"Ding! Congratulations, host. You've successfully completed a side quest!"
"Defeat the Ninja World's scientist, Orochimaru (1/1): complete! Rewards: Kido experience +1, Flash Step experience +1, Reiatsu +1!"
"Recruit a member for the Akatsuki (1/1): complete! Reward: one lottery draw!"
"Starting the draw!"
"Congratulations! You've won: Garganta!"
"Garganta—description: A special reward from the system. Once learned, the host will gain the power to open a Garganta at any time. Using your own Reiatsu, you can forcibly shatter the barriers of space from any location and enter the Garganta!"
After hearing the series of notifications in his ear,
Chen Xiaoxi, who had already grown used to them, was instantly stunned by the reward description that followed.
Woc!
It was actually Garganta?
This was an incredibly powerful ability, almost on par with the Otsutsuki Clan's "Kekkei Mōra: Yomotsu Hirasaka"!
The power to tear open the gaps between spaces at will and enter another world!
He never expected to win it now!
"Now that's sweet!"
A thoroughly satisfied smile spread across Chen Xiaoxi's face. He was already itching to try it out.
But with Orochimaru and Obito standing right there, he obviously couldn't show it off.
Just as he was thinking this over, Tobi's voice rang out.
Even though he was angry inside, he had no trouble acting like an idiot.
"Hey, Senior Chen Xiaoxi, the mission's done! Are we heading back to Amegakure now?
Let's go report to the leader!"
"..."
At that, Chen Xiaoxi's thoughts shifted, and then he shook his head.
"No need to rush."
"You two wait here. I have some personal business to take care of."
"?"
Personal business...
Orochimaru showed no particular reaction to Chen Xiaoxi's words.
But beneath the mask, Obito's gaze shifted slightly.
Personal business at a time like this?
Was it something he didn't want anyone to notice? In that case, I'll keep an eye on him from the shadows later.
Just what secret are you hiding—
Once Chen Xiaoxi left, Obito decided to follow him in secret and see what he was up to.
After leaving Orochimaru and Tobi behind,
Chen Xiaoxi didn't head straight back to Amegakure. Instead, he went to a famous shopping street in the Land of Fire.
It happened to be quite close to the valley where they'd been.
Besides, he hadn't forgotten that his system still had a series of side quests waiting to be completed—
"Collect one of Jiraiya's novels, Icha Icha Paradise (0/1): incomplete, reward unknown."
"Read one of Jiraiya's novels, Icha Icha Paradise, in its entirety (0/1): incomplete, reward unknown."
"Read one of Jiraiya's novels, Icha Icha Paradise, aloud with deep feeling (0/1): incomplete, reward unknown."
The quests were a little embarrassing.
But at least he could earn some Reiatsu and other rewards. There was no reason to pass up free rewards.
It wasn't about reading the book. It was about completing the quests.
Chen Xiaoxi immediately found the only large bookstore on the shopping street. As soon as he entered, he slapped some money down on the counter without a word.
Then he addressed the pretty sales clerk in a calm, clear voice.
"Hello. I'd like a copy of Icha Icha Paradise, please!"
As soon as the words left his mouth,
the curious looks of the people nearby landed on him.
Who was this guy?
Buying smut with that much confidence?
Impressive.
Even the sales clerk behind the counter looked awkward. After a moment, she lowered her head with an apologetic smile and politely said,
"I'm very sorry, sir.
Unfortunately, we've sold out of Icha Icha Paradise for today."
"Hm?
Sold out?
It's that popular?"
Chen Xiaoxi froze.
Only then did he remember that Jiraiya's book was wildly popular throughout the Ninja World...
The sales clerk nodded.
"Yes."
"Our very last copy was bought just a minute ago by a Konoha Ninja wearing a black mask."
"He seems to have gone to the noodle shop next door."
"Would you like to try borrowing it from him?"
The last copy had been bought by a Konoha Ninja wearing a black mask?
Chen Xiaoxi's expression turned strange.
Because
someone suddenly came to mind...
A moment later,
Chen Xiaoxi left the bookstore with a helpless smile.
According to the clerk,
theirs was practically the biggest bookstore in the Land of Fire. If they were sold out, there was no chance of finding a copy elsewhere anytime soon.
So if he wanted to read it right away, the easiest option was to borrow it from someone.
And just a minute ago,
a Konoha Ninja wearing a black mask had bought the last copy and gone into the noodle shop next door.
"Tsk, tsk."
"Looks like I've got no choice but to ask him."
Chen Xiaoxi shook his head with a wry smile, then headed toward the noodle shop.
He'd finally gotten the chance to come out, and he didn't want to miss the opportunity to complete his side quests.
Besides,
he'd already figured out more or less how to borrow the book.
It might mean pulling a little trick on a certain masked actor, though...
With a faint smile on his face, Chen Xiaoxi stepped into the noodle shop beside the bookstore. Its sign read "Kujo Ramen."
The moment he entered,
he spotted a white-haired young man sitting in the corner.
He wore a black mask, and his Konoha Ninja Forehead Protector was tilted slightly downward, just covering his left eye.
He was sitting with one leg crossed over the other.
A copy of Icha Icha Paradise rested in his hands as he read it in full view of everyone, as though no one else existed.
He looked perfectly relaxed.
That's right.
He was the Konoha Ninja the sales clerk had mentioned—
Konoha jōnin Hatake Kakashi!
The moment Chen Xiaoxi saw him,
he grinned and walked straight over.
But as soon as he got close,
Kakashi noticed him with sharp eyes. He set down the book and looked over at him.
"...Can I help you?"
His opening was as cold as the expression on his face.
He closed the book in his hands and looked Chen Xiaoxi up and down.
Chen Xiaoxi smiled warmly.
"Sorry to bother you."
"You must be the famous Konoha Ninja, Kakashi of the Sharingan, right?"
"I'd like to trade you some information for the book in your hands."
"Would that be all right?"
Chen Xiaoxi wore a sunny smile and got straight to the point.
He explained why he'd come without wasting a moment.
This unusual approach left Kakashi dumbfounded.
What was going on?
Was trading information for smut the latest craze?
Come to think of it,
who was this guy?
After studying Chen Xiaoxi for a moment, Kakashi raised an eyebrow, visibly surprised.
"Though I don't know how you recognized me,"
"that's certainly a blunt request..."
"But sorry, I'm not interested in information."
With that, Kakashi lowered his eyes again and opened the book, intent on ignoring the boy in front of him.
Before you continue