Chapter 36: Only by Embracing Darkness Can One Grow Stronger

"Rescue Might Guy’s squad: Mission accomplished."
"Evaluation: Divine performance."
"Rewards: Random hero skill x2, 500 gold coins."

"As expected, only by putting on a dazzling show can I earn double rewards. System, draw the lottery!" Bai Mu waved his hand grandly.

"None of them can fight!"
"Weapons Master: Jax."
"Empowered Strike: Infuse chakra into your weapon, making your next attack carry chakra properties."
"Counterstorm: Enter a defensive stance for up to 2 seconds, dodging all incoming basic attacks and reducing the damage from area ninjutsu by 25%. After 2 seconds, or upon reactivating the skill, unleash a counterattack against nearby enemies."

"...Damn it! Am I finally tough now? I don’t have to rely on acting anymore—I can finally fight with passion?" Bai Mu cheered inwardly.

"Barely adequate. The audience is sick of your old tricks. Even a sly dog needs to learn new ones to earn more tips," the system scoffed.

"Speaking of which, now that I have two Weapons Master skills, shouldn't I also possess some of Jax's talents?" Bai Mu swung his butcher’s chain blade. If he relied on his own practice, this chain blade technique wouldn’t be presentable for at least three to five years.

But the greatest Weapons Master from Icathia’s arena, Jax, was unrivaled in both weapon mastery and biting sarcasm.

To what extent did he understand weapons? He disdained using common arms, preferring street lamps, fishing rods, hockey sticks—anything he could get his hands on. The more unconventional, the more he delighted in them.

"You can give it a try," the system replied.

Bai Mu actually wanted to spar with Kakashi by the riverbank, but he had to wait for Nara Shikafuku’s summons. What were they discussing? They really were slow.

Wait... where did Afei go?

Bai Mu looked around, realizing that in the few minutes he’d been immersed in the system, Afei had vanished.

"Are you looking for the cat? It said it went to dig a hole for a bowel movement," Rin reminded him.

"...Afei, going to the bathroom? What kind of joke is that?" Bai Mu felt a headache coming on. That unreliable creature must be using earth bugs to eavesdrop.

Sure enough, after a while, Afei trotted back, whispering in Bai Mu’s ear.

"Muttering... They don’t trust you. They plan to use the Yamanaka secret arts to pry open your mind and dig out all your jokes... They said the best outcome is to pay you off and send you away..."

What does it mean that there’s no one kind-hearted in the world? Have you ever felt my warmth? How can you be so certain that there are no good people?

The villagers of Zaun Shinobi Village are honest and upright, never picking up what isn’t theirs—why can’t we enthusiastically help Konoha?

I help out with good intentions, and instead I’m suspected of ulterior motives?

Damn, those who scheme are really filthy-minded!
I... am about to turn dark!

"Ding!"
"New quest: Go Dark."
"Can you really tolerate this? Go dark and join the Stone Hidden forces to oppose Konoha."
"Turning dark doubles your strength; redemption weakens you by thirty percent."
"Reward: Unknown."

"Wait, wait... I was joking, system, don’t take it seriously." Cold sweat broke out on Bai Mu’s forehead. The system really took everything literally.

"Alright, Bai Mu, come in!" Minato Namikaze personally lifted the tent flap, smiling gently at Bai Mu.

Bai Mu was furious, but he still responded with a smile and stepped into the command tent.

Nara Shikafuku’s smile was even warmer, making Bai Mu wonder if Afei had been exaggerating.

"Bai Mu, my young friend, we truly owe you this time. Without you, we would have lost many outstanding juniors. We’ve neglected you these past few days," Nara Shikafuku’s smile was like that of an aged fox.

"No need to be so formal—we’re all friends here," Bai Mu replied, scratching his head, looking honest and sincere.

Everyone was an actor.

Minato Namikaze looked him up and down, convinced he wasn’t a spy—just a simple country boy.

