Chapter 23: Thirty-Six Ten-Pull Draws

Zetsu’s remarks left Uzumaki Sishia feeling utterly speechless.

There was a great deal of information regarding Mui that he had not disclosed, nor was there any necessity to do so. However, anyone with sufficient understanding of Mui would know that he was not acting this time. After Zetsu raised his doubts, the gazes of Pain and the other members of the Akatsuki shifted toward Uzumaki Sishia, as well as Kakuzu.

Uzumaki Sishia offered a faint smile and said, "Mui, the de facto ruler of the Hidden Grass Village, has accompanied me to the Hidden Rain Village this time."

"I have arranged for this envoy from the Hidden Grass to stay at an inn within the village."

"Konan, as a high-ranking official of the Hidden Rain, can go and negotiate with him regarding the development and cooperation between our two villages."

"Whether the Hidden Grass Village is truly submitting to the Hidden Rain will become clear once both sides have negotiated."

Hearing this, Zetsu could not help but feel a bit embarrassed. If the actual leader of the Hidden Grass were not truly submitting to the Hidden Rain, he certainly would not have come to the Hidden Rain Village in person. Furthermore, given the convincing detail with which Uzumaki Sishia had spoken earlier, the credibility of this matter was quite high.

Once Uzumaki Sishia finished speaking, Pain immediately made arrangements.

"Konan, go to the inn where the Hidden Grass envoy is staying and discuss the development and cooperation between the two villages."

"Additionally, settle the payment for Uzumaki Sishia."

Upon hearing this, Konan handed a check that could be cashed at a bank to Uzumaki Sishia.

[Mercenary mission completed!]
[You have completed the mission to subdue the Hidden Grass Village!]
[Mission reward: 36,000 mercenary points!]

Having received such a generous reward, Uzumaki Sishia was grinning from ear to ear. In particular, he had a "killing two birds with one stone" plan for the future, which meant he could make another big profit!

After claiming the reward, he did not hesitate at all and immediately began to draw from the gacha.

[Deducting 36,000 mercenary points from the host! Remaining balance: 302 points.]
[Drawing...]

Thirty-six consecutive ten-pulls. Sishia couldn't be bothered to look at each individual result and pulled up his status panel directly.

[Name: Uzumaki Sishia]
[Gender: Male]
[Age: 18]
[Mercenary Points: 302]
[Chakra Affinities: Fire (A-Rank), Wind (S-Rank), Lightning (SSSS-Rank), Water (A-Rank), Earth (S-Rank), Yang (S-Rank), Yin (S-Rank)]
[Chakra Reserves: SSSS-Rank (Your chakra levels have surpassed all the Tailed Beasts, reaching the level of the Ten-Tails—infinite and inexhaustible.)]
[Physical Strength: SSSS-Rank (Ordinary ninjutsu can no longer break your defenses.)]
[Natural Energy: A-Rank (Natural energy treats you like a friend of many years; controlling it is a breeze.)]

[Rare Attributes]
[World Affinity (Ninja World): S-Rank]
[Unlocked Abilities: Wood Release, Natural Energy Affinity, Mayfly Technique]

[Talents]
[Heavenly Lightning: Significantly boosts Lightning Release affinity; increases the probability of obtaining lightning-based rewards during draws.]
[Goro Goro no Mi (Ninja World Modified) Development Level: SSS-Rank]

[Kekkei Genkai]
[Wood Release: A-Rank]

[Ninjutsu]
[Wood Release: Wood Clone Technique (A-Rank)]
[Wood Release: Cutting Technique (A-Rank)]
[Wood Release: Connected Residence Technique (A-Rank)]
[Mayfly Technique: Proficiency S-Rank]
[Body Replacement Technique: Proficiency S-Rank]
[Lightning Release: Lightning Ball (Proficiency S-Rank)]
[Lightning Release: Lightning Clone (Proficiency S-Rank)]
...

Sishia took a look. Natural energy? Sage arts? Did the world affinity increase actually have such an effect? And what on earth was the Mayfly Technique? How could increasing affinity allow him to learn the moves of the White Zetsu?

Sishia was a bit confused, but those were secondary. He had finally rolled the one thing he wanted most: the Wood Release: Grand Villa Technique. Seeing this, Uzumaki Sishia rubbed his hands in excitement, itching to try it out. However, a thought crossed his mind, and he turned back to Pain.

"Brother Pain, shouldn't we be heading out to capture a Tailed Beast now?"

"???"

Uzumaki Sishia's words left Pain bewildered. The Akatsuki did indeed intend to capture the Tailed Beasts, but certainly not right now. After a brief silence, Pain shook his head and said, "The organization is not yet prepared. It would be unwise to confront the Five Great Ninja Villages at this moment."

