Ye Liangnai's Quarters, Night
The bathwater steamed gently, soothing Ye Liangnai's aching muscles as he sank deeper into the tub, his mind focused on the glowing interface before him.
System Panel
Enhancement Points: 25,000
Skills Available for Enhancement:
Lightning Style Techniques: Thunder Pillar Wall, Shockwave, Thunder Bullet (C), Thunderfall Array (B)
Swordsmanship: Three-Talent Flash – Creates two tangible afterimages and one illusory decoy for a lethal strike (B)
Barrier Jutsu: Silent Technique Array, Perception Array (C), Six-Pillar Flame Array (B)
Sealing Jutsu: Binding Flow Curse – Restricts movement (B)
Genjutsu: Spirit Shackle – Disrupts chakra, simulating a seal (C)
Aside from his self-developed swordsmanship, these were the spoils from Yuan Long's Treasure Vault, each a building block for his survival in Kumogakure. "Enhance all skills," Ye Liangnai commanded mentally.
The system calculated: 21,000 points required, leaving 4,000 in reserve. Enhancing everything wouldn't skyrocket his raw power, but it would broaden his versatility, giving him an edge against peers. The wider my skillset at this level, the easier it is to dominate same-tier opponents. Post-enhancement, he could dispatch Special Jonin with ease and hold his own against Jonin—something even Jonin struggled to achieve.
System Panel
Enhancing in progress. Host, maintain focus to avoid failure.
A low hum filled his mind, the system's energy coursing through him. Ten minutes later, the process completed.
System Panel
Enhancement complete. Total cost: 21,000 points.
Updated Skills:
Thunder Pillar Wall (B) Cost: 1,000 points
Effect: Defense doubled, now autonomously strikes with lightning.
Enhancements Left: 1
Shockwave (B) Cost: 1,000 points
Effect: Speed, power, and range doubled.
Enhancements Left: 1
Three-Talent Flash (A) Cost: 5,000 points
Effect: Speed tripled, movements unpredictable as a phantom.
Enhancements Left: 2
Six-Pillar Flame Array (A)Cost: 5,000 points
Effect: Defense doubled, now autonomously attacks with flames.
Enhancements Left: 1
Binding Flow Curse (A) Cost: 5,000 points
Effect: Binding duration and resistance doubled.
Enhancements Left: 1
Spirit Shackle (B) Cost: 1,000 points
Effect: Casting speed and potency doubled, immune to standard counters. Enhancements Left: 1
Ye Liangnai grinned, stepping from the tub and toweling off. In the moonlit courtyard, he tested his enhanced arsenal—lightning crackling with newfound ferocity, his sword flashing faster than the eye could track, barriers pulsing with fiery menace. Each move was sharper, deadlier, until he was satisfied with their fluidity. Only then did he collapse into bed, exhaustion claiming him.
From the shadows, the mysterious ANBU observer noted his diligence. No anomalies in the techniques, but that work ethic… The kid's relentless drive was undeniable. Excellence isn't an accident.
The Next Morning, ANBU Headquarters
Ye Liangnai arrived early, his breakfast a quick affair before settling into a corner, eyes closed in meditation. With these enhancements, I can match a Jonin in a straight fight. Give me time to grind 200,000 points for a full-body boost, and I'll carve through them like butter.
Footsteps approached, and Orui's mocking voice broke his reverie. "Well, well! Tired of scrubbing floors and begging the Raikage for mercy, huh?" Orui's grin was smug, his massive frame looming. In his mind, Ye Liangnai's presence meant one thing: the kid had groveled, and the Raikage had relented. What else could it be? The Raikage fetching him personally? Pigs would fly first.
Ye Liangnai cracked one eye open, his tone dry. "Think what you want. If you're curious, ask the Raikage yourself—save your brain the guesswork." He waved a hand. "Now move. You're blocking my air."
Orui's face reddened, his temper flaring. "Don't you dare—"
"Spirit Shackle!" Ye Liangnai's eyes snapped open, his genjutsu striking like a viper. Orui froze, his chakra faltering. In a blur, Ye Liangnai was before him, fingers wreathed in lightning, hovering an inch from Orui's throat. "Think I won't kill you?" His voice was ice, laced with lethal confidence.
The surrounding ANBU gasped, stunned by the speed and precision. He dropped Orui in a heartbeat. Even their squad captains—Jonin or high-end Special Jonin—would struggle to match that. We thought his fight with Orui last week was his limit. We were wrong.
But awe mixed with resentment. Ye Liangnai's boldness—humiliating one of their own—felt like a slap to Cloud's pride. Does he think we're nothing?
"Jolting Swan, you want to be stuck on E-ranks again?" A cold voice cut through, sharp as a blade. The mysterious ANBU stepped forward, his presence chilling the room. The squad saluted, voices unified: "Captain!"
Ye Liangnai released the genjutsu, Orui stumbling back, and flashed a cheeky grin. "Whoops, didn't know you were our captain! My bad, my bad." He bowed slightly, but his eyes gleamed with defiance, not a trace of remorse.
He straightened, his tone teasing. "Honestly, I wouldn't mind more E-ranks. That life? It's my kind of paradise."
The captain's eyes narrowed, his voice a low growl. "Keep that attitude on the battlefield, and I might—might—respect you. Right now, you're just a thorn in my side." He leaned closer, his aura oppressive. "Be thankful for the Raikage's orders to 'temper' you. Without them, I'd have your head on a pike."
Ye Liangnai clutched his neck, feigning terror. "Oh, that's scary, Captain!" His mock fear dissolved into a smirk, his bravado unshaken.
The captain snorted, turning away, but the message was clear: Ye Liangnai was on thin ice, and only the Raikage's leash kept him alive—for now.