Freelancer in the Ninja World

From the status panel, it was clear that his total chakra had surpassed the SSS tier, reaching SSS+.

An SSS-level amount of chakra was already on par with most of the Tailed Beasts. SSS+ meant he now had reserves comparable to the Eight-Tails or Nine-Tails. Still, SSS+ was not the system's upper limit; he could continue growing his chakra pool.

Previously, even though he had Tailed Beast–level chakra and physical strength, he had a glaring weakness: his ninjutsu development wasn't very advanced. That problem had now been resolved quite nicely.

After half a month of nonstop mission-grinding, most of his ninjutsu had reached A-rank. Moreover, he had raised the development level of the Rumble-Rumble Fruit to A-rank, unlocking most of its skills. The powers granted by the fruit significantly bolstered and complemented his ninjutsu.

All of this only made Uzumaki Senshi thirst even more to grind missions and get stronger. As he stood there pounding on Kakuzu's door, he thought to himself:

"Let's set a small goal—step into the Ten-Tails' league as soon as possible! At least start reaching Ten-Tails-level standards in chakra reserves, physical strength, and the power of my ninjutsu."

When Kakuzu did missions, he really focused on the job at hand. When Senshi did missions, he was like a student cramming practice tests, going crazy with the "grind." As a result, while Kakuzu was worn out in both body and mind, Senshi felt it was barely even a start—how could this 'Little Kaku' be worn out already?

At that moment, a man with pale skin, shoulder-length black hair, and strangely bewitching eyes arrived at the place where Senshi's group was staying:

Orochimaru—someone who could be considered an old acquaintance of Senshi's.

Orochimaru always had a strong sense of purpose and plans. Another ninja might just be passing by, but if he showed up, there had to be a reason.

Seeing Orochimaru, Senshi asked nonchalantly, "What are you doing here?"

For most ninja, Orochimaru was a dangerous individual. For Orochimaru, Uzumaki Senshi was probably even more so. Flicking out his long, narrow tongue with a sinister air, Orochimaru said:

"I've come to discuss a business deal with you."

The second Senshi heard those words, he changed his expression in a heartbeat—dropping his earlier indifference for a bright, enthusiastic smile.

"O Snake Bro! You're like my own brother—got any tough problems you need my help with?"

At that sudden shift in attitude, Orochimaru's eyelids twitched. Moments ago, Senshi had regarded him as a stranger, and now he acted all familiar.

Orochimaru shook his head at Senshi's question. "No commission. I'm here to buy her." He raised his hand and pointed to Karin, who had appeared behind Senshi at some point.

Karin, who had come out of her room when she heard noises, froze in panic. Lying in bed one minute, and now trouble had found her. Orochimaru was here to purchase her?

She grew nervous because, after traveling with Senshi and Kakuzu and seeing Senshi's ways, she knew money came before almost anything for him. She worried he might agree to Orochimaru's proposal. Over the past weeks, she'd realized she couldn't leave Senshi—she didn't want to leave him.

But Karin didn't yet know her worries were groundless. Senshi wasn't frantically doing missions for money—he wanted the system rewards that made him stronger.

Sure enough, when Senshi realized Orochimaru's intention, he put on a textbook-worthy display of changing faces again. Rolling his eyes, he turned away from Orochimaru, not even bothering to look at him.

"Not interested."

He'd thought Orochimaru was bringing him a commission, but the guy just wanted to buy his little "mascot." Although Karin hadn't matured fully yet, she could still use Kagura's Mind Eye to scan the surroundings. She was a pretty handy assistant. Besides, doing missions with Kakuzu—an old guy nearing a century in age—could be a bit dull. Trying to talk about current news or interesting tidbits would inevitably reveal a generation gap. Having a little girl around added a bit of fun. Why would he sell her?

Even though Senshi refused outright, Orochimaru didn't leave immediately. It seemed he still had further plans. He briefly considered just taking Karin by force. But upon sensing that subtly dangerous glint in Orochimaru's eyes, Senshi showed a smile.

