After Itachi Uchiha gained an affinity for Fire Style chakra, Sasuke obtained an affinity for Lightning Release Chakra.
Both reduced the difficulty of learning ninjutsu and slightly increased its power.
For a ninja, this was undoubtedly a tremendous improvement.
Itachi and Shisui were both smiling, as if they were the ones who had obtained the Thunder Stone.
Itachi especially wished Sasuke could awaken his Mangekyo right now.
Then he would no longer have his greatest worry.
Iruka had practically turned to stone. A Thunder Stone? He had never heard of such a thing, let alone seen one. He couldn't believe it had such an effect.
No wonder. No wonder Sasuke would rather risk delaying his graduation than skip class and come here.
If he were in Sasuke's place, he would have done the same.
He understood the village leadership's mindset better than anyone.
As long as you showed growth that was extraordinary enough, skipping class stopped being a problem.
Naruto's face darkened, his displeasure plain to see.
Damn Sasuke. He's gotten stronger again!
Hurry up and let me have a turn!
A spark of life finally appeared in Kakashi's fish eyes.
Lightning Release Ninjutsu power increased by 5%!
What a powerful effect!
At his level, there were only two ways to increase his ninjutsu's power: keep increasing his chakra reserves,
or obtain a Ninja Tool that could enhance ninjutsu.
But every Ninja Tool like that was a rare treasure. They weren't easy to come by.
And now he was being told that all it took was a stone to increase his ninjutsu's power. Anyone would be excited.
Reducing the difficulty of learning ninjutsu was useless to a Sharingan user.
Don't forget, Kakashi had earned the title of Copy Ninja thanks to his Sharingan.
The key was that 5% increase in power!
Tsunade's eyes lit up, too. This kid was lucky. He'd do well at a casino!
"Thank you, Big Brother Zhou Cheng!"
Sasuke jumped up, his excitement written all over his face.
He already had a Lightning chakra affinity, so he was bound to train in Lightning Release Ninjutsu.
This Thunder Stone was tailor-made for him.
"You're welcome. The Blind Boxes are in your hands. What you get depends entirely on your own luck."
"You can start your second attack whenever you're ready."
Zhou Cheng smiled faintly, urging Sasuke to make his second attack.
I don't have all day for you to waste. Hurry up and finish so the next person can take a turn.
My targets are Itachi and Shisui—and, of course, Tsunade and Kakashi.
Those powerful people are the ones who'll do the heavy lifting when it comes to breaking the shield.
Sasuke's smile faded. He grew serious and, without another word, began forming hand seals.
A large amount of fire poured from his mouth, flowing toward Zhou Cheng like thick liquid.
"Fire Style: Dragon Fire Technique!"
No one beneath the Arena was surprised by Sasuke's skill with Fire Style anymore.
They watched him with calm acceptance.
They'd heard he had eaten two Chakra Fruits. It would've been strange if he couldn't do this.
Only Naruto felt envy and jealousy, but no resentment.
To Naruto, Sasuke was his lifelong rival—the kind you faced fair and square.
When Sasuke got stronger, Naruto felt envious and jealous, but never resentful.
He wanted to defeat Sasuke fair and square and prove himself.
Soon. It'll be my turn soon!
I'll definitely get a treasure that makes me stronger, too.
The flames vanished without even singeing a thread of Zhou Cheng's clothes.
-2476.
[Damage dealt: 2476]
[Shield HP remaining: 9,999,999,981,650]
[Damage rank: Blue]
[Reward obtained: Blue Blind Box]
Sasuke looked disappointed again. Perhaps he was the only one there who wasn't satisfied with himself.
But he was only seven, still at the age when kids played in the dirt. His abilities were already impressive. What more could he ask for?
Most children still at the Ninja Academy were proud just to remember the hand seals for a jutsu, let alone perform one with such power.
Uchiha Tadashi's expression grew even darker. It had already been hard enough to deal with Itachi Uchiha. Now there was Sasuke Uchiha, too. It seemed his father had been right: he should stop entertaining unrealistic fantasies about becoming clan head.
His gaze fell on Zhou Cheng, and hope appeared in his eyes. If I can build a good relationship with Mr. Zhou Cheng, I'll surely get all kinds of rewards and rapidly increase my strength.
One day, I'll trample every last one of you underfoot!
Iruka's expression shifted again. These students hadn't even graduated, yet they could perform two powerful jutsu. The gap between Sasuke and the students at the Academy was simply enormous. They weren't even on the same level.
While the Academy students were still squabbling like children and getting jealous over someone, Sasuke was already qualified to apply for early graduation!
The fire in Naruto's eyes burned even brighter. He was the kind of person who never gave up, who wouldn't stop until he reached his goal. What did a little setback matter?
A Blue Blind Box appeared in Zhou Cheng's hand. He tossed it to Sasuke.
"Catch!"
Every Blind Box looked as though it were made of paper, and everyone was afraid of breaking one by dropping it.
But Zhou Cheng knew that once a Blind Box left his hand, it became incredibly hard. It only turned paper-soft again for the person who received the reward.
Sasuke smiled as he opened the Blind Box. A Jade Card lay inside.
[A-Rank Lightning Release Ninjutsu: Chidori Experience Card x1]
[After use, you can skillfully perform the A-Rank Lightning Release Ninjutsu Chidori for a limited time]
[Has no effect if your body does not possess Lightning chakra]
[Host has received a critical reward: S-Rank Lightning Release Ninjutsu: Kirin Experience Card x1]
[After use, you can skillfully perform the S-Rank Lightning Release Ninjutsu Kirin for ten minutes. As long as you have enough chakra, you can use it directly, with no weather requirements]
[Can be used repeatedly within ten minutes]
Zhou Cheng narrowed his eyes. This reward was good, but not without its drawbacks.
Even so, this was an S-rank jutsu. Learning and successfully performing one wasn't easy.
Most S-rank jutsu were extremely powerful, but incredibly difficult to learn and came with numerous requirements.
Most of the time, an S-rank jutsu required other jutsu to set it up, or changes in the weather and other conditions, before it could be used successfully.
Sasuke picked up the Jade Card and looked at Zhou Cheng in confusion. Since Zhou Cheng had given him the reward, he was the final authority on what it meant—and the customer service department, too.
"You're very lucky!"
"This is an A-Rank Lightning Release Ninjutsu: Chidori Experience Card!"
Everyone looked utterly confused. What was that supposed to mean?
What was an Experience Card?
"After using it, you'll be able to skillfully perform the A-Rank Lightning Release Ninjutsu Chidori."
"But there's a time limit: five minutes!"
"For five minutes, as long as you have enough chakra, you can perform an A-Rank Lightning Release Ninjutsu without hand seals."
The moment he said that, the entire arena fell silent!
What did he say? Use an A-rank jutsu without hand seals?
He must have hit his head on a door again!
Plenty of powerful people could use E-rank jutsu without hand seals.
But only jutsu below D-rank. No one would even imagine performing an A-rank jutsu without hand seals!
Itachi and Shisui's expressions changed. A card like that, in Sasuke's hands, would bring him all kinds of trouble.
For five minutes, as long as he had enough chakra, he could repeatedly perform A-rank jutsu without hand seals!
That would be lethal in battle.
They began to worry about Sasuke. They understood all too well that it wasn't a crime to be innocent, but to possess a treasure could be.
Kakashi and Tsunade's expressions shifted as well. That card was terrifyingly powerful!
It was also an excellent lifesaving tool!
Iruka and Naruto had already been stunned numb.
How long had today even lasted, and they'd already used up a year's worth of shock!
I want a card like that, too!
Before you continue