Uzumaki Sishia waved his index finger dismissively. "No, no, no, we don't have to confront the Five Great Ninja Villages." He leaned in closer and whispered, "I know of a Tailed Beast that is currently roaming wild and alone."

Uzumaki Sishia’s words took Pain by surprise. "A lone Tailed Beast?"

Uzumaki Sishia nodded with great certainty. "Yes, though whether it will acquire a jinchuriki in the future is hard to say."

Pain had been hesitant before, but after hearing this, he quickly made up his mind. "Capture this Tailed Beast!"

There were only nine Tailed Beasts in total that they needed to capture. Bringing this ownerless beast back would complete one-ninth of their mission. Since that was the case, they should certainly capture it.

Seeing that Pain had made his decision, Uzumaki Sishia looked at him, chuckled, and rubbed his index finger and thumb together. "Brother Pain, you know what I mean!"

Pain felt a headache coming on as he looked at Uzumaki Sishia. After a moment of contemplation, he said, "Ten million. That is the most the organization can spare right now; we need funds for our subsequent cooperation with the Hidden Grass. You really squeezed us dry last time!"

[New mercenary mission discovered!]
[Employer: Nagato]
[Mission Objective: Capture a Tailed Beast.]
[Mission Reward: 10 million Ryo.]
[Mission Rank: S-Rank]
[Mission Points: 10,000]

After the mission was triggered, Uzumaki Sishia was all smiles. He had no complaints about the pay, as he could kill two birds with one stone on this mission. Wasn't Mui also waiting for a Tailed Beast? He would take the mercenary mission from Pain first, and then go to Mui to accept another one. If Nagato couldn't afford it, he’d just go to Mui!

However, it would be best to find a way to have Mui issue him a long-term mercenary contract. After accepting the mission from Pain, Uzumaki Sishia turned and left.

Pain watched his retreating figure, his eyes growing dark and inscrutable. "Why does this guy know so many secrets? He is not only very familiar with the Akatsuki, but also with the status of the Tailed Beasts! How does he know all this intelligence? Could there exist some special ninjutsu in this world for gathering information?"

Uzumaki Sishia was naturally unaware that Pain was staring at him with unkind eyes. He was currently contemplating intelligence regarding the Three-Tails. After thinking for a moment, he decided he should bring Kisame along for this operation. The Three-Tails was in the Land of Water, and Kisame was very familiar with the situation there. To ensure the operation went smoothly and to complete the mission as efficiently as possible, bringing Kisame was undoubtedly an excellent choice.

*Whoosh—*

A moment later, Uzumaki Sishia used a Body Flicker and appeared right in front of Pain. The dark, unreadable expression in Pain's eyes instantly stiffened.

Awkward. He truly hadn't expected Uzumaki Sishia to turn back so suddenly after receiving the mission.

"Cough, cough, cough!" Pain cleared his throat and asked, "What is it?"

Uzumaki Sishia said casually, "The Tailed Beast I intend to capture is within the borders of the Land of Water. Given the situation there, I hope Kisame can accompany me on this mission."

Upon hearing this, Pain pondered for a moment before nodding. "Very well."

Capturing a Tailed Beast was best done in one go, without any accidents. Otherwise, if the Five Great Nations became alert and took precautions, the task of capturing the Tailed Beasts would become extremely difficult.

After settling things with Pain, Uzumaki Sishia went to find Mui.

When Mui saw Uzumaki Sishia, he asked, "How is the situation? When do you plan to investigate the intelligence on the Tailed Beast and capture it?"

After Mui’s inquiry, Uzumaki Sishia replied, "We leave immediately! But before we depart, I hope we can sign a mercenary contract."

Mui: "???"

Uzumaki Sishia’s response took Mui by surprise. He hadn't expected Uzumaki Sishia to be so eager to set off to capture the Tailed Beast without a moment's rest. He certainly was dedicated! Mui nodded in agreement.

Seeing Mui so forthcoming, Sishia’s lips curled upward, his confidence growing even more. "Capturing a Tailed Beast, as you know, is not something that can be done overnight. I hope this contract will be long-term! As for the pay, let's say two million a month!"

"A long-term mercenary contract?" Mui hadn't expected Uzumaki Sishia to ask for a long-term contract before they even left. Hadn't they already agreed on this? Still, given his strength, two million wasn't a loss. For the sake of the Tailed Beast he dreamed of, Mui nodded after a moment of serious consideration.

[Congratulations to the host for gaining Mui’s approval!]
[Mui is prepared to hire you long-term for the Tailed Beast capture work until you succeed; the pay is two million Ryo per month!]
[Mission Objective: Capture a Tailed Beast!]
[Mission Reward: Upon completion of the goal, you will be rewarded with one Super Gacha draw!]
[When the long-term mercenary mission is settled, the mercenary points earned based on the pay will be doubled!]