C24 I'm Not Going to be a Ninja Anymore

Rogue Town

Smoker clenched two cigars between his lips, his gaze fixed on Rodney, who had brought the Buggy Pirate Group to Rogue Town. Sure, Rodney had delivered the pirates for arrest, but he had also swindled them out of the Sea Building Stone handcuffs. Those cuffs were worth more than Buggy himself.

"Hey, hey, hey, Colonel Smoker, don't look at me like that. I'm not some beauty that you can make blush. And for the record, I'm a man interested in women," Rodney said, backing away quickly with his arms crossed protectively over his chest as he caught Smoker's intense stare.

Smoker's hand went to his jitte, his expression menacing. "You little punk, keep spouting nonsense and I'll end you!"

"And you have the audacity to say that after you dared to issue a warrant for my arrest?"

"What? You took our Sea Building Stone handcuffs. I haven't even begun to settle that score with you."

"Oh, that? Vice Admiral Garp has already reclaimed it," Rodney said, avoiding eye contact.

Ha, as if they would return such a strategic asset like the Sea Building Stone handcuffs. They were a rarity in the East Blue.

"You pocketed them, didn't you?" Smoker accused.

"How could you think that of me? Don't underestimate me. I aspire to be a champion of justice!"

Smoker scoffed, clearly unconvinced. "You? A champion of justice?"

"What, you don't believe me?"

"No, I don't."

"Aiya, Mr. Smoker and Mr. Rodney seem to have such a good rapport," Tashigi chimed in with a smile, oblivious to the tension between the two men.

"Hehehe," Rodney forced a laugh, then turned his attention to Tashigi. "Ensign Tashigi, what about my bounty?"

Buggy's bounty was well over ten million, enough to buy a considerable amount of goods.

"Here it is. Please take care of it," Tashigi said as she handed Rodney a bag filled with the bounty money, which she had received from her subordinate.

Rodney grabbed it without bothering to count it. Neither Smoker nor Tashigi would stoop to embezzlement.

"Alright, Buggy is now in your custody. We're done here," Rodney declared, pocketing the money. With nothing left to concern him, he headed for the door but then paused, remembering something. "By the way, have the houses that were damaged during Ace's capture been repaired?"

Tashigi replied, "Well, the repairs are nearly finished. We should be able to reopen soon."

"Really?" He pondered for a moment, then took a handful of Belles from his bag and tossed them to Tashigi, saying, "Consider this a token of my apology. It's not much, but it's something." After all, they had destroyed someone's property, and it was only right to offer some form of compensation. Everyone has to make a living.

"Huh? But the Navy has already compensated for the damages."

"No, consider this a personal apology from me."

Smoker asked, "Why did Fire Fist Ace enter the Great Voyage? Rodney, don't you think you owe us an explanation?"

Currently, Ace was shining brightly as a star of the Great Voyage. Among his peers, few pirates could match his prowess, with his exceptional Body Technique and stamina, his fearsome Nature Type Fruit, and his formidable crew. He was virtually unbeatable in the first half of the Great Voyage.

"Oh, that? Don't ask me, ask Vice Admiral Garp," Rodney quickly deflected the question to Garp.

"Weren't you the one who assured us there would be no issues?"

"Huh? Did I say that?"

"It looks like you need to refresh your memory of the events," Smoker said, reaching for the ten hands on his back.

"Hehehe, I've told you, it's not my concern anymore. Keep this up, and I might just sue you for slander and disturbing the peace."

"Hmph, I am the Navy!" Smoker exhaled a puff of white smoke, looking more like a Pirate to those unaware of his true identity.

"Let's drop it. The situation with Fire Fist Ace is none of my business. Perhaps the old man is just looking out for his grandson," Rodney said, shaking his head and distancing himself from the matter.

Not my circus, not my monkeys!

"Ding!"

The mission had arrived.

"Excuse me, I need to use the restroom. I'll be right back," he said with a sly grin before turning to leave.

"The Chunin Exam has started! Will you accept? Accept now to begin immediately, or decline and wait a year for the next opportunity."

Sigh? The Chunin Exam? It's starting already?

Isn't that a bit too soon? It feels rather sudden.

