together, yet Mai could already participate in battles between Jonin and had even killed one, while I couldn't do anything except liven up the mood.

The two silently exchanged a look and nodded at the same time. Their thoughts had aligned.

Train. Train like our lives depended on it.

We had to work hard, quietly put in the effort, then stun—no, crush—everyone!

"Does anyone have any objections to the reward distribution?" Master Minato asked again.

"Too much."

"No."

The three shook their heads. No one thought they deserved more, and they basically had no objections.

"Then let's all head home. Rest well these next few days. Once the rewards are issued, I'll bring them to your homes."

After saying that, Master Minato bid them farewell and left first. As captain, he still had to fill out the mission report and report to Naruto.

After muttering among themselves for a few moments, Might Guy and Kakashi invited Uchiha Mai, "Mai, we're planning to undergo special training over the next few days. Want to join us?"

"I'll pass. I plan to rest properly for a day, then ask Lady Tsunade to teach me some taijutsu techniques." Uchiha Mai politely declined.

You took a knife to the ribs for your brothers, but for big boobs, you took two knives to your brothers. Between bros and big boobs, anyone could make the right choice.

"Alright, then."

Might Guy and Kakashi were slightly disappointed.

Uchiha Mai's strength had always risen steadily, especially during the previous stretch, when it had erupted explosively.

Might Guy had originally wanted to spar with Mai and see just how wide the gap between himself and his teammate truly was.

Uchiha Mai had remembered their agreement, which pleased Tsunade greatly.

She took out her wallet from her waist, then pulled out a slip of paper and handed it to Uchiha Mai. "Kid, this is my home address. Don't forget to come find me.

"And don't teach your gambling techniques to anyone else in the village."

"Alright."

Uchiha Mai accepted the note, glanced at it, and committed the address to memory.

After chatting for a little while longer, everyone finally dispersed and returned home.

Being born into a large clan truly meant there were many things one did not need to worry about, though there were inevitably some tedious formalities in daily life.

After returning to the clan grounds, Uchiha Mai first visited Fugaku's home. Whenever an Uchiha clansman returned from a high-level mission, he had to report to the clan head.

Konoha's security captain Fugaku had not gotten off work yet. Uchiha Mai chatted with Mikoto for a while, teased baby Itachi a little, and only then returned home.

After dinner and washing up, Uchiha Mai lay on his bed and casually opened the system to check it.

[Style Points: 478]

During one mission, he had met Tsunade, killed a Chunin head-on, stolen a kill from a Jonin, and put on plenty of airs.

He had earned over four hundred points. Pretty damn nice.

Then it was time for a satisfying round of draws. Gorky had once said that cheat systems were the ladder of human progress.

Uchiha Mai opened the draw interface, and his pupils suddenly contracted.

Beside the original Half-Star Prize Pool and One-Star Prize Pool, there was now another new prize pool.

[One-and-a-Half-Star Prize Pool: Each draw consumes 1,000 Style Points]

When had it unlocked?

This damn dog system was truly a dog system. Something this significant happened, and it did not even give a "ding." Garbage.

I based the protagonist's rate of improvement on Kakashi's. He went from Genin to Chunin quickly, but the span from Chunin to Jonin was much longer.

His advancement will definitely be faster than Kakashi's, and he'll level up roughly once every ten chapters, but the Chunin stage won't be over in the blink of an eye.