Since obtaining the Naruto-adapted Rumble-Rumble Fruit, he hadn't met any opponent worth going all-out against. Orochimaru, being one of the Legendary Sannin, was certainly formidable. But another thought suddenly crossed Senshi's mind: he remembered how the first "long-term commission" he had taken had yielded insanely good rewards. The memory left him wanting more. Could he possibly lure Orochimaru into giving him a similar long-term job?

As Orochimaru was about to lose patience and strike, Senshi held up a hand:

"Wait!"

Orochimaru paused, Karin got even more nervous. She looked at Senshi with anxious eyes and whispered, "Are…are you really going to sell me?" Tiny tears glistened in her red eyes.

Seeing her pitiful face, Senshi found it amusing. He couldn't resist flicking her on the forehead.

"What're you even thinking? How could I possibly sell you?"

Karin relaxed a little, feeling a warm glow in her heart. Yet, recalling how Senshi usually did things, she couldn't help but add timidly, "But…what if he offers more money…?"

Senshi froze, thought about it seriously, then said with equal seriousness, "Well, my principles and bottom line are always…flexible, but this time it's non-negotiable."

If it were any other matter, sure, add money and they could talk. But selling Karin? That profited him nothing. He already had more money than he knew what to do with.

Realizing he wouldn't budge, Orochimaru considered—then dropped the idea of seizing Karin on the spot. While observing Senshi's transformation when he consumed the Rumble-Rumble Fruit, he'd seen how powerful the young man had become. Forcibly taking a subject from him might be more trouble than it was worth. It'd be better to hire him to capture other test subjects instead.

With that, Orochimaru smiled chillingly. "In that case, why not accept a commission from me to capture children from other ninja villages—kids with Kekkei Genkai? I'll pay you 200,000 ryō for each suitable target."

In Orochimaru's mind, given how greedy Senshi seemed, there was no way he would refuse.

[Long-term Commission Detected!]

[Client: Orochimaru]

[Objective: Orochimaru hires you to capture children with Kekkei Genkai]

[Reward: 200,000 ryō per child]

[Mission Rank: B]

[Mission Bonus: 200 Commission Points per child]

Seeing the system prompt, Senshi was a bit taken aback. Orochimaru really was offering a fortune. But kids snatched that way would certainly face a grim fate.

"That is a mighty tempting offer. But I refuse!"

"I'm not about to do something that depraved."

He left it at that, not wanting to speak further for fear that he might accidentally say "Add more money." Even so, no amount of money would entice him on a mission like that.

Orochimaru's eyes lingered on Senshi. After a moment's hesitation, he turned away without a fight.

Swish—

He had just turned when, with a flash of Body Flicker, Senshi appeared behind him. Orochimaru smirked slightly. "Something else?"

Senshi nodded solemnly, then launched into a self-promoting spiel. "Lord Orochimaru, since you're so interested in test subjects, what about me? Strictly speaking, I'm perfectly suited to be one of your experiments."

Orochimaru: "…"

Did he look like an idiot to be told something like that? Or was Senshi's mind truly abnormal? You really couldn't apply common logic to this ninja.

Unfazed, Senshi went on, "I'm also a descendant of the Uzumaki clan, my body is quite special, and I possess a certain degree of regenerative and healing ability. I'd think I have a lot of research value, no?"

At that, a wicked grin tugged at Orochimaru's lips. Compared to analyzing those physical traits, he was now more intrigued by the uniquely twisted way Senshi thought. In the shinobi world, plenty of people had bizarre mindsets, but seeing that plus extraordinary power—Orochimaru had only encountered two such cases: this Uzumaki Senshi and his loathsome old teammate, Jiraiya.

As Senshi tried to pitch himself as Orochimaru's test subject, Karin could do nothing but cover her face—she was too embarrassed to watch.