Chapter 51: The Raikage Can't Sit Still
[Announcement]
In light of the players' defeat of the Death Soul Mountain Range, the Game Merchant has released a new content update:
[Death Soul Encampment] has been unlocked. Players level 15 and above may enter this dungeon, where they can obtain exclusive drops and skills from the Wraith Sorceress (Sarina).The Game Merchant will lease resource maps within the [Death Soul Mountain Range]. Upon successful lease, all resources mined within the timeframe will belong to the player.The Clan System has been activated.
…
After the announcement dropped,
players were first confused, then broke into heated discussion.
The Death Soul Encampment dungeon was within their expectations. Having seen how the Ruined Castle dungeon worked, they understood what dungeons entailed. The new dungeon was tougher, but the rewards were far more tempting.
Even players low on reward points but confident in their strength began preparing eagerly.
What shook the major factions most were the last two points.
In the Kirigakure Alliance's strategy room, the top brass sat in a tense circle.
"There's not much to say about the Death Soul Encampment," someone began. "As long as you're strong, you can earn a ton of points there."
Mei Terumi lounged lazily in her chair, arms crossed. "What about the resource map leasing? Thoughts?"
"I follow Lady Mizukage!"
Chōjūrō blurted out cheerfully, completely out of place.
A vein twitched on Mei's forehead as she resisted the urge to incinerate her reliable but tactless subordinate. She turned to the others instead.
"We absolutely cannot miss out on leasing the resource maps!"
This came from the current head of the Hōzuki clan—a middle-aged man with sharp teeth and white hair.
Seeing everyone's eyes turn to him, he explained,
"Our Hōzuki clan has a long history. We remember what ended the Warring States period."
"Hashirama Senju and Madara Uchiha had unparalleled power. At the first Five Kage Summit, they forcefully divided the land."
"The most fertile region—the Land of Fire—went to them. With that geographic advantage, Konoha produced countless genius ninja during every Great War."
Images of legendary names flashed through the minds of the Kirigakure leaders.
The most dazzling of all was Minato Namikaze, the Fourth Hokage.
Even their enemies couldn't deny his greatness.
The Hōzuki patriarch grew animated:
"Treat these resource maps like the land partitions of the Warring States. Whoever gets them now is essentially securing their future as the next Land of Fire. Their power will become unstoppable."
Everyone present understood what resource maps meant.
Countless Wraith materials, an endless supply of gear and skills—just like chakra metal mines in the real world. If one appeared, it would be fought over instantly.
"I, Hōzuki, will contribute 2 billion yen to the village."
"I'll contribute 1.5 billion yen."
"We're in as well…"
Clan leaders and wealthy jōnin all voiced their support.
…
Kumogakure.
Raikage A, his skin glistening red-black from recent training, dropped into a seat at the center of the training ground.
Mabui approached with a thick stack of documents. "Lord Raikage, these are signed pledges from all the clans agreeing to support the village. Please review."
"No need."
A unscrewed a glass bottle and chugged its contents. His muscles instantly felt refreshed.
"This gene optimization serum is amazing."
He clicked his tongue with regret. "Shame I'm not a player. I heard there's a set called 'Eagle Soul' that boosts agility?"
Even though he wasn't a player, with Mabui as his secretary, he was well-informed about the game.
Mabui smiled and nodded. "Samui is wearing the Eagle Soul set. Her sword skills still need work, but her speed now rivals yours."
"Hmph. She's already on my level. This is Kumo, not Konoha. Mabui, no need to sugarcoat it."
A was clearly jealous of players.
But in every wave of selection, he hadn't been chosen. He could only chalk it up to bad luck.
"After the update, the resource maps aren't the only big news."
Mabui handed him a document. "The Clan System has been implemented. Players can now found clans."
Raikage A frowned. "Clans?"
"Like ninja villages," Mabui said seriously. "But with actual in-game advantages."
"The clan leader can activate a clan skill—a wide-area buff that enhances all members' combat ability."
"There's a clan tech tree, which unlocks buildings that defend clan territory."
"Clans get EXP and reward point bonuses when partying together in dungeons."
"Most importantly, each clan receives two game invitation scrolls per month to turn new people into players."
As the strategic brain of Kumogakure, Mabui understood the implications deeply.
In the game,
whether it was Kirigakure, Kumogakure, Iwagakure, Konohagakure, or merchant groups—none of them had any real binding force.
They were like kids making pinky promises.
No one was obligated to stay. Betrayals happened all the time.
During the Wraith General raid, several Kumo players had defected to the Kirigakure side for a better deal.
But now that clans existed—this was an enforceable system.
It wasn't an exaggeration to say,
whoever founded a clan could build cohesion stronger than any ninja village in the real world.
After all,
the Uchiha in Konoha, the Kaguya and Yuki clans in Kirigakure… their tragic ends were still fresh in memory.
Hashirama once promised to rule side by side with the Uchiha.
Yet they ended up wiped out.
Who would dare trust another village completely again?
But clans were different.
Once established, members couldn't attack each other.
They shared rewards.
It became a bond stronger than steel.
You could truly entrust your back to your allies.
More importantly, that trust could extend to the real world—strengthening the village's unity as well.
"Are there any requirements to found a clan?"
Raikage A asked, recognizing the system's immense value.
Mabui sighed. "There are only three Clan Tokens available. Just like the resource maps, they'll be auctioned to the highest bidder."
The Reincarnation Game was incredible.
It had revitalized Kumo.
Countless players had grown powerful.
Even ordinary civilians had become elite jōnin-level fighters.
Samui herself now stood at Kage-level.
But the downside was… it was a money pit.
The entire village had started tightening its belts.
BOOM!
The stone table behind them exploded.
Raikage A's chakra surged, lightning crackling around him.
The training ground's floor split with fine cracks.
"No matter the cost—we must win one Clan Token!"
"…Isn't the Kumo tower foundation made from rare minerals?"
"Tear it down. Sell it to the Reincarnation Game!"
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