Naruto Online: The Strongest Shinobi

Chapter 51: An Investment, or a gamble?

"Ayumi." I called out to the girl who was just walking out of Konoha Hospital that was solely for ninja.

She was currently trying to become an apprentice for one of the Healers to become a IryoNinjutsu specialist.

"Hi Shikomu, what is it?"

"This is something we need to talk about in private." I told her as I motioned for her to join me at our usual training ground.

Yuki was currently practicing Genjutsu tips he had gotten from Kurenai.

Naido-sensei was busy with another mission and said he would be back in a week, and Kurenai would be in a wheelchair until Lady Tsuande was back for an intense surgery, so she was able to spare some time for Yuki.

When he asked for help, she asked him to join her squad for training.

So when we reached the training ground, I asked her my question.

"How would you like for me to invest in you?"

"Huh?" She questioned in confusion since she didn't understand what I meant.

"What I mean to say is, how about I sell you enough EXP for you to become a Jonin. The stronger you are, the stronger missions you take. With that you would be able to earn more money."

I tried to go a roundabout way to convince her, since she did seem like the practical type.

And Ghost was right, how far would I be able to go without a guild of my own?

Not much, since there should be large Guilds operating with slave farms right now, where low ranking players just grind exp for them and sell it to them for basically free.

This might even become a real job.

So it was probably smart for me to begin cultivating my own player base.

"That does make sense…so what's your proposal?"

"It's fairly simple to be honest. You learn some combat and Iryoninjutsu within a week in game time, after that I give you enough EXP to get your personal quest.

With that, when you finish your quest, the system should give you an aspect specializing for yourself."

Ayumi nodded at what I said before she asked her own questions.

"So, what do I have to give you in return?"

I couldn't just tell her about the world, so I decided to tell her a white lie.

"Well, I expect you to join my guild which I will soon establish officially. I also expect you to pay me back all the EXP I loaned to you, with a 2% increase in how much ever you take."

I had to add in the last part, to make it seem like I was getting something more valuable back in return.

And since I didn't specify any timelines, she didn't seem worried.

I did have to worry about whether she would just take the EXP, sell it, and run.

It was a reasonable thought.

But at the end of the day, I had to trust my judgment on her, and all people who live below the surface.

We would do anything to be able to put food on the table.

But we would also strive for stability wherever possible, and be sincere for people who tried to show us kindness.

If she did never log in, I knew her personality and wouldn't trust her again anyway.

When she learns aspects were real, she would try to come back to me but it would be too late.

Getting her one of the pods was an issue for the future…

And when she did learn Aspects were real because she awakened one herself, she would connect the dots that I have the Divine Aspects, or at least a really strong one, and want to stay on my good side.

"Alright." She eventually said.

…

450 EXP… that was the dent on my EXP amount.

Which made sense, she didn't really focus on the game till recently, the amount of stat increases due to titles and base EXP I had was already crazy.

Now I have 545 EXP left.

Which I didn't intend to spend yet on myself yet, mainly since EXP couldn't be used on aspects.

I still hadn't figured out how to increase my aspect stats, like for my Shadow Core.

"Are you Shikomu Nara?" I heard a voice all out to me from my side, after Ayumi had left.

I turned my head to see someone who I was familiar with because of the show, but I had yet to see until now.

Seeing Neji Hyuga up close, his long dark hair and intense, milky white eyes stand out immediately. His calm, serious expression and traditional ninja attire give him an air of quiet strength and precision.

"I am, and you are?"

"Neji Hruga. Lee and Guy say great things about you."

"I see." I replied, as I spread my Shadow senses out and sensed what was going on in the surroundings near me.

I then saw Tenten, Lee and Guy sensei observing the interaction.

Tenten seemed clearly uninterested, as Lee was watching with the utmost seriousness.

Guy sensei himself seemed to be less enthusiastic than usual.

Lee also had his arm and food in a cast, carrying clutches with him too.

"So, why are you here?" I questioned.

"I have heard enough of Guy-sensei and Lee talking about someone of a strategy and espionage based clan being a vessel of combat. I am here for a friendly spar, to see if their praise is unwarranted or not."

I couldn't help but laugh at that.

"What's so funny?"

"It's just, this is coming from a guy who's clan is mainly that of sensors?"

"Our gentle fist is renowned throughout the world."

"Is it?"

This seemed to have gotten him slightly mad, since his face from a neutral expression slowly turned into a scowl.

"So what is your decision?"

"Well, I accept."

…

(Tenten POV)

"Lee, want to make a bet?"

"What is this bet you mention regarding, Tenten?" Lee asked with a confused look as he looked at me.

"That Neji will defeat this guy you and sensei like so much."

"What exactly are we wagering?"

"How about if you win, I will provide you free training weights when you need to increase them?" Tenten questioned.

"That is great Tenten, however Guy sensei already has my next set bought. Instead, you can join us in our training for 1 month!"

Well…it is not like Neji can lose, at least not to someone our age.

"Deal! If I win, you have to provide me with Ninja tools for a year!"

"Deal." Lee said, giving me a thumbs up.

"Ah youth…" I heard Sensei say as he shook his head a little, as he suddenly looked behind himself 

"Look, it is about to begin."

…

Authors note:

Give me those power stones guys :)))

You can read some chapters ahead if you want to on my p#treon.com/Fat_Cultivator