Natsu: Are You Fucking Made by Tencent?!

Har's mind was a complete mess. He simply could not understand why this monster, who could race across the sea and casually summon water dragons, would ask something even drunks in a tavern knew.

But he did not dare hesitate for even a moment, much less ask another question. In a trembling voice, he spilled everything he knew at once. "R-Replying to you, sir! It is currently Sea Circle Calendar 1538!

"The biggest recent event was that, a month ago, a crew member named Teach from one of the Four Emperors, the Whitebeard Pirates, ambushed and killed his own division commander before defecting! He has now formed his own pirate crew, called the Blackbeard Pirates!"

As he spoke, he hurriedly added with a mournful face, terrified that knowing too little would displease the other party. "I-I really don't know anything else!

"I'm just a small fry with an eight-million Beli bounty! As for matters concerning giants like the Four Emperors, I only dared catch the occasional rumor in taverns. I truly don't know anything more! Please spare me, sir! Please show mercy!"

Having learned everything he needed to know, Natsu glanced over the wrecked merchant ship, then at the pirate ship moored beside it with ropes. His fingers lightly tapped the hilt of his sword as he gave an order. "Have your men sail in that direction."

Har froze for a moment and looked in the direction Natsu indicated with his chin. It was precisely the stretch of sea Natsu had come from, and a flicker of hesitation immediately crossed his face.

There was nothing in that area except a deserted island. There was not a scrap of profit to be had there, and he might even lose his life.

But the instant that hesitation surfaced, Natsu lifted his foot. With a crisp crack, he cleanly snapped one of Har's intact fingers.

The excruciating pain shot through his entire body. Har shuddered violently, his mind instantly clearing, and hurriedly screamed hoarsely, "Y-Yes! Yes, sir! Your subordinate will do it right away! Right away!"

He turned to the pirates still standing there dumbly and roared like a madman, "What are you all standing around for?! Didn't you hear the lord's order?! Move your asses! Set sail! Head in the direction the lord pointed! Hurry!"

The remaining pirates had long since been scared out of their wits. At his words, they instantly descended into chaos and scattered in panic. Some rushed for the merchant ship's helm, while others leaped back onto the pirate ship to raise anchor and gather the sails, scrambling about without daring to delay in the slightest.

Natsu lowered his gaze over the few pirates on deck who were still groaning, not quite dead yet. His hands flew through a rapid series of seals, completing them in an instant.

"Lightning Release: Lightning Fang."

The moment his cold shout fell, a fierce bolt of lightning erupted from his mouth in a straight line. Azure lightning tore through the air and instantly pierced the several dying pirates on the deck.

Before they could even scream, the high-voltage current charred their bodies black, extinguishing their lives on the spot.

Pinned to the deck, Har watched the scene with his blood nearly frozen solid. He had even forgotten the agonizing pain in his severed finger and eye socket. He only dared lower his head desperately, not even daring to glance at Natsu from the corner of his eye, terrified that one wrong move would leave him sharing his subordinates' fate.

Natsu did not spare him another glance. He casually brushed away the few flecks of blood on his clothes, found a clean section of railing untouched by bloodstains, and sat down. His consciousness sank inward as he silently opened the system panel.

The sea breeze, carrying the salty stench of the ocean, brushed over Natsu's face. Leaning against the clean railing with his eyes half-closed, he sank his consciousness into the depths of his mind, and a pale blue system screen quietly unfolded.

[Family System]

Host: Uchiha Natsu

Affiliated Family: Uchiha Clan

Current Family Influence Value: 2,000 points

Available System Points: 2,000 points

Activated Family Traits: None

Host's Exclusive Skill: Indra's Eye

Rewards Held: Family Trait Draws ×1

Looking at the new information on the screen, Natsu silently asked in his heart, "System, what are Family Traits? And what exactly is the use of this Influence Value?"

The system's cold prompt rang clearly in his mind:

"After activation, Family Traits can provide corresponding attribute bonuses to all members of the family. The higher the trait's level, the wider its coverage and the stronger its effects."

"Influence Value is assessed based on the family population, territorial control, overall combat strength, and family prosperity. A fixed settlement is conducted at the end of each month."

"Once the settlement is complete, the system will distribute a corresponding amount of System Points according to a fixed proportion of the Influence Value. Points can be used for Family Trait draws, allowing the host to obtain family-wide enhancement traits of different levels."

Natsu unconsciously tapped the cool railing with his fingers, his brows slightly furrowed as he continued asking inwardly, "What levels are there for traits? And how exactly do I obtain them?"

"There are six trait levels, from lowest to highest: white, green, blue, gold, orange, and red."

The system's voice remained calm and utterly devoid of emotion. "A white trait can be drawn once for every 1,000 System Points, green for 5,000, blue for 10,000, gold for 50,000, and orange for 100,000. As for the highest-level red traits, they cannot be drawn with points and can only be obtained by unlocking the corresponding achievements."

Natsu raised a brow and sneered inwardly. "Oh? So it's basically a progression game? Then as the host, I should get some kind of special treatment, right?"

"Each time the host successfully draws a blue-grade trait or above, the host will additionally receive one chance to draw from the system-exclusive prize pool."

"Then what grade is the trait draw chance I have right now?" Natsu immediately pressed.

"This draw chance is an exclusive reward for the host completing the beginner mission while also achieving the beginner achievement 'Biding One's Time.' The draw is guaranteed to yield at least a blue-grade trait, with red grade as the highest possible result."

"Fuck? So it doesn't guarantee red?" Natsu nearly lost it, swearing inwardly. After all that, it's still a probability pool?

"What game gives you an endgame artifact right at the start?" the system retorted righteously.

Natsu nearly choked on his breath. "I... were you fucking made by Tencent?!"

"Fine, fine. I'll draw. I'll just gamble on my damn luck."

Left speechless by the system, Natsu waved a hand, took a deep breath, and suppressed the helpless amusement in his heart. With a soft sigh, he issued the draw command in his mind.

The next second, the system panel in his mind suddenly lit up with pale blue streams of light, and a massive prize wheel unfolded. With a hum, the pointer began spinning wildly across the white, green, blue, gold, orange, and red trait slots, moving so fast that only a blurry afterimage remained as it repeatedly swept through his consciousness.

The next second, the rapidly spinning pointer abruptly came to a stop. A dazzling orange glow instantly flooded the entire system panel, wrapping even Natsu's consciousness in its warm golden radiance.