Chapter 5: Are You Crazy? Is This How You Use Lightning Release?

In a lush, verdant mountain forest, Uzuha Shixia walked steadily without haste. As he moved forward, he activated his system.

“Let’s start with a ten-pull for me!”

[Deducted 1000 mercenary points from host! Remaining mercenary points: 21.]

[Drawing in progress...]

[Congratulations, host has obtained:]

[Shurikens *10]

[Kunai *2]

[Military rations *20]

[Earth chakra level +1]

[Lightning chakra level +1]

[Detonating tags *10]

[Chakra boost card *2]

[New ninjutsu: Lightning Release - Thunder Burial]

[Shurikens *5]

[Kunai *1]

Shixia frowned deeply as he looked over the results. What a streak of bad luck—what trash! Is this some kind of joke? A suicidal ninjutsu like Thunder Burial can really be drawn? Damn it! Refund!

Shixia shook his head and shifted his attention to the little girl resting on his shoulder. He pondered silently how best to take care of Karin.

Karin looked to be about ten years old, far from the composed young lady she was destined to become. Though still young, she was already quite intelligent. Shixia could feel it.

The little girl was actually awake but remained silent—perhaps unsure of her situation. Of course, against a ninja of Shixia’s caliber, her cautiousness was futile.

After walking a while, Shixia stopped. With a faint smile and a lazy, casual tone, he asked, “Little Karin, how long are you planning to keep pretending to sleep?”

Startled, Karin quickly sat up and pushed hard against Shixia’s shoulder, trying to break free. But the next moment, Shixia effortlessly lifted her by the back of her clothes as if holding a small kitten.

That instant made Karin realize just how vast the power gap was between her and the humanoid tailed beast before her.

She gave up struggling and obediently remained suspended in the air. Seeing her compliance, Shixia gently set her down.

Narrowing his eyes, he asked, “What are your plans?”

Karin turned her head away without a word, refusing to talk. Shixia smiled wryly—he understood she probably had nowhere to go.

Karin did have a home, but her mother had passed away, and she was alone. So whether she stayed home or elsewhere made little difference.

She vaguely remembered being kidnapped by a group of people. Even if she wanted to return, they likely wouldn’t let her go.

But Shixia didn’t seem to be part of that group. As for who he really was, Karin had no clue.

As Shixia headed toward the Hidden Rain Village, Karin followed silently behind. Shixia had expected the young girl to at least ask where they were going.

But Karin remained intriguingly silent the entire way.

After a long walk, Shixia glanced at the sky and saw the sun was about to set. He began searching for a place to camp.

Throughout the journey, Karin observed Shixia discreetly. His striking red hair and familiar chakra signature told her he was almost certainly a descendant of the Uzuha clan.

Yet she wouldn’t trust him simply for that.

Watching Shixia scan their surroundings, Karin wondered, “Is he looking for a place to settle?”

“This forest doesn’t seem to have many suitable spots for camping.”

Karin had always been clever, with keen senses and observational skills. With a bit of thought, she guessed Shixia’s true intent.

When Shixia ventured into a wooded area, Karin hurried to follow. After all, this was the wilderness—what if a bear appeared?

In another exam, if the ninja world hadn’t changed due to Shixia’s presence, Karin herself had once encountered a bear.

They wove through the trees until Shixia, with familiarity, found a small stream where fish and shrimp played.

Around it, dry wood was abundant—perfect for building a shelter and fuel.

Fresh water, food, and firewood secured, all that remained was creating a temporary dwelling to camp comfortably.

As Karin marveled inwardly, Shixia already held a ninja knife in hand.

Though lacking the Kamui space, he had system space. The knife, naturally, was drawn from there.

“Swish! Swish! Swish! Swish!”

Shixia entered the forest, slicing down tree after tree as he strolled leisurely.

Karin didn’t understand his actions at first, but soon it became clear.

“Thunk! Thunk! Thunk!”

Logs, cut to various lengths, fell neatly to the ground—each apparently intended for a specific purpose.

Next, Shixia skillfully wove hemp rope from tree bark.

With practiced ease, he bound the felled wood together, securing them in place.

His movements were fluid and seamless.

In no time, Shixia had handcrafted a sturdy shelter—a wooden cabin with two rooms, one large and one small.

Dry branches and grass were fashioned into two beds.

Karin was utterly astonished. Shixia had built a wooden house with just a ninja knife!

Unbeknownst to him, his casual display of survival skills amazed the young girl.

As he headed toward the stream, Shixia mused, “I wish the system would grant me Wood Release ninjutsu sometime.”

“Then I could just clap my hands and summon a Wood Release villa!”

Though he possessed many ninjutsu, Wood Release was not among them.

At the stream, he didn’t fish by traditional means but observed carefully, then quickly formed hand seals and slapped the ground.

“Lightning Release: Ground Surge!”

In the ninja world, no one punished electric fishing, so he could fish boldly.

“Crackle, crackle, crackle!”

Blue arcs of electricity spread across the water.

One by one, fish floated stunned to the surface.

Karin covered her mouth in shock. Was Lightning Release used like this?

Shixia gathered the fish onto the shore and began cleaning them with practiced efficiency.

Since he had awakened the mercenary system and often traveled for missions, camping in the wild was second nature.

As Karin’s astonishment grew, Shixia collected dry wood and lit a campfire.

He placed the cleaned fish over the flames to roast.

From his ninja tool pouch, Shixia produced a small bottle—though really just an item from system space.

Inside were salt and other spices for grilling.

Whether fish or chicken, food lacked flavor without seasoning.

As dusk fell, Karin sat by the fire.

After observing Shixia all along, she was fairly certain he meant her no harm.

Soon, Shixia handed her a roasted fish.

“Eat up. It’s no good to be starving.”

Karin swallowed nervously. Was this man planning to sell her off?

The fish smelled delicious, as if cooked with a secret recipe.

After a moment’s hesitation, she took it. It had been a long time since she’d tasted meat this fragrant.

From the very first bite, Karin was amazed—this was the best food she’d ever had.

Despite the rough setting, Shixia had prepared something truly delicious.

The fish was crispy on the outside, tender inside, and exquisitely fragrant.

Each mouthful was a delight to her taste buds.

Unaware of Karin’s thoughts, Shixia joked as she ate heartily.

“I saved you from the kidnappers and taken care of you all this time.”

“By rights, you should be paying me a fee.”

Karin had remained silent all along. Perhaps the ordeal left her with psychological scars.

She paused, then snorted.

“Hmph!”

“I never asked you to save me!”

“No matter what those people wanted, before they achieve their goal, they’d treat me well.”

“Since you rescued me from them, you’re responsible for me for now!”

Though her words were sharp, she felt guilty inside.

She had no money to pay Shixia. And a ninja of his caliber was beyond her means to hire.

She worried he might abandon her. After all, they were in a wild, dangerous place, and she couldn’t leave alone.

Unexpectedly, Shixia laughed heartily.

“Hahaha...”

“Sounds like you’re just saying all that because you don’t have any money.”

His words struck a nerve, and Karin’s cheeks flushed with embarrassment.