"War really makes everything desolate…"
After preparing everything, Kahn used the system to enter the world of Naruto. However, the landing location was random, and he had to quickly find a trade partner to establish a trading marker within this world without dying.
"Only two days, huh? And after each travel, I have to appear within fifty miles of the marker. But the marker depends on the… trade partner? What a ridiculous rule. I need to find a long-living trade partner fast."
"And this is my only chance. There's no returning after this."
Kahn felt anxious. If he couldn't find a trade partner within two days, he would lose access to this world, and the trading system would reset.
Finding someone willing to trade, and who would also live a long life, within two days was a daunting task. Moreover, once bound to a marker, it would take at least two years to replace it freely.
"This system is such a mess. Couldn't it be simpler? And this damn weather, raining non-stop!"
Luckily, Kahn had prepared a full set of supplies, including an umbrella and raincoat. However, the lack of people made things difficult. He didn't even know where he was. After two hours of trekking through the wilderness, he still hadn't seen a single soul.
If he failed to find someone within the next two days, Kahn would have no choice but to forfeit his access to the Naruto dimension.
Even as a wealthy heir, Kahn was no stranger to physical activity. Apart from practicing shooting, he had also trained in combat and fitness, so several hours of walking didn't bother him. The real problem was the uncertainty of when he might encounter someone and how long it would take to find a suitable trade partner.
"First trade, and I'm already this unlucky? The Pent family worships Tyche, yet she doesn't even spare a blessing for her worshipers family's only heir?"
After walking for another couple of hours, he finally stumbled upon a site resembling the ruins of a building, which at least offered some shelter from the rain.
This rain showed no sign of stopping. Along the way, Kahn saw evidence of warfare, but he had no clue which direction would lead him to safety or a viable trade partner. Kahn decided that if he encountered real danger, he'd abandon this world and retreat to the Marvel dimension without hesitation.
"Is anyone there?"
Holding his firearm, Kahn shouted into the ruins. After carefully observing for a few minutes and deploying a drone to scout, he confirmed there was no one else nearby and decided to rest for a while before continuing.
He needed to recover his energy. If not for the risk of being on a battlefield, Kahn would've treated himself to a steak. For now, he had to make do with chocolate, energy drinks, and jerky.
As he ate, Kahn monitored the surroundings using his drone. Unfortunately, its limited range yielded no useful information.
"Four hours have already passed. Forty-four hours left."
Checking his watch, Kahn suddenly heard a faint sound. He immediately dropped his energy drink, raised his gun, and aimed toward the source of the noise.
"Who's there?"
After shouting, he waited tensely for several seconds, but no one responded. Growing impatient, he fired a few rounds in the direction of the noise, bullets striking the ground and walls with loud bangs.
"I'll say this one more time: if you don't come out, I won't hold back."
"Wait, stop! I'll come out!"
A slightly youthful voice called out from behind a large stone. Moments later, a young boy with orange hair, about ten years old, emerged. His face was full of defiance.
Despite the boy's age, Kahn didn't lower his guard, keeping his gun trained on him. "Are you alone? What are you doing here? I just searched this place, and there was no one. What's your purpose?"
"I-I'm looking for food. I'm a wanderer, and I came here hoping to find something because I was starving," the boy replied nervously.
Kahn scrutinized him. Even though the kid's story sounded plausible, his appearance in the middle of nowhere still seemed suspicious.
"This area is desolate. There isn't a village for miles. You're not being honest, are you, kid?"
Though he remained cautious, Kahn kept his distance, ensuring no one could ambush him. If things turned dangerous, he was prepared to retreat to the Marvel dimension immediately.
Sensing Kahn's hostility, the boy waved his hands frantically. "I'm telling the truth! I came here hoping to find a ninja on the battlefield to take me as their apprentice. I just happened to come here to take shelter from the rain!"
"Looking for a ninja to apprentice under?"
Kahn repeated the boy's words, frowning slightly. He glanced at the orange-haired boy and asked, "What's your name?"
"Yahiko. My name is Yahiko!"
So it was him. That meant this was the time of the Second Great Ninja War, and Yahiko's trio had yet to learn under Jiraiya. If Yahiko claimed to be heading to the battlefield to find a master, this must be the Amegakure Battlefield.
Kahn couldn't help but feel his luck was cursed. However, since it was Yahiko, the immediate threat seemed low, though not entirely absent.
If no one better could be found, marking Nagato or Konan as the trade partner would suffice—they had longer lifespans, unlike Yahiko.
"Call your companions out. These are for you."
Using his bag for cover, Kahn retrieved three pieces of bread and three sausages, tossing them to Yahiko.
Seeing the food, Yahiko's eyes widened. He realized this man already knew about Nagato and Konan. And though he had just pointed a strange weapon at them, Yahiko chose to believe Kahn wasn't a threat.
"Konan, Nagato, come out! There's food! He's a good person!"
Hearing Yahiko's shout, Kahn smirked inwardly. A good person? That's a low bar. He wasn't a philanthropist—he was a businessman, a capitalist.
But if Nagato was nearby, then White Zetsu might also be lurking. Kahn hoped White Zetsu wouldn't consider eliminating an unarmed trader, so for now, his presence should be safe.
After Yahiko called out, two more children in tattered clothes emerged cautiously from behind stones and other cover. They were about thirty meters away. For three kids to survive in a war-torn land with such stealth skills, they were impressive survivors indeed.
-----------------------------------
Sadly, but this is the end of Mass Release,
NOTE: From now on there will be 2 Chapters daily at 4:00 am GMT, So be ready with your PowerStones.
50 PowerStones = 1 Extra Chapter
OR For the price of a single happy meal you can get early access till chapter 25 (20 Chapters of this one) on my patreon.com/AHumanMadeMOFO