Ye Liang Died

Ye Liang died.

He went peacefully.

If there was one thing all shut-ins had in common, it was probably the way they died.

Holding a phone, playing a game, leaning against the couch—and dying suddenly.

"Where is this?"

"How did I get here? What kind of place is this?"

Ye Liang opened his eyes and found himself in a strange cave.

He moved his arms. His limbs felt weak, and endless rubble surrounded him.

"Was I kidnapped? I remember I was playing a game just before this."

His face was full of confusion.

Just then, the sounds of two people arguing came from deep within the cave.

"Orochimaru-sensei! Human experimentation is expressly forbidden. The Third Hokage will label you a Rogue Ninja if you keep this up!"

"Heh heh, Anko, you're just too honest. Otherwise, I wouldn't have had the heart to inject you with a cursed seal."

"..."

"Anko? Orochimaru? What's going on?"

"Could it be that I transmigrated?"

Ye Liang was completely bewildered, but the fluent Japanese coming from the other side was clearly real!

Ye Liang didn't know Japanese!

Yet he understood every word!

"How is that possible? Is this some kind of transmigrator's innate perk? Hahaha! I really transmigrated!"

Ye Liang burst into laughter!

As a devoted shut-in, transmigration was something he had dreamed of. And the mobile game that had caused his sudden death in his previous life...

Was Naruto Online!

Ding!

A buzzing suddenly rang through his mind.

Host detected awake. Starter gift pack will now be issued.

Basic Taijutsu: Max Level!

Basic Chakra: Max Level!

Basic Ninja Tool Usage: Max Level!

"Are these the rewards?"

Ye Liang was delighted at first, but after listening for a while, he immediately went dumbfounded.

"Why are they all basic skills?"

As a diehard Naruto fan, he naturally understood what basic skills meant. They were equivalent to the abilities of a Konoha genin.

Although Naruto had its whole "jonin are inferior to genin" setting, Ye Liang didn't have the protagonist's cockroach-like talent.

While he was silently grumbling, another buzz rang out in Ye Liang's mind.

Ding!

Host detected in a hostile environment. SSS-rank legendary mission issued immediately—Save Anko. Rewards will vary according to mission completion.

Rating One: Take Anko out of Orochimaru's laboratory, dead or alive!

Reward: Intermediate Taijutsu: Max Level, Intermediate Chakra: Max Level, Intermediate Ninja Tool Usage: Max Level.

Rating Two: Take Anko out of Orochimaru's laboratory unharmed and gain her favor!

Reward: Advanced Taijutsu: Max Level, Advanced Chakra: Max Level, Advanced Ninja Tool Usage: Max Level.

Rating Three: Take Anko out unharmed in front of Orochimaru.

Reward: In addition to the rewards from Rating Two, receive the god-tier ninjutsu Shinra Tensei!

"..."

Ye Liang was instantly speechless.

Even the easiest task—taking Anko out of the laboratory—wouldn't be simple, let alone taking her away right in front of Orochimaru!

Right now, he was only at the level of a Konoha genin!

But...

Some things had to be done.

"That's Shinra Tensei!" Ye Liang was stunned!

Shinra Tensei had been Ye Liang's favorite ninjutsu in his previous life!

Not because it was especially powerful, but because it was cool enough. Back in Konoha, Pain had used that one technique to face every jonin in the village by himself!

How could he pass up the chance to learn such an awesome move!

Ye Liang made his decision at once and immediately began brainstorming.

The system's mission wasn't necessarily a death sentence. As long as he brought Anko out of the cave unharmed, he could obtain advanced Taijutsu and the rest.

Combined with the god-tier ninjutsu Shinra Tensei!

Ye Liang was confident he could escape Orochimaru with that technique, because Orochimaru at this point was nowhere near as monstrous as he would become during the later ninja war!

Ye Liang immediately felt his way toward the depths of the cave.

"Orochimaru-sensei! Don't keep making the same mistake! You are the Third Hokage's direct disciple. If you turn back now, the Third Hokage will definitely forgive you!"

"Heh heh! Anko, stop being so naive. Be a good girl and let me plant the cursed seal. Become a vessel for my body!"

"Sensei! Turn back!"

Orochimaru was still arguing with his disciple inside.

Ye Liang had been listening for quite a while. He was nervous, but if he didn't act now, it would truly be too late—Orochimaru was about to make his move!

"Stop! Put down that girl!" He immediately stood up and sternly ordered Orochimaru.

"..."

The cave fell silent.

Orochimaru was stunned too!

It was too sudden!

It was like a fledgling about to taste forbidden fruit getting caught red-handed by its parents. It was just too sudden!

"Where did this brat come from?"

Orochimaru immediately turned his gaze toward him.

He was one of the legendary Sannin, yet an unfamiliar boy had managed to approach him without him noticing at all. It was simply unbelievable!

He grew wary.

Ye Liang swallowed.

To be honest, he was even more nervous than Orochimaru. The other side was merely cautious, while he was panicking like a dog!

Orochimaru was a jonin among jonin!

If the man casually tossed out a Fireball Jutsu, Ye Liang would probably be done for.

"Mr. Orochimaru, hello. I was sent by our leader to negotiate with you."

"Leader? What leader? I don't know anyone like that!" Orochimaru continued to watch Ye Liang warily, but Ye Liang had already prepared his next line.

"Our leader is naturally the renowned Pain. I'm sure you've heard of him."

"You're from the Akatsuki! How dare you come to a place like this! Aren't you afraid the Third Hokage and the others will discover you?"

"You dare establish a laboratory in a place like this. Aren't you afraid of being discovered?"

Though Ye Liang was panicking inside, he showed none of it on his face. Instead, he stared at Orochimaru with an unyielding expression!

Nonsense! If he showed even the slightest weakness, wouldn't he die?

Ye Liang knew what Orochimaru wanted, and his plan was to use that to deceive him.

"Our leader has long heard that you desire a powerful body, so he has been waiting outside for you."

"Leader? Pain came to Konoha!"

"Yes! And he has offered you Uchiha Itachi's body, provided you join the Akatsuki."

"What!"

Orochimaru was shocked.

At this point, Uchiha Itachi was only eight years old, but he was already recognized as a genius child in the village. If Orochimaru hadn't been worried that abducting Itachi would alert the Third Hokage, he would have made his move long ago!

The moment he heard that the Akatsuki had brought Uchiha Itachi, Orochimaru's eyes blazed with fanaticism.

"Then please come with me, sir." Ye Liang saw through Orochimaru's thoughts and immediately gestured for him to proceed. Then, he turned his gaze toward Mitarashi Anko, who was tied to a stone pillar.

This was the most crucial step!

Nothing could go wrong!

"Um... Lord Orochimaru, could we bring this hostage along as well? She overheard our conversation, and we need to see how the leader wishes to deal with her."