Chapter 13 - True Golden Finger

The sharp, rhythmic snap of Tsubaki Senju’s fingers clearing her privacy barrier was the only warning before the ambient noise of the Konoha General Hospital rushed back into the room. The distant squeak of rubber soles on polished floors, the clinking of medical carts flooded my heightened senses. But the moment the door clicked shut behind her red hair, the silence inside my own mind was deafening.

I sank deep into the hospital mattress, staring blankly at the white ceiling tiles.

I was alone. Truly alone for the first time since waking up in this hospital bed, and the sheer, crushing weight of the everything I learnt began to settle over my chest like a lead weight.

It was bad enough when I first realized this world wasn't a copy/ paste of the Naruto canon.

Discovering that the world was deferent, altered, that Konoha had an extra five years of higher specialization, that the Uchiha and Senju had survived and that characters like from Avatar like Ty Lee and Mai existed here, had shifted my reality years ago.

I had spent twelve years meticulously cataloging the deferences, convincing myself that a combined Naruto and Avatar: The Last Airbender universe was something I could handle.

But the system? The system changed everything. Portals, monsters, what else could there be that I just haven’t discovered yet.

Ingris Buer. The name echoed in my mind, bringing with it the vivid memory of those leathery, bat-like wings and the oppressive, dark aura that had choked the throne room.

I hadn't just killed a high-level rogue ninja or some bandit; I had killed a literal Devil. And because the system had decided that I fill some kind of arbitrary condition I’m no longer human.

Don’t be mistaken, if given the opportunity to be a devil from DXD I’d have taken it without a moment of hesitation. The benefits far outweigh the negatives, magic, longer life span, flight and those are just the Big ones.

As my mind continues to race, mapping out the terrifying implications of everything I learned. If Devils existed within the spatial rifts, then the entire supernatural hierarchy of the DxD universe was sitting out there in the dark, waiting for a portal to tear wide enough to let them through. Angels, Fallen Angels, The Norse Gods and every other mythological being.

And then there were the being that represented ideas and laws of the universe, for instance the Dragon of Dreams, Great Red. The Dragon of Dragons, a conceptual beast that literally inhabited the dimensional gap itself.

If a gateway ever opened with such a creature, the entire elemental nations wouldn't even register as a speed bump.

But the horror didn't stop at the borders of the Underworld. My thoughts drifted back to Tsubaki's casual breakdown of other system users. She had mentioned a young man in Sunagakure who could manifest a sword that shattered into thousands of glowing, razor-sharp sakura petals. Senbonzakura. That wasn't a technique; it was a Zanpakutōo. It meant the portals were even tapping into the Bleach universe.

If a Suna NInja had managed to secure a Captain-level weapon, it meant someone had crossed blades with the Soul Society. And if I remembered my past life's lore correctly, the Gotei 13 were a deeply xenophobic, militaristic group of spiritual entities.

They wouldn't view the elemental nations as an ally; they would view our manipulation of spiritual and physical energy, our chakra, as a dangerous spiritual imbalance that needed to be systematically cleansed. It wouldn't be the first time they wiped out those bow welding humans in there world.

Where did the system draw the line? If the portals could bridge the gap to the Soul Society and the Underworld, what was stopping it  from opening a tear in reality to a grimdark horror show like Warhammer 40K? The mere thought of a Tyranid hive fleet appearing inside the Land of Fire made my stomach turn. A single spore landing in the forests would cause horrific casualties before anyone could do anything about it.

Or worse... Swallowed Star.

My pulse spiked, a cold sweat breaking out across my back. I remembered that universe with terrifying vividness. I’d read swallowed star multiple times. I imagined a portal opening in a remote Land and dropping a baby Golden Horned Beast into our world.

We would be long gone before it became an adult.

Thinking about the sheer scale of the universe brought my focus back to my immediate surroundings. Did the Otsutsuki clan know about these portals? The Naruto universe wasn't just limited to Earth; it possessed its own aliens, its own alternate dimensions. Were the rifts appearing there too, or were they exclusively clustering around the Elemental Nations?

