Yujiro, who claimed to be a "Planet Hanma Dweller," was naturally Ditto in disguise. Its mission was to infiltrate the Monster Association and act as a double agent to gather intelligence.
To look more like a monster, it had sprouted two small sharp horns on its forehead. Following Aomori's instructions, it headed to the area in Z-City where monsters were most frequently sighted. Aomori had also sternly warned it to avoid a certain guy running in a tracksuit at all costs.
After beating up two heroes as a "letter of introduction," a monster soon appeared before it and led it underground. There, it met the Monster Association Executive, Goketsu, whose stature was far larger than its own.
'This guy must be the Dragon-level monster Aomori mentioned. His strength is truly terrifying.' Ditto lightly stroked its bruised hand; the wounds were already nearly healed.
This pure physical power was the strongest it had ever encountered. According to Aomori's intel, the Monster Association was a place of "hidden monsters," and there were likely many stronger than Goketsu. For the sake of its own life, Ditto decided to keep a low profile to avoid provoking any hot-headed "big brothers" it shouldn't mess with.
"Welcome to the Monster Association. From now on, you'll follow me," Goketsu said to it while Ditto was lost in thought.
"Fine," Ditto replied, intentionally putting on an expression that was two parts ugly, three parts shocked, and five parts awestruck, pretending it was struggling to remain calm.
Goketsu simply felt that Ditto had some ability and was worthy of his notice, a decent piece of cannon fodder, nothing more. He didn't truly value it in his heart. After casually arranging a room for Ditto, he ignored it.
Ditto was happy with this arrangement and sought out some low-level monsters to ask about the rules.
"Yujiro-sama," a monster resembling a slug said respectfully, "Currently, over ten floors have been excavated. Usually, newly arrived monsters can only move within the top three floors. Unfamiliar faces going further down are easily killed on a whim by the Lords who happen to be in a bad mood. An expert like you shouldn't be afraid, but you must never cross the tenth floor. Everything beyond that is a restricted area; only the Executives can enter or leave."
"Restricted area? Executives?" Ditto asked, "Which Executives are currently in the Monster Association?"
"Um, I'm not sure. I only know Goketsu-sama. The Executives are all elusive."
Ditto asked other monsters and received similar answers.
"So mysterious? But there really are a lot of monsters here." Strolling along the way, it had already encountered no fewer than 20 monsters, though many were just small fry.
'There must be even more monsters further down. If Aomori came here, he'd definitely be so tempted he wouldn't be able to move his legs.'
To avoid being too conspicuous, Ditto planned to take things slowly, first getting familiar with the top three floors.
...
In the blink of an eye, three days passed.
Thanks to the tireless efforts of Darkrai and the others, Aomori's Points finally reached 200,000.
Ding!
[A Ten-Pull from the High-Grade Point Chest is guaranteed to yield an Orange-quality item. This requires 200,000 Points. Are you sure you want to open them?]
"Yes!"
Thump, thump, thump...
Ten treasure chests radiating a noble aura landed in front of Aomori, causing his breathing to quicken slightly.
"Open them all!"
[Name: Thunder Orb (Purple)]
[Description: From YAIBA. An orb from the sword of the ancient God of Thunder, containing terrifying lightning energy.]
[Note: Also known as Legend of the Swordmaster Yaiba.]
...
[Name: Amakakeru Ryu no Hirameki (Blue)]
[Description: From Rurouni Kenshin. The secret ultimate technique of the Hiten Mitsurugi-ryu.]
[Note: Only by surpassing the limit can one reach the peak.]
...
[Name: Vision Ward (Blue)]
[Description: Places a Vision Ward with a 10-meter sight range. Detects invisibility. Lasts 180 seconds.]
[Note: Ward up!]
...
[Name: New Year Red Envelope (White)]
[Description: Used for New Year blessings.]
[Note: Spring Festival is coming, just a small token of appreciation. (Finger Heart)]
...
[Name: Goblin Rocket Boots (Blue)]
[Description: Can send you soaring into the sky.]
[Note: Goblin-made, guaranteed quality.]
...
[Name: Strengthening Frog (Purple)]
[Description: Contains a hidden universe. Can consume Points to strengthen weapons and items.]
[Note: Strengthening is good, but don't get too greedy.]
...
[Name: Skysplitter (Purple)]
[Description: From Dragon Quest: The Adventure of Dai. The third form of the Avan Style Sword Technique, a battle-aura blade skill that cleaves the sky.]
