The draw count had stopped at ninety-nine and stayed there all night.
The Back Mountain.
He followed the familiar path from last time into the woods and found the hollow surrounded by trees on three sides.
The same old spot.
The earthen slopes still enclosed three sides. Light couldn't escape, and no one outside could see in.
Dead leaves covered the scorch marks on the ground, leaving no sign of his previous draws.
He looked around.
No one.
Not even a bird.
Only after settling into place did he bring up the panel.
The draw counter stood at ninety-nine.
He tapped his knuckles twice against the side of his leg.
One more to go.
In the innermost layer of his backpack, the vial of imitation Sharingan potion lay behind a layer of cloth, separate from what he would collect tonight.
He took out a shuriken and spun it half a turn between his fingers.
The Back Mountain was quiet, with only the sound of wind passing through dead leaves.
Pale blue light shone from his wrist and circled the ground at his feet without rising higher.
The number changed.
[Draw count 99 → 100]
The hundred-draw guarantee.
He stared at that line without moving.
After waiting so long, he felt strangely calm now that the moment had finally arrived.
The wind swept past, bending the grass on the slope.
The woods were as quiet as ever, so quiet that he softened his breathing.
The cluster of light formed into four items, each floating above his palm.
The first was a small porcelain vial, [Sharingan Awakening Catalyst].
The second was a card, [Genjutsu Affinity Card].
The third was another card, [Fire Release Chakra Nature Affinity Card].
The fourth was heavier. Its bottle was larger than the other three items,