I took a slow, deliberate breath, clearing the existential dread from my throat. Speculating on cosmic horrors wouldn't keep me alive today. I needed to build a foundation. I needed to think like a gamer, to optimize my loadout before the village or the Capital tried to dictate my choices.

The portals and what’s behind them represents a whole lot of challenges this world will have to face, challenges and opportunity.

System, I commanded mentally.

The clean, glowing neon interface expanded instantly within my field of vision, the blue text hovering silently above the white hospital blanket. I bypassed the Stats and Forum menus, shifting my focus entirely to the Shop.

SYSTEM SHOP

CURRENT BALANCE: [A-Rank Reward x2] [Points: 22,500]

PERSONAL SHOP 

  -> Status: Locked (A rank to unlock +10000 points)

  -> Content: Items/Traits related to Race: Ingris Buel Devil (DXD Variant)

ELEMENTAL NATIONS CATALOG

  -> Status: Locked (S Rank + 100 000 Points)

  -> Content: Bloodlines, Jutsu, Blueprints, Resurrections, Weapons

HIGH SCHOOL DXD

  -> Status: Locked (S Rank + 100 000 Points)

  -> Content: Magic, Sacred Gears, Bloodlines, Artifacts

(AN. Still working on the points so this might change in the future)

I studied the descriptions carefully, reading what little info the system gave. Tsubaki’s strategy echoed in my ears. From her perspective, the logical play was to use the free unlock on the Elemental Nations Catalog. It was an incredibly massive list of goods compared to the personal shop and she wouldn’t expect me to know what’s in the DXD shop. By opening it, I could immediately cash in my 2 A-rank boss reward to purchase a loyal, high-tier resurrected minion—someone like an Senju or an elite Uzumaki, who could fight for me. The minion would enter separate portals, clear the grunts, and funnel a steady 25 percent point kickback directly into my account while keeping the other 75 percent to upgrade their own loadout eventualy.

It was a brilliant strategy for a native who didn't know anything about the worlds where their abilities and bloodlines comes from. Tsubaki didn't have my golden finger. She didn't possess the meta-knowledge from my past life.

My greatest asset isn’t my bloodline or even the system, it’s my knowledge of these new worlds, knowledge that I haven’t thought about in over a decade. I can only hope the DXD World has some mind magic to help retrieve those memories.

I knew exactly what lay inside the High School DxD world catalog, and more importantly, I understood the mechanics of the Evil Pieces.

I began a cold, systematic breakdown of the pros and cons.

If I followed Tsubaki's advice and unlocked the Elemental Nations Catalog, I would gain early access to powerful shinobi who I could easily blend into the world.

I could buy advanced Jutsu like the Raikages Lighting Chakra release mode, I’d been salivating for that Jutsu since I came to this world.

But native shinobi, no matter how loyal, were still bound by chakra. Their abilities were completely predictable to seasoned Ninja like the Hokage or Danzo.

Having a few NInja that can also perform magic would definitely be the better option. 

I know Herizen will use Anko to draw me in or other kanoichi, and honestly with my new hormones it would probably work much better than whatever Danzo is planning. Danzo is a wild card, he could kidnap me from the side of the road or decide that I was in competition for the Kage seat, and just assassinate me or something. Honestly letting my paranoia run wild here.

If I unlocked the DxD World tab directly, I could technically view the Sacred Gears and high-tier magic, or even attempt to purchase a Devil to train me in supernatural arts. But because it was the main world tab, nothing would be discounted. I would be paying the full price for everything. I'm not entirely sure if I even have enough for anything useful.

But the Personal Shop? That was entirely different. Because I killed Ingris Buel, Everything that he had I could get for cheap, everything inside that specific tab carried a massive discount. At least according to Tsubaki.

(AN. Not gonna use sama or kun etc unless it adds something to the scene.)

