The Days of Being the Richest Man in the Ninja World

Chapter 169. I Will Never Recharge Again!

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"Are you really leaving the Anbu?"

"Yes, Sensei."

"You should know… the Anbu is a good place, especially with what's inside your body…" Minato sighed with a wry smile, but as a teacher, he still spoke seriously. "You can find strong protection in the Anbu."

"That's not what I want," Kakashi shook his head. His expression remained as stoic as ever, though his gaze flickered slightly. "I don't want to stay in that forest forever!"

"If that's how you feel… fine." Minato let out a helpless sigh. Looking at Kakashi, who was still as cold and distant as ever, he pondered for a moment. "Perhaps this isn't a bad thing. Try communicating with the Three-Tails more."

After all, the Nine-Tails was doing pretty well lately. It had been hunting down some player called the [Gambling God of Konoha] and winning every single time. Its mood had never been better.

The only downside was that whenever it got mad, it would start screaming, "Shark them! Shark them!" which was honestly a bit annoying.

With that thought, Minato grabbed the resignation letter beside him and, with a crisp "PA!", stamped his seal on it. Then, looking back at Kakashi, he smiled slightly. "Sensei respects your decision."

"Thank you, Sensei." Kakashi nodded.

Then, without lingering to disturb Minato's work, he bowed respectfully and turned to leave.

Once he stepped out of the Hokage Building, he took a deep breath as he looked at the bustling streets ahead of him.

For the first time in a long while—he felt lighter.

Just then—

"Huh? Kakashi! I knew you'd be here!" Asuma strolled over with a grin. "Come on! Everyone's looking for you! We're pulling an all-nighter for the dungeon raid tonight!"

"This is the true essence of Youth!" Might Guy appeared as well, beaming. "Kakashi! Let's have a battle of youth!"

"…" Kakashi rolled his eyes, ignored Might Guy, looked around in confusion, and hesitated for a moment. "Where's Obito?"

"Oh, Obito? I heard he's filming a movie or something, so he's been too busy lately."

"???"

Filming?

Filming what?

However—

Asuma didn't bother explaining anything to Kakashi, who looked utterly confused. Instead, he excitedly dragged him along. "Let's go! We're heading to the internet café! Now parts of the Land of Water and the Land of Rain have also connected to the network. We can't let Konoha fall behind those guys! It just so happens that the old man is not here... Let's top up 648 today!"

…

With the Land of Rain and the Land of Water joining in, the online world had become livelier than ever.

The server was now full of players from three different nations, and naturally, conflicts started brewing. Each ninja village believed their own ninjas were the strongest!

So how do you get stronger?

You top up, of course!

The payment interface was clear and easy to navigate—recharging was simple and convenient.

Trying to get stronger without spending money?

Dream on!

Even if you managed to grind for a Paralyzing Nine-Tails, it was useless!

At this moment—

A certain green-eyed man was staring at a pop-up window on his screen.

He had died.

Just died like that again.

And just like that—

The game popped up a window, giving him ways to become stronger. But… among the seven or eight suggestions—from gear upgrades to chakra boosts—every single one of them screamed:

"Pay to win."

No wonder that Uchiha brat immediately ditched ninja life for business after graduating from Ninja Academy! That kid really had some brains!

Kakuzu had underestimated him.

Not only had that brat made him crave milk tea, but now even a damn game was tempting him to spend money!

But they could forget about it!

He would never waste money like this!

648 ryo? You think that's just money?

That's my lifeblood!

Do you know how much milk tea I could buy with that?!

No matter what—Kakuzu only ever made money off others, never the other way around!

He took a deep breath, his eyes flashing with an eerie green light.

He still had a billion in Konoha. How could he let Konoha take another ryo from him?

So even if he had to die in this game, even if he got crushed by his own computer, he would never top up!

At that moment—

A new pop-up suddenly appeared.

[To celebrate the addition of the Land of Rain and the Land of Water, all top-ups during the event will be fully refunded! Whatever you recharge, you get back!]