"For that reason, after some careful consideration, Konoha Hidden Village has decided to provide financial support to help Zaun Shinobi Village weather this difficult winter!" Nara Shikafuku smiled slightly.

"Ah! Really?!" Bai Mu’s pale face flushed with excitement, his eyes sparkling with joy.

With that performance, Minato was even more certain he wasn’t a spy.

"Yes, it’s real. How could we let such a kind shinobi village suffer hunger and hardship? Here is a ten-million ryo banknote, redeemable at any bank in the shinobi world. Please, don’t feel embarrassed," Nara Shikafuku pushed forward a special banknote with a massive denomination, the seals of the Hokage and Daimyo vivid as leaping flames.

Though the Land of Fire had been embroiled in war for years, its deep foundations kept it the richest nation—the war funds were ample. Besides, capturing thirty Stone Hidden shinobi alive was an achievement worthy of a hefty reward.

"So much... How can I accept this?" Bai Mu rubbed his hands, torn between wanting to take it and hesitating, looking awkward.

"Take it—this is Konoha’s goodwill. Make sure everyone eats well and doesn’t go hungry," Minato smiled, stuffing the note into Bai Mu’s hand.

"Um... Can I still stay and do tasks for Konoha? I’d like to help provide extra food for everyone," Bai Mu felt a bit conflicted. He worried that Afei’s words had been intended to sow discord; after all, no matter what, White Zetsu ultimately served Black Zetsu.

No one knew if Afei might use false information to provoke him into turning dark.

"..." Nara Shikafuku and Minato exchanged glances, their hearts sinking slightly. If he left now, he’d clear his name, but if he looked for excuses to stay, that seemed suspicious.

Bai Mu noticed their expressions and quickly found an excuse, cracking his knuckles: "No, no... Winter is only two months away. If I hire a donkey cart, it’ll take two months. If there’s a storm, it’ll be delayed even longer. It’s best to set out early."

"Yes, don’t let your family wait too long. The days of hunger are the hardest," Nara Shikafuku smiled again.

"Thank you, both of you!" Bai Mu bowed deeply.

"May Zaun safely survive the winter."

Bai Mu left the command tent, and the two high-ranking officials exchanged glances but didn’t consider detaining him for questioning. After all, he had helped them; they weren’t Shimura Danzo, ready to imprison anyone with a hint of suspicion. Otherwise, how would they differ from Root?

...

Bai Mu felt unlucky. Other transmigrators who sided with Konoha were welcomed and treated like treasures—why was he being chased out even when he gave everything?

Was it because he groveled too much?

Truly, the saying goes: a groveler ends up with nothing.

Looking at the three squads waiting outside the tent, Bai Mu felt aggrieved—there was still gold to be squeezed from some, yet he was leaving under suspicion.

"How’d it go? You must have earned a lot of merit! That’s amazing! Next time I’ll use Transformation Jutsu to trick people too!" Obito rushed up impatiently.

Everyone looked at Bai Mu with eager eyes—they all knew he needed money.

Bai Mu gave a bitter smile, took out the banknote, and showed it to them.

"Wow!!! Ten million ryo! How many lollipops is that? I’ve never seen so much money in my life!" Obito exclaimed.

"I never thought merit could be exchanged for so much cash..." Kakashi stroked his chin. He still had thousands of merit points; if he didn’t trade them for ninjutsu, maybe he could be a small tycoon.

"So... now that you have the money, are you leaving?" Yuugao Uzuki asked softly.

"Yes, winter is coming. I need to buy food to send home..." Even if his lie stung, Bai Mu had to keep it up.

If he’d known it would end this way, he would’ve said his dream was to save up and open a mobile restaurant, so that those suffering from war would no longer go hungry, so they could see glimpses of peace in a chaotic world.

That way, he could have lingered nearby a bit longer.

"Ah! You haven’t taught me your secret sit-up technique yet!" Might Guy shouted.

Don’t mention it—if I take your Eight Gates technique, the old foxes in the tent will think I covet Konoha’s forbidden arts. Bai Mu felt another headache coming on.