Naruto: The Ninja World's Life Buyer

Chapter 216 The Wall of Talent, the End of the Ninja's Path

Behind the training ground, in the medical rest area.

The air was thick with the smell of disinfectant and liniment.

Maki sat on a bench.

Her combat suit was covered in dust.

Holding an ice pack, I placed it on my swollen arm.

Her gaze was somewhat vacant as she stared blankly at the shield lying to the side. The shield was severely deformed, with a deep footprint dented in the middle. It was Kai's footprint.

"How are your injuries?"

Sosuke's voice rang out above her head.

Maki was startled and tried to stand up, but the movement aggravated her wound, causing her to wince in pain.

"Hiss!"

"Please sit down."

Sosuke sat down next to her and crossed his legs.

"A steel shield worth 50,000 taels was destroyed by a single kick."

Sosuke took the shield and tapped it with his finger.

"It seems we'll have to give feedback to the arsenal later; the strength is still insufficient."

Maki lowered her head.

"I'm sorry, boss—I lost."

"Losing is losing, it's not like it's a death sentence."

Sosuke channeled his healing chakra and placed it on Maki's arm.

The warm touch made Maki feel much better. Her wound was slowly healing.

"Boss."

"Um?"

"I'm really sorry."

Maki's voice was very soft, with a strong nasal tone.

"I used so many expensive ninja tools and spent so much of your money. In the end, I couldn't even stop one kick from someone."

"That Matt Kay, he has nothing. But I feel like no matter how much equipment I have, it's all paper in front of him."

Sosuke remained silent for a while.

"Maki, do you know?"

"In this world, there is something called talent."

"The Ninja Tool Style is designed to enable ordinary people to fight against geniuses. But that doesn't mean that ordinary people can become geniuses."

"Matt Kay is a genius in physical combat. Although he may seem clumsy, his perseverance in honing his physique day after day for years is an extremely terrifying talent."

"It's not shameful for you to lose to him. I might not even dare to take that kick head-on."

Maki bit her lip.

"But—I'm not reconciled."

"I want to become stronger. I want to be like Kaori-neechan, able to help you. I want to become your sword."

"but----"

She looked at her trembling hands.

"I'm scared too."

"Just now on the field, when that kick came at me, what I was thinking about wasn't how to counterattack, but rather—fear."

At this point, Maki suddenly laughed, a rather awkward laugh, and tears streamed down her face.

"Isn't it ridiculous? It's supposed to be a life-or-death duel, yet I'm filled with fear."

"Not laughable."

Sosuke looked at her intently.

"This shows that you're not a ninja at heart."

"Maki."

Sosuke's tone was very soft.

"You've seen it too. The world of ninjas is just that unreasonable. Monsters roam everywhere."

"If you continue down this path, the enemies you encounter in the future will be stronger than Kai's, and you will have to go through even more brutal battles."

"You will get hurt, you will bleed, and you may even die."

"Is it worth it to become a ninja?"

Maki was stunned.

She recalled the days she had spent rolling around in the mud every day for the past six months.

I'm really tired.

Sometimes, when she couldn't sleep at night because her whole body ached, she would secretly miss the days when she could smell the aroma of red beans in the dessert shop.

"But—if I don't become a ninja, I'll just be a waiter—"

"The waiter wasn't bad at all."

Sousuke said.

"Moreover, Takaya Trading Company is currently facing a severe shortage of staff. I happen to need a meticulous steward who can read the accounts."

""

"Kaori isn't good at business. Reina is capable, but she's from the village, and I don't feel comfortable using her."

"I need someone on my side."

Sosuke looked into Maki's eyes.

"This also has great potential."

Maki looked at Sousuke blankly.

"housekeeper----"

"Yes. The salary is not low. And you don't have to roll around in the mud, and you can wear clean clothes every day."

Sosuke stood up and patted his butt.

"So? Want to think about it? If you agree, we'll go and complete the withdrawal procedures tomorrow. Anyway, you've proven yourself; you fought a pretty good battle, there's nothing shameful about it."

Maki lowered her head and remained silent for a long time.

She suddenly felt that the heavy weight that had been pressing on her heart had been lifted.

It's hard to admit you're inadequate. But admitting you actually prefer a stable life seems—not so hard.

"Boss."

Maki looked up and gave a relieved smile. Although her face was still streaked with tears and a little dirty, the smile was genuine.

"I think—I still prefer a peaceful life."

"Then it's settled."

Sousuke held out his hand.

"Let's go home and have dinner. We'll treat you to something nice tonight to calm your nerves."

Maki grasped that hand.

It's warm and kind.

Bellflower Pavilion.

Night falls, and the lights shine brightly.

Tonight's dinner was exceptionally lavish.

Instead of having Kaori buy groceries, Sosuke had the caravan deliver the finest beef.

"Is this... A5 grade beef?"

Xi Yan lay on the table, gazing at the beautifully marbled red and white slices of meat on the plate, her mouth watering.

-

"It looks like a work of art!"

"This is for eating, not for looking at."

Sosuke placed the slices of meat into the boiling sukiyaki.

"Ziyi" 6

The slices of meat tumbled in the broth, instantly changing color and releasing an intoxicating aroma of oil.

Sosuke picked up a piece, dipped it in the egg mixture, and put it into Yugao's bowl.

"Eat up. This is a celebration for your semi-final appearance and—Maki's glorious retirement."

"Retire?"

Chiba, who was picking up the meat, paused for a moment.

"Miss Maki is no longer a ninja?"

"I'm quitting."

Maki sat next to Chiba; her arm had been bandaged.

She held her chopsticks, smiling easily.

"I think I'm better suited to managing accounts and helping out at the store in my spare time. Fighting and killing is too tiring."

"and----"

She glanced at Xiyan, who was engrossed in eating.

"With such a brilliant genius like Xiyan around, let her handle the task of protecting the boss. I'll take care of the logistics."

"no problem!"

With her mouth full of meat, Xi Yan mumbled incoherently.

"Leave it to me! I'll become incredibly powerful and drive all the bad guys away!"

The atmosphere at the table became more relaxed.

"Actually, this is fine too."

Rena Yamashiro, who had been silent until now, suddenly spoke up.

She was also forced to stay for dinner by Sosuke tonight.

She sat up straight and adjusted her glasses.

"Based on my data analysis, Ms. Maki's chakra reserves and talent are indeed unlikely to reach the level of a Jonin. She will most likely stagnate at the Chunin stage, where her mortality rate will be the highest."

"Switching to a writing job is a rational choice."

This is a very blunt statement, and it might even be a little hurtful.

But everyone is used to Rena's lack of emotional intelligence in her remarks.

"Miss Reina, can't even eating meat shut you up?"

Sosuke picked up a large mouthful of beef and piled it directly into Rena's bowl.

"Eat more. You're too thin; it looks like I'm abusing my employees."

Rena looked at the mountain of meat piled up in the bowl and her throat moved.

Besides being a sweet tooth, she's also a secret carnivore. Intense mental activity is too energy-consuming.

She picked up her chopsticks, stopped talking, and began to devour the food in her bowl at lightning speed.

Kaori poured drinks for everyone.

She looked at Maki with tender eyes.

"Maki, welcome back."

She said softly.

She knew what choice Maki had made. For a girl, finding a safe haven in this chaotic world was the greatest fortune.

"Thank you, Kaori-neechan." Maki smiled sweetly.