"…" Kakuzu was momentarily stunned before scoffing coldly. "You think this lousy trick can fool me into spending money? Keep dreaming!"

Just as he was about to close the window without hesitation—

If he didn't see it, it didn't exist.

But then—

Another window popped up out of nowhere.

[Huge limited-time discount! Gift Packs are waiting for you!]

[The event lasts only three days—don't miss out!]

Kakuzu hesitated for a moment before curiously glancing at the Gift Pack that had just appeared.

"Not bad…"

For 100 ryo, he could get 10 military ration pills, 3 kunai, and 1 explosive tag.

You have to know, just 10 military ration pills alone would cost 100 ryo in the store, not to mention the free kunai and explosive tag included.

"If I buy it like this… it's actually a profit." Kakuzu furrowed his brows, staring at the new Gift Pack, a strange feeling creeping up inside him.

You know, he had always been a freeloader!

The game didn't require any payment, just an internet connection to play. That was why he had never spent a dime.

But now…

His expression darkened and brightened uncertainly. "…Maybe I should give it a try?"

His heart wavered.

He recharged 648, swearing that he would never recharge again!

As for why 648?

Well, since he was going to recharge anyway, it was more cost-effective to top up 648 and get extra 648 back for free. So, gritting his teeth, he pulled out 648 from his little stash!

If it wasn't a good deal, he wouldn't have spent a single ryo!

Of course—

Once he got his hands on that billion ryo in Konoha, things might be different.

After a moment of hesitation, he shakily bought the new Gift Pack.

A sudden wave of regret hit him. It felt as if he had just made a terrible mistake. But he steeled his resolve, gritting his teeth and declaring: "I will never recharge again!"

Then—

His gaze fell on the remaining 1,000-plus ryo in his account. He frowned slightly and pondered for a moment. "Maybe I should buy an A-rank jutsu? That way, I can clear dungeons faster. Spending 648 ryo and getting all these items isn't such a bad deal after all."

His mood instantly improved.

Just as he made up his mind—

The newly purchased Gift Pack suddenly unlocked another brand-new Gift Pack.

Kakuzu paused, curious, and clicked it open.

Inside was—

[Ninjutsu Gift Pack: Includes 1 random A-rank jutsu, 2 random B-rank jutsu, and a chance to obtain an S-rank jutsu!]

[Price: 1,296 ryo]

"…"

Kakuzu fell silent again.

Looking at his 1,196 ryo, his mind began to spiral. Should he spend 1,000 ryo on a guaranteed A-rank jutsu? Or spend just 100 more and get the full Gift Pack instead?

It felt like only buying a single A-rank jutsu was a huge loss!

And he, Kakuzu… never liked losing out!

But if he only topped up another 100 ryo, that also felt like a loss!

In the end—

His expression darkened and brightened again as he muttered to himself, "I'll just top up 1,000 ryo this time! One last time—no matter what, I swear I won't recharge again!"

And so—

Clenching his teeth, he topped up another 1,000 ryo and bought the Ninjutsu Gift Pack.

Then—

He stared at his remaining 1,900 ryo.

After a brief moment of thought, he mumbled, "Maybe I should buy a Secret Technique? I can't afford a Bloodline Limit with this, but at least I can get a rare special technique. That's it. No more spending. I'm strong enough now—I shouldn't die so easily next time."

With firm determination, he opened the store and ignored the newly generated Gift Pack.

However—

Just as he clicked to purchase a Secret Technique—

Suddenly.

Again.

Another pop-up appeared.

[Limited-Time Exclusive Gift Pack! Get a rare Bloodline Limit from the Land of Water for just 3,000 ryo!]

[Check it out] [Give up]

Kakuzu stared at his 1,900 ryo… and fell into deep silence once again.

There was something in his heart that he didn't know whether he should say or not.

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Read upto [Chapter 210] in advance! - patreon.com/kurato6180