[Ding! The A-rank ninjutsu Rasengan is now available in the shop. Players may exchange the required contribution points for it.]
Whoosh!
The announcement sent shockwaves through the crowd.
"Oh my god! A-rank ninjutsu? I need to go get it right now."
"Is this Rasengan the ball of energy that appeared on the battlefield just now?"
"Almost certainly. I took a quick glance at the time and thought I saw the Village Chief."
"That was so powerful, so badass! I need this ninjutsu right now. Immediately!"
"The Village Chief is so cool! What a shame he's an NPC. Otherwise, I'd have his babies."
"Hey! We're still fighting. Can you stop drooling over him?"
"..."
The players of Hidden Jun Village charged back into battle as if pumped full of adrenaline, utterly fearless in the face of death.
To be precise, they were "eager to die."
Why?
Because that would let them return to the village quickly and exchange their points for A-rank ninjutsu! ...
The players had been struggling with their lack of firepower, losing ground everywhere!
The sudden arrival of A-rank ninjutsu in the shop was undoubtedly a shot in the arm.
A-rank ninjutsu might not turn the battle around outright, but anything that reversed their current decline would help.
Besides, after being pinned down by NPCs for so long, every player was seething.
These battle-hardened players had never suffered such humiliation in other games!
Now that they had A-rank ninjutsu, how could they not get fired up?
Before long, the first players to "return to the village" had already sent word back.
"Holy crap, isn't this a bargain? A-rank ninjutsu for just 100 contribution points!"
"After fighting this long, we must each have at least a four-digit contribution point balance, right? This A-rank ninjutsu costs pocket change!"
"Now that's fair pricing! Damn fair pricing! It's practically being given away!"
"..."
The first batch of players, who could still hold their own on the front lines, were all tempted.
They had entered the game earliest and naturally reaped plenty of early advantages.
Most of them had already reached Chunin level!
And their contribution points alone were well beyond four digits.
Their considerable strength also allowed them to earn contribution points faster on the battlefield.
Through this cycle, they had all amassed substantial reserves.
While fighting, One Sword Opens the Heavens offered a plan:
"Guys, we can't all leave the battlefield at once. How about this? We go get ourselves killed in batches, then come back to relieve the others. What do you think?"
Emperor of Sinking immediately thumped his chest and said:
"Then let me go first! I promise I'll be back in no time..."
The others all knew exactly what Emperor of Sinking was thinking.
Still, none of them said anything. The guy was notoriously shameless, so arguing would be pointless.
Dai Xiaomei was also shouting excitedly on her livestream:
"Guys, I'll have A-rank ninjutsu any minute now. Then I'll show you what it means to command lightning."
Her viewers weren't buying it and began teasing her:
"Command lightning? Don't you mean getting commanded by lightning?"
"Old lady, watch out. You might blow yourself to bits instead of hitting the enemy."
"With her gameplay skills, that's entirely possible!"
"Hahahaha..."
Teasing comments flooded the livestream like falling snow.
Dai Xiaomei was practically fuming, but when she saw the stream's popularity surge again, her anger instantly vanished.
She waved her fists at the camera, putting on a "cute" act as she said in a sugary voice:
"Then let me show you the true power of the invincibly adorable Dai Xiaomei!"
"Ugh! ..."
Emotes foaming at the mouth instantly flooded the chat.
Seeing them only made Dai Xiaomei happier inside.
Back at his residence, Ye Chen pondered the terrifying presence he had sensed earlier.
That aura had most likely leaked from a Kage Level ninja.
The other party had deliberately concealed his presence, which was why Ye Chen hadn't noticed him immediately.
Only when he threw the Rasengan had he sensed that faint aura, with timing that was "just right."
That was also why Ye Chen had immediately retreated to Hidden Jun Village instead of wiping out the enemy...
Ye Chen couldn't understand why someone with Kage Level strength wouldn't show himself.
Could that Kage Level expert have something to fear as well?
For the moment, Ye Chen couldn't fathom the reason.
Logically, a legendary Kage Level expert should have been able to do whatever he pleased in a conflict between two small ninja villages.
Why was the other party so cautious? What was holding him back?
His thoughts tangled together, one suspicion after another arising.
Still, back at his residence, Ye Chen had no concerns whatsoever about his own safety.
According to the system, as long as he remained within Hidden Jun Village, he was absolutely invincible.
If the other party had the guts, he could come into the village and fight. Ye Chen would make sure he paid dearly for it.
As Ye Chen reassured himself, a stream of system notifications began ringing in his ears.
[Ding! Player Emperor of Sinking has mastered the A-rank ninjutsu Rasengan. Your Rasengan proficiency has increased significantly.] [Ding! Player One Sword Opens the Heavens has mastered the A-rank ninjutsu Rasengan. Your Rasengan proficiency has increased significantly.] [Ding! Player Dai Xiaomei has mastered the A-rank ninjutsu Rasengan. Your Rasengan proficiency has increased significantly.] [...]
Notification after notification rang in his ears until Ye Chen had completely mastered the Rasengan.
Immediately afterward, another barrage of system notifications filled his ears.
[Ding! You have mastered ninjutsu of every rank below S-rank, earning the "Consummate Mastery" achievement. Reward: 100,000 chakra.] [Ding! Your maximum chakra has successfully surpassed the Elite Jonin threshold, reaching the initial Kage Level.] [Ding! Congratulations on your successful breakthrough. Reward: one breakthrough gift pack.] [Ding! Would you like to open the breakthrough gift pack now?]
The worries in Ye Chen's heart vanished. Without the slightest hesitation, he said:
"Yes!"
[Ding! The breakthrough gift pack has been opened.] [Congratulations! You have received a set of B-rank Five Elements Ninjutsu.] [Wind Release: Breathless Continuous Slashes, mastered.] [Fire Style: Majestic Destroyer Flame, mastered.] [Lightning Release: Hell Stab, mastered.] [Earth Release: Mountain Earth Technique, mastered.] [Water Release: Ink Bead Barrage, mastered.] [Ding! Hidden Jun Village's construction progress has increased. Supporting facilities, the Trading Market and the Relay Station, have been unlocked.] [Ding! Your prestige has increased. You have been granted the title "Hundred Ninja."] [Hundred Ninja: an epic title. Increases the holder's charisma by 10%, luck by 10%, rallying power by 10%, and chakra feedback by 10%.] [...]
The string of rewards left even Ye Chen stunned.
He had only provided a single "self-created" A-rank ninjutsu. How had he earned such lavish rewards?
If this was a coincidence, it was far too convenient!
Ye Chen's mind raced, and he soon focused on the words "self-created."
Could the system award a bonus for skills like these?
Remembering that players also received substantial rewards for creating their own skills, Ye Chen felt a surge of excitement.
His "self-created" Rasengan still had room for improvement.
If he improved it...
Before you continue