*Chapter 19: Half-Price Discount*

The power of the Shinigami (Death God) isn't low. Compared to the era before the Ōtsutsuki clan in Naruto, it feels like an overwhelming attack. But among that power, the release of the Zanpakutō holds a significant place.

The release of a Zanpakutō not only grants the Shinigami several times more explosive power, but its unique abilities are as powerful and special as the Mangekyō Sharingan. The ability to control the five senses with Kyōka Suigetsu, the flames that burn everything with Ryūjin Jakka, and the freezing cold of Hyōrinmaru—these Zanpakutō are undeniably powerful.

But currently, Yoru hasn't mastered this skill.

The reason is simple.

No points!

According to the system’s rules, Yoru can only unlock a Zanpakutō by exchanging system points to give a basic Zanpakutō (Asauchi) a "name."

Only by doing this can Yoru unlock a Zanpakutō’s powers.

Yoru has one Asauchi in his possession, but its price is 100,000 points, and even the cheapest Shikai (first release of a Zanpakutō) costs tens of thousands of points. It also comes with a unique lock feature—once named, it cannot be changed.

In other words, if Yoru names the Asauchi given to him by the system, then to unlock another Zanpakutō’s Shikai or Bankai, he’d need to buy another Asauchi.

A hundred thousand points per blade!

Who can afford that?

One hundred thousand points—that's enough to open a hundred loot boxes!

With a hundred pulls, I bet I could draw Ryūjin Jakka! (A wild guess by Yoru)

Yoru doesn't want a trashy Zanpakutō, but he can't afford a good one. Whenever he has a few points, he immediately runs to open loot boxes. All these factors have prevented him from owning his own Zanpakutō so far.

However, now that Yoru has 160,000 points in hand, he can finally pick a decent Zanpakutō.

"But which one to choose?"

The exchange list has many Zanpakutō, ranging from tens of thousands to millions of points, making Yoru's head spin.

Suddenly, he notices a particular Zanpakutō.

"System, why is Sode no Shirayuki standing out so much?"

Sode no Shirayuki, an ice-type Zanpakutō, is known for its beauty after release, earning the title of the most beautiful Zanpakutō in Soul Society. Its Shikai ability can freeze everything it touches by lowering the wielder’s body temperature below freezing.

This Zanpakutō is fairly well-known, but overall, it's just considered mid-tier.

Yet, right now, Sode no Shirayuki stands out on the exchange list, almost as if it’s bolded.

"[Detected that the host has high compatibility with the ice attribute. Therefore, for the host’s first Zanpakutō purchase, ice-type Zanpakutō can be bought at a 50% discount.]"

"???"

Half-price discount?

Why didn't you announce this discount upfront with a flashy banner?

So, if I didn’t ask, I wouldn’t have known?!

"Wait a minute, high compatibility with the ice attribute… System, be honest with me, is the reason I haven’t awakened the Ice Release because of your tricks?!"

"[The host can choose another Zanpakutō and forfeit this discount.]"

"Not only are you heartless, but you're also a scammer."

Yoru silently cursed to himself. But giving up was out of the question—it's a 50% discount!

Originally priced at 100,000 points, Sode no Shirayuki is now only 50,000. It would be stupid not to take advantage of this deal!

"Wait, if it's for all ice-type Zanpakutō, then wouldn't…"

Yoru’s eyes lit up, and he quickly found his target.

[Zanpakutō: Hyōrinmaru (Shikai)]

Item Grade: SS

Item Description: Grants the name Hyōrinmaru to an unactivated Asauchi.

Price: 500,000 points.

Yoru focused, and the system prompt immediately sounded.

"[Exchanging Zanpakutō: Hyōrinmaru (Shikai) will cost 250,000 points. Do you want to exchange?]"

"[Insufficient points to exchange.]"

Sure enough, it's half off!

Yoru's eyes widened, but unfortunately, he didn't have enough points to redeem Hyōrinmaru.

Maybe he should get Sode no Shirayuki for now?

This thought crossed his mind but was quickly dismissed.

Setting aside the power difference between Sode no Shirayuki and Hyōrinmaru, just the half-price discount alone makes it impossible for Yoru to choose Sode no Shirayuki.

Exchanging for Hyōrinmaru would save him 250,000 points, but if he picked Sode no Shirayuki... he wouldn’t save 50,000; he’d be losing 400,000 points!

Since there's already a discount, he has to maximize the benefit.

"Better wait and exchange for Hyōrinmaru directly… wait, what's this chakra?!"

“Whoosh!”

Before the words even left his mouth.

With the sound of rushing wind, a large figure suddenly appeared behind Yoru.

"What?!"

Startled, Yoru instinctively tried to use Shunpo (Flash Step), but his feet were bound by shadows, preventing any movement.

The next second, he was sent flying like a cannonball after being hit hard by an elbow.

Boom!

It was Jiraiya!

The white hair revealed his identity. After locking onto Yoru’s presence, Jiraiya attacked with full force, without any mercy.

Yoru’s body crashed through a wall, creating a cloud of dust and debris.

In the next moment, a buzzing sound surrounded the rubble, as countless parasitic insects swarmed like a tornado, devouring everything in their path.

"Secret Technique: Insect Tornado!"

A dark swarm of bugs, like a whirlwind, consumed the area where Yoru had landed. Blood and flesh flew everywhere!

Within a few breaths, the entire area had been devoured, leaving nothing behind.

"Jiraiya?!"

Three ninja swordsmen immediately rushed out of a nearby pavilion. Upon seeing Jiraiya and the Konoha ninjas, their expressions darkened.

Before they could prepare for battle, the sound of projectiles whizzing through the air filled the sky as several black shadows shot toward them.

"Kunai?!"

The three grabbed their ninja swords. Juzo leaped into the air to avoid the kunai, but then something strange happened—two more kunai followed behind, striking the first pair and sending them straight toward him again.

"What the hell?!"

"Lightning Release: Thunder Fang!"

A surge of lightning knocked down the tricky kunai, saving Juzo from danger. Holding Kiba (Thunder Fangs), Kurosuki Raiga gazed intently at the figure standing on the rooftop.

A man in a Konoha Jōnin vest, arms crossed, with blood-red eye`s, looked down at the three with a calm demeanor.

"Uchiha..."

In the distance...

Jiraiya released a Wind Release jutsu, dispersing the dust and confirming that the parasitic insects had completely devoured Mizunoyuki Yoru. He turned his attention toward the rooftop.

Behind him...

Aburame Shibi, Yamanaka Inoichi, Hyūga Hizashi, and Nara Suzaku stood ready for battle.

Seeing this, the three ninja swordsmen felt their hearts sink.

(End of Chapter)