Random Gift Box

About two hours later, they could clearly see the gates of Konoha.

Hiruzen Sarutobi exclaimed with delight, "We've finally made it back to the village. These past few days have worn me out."

It was worth mentioning that the injuries he'd suffered from two thorough beatings at Utatane Koharu's hands had been healed by Koharu herself.

Torifu had only just realized that Koharu was very skilled at Medical Ninjutsu.

Akimichi Torifu, who had hardly said a word, spoke up too. "I've been so hungry these past few days that I've lost weight. I'll have to eat more when I get home."

His words reminded everyone of the last couple of days. They'd eaten nothing but Military Ration Pills that were almost impossible to swallow. This time, they were definitely going to treat themselves to a proper meal!

Of them all, though, Torifu hated Military Ration Pills the most. In either his past life or this one, he'd never eaten anything as awful as those pills.

They were meant to help shinobi recover their strength and replenish their nutrients, so almost anything had been thrown into the mix. The result was a flavor that was somehow everything at once—and utterly disgusting!

He swore that next time he went on a mission, he'd bring some food. Eating this stuff every day was unbearable.

When they reached the entrance to Konoha, the village guards checked their identities.

After confirming that Hiruzen and the others weren't spies disguised as people from another country, the guards let them pass.

Back in the village, they couldn't simply go their separate ways yet. They had to report to Lord Hokage, turn in their mission, and collect their payment.

As far as Torifu was concerned, there hadn't been anything particularly special about this mission. They'd simply run into an opponent who was a little stronger than usual.

For Uchiha Chirori, though, it had been a major step forward. It was her first time killing someone. The nausea and dizziness had nearly overwhelmed her, but she'd received some training since childhood, and after a while she managed to steady herself.

The experience had helped Chirori grow a great deal. It probably wouldn't be long before she became an excellent kunoichi who could stand on her own!

Torifu hadn't been comfortable the first time he killed someone either. After all, in his previous life he'd lived in a peaceful world and had never even seen someone get killed.

But perhaps the various changes he'd undergone after crossing over had altered him somewhat. And besides, his Crystal Release had turned that spy straight to ash.

There hadn't even been time for him to feel sick before the spy was dead.

After that, every time Torifu killed someone, he used a technique like Crystal Release or Cloud Release, which left almost no trace.

That was probably why he'd adapted so quickly.

Not long after entering the village, they arrived at the Hokage Building. Everyone was eager to relax, so they hurried along.

The guards at the entrance didn't stop Hiruzen and the others. Anyone with a bit of sense knew there was no need to.

After all, they were disciples of Lord Hokage and Lord Tobirama, and held prestigious positions.

Since the guards didn't question them, Hiruzen and the others said nothing and walked into the building.

There was a knock at the door, and Hashirama stopped his work.

"Come in."

The office door opened, and Hiruzen and the others walked in.

Hashirama smiled when he saw the children had returned.

"You must be exhausted after that journey."

"Reporting to Lord Hokage: we're not tired."

As the team leader, Hiruzen knew how to behave. When reporting on a mission, he couldn't be as casual as he was in private.

Hashirama took out the scroll listing all the A-rank missions, found the one Hiruzen and the others had taken, and stamped it as completed.

Then he said to them, "I've been watching your performance throughout this mission. I've already told you what each of you did well and where you fell short, so I won't go over it again."

"Take your proof and collect your mission pay. Then get some rest."

He added emphatically, "And don't forget the test I assigned you!"

At that, the smiles vanished from Hiruzen and the others' faces, replaced by dejection. Their excitement at the thought of celebrating with a feast disappeared too.

Seeing their expressions, Hashirama kindly reminded them, "You've still got two days."

The moment Hiruzen Sarutobi and the other five heard that, they grabbed their proof and ran out. They even forgot to ask permission to leave.

Only Torifu and Chirori remained in the office.

Hashirama gave Torifu and Chirori a few more instructions about their training, then sent them on their way.

Torifu kept quiet about encountering Uchiha Setsuna on the road and killing him.

Since Setsuna had already been reduced to ash, there was no need to create extra trouble.

If he brought it up, the Uchiha elder would have lost both his grandsons one after another. Wouldn't he come after Torifu for revenge?

Better not to stir up trouble.

Torifu didn't plan to tell Chirori either. They could just act as if Uchiha Setsuna had never existed.

After leaving the Hokage Building, Chirori and Torifu went to the mission office to collect their pay.

The heavy bag held about five hundred banknotes. Torifu didn't pay it much mind. That sum was like a bucket of water poured into the sea compared to the money in his clan's treasury.

Chirori wanted to use the money to treat Torifu to a proper meal, but he made an excuse and put it off until the next day. Chirori readily agreed, and they arranged to have lunch together at noon.

She'd eaten two meals at Torifu's expense in a row, and she'd felt a little embarrassed. Now she could finally return the favor.

After waving goodbye to Chirori, Torifu returned to the Yunzhong Clan Grounds.

He still had his system rewards to claim! If he summoned the system while he was outside, no one else would be able to see it, but they might think he was crazy if they saw him muttering to himself.

Unlike Chaos Events, the missions in the Mission Log required him to claim the rewards with a click. They didn't come automatically.

Torifu willed the Mission Log to appear.

[Ping—The host has completed a mission. Would you like to claim the reward?]

"Claim it!"

[Ping—Mission complete. Reward: 4,000 Calmness Points.]

Torifu was quite pleased. One A-rank mission earned him 4,000 Calmness Points. If he kept working hard, he'd be able to save up 60,000 before long.

He had no choice. All this effort now was for a more comfortable life in the future!

Torifu thought that was the end of it, but the system chimed again.

[Ping—Since this is the host's first completed A-rank mission, the reward is doubled. The system has also gifted the host one Random Gift Box.]

His heart raced, and his hands trembled. Torifu hadn't expected the Dog System to be so generous! But had it started handing out first-purchase bonuses now?

No matter. What mattered was that he benefited right now. Focusing only on the future would leave him anxious and full of regrets—and in the end, he might lose the present too.

Still, this was the first Random Gift Box he'd received. He had no idea how it differed from a Mystery Reward.

As Torifu pondered, a flash of yellow light appeared before him. A beautiful golden gift box materialized.

"Whoa! Does it really need to look this flashy?"

Its golden-yellow exterior was practically blinding.

[Would you like to open the Random Gift Box?]

Torifu didn't hesitate. At his command, the golden gift box slowly opened.

[Ping—Congratulations, host! You have obtained...]