Kirigakure Gamer : Rise of the mist-Chapter 37: Black Market

[Island of Steel, Kirigakure Settlement]

After finishing training, Takeshi went to the 'black market'.

Well, it was not anything fancy, or dark. It was just the way it was called. Shinobi exchanging spoils of war, that is. After defeating a jonin, everyone had heard of Takeshi by now. His fame really had risen, and his recent promotion to chunin had earned him gazes of respect.

'That's quite the change of attitude', Takeshi thought inwardly

Ever since he had transmigrated, he had been met with scorn at the academy due to the previous owner of his body being weak and untalented. Then, he was met with jealousy with the likes of Arya who could not acknowledge his existence. After that, he had to endure the physical abuse of a crazy elder obsessed by a swordsmanship he himself created, before sending him on a battlefield where people viewed 9-years-old as a burden.

This was the first time in his life that his efforts were rewarded with respect and acknowledgement.

[Haka - Level 30 Chunin

Relationship - Good]

[Haren - Level 20 Genin

Relationship - Good]

[Titi - Level 18 Genin

Relationship - Good]

Genins, chunins, jonins he met in the settlement all had 'Good' relationship, a big leap from the 'neutral' relationship status he was always met with.

Anyway, nobody questioned his presence in the 'black market'.

'Well, it is quite disappointing', Takeshi thought

Only five shinobi had a stand. Most of them were injured, meaning that they had obtained the items in their hands at a high cost. Some were crippled and looked for a way out as soon as the mission was finished. Others were looking at ways to get stronger, and the quickest way to do that was to upgrade one's gear.

Looking at the various stands, Takeshi nodded at some items, recognizing their worth.

Whispering Wind Shuriken [C]: Shuriken that emit a high-pitched hum, creating a disorienting sound wave as they cut through the air.

Sunagakure Puppetry Schematics [D]: A schematic of a puppet used by the Sunagakure Puppet Brigade (genin-level)

Suiton no Jutsu Scroll - Aquatic Blade [C]: ...

Many items were lying on the ground, some at genin-level [D], some at chunin-level [C]. Some were rather rare, for instance the sunagakure puppetry schematics. After all, such scrolls were the foundation of the fearsome hidden art of Sunagakure.

Takeshi had always felt like this was a hidden art that had been underestimated. Although it had clear limitations in terms of strength, any damage dealt to the puppet was, in the end, purely material. Even if a puppeteer lost all of his puppets, he could always build another one back at his village. Instead, whenever a shinobi died, unless you knew some reincarnation jutsu, the casualty directly impacted your military strength.

Using puppets was incredibly smart.

But unfortunately, it was incompatible with Takeshi's arsenal. Although he had a system, allowing him to progress both in ninjutsu and kenjutsu, he knew better than to become a jack of all trades. That's why he never really invested much of his training in taijutsu, genjutsu or fuinjutsu. Though useful, it was better to focus effort on a smaller subset of skills and reach the pinacle that way.

That's why Takeshi's eyes immediately fell onto another item.

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[Oto Ring [A]

A royal artefact belonging to the land of sound Daimyo. Although purely symbolic, legends say that this ring had been passed as a reward for a mythic shinobi who had saved the land of sound from famine and misery. Without any need, he had asked for a favour which had never been claimed. Other sources say that they increase charisma of the wearer, making it the perfect engagement ring.

Effect - Leader Aura Perk (Low)]

'Interesting...', Takeshi thought

The Land of Sound was not very far from the land of water. Although Otogakure would only be founded decades in the future by Orochimaru, there was no guarantee that it would still be the case in this timeline. Orochimaru might just die due to the butterfly effect, or from his blade.

Otogakure was an asset which had yet to be created, and this ring just happened to be the key to unlock it.

Even if it was not the case, the perk it provided was enough for Takeshi to drool over it.

"Hey, mister...Interested in a jonin-level scythe from a kumogakure clan?", Takeshi said with a smirk on his face.

With some negotiation, he not only got the ring, but 40 000 ryô bonus.

He truly was a wolf in sheep's clothing.