[Note: Dragon Quest.]
...
[Name: Toyako (Blue)]
[Description: From Gintama. The protagonist's wooden sword, capable of incredible feats.]
[Note: Hey! Did you watch this week's Gintama?]
...
[Name: Dodon Ray (Purple)]
[Description: From Dragon Ball. The unique secret technique of the Crane School.]
[Note: I, Mercenary Tao, have never been inferior to anyone in my life.]
...
[Name: Chibaku Tensei (Orange)]
[Description: From Naruto. Creates a black gravity core that forcibly attracts all surrounding objects over a wide area. Can also be used directly on a target for a forced seal. Not possessing the Rinnegan will place a massive burden on the body.]
[Note: Seven or eight planets stuffed in!]
...
One Orange and four Purples!
Aomori had never seen such a brilliant display. A High-Grade Chest was truly worthy of its name; the loot was far superior. As his horizons broadened, he skipped over the "blue skies and white clouds" and looked directly at the one Orange and four Purples.
First was the most eye-catching Orange Skill Card, Chibaku Tensei. Aomori learned it without a second thought. The method for using the technique instantly appeared in his mind, and he unconsciously closed his eyes, immersing himself in it.
After a long time, Aomori opened his eyes and muttered, "This is the most complex move I've ever used."
Not only did it require high energy control—not a single hitch could occur—but it also required the caster to have a deep understanding of sealing techniques. Even though Aomori had learned Barrier Techniques in the last dungeon, he had only reached the minimum requirement for execution.
"At my current level, the success rate for using this move is probably less than 30%."
If the execution failed, a backlash would be the least of his worries; the biggest fear was accidental friendly fire. Holding a mountain of treasure but unable to enter—this was the greatest pain in the world. However, he had no other choice for now. If he could visit the Naruto dungeon world, all these problems would be resolved.
Steadying himself, Aomori looked at the remaining items.
"Dodon Ray is just simple energy application. I could have simulated it myself even if I hadn't drawn it. Trash. Skysplitter fills the gaps in my sword skills and seemingly allows me to perceive enemy weaknesses. Not bad. Strengthening Frog?"
Aomori held a bronze frog the size of a palm. It was very hard and didn't seem like a living thing. After touching it with his spirit, the instructions for the item surfaced in his mind.
"It doesn't limit the item's origin. Whether it's a system-issued item or something from another world, it can be strengthened. The higher the item's quality, the more Points it costs and the more times it can be strengthened. Once an item reaches +9, it will inevitably be engraved with the System-Produced mark and can be retrieved into the system inventory."
Hiss—
Even the steady-as-an-old-dog Aomori couldn't help but suck in a breath of cold air.
Being able to bring items from dungeon worlds back into the system inventory? This was blatant temptation. Aomori couldn't help but suspect he had farmed Points too hard, so the system deliberately released this to bait him into spending. He had seen this kind of trick many times; Kiri from the Empyrean had once taught him how sinister the human heart could be.
"Hmph, don't think you can trick me again."
Aomori shifted his gaze from the Strengthening Frog to the last Purple item. It was a golden-yellow bead the size of a ping-pong ball with the character for "Thunder" (雷) embedded inside.
"The orb from the Raijin Sword? Why didn't you just give me the Raijin Sword directly?"
The Blue-quality Ryuko was already falling behind the current version and wasn't very suitable anymore; he just happened to lack a powerful weapon. This was despite the fact that he mostly used telekinesis and energy waves now, rarely even using his hands or feet.
Gripping the Thunder Orb, Aomori could clearly feel the massive amount of lightning energy that had accumulated inside for years.
"How should I use it? Swallow it directly? A one-time big bomb?"
After experimenting for a while, he found that he could absorb the lightning energy within. When the unfamiliar lightning energy from the Thunder Orb entered his body, it acted like an unbridled wild horse. Aomori spent quite some time suppressing and absorbing it. Afterward, he felt his lightning energy had become purer, showing a trend of evolving from purple to a violet-gold hue.
"This should be a good thing."
Aomori decided to absorb the energy in the Thunder Orb this way to let his lightning energy transform.
The Hero Association was running smoothly, and with Ditto planted as a "nail" in the Monster Association, he didn't need to worry about them for the time being. Thus, carrying the two items that required careful study, the Thunder Orb and Chibaku Tensei, Aomori immediately entered seclusion mode.
...
Time flies during seclusion, and ten days quickly passed.
