Heaven Curse Mark

"Hey, Yun Xi's back?"

Just as Yun Xi arrived at his front door, the middle-aged man who ran the grocery shop next door smiled and called out to him.

"Ah, good evening, Uncle Heiwa."

Seeing it was his neighbor, Yun Xi cheerfully returned his greeting.

After all, as a war orphan, he often received help from his neighbors.

And of all the neighbors nearby, Uncle Heiwa was the kindest to him.

"I heard you're starting classes at the Ninja Academy tomorrow. I don't have much to give you, but this should come in handy."

When Yun Xi stopped, Uncle Heiwa pulled a jet-black scroll from inside his coat.

He also had a rather thick envelope.

"Uncle Heiwa, you really don't have to..."

Yun Xi instinctively tried to refuse Uncle Heiwa's kindness, then continued, "I'm always eating and drinking at your place. I can't accept anything else from you—I'd feel awful."

"You little rascal, are you going to ignore your uncle now?"

Seeing Yun Xi refuse his offer, Heiwa's usually gentle expression turned angry.

After giving him a stern scolding, he shoved the things in his hands into Yun Xi's arms. Then, in a wistful tone, he said, "Kid, once you become a ninja, you'll realize the world isn't as wonderful as you imagine. I just want you to have a better chance of surviving."

"Neither of these things is particularly valuable. They're just a small token from me. Take them..."

After he finished speaking, Uncle Heiwa's expression grew a little solemn.

"Uncle, I understand..."

After hearing Uncle Heiwa's words, Yun Xi didn't refuse again. Instead, he clutched the gifts Uncle Heiwa had given him tightly!

"That's more like it. If you've decided to become a ninja, then make sure you give it your all!"

Seeing Yun Xi accept the gifts he'd prepared, Uncle Heiwa laughed heartily. He gave Yun Xi one last lingering look, then turned and went back inside.

Watching Uncle Heiwa's retreating figure, Yun Xi silently vowed, I'll survive in this cruel ninja world!

The early autumn breeze carried a hint of chill, but Yun Xi's heart burned like the sun. Before today, he might not have been so confident.

But after obtaining the Pay-to-Win System, Yun Xi knew that as long as he worked hard to earn money, growing stronger was only a matter of time!

"Let's see what Uncle gave me..."

Once home, Yun Xi took the two items from his arms and placed them on the tea table.

A thick envelope.

A jet-black scroll.

"I'll see what's in this scroll first."

Looking at the two items before him, Yun Xi didn't hesitate. He unrolled the jet-black scroll.

"How did Uncle Heiwa get something like this?"

After seeing what was inside, Yun Xi's face filled with shock.

As far as Yun Xi knew, Uncle Heiwa was just one of Konoha's countless civilians. He wasn't even a ninja.

Yet the scroll contained detailed instructions for learning the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique!

The Multiple Shadow Clone Technique!

It was practically the original cheat skill of the Hokage protagonist. Not only could it create solid clones, but the user could also use them to train in ninjutsu and Taijutsu.

Even after a clone disappeared, the experience it gained through training could be transferred back to the original.

It was definitely one of the most useful cheat skills around!

"Thank you, Uncle..." After carefully reading the scroll, Yun Xi set it down, feeling even more warmly toward Uncle Heiwa.

He didn't know how Uncle Heiwa had obtained the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique, but having learned the full story, how could Yun Xi not understand how precious it was?

Even Naruto, the protagonist of Naruto, had only been able to get the instructions for learning it from the Scroll of Seals.

"Let's see what's in the envelope..."

After putting away the scroll, Yun Xi picked up the envelope. Its unusually thick shape made him think it must contain quite a lot.

He opened it and murmured, "That's a lot of money!"

There was nothing else inside the envelope—just a stack of cash. Yun Xi counted it roughly: a full 100,000 yen!

"Where did all this money come from?"

Yun Xi hadn't expected Uncle Heiwa to give him so much.

It wasn't a particularly large amount for an ordinary ninja, but Yun Xi had always thought of Uncle Heiwa as just an ordinary civilian.

Although he ran a grocery shop, 100,000 yen was definitely no small sum for him!

"Uncle, I'll always remember your kindness!"

Yun Xi slowly set the money down. His expression grew solemn, and he felt deeply grateful.

"Then let's get stronger!"

Once he'd composed himself, Yun Xi placed the money on the table and murmured, "Time to recharge!"

"Ding. Recharge the full amount?"

"Recharge everything!"

After Yun Xi confirmed the transaction, a flash of light covered the money on the table. The very next second, it vanished, and the system gained 1,000 Krypton Gold Points!

"Congratulations, Host, on completing your first recharge. Reward: Heaven Curse Mark (Complete Version)."

"Heaven Curse Mark?!"

Hearing the system notification, Yun Xi was surprised. He'd thought the system would reward him with some ninjutsu or a Kekkei Genkai.

He hadn't expected it to give him this.

Strictly speaking, the Heaven Curse Mark wasn't a Kekkei Genkai, nor was it a conventional ninjutsu. It was a secret technique invented by Orochimaru.

It was also a powerful forbidden technique. Orochimaru had developed it using Jugo as his model, drawing on the fighting style of a Jinchuriki. Those who used the Cursed Seal could gain immense strength.

But prolonged use placed a tremendous burden on the user's body and could even affect their mind!

"Is it a double-edged sword?" Yun Xi looked at his reward, unsure what to make of it.

"The Heaven Curse Mark improved by the system has no side effects."

It seemed to sense Yun Xi's uncertainty, because the normally rigid system actually offered an explanation.

"Huh? That's great!"

After hearing the system's explanation, Yun Xi's expression instantly changed from conflicted to excited.

The reason was simple.

The benefits of a Heaven Curse Mark without side effects would be no worse than those of an ordinary Kekkei Genkai!

Once he activated the Heaven Curse Mark, he'd gain not only tremendous strength and speed, but also a massive increase in chakra.

He'd practically become a human Tailed Beast!

"If I remember right... this Heaven Curse Mark seems to have two forms. It grants power, but Orochimaru seems to be able to control its users."

Although the system had already explained, Yun Xi still had one concern.

Orochimaru!

After all, in the original story, Orochimaru created the Heaven Curse Mark, and there was a chance he could control anyone who bore it.

Yun Xi didn't want to become Orochimaru's puppet for the sake of temporary power!

As if it had seen through Yun Xi's thoughts, the system spoke again...

"Rest assured, Host. None of this system's rewards can be influenced by anyone..."

After the system finished speaking, Yun Xi laughed and said, "Why didn't you say so earlier?"

After confirming there was nothing wrong with the Heaven Curse Mark, Yun Xi immediately chose to accept the reward.

"Damn system! Why does it hurt so much?"

As soon as he confirmed that he'd received the Heaven Curse Mark, Yun Xi felt a tremendous force suddenly surge through his body.

But it came with immense pain.

Only six years old, Yun Xi collapsed unconscious in the room...