The group set out again on their journey to the capital.
Linto rode his horse, holding Hiruko's memory disc.
He hadn't expected Hiruko to be friends with Jiraiya and Tsunade, nor did he expect this unlucky newcomer to the Akatsuki organization to possess the "Kibaku N Shu" (Ghost Sprout Technique), an utterly unreasonable fusion Ninjutsu.
Although it looked easy for Linto to deal with Hiruko, his Nether Release which could absorb Chakra and Ninjutsu, was essentially a hard counter to ninjas.
On the other hand, warriors like samurai or Linto, who used Ripple energy, found it easier to handle him.
"...He wanted to join the Akatsuki organization and use its members as pawns against me, all to take advantage of the chaos and steal my body."
Linto glanced back at Hiruko, who was lying in the carriage.
Whether Hiruko was capable of fighting or not, Linto couldn't say for sure.
But if he truly had the means to manipulate the cunning members of the Akatsuki organization, he wouldn't have been "keenly observed" and kicked out of Konoha village by the Third Hokage back then.
Since Hiruko wanted to "eat" Linto, Linto naturally wouldn't be polite to him.
Linto had originally planned to extract the disc, kill the man, and bury the body. However, after reviewing his memories, he found that Hiruko had already fused the bloodline limits of four people, and with just one more, he would achieve "immortality."
Linto decided he wanted to help Hiruko out.
After the Land of Wind and the Daimyo finished their negotiations, he'd send Hiruko back to the research institute to help him fuse the fifth bloodline limit and see how his immortality differed from Hidan's undying nature.
Perhaps in some time…
"Mass-produced, combat-type Hiruko."
"Mass-produced, reconnaissance-type Hidan."
Linto shook his head; the specifics would ultimately be up to the experts at the research institute to decide.
He opened the system interface for the first time in a while.
Last time, after wiping out Shinno and the Sky Ninja army, he had obtained 3400 fragments.
With the Awakening Tide expanding, his scattered income during this period was 780 fragments.
This time, defeating Deidara, defeating Obito, and capturing Hiruko yielded a total of 3100 soul fragments, which was a bit less than Linto's estimate. The main reason for this shortfall was Deidara—
Linto had never fought Deidara head-on. In the end, Deidara self-destructed, and Linto only received 900 soul fragments.
Although he had won in the end, this battle served as a wake-up call for Linto.
"I mustn't underestimate the heroes of this world."
Linto sighed softly.
Hollowification and clay bombs, if either were taken individually, Linto could easily deal with them.
But when combined with their coordination, coupled with their knowledge of Linto's abilities, they could suppress him.
"If it weren't for the broken Dragon Vein here today, I might have had to escape with everyone."
Escaping meant not finding a solution.
It meant Linto would be forced from an offensive to a defensive position.
Now that the Awakening Tide was spreading across the ninja world, workers in various regions were contemplating a new future under immense work pressure. It was an extremely difficult path, and Linto's existence was their backbone.
If Linto were to fail or escape, this backbone would waver.
Looking at the 7280 soul fragments on the system interface, Linto had originally planned to save them to draw a six-star Stand when he got the next dimensional-stepping star core. However…
He looked down at his petrified legs and left arm.
This petrification couldn't be solved by simply cutting off the limbs and regenerating. Linto could only dissolve it bit by bit with Ripple energy.
His combat ability would be reduced during this period.
Thinking about his upcoming trip to Wash City, Linto decided to draw a new Stand to expand his ability pool.
He took a deep breath.
"With over 7000 fragments, I'll do 700 draws. Today's goal is to draw a Stand that can serve as a trump card."
"Then… let's begin."
Clatter—
The sound of countless coins falling echoed in his ears.
Ten draws… twenty draws… thirty draws…
At 140 draws, there were still only scattered experience packs.
Linto licked his dry lips. The word "fuck" was on the tip of his tongue, but he managed to suppress it.
150 draws!
His vision darkened, and stars fell from the sky.
Here it comes!
Linto held his breath, listening intently.
Ding ding ding ding!
It's a four-star.
Linto's heart sank halfway. He quickly comforted himself, thinking that he was already strong enough in all aspects. He didn't necessarily need a five-star or six-star Stand that was omnipotent. If a four-star Stand had a suitable ability, it could be of great help.
The starlight condensed into an ugly little creature about half a meter tall, with an earth-yellow body, a large head, and a short torso.
Stand Name: Cheap Trick.
Four-star.
Owner: Otsu Masa Three
Ability: The Stand will attach itself to the host's back. The host must hide their back; once observed by another person, a fatal attack that pierces the back will be triggered, and then the Stand will transfer to the new person who saw the back.
Current Level: Level 1
Note: "Hey friend~ Wanna a free Stand?"
Linto really wanted to grab Obito and beat him up again to vent his inner rage.
After 150 draws, all he got was this piece of junk?!
Give me back my hard-earned money!
Linto was so angry that his Sharingan was about to activate.
He took a deep breath to calm his emotions. Pretending he hadn't drawn anything and was about to throw more soul fragments into the draw, Linto suddenly froze.
Wait… hold on?
Linto stared at the introduction to Cheap Trick.
"A fatal attack that pierces the back… Can this attack be fatal to me?"
With Linto's current regenerative ability, even if his heart, liver, spleen, and lungs were simultaneously pierced, he wouldn't die. It would only take him a little time to recover naturally.
"Does that mean I can summon Cheap Trick and actively let enemies see my back?"
"Then Cheap Trick will jump over and attach itself to the enemy's back."
"I won't die if my heart is pierced, but others will.
Even if the enemy has means of recovery or is physically strong, they likely won't recover as quickly as me. So, in essence… I've gained initiative!"
Linto imagined it.
In future battles with enemies, he'd first release Cheap Trick. Once the enemy was stabbed through the heart and still not dead, he'd follow up with a time-stop headshot or heart-piercing attack.
Even from another perspective, once Cheap Trick transfers its host, that person would essentially become a Stand user, and Cheap Trick would be their Stand, a part of them.
"Does that mean its attack…"
"Can ignore Hollowification?"
After all, Hollowification is external. For Obito, he could still touch his own body.
Cheap Trick, which Obito "possessed," could naturally touch him.
Drawing a suitable Stand right at the start made Linto feel like his "good luck" had arrived.
He continued drawing.
160… 200… 230…
His vision darkened again.
After the four-star Stand drawn at 150 draws, the next one should be a five-star Stand. Although he had experienced it many times, he still subconsciously clenched his fist at this moment, waiting quietly.
Ding ding ding ding ding!
Five pleasant chimes, and five shining stars appeared.
When Linto saw the appearance of the new Stand, his smile gradually faded, replaced by…
Seriousness.
Before him stood a Stand that was entirely green, with crimson eyes, and a robust, humanoid physique.
"It's actually this one."
Linto's expression was complex.
Stand Name: Youthful Years
Five-star.
Owner: Shot Rate
Ability: Can release mold. Any creature within the ability's range that moves from a higher position to a lower position than its own body will be invaded by mold, causing physical destruction.
The mold can spread rapidly but is ineffective on corpses.
Current Level: Level 1
Note: "YOSHI YOSHI YOSHI YOSHI YOSHI YOSHI!"