A system?!
Ruoza nearly burst into tears from excitement and shouted at the top of his lungs.
"Save me, System!"
[Host, please remain calm. During the binding process, the System has activated an automatic protection protocol. You will not suffer any harm.]
Hearing that, Ruoza finally let out a long breath.
He'd been terrified the System would show up a second too late—dying right after transmigrating would've been the most pathetic ending imaginable.
"Then hurry up and bind already!"
[Acknowledged. Binding in progress…]
[Ding!]
[System binding successful!]
Only after seeing the word successful did Ruoza truly relax.
"System, thanks for the perfectly timed save. If you'd been any later, I'd be dead for sure!"
His heart was still pounding.
Anyone would be shaken after starting out like this.
[Host, would you like to claim your Newbie Gift Pack?]
"Claim it!"
Ruoza didn't hesitate for even a second.
[Ding!]
[Newbie Gift One: 3,000 Jōnin Points, usable for summoning!]
[Newbie Gift Two: Forbidden Technique — Multiple Shadow Clone Jutsu!]
…What?
Three thousand Jōnin Points? And Multiple Shadow Clone Jutsu?
Ruoza froze on the spot.
Wasn't this newbie pack a little too generous?
Three thousand Jōnin?!
You could search the entire shinobi world and still not find that many elite ninja!
As for the Multiple Shadow Clone Jutsu—
That was Naruto Uzumaki's signature technique. Used properly, it was practically a god-tier skill!
[Host may select only one of the two rewards.]
Ruoza twitched. "System, don't you think that's a bit stingy?"
[How so?]
"You show up when I'm one step from death, and you don't want to sweeten the deal?"
[Please elaborate.]
Ruoza grinned slyly. "Kids choose one. I want both."
[Very well.]
The System agreed instantly, without the slightest hesitation.
Ruoza blinked. "I was joking… you're actually agreeing?"
[This System's creed is simple: as long as it is within my capability, I will fulfill the host's needs.]
"Excellent!"
Ruoza was genuinely moved.
A System with principles—this one actually had a conscience!
[Ding!]
[Rewards delivered!]
[3,000 Jōnin Points have been stored in a special space. Host may summon at any time.]
[Host has mastered the forbidden technique: Multiple Shadow Clone Jutsu!]
[Mission issued: Three nearby ninja harbor killing intent toward the host. Eliminate them immediately!]
[Friendly reminder: The System stands with you. When danger appears, do not fear—charge forward and crush your enemies!]
Hearing the System's words, confidence surged through Ruoza.
With the System backing him, what was there to be afraid of?
In the next instant, his consciousness snapped back to reality.
"Multiple Shadow Clone Jutsu!"
Ruoza activated the forbidden technique without hesitation.
Pop! Pop! Pop!
White smoke exploded around him as dozens—then hundreds—of clones appeared, forming a dense human wall.
Pop! Pop! Pop!
Shuriken tore through the crowd, and clone after clone vanished in bursts of smoke.
"What?! He can use the Multiple Shadow Clone Jutsu?!"
"A legendary forbidden technique… we underestimated him."
"Stay calm! He's only a Chūnin. Even with that jutsu, he can't beat us!"
The three Root operatives stiffened briefly, then steadied themselves.
After all, they were elite members of Root—their strength rivaled that of ordinary Jōnin.
A mere Chūnin wasn't supposed to pose a real threat.
The female ninja stepped forward, hands weaving through seals as chakra surged.
"Wind Release: Wind Blade Finger!"
With a flick of her chakra-infused fingers, a three-meter-long blade of wind screamed toward Ruoza.
At almost the same moment, Ruoza opened the special space and issued a summon.
"Come forth!"
Boom!
A thick cloud of white smoke erupted.
A tall, imposing figure emerged—broad-nosed, sharp-eyed, gripping a long sword in one hand.
A close-combat Longsword Jōnin!
"Wind Release: Severing Edge!"
Facing the incoming wind blade, the Jōnin remained calm. He formed hand seals using his sword and slashed forward.
Crack!
Steel flashed.
The wind blade was split cleanly in two—
Along with the female Root ninja behind it.
She didn't even have time to scream before her body was cleaved apart.
"So strong!"
Ruoza's eyes shone with excitement.
One strike—one kill. A Root ninja eliminated instantly.
That level of strength was easily comparable to Hayate Gekkō.
"Damn it!"
The remaining two Root operatives froze, then erupted in rage.
"You killed Haninohe! I'll kill you for that!"
Both charged forward, short swords flashing. The Longsword Jōnin met them head-on without retreating.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
Metal collided again and again in a blinding exchange, neither side gaining a clear advantage.
"As expected of a Jōnin—holding off two at once. Incredible."
Ruoza watched in awe.
Whoosh!
Suddenly, one of the Root ninja leapt backward, hands flying through seals.
"Water Release: Water Dragon—"
He never finished the technique.
A cold arc of steel flashed past.
His throat split open.
Blood sprayed as his life drained away in seconds.
"You—!"
His eyes widened in terror before he collapsed.
The Longsword Jōnin stepped forward and delivered a clean finishing strike.
"Perfect!"
Ruoza applauded enthusiastically.
"I've always wanted to see that!"
Back when he watched Naruto, he'd often wondered why no one ever interrupted those long hand-seal sequences.
Now he'd finally seen it happen—for real.
"Goryu!"
Seeing his last comrade fall, the remaining Root ninja roared and unleashed a Fire Release jutsu.
"Fire Release: Flame Bullet!"
A massive fireball shot forward—but not toward the Jōnin.
It barreled straight at Ruoza.
"Heh. Smart move—typical Root."
Ruoza's heart tightened.
Attack the Jōnin, and you'd be cut down.
Attack the summoner, and the Jōnin would be forced to protect him—shifting the initiative.
A veteran assassin's instincts.
"Too bad you underestimated me."
Ruoza smirked, formed hand seals, and shouted, "Fire Release: Great Fireball Jutsu!"
The two flames collided midair, exploding into a storm of sparks.
Ruoza looked up.
The Root ninja's face twisted in disbelief—then froze.
Crack!
A flash of steel.
His head flew from his shoulders.
"Whew…"
With all three enemies dead, Ruoza finally let out a long breath.
His gaze drifted to the fallen kunoichi—once slender and graceful, now grotesquely split apart—and he shook his head.
"What a waste… split clean down the middle, too."