And considering he kept talking about peerages I have no doubt he had Evil Pieces.

Compared to the system's standard Minions, The evil pieces had far more advantages, even the ability to instantly reincarnate recently dead shinobi, with the only cost being the piece itself. I just hope it does link Into the minion part of the system making the ones I reincarnate loyal. Its a rink Ill have to take.

By purchasing a set of Evil Pieces through my Personal Shop, I could transform up to fifteen individuals into members of my own Peerage.

The benefits were staggering. The pieces would effectively give me fifteen customized minions right off the bat, completely bypassing the need to buy individual minions through the expensive main catalog.

My knowledge of the lore was my true golden finger. Tsubaki and the Hokage were operating completely in the dark, treating the system like a mysterious lottery wheel where they had to guess the whats really useful. I knew exactly what I was buying. If I invested in my Personal Shop now, I could establish an elite, point-generating team completely independent of Konoha's military oversight. The income from fifteen pieces would make unlocking the expensive Elemental Nations and DxD World catalogs laughably easier later on. The only worry being getting a S rank reward. I wonder if they can be combined to make a higher reward?

Decision confirmed, I thought, my mental focus locking firmly onto the interface.

The blue text flared with a brilliant, vibrant violet light, the locked icon shattering into a shower of digital pixels. A rather sizable catalog expanded before my eyes.

A wave of profound relief washed over me. Looking through the listed options, I knew instantly that I hadn't made a mistake.

The first thing that caught my eye was what I assume is Ingris Buer's bloodline that I didn’t get: Demonic Crystallization. The system description was easy enough to understand: The ability to instantaneously solidify demonic energy to materialize any weapon, armor, or solid object the user can think of. It was an incredibly versatile ability, allowing me to forge solid spears, defensive shields, or custom armor plating on the fly. If  I became good enough at it could I outfit an entire army.

Maybe I could learn runes and make the constructs permanent. Just Imagine it a army of thousands with magical armour and weapons.

Beneath that lay the Standard Set of Evil Pieces (1 Queen, 2 Rooks, 2 Knights, 2 Bishops, 8 Pawns) Listed for one A rank reward and 10000 points. After buying this ill still have enough left over for something else.

Further down were columns of foundational magical grimoires: instructional texts detailing how to form demonic contracts, how to create teleportation circles, how to construct security wards, and how to mould Demonic Power. There was even a listing for his mansion and surrounding property. Not sure how that will work. Will I own it in his universe or will it plop out and appear when i buy it.

Seems a little expensive for just a mansion.

First Ill get the evil pieces and look for an opportunity to start my Peerage and something to master the power I already have. Learning to use the bloodline when i cant even manipulate demonic energy seems like a lot for right now. Save the extra points for a later date. Its not like the shop is going anywhere.

System, purchase the Standard Set of Evil Pieces and the grimoire: 'Introduction to Demonic Power'.

One of my A-rank rewards dissolved, and my point balance dropped significantly, leaving a little less than half left.

Ping.

A soft, digital confirmation tone chimed inside my head.

[Purchase Successful. Items delivered to Inventory: Standard Set of Evil Pieces (x1), Grimoire: Introduction to Demonic Power (x1).]

I checked my inventory slots, watching the stylized icon of a velvet-lined box containing fifteen glowing chess pieces settle into the first slot, followed by a thick, leather-bound book in the second slot. I could feel the connection to the inventory sitting right on the edge of my consciousness.

The distinct, rapid slide of the hospital door cut through my giddiness. I snapped the system menu shut, not that anyone could see it, my face instantly settling back into a lazy, completely unbothered grin as the door swung open with a loud bang.

"Hey there, brat! Look who survived their first real mission, had me worried for a moment!"

Anko Mitarashi came barreling into the room like a hurricane, her standard tan trench coat flapping wildly behind her. She was holding a large, white paper bag that radiated a sugary sweet scent of freshly glazed dango. Her violet hair was tied back in its usual messy topknot, and her face carried that familiar, manic, borderline bloodthirsty grin that she wore like a shield against the rest of the village.