During these ten days of tireless, sleepless cultivation, Aomori made pleasing progress. First was Chibaku Tensei; through constant mental simulations, he had raised the success rate to 30%. He had also absorbed a significant amount of energy from the Thunder Orb, causing nearly half of the lightning energy in his body to take on a golden glow.
His emergence from seclusion was not proactive, however, but was triggered by good news from Child Emperor.
"The gravity field is finally finished!"
After bathing in Holy Light and returning to his usual state, Aomori walked with a light step into the lab and saw Child Emperor, who had grown just a tiny bit taller.
"Here, the latest gravity field system has been installed in that room. I won't explain the principles, you wouldn't understand anyway. Want to go experience it for yourself?" Child Emperor said while licking a large lollipop, pointing to a seemingly ordinary small room.
How dare he look down on the first-rate mechanic of the new generation? But indeed, there was no need to listen to a bunch of technobabble.
Aomori nodded immediately and replied, "Sure, I'll give it a try."
With Child Emperor's permission, he strolled inside. In the center of the room was a large machine connected to the ceiling, covering nearly half the space. While Aomori examined the machine, Child Emperor's voice rang out through the room's speakers.
"Aomori, the system's current limit is 20x gravity. When the system starts, it will begin at 2x. I'll only keep increasing it if you feel fine. If you feel any discomfort, don't force it; tell me immediately. If your heart explodes, you're beyond saving."
"Got it. Let's start," Aomori gave an "OK" gesture.
"Alright."
A few seconds later, Child Emperor's voice spoke again: "Gravity system activation countdown: 10, 9... 2, 1, 0!"
The moment he heard "0," Aomori felt his body become slightly heavier, but at this level, there was almost no sensation.
"Child Emperor, bump it up to 5x gravity."
"Okay."
Under normal circumstances, an average human can barely sustain consciousness for a few seconds under 5x gravity. Physically strong astronauts even train under 5x gravity. Thus, Child Emperor agreed to the physically monstrous Aomori's request without a second thought.
At 5x gravity, Aomori finally felt something. He threw a few punches and could clearly see his punching speed had slowed down significantly, but in Child Emperor's eyes, they were still blurs he couldn't quite see.
"Increase it."
"Alright."
This time, Child Emperor didn't dare increase it too fast, controlling the gravity system to raise it slowly. From 5x to 7x and 8x gravity, Aomori remained unfazed.
"Not bad," Child Emperor praised. He had tried it himself; 7x gravity was extremely uncomfortable, making it hard even to move a finger, yet Aomori could still throw punches leisurely.
Licking his lollipop, Child Emperor increased the gravity to 10x in one go. Instantly, he observed a lag in Aomori's punching motions, and his knees bent slightly.
Aomori felt as if he were in a thick marsh; every movement required a significant amount of stamina. His thrown punches were as slow as when he had first crossed over. In such an environment, his consumption had increased by more than ten times; an hour of training was equal to a whole day under normal conditions.
"Alright, Child Emperor, keep it at this gravity."
"Huh? I feel like you haven't reached your limit yet."
"No need. This level is enough for now."
Aomori wasn't some hot-headed kid; he wouldn't show off when there was no need for it.
"Fine, then I'll maintain this gravity and see how the system's stability and endurance hold up."
Thus, Aomori stayed in the gravity room for over two hours, only stopping because the system suddenly malfunctioned.
"Hmm, looks like there are still quite a few problems. I need to fix it up some more," Child Emperor muttered in thought.
"No rush, safety first. Once you're sure it's normal, make ten gravity rooms and open them up for the heroes who need them."
"Will do."
"Once you're done with this, I have many more projects waiting for you. Keep up the hard work." After saying this, Aomori turned to leave.
Leaving Child Emperor on the spot with wide eyes: "What? I wanted to save time to build my robot! You cursed adult!"
...
After returning to his office, Aomori first took a shower in the en-suite bathroom to wash off the sweat from his workout. Ten minutes later, Aomori returned to his fresh, handsome image.
After exercising for over two hours in the gravity room, he felt a bit tired physically and mentally. Not wanting to use his brain for a while, he thought about going out for a stroll.
"Where should I go? Bang-sensei, Atomic-sensei, or Saitama?"
After thinking for a while, the face of a beautiful woman suddenly popped into his mind.
Aomori smiled slightly. "Right, I wonder how my good student Fubuki is doing? I'll go see her and give her the second gift while I'm at it."