“World Points really are wonderful things…” Shigure studied his status panel before tapping the plus signs beside Spirit and Wind.
Neither attribute had exhausted its remaining potential, making this the perfect opportunity to raise their limits.
His Strength and Constitution were still only at 101 and had yet to approach their caps, so there was no reason to touch them for now.
Add some here, add some there… and keep going!
Ten points.
Twenty.
Thirty.
He continued until he had spent forty World Points.
Only then did he realise that the accumulated potential within both attributes had been fully released.
[Host: Senju Shigure] [Age: 39 (+)] [Strength: 101/160] [Constitution: 101/160] [Spirit: 357/360] [Earth Affinity: 50] [Wind Affinity: 407/420] [Fire Affinity: 50] [Water Affinity: 1] [Lightning Affinity: 1] [Mental Ability: Wide-Range Sensory Perception] [Power Rating: Elite Jōnin] [World Points: 40] As he examined his updated attributes, Shigure suddenly noticed something unexpected.
At some point, Lightning Affinity had appeared on the panel.
Does gaining strength continue to unlock new attributes?
This system really… The unexpected appearance of Lightning opened several intriguing possibilities.
Did this mean he could now be considered a shinobi with all five basic nature transformations?
If so, might he eventually unlock Yin Release and Yang Release as well?
Shigure’s heart pounded with excitement.
After a moment, he allocated another twenty World Points between Earth and Fire.
Since I’m using these World Points to raise my Attribute Caps anyway, I might as well improve Water and Lightning too.
Add, add, add!
It did not take long for him to spend every last World Point.
Looking at the greatly expanded limits displayed on his panel, Shigure’s eyes gleamed.
[Host: Senju Shigure] [Age: 39 (+)] [Strength: 101/160] [Constitution: 101/160] [Spirit: 357/360] [Earth Affinity: 133/150] [Wind Affinity: 407/420] [Fire Affinity: 120/150] [Water Affinity: 1/101] [Lightning Affinity: 1/101] [Mental Ability: Wide-Range Sensory Perception] [Power Rating: Elite Jōnin] [World Points: 0] After closing the panel, Shigure threw back his head and let out several triumphant shouts, releasing all his pent-up excitement.
Then, without even removing his clothes, he climbed into bed and fell fast asleep.
“Has Elder Shigure finally lost his mind?” Hearing one strange cry after another coming from Shigure’s room, the surrounding Senju shinobi stared towards his room with bewildered expressions.
“It must be because of the earlier battle.” That was the only explanation they could think of.
Shigure slept until nightfall and finally awakened from hunger.
When he rubbed his bleary eyes and climbed out of bed, he discovered that the sky outside had already turned completely dark.
“Damn it!
Not one of them bothered to wake me for dinner?
These juniors are getting completely out of hand!” Clutching his growling stomach, Shigure hurried outside.
He slipped into the kitchen, finished off some leftover food, then returned to his room while belching contentedly.
“Hm?
Where did all these books come from?” A thick stack of books had appeared on his table.
Shigure casually picked one up and flipped through it.
Sealing techniques!
They were manuals on the Uzumaki Clan’s fūinjutsu!
Excitement surged through him.
At the same time, however, Shigure quietly made a decision: he could never allow himself to sleep like a corpse again.
Someone had entered his room, placed all these books on the table, and left without him noticing a thing.
If an enemy had come to assassinate him instead, wouldn’t he already be dead?
Within the candlelit room, Shigure transformed into the very picture of a diligent student.
He eagerly studied the basic principles of the Uzumaki Clan’s fūinjutsu.
The entire night passed in this manner.
By morning, Shigure had developed deep circles beneath his eyes.
He had barely started climbing into bed when Nagakaze dragged him into a meeting room.
Shigure was thoroughly displeased.
“I need to sleep!
What is the meaning of this?” A young man in his twenties was kneeling respectfully before him, leaving Shigure completely confused.
“Please don’t misunderstand, Elder Shigure,” Takamasa said as he approached with a smile, a crafty glint flashing in his eyes.
Shigure noticed it immediately.
He had sensed the Uzumaki leaders gathering before he entered, and their furtive glances made it obvious that they wanted something from him.
Sure enough, Takamasa soon revealed his intentions.
“Elder Shigure, for the sake of your safety, our clan has decided to strengthen the guards assigned to you.
At the same time, regarding that particular… strategy of yours… would you perhaps be willing to…” His tone was carefully measured, while the other Uzumaki leaders silently waited for Shigure’s response.
“Strategy?” Shigure leaned back in his chair, wearing an expression that clearly said he had no idea what Takamasa meant.
“That happens to be a closely guarded secret of the Senju Clan.” The Uzumaki leaders’ expressions changed slightly when they heard his shameless attempt to feign ignorance.
They exchanged several meaningful glances.
“In that case…” Uzumaki Ryōta gritted his teeth before making an offer.
“Elder Shigure, are you not interested in our clan’s sealing arts?
I can personally teach you from now on!” Shigure was delighted.
Nevertheless, his expression remained perfectly calm.
He’s offering me exactly what I need!
I spent the entire night studying those books and still couldn’t even understand how to begin.
Receiving personal instruction from the First Elder will be far more effective than fumbling around on my own.
Despite his excitement, Shigure deliberately adopted a troubled expression.
He hesitated as though the offer were still not enough to satisfy him.
Seeing his reluctance, Takamasa glanced towards Nagakaze and gave a slight nod.
“Elder Shigure, I heard that you have been tempering your body,” Nagakaze added, following Takamasa’s cue.
“Our clan is willing to provide you with one Body-Strengthening Flower every month!” “A Body-Strengthening Flower?
The Uzumaki Clan actually possesses Body-Strengthening Flowers?” Shigure almost leapt out of his chair.
Excitement surged through him, but he quickly concealed it.
The Body-Strengthening Flower bloomed only once a year.
Once in bloom, it released a unique fragrance, and consuming its blossom could greatly enhance a person’s physical strength.
More importantly, it had no harmful side effects and could be consumed repeatedly.
For shinobi who specialised in taijutsu, it was a treasure beyond their wildest dreams.
Shigure had never imagined that the Uzumaki Clan would possess something so valuable.
After calming himself, he maintained a perfectly innocent expression and asked in confusion, “What is a Body-Strengthening Flower?
Is it something impressive?” Thud!
Thud!
Thud!
Add to library.
Send some Power Stones.