He had only been a Genin for about a year, and now he was already advancing to Chunin.

Hold on, I'm not ready to leave this unbeatable level just yet.

When I think about the lower ninjas in Konoha, they're a force to be reckoned with, capable of catastrophic destruction. And the two upper ninjas? They toss around pots and pans in their fights as if it's all a game. I'm not eager to level up just yet.

The mid-ninja promotion came unexpectedly, but when the time comes, one must naturally proceed to the next level.

I confirmed my participation in the mid-ninja exam on the system interface.

"Ding! The host has accepted the mid-ninja exam.

Mission: Hunt down the Evil Dragon Pirate Group

Mission Level: C+

Mission Reward: Acquire the Spirit Connecting Beast Katsuyu, Hundred Gougakyu Arts, Creation Regeneration, Strange Strength, and 1000 Mission Points."

Wow, Rodney gasped at the sight of the substantial rewards.

The Spirit Connecting Beast Katsuyu, one of Konoha's big earners, might have average combat abilities, but its medical prowess is exceptional. It only requires a substantial amount of Chakra from the user.

Moreover, Katsuyu's size is immense, unlike the toads at Wonderful Wood Mountain or the snakes in the Dragon Cave. Katsuyu is a singular entity, and those summoned through Spirit Connecting are her clones. It's rare to find someone who can summon her in her entirety.

The Hundred Gougakyu Arts involves channeling a massive amount of Chakra into the Yin Seal on the forehead. When released, it allows the user to freely utilize the vast Chakra reserves stored within the seal. This can power extensive use of Ninjutsu and Forbidden Arts, enhance Body Technique and Strange Strength, and can be combined with Katsuyu for mass healing. Summoning a larger Katsuyu can provide seamless self-healing in combat, significantly boosting the user's overall capabilities.

Essentially, it serves as a backup energy reserve or a power bank, accumulating power to be unleashed when needed, offering an all-around enhancement and the ability to fight while simultaneously healing.

Additionally, this technique can also achieve the effects of beautifying and preserving youthful skin, making it the ninjutsu that countless young girls dream of. Tsunade truly lives up to her reputation.

As for the Creation Rebirth technique... To be honest, Rodney was somewhat reluctant to desire it. It's indeed an exceptional medical ninjutsu that, when combined with the Hundred Gougakyu Arts, allows for instantaneous self-healing after sustaining injuries. However, there's a catch – it shortens the user's lifespan! Creation Rebirth works by using chakra to stimulate cells, accelerating cell division to rapidly heal wounds. It's even capable of healing severe internal organ damage. But since the human body's cellular regeneration has a limit, speeding up cell division effectively means reducing one's own lifespan.

Strange Strength is an incredibly practical ability, used by members of the Senju clan. Practitioners can precisely control their chakra, concentrating it throughout their bodies to unleash tremendous power.

Notable users include the First and Second Generations, Tsunade, and Sakura... Yes, it's indeed a useful skill. With this ability, Rodney's strength would see a significant increase, which is necessary in a world teeming with formidable creatures.

He aimed to transform himself into a veritable powerhouse. In the One Piece Universe, it's advantageous to be robust, as not everyone can be a Gandalf, maxing out melee abilities and casually casting a light spell.

Take, for example, the three great magicians from the neighboring Type-Moon universe. Merlin, who would chant spells and bite his tongue, excelled at swordplay, outclassing the Knights of the Round Table and earning the title of the Sword Saint of Avalon. Then there's the Axe King of Uruk, who forsook traditional magic for the might of his axe. And the King of Israel, a formidable Caster and Magician, who would buff himself to the max and then let his knuckledusters do the talking.

With such exemplary figures before him, how could Rodney not dedicate himself to learning? He'd max out his melee capabilities, bolster his strength, and enhance his health and mana regeneration, then it would be all about delivering those powerful, meaty punches.

As everyone knows, the thrill of hand-to-hand combat is the true romance of a real man. A glass cannon, high in attack but low in durability, has no place in the future.

The System inquired, "What are you trying to get at?"

Rodney replied, "I've left my brief life as a ninja behind. I aspire to go beyond the ninja! I aim to become a meatball!"