The Game Merchant Who Started from the Ninja World

Chapter 13: Asuma's Resolve

The silver-haired loli asked in confusion, "But if the players don't think it's worth it, wouldn't they just not train life professions?"

"Not train them?"

Fang Yi burst out laughing. "So what if the Hidden Leaf doesn't train them? You think the Hidden Mist will do the same?"

"Life professions can mass-produce gear and consumables—like a production line. The gear they make isn't just for players. It can be equipped by shinobi in the villages too!"

"As soon as one side starts, the others can't afford to sit back and watch."

"Think about it. If a war breaks out and Mist shinobi are fully geared—even just basic white equipment boosts—their chūnin would easily slaughter Leaf chūnin of the same level. How do you fight that war?"

"When the shinobi realize it's because the Hokage refused to fund life professions that their comrades are dying in droves… what do you think happens then?"

From a shinobi's perspective, the silver-haired loli couldn't help but clench her fists.

If she were a Leaf ninja, no matter how brainwashed she was by the Will of Fire, even she would question the Hokage's decisions in such a scenario.

Demoralization in battle would be the least of their problems. It might even lead to storming the Hokage's office in revolt.

It was an open and blatant tactic.

Because none of the Five Great Villages dared to bet on whether the others would develop life professions or not, they would all be forced to do it preemptively.

And when that happened, the resulting arms race would funnel endless resources and wealth straight into Fang Yi's pockets.

...

Inside the ruined castle.

Hundreds of players had gathered. Even civilian players who knew they weren't strong enough came in hopes of scoring a lucky drop.

"Well, well… what a coincidence. Sarutobi Asuma, wasn't it?"

A mature beauty with an ample figure, fair skin, long chestnut hair, and emerald green eyes looked teasingly at the Konoha squad.

Behind her stood Chōjūrō, his blue hair short and his demeanor honest and mild.

Asuma frowned slightly. He didn't recognize this woman. "You are...?"

If she were from another village, maybe he would've had an idea.

But the Hidden Mist was notoriously isolated. The only ones people really knew about were the Seven Ninja Swordsmen active during the Shinobi World War.

"Well, that's to be expected. The Mist has been shut off for too long."

Terumi Mei smiled gracefully. She wasn't offended by not being recognized. "Let me introduce myself. I'm Terumi Mei, soon to be the Fifth Mizukage. You should be receiving an official letter from our village in a few days."

"Mizukage?!"

Asuma's eyes narrowed as he instinctively clenched his knuckle blades.

But then he remembered—they were inside the Reincarnation Game. Even the so-called God of Shinobi would have to start from Level 0 here, and he relaxed slightly.

He had heard that the Mist had recently undergone a major upheaval. A coup, in fact. Now it was clear that this young woman was the one who benefited most.

Not someone to underestimate.

Terumi Mei's sweet smile remained, her lips curved gently. "Would you be interested in forming an alliance?"

Tsunade frowned, eyeing her rival's ample chest with obvious displeasure. "And what kind of alliance are you proposing?"

She didn't like women who acted overly refined.

"So Lady Tsunade is a player too." Mei's gaze shifted politely when she noticed Tsunade, clearly having nearly overlooked her due to her low level.

Chōjūrō stepped forward. "The Wraith General is no pushover. We wait until the others are worn down, then move in. We'll split the loot evenly."

Neji's expression turned cold. "Just the two of you want to split the drops with us?"

Terumi Mei smiled warmly and revealed her status.

Gargoyle five-piece set, plus the Vampire Scepter weapon. Full Level 5 green gear.

Level 9 Flame Mage.

The entire Konoha squad immediately grew tense.

Even the highest-level among them, Asuma, was only Level 8, and his gear was piecemeal and uncoordinated.

If they all attacked at once, they still might not be able to take her down.

"No way..."

Naruto rubbed his eyes, thinking he must've seen wrong.

The game had only been live for less than two weeks, and somehow these two Mist ninja had progressed better than their whole team?

Tsunade sneered. "As expected of the Mizukage. Bold."

There was no way the two of them reached this point alone. It was clear that the Hidden Mist was backing them.

"My teacher is old and indecisive. He hasn't even figured out how to deal with the Reincarnation Game yet."

Tsunade glanced at her own squad, who were visibly undergeared and underleveled, and her mind was made up.

"You really think the Wraith General is yours for the taking?"

A bespectacled, pot-bellied middle-aged man spoke up, oozing the aura of a slimy merchant despite his gear.

He had four people with him, eyes filled with greed as they stared at the assembled groups.

Boom!

Terumi Mei acted without warning, swinging her Vampire Scepter.

Flames surged, steam hissed.

A pillar of fire erupted like a raging river, instantly engulfing the five intruders before they could react.

Instant kill.

They were immediately sent back to the Novice Village.

Mei was no delicate flower. The one who had led a successful coup within the Blood Mist Village to become Mizukage had both unmatched strength and masterful political skill.

Showing her fangs was the best way to negotiate.

She licked her lips and smiled gently. "So, friends from the Hidden Leaf… what say you?"

Asuma, suppressing his shock, kept a calm face. "We'll need to think about it."

Chōjūrō said, "No rush. The Wraith General is in the deepest part of the ruins. We'll need to clear the surrounding Wraith army before we can face him."

"From my observation, that'll take at least two days. We'll be waiting."

With that, Terumi Mei offered a polite bow, then turned and left, her slim waist swaying elegantly.

Asuma's expression darkened. "You all keep hunting the Wraith army. I need to report to Lord Hokage."

This wasn't a decision he could make alone.

Terumi Mei's strength had exceeded all expectations. He didn't believe she'd actually share the loot equally.

If the Leaf didn't have enough power to match her, then even if they did agree to work together, they'd be the ones wiped out once the Wraith General fell.

To claim the loot—

They needed equal strength. At the very least, they needed the Hokage to approve a large budget so they could fully gear up.

But...

Asuma was troubled. He knew his father too well. Without understanding the full picture of the Reincarnation Game, he'd never make such a decisive call.

"The Reincarnation Game is too mysterious. It possesses all kinds of incredible powers. It can completely overturn the power balance of the shinobi world."

"If our village doesn't seize the initiative now, we'll be left behind in the great upheaval to come. Father, I hope you won't make the wrong choice."

Asuma made up his mind—he had to convince the Third Hokage.

As a child, he had admired his father, wanting to become a ninja and Hokage just like him, to protect the village.

But at some point, after learning the darker truths of the village, he began to waver.

The Will of Fire.

If the light of that fire revealed nothing but filth and rot, how could his father—its bearer—pretend not to see?

That was why Asuma had left the village to become a bodyguard for the daimyo.

But now—

Sarutobi Asuma logged out of the game, took a deep breath, and sprinted full-speed toward the Hokage Tower.

He had his own Will of Fire.

To him, the Hokage wasn't what mattered most. What mattered were the weak and defenseless who needed protecting. If poor decisions led to their deaths—

Then that version of the Will of Fire would never be one he could believe in.

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