Shendai sat in his seat and spoke unhurriedly, “Customer, is there something you need?” “Did Kurenai buy that pet she just had from here?” Asuma asked.
“Not bought.” Shendai said, “Everyone pays five thousand ryo for their first visit to read a manga and receives a random reward from within that manga.
The Poyomon that Kurenai-nee was holding was the reward she just received for reading Digimon—Part 1.” Although he didn’t particularly like Asuma, there was no reason to turn away business that walked through the door.
Asuma couldn’t quite believe Shendai’s words, but he still said, “Then I’ll read one too.” Let’s just see what kind of game you’re playing.
With that thought in mind, Asuma placed five thousand ryo on the counter and picked up Digimon—Part 1.
Soon, Asuma was drawn in by the story of Digimon and found himself thoroughly engrossed.
While manga did exist in the Naruto world, almost all of it was ninja-themed, and the plots were painfully cliché.
This manga was nothing like those.
The protagonist group is summoned and travels to a Digital World.
Countless Digimon inhabit this place, and they can evolve into all sorts of forms.
It was novel, exciting, and once he started reading, he couldn’t pull himself away.
At that moment, Konohamaru and Ebisu also walked in.
“This has gotta be the manga shop Boss Naruto was talking about, right?” Konohamaru looked around excitedly the instant he entered.
He had originally wanted to go check out the commotion earlier, but after searching for ages and finding nothing, he gave up.
Later, he ran into Naruto and heard him talk about a manga shop where you could actually get rewards from the manga just by reading them.
Konohamaru immediately made a beeline for it.
How could such an interesting place exist without me, Konohamaru?!
“Young Master Konohamaru, you absolutely cannot listen to Naruto’s nonsense.
That boy has been full of tall tales since he was a child.
He never does anything reliable.” Ebisu pushed up his small round sunglasses and said, “How could such a manga shop possibly exist?
Only a fool would come here to read manga!” As he spoke, Ebisu glanced around the manga shop.
His eyes landed on Asuma, who was reading a manga, and instantly bulged out.
(｀Д´)!!
What the hell?!
Why is Sarutobi Asuma here?!
He didn’t hear what I just said, did he?
He quickly realized he was overthinking it.
Asuma was so absorbed in the manga that he hadn’t heard a word he said.
What kind of manga could be that interesting?
Ebisu was stunned.
He never imagined that Asuma—a grizzled guy who smoked and drank—could be so utterly captivated by a manga.
“Uncle, you’re here too!” Konohamaru walked over and said.
Asuma was Sarutobi Hiruzen’s second son, while Konohamaru was the son of Sarutobi Hiruzen’s eldest son.
Asuma snapped back to reality and smiled.
“Oh, Konohamaru.
Just killing some time reading a manga.” “So?
Is it any good?” “Pretty interesting.” “Haha, great!
I want to read one too!” Konohamaru ultimately chose Akame ga Kill!
After paying, he took it and sat down to read.
Ebisu hadn’t originally planned on reading any manga.
After all, five thousand ryo was a lot for a special jonin like him who only earned a fixed salary.
But seeing how engrossed both Asuma and Konohamaru were—even giggling to themselves like fools from time to time—he couldn’t resist and eventually forked over the five thousand ryo.
After browsing, Ebisu selected Sailor Moon—Part 1 and scurried off to a corner with a lecherous grin.
Over an hour later, Asuma finally finished.
System information appeared.
[Customer Asuma has finished reading Digimon—Part 1 and obtained—”The Unevolvable Numemon”!] [‘The Unevolvable Numemon’—A Digimon that has taken the form of a golden pile of excrement.
A disgustingly matured Digimon that underwent a sudden mutation.
Originally born from an abrupt mutation caused by the accumulation of junk data tossed into the recycle bin.
It excels at various fecal-based attacks.
This Digimon cannot evolve and will remain in this form permanently.] Seeing Asuma’s reward, Shendai couldn’t help but click his tongue.
What luck… A Numemon that can’t even evolve?
Asuma placed the manga back on the shelf and asked, “Boss, where’s my reward?” “Just a moment.” Shendai said, “I’m sure you’ll be very fond of your reward.” Hum— A dazzling light descended beside Asuma.
Asuma’s expression shifted.
He had absolutely no clue how that light had appeared.
The light faded, Revealing a one-meter-tall, yellowish-orange Numemon, its massive mouth nearly splitting its entire body.
It said excitedly, “Did you summon me here?!
Are you my master?!” “What the?!” Asuma recoiled from the Numemon.
The Numemon flashed a sleazy grin and declared, “I’m Numemon!
The Numemon who loves poop more than anything!” “Boss… what is the meaning of this?!” Asuma looked at Shendai and said, dumbstruck.
“Why is there a poop monster here?!” “Didn’t you say you wanted your reward?” Shendai gestured with his lips.
“That’s it.” “I don’t want a poop monster!” Asuma felt the profound malice radiating from this shop.
A Numemon?!
For a reward?!
Why does Kurenai Yuhi get a Poyomon and I get a Numemon?!
You’re doing this on purpose to mess with me!
“The rewards from this shop are completely random.
Once issued, the shop bears no further responsibility.” Shendai shrugged.
“Since you drew this Numemon, it simply means you and it share a bond.” Asuma felt like he was about to cough up a mouthful of blood.
What bond?!
Who the hell wants a bond with a poop monster?!
Meanwhile, Konohamaru, who was still reading his manga, saw that Asuma had actually gotten a Numemon.
He exclaimed excitedly, “It really is true!
You really do get rewards from reading the manga!” Ebisu was also taken aback.
Soon, his eyes were practically sparkling as he stared back down at the Sailor Moon—Part 1 volume in his hands.
If I could get Ami Mizuno, or Rei Hino… That would be the absolute peak of life… Ebisu wiped a bit of drool from the corner of his mouth and howled internally.
Sailor Guardians, here I come!
Asuma was so furious he could barely speak.
He finally managed, “What kind of reward is this?!
Can’t I just refuse it?!” With that, he turned to leave.
Hearing that it was about to be abandoned, the Numemon latched onto Asuma, wailing and blubbering, “Master!
Don’t leave me!” “I’m not your master!
Let go!” “No!
I won’t!” “I @#$%…” “Master, don’t leave me!
I can give you my most precious treasure!” Hearing this, Asuma suddenly hesitated.
He asked with a flicker of hope, “What treasure?” Even if it was a poop monster, it still came from the Digital World.
Maybe it actually had some kind of treasure from that world.
If that were the case… maybe it wouldn’t be so bad after all.
The Numemon produced a pink turd from behind itself and presented it to Asuma obsequiously.
“Only you, Master, are worthy of this pink poop I have treasured for so many years!
It tastes super sweet!” Asuma, who had been harboring a sliver of hope, heard the sound of glass shattering inside his heart.
That’s your most precious treasure?!
I… I mean… I just… WHAM!
Asuma kicked the Numemon aside and stormed off in a rage.
The Numemon scrambled to its feet, followed closely behind, and shouted, “Master, don’t go!
I’ve still got lots more poop!”