While waiting for dinner, Jordan reclined on a deck chair on the balcony, sunglasses reflecting the storm.
It looked like a beach vacation setup. The reality visible through the balcony railing was a dark, deserted wasteland being hammered by torrential rain.
The deafening thunder and downpour made the abandoned district seem even more silent. Ordinary people who accidentally wandered into this area often felt like something malevolent was watching them. A chill would crawl down their spine after only a few steps.
That creepy feeling wasn't an illusion. Whatever caused it usually disappeared into the city's darkness before anyone got a good look.
After all, this was the Monster Association's headquarters.
Only Saitama could live here without caring at all.
Saitama: I didn't want to live here either, but the apartments have free utilities and no rent!
"How much longer, Saitama?"
Jordan called toward the kitchen. Through the clattering and banging, Saitama's strained voice emerged: "Almost done! You bought way too many ingredients, Jordan!"
"Oh?" Jordan pushed up his sunglasses and smirked, adopting the voice of a wealthy patron. "Then I won't buy anything next time."
Saitama shouted an apology. The sounds of frantic chopping from the kitchen grew even louder.
Perhaps this was Saitama's training method.
Seeing that food wouldn't be ready for a while, Jordan remotely controlled the induction cooker to lower the heat setting. No point burning the pot before the ingredients were ready.
Then he made another discovery from his three-month seclusion.
A full stack of blank cards materialized in his palm. About a hundred of them.
Even while traveling to other worlds, the daily Fate Draw accumulation continued on schedule. Three months added up to a considerable number.
F-boy's voice: [Working people, working spirit.]
Jordan: Yeah, yeah. Thanks for your hard work.
Since he was killing time anyway, might as well draw some cards.
The drop rate for Fate Draw was pretty mediocre, and Jordan didn't lack basic attribute boosts at the moment.
If he exchanged blank cards for gacha materials targeting the fourth ability... he had just enough for a ten-pull.
Jordan released his grip. F-boy took control of the cards, spiritual flames blazing. The stack's thickness decreased instantly. The remaining ten cards looked plated in dazzling gold, exceptionally radiant and eye-catching.
"With ten cards, how about we make a bet?"
Jordan snapped his fingers. His kindred spirit F-boy appeared.
What is it? Make it quick.
The snap instantly transformed into a middle finger. "We talked about this last time. Devil Fruit abilities manifest as ability cards, right? If I draw different fruit abilities and then eat an actual Devil Fruit, would I explode instantly?"
The handsome avatar remained silent for a moment before offering an explanation.
[Devil Fruits that manifest through Stand abilities are unique, just like the originals. A person can only consume one. Extracted Devil Fruit abilities can coexist with the original, but may not be complete.]
"Hmm. Bit convoluted, but I get the general idea." Jordan rubbed his temples. "In other words, choosing to draw an item card is gambling on getting a complete Devil Fruit, while choosing to draw ability cards might only get you a single fruit ability or characteristic. Not much different from drawing other skills."
"So, the choice this time is..."
Fantasy Cards, activate fourth ability: Divine Draw!
[Leaf Whirlwind (N)]
Type: Ability • Rarity: N
A taijutsu technique developed by Might Guy. Attack enemies at high speed with spinning kick.
[Konoha Gale (N)]
Type: Ability • Rarity: N
A taijutsu technique developed by Might Guy. High-speed low kick targeting opponent's lower body.
[Konoha Great Whirlwind (N)]
Type: Ability • Rarity: N
A taijutsu developed by Might Guy. Advanced version of Leaf Whirlwind with larger attack range.
[Spiral Flash Super Rotation Dance Howl Style Three (N)]
Type: Ability • Rarity: N
Exclusive technique developed by Minato Namikaze combining Flying Thunder God with flash bombs. Creates blinding yellow electric light to obstruct opponent's vision. Serves as feint or close-range attack. Can substitute other movement abilities if Flying Thunder God is not mastered.
[Earth Release: Mud Wall (R)]
Type: Ability • Rarity: R
B-rank Earth Release ninjutsu. Creates one or more earthen walls adorned with dog-head statues to protect user or targets. Can create barriers to surround opponents. Highly effective against Water Release techniques.
[Mystical Palm Technique (SR)]
Type: Ability • Rarity: SR
A-rank medical ninjutsu developed by Tsunade. Uses chakra to heal internal and external injuries. Chakra outputs from palms to enhance wound healing or treat diseases. Excessive chakra output disrupts patient's circulatory system, causing unconsciousness.
[Four Symbols Seal (R)]
Type: Ability • Rarity: R
Sealing technique of the Uzumaki clan. Powerful sealing technique using the cycle of four symbols. Leaves seal mark on human body or object, completely sealing powerful enemies or chakra within selected target for extended periods.
[Hokage-Style Elder Technique: Kakuan's Tenth Edict on Enlightenment (SR)]
Type: Ability • Rarity: SR
Technique used by Hashirama Senju to suppress Tailed Beast chakra. Has sealing and hypnotic effects. Character for "seat" appears on user's palm, chakra is injected. If Wood Release is mastered, creates wooden cuboid to further suppress targets.
[Earth Release: Weighted Rock Technique (SR)]
Type: Ability • Rarity: SR
A-rank Earth Release ninjutsu used by Tsuchikage lineage. Creates heavy rocks or petrifies enemies. Can increase weight of user or ally to enhance attack power.
[Water Release: Great Waterfall Technique (R)]
Type: Ability • Rarity: R
A-rank Water Release ninjutsu. Creates powerful surge of water resembling large waterfall to impact opponent.
Jordan had ultimately decided to expand his existing skill set within the Naruto world pool.
Whether bloodline limits, secret techniques, or basic ninjutsu, Jordan could accept them all. After all, learning from others' strengths with a certain foundation made developing the five elemental ninjutsu himself relatively straightforward.
However, the opening three-hit combo of Might Guy's N-rank taijutsu made him dizzy. Then that troublesome Minato technique with the ridiculously long name showed up, nearly making Jordan spit blood.
What the hell is this garbage?!
Fortunately, after wasting four pulls, the quality gradually returned to normal. A bit disappointing that no SSR appeared, but starting from Mystical Palm Technique, Jordan felt the ten-pull had been worth the investment.
The value of top-tier medical ninjutsu was self-evident. The Uzumaki clan's Four Symbols Seal that came afterward, the First Hokage's Tailed Beast head-patting technique, and the Tsuchikage's Weighted Rock Technique were all highly practical skills.
Compared to ordinary ninjutsu achievable through simple hand claps, what Jordan lacked were various functional abilities.
Setting everything else aside, at least for the future he'd gained one more alias to use when traveling the world.
As a doctor, it's perfectly normal for me to know a bit of combat, right?
"Jordan, dinner's ready!"
Saitama's voice called from inside.
Jordan immediately took off his sunglasses and tossed them onto the recliner.
"Oh ho, here it comes!"