Itachi, now fully recovered, ignored Kisame's comment and scanned the surrounding devils. It was clear that if a fight broke out, they would lose. While he could escape using the teleportation ability granted by the system to any ninja village, there was a big "if" attached. Just like in battle, where he couldn't purchase anything from the shop, he also couldn't teleport during a fight. The situation was grim, but what had captured his full attention were the shock points displayed before him on the system interface.
His eyes widened as the numbers flickered, showing a total of more than 130 million shock points earned from the fight. Yet, it still wasn't enough. A plan started forming in his mind. As he looked at Lord Phenex, a thought struck him: He is my cash cow—or rather, my cash bird.
----
"Lord Phenex," Itachi began, his voice cold but respectful, "I've won." He was in no mood for pleasantries. The fight had drained him mentally, and despite the massive rewards from the battle, there was still something more he sought.
Lord Phenex, his golden eyes dim. He stood tall and dignified. He glanced at Itachi with the expression of a leader.
"Itachi Uchiha... I accept my defeat, and as promised, you shall receive your reward." His tone was calm, though tinged with sorrow, as if the defeat weighed heavily on him.
Lady Phenex, who had been holding her husband with tears in her eyes, looked over at Itachi with a complicated gaze. This young boy, no older than sixteen, had defeated her husband—one of the top ten strongest in the Underworld.
"I do not have much to offer you, Itachi," he began, "but for now, I can give you 30 bottles of Phenex Tears. It is the least I can do for someone who has shown such strength."
Lord Phenex bowed and continued, "I know the agreement was for 100 Phenex Tears, but we cannot give all of them to you and we really don't have it."
Seeing one of the heads of a Pillar Devil Clan bow to a human sent shockwaves through the devils present.
Seeing his father in such a state, Riser could no longer hold back. He forgot his dignity and knelt in front of his father.
"Father, I am sorry! Riser will never do such a thing again. Forgive me, Father!"
Lord Phenex ignored his child, unsure of what he might do if he started speaking to him. Instead, he took out 30 Phenex Tears from his storage space, and they began to float in the air.
Itachi's eyes darted to the bottles. Phenex Tears were a powerful resource, capable of restoring energy and healing even the gravest injuries. But Itachi's mind was elsewhere, focused on the greater reward. He had fought not just for survival but to gain shock points and there are more powerful things in the shop than phenex tears.
Phenex Tears were incredibly important in the Underworld and the supernatural world in general. Refusing such a reward would be unthinkable. For a moment, there was silence.
The Devil Kings, observing the exchange from a distance, stepped forward. Their presence was intimidating, each exuding immense power. Riser, still kneeling before his father, repeated his earlier plea, his voice cracking with emotion.
"Father, please forgive me," he sobbed, his tears flowing freely. "I promise never to act so foolishly again. I was wrong to challenge him. Please, forgive me."
Lord Phenex did not respond at first. His gaze, cold and filled with disappointment, bore into his son. He had hoped Riser would grow up one day, but the young devil's actions had endangered their family and brought shame upon their name.
Itachi coughed, drawing everyone's attention to him. Despite the immense rewards from the battle, he knew shock points were more important.
"I don't need your Phenex Tears," Itachi said flatly, surprising everyone. His eyes locked onto Lord Phenex's. "You should keep them. But the reward is not just for me. Half of the spoils belong to Kisame."
Kisame, standing by Itachi's side, simply nodded, his usual smirk playing on his lips. "Itachi's right. We both fought. But if he doesn't want reward, I don't need it either."
The entire clearing fell silent. The Devil Kings, including Lord Phenex, Zekram Bael, and Grayfia, stared at the pair in shock.
They had assumed Itachi was fighting purely for personal gain. Now they interpreted his refusal as fear— he might have thought they might kill him, which, to some extent, was true. But they hadn't anticipated him refusing the entire reward. All noble devil started to laugh except some.
The laughter was broken by Lord Phenex, who slowly nodded in understanding that Itachi was afraid to take reward. "I did not expect such nobility from you, Itachi Uchiha. Your actions have shown me that your strength lies not only in battle but also in your honor."
"But I must insist—you should take these Phenex Tears as a reward," Lord Phenex said.
Before the moment could continue, a new presence filled the air. Laughter echoed from all directions, and the entire clearing froze as hundreds of white, human-like figures appeared, surrounding them. The devils' eyes widened in disbelief. As they did not think. they were surrounded.
"Do you think your limited strength can harm Itachi and Kisame?" a voice rang out from one of the figures.
The humanoid figures were white, with shark-like teeth.
"We are the White Zetsu. You cannot even sense us, and yet you think you can intimidate Itachi and Kisame. Who were limiting there power in whole fight."
Itachi, who had been controlling the White Zetsu, knew this to be partially true. Only those with spacial abilities could sense White Zetsu. Furthermore, these particular Zetsu were summoned by the system, making them undetectable even to beings as powerful as Sirzechs or Ajuka.
The devils, unable to detect the White Zetsu, now encircling them completely, remained wary. Itachi ignore the white zetau.
He turned to Lord Phenex. "Take the 30 Phenex Tears. I don't need them anymore. The only reason I agree for this fight was to teach Riser a lesson. As for our future relationship... consider this a token of goodwill."
The devils stared at Itachi, unsure how to respond. They had just witnessed something that few could comprehend—a fight that tested not only their power but also reshaped their understanding of Itachi and Kisame's strength.
The White Zetsu stepped forward. "Pain has ordered us to take five Phenex Tears—four for the organization and one for you, Itachi. He hopes it will cure your disease."
The devils' eyes widened. What disease could this seemingly healthy man have?
"I don't need them," Itachi said, shocking everyone. Why would he refuse a chance to cure himself? Was the disease too strong for the Phenex Tears, or was there another reason?
Ajuka scrutinized Itachi's eyes. He already knew they were not Sacred Gears but rather a bloodline ability. Such power couldn't have come from nowhere. There was only one possibility—it might be the result of an experiment, perhaps by the Church, the Old Satan Faction, or another group.
Ajuka smiled to himself. If devils offer him proper benefits, they might reincarnate him. If he marries a high-class devil from a noble family, there's a high chance his bloodline could pass on. With training and demonic power, Itachi might even reach Devil King class.