Naruto Card King

Haruto Saito Was Stunned.

One hundred million ryo?!

Was Mifune here... to extort him?

Haruto instinctively checked Mifune's data. Their relationship status still showed as "neutral," which meant that Mifune didn't have any subjective intention to harm him. In other words, he was telling the truth!

The Black Samurai Armor's side effects could actually cost Haruto his life!

Mifune was simply stating the facts. As for the demand of one hundred million ryo, it was clearly an attempt to recover his "losses"—after all, Haruto had scammed him out of three hundred million ryo before. Even after deducting this one hundred million, Mifune would still have to fork out two hundred million.

There was no deception here. If Mifune had been lying, his status couldn't possibly remain neutral!

"This... Lord Mifune, isn't this a bit too exaggerated? I mean, yes, I've been having nightmares lately, but they're just dreams. Even if they're a side effect of the armor, saying I'm 'not long for this world' seems... excessive, don't you think?" Haruto chose his words carefully, though deep down, he was already feeling uneasy.

"I understand that it's hard for you to believe me based on just my words," Mifune said seriously. "But I am not exaggerating. The full details about the Black Samurai Armor—its usage, effects, and dangers—are meticulously recorded in my family's secret texts."

"So... it's just a dream. How could a dream be fatal?" Haruto pressed on.

"Black Samurai Lord, what you really want to know is how the armor causes harm, so you can try to find an alternative solution, am I right?" Mifune countered, seeing through Haruto's thoughts immediately.

"You could say that. I still don't know if you're telling the truth," Haruto admitted.

"No harm in telling you!" Mifune continued swiftly. "The side effects of the Black Samurai Armor are a form of mental damage. The very first nightmare you had permanently injured your consciousness. This kind of damage cannot be detected by any medical examination because it doesn't affect your body—it affects your thoughts, your personality!

"This will slowly change your behavior, your mindset... Now, tell me, Black Samurai Lord—have you noticed yourself becoming more... bloodthirsty?"

"Bloodthirsty?" Haruto's eyelid twitched.

He had been more inclined to kill lately. Even Tsunade had pointed it out. During the mission in the Land of Rain, he definitely exhibited an intense desire to kill. He was constantly worried that Tsunade and the others would steal his targets...

But!

He never killed for the sake of killing. It wasn't about the thrill of murder—it was about getting loot!

"For example!" Mifune continued. "Today, you killed someone in the middle of the street. It didn't matter who he was or what crimes he committed—you didn't hesitate. You didn't ask questions. You just cut him down immediately. That, Haruto Saito, is a sign of bloodlust."

Haruto's expression shifted slightly.

He felt Mifune misunderstood.

The man he killed today, Kazamoto Soichiro, was just another foreign spy. Haruto had always hunted down enemies like this, even before he obtained the Black Samurai Armor. He had confirmed Soichiro's identity through his abilities, so there was no need for further questioning.

"Even if I have become more aggressive... why would I die from it?" Haruto asked directly.

"Bloodlust is only the beginning," Mifune said grimly. "You will become more violent, more unstable. Every nightmare you have will damage your consciousness further. And even if you stop using the Black Samurai Armor, the damage won't go away. In fact, it will get worse.

"Your personality will become flawed. These flaws will expand over time until they consume you completely. You will turn into a mindless killer—a man who only lives to slaughter.

"You will attack anything that moves. You will destroy everything around you.

"You will walk the path of self-destruction."

Haruto finally understood what Mifune was saying.

Simply put—the Black Samurai Armor's side effect would turn him into a psychotic murderer!

It sounded bizarre, but in reality, it was just a form of mental attack—one that would break his mind.

If things continued the way Mifune described, Haruto would eventually become a completely unhinged killer. His fate would be sealed—either someone would kill him, or he would die from exhaustion in battle.

"But…" Haruto hesitated. "If that's the case, then why didn't any of the previous Black Samurai go insane?"

"Because the Black Samurai Armor must be used in conjunction with the Black Samurai Way. Only by mastering this Samurai Path can one unleash the armor's full power without suffering its side effects."

Mifune's tone was solemn as he explained, "I suspect you've already noticed—you can't activate the seal at the center of the armor's chest, correct? That's because you lack the proper knowledge.

"The ultimate ability of the Black Samurai Armor is locked behind that seal.

"And that ability is the source of the armor's side effects!

"Without the correct training, you cannot access its true power, and the side effects will slowly kill you.

"However, if you master the Black Samurai Way, not only will you be immune to the side effects, but you can even turn them into a power of your own."

Mifune's explanation made perfect sense—there wasn't a single flaw in his logic.

Haruto believed him.

Because Mifune's status was still neutral.

If this was a lie, if this was a deception, then his status wouldn't be neutral.

Haruto began to doubt himself.

Had he really been killing just for loot drops?

At the entrance of the hall, two ANBU ninjas—Uta and Somu—had been silently listening. Their expressions changed as they processed the conversation. Mifune had already said more than enough, and after exchanging glances, Somu quickly performed a hand seal and vanished.

He was going to report this to the Third Hokage!

"Black Samurai Lord," Mifune said, his tone firm. "I hope you seriously consider my offer.

"I am one of the few people in the world who possesses the knowledge of the Black Samurai Way.

"I am the only one who can cure your condition!

"One hundred million ryo. No negotiations."

This was a familiar scene—except this time, the roles were reversed.

Mifune was now the one refusing to negotiate.

Haruto suddenly understood—Mifune was getting revenge.

"The Black Samurai Way…" A strange glint flashed in Haruto's eyes.

He began seriously considering killing Mifune—if Mifune's knowledge was stored as a lootable skill, then maybe…

Haruto abruptly froze.

Why… was his first instinct to kill Mifune?

Just for the loot drop?

Mifune wasn't even an enemy—killing him wouldn't drop anything!

Could it be… was it really because of… bloodlust?!

Self-doubt crept in.

Haruto began thinking deeply.

Should he accept the deal and pay one hundred million ryo?

He hated the idea of being extorted.

But if Mifune was telling the truth…

Mental damage…

Haruto's eyes flickered.

"System," he asked internally, "Can a Healing Card cure mental damage?"