Chapter 478: Can I Go Hang Out in City of Shinobi?!
After Stelle entered the dream bubble, a line of text appeared on the screen.
[ Galaxy Ninja Scroll: Recap ]
Little Gui blinked in surprise!
Immediately following that, the narration and subtitles appeared.
[ A long, long time ago, in a distant world, there was a bustling city-state. For generations, this city was ruled by a hero of the ninja arts, known by the world as the City of Shinobi.
Under the protection of the shinobi hero, the people lived and worked in peace and contentment, and everything flourished—so much so that even the sewers of the City of Shinobi brimmed with the scent of happiness.
That was until—a villain known as the Evil Ape Shinobi murdered the shinobi hero and usurped the seat of the city lord. In an instant, the happiness of days past vanished like bubbles… ]
"Oh~"
A look of realization crossed Guinaifen's face.
"So this is introducing Rappa's backstory."
"We've got to watch this closely!"
"You know, every character Feathered Spirit chooses for the banner has something extraordinary about them!"
"They're either an overlord of a domain or a hero of their generation!"
"It's not like just any random passerby or street busker can get in!"
…
"Is Little Gui describing herself here?"
"Don't forget your roots, Little Gui! You still have to perform the boulder-shattering on Sushang's chest!"
"A ninja planet, huh? Wonder if it's similar to Punklorde?"
"Feels like it would be really fun if they made it into an in-game map."
"Friendly reminder! The 'Evil Ape Shinobi' here refers to Dr. Primitive!"
"Wait, what?"
"I knew it! That guy is definitely a major villain in Star Rail!"
"Damn it! It's that old bastard again!"
"Could Rappa's homeworld have been destroyed by Dr. Primitive?"
"Most likely. Surviving the tragedy, Rappa embarked on the Path of the Hunt and became a member of the Galaxy Rangers…"
"I can already smell the emotional gut-punch coming."
…
Amid the players' discussions, the corresponding visuals began to appear in the game.
[ Year 56 of the Shinobi Calendar, City of Shinobi ]
Skyscrapers of dazzling, multihued lights flashed with neon brilliance.
This caught those players off guard who had been expecting something like a ninja village or an island nation!
To think, it turned out to be such a high-tech metropolis!
And at the very center of the screen, poised and ready for action, was Rappa.
One foot rested atop a railing, gazing out into the skyline.
Atop the tallest skyscraper, an ape hung by a single hand from a lightning rod.
Even the moon behind it was twisted into the shape of a wicked grin.
An entity named Master Kucha spoke with earnest gravity: "Young maiden who hast stepped onto the ninja path, this old one acknowledges thy resolve. From this day forth, thou art the successor to the Dazzling Ninjutsu."
"My thanks to Master Kucha. This disciple is beyond honored."
Master Kucha continued: "Look upon this city-state cloaked in shadow! Suffering, hatred, sorrow—all fester within this soil steeped in sin, and a tide of blood and tears shall swallow all hope."
"All because of the pitiless, tearless Evil Ape Shinobi, who cast foul sorcery to make the people fall, permitting evil fiends to bully and oppress, drawing wrath from all beneath the heavens."
"Thou shalt take up the mantle left behind by the shinobi hero, settle the debts of the evil shinobi's sins, end the long night of the City of Shinobi, and restore a world of peace to the people."
Rappa marveled, "Such seamless Shinobi Mantras—truly worthy of Master Kucha! This one shall train diligently, and one day become a Dazzling Shinobi Hero!"
Master Kucha was equally gratified: "What admirable resolve! To stand against the evil shinobi, thou dost also require a new name—a name that belongs to a ninja."
"What then should this disciple be called?"
"I know not, Shinobi Apprentice. A name carries thy ideals, etches thy convictions, and proclaims thy destiny. It is a Shinobi Title uniquely thine own."
"—Therefore, thou must decide for thyself."
Having read through this description, Little Gui scratched her head.
She couldn't help but complain, "Why does this feel identical to the plot of those ninja manga I've read?"
"Could it be that the authors of those manga were actually writing non-fiction?"
"Is a real-life ninja planet actually this chuunibyou?"
…
Paperfold University.
Central Stage.
Rappa watched this portion of the plot, her gaze deep and solemn.
She seemed to be reflecting and reminiscing on something.
Beside her, several excited student players squeezed close to her side.
"Sister Rappa!"
"We're huge fans of yours!"
"We absolutely love ninjas! We've read all kinds of ninja manga!"
"Miss Rappa is the spitting image of the heroic ninja lady in our imaginations—you're just too cool!"
"Woah, check out these spray cans, and look at this shuriken!"
Rappa smiled gently.
"This one has witnessed the fervent hearts of you apprentice ninjas."
"The Dazzling Shinobi Hero shall certainly respond in kind!"
With that, Rappa took out several spray cans and handed them out one by one to these enthusiastic players.
"These are the special ninja tools of the Dazzling Shinobi Hero. With a single flourish, evil fiends are driven away."
"A gift for the apprentice ninjas."
Having received Rappa's ninja tools, the players were overjoyed, stowing them away carefully like precious treasures.
One of them asked, "Sister Rappa, which galaxy is your homeworld in? Can I visit it with my classmates during the upcoming break?"
Rappa froze, her expression shifting slightly.
Noticing the subtle change in Rappa's demeanor, the female player suddenly grew anxious!
"Um… I'm so sorry…"
"Sister Rappa, don't tell me…"
"Was your homeworld really… destroyed by Dr. Primitive…?"
Her voice trailed off into a whisper toward the end, realizing that she had just picked at someone's unhealed wound.
Boothill chimed in, "Quit your wild guessing, you lot. Won't you find out everything once the story keeps playing?"
Rappa nodded as well.
"Indeed."
"However, this one must give a word of caution to all."
"That battle back then was utterly tragic and harrowing. To save the world from the Dharma Ending Age, this one had no choice but to slay evil shinobi and rogue shinobi one after another…"
"Stop!" the female player quickly interrupted.
"Miss Rappa, please don't say anymore."
"Don't spoil it! That's going to be the most exciting part of the upcoming story~"
"Yeah, yeah! I'm really looking forward to seeing the ninja showdown next!"
The fangirls were bubbling with excitement.
At this moment, they were completely oblivious to what that upcoming "ninja showdown" actually was…