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Life's suffering is fleeting. Those who laugh often hide their sorrowful side, intertwined with countless memories of childhood dreams and indelible recollections.
From the moment he could remember, his father, an alcoholic, frequently abused his mother, leading to their divorce when he was five. His mother, seeking a new life, chose not to take him, leaving his abusive father as a permanent scar in his childhood memories.
The confusion of his mother's departure, the despair upon learning the truth, and his father's deranged laughter replayed like a trilogy, gradually dredging up those forgotten memories.
In a dark world, with a dim campfire and familiar yet frightening faces, Natsubi Raku looked around in terror, desperately trying to escape, shouting:
"Wake up, this is a dream, wake up!"
A wooden door suddenly appeared, slowly opening with a grating sound. Inside, a ragged child sat on a stool, murmuring, "So hungry, so painful, want to eat…"
Seeing his younger self, Natsubi Raku screamed in despair:
"No! No! I don't want this! I don't want to remember these things! Damn dream, let me go back!!"
"No! I don't want this!"
Babbling incoherently, Natsubi Raku suddenly woke up, gasping for air, his eyes filled with terror as he scanned his surroundings. Realizing he had escaped the dream, he collapsed onto the bed, his mind racing.
Why were these long-forgotten memories resurfacing now? Could it be due to the Sharingan?
They say the Sharingan evolves through intense hatred and extreme despair, but it shouldn't make its wielder recall buried memories of despair, right?
Enough.
Lying on the bed, Natsubi Raku idly opened the system panel to check his attributes.
- Host: Natsubi Raku
- Cursed Energy: 400, Grade 3 Sorcerer
- Physical Strength: 15
- Dojutsu: One Tomoe Sharingan
- Ninjutsu: None
- Taijutsu: None
His physical strength had increased from 7 to 15, but nothing else had changed. Let's see...
He opened the shop, noting the 0 in the top right corner had become a 5. Although it seemed like progress, it felt like nothing…
Even the cheapest three basic jutsu cost 50 points; he'd be saving forever to afford anything.
Wait…
What's this?
A large wheel had appeared in the previously empty top left corner, its dazzling lights irresistible.
Unable to resist the temptation, Natsubi Raku eagerly clicked in, figuring it couldn't hurt to look.
Upon entering, a glaring frame nearly blinded him.
- Entered the Ninja World Roulette, points -1
"…"
Scam! This system is a scam!
A 1-point entry fee? You might as well rob me!!
Forget the Ultimate Ninjutsu System; this should be called the Ultimate Scam System.
Natsubi Raku's heart bled at the loss of 1 point. Had he not feared being overheard and deemed insane, he'd curse the system for a day. After painstakingly earning 5 points, losing 1 point so suddenly felt unfair.
"Tsk…"
Though disheartened, he continued, hoping not to lose completely.
As the frame disappeared, a golden roulette appeared, featuring S-rank ninjutsu, bloodlines, dojutsu, A-rank ninjutsu, B-rank ninjutsu, C-rank ninjutsu, ninja tools, summoning jutsu, taijutsu—everything imaginable.
Of course, half the wheel was occupied by "Thank you for participating"...
Speechless, Natsubi Raku felt the 1-point per draw was tempting, considering a random C-rank jutsu cost nearly 100, excluding the basic three. If he hit one, it would be a massive win.
But…
Why did he feel the system wouldn't be so kind?
Forget it, let's go for four spins and see what happens!
Embracing a gambler's mindset, Natsubi Raku clicked on the multi-draw.
The golden wheel spun, its colorful lights flashing rapidly, his once calm heart now pounding with excitement and nerves, fantasizing about powerful jutsu.
Angrily grinding out Rasengan, spewing Phoenix Flower Fire Jutsu, or perhaps gaining Sage Mode physique.
Any of these would be amazing.
As the wheel slowed, each pass over the white "Thank you for participating" zone calmed his heart, only to quicken again as it moved past.
The wheel slowed, passing A-rank ninjutsu, entering the white zone, then moving towards the S-rank ninjutsu.
His heart raced, eyes closed, hands clasped, praying:
'Stop, stop right there, Great Sage's command!'
'Jesus Christ, give me an S-rank ninjutsu. I'll believe in you forever!'
'Buddha, bless me with an S-rank ninjutsu. I'll burn incense for you!'
'Emperor Jade, please! Grant me an S-rank, and I'll manage heaven for you!'
Under this fourfold buff, Natsubi Raku confidently opened his eyes.
- Thank you for participating
"…"
Damn it, I must be seeing things. The S-rank ninjutsu was right next to the C-rank one, how could it jump to "Thank you for participating"...
Rubbing his eyes, he checked again, but the reality remained: "Thank you for participating."
"…"
"Shit!"
Unable to hold back, he cursed. The system must have tampered with the wheel's data while he closed his eyes. This was ridiculous.
Three chances left. Should he go all in? This time, he watched closely.
On the second spin, the wheel started from "Thank you for participating" and ended firmly on "Thank you for participating"...
"…"
His face darkened, suppressing the urge to vomit blood, he tried a multi-draw again.
The wheel spun rapidly, his lingering warmth of hope now cooling. Eyes glued to the wheel, he yearned for a jutsu, even a C-rank one.
The wheel slowed, pointer moving past ninjutsu, through the white zone, towards his dream.
"Gulp—"
He swallowed, seeing the pointer land on S-rank ninjutsu, heart swelling with joy. Although the system hadn't confirmed, the wheel seemed to have stopped, and he'd watched closely.
- Congratulations on obtaining S-Rank Ninjutsu: Flying Thunder God Fragment. Requires 40 fragments to synthesize.
"…"
"Damn it!!"