Jiraiya

Damn, if we're talking about cheating, who's afraid of whom? If the system gave out more missions, I'd want to revive Madara myself and then take on Kaguya Otsutsuki one-on-one. Fighting you little nobodies all day is so boring.

Thinking of the 3,000... no, 4,000 Luck Points that weren't his yet, Yi Xiang felt an itch in his heart that left him uncomfortable.

"Uchiha Isho, I'll come find you again!"

Gaara spoke in a low voice, then turned and left, still seeming reluctant. Temari and Kankuro watched Yi Xiang in silence for a few seconds before leaving as well, their hearts somewhat heavy.

"Yi Xiang, I'll never give up. One day, I'll surpass you and defeat you!"

Neji Hyuga still refused to accept defeat as he made his vow. The bark of the tree beside him burst into splinters under the grip of his tightly clenched right hand.

"The Elite Experience Card that costs 100 Luck Points really has so many benefits. Even after the experience ended, the techniques for applying force and the combat experience stayed with me. With my Sharingan helping me remember and use them, they've brought a qualitative leap in my abilities."

As Yi Xiang muttered under his breath, he heard that heavenly chime again.

[ Ding! New mission triggered ]

[ Mission 1: A nighttime eavesdropper is about to face mortal danger. As a member of Konoha, you have a duty to prevent this tragedy. Successfully prevent Gekko Hayate's death. Reward: 15 Luck Points,... ]

"That's it? It really only gave me one mission."

"Fine. Something's better than nothing."

Realizing he couldn't remember where Gekko Hayate had been eavesdropping, Yi Xiang immediately set out to find his mission target.

He spent the entire afternoon searching, but didn't even catch a glimpse of him. Unable to think of a good excuse to ask the other teachers, he had no choice but to stand on the highest rooftop and wait for the sounds of battle.

Late that night, after forcing himself to stay awake through the boredom, Yi Xiang finally saw a result.

Dust billowed in the west, and Shukaku's enormous body briefly appeared. That helped Yi Xiang locate the destination.

Yi Xiang used the Body Flicker Technique to get closer and observe. What he saw was Dosu Kinata, lying motionless in a pool of blood, apparently dead, while his killer, Gaara, breathed heavily.

Crouched on the roof's sloping back, Yi Xiang had a clear view of Baki and Kabuto Yakushi, who were holding a secret meeting below. Though he couldn't make out what they were saying, he guessed it had something to do with the arrangements to destroy Konoha.

A moment later, he noticed Kabuto Yakushi preparing to leave while Baki wore a cruel expression. Yi Xiang understood that they had actually noticed Gekko Hayate long ago.

"Ninja Art: Hidden Mist Technique!"

When Gekko Hayate heard them discussing how to deal with the rat who was eavesdropping, he turned and ran. But thick fog soon filled the area, making it impossible to tell which way to go in the faint moonlight.

"Sensei, follow me."

Yi Xiang appeared in the mist and spoke in a low voice, while using a Shadow Clone to create noise and mislead the enemy.

Gekko Hayate looked astonished. Once he recognized Yi Xiang's face and the Sharingan in his eyes, he followed him in a Body Flicker Technique escape.

By the time they had escaped to a safe distance, Baki's Wind Release had completely blown away the white mist. He used Wind Blade to take care of Yi Xiang's Shadow Clone, but the two of them had already disappeared.

"Damn it! They even have an accomplice.

What do we do now?! If they pass the information on to the Konoha High Command, they'll be on their guard during the Chunin Ninja Exams. Our plan will be far less effective!"

Baki looked anxiously at Kabuto Yakushi, only to see that he remained calm.

"It doesn't matter. Even if they're on guard, they know nothing about what we've prepared this time! Heh."

[ Ding! Mission 1 complete. Reward: 15 Luck Points. Current Luck Points remaining: 656 ]

Gekko Hayate casually asked Yi Xiang a few questions, puzzled. Yi Xiang brushed them off with an excuse that he'd just happened to be passing by. With no time to think it over, Gekko Hayate hurried toward the Hokage Building.

"Phew, my chakra reserves are still too low. I had to spend more than half my chakra just to create enough mist to confuse a Jonin and a Chunin."

With the mission complete, Yi Xiang strolled home. He wasn't the least bit worried that Sunagakure might figure out he was the one who'd intervened and come after him for revenge.

"Naruto said he was going to train with Ebisu. He must've run into Jiraiya. Otherwise, I wouldn't have gone a whole day without seeing him. I'm stuck enjoying my barbecue feasts alone every day."

Yi Xiang shook his head helplessly. Thinking of the more than seven million ryo he still had in savings, he suddenly felt that even that wasn't enough.

[ Ding! New system mission triggered ]

[ Mission 1: Meatball in one hand, birdsong in the other. Learn the Rasengan and Chidori, then use them at the same time. Reward: 20 Luck Points,... ]

"As expected, missions triggered by hanging around the main cast come more frequently. Look, there's another one already. Heh."

At noon the next day, inside Ichiraku Ramen.

"So Jiraiya's asking me to help him find material for his writing?"

"Hohohoho! Young Yi Xiang, I hear your Transformation Technique is even more perfect than Naruto's. Let's go somewhere less crowded and put that to the test. It'll help me create more compelling characters, so I hope you won't refuse!"

"That's obviously just an excuse! The Pervy Sage just wants to—"

Naruto was suddenly muffled by Jiraiya, but struggled free and shot him a disgusted look.

"I might be willing, but Lord Jiraiya will have to teach me a powerful ninjutsu first."

After polishing off the ramen in his bowl, Yi Xiang stated his terms. Talk about perfect timing. Someone's bringing me a pillow just as I'm getting sleepy.

"Well... show me first. If I'm satisfied, then we'll talk."

Jiraiya scratched his chin and hesitated.

Beside a stream where girls could often be heard playing and laughing, Jiraiya looked at Yi Xiang in eager anticipation.

"Transformation Technique!"

A fashionable, elegant purple dress and soft, full red lips. Her tall, S-shaped figure and perfect curves were not only breathtaking but also radiated an irresistible allure.

"Jiraiya-senpai~~ Please, senpai~"

Yi Xiang's voice was low and sensual, like a cat's paw lightly stroking the strings of the heart, making anyone who heard it swoon.

"Yahoohoo! Leave this little thing to me! What a beautiful young lady!"

Jiraiya grinned lecherously and pounced in front of Yi Xiang, looking him up and down as drool streamed from the corners of his mouth.

Poof! Unable to bear Jiraiya's blazing stare, which felt like the gaze of a man old enough to be his grandfather, Yi Xiang dispelled the Sexy Technique.

Jiraiya's expression immediately turned disappointed, and his voice sounded much more dejected as he spoke.

"If you stay in that form, I can teach you Fire Release: Flame Bullet. How does that sound?"

"No. I don't need any more Fire Release Ninjutsu."

Yi Xiang refused without a second thought.

"Then Earth Release?"

"I don't want that either."

"Kid, that's because you haven't seen the power of my ninjutsu. Once I show you, you'll want to learn everything."

A few minutes later, Jiraiya confidently demonstrated his ninjutsu in a secluded spot, only to see Yi Xiang shake his head and refuse again.