Chapter 42

Standing at the classroom door, Xiaoming took a deep breath and firmly gripped the secret letter from his mother.

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Amidst the cherry blossoms dancing in the wind, Misaki opened the old diary and read the words of the promise written there.

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In a dimly lit room illuminated only by the light of a lamp with a wick in an oiled dish, the girl stood.

"Like a dragon soaring through the heavens, this is my Dragon Ninja Path."

"Like an octopus sitting in the abyss, this is my Octopus Ninja Path."

"Like a wolf lurking in the darkness, this is my Wolf Ninja Path."

And then, seven voices, in addition to the girl's, spoke, three of which asked the girl a question.

"Your fate has created the three paths, though there may be a mere ninja path... we recommend you choose one of these paths."

This is the "Ninja Nest," a place only the profession "Ninja" can visit. And now, standing in the darkness under the gaze of the seven "Star Ninjas" who sit at the pinnacle of all ninjas, the girl, Aki Tsukazaki, was there.

The NPCs are not fully equipped with knowledge about the "Seven Strongest Species." There are only vague descriptions of the orchestra, and the existence of Weathermon is even more obscure. However, Aki Tsukazaki, who has a friend who recklessly pushes forward on the front lines of the world, understood that the seven Star Ninjas correctly possess names corresponding to unique monsters.

Why they possess information that even players only recently learned, she cannot know. Even with Aki Tsukazaki's communication skills, the seven ninjas in the darkness only speak what is necessary and do not respond to unnecessary words.

Therefore, Aki Tsukazaki, who is not particularly obsessed with the world's lore like the "Library," quickly gave up on pursuing the world's secrets and, without much deliberation, answered reflexively.

"Please, I choose the Dragon Ninja Path!"

"……Huh"

"Ku………"

"Octopus is no good, huh……"

"Octopus is no good, you are a girl."

"Octopus is……"

"……What a harsh world, Octopus Ninja's"

"???"

"……Don't worry, it's just a mutter."

Aki Tsukazaki thought she heard a rather mundane conversation, but if she was told not to worry, then she wouldn't. After a while, a scroll floated in the air before her and slowly fell.

Aki Tsukazaki, who caught it instinctively, seemed to have no problems, and the "Job Change Event" proceeded smoothly.

"When you have mastered all the techniques written in this scroll, come back here... At that time, I will grant you the proof of being a 'Dragon Ninja Saint'... Therefore, in the name of the Seven Star Ninjas, from this moment on, I recognize Aki Tsukazaki as a 'Dragon Ninja.'"

Six voices echoed, "No objections." Various voices, old and young, male and female, dissolved into the darkness... and when Aki Tsukazaki looked around, there was no presence left.

'Hidden Job Quest "The Question and Answer of the Star Seer" has been cleared.'

'Job Change! Main job has changed to "Dragon Ninja".'

'Title [Twin Dragons Standing Side by Side] has been obtained.'

"Um, can I go now...?"

There was no voice to stop her, so she could leave. After bowing in the room of the Star Seer, Aki Tsukazaki walked down a long corridor, climbed the stairs, and rotated the hidden door attached to the wall, returning to the "Ninja Nest" where "Ninja" players use as a guild. The sound of the hidden door locking behind her was heard.

"……………"

"…………"

The gaze pierced through her. Naturally, a player who entered a hidden door that other players could not enter... especially a girl who became a celebrity in the new continent as a "Dragon Hunter," would attract attention. Even with the small number of ninja players, their eyes were on her. What did the "Dragon Hunter" girl see behind the unopened hidden door... it couldn't help but be a matter of curiosity.

"Um, I want to buy some items..."

"Of course..."

"Hey, is it okay to call you Aki Tsukazaki?"

"Huh?"

Aki Tsukazaki, who had no way of knowing such things, was talking to the NPC who mainly sells items for ninjas in the guild. However, after intense eye contact, a female player, chosen for being easier to approach, hesitantly called out to her.

"If you don't mind, can you tell me what happened in there..."

"Ah... well, um..."

