Chapter 11 – Corporate-Level Face-Changer
"You running some infinite gacha scam here or what?"
Even someone as emotionally stable as Tatsuro couldn't hold it in anymore. He cursed at the system, practically accusing it of being worse than a dog.
Forty fragments to synthesize one jutsu. And how many S-Rank jutsu were there in total? You'd have to save the universe in your past life to pull that off.
Staring at his last point, Tatsuro sighed and clicked "Spin." He had zero expectations left. Might as well burn it. Holding onto that last point would just make him angrier.
The wheel spun rapidly. Tatsuro closed his eyes, trying to chill out. His nerves were fried. Hoping for anything now felt like asking for a stroke.
"Hey, Tatsuro, you okay?"
The door flew open and Yuta poked his head in, concerned.
"I'm fine. Just… suffering from some mild brain hemorrhaging."
Tatsuro rubbed his temple and glanced at the result screen.
> Congratulations! You obtained a B-Rank Ninjutsu: Fire Style – Great Fire Annihilation.
> Fire Style: Great Fire Annihilation – Costs 150 Cursed Energy. The more energy injected, the greater the destructive power.
> Bonus Unlocked: First Ninjutsu Acquired – +100 Permanent Cursed Energy.
"…Holy—!!"
His pupils shrank.
A legit B-Rank jutsu?! He stared, unsure whether to believe it or not.
Did this scam system just grow a conscience?!
A real jutsu—B-Rank no less. Normally this would cost at least 150 points, and he got it for four?
"This system's got a heart after all!"
"What's wrong?" Yuta asked, confused as Tatsuro's mood flipped from despair to glee and then pure disbelief in under five seconds.
"Ahem!" Tatsuro coughed, trying to look calm and collected. "How long was I out?"
"You were unconscious for a whole week. Doctor said it was some sort of neural injury—deep coma stuff."
Figures…
No wonder I was reliving those buried childhood traumas.
He slowly sat up, stretching and feeling the renewed strength coursing through his body.
Not bad at all. That +100 cursed energy boost was real. I was worried I'd learn a jutsu and not have the power to use it—but now I'm golden.
> Host: Tatsuro
Cursed Energy: 500 (Grade 3 Sorcerer)
Stamina: 15
Eye Technique: One-Tomoe Sharingan
Ninjutsu: Fire Style – Great Fire Annihilation
Taijutsu: None
Now I'm a real ninja. I'll torch this whole world with one fire breath!
"Tatsuro, since you're finally awake, maybe stay a few more days in the hospital? I really want to thank you—if it weren't for you, I wouldn't have had the courage to summon Rika. But please, take care of yourself. I was seriously scared you'd never wake up."
Yuta's voice trembled with sincerity, like a kid who thought he'd broken a precious toy.
Tatsuro smiled and gently patted his head. "Don't worry. My dream is to heal and help. This is my path."
Meanwhile in his heart: Got him! One more ally secured! With him rising through the jujutsu world, I'll be unstoppable!
"Hey, mind if I join this little moment?"
Maki Zenin's voice rang out from the door.
Tatsuro turned and saw her standing confidently in her Jujutsu High uniform.
Oh crap… I still owe her a 5000-yen dinner. Should I pretend I'm still sick and jack the price to 10,000?
…Nah. I'd probably get murdered. At best, I could fight her to a draw for a bit—then I'd run out of cursed energy, and she'd pound me into the floor.
Yuta didn't even flinch at her appearance, as if they'd come together. He clapped Tatsuro's shoulder. "I'll go take care of the discharge paperwork."
"Go for it."
Once he left, Tatsuro turned to Maki. "I'll buy the groceries and cook once we get back."
"No rush. How's your body? I'm sorry I called you a coward before. I thought you ran away."
"That? Water under the bridge."
He added cheekily, "I could tell how pissed you were when you cursed me out, but I'm a generous man. I'll let it go for just… 10,000 yen. Add another 5,000 and we're square."
"…"
Her forehead veins throbbed.
She had just started to feel guilty, but seeing his smug face now made her want to beat him senseless.
"I'm kidding! Just messing with you!" Tatsuro laughed and backed toward the door. "I'll go get groceries. See you at dinner!"
He didn't wait—he bolted. Hanging around meant getting punched.
---
The sun blazed above.
Tatsuro, still in a hospital gown, walked through the city streets, drawing odd glances from passersby. But he didn't care about society's opinion.
What should I make for dinner tonight?
His old clothes were trashed. Even though he still had the 5000 yen in his pocket, technically… he was broke.
I need to make money… Fast.
As he pondered, a faint voice called from a nearby alley. It vanished quickly, swallowed by the city's noise.
Nobody on the street reacted. Everyone kept walking.
But Tatsuro's eyes narrowed.
His Sharingan activated—just for a second. A glint of red flashed in his eyes, then faded as his grin widened.
Looks like fate just dropped a job in my lap.
Time to be the hero.
Big payday incoming. Do I spend it on clothes or food?
Smirking coldly, he walked into the dark alley, full of righteous energy.
Justice will prevail.
…Oops, wrong anime.
---
Deeper in the alley.
Several thugs stood around, grinning with blades in hand. They clearly had their eyes on the woman they'd cornered.
"Stop struggling, sweetheart. No one comes into alleys like this. You want to get robbed, or… something else first?"
"Boss," one of the goons whispered, "weren't we just here to rob people today? If we go too far, that's assault, right?"
"…?"
The leader blinked. Sweat beaded on his forehead. His smug expression faltered.
He cleared his throat. "Gimme your bank card. Otherwise, we're taking everything tonight."
The lackey mumbled again, "We already have the card, boss. Just ask for the PIN."
"…"
The leader snapped. "I'm the boss or you're the boss?! Can I finish the damn robbery monologue?!"
He slapped the lackey twice for good measure.
The woman being robbed watched the scene unfold with wide eyes and couldn't help but think:
Are these guys for real?
With IQs like that, why are they even trying to be criminals?