Shisui walked over to Itachi and patted him on the shoulder, pleased.
"Itachi, you've already mastered most of that fruit's power. How does it feel?"
Then he patted Charizard on the thigh, too.
"Buddy, you're amazing!"
Charizard lifted its head, looking thoroughly pleased with itself.
Itachi smiled, then looked excitedly at Shisui and Sasuke.
"I've realized this is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the fruit's power—not even half of it."
"Its potential is limitless. The flames it creates can become even more powerful and hotter."
Shisui's eyes widened in disbelief. Could flames of this caliber really evolve further?
What kind of power would it possess once all the fruit's power had been unearthed?
Shisui could already see a shining star rising in the Ninja World.
And now they had an even better chance of resolving the conflict between the clan and the village.
In this world, as long as you were strong enough, you could have the final say.
Sasuke was so happy he nearly leaped onto his brother and hugged him.
"I'll work hard to get stronger, too. I'll become as strong as you, Big Brother!"
Itachi gently patted Sasuke's head, his eyes full of affection.
"You will, Sasuke!"
I won't let anything like the massacre happen again. For your sake, and for Father and Mother.
I'll find a way to resolve this peacefully.
Itachi's gaze was firm as he looked toward Uchiha Plaza!
Senior Zhou Cheng, will you help me?
Hidden Leaf, the Hatake Clan compound.
Kakashi sat alone at the table, engrossed in a book.
Tsk, tsk, tsk. This was so much better than Make-Out Paradise!
The looks, the figure—both were top-notch!
Just then, someone knocked on the door. Kakashi jumped and immediately closed the book in his hands.
Who could it be at a time like this?
He'd been interrupted right when he was getting to the good part, and Kakashi was quite annoyed with whoever it was.
"Kakashi, it's me. Come out and accept my challenge!"
A familiar voice rang out. It belonged to his best friend and lifelong rival, the Blue Beast of the Hidden Leaf, Might Guy!
Kakashi frowned. Challenging me at a time like this?
Honestly, Guy!
With a sigh, he put the book away and reluctantly opened the door.
Might Guy, with his thick eyebrows, flashed him a toothy grin. His teeth even seemed to gleam.
"Guy!"
Kakashi called out weakly, figuring that counted as a greeting.
Might Guy didn't notice Kakashi's displeasure. He grabbed Kakashi and started dragging him toward the village gates.
"Come on, my lifelong rival! I challenge you once again!"
Kakashi calmly pulled his hand free. I still have a book to read. Why would I have time to accept your challenge?
"Guy, it's getting late!"
"Besides, what's the point of challenging each other over and over?"
Kakashi thought of Zhou Cheng's Arena and considered sending Guy to challenge him instead.
That's it. I'll have Guy challenge Zhou Cheng, and then he'll stop bothering me!
"If you really want to see who's stronger, I have a great idea!"
Might Guy's eyes lit up. He gave Kakashi a thumbs-up. "What is it?"
Kakashi chuckled. Sorry about this, Zhou Cheng!
He told Guy about Zhou Cheng's Arena. Guy listened, utterly astonished.
There was really someone like that in the world?
He let people attack him and not only didn't hold it against them, but even gave them gifts?
"Kakashi, is that for real?"
"Of course it is! I've been there for several days already!"
How could it be fake? That book and my increased chakra were proof enough.
"Let's go together tomorrow!"
"I'm sure he won't disappoint you!"
Kakashi was just teasing Guy. He didn't tell him how strong Zhou Cheng was, only that he accepted challenges from anyone.
Guy was already filled with anticipation, but Kakashi soon sent him on his way!
Then Kakashi locked the door, returned to his room, took out Playboy, and started reading!
If anyone knew that Kakashi, renowned throughout the Ninja World, read this kind of book in private—and was so engrossed in it—who knew what they would think?
At the Arena, Zhou Cheng watched Uchiha Izumi clutching her reward with a delighted smile, unwilling to let go. He smiled faintly and looked up at the sky.
The sun had already begun to set. Just like that, the day was over.
Uchiha Izumi had been lucky enough to make it before closing time.
"Everyone, that's all for today. Come back early tomorrow!"
A chorus of groans immediately rose from the crowd below the Arena.
Many people still hadn't had a chance to step onto the Arena. They watched others receive rewards, while they hadn't even gotten the chance to climb up.
"Tomorrow again? We all have jobs. How are we supposed to spend so much time here waiting in line?"
"If we come back tomorrow and you tell us to come early again, does that mean we'll never get to step onto the Arena?"
Zhou Cheng pursed his lips. In short, they wanted him to work overtime. Dream on!
There was absolutely no way he was working overtime.
In my previous life, I was already a wage slave. I'm not going to be one again in this life.
Even if I'm going to be a wage slave, I'll work for the system—not for you!
"My rules are the rules!"
"There's no point arguing!"
"If you think your jobs are more important than my rewards, then you don't have to line up!"
That one remark brought many people to their senses.
That's right! What was the point of those lousy jobs when they could get Blind Boxes?
At the very least, they could get money. The amount they won was far more than their wages!
Who cared about those lousy jobs? Let someone else do them!
If they got incredibly lucky, they might even receive a reward that could turn them into a ninja—and then they'd soar to success.
Some people still looked torn, clearly unwilling to give up their jobs.
Zhou Cheng pursed his lips. People who were so indecisive and lacked the nerve to see the situation clearly were doomed to fail.
He shook his head, jumped down from the Arena, and headed toward the hotel.
I'll take a shower first, then enjoy a good dinner, and after that, I'll go over today's Harvest.
Everyone watched him walk away, overcome with regret.
Even if they managed to get in line tomorrow, they'd receive far fewer rewards than everyone else.
Tomorrow, I'll make sure to get here early!
Zhou Cheng returned to the hotel and took a relaxing hot shower, washing away his fatigue.
Then he went straight to the hotel restaurant, ordered a whole table of food, and enjoyed a hearty meal.
After that, he returned to his room, sat on the bed, and opened the System Space.
First, he took out two Giant Chakra Fruits and ate them for dessert.
Soon, the familiar warmth appeared and flowed through his body, increasing his chakra by the equivalent of two years of training.
He clenched his fist. His current chakra gave him some ability to protect himself—at least against enemies below Jonin level!
Against a Jonin, chakra alone wouldn't be enough to win.
Jonin were battle-hardened, and they only earned the rank after reaching a certain level of skill.
As for Zhou Cheng, he currently had a lot of chakra and nothing else!
He knew pitifully few jutsu, too.
Even though he couldn't be injured, it still wasn't pleasant to keep taking hits!
A tank always had the heart of a DPS!
He took out the Summoning Scroll bearing the mark of a Pseudo-Legendary Pokémon. Which one would it be?
He looked up at the ceiling. He couldn't summon it in his room. If he summoned a huge Pseudo-Legendary Pokémon, the ceiling would be ruined!
He left his room and went up to the top floor of the hotel. He unrolled the Summoning Scroll, bit his finger, and wrote his name on it.
Zhou Cheng had already tested it: he couldn't activate the system's shield by attacking himself.
That should be the only way to attack him for now!
Before you continue