Chapter 439: Rai Pi Snake: I'm the Champion and You Don't Choose Me?
"So weak—is this what the players of Reincarnation Game amount to?"
The Saint Lord hunched over, his clawed finger hovering just inches from the forehead of the bespectacled, seemingly meek Aizen.
His tone was filled with disdain.
To be honest, at the beginning, he had been somewhat awed—mystical game world, tools capable of undoing Lü Dongbin's seal...
But by the end of the newcomer trial, he had begun to understand the truth.
The so-called game master was merely using them as expendable soldiers to fight off enemies.
And the terrifying creature [Long-Legged Lotus], which even he—the demon sorcerer who had once ruled the world—felt a crushing pressure from, was the real threat.
"Holy power, frost, fire?"
His gaze swept over the top players in Moonlight Tavern, sensing auras equivalent to his own.
As he suspected.
Just a group of fools bewitched by the so-called game. If the game master could handle [Long-Legged Lotus], why need players like them at all?
Hesitant cowards relying on tricks.
It reminded the Saint Lord of his most hated foe—Jackie Chan.
Of course, any player who overheard the Saint Lord's thoughts would find them laughable.
[Long-Legged Lotus]? Just one of many terrifying pollution monsters the game master had casually thrown into a trial.
Terrifying? Sure. But not unprecedented.
Especially for Tsunade, who had heard Jiraiya recount his revival from the River of the Dead and the open-ended mission to save or destroy a world—she now had a far deeper understanding of the game master's power.
Aizen kept his smile. "I don't mind, but standing this close to a stranger is dangerous."
He had no intention of fighting the Saint Lord.
His plans were nearing completion. The passage between Hueco Mundo and Konoha was nearly finished. No need to reveal his strength now.
After all, right now, he was just the mild-mannered Konoha shinobi "Moonlight." A [Tier-2] elite at best.
"No matter what, as long as I can become a true dragon, I'll sacrifice the entire aquatic world if I must!"
Rai Pi Snake hissed, thrashing his now-scale-sprouting tail in excitement.
He looked around, confused.
He was the first place winner of the newcomer trial—so why were all these veteran players looking at that black-haired human boy?
Mei Terumi ignored the brutish-looking Saint Lord and turned instead to Ying Zheng. "I'm the one who bet on you. While the game doesn't require newcomers to accept recruitment, the Hidden Mist is prepared to offer its utmost sincerity to invite you to join us."
Even though the demon Saint Lord had formidable power akin to a [Tier-2] boss-level player,
he clearly wasn't easy to work with—not even human, a demonic lifeform full of contempt for mankind.
Ying Zheng, with his terrifying potential, was the true prize.
"Recruitment… betting?"
Ying Zheng's dark eyes revealed no emotion, only turning those words over in his mind.
Lü Buwei had brought him back to Qin at great cost—he had bet on him.
But Lü Buwei's bet was because he viewed Ying Zheng as a rare commodity, valuable for the Qin state behind him.
So why had Mei Terumi bet on him?
He pondered deeply and did not immediately respond. His calm far exceeded others his age—or anyone in his entire Warring States world.
"I am Admiral Akainu of the Marine Alliance."
Akainu interrupted Mei's pitch and declared firmly, "You've only just become a player and don't understand what the Marine Alliance represents. We are the strongest force in the entire Reincarnation Game. Join me, and we will pour every resource into cultivating you."
There was no way he was letting another faction steal this promising candidate.
Shanks and Aokiji, on the other hand, were much calmer.
They simply explained the ideals of the Adventurer's Guild and then waited patiently for the boy to make his decision.
After all, adventurers weren't a typical combat organization—they were a coalition seeking like-minded allies.
No point forcing someone.
"Where is that righteous knight? Wasn't he transported to the tavern?"
Aokiji, after exchanging a glance with Shanks, left the tavern to go find the man in the new player plaza.
Though he had exceptional courage and moral conviction,
Unlicensed Knight's power couldn't compare to the monsters like Saint Lord, Ying Zheng, or Levi.
Those brought to the tavern had been picked by the major factions.
It was also an opportunity—for both sides.
For a new player, being nurtured by a major faction would be a much smoother path than struggling alone.
But not every new player got the privilege of being summoned to the tavern to negotiate.
"What about me?"
Rai Pi Snake was feeling overlooked.
Wasn't he the champion on the leaderboard?
Why was everyone pretending he didn't exist?
"Pops, should we recruit Rai Pi Snake?"
Marco looked at Whitebeard, but the old man shook his head. "He's strong, but I don't like him."
Like Shanks,
Whitebeard recruited players based on familial resonance.
He'd picked Rengoku from Demon Slayer even though the boy was weak at the time, simply because he felt like family.
Rai Pi Snake?
His evil stench was too thick—Whitebeard had no interest.
But Levi, who silently stared down all the offers, matched Whitebeard's taste perfectly.
Tsunade also rejected Rai Pi Snake. "Sorry, you're not a fit for the Konoha Task Force."
The game master had said before—power was neutral, but intent was not.
Konoha had players with poison abilities too.
But Rai Pi Snake reeked of corruption from his soul outwards.
He reminded everyone far too much of Orochimaru.
So, Konoha wouldn't even consider it.
"You're not afraid of death?"
Rai Pi Snake, scales raised in fury, dripped lethal venom from his hide.
He was a future dragon—how dare they insult him like this?
"Wanna fight?"
Whitebeard raised an eyebrow.
He wasn't the least bit intimidated. His famed weapon, Cloud Cutter, embedded with a [Gold Gem of Strength] and upgraded to the game's current max, appeared in his hand.
Boom.
Its sheer weight cracked the tavern floor like a meteor strike.
The blue aura it gave off indicated it had reached the rare "blue afterimage" enhancement tier.
"Blue afterimage?"
Even Aizen's eyes lit up. "That only happens when a weapon reaches +15 enhancement. You must cherish your blade deeply, Whitebeard."
Upgrading weapons to that level took immense resources.
Even Onoki of the Stone Village had aged visibly from all his attempts.
Only a handful of sword fanatics in the entire game had reached this level.
"Of course I do. Cloud Cutter's been with me from the start. I'd never abandon it, no matter how many fancy new weapons I find."
Whitebeard laughed and swung the blade,
the wind pressure alone halting Rai Pi Snake's venom in midair.
"Family, huh…"
Aizen's ever-courteous smile finally wavered, replaced by something genuine.
He was always fascinated by the spirit of life—and here was a man who called his blade family.
Plus, that earlier flattery had been deliberate—he knew it would provoke Rai Pi Snake's pride.
And sure enough…
Rai Pi Snake's cold eyes narrowed. "A fight? I'll eat you!"
"Fine! Let's have a good old pirate-style duel!"
[Whitebeard has issued a duel challenge to Rai Pi Snake. Challenge accepted. Battle begins!]
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