Chapter 74: The Correct Way to Synthesize
"Boss, what's your surname?" Kael asked, a warm smile on his face as he looked at the chicken seller.
The man, rattled by the intense gaze, nervously stood up from his stool. "Honorable ninja-sama, I don't have a name. They just call me Rokuro. You can call me Little Rok."
Kael's expression fell, a wave of disappointment washing over him. It's not him...
He shook his head, a sense of loss settling over him, and turned to leave. But his eyes were involuntarily drawn back to the black-and-white checkered overalls. He froze, unable to walk away.
Before his reincarnation, he had been one of the "haters," but over time, his hating had turned into a strange kind of affection. Seeing the man's iconic outfit in this world... it felt like he had returned to where the dream began.
Kael turned back, clapped the man on the shoulder, and said with complete seriousness, "Believe in yourself. You will become a great artist one day."
The owner just nodded, mute, not daring to move.
Kael, having found some closure, was about to leave when a new notification flashed in his system.
[Material: Overalls]
Quality: Blue
Kael: "???"
He stood there, completely stunned, his gaze fixed on the man's overalls, his face a mask of disbelief.
"This..."
"Cluck, cluck, cluck!"
A chicken's crowing sounded next to him. Kael instinctively looked over and saw a large rooster with a blood-red comb, its feet tied together, staring at him with its beady eyes. It looked as if it was pleading, Take me with you.
Kael frowned. But his eyes kept darting back to the overalls. A strange, powerful impulse was rising in his chest.
He grabbed the owner with one hand and reached for the rooster with the other, pulling up the synthesis panel.
[Overalls]+[Rooster]= ???
[Compatibility]199%
[Material: Overalls, Quality (Blue)]
[Creature: Rooster, Rank (E)]
[Synthesis Success Rate]299%
Kael: "..."
Seeing this unprecedented data, as a former "hater," he had to believe that the 299% success rate was merely the system's limit, not the overalls'.
"WHAT! THE! F—?!"
Kael yelled, his hand still gripping the owner's overalls. The sudden outburst made the chicken seller jump, and his face crumpled, on the verge of tears.
"Sama! Ninja-sama! I sell chickens, not... not my services! Please, spare me!" The middle-aged man couldn't believe his luck. All these years, he'd never had a problem, and now he was being propositioned by a shinobi... who was now pulling at his pants. He was terrified.
Kael's face darkened. He realized his actions could be... misinterpreted.
He took a deep breath, calmed himself, and said to the chicken seller, "Take off your clothes."
Rei, standing beside him, gasped, her eyes wide with despair, as if seeing her "big brother" for the first time. No wonder Kael-nii-san doesn't like me, he only sees me as a sister... It's because he likes...
The chicken seller's body shuddered, his pupils dilated... and then a strange, excited look appeared on his face. He slowly unhooked his overalls... and then started on his undershirt.
"Just the overalls!" Kael barked through gritted teeth.
"Oh..." the man replied, his voice tinged with disappointment.
Kael ignored him, snatched the overalls from the ground, and looked at the man. "I'm buying these clothes, and I'm buying this rooster. But you have to tell me where you got these overalls."
The owner paused, then shook his head. "My late wife made them for me. She saw all the big stars wearing them, so she made a pair for me..."
"Alright, alright! How much?"
"Fifty Ryo..."
"Kael-nii-san, why did you want that man's clothes?" Rei finally asked on the way back.
Kael just smiled. "Want to find out? Come back to my place, and I'll show you."
"Okay! Goldie, hurry up!" Rei agreed happily, then turned to shout at the listless Goldie, who was trailing behind. The dog had a large plastic bag in its mouth, filled with Kael's supplies and the new walkie-talkies. A rooster and a dozen flapping bats were tied to its neck, and the overalls were tossed unceremoniously on its back.
"Woof! Woof woof! —Boss! Next time you go shopping, can you please not bring me?!"
Kael didn't even turn around. "All the other summons are too scary to bring out in public. Who else am I supposed to bring?"
The moment he got home, Kael eagerly began the synthesis as Rei watched with curiosity.
[Overalls]+[Rooster]= ???
[Compatibility]199%
[Material: Overalls, Quality (Blue)]
[Creature: Rooster, Rank (E)]
[Synthesis Success Rate]299%
[Chakra Required]100
[Synthesize?]
[Confirm Synthesis]
...
As Kael confirmed, the rooster, which had been still, suddenly began to flop wildly on the ground.
"It's okay, little guy, don't be scared," Kael soothed it. "It'll be over in a second. In your past life, you two were one. In this life, you will be together again, forever."
"Cock-a-doodle—! —In this life, I don't want to be...!"
Its cry was cut short as its body was enveloped in a shimmering green light.
"Wow, how magical!" Rei's eyes went wide, staring at the green glow. A captivating, fresh scent wafted from it, and just breathing it in made her feel refreshed and comfortable.
The light didn't last long. Ten seconds later, the synthesis was complete.
Kael stared, his eyes wide. He could clearly see the shadow of an old acquaintance in the newly-created summon.
The few straggly feathers on its head had become a thick, stylish mop of silver-gray hair, parted in the middle and falling gracefully to its shoulders. A form-fitting set of overalls—white and black on top, gray plaid on the bottom—covered its body, a look that was far beyond the fashion of the Shinobi World. It just stood there silently, its head lowered, exuding an aura of "too-cool-for-anyone" charisma.
[Summoning Beast: Kun Kun]
Rank: C+
Species: Divine Descendant
Attribute: Yin, Faith Power
Abilities:
Iron Mountain Shoulder: Kun Kun dances with its back to the enemy, reducing their rationality by 99% and making their jaws drop. All enemies who witness its "art" will question their own existence, causing their killing intent to surge as they are compelled to attack. Kun Kun is immune to all damage while dancing.
It's Only 'Cause You're Too Beautiful: Kun Kun sings to its allies, producing a wide-area healing effect.
Dribbling: Kun Kun has a unique way of "dribbling." Its exaggerated and unique performance buffs all allies, increasing their Chakra by 30%, Strength by 30%, Chakra regeneration by 30%, Stamina recovery by 30%, and Willpower by 100% for one hour.
Cease and Desist: Kun Kun uses two and a half years of accumulated Faith Power to pray to the gods, summoning a "Lawyer's Letter" from the heavens to shield an ally, blocking all external attacks.
System Evaluation: A god never dies!