The surrounding players gave off a "I knew it" vibe at her hesitant response. But after some thought, Aki Tsukazaki concluded, "Sanraku also revealed information about a vengeful profession, so it should be fine," and opened her mouth.

"Well, I changed to a hidden upper-level job... called 'Dragon Ninja'!"

"Can you tell me more about it!?"

"I want to know too!"

Though her fox mask hid her expression, her voice betrayed no secrecy. The players gathered, eager to hear the secret. However, Aki Tsukazaki was not entirely sure what conditions led to discovering the hidden job.

Thus, Aki Tsukazaki returned to the new continent much later than planned...

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"You're late!"

"Sorry, Mr. Novalrindo!!"

"Indeed... be grateful for my magnanimity!!"

"But, Mr. Novalrindo, aren't you... being pampered?"

"Hmph, with my greatness, it's only natural!!"

Well, it might be more like pampering a dog or a cat... Aki Tsukazaki thought, looking at the large black dragon, the size of a large dog, sprawled out in the "Black Dragon Room" created inside Skull Azuchi Castle. Even though not much time had passed since the Dragon Disaster War, the once hostile Novalrindo was now being fed by Ria, who seemed to have forgotten the past hostility, and the "ally" built to defeat Novalrindo was becoming a mascot for Skull Azuchi. Aki Tsukazaki couldn't help but have some thoughts...

"I'm glad Mr. Novalrindo is accepted!!"

"......Hmph"

That's one thing, this is another. Showing genuine happiness at Novalrindo being accepted by the players, Novalrindo turned away with a somewhat embarrassed look.

"Anyway, Aki Tsukazaki, have you finished your business? Lying around like this will make me dull, let's go hunting!!"

"Should we go to Leviathan?"

"Ridiculous, a fish with a metal body is no good for food. I will show my return to the remaining subordinates in my territory."

Novalrindo's quick acceptance had a few reasons. The Dragon Disaster War introduced new species, and most importantly, the ultra-ultra-ultra-giant spaceship "Leviathan" that surfaced in the ocean. After the event, there was no time to fuss over an NPC who had finished their role.

"Are we going back to the swamp?"

"......Hmph, the comfort here is not bad. It's just a visit."

"I see, a home visit! Let's go!!"

Also, during the harsh journey, Aki Tsukazaki could test her new power, "Dragon Ninja." Without much objection, she decided to head to the swamp where they first met.

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Basically, "Ninja Techniques" are learned by deciphering scrolls, which are equivalent to spellbooks. The conditions for learning are often based on the player's MP and other stats. For example...

What happens when Aki Tsukazaki, who currently has the highest level and stats, reads a scroll for a hidden upper-level job?

"Blade Concealment Dragon Scroll! [Dragon Scale Arm]!!"

A loud sound echoed as a small dinosaur's mouth bit into Aki Tsukazaki's bare arm. The "hardness" was so extreme that the small dinosaur screamed and released its teeth. A scale-like aura enveloped Aki Tsukazaki's arm.

"Blade Concealment Dragon Scroll! [Dragon Qi Yang]!!"

Wind swirled around Aki Tsukazaki, who formed a seal, and a black aura like ink emanated from her body, drawing a similar effect from her short sword.

"Aki Tsukazaki! A big one is coming!"

"It's a Triceratops, I forgot the name!"

It was a Drakulus Dinokeiras, a monster that resembles a thoroughbred horse but has a sturdy deer body and a ceratopsian head. Its charge is powerful, and in the dense forest, it moves irregularly, making it a formidable enemy. But Aki Tsukazaki's hidden face smiled.

"Mr. Novalrindo! Are you... excited!?"

"Excited? What's that! I don't know! But my fighting spirit is full!"

"Then let's do it! I want to try something too!!"

Novalrindo couldn't see Aki Tsukazaki's expression, but as an NPC, he could easily judge her emotions from her voice and demeanor.

"Agreed!!"

"Blade Concealment... Ultimate Technique! [Super Transformation]!!"

A strong wind swept through the forest, and Aki Tsukazaki's body was enveloped in light. Her outfit burst, and Novalrindo was absorbed into her. In the black tornado that swept through the forest, the dragon and human merged through magic...

"Alright!! Let's go, Mr. Novalrindo!"

