"Do you know what you are saying? ROOT is the greatest organization in Konoha! Do you realize what you're missing?!"
"If there's nothing else, I'll be leaving."
Night's tone was neither humble nor arrogant, just completely indifferent.
"Chunin Namikaze, I know your situation perfectly." Danzo emphasized the word "Chunin."
"Not even Tsunade can fix your meridians. You are destined to peak here for the rest of your life. Sooner or later, you will come back and beg me."
Walking out of the ROOT base with practiced ease, Night spat in his mind.
"What's so great about your broken organization? Following you is the real dead end."
Free from ROOT's harassment, he quickly returned to his small house. After months away, a thin layer of dust covered everything.
He rolled up his sleeves and started cleaning. With the help of Wind Release, the place was spotless within an hour.
Sitting in his living room, Night opened the system panel to study it carefully.
[The Multiverse Rare Pawn Shop]
[Host: Night Namikaze (Gold Card)]
[Multiverse Credit: Current Limit 1000]
[Redeem Pawn: Redeem pawned items, Fee: 5 Points/Transaction]
[Redeemable Items:] (Previously listed items collapsed)
[Boil Release Bloodline Limit — Cost: 600 Points]
[Six Paths Power - Kokuō (1/9) — Cost: 1000 Points]
"Redeem Six Paths Power."
[Current Pawn Points: 3575]
A massive surge of energy flooded his body, comparable to the reaction when he first redeemed the Uzumaki Sage Body. Night felt an all-encompassing enhancement.
"Holy sht!"
Although he had expected something from "Six Paths Power," the actual effect far exceeded his imagination.
His chakra reserves nearly doubled. His physical strength and mental fortitude were massively boosted. It felt like his body's operating system had been forced through a major upgrade.
If redeeming bloodlines was a patch update, then redeeming Six Paths Power was a version overhaul—a leap in the essence of life itself.
Night rubbed his chin, pondering. "Is collecting Tailed Beasts the real way to beat the game? And this enhancement has zero side effects, unlike becoming a Jinchuriki."
The biggest flaw of a Jinchuriki was that extracting the beast meant death. It was like adding an unnecessary fatal weakness. Even the Ten-Tails Jinchuriki would be severely weakened after losing the beast.
But the enhancement gained from pawning the Five-Tails showed him a new path—a shortcut to steadily increase his power without the risks.
He couldn't even imagine how exaggerated the base stats would be if he collected all nine Tailed Beasts.
He had originally planned to redeem "Rapid Body Repair" to fix his meridians, but now he could save the points.
With his enhanced Uzumaki Sage Body, his meridians healing themselves was only a matter of time.
The only thing that bothered him was the system notification: "Pawn Failed." It seemed the laws of the ninja world didn't allow Tailed Beasts to be permanently erased. The Five-Tails' soul would eventually respawn somewhere.
This reminded him of the Sage of Six Paths watching everything from the Pure Land. Perhaps he would only truly intervene when the ninja world was on the brink of destruction.
Pushing those thoughts aside, Night felt refreshed. He had screwed over Danzo and powered himself up. Life was good.
He almost wished for another Five-Tails to show up so he could test his new strength properly.
As he planned his next move, twilight fell outside.
"Night-nii, time to go."
Minato's cheerful voice came from outside. They lived close by, and since Nawaki was treating, Night had notified Minato (who had the day off) early. He couldn't leave his little bro out.
"Coming."
Opening the door, Night saw a rare look of excitement on Minato's face.
"Why are you so happy?" Night was confused. Minato wasn't usually one for gluttony.
"It's Lady Tsunade! One of the Sannin!"
"Uh... right."
Night paused, realizing that due to his frequent contact with her over the past few months, he had forgotten Tsunade's exalted status in the eyes of ordinary ninjas.
Especially for students like Minato, the Sannin were legendary heroes of the Second War.
"When I get the chance, I'll introduce you to the other two. I'm sure they'll recognize your talent," Night said shamelessly.
Minato was destined to become Jiraiya's student anyway, so Night could make that promise with full confidence.
Though right now, Jiraiya should still be in the Rain Country, teaching the "problem students" who would later bring the world to know pain.
Thinking about it, Jiraiya's lineage of students really seemed destined to commit "master-killing treason."
The two walked to Yakiniku Q, bumping into Kushina on the way. As Minato's "future girlfriend," Night naturally invited her along.
At the restaurant entrance, Nawaki and Shibi were waiting, holding flowers.
"Congratulations on your discharge, Night-nii!"
"Thanks."
Night took the flowers and entered the bustling restaurant with them.
At their reserved table, Tsunade was already seated, smiling as she watched the young ones joking around.
Minato and Kushina bowed respectfully. "Lady Tsunade."
Tsunade waved her hand, signaling them to relax. Today was about Night.
Once everyone was seated, Nawaki raised his glass first.
"Congratulations again on your recovery, Night-nii! And thank you for saving my life on the battlefield!"
Everyone raised their glasses, the atmosphere warm and lively. Only now did Minato and Kushina learn about Night's heroic feats, their eyes filled with admiration.
Even Tsunade frequently clinked glasses with Night. Though she didn't say much, the gesture spoke volumes.
The party was a success. In the heated atmosphere, even Tsunade got rarely drunk.
Nawaki and Minato were arguing about who would be Hokage right there in the restaurant. Tsunade stood up unsteadily, intending to leave first. Worried, Night followed her.
"Kid... don't underestimate adults. I'm fine."
Tsunade slurred slightly, smelling of alcohol. Perhaps because she was in a genuinely good mood, she hadn't used chakra to sober up and nearly tripped.
Night quickly supported her, nodding along with her words.
They arrived at the Senju compound. He familiarly pushed open the gate and was about to help her inside when he heard her whisper softly:
"Really... arigato. Nawaki..."
Before she could finish, Night, perhaps possessed by a ghost or emboldened by the atmosphere, suddenly leaned in and kissed the beauty in front of him.
Time froze.
A night breeze blew past. Tsunade sobered up instantly and stumbled back half a step, her face flushed red, her eyes wide with shock.