Naruto's Ambition

The story of Zhou Cheng spread through Hidden Leaf once again. Whether they were ninjas or commoners, anyone who had received a reward or witnessed the Arena in person was talking about him to those around them.

He allowed others to attack him, and not only did he not hold them accountable, but he also gave them rewards based on the severity of the damage they dealt.

In the courtyard where Zhou Cheng used to live, a few men gathered around a campfire.

"Boss, are you telling the truth? Your injuries were completely healed just by eating one pill?"

"That's just too miraculous!"

"Do you have any more of those pills? Can you bring them out so the brothers can feast their eyes on them?"

The man addressed as "Boss" was the very person who had been severely wounded by Zhou Cheng's Great Fireball Technique, only to receive a Healing Pill from a Blind Box.

"Nonsense. A divine medicine like that—having one is a blessing from a past life. You think there are more?"

He recalled everything he had seen today, and beads of sweat broke out on his back.

It's fortunate I didn't do anything more extreme in the past; otherwise, I would be nothing but Kitsuchi by now.

"Boss, is Zhou Cheng really that strong?"

"Do you know Lady Tsunade, one of the Sannin? And the Copy Ninja, Hatake Kakashi?"

The henchmen nodded like chickens pecking at grain. The reputations of those two were legendary throughout the ninja world; even if they hadn't seen them, they had certainly heard of them.

"Their attacks landed on Zhou Cheng, yet he didn't suffer a single scratch!"

"Would you say that's terrifying?"

"It's a good thing we weren't too excessive with him before!"

"Otherwise, we would have been nothing but corpses last night!"

The thugs exchanged glances, all of them lingering in fear. That was a close call!

"I'm going to the Arena again tomorrow. I'm going to keep opening Blind Boxes until I pull out a treasure that can make me a ninja."

"Boss, don't forget about us!"

"We want to go too!"

"Fine, we'll all go!"

"In the future, we will definitely all become ninjas!"

Deep in the quiet of the night, a small figure walked aimlessly down a street in Hidden Leaf.

He had a head of dazzling blonde hair, but his face was bruised and swollen from being beaten.

He swung his fist hard, muttering with bitter resentment:

"Damn that arrogant Sasuke, he hit so hard!"

But his strength is truly immense; it makes me feel like I can't even put up a fight!

He remembered the scene at the academy, where Sasuke had sent him flying three meters away with a single punch.

Even though he had climbed back up many times, he had been knocked down again and again!

"Ah, so annoying!"

He grabbed his hair with both hands, nearly going crazy!

"How can I become as strong as Sasuke?"

Before he knew it, he arrived at a stall, and the scent of food drifted into his nose.

He looked up in surprise and gave a helpless smile; he had ended up at the entrance of Ichiraku Ramen.

Feeling hungry, he lifted the curtain and walked inside!

It was already late at night, and there weren't many people there to eat ramen.

Only two people sat in adjacent seats. They were chatting as they ate, their voices loud enough for Naruto to hear their conversation clearly.

"Let's go to the Arena together tomorrow. Maybe we can pull a Chakra Fruit too!"

"Then let's drink less tonight and get up at one o'clock tomorrow!"

"If we go too late, we won't even be able to get in line!"

At that moment, Uncle Ichiraku brought over two steaming, fragrant bowls of ramen.

"What were you two just talking about?"

"A man named Zhou Cheng is setting up an Arena where you can attack him at will? Not only will he not hold you responsible, but he also gives out Blind Boxes containing all sorts of rewards?"

"You haven't been scammed, have you?"

One of the ninjas took the ramen, drank a few sips of the broth, and set the bowl on the table.

"Of course it's true. You know Itachi Uchiha, right? You know Shisui Uchiha, right? And that kid named Sasuke Uchiha."

"They pulled a Chakra Fruit from a Blind Box, and after eating it, they were able to increase their chakra reserves!"

"And it's not just that reward; there are all kinds of other things you can pull."

"For instance, medicinal pills that instantly heal external wounds and so on—it's truly dazzling!"

"We aren't spouting nonsense; we saw it with our own eyes!"

Uncle Ichiraku still wore an expression of disbelief. How could such magical things exist in this world?

Even in the legends of the ninja world, no such things existed.

He looked up and saw Naruto standing dazed at the entrance.

"Naruto, why are you here so late? Are you hungry?"

Naruto finally snapped out of it and flashed a toothy grin at Uncle Ichiraku. "Uncle Ichiraku, one bowl of miso ramen, please."

Uncle Ichiraku grunted in acknowledgment and headed into the kitchen to get to work.

Naruto walked toward the two men, his eyes filled with intense curiosity.

"Misters, where is that Arena you were talking about?"

No wonder Sasuke's strength has been improving so quickly; it turns out it's because of the Chakra Fruit.

No, I have to get a Chakra Fruit too, and then I'll beat that guy Sasuke to a pulp!

"It's right at the Uchiha Clan's plaza!"

"Kid, you want to go too?"

Naruto nodded heavily. I'm not just going; I'm going to get a Chakra Fruit!

Naruto thanked the two men and sat down by himself to one side.

Before long, Uncle Ichiraku came out with a bowl of noodles and set it down in front of Naruto.

"Here are your noodles, eat them while they're hot!"

"Looking at your miserable state, you must have lost a fight again!"

Naruto nodded with a wry smile, then looked at the ramen in the bowl. As he inhaled the rich aroma, his bad mood vanished instantly.

"Itadakimasu!"

He picked up his chopsticks and polished off the entire bowl.

"Delicious!"

"Ichiraku Ramen is always so good!"

Naruto patted his belly in satisfaction, paid the bill, and headed toward his home.

On the way, he was no longer dejected, but filled with fighting spirit.

After tomorrow, I definitely won't let anyone call me a dead last ever again!

In the hotel where Zhou Cheng was staying, he pondered the future.

I should add a few more venomous remarks to provoke them!

That way, they won't keep holding back for fear of actually killing me.

It's really slowing down my progress in breaking the shield!

Although it's only the second day, I'm already impatient.

He opened his System Space and took out the Super Giant Chakra Fruit he had obtained.

It looked to be about the size of two adult fists put together.

I'll keep this fruit for a rainy day.

He picked up the Advanced Ninjutsu Experience Card, then shook his head.

Right now, I only know C-rank Fire Style ninjutsu. It's not worth wasting this card; I'll wait until I've learned some advanced ninjutsu later.

I hope more strong fighters come to the Arena tomorrow; that's the only way my Talk-no-Jutsu will have any meaning.

Even provoking a hundred ordinary people doesn't compare to one Heavenly Pain Kick from Tsunade.

If I can get 500,000 damage points in a day, that would be wonderful!

Regardless, I'm one step closer to completely breaking the shield. The body and strength of the Sage of Six Paths—this is the pinnacle of the ninja world!

Although it still doesn't compare to the Otsutsuki, it's more than enough!

He shifted into a comfortable position and prepared to sleep.

The night passed without incident, and the next morning, Zhou Cheng woke up naturally.