(T/N: There is now a p.atreon for this work, and any new work I add will be dropped there first. check it out for an early release of up to 30 chapters edited smoothly. https://www.p.atreon.com/INeedRest)
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Three days later.
Colt left the Demon Country with a solemn expression under Shion's reluctant gaze.
The priestess's ability was truly terrifying.
These past few days, Shion had indeed worked hard training with him...
Colt was afraid that if he didn't leave soon, he wouldn't be able to.
The two also made an agreement that Shion would move to Konoha after the affairs in the Demon Country were settled.
The rest of the Demon Country's matters would be left to Taruho to handle.
Colt realized that every time he took on this kind of mission, strange things would happen.
He had already "kidnapped" the "queens" of two countries.
No, he wouldn't be able to take on missions like this in the future, otherwise, who knows how many more would end up with him at home.
Shaking his head, Colt did not return directly to Konoha, but came to a port in the Land of Fire.
He activated the [Sage Mode] and flew towards the Land of Snow.
The matter with Shion reminded him of Koyuki, whom he hadn't seen in a while.
He decided to take this opportunity to visit the Land of Snow.
"What brings you here?"
Sure enough, Koyuki was very pleasantly surprised after seeing Colt descend from the sky.
"It's been a while, I missed you," Colt said warmly, patting Koyuki's head.
This sentence was quite impactful for a girl who was completely devoted to him.
Koyuki jumped up happily, and even rewarded him well that evening.
Colt stayed in the Land of Snow for another four days, making it a seven-day vacation, before returning to Konoha.
**********
"Colt, you're finally back."
After reporting to Tsunade about the situation in the Demon Country, he happened to meet Jiraiya, who had returned from Mount Myōboku to purchase some ingredients.
"Aren't you helping Naruto train in the Sage Mode?" Colt asked curiously.
Jiraiya smiled awkwardly.
"My Sage Mode is still incomplete so I can't teach him much. After guiding him for a few days, I handed him over to Fukasaku-sama."
Afraid that Colt didn't know who Fukasaku was, he added, "Fukasaku-sama is an elder of Mount Myōboku and is very powerful."
Colt nodded.
Jiraiya's Sage Mode was indeed… average.
Among the several Sage Mode users, Jiraiya needed the support of the two Toad Sages to maintain it, and the changes to his body were quite drastic.
However, for non-prodigies, being able to master the Sage Mode at all was no small feat.
At that, he got his respect.
"I heard from Tsunade that you want to go with me to gather information about the Akatsuki?"
The two sat on a bench as Jiraiya asked seriously.
They still knew too little about the Akatsuki organization, and the three known groups were all terrifying Kage-level powerhouses.
He felt it was still a bit too dangerous for him to go with Colt.
If something happened to the two of them, Konoha would lose half its strength.
After Jiraiya expressed his concerns, Colt gave him an exasperated look.
"You know the danger of the Akatsuki? You were running around alone before, though. No, rather, you were even dragging Naruto along."
Jiraiya coughed weakly, but then objected, "These two situations are different. This time I'm going to Amegakure."
"I suspect that the Akatsuki leader would be there." He added.
"That's why you need my [Flying Thunder God Technique] even more," Colt waved his hand.
"You've been waiting for me for a while after all. It's just that I have some things I need to process, and then we'll set off."
Seeing his firm attitude, Jiraiya had no choice but to sigh and agree.
The two parted ways, and Colt returned home.
"System, exchange for the Gedo Statue for me."
"Ding! Points deducted. Gedo Statue has been redeemed. Please choose the fusion method."
Colt was a little confused.
"What do you mean fusion method?"
"Option 1: Jinchūriki system. The Tailed Beasts Chakra and the Gedo Statue will merge. The Host will become the Ten-Tails Jinchūriki."
"Option 2: Divine Tree system. It will Upgrade the Host's Sage Body and the Host then will embody both the Ten-Tails and Divine Tree."
The cold mechanical voice of the system gave him a general understanding of the situation.
"If I choose the second option, I won't become a monster like the Ten-Tails, will I?" Colt asked tentatively.
The system was thorough in its pre-sales service, immediately providing an explanation.
"Option 1: The Host's life level will remain unchanged. The Side effects of being the Ten-Tails Jinchūriki are raised to the level of an ordinary Ōtsutsuki clan member."
"Option 2: The Host's life level changes. Gains characteristics of the Divine Tree. Future growth system will change to devouring various energies and enhancing the essence of the Divine Tree."
'Hmm... The second option sounds better,'
The system then gave the prices for the two options.
The original price of the first was 30,000 points, while the second was 48,888 - nearly 20,000 more expensive...
That was not an easy number to get.
Colt's head was full of black lines.
Sure enough, was this the legendary upselling?
First, they tell you the most common one, then a high-end version.
When you see the high-end version, the common one would already be despised and considered as shit.
The Divine Tree was an existence that even the Ōtsutsuki clan regarded as a rarity, and its ability to grow was unparalleled.
If he completed the tasks arranged by the system later, he might even obtain the bloodline of the Ōtsutsuki.
With the addition of the two, he estimated there would be no match for him in this entire universe.
And this point the offer was also quite shrewd.
Colt looked at his attribute panel.
Specifically, the comments of the system.
[Comments: Konoha's future Hokage. You are invincible below the Six Paths level, and can go one-on-one against a fighter of that level.]
Well, the evaluation was quite reasonable.
For the Six Paths level powerhouses, the strength of ninjutsu wasn't so important anymore.
That was the essential difference.
The reason Colt could compete with the Six Paths level was that he had a physique and spirit far beyond the limits of ninjas, plus the boost from the Sage Mode.
After all, physical strength was universal no matter where in the world.
"You scheming system, I know you just want to cheat me out of my points!"
Colt cursed but still helplessly spent the points to exchange for the second option.
As the points disappeared, Colt's brain became fuzzy, and his consciousness grew a little groggy.
"Because the process is too harsh, the system will provide a Host protection mechanism worth 1,000 points."
"You scheming system..."
'Sigh'
"Do it!"
Outside the house.
Ichibi, who had been lying in the yard basking in the sun, suddenly perked up, looking towards the direction where Colt was.
Under its perception, the host's body was emitting bursts of powerful natural energy.
"Woof!"
Out of the instinct for biological enhancement, he ran to the door in one jump, his body undulating rhythmically.
When one person attains an improvement, even the chickens and dogs can benefit from it.
With the air of a prodigy, Ichibi also enjoyed the benefits brought by Colt's advancement.