"Anko-sensei," I said, offering a slow, amused wave from my pillows. "To what do I owe the honor? I figured you'd be off terrorizing the neighborhood instead of visiting a poor, bedridden Genin."

"Oh, don't get cocky, kid," she laughed, a low, gravelly sound as she sauntered over to the side of the bed. She pulled out a bamboo skewer, biting off a sweet rice dumpling with aggressive enthusiasm. "Big sister Anko always checks on her investments. Besides, the old man told me you put on quite a little show with some fancy new wings before he left you to your new fiance." She says, raising just one eyebrow. Leaving the question unasked.

As she spoke, I watched her, I might be struggling to keep a hold on my expressions but i can still read others.

I watched her breathing patterns. Her chest was rising and falling. Her pulse on her neck  was running just a fraction faster than normal. She was masking it perfectly with her loud, flirtatious demeanor, but her body language was rigid. 

The Old man told her to speed up her honeypot most likely. The Hokage had clearly briefed her before she walked in here, obviously putting a lot of pressure on her to get me tied to the village. 

Like I said I'm not opposed to being honeytrapped, and Anko is genuinely stunning. But if that Old man thinks that some pussy is going to trap me, he is really underestimating me.

“Owe the wings, A nice surprise.” I say.

“Oh I'm sure, you will have to give me a ride sometime. I've always wondered what the village looks like from high up.” she says switching from nervous to an excited child.

Anko sat down carelessly on the edge of my mattress, leaning forward until her face was mere inches from mine. The tight mesh shirt under her open coat didn't do much to hide her assets, and with my newly amplified senses, the faint scent of her skin, sweat, and sugar was incredibly distinct.

“Id love too, sensei.” I say with a gulp. Ok maybe the old basterd might be on to something.

"Is that so?" she purred, her eyes narrowing as she tracked my pupils, looking for any micro-expression or shift in my pulse. "I’d be really grateful.” she says suggestively. I'm honestly thinking the nervousness from earlier could have been a play. Im something to make me overconfident and it seems to have worked as the thin blanket covering begins to rise.

Anko leans back, with a small grin on her lips.

“The higher-ups are getting very, very curious about what abilities your new bloodline possesses. Better not keep them waiting too long." She says as her eyes travel down on the last word.

“Thats fine, we can have a training match once I get out of here. I'd like to explore everything I can do too.” I say trying to ignore her obvious looks.

She paused, twirling an empty dango skewer between her fingers with sharp, dangerous precision. "You know... the Capital has been awfully quiet lately about your family's ancestral lands. It makes a girl wonder if Fire Lord Ozai is trying to hoard all the best toys for himself."

My lazy grin never wavered. I knew the truth now. I knew Ozai was probably farming my land for portals. I knew the Hokage was trying to use Anko as a honeytrap to bind me to the Will of Fire. And more importantly, I knew that the fifteen Evil Pieces sitting in my system inventory gave me a pathway to completely hijack both of their plans.

Now I just needed to run some tests, and I knew the perfect test subject and she just happened to move into my home.

"The Capital can play whatever court games they want, Anko-sensei," I said, offering a slow, completely unbothered shrug as I looked directly into her predatory eyes. "I'm just a simple Genin trying to survive my missions and keep my skills sharp. As long as I get my fair share of the action  and a reliable sensei to keep me from getting killed out there the politicians can argue until they're blue in the face. Don't you agree?"

Anko stared at me for a long, silent beat, her manic grin softening into something more clinical, more evaluative. She could tell I was playing a part but she decided to ignore it

"Heh," she finally chuckled, leaning back and tossing the empty skewer into the wastebasket. "You're a little liar, Jun-kun. I can see the ambition in your eyes. I think I'm really going to enjoy breaking you into a proper shinobi. Get some rest, brat. The training grounds are waiting for us tomorrow."