"There are two ways to obtain cards," Mizunotsuki Ye recalled from his memory. "The first is through battle — by completing various kinds of achievements. The second is through top-ups. One hundred ryō can be exchanged for a diamond, which can then be used to buy cards in the card shop."
He carefully sorted through the information in his mind.He had just tested the first method — fighting — and even completed his first battle achievement, earning a two-star pet card.However, under normal circumstances, battles only drop fragments rather than full cards.Only by completing specific achievements can one get a complete card.
Aside from the "First Victory" achievement, there were others such as "Hundred-Man Slayer," "Thousand-Man Slayer," "Famed Across the Lands," and "Terror of the Ninja World."The harder the achievement, the rarer the card reward.Moreover, cards could be upgraded, but only after reaching max level — and by fusing with an identical card.In other words, the higher the rank, the stronger the advantage… but the harder it is to obtain.
As for the second method—
Mizunotsuki Ye focused his thoughts, and a virtual shop interface appeared in his mind, filled with dazzling varieties of cards.
Character Cards…Pet Cards…Artifact Cards…
From A Certain Scientific Railgun, One Piece, Bleach, Pokémon—Countless anime characters, pets, and treasures filled his vision, leaving him utterly dazzled.
"Hiss… Accelerator is a five-star character card? Shame I can't view the stats.The Marine Admiral Akainu… ahem, Sakazuki… is a four-star card? Huh?Why are all cards above three stars only available as fragments, while the complete ones are all one- or two-star? Is this some kind of collection challenge?"
As he stared, drooling slightly, his expression suddenly froze.All the high-tier cards were indeed just fragments—and even so, each one cost a ridiculous amount.
"One fragment for ten thousand diamonds?! That's… that's a hundred million ryō for a full card! Are they robbing me blind?! Do they think money grows on trees in the Naruto world?!"
He leaned closer to check again.
"All fragment prices are the same… One- and two-star cards don't need fragments, but a three-star card takes ten fragments, a four-star needs fifty, and a five-star… one hundred!"
"Hiss!"Mizunotsuki Ye sucked in a deep breath and forced himself to calm down, summarizing aloud:
"There are pros and cons to both ways of obtaining cards.Battles are stable — you get experience and fragments just by fighting.But the recharge method…"
He twitched the corner of his mouth helplessly.Why did it feel like this system was tempting him to become a pay-to-win player?"Can money really buy everything? Can it buy respect? Can it buy love?!"
Smack!
He felt a sting on his face — as if the system had just slapped him — and could almost hear it whisper smugly,"Yes. Money can do whatever it wants."
Mizunotsuki Ye covered his face, groaning internally."Fine, fine! I'll make money! I'll become rich! Happy now?! QAQ!"
He sighed and let out a weak chuckle.
Returning his consciousness to reality, he obediently lay on his disgraceful "pet," Gluttony's back, pretending to rest — while in truth, he was planning his next steps and his future.
Rustle… rustle… rustle… rustle…
No one knew how long had passed.They traversed yet another dense forest before a vast silhouette began to appear through the trees — a grand complex of buildings in the distance.
Mizunotsuki Ye suddenly lifted his head, staring into the horizon.Before him unfolded a bustling, vibrant village, unlike anything he had ever seen.The first thing that caught his eye was a massive stone cliff, on which three majestic faces were carved — solemn and divine, watching over the entire settlement below.At the edge of the cliff, a fourth face was being sculpted — already halfway complete.
"The one who pacified the warring states — Senju Hashirama.The creator of countless forbidden jutsu — Senju Tobirama.The stalwart ninja hero — Sarutobi Hiruzen.And finally…"
"The Yellow Flash — Namikaze Minato!"
Mizunotsuki Ye whispered under his breath, his eyes gleaming.In that instant, a grand painting seemed to unfold before him — depicting eras of glory, blood, and fire.
"How fascinating… Truly fascinating.But from this moment on—This world will belong to me, Mizunotsuki Ye!"
"Phew, finally here. Looks like our mission's complete."
"Haha, Captain, this has got to be the easiest A-rank mission I've ever done!Felt more like a vacation than an operation!"
"Right? I can finally afford that house I've been saving for!"
"When we get back, we're feasting — my treat!"
A chorus of cheerful voices interrupted Mizunotsuki Ye's thoughts, and a few dark lines appeared on his forehead.(T/N: Classic anime-style exasperation.)
What do you mean "easy mission"? It was my doing!An A-rank mission's worth at least a few hundred thousand ryō, right?Shouldn't I get a cut of that?!
He silently complained but could only swallow his frustration.Even though Kakashi's team were all ANBU members, seeing the mission completed safely had finally allowed them to relax and act like normal people again.
"Let's move out!"
After the harsh lesson from Obito's "sacrifice," Kakashi had learned the value of his comrades.With a wave of his hand, he led his team — along with Mizunotsuki Ye and the temporarily mount-like Gluttony — toward the village gates.
With a flick of his wrist, Kakashi nailed a travel permit personally signed by the Third Hokage to the gate post, then strode straight toward the grand building beneath the Hokage Rock.
"Dismissed. I'll take the boy to report to Lord Hokage myself."
For the first time setting foot in the Hidden Leaf Village, Mizunotsuki Ye didn't attract much attention.At most, people gave a few curious glances.As for the ANBU, they were nothing unusual — in this war-torn era, dozens of such squads came and went daily.
Standing before the Hokage Building, Kakashi pulled Mizunotsuki Ye to his side and turned to his three subordinates.
"Yes, Captain!"
They swiftly formed hand seals and vanished in a flash.
"Let's go," Kakashi said calmly. "You wanted to know how Konoha plans to deal with you, right? Lord Hokage is inside. Once you meet him, you'll have your answer."
Mizunotsuki Ye nodded silently, following Kakashi into the power center of the Leaf.
He didn't know what awaited him next—But one thing he knew for sure:
As long as he had time…The entire world would become his stage.