Luo Yu's eyes lit up. "As long as I beat everyone at the exchange meet, I'll get the most resources, right?"
President Bai gave a light cough. "That's true, but the participants are the best ninja from every city."
"You have to be at least a Genin to participate."
"The top competitors are all at Chunin strength."
"They're either rising geniuses from the past few years or veteran ninja with plenty of experience."
"They'll be much harder to deal with than today's assessment."
"Focus on training this year and try to reach Genin next year before participating."
Hearing President Bai's advice, Luo Yu smiled. "Why would I need that long? I should pretty much be a Genin by tomorrow."
Seeing how serious Luo Yu was, Curator Jiang and President Bai froze.
Then President Bai's expression turned stern. "Becoming a Genin isn't as simple as you imagine."
"The chakra reserves alone have to be three times those of Novice Rank Three. Many people spend their entire lives unable to break through."
"Not to mention raising your stamina to 100. That takes even more perseverance to keep up intense training every day."
"You can't slack off just because you have some talent."
Curator Jiang stroked his beard and said gravely, "That's right. My aptitude was mediocre, and my chakra refused to improve, so I had to focus on the taijutsu I was good at and become a Special Jōnin."
"Even with my exceptional stamina, it took me a year back then to get it past 100."
Special Jōnin were ninja with outstanding talent in one particular field, whose standing was lower than that of ordinary Jonin.
Luo Yu smiled. "Speaking of taijutsu, I'm not particularly good at it."
"Curator Jiang, could you spare some time to teach me?"
Although ninjutsu was useful, once he ran short of chakra, his lack of skill in taijutsu would become a glaring weakness.
Just like today, after unleashing Wood Release: Hell's Disorder and exhausting his chakra, he could only stand there helplessly.
That meant whenever he used Hell's Turmoil in the future, he would have to consider whether he could finish his opponent in one strike.
If his opponent was still breathing after he used Hell's Turmoil, he would be in an awkward position.
"No problem. Jiang Li will do everything it can to develop your talent."
"If you're free, we can start tomorrow." Curator Jiang looked pleased to see Luo Yu taking such initiative.
Luo Yu nodded slightly. "I have my school graduation ceremony in the morning, so let's make it tomorrow afternoon."
His method of learning was simple: activate his Sharingan and have Curator Jiang demonstrate every taijutsu technique he had learned throughout his life.
Then he could simply strengthen them with upgrade materials.
"By the way, I urgently need Divine Pupil Stones for my training right now. Can you provide any?"
Luo Yu asked without standing on ceremony.
To unlock the next template, Obito from the Night of the Uchiha Massacre, he needed not only to reach Jonin, but also to upgrade his Mangekyō Sharingan to level three.
That made Divine Pupil Stones an indispensable material.
"If you take first place at the exchange meet, we can apply to the Association headquarters."
"But since it's only an exchange meet between third-tier cities, we'll probably only get two or three Divine Pupil Stones approved."
President Bai explained.
Divine Pupil Stones were rare materials used to improve a ninja's ocular techniques, so he did not find Luo Yu's need for them strange.
"One more thing!" Luo Yu raised his hand.
"Go ahead. As long as we have the means, Jiang Li will certainly meet your needs."
President Bai showed no sign of impatience.
After all, Luo Yu would surely repay today's investment to Jiang Li with interest in the future.
"My sister and I are still crammed into a rental. Bathing and things like that are pretty inconvenient."
"So I wanted to ask, does the Association provide housing?" Luo Yu asked curiously.
President Bai cleared his throat and explained solemnly, "The Association offers Discounted Ninja Housing, specifically designed to give ninja quality homes at affordable prices."
"As long as you become an Apprentice Ninja, you qualify for the discounts."
"And you're also a Silver Badge holder. With all those discounts stacked together, you can buy a Discounted Ninja Villa for next to nothing."
Luo Yu practically drooled as he listened.
Was this how top talent was treated?
I loved it!
"How much is 'next to nothing'?" Luo Yu asked cautiously.
After all, even a dirt-cheap villa was bound to cost a lot. He might not be able to afford it.
President Bai smiled. "Three hundred thousand Ninja Coins."
"Since it's specifically designed for ninja, there's even a training arena inside."
"As well as a back garden and a swimming pool."
The mention of a swimming pool immediately perked Luo Yu up.
His sister would look incredible in a swimsuit.
Seeing Luo Yu's interest, Curator Jiang added, "I'll take you to look around tomorrow. We can train your taijutsu in the arena there."
For someone like Luo Yu, who had mastered a purple legacy, the two men were practically desperate to shove benefits down his throat.
Luo Yu knew just what to say, too. "Rest assured, both of you. I will protect everything in Jiang Li!"
Seeing his firm commitment, Curator Jiang and President Bai nodded in satisfaction.
Giving talented people preferential treatment was their own small contribution to the nation.
That evening, Luo Yu and Luo Qingyu returned home.
Luo Yu immediately told Luo Qingyu about moving.
"That's the little brother I raised. You're so capable."
Luo Qingyu smiled and praised him, then called the landlord to discuss ending their tenancy.
Seeing that, Luo Yu hurried back to his bedroom and locked the door.
Once everything was ready, he first ordered the system to upgrade his Hashirama Cells.
The green fragments stored in his Storage Scroll instantly vanished.
Hashirama Cells level +1!
As the announcement ended, Luo Yu felt the cells inside his body grow restless.
His chakra flow became chaotic, rampaging through his meridians.
His mood also grew agitated and uneasy.
A series of crisp cracks rang out inside his body, and he felt it undergoing a transformation.
Soon, the transformation ended.
His mood settled once more.
Both the chakra within him and his physical capabilities had improved noticeably.
Curious, Luo Yu opened the Hashirama Cells panel.
Talent: Hashirama Cells Lv. 2 Effects: Ninjutsu power increased by 100%, chakra reserves by 100%, stamina by 50%; greatly increased chakra recovery speed; grants the Wood Release attribute; enhanced bodily regeneration; suppresses the negative effects of the Mangekyō Sharingan.
Amazing! My chakra had doubled outright.
My ninjutsu power had doubled too. That was practically a percentage-based critical hit for ninjutsu!
I had to admit, Hashirama Cells really were the GOAT!
He could face ninjutsu clashes with much more confidence now.
Just as Luo Yu was celebrating, the system notification sounded. "Congratulations, host. Your Hashirama Cells have reached level two."
"Hidden companion for the Enraged Obito template unlocked: Spiral Zetsu."
As the announcement ended, a layer of White Zetsu skin suddenly enveloped Luo Yu's entire body.
Even his handsome face was tightly wrapped in White Zetsu's spiraling skin, leaving only an opening for his right eye.
The layers of spiral patterns covering his body made Luo Yu look just like the Michelin Man.
The system's teammate panel updated.
Teammate: Spiral Zetsu - Fly.
Only then did Luo Yu understand what the teammate system, which he had never managed to explore, actually meant.
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