"Show this creature our power!!"

From the outside, it looked like a one-person play that might make one question their sanity, but the dragon-demon hybrid burst out of the tornado, flying through the forest.

The Drakulus Dinokeiras, undeterred by the strong presence, charged forward. Its charge, which barely slowed down, was a significant advantage in the forest... or so it seemed.

"It's a decoy!"

The fatal secret technique [Utsuro Umi Kagami]—before the Dinokeiras realized it was attacking a decoy, Aki Tsukazaki, who was flying in the air, moved.

"Blade Concealment Dragon Scroll... [Wings for the Dragon]! And!!"

Using a technique that clearly required wings, Aki Tsukazaki performed a "flight" fundamentally different from a Hermes Boot-like jump, closing in on the grounded ceratopsian and lifting it high into the air.

"Blade Concealment Dragon Scroll... Ultimate Technique!!!"

Holding the Drakulus Dinokeiras and twisting it in the air, Aki Tsukazaki directed its head and her own body toward the ground. With a powerful flap of the dragon's wings, the two bodies spiraled down like a drill...

"[Dragon Strike Cone]!!!"

Like a drill, the Drakulus Dinokeiras was slammed into the ground.

But it wasn't over yet.

"I can still do more... I can still chain it!!"

Was it the desire of an athlete or a gamer? After using the ultimate technique, Aki Tsukazaki's body moved on its own to achieve a combo.

After completing the [Dragon Strike Cone], she distanced herself from the Dinokeiras, twisted her body in the air, and landed facing the still-living Dinokeiras. Aki Tsukazaki, who had put away her rabbit flower [Sakura], activated her wings and flew low to the ground.

"Fatal Ninja Technique... [Full Bloom Flash]!!!"

Black effects and cherry blossoms danced. The blade's trajectory, moving in a straight line, hit the chest of the Drakulus Dinokeiras, piercing its heart. The Dinokeiras, even in its "late dragonification," could not withstand the barrage of attacks and collapsed.

The other Drakulus Dinokeiras they had been fighting had already scattered and fled. The ceratopsian lay on the ground, and there was no third party to witness who the strongest in this place was.

But still...

"Our victory!!"

The dragon-demon hybrid, still in the momentum of the charge, flew through the forest and landed on a tall tree.

The strongest in this place, only one person and one being knew.

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By the way.

"How useful, Dragon Ninja Aki Tsukazaki..."

"Ahaha, well... I memorized everything, but what should I do..."

"!?" x 7

Almost no one knew that a new "Dragon Ninja" was born and a new "Dragon Ninja Saint" was created before the next morning. At the request of the person involved, it will remain anonymous, but I received fan art. While I generally do ego searches, I never expected to receive a direct gift... I felt like a mob killed by a ninja. I was so happy that new ninja-related settings sprouted, and I don't know what to do (but I'll figure it out).

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The Star Ninjas

There are seven of them, each with a name corresponding to a unique monster, and their genders, ages, and other details are shrouded in mystery. Why they possess knowledge about unique monsters is unknown, as players are still too ignorant... or rather, Aki Tsukazaki and Sanraku are close to uncovering the secrets of the Star Ninjas, but the key figure is too strong, so it remains unknown. They are NPCs involved in the hidden job "○ Ninja" for excellent ninjas who have a close relationship with the seven strongest species, different from the usual upper-level job "Jounin." Their true identities are supposed to remain a mystery... but Aki Tsukazaki quickly read the entire Dragon Scroll, leading to the immediate face reveal of the Star Ninja "Dragon Teigyo." Teigyo had a look of utter disbelief.

A somewhat related but possibly unrelated story: the author likes ninja characters like Dorge Yukimura. They are not the main character, but without them, there would be no happy ending, and that's the charm of a supporting character...

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And a bit of real talk

The illustration I received is not free material. Due to the request for anonymity, I cannot reveal the name, and I do not have the copyright, so I must decline all commercial use requests. Therefore, if I am asked for permission to use it, I can only say no.

If it were used without permission, I would be so upset that I would stop updating and show off my ninja-killing skills honed in the Sengoku period.