Kairen leaned against a tree trunk, slowly recovering his strength.
He wasn't idle, either—he opened his system interface and looked at the training templates above.
A shadow clone practicing the Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique released a small fireball, which immediately exploded, sending experience back to Kairen.
Kairen watched the training panel: [Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique Training Progress 60%]. Suddenly, the 60% changed, adding 0.05%, and another group of fire-release shadow clones exploded.
+0.05%
+0.05%
+0.05%
…
In the end, Kairen gained 1% experience out of thin air.
Kairen muttered to himself, "This speed is a bit slow!"
To reach 100% experience, Kairen would need to split into 800 shadow clones.
Decapitating enemies to level up was exhilarating, but training like this was somewhat slow. Fortunately, he could still use experience points to add progress—1 point exchanged for 1%.
Kairen shook his head. His system function was originally designed to gain experience by being killed, not just simple training.
He asked the Undying System, "System, what happens if the training progress for a ninjutsu reaches 100%?"
The system immediately replied: "The host's proficiency in the ninjutsu will advance to the next stage: seal reduction!"
Kairen froze. Reducing hand seals? A ninja needed hand seals to perform techniques—without them, it was impossible. But seals wasted time and wasted opportunities in battle.
Take Water Dragon Bullet Technique, for example: it required around 40 seals. Only someone like Kakashi, who had been single for over 20 years, could perform them that fast.
But people like Senju Tobirama or Genin Kosuke could reduce the number of seals without decreasing the jutsu's power. This was the effect of mastering a ninjutsu.
The fewer seals, the better—even no seals at all. Hands come together, and the technique is released.
Kairen's mind raced as he realized the benefits of maxing out ninjutsu proficiency.
The next stage was seal reduction. At the following stage, techniques could be performed with one-hand seals; at the next-next stage, no seals at all.
Finally achieving instant release upon forming the hand sign!
The mastery of ninjutsu was limitless—it could transfer from mouth to hand, to foot, or even utilize all 361 chakra points of the body…
More importantly, if Body Flicker Technique required no hand seals, wouldn't it be a low-tier version of Flying Thunder God?
Kairen couldn't help but sigh: "The design is really ingenious."
Another huge wave of ninjutsu experience flooded Kairen's mind.
[Fire Release: Dragon Flame Release Song Technique Progress 40% +1%]
[Body Flicker Technique Training Progress 40% +1%]
"Shadow clones successfully developed taijutsu collectively!"
"Shadow clones successfully self-named!"
"[Head-Catching Shuriken]added."
All the information poured into Moku Kairen's head, almost making him explode. He immediately sliced his neck with a kunai.
After revival, he stared at the physical techniques developed by the shadow clones, speechless.
[Head-Catching Shuriken]—was this meant to help him die faster? The shadow clones truly understood his mind.
A few days later, Kairen maxed out all his ninjutsu; all techniques he mastered became more proficient.
At the same time, the templates for the ninjutsu changed slightly.
For example, Body Flicker Technique (Seal Reduction Proficiency 10%).
Kairen began forming seals. This time, he reduced one seal—and unexpectedly, he was able to perform Body Flicker Technique.
Kairen smiled. If he continued to master it, he could cut half the seals and gain more opportunities in battle.
But Kairen was puzzled—what did he need battle opportunities for? He was naturally someone who actively sought death.
Body Flicker Technique could quickly get someone killed.
"Kairen—" a clear voice caught his attention.
Kairen turned and saw Shizune holding a ninja assignment slip.
Finally. Kairen's body tingled with anticipation—he was eager to get on the battlefield and be killed.
Shizune's face was full of panic as she scolded Kairen,
"I told you not to offend Asuma! Look at what's happened! You've been assigned to Sector A—that's the most dangerous frontline!"
Kairen looked at the girl's concerned expression and smiled. Suddenly, Pain's philosophy came to mind:
"I must understand pain. Only by understanding the suffering of war can I become stronger and stand above the ninja clans' eyes."
The girl shook her head, speechless, not knowing what madness Kairen had gotten into—insisting on seeking death to feel pain.
Shizune grabbed Kairen's clothes and pulled a kunai from her waist.
"You're crazy. Let me stab you. If you're seriously injured, you won't have to go to the frontline."
Kairen hesitated briefly. The girl's plan was brilliant—but he immediately turned and ran.
"Kairen, wait! Let me stab you! This will save you!"
The girl chased him, kunai in hand, her words chilling to the bone.
...
The next day, Kairen dressed neatly in a small tent where he had been assigned, tying the Konoha forehead protector over his hair.
He looked at himself in the small mirror: short black hair, black low-collar short-sleeve top, white shorts, a ninja sword on his back, a kunai holster strapped to his thigh, and a ninja tools pouch behind his waist—full standard ninja gear.
Kairen looked into his black eyes, calm yet carrying a resolve that could bring pain to others.
His aura combined the pride of Sasuke and Pain's Deva Path's disdain for life—an energy that made others want to punch him.
Compared to his cowardly past self, Kairen had undergone a complete transformation in just one month.
He opened the tent flap, and a kunai came at him in a surprise attack. Kairen easily grabbed Shizune's hand.
Shizune's words dripped with exasperation: "Do you not value your life? Wouldn't it be better to lie in a hospital bed?"
Kairen shook his head: "Death is chasing me. Hesitation will make me mediocre."
He released Shizune, who lowered her head in silence.
The moon rose high—the ninja were people who survived in darkness.
Kairen gazed at the dark world: "Too many bonds will make one lost. Strong desires and cherished thoughts only make one weak. I have already closed my eyes. The dark ninja world awaits me."
"Nonsense!"
Shige dragged one arm and walked slowly. This place was a gathering point for recovering ninjas—he lived here too.
"Really, why push yourself so hard? We civilians can just loaf on the battlefield. No matter how great your achievements, the rewards will be divided by the ninja clans anyway."
Kairen ignored him and slowly walked into the dark forest.
"Hey, do you have anyone left in your family?"
"No!"
"I'll erect a monument for you. Every year, people will come to honor you—the warrior who stepped on the son of the Hokage."
"I'm an Undying Ninja. Only a woman can kill me."
"You don't plan to happily die inside a woman's belly, do you? That's my dream too."
Silence surrounded them. Kairen had already disappeared.
"Kairen, you must come back alive—"
Shizune shouted into the dark forest.
"Oh!"
...
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