Ye Liang is dead.
He passed away peacefully.
If there's one thing otakus have in common, it might just be how they die.
Holding his phone, playing a game, leaning against the sofa—he died suddenly from overexertion.
...
"Where am I?"
"How did I get here? What place is this exactly?"
Ye Liang opens his eyes but finds himself staring at an unfamiliar cave.
He tries to move his arms—his limbs feel incredibly weak. Endless rubble surrounds him.
"Did someone kidnap me? I remember playing a game just now..."
His face shows confusion.
At that moment, shouting echoes from deep within the cave—two people arguing.
"Lord Orochimaru! Human experimentation is strictly forbidden. If you continue like this, the Third will brand you a rogue ninja!"
"Tsk tsk, Anko, you're just too innocent. Otherwise, I wouldn't have felt compelled to inject the cursed seal into you."
"... "
"Anko? Orochimaru? What the heck is going on?"
"Could it be... I've been reincarnated?"
Ye Liang is totally confused, but the fluent Japanese he's hearing actually sounds real!
Ye Liang doesn't speak Japanese at all—yet somehow, he understands every single word perfectly!
"This is impossible! Could this be some kind of bonus for being a reincarnator? Haha! I actually got reincarnated!"
Ye Liang bursts into laughter!
As a devoted otaku, reincarnation has always been his dream. Plus, the mobile game he was so obsessed with during his last life had even contributed to his sudden death—the game was none other than [Naruto Online] (a Naruto-themed MMORPG)!
Ding Dong!
A buzzing sound suddenly rings inside his head.
"Detected host has awakened. Distributing beginner's welcome package now."
[Mastered Beginner-level Taijutsu!]
[Mastered Beginner-level Chakra Control!]
[Mastered Beginner-level Ninja Tool Usage!]
"Is this the reward?"
Ye Liang feels delighted at first, but after listening carefully, his expression turns stunned...
"Why are all these basic skills only?"
As a hardcore fan of Naruto, he naturally understands what the beginner level means—equivalent to a Genin in Konoha Village.
Even though there are cases in Konoha where Genin outmatch Jonin, Ye Liang definitely doesn't possess the protagonist's invincible talent...
While secretly grumbling, another buzz erupts in Ye Liang's mind.
Ding Dong!
"Detected harsh environment around the host. Immediately issuing SSS-tier Legendary Quest - Rescue Anko. The system will award different rewards based on the degree of task completion."
[Evaluation One: Escape from Orochimaru's lab with Anko, regardless of her condition!]
[Reward]: [Mastered Intermediate Taijutsu], [Intermediate Chakra Control], and [Intermediate Ninja Tool Usage].
[Evaluation Two: Successfully escape from Orochimaru's lab with Anko unharmed and gain her favor!]
[Reward]: [Mastered Advanced Taijutsu], [Advanced Chakra Control], and [Advanced Ninja Tool Usage].
[Evaluation Three: Escape from Orochimaru's lab with Anko while Orochimaru is still present...]
[Reward]: On top of Reward Two, additionally awarded the legendary ultimate jutsu, [Shinra Tensei]!
"..."
Ye Liang just stares, speechless.
Even the simplest task of escaping the lab with Anko won't be easy, let alone escaping right under Orochimaru's nose with Anko in tow!
Right now, he's only as strong as a Genin from Konoha!
However...
Eventually, some things just had to be done.
"That's Shinra Tensei!" Ye Liang was shocked!
In his previous life, the jutsu Ye Liang had always admired the most was Shinra Tensei!
Not because it was particularly powerful, but because it was just so incredibly cool. Back then in Konoha, Pain had held off every Jonin in the village using nothing but this technique!
How could he pass up learning such a flashy move?
Ye Liang made a decision immediately and started brainstorming.
Actually, the system's task wasn't necessarily a death sentence. As long as he successfully led Anko out of the cave unharmed, he'd receive high-level Taijutsu techniques among other rewards.
Combined with the divine-level Ninjutsu [Shinra Tensei]!
Ye Liang felt confident that he could use this jutsu to escape from Orochimaru because at this point in time, Orochimaru was nowhere near as monstrous as he would become during the later ninja war.
Ye Liang immediately moved toward the cave entrance.
"Teacher Orochimaru! Don't keep making mistakes! You're the Third's personal disciple. As long as you turn back now, the Third will definitely forgive you!"
"Tsk tsk! Anko, don't be so naive. Be a good girl and let me plant a Cursed Seal on you. Become my perfect vessel."
"Teacher! Please come back to your senses!"
Orochimaru continued arguing with Anko inside.
Ye Liang had already listened for quite some time. He felt nervous, but if he didn't act now, it really would be too late—because Orochimaru was about to make his move!
"Stop! Let go of that girl!" He immediately stood up and sternly ordered Orochimaru.
"..."
The cave fell silent for a moment.
Orochimaru himself was also momentarily stunned!
It was way too sudden!
It was like being caught mid-swoop, just before tasting forbidden fruit—it was genuinely too unexpected!
"Where did this brat come from?!"
Orochimaru quickly turned his gaze toward Ye Liang.
He was one of the legendary Sannin, yet somehow this unknown kid had managed to approach unnoticed. It was simply unbelievable!
He felt uneasy.
Ye Liang gulped nervously.
To be honest, Ye Liang was actually more nervous than Orochimaru at this moment. The other side was cautious, while he was shaking with fear!
Orochimaru was a Jonin among Jonins!
One simple fireball Ninjutsu from him and Ye Liang would probably be finished.
"Mr. Orochimaru, hello. I'm here on behalf of our leader to negotiate with you."
"Leader? What leader? I don't know anyone by that title!" Orochimaru kept watching Ye Liang warily, but Ye Liang had already prepared his response.
"Our leader is naturally the renowned Pain—you've certainly heard of him before, haven't you?"
"You're from Akatsuki?! How dare you come somewhere like this! Aren't you afraid of being discovered by the Third and others?!"
"You dare to set up a laboratory here—aren't you afraid of being found out either?!"
Although Ye Liang was internally panicking, his expression remained firm and unwavering as he stared at Orochimaru.
Of course—if he showed even a hint of weakness, he'd probably die instantly...
Ye Liang knew exactly what Orochimaru wanted, and his plan was to use this knowledge as an opportunity to deceive him.
"Our leader has known for a long time that you seek a powerful new body, which is why he's been waiting outside respectfully."
"Your leader? Pain came to Konoha!"
"Yes!"
"You've already offered me Itachi Uchiha's body? If you agree to join Akatsuki, he will be yours."
"What?!"
Orochimaru was stunned.
At this time, 8-year-old Itachi had already become a child prodigy in the village. If not for the fear of being discovered by The Third, Orochimaru would have acted long ago!
Upon hearing that Akatsuki had delivered Itachi to him, Orochimaru's eyes sparkled with fanaticism.
"Then please follow me, sir," Ye Liang detected Orochimaru's thoughts, immediately gesturing politely for him to proceed, then shifted his gaze toward Anko Mitarashi who was bound against the stone pillar.
This was the most critical moment — there could absolutely be no mistake!
"Umm...Lord Orochimaru, could we take this hostage along as well? She overheard our conversation and we need to see how the leader wants to deal with her."
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