Hug the sand, not me

AN: Beware, Info dump incoming! The shop descriptions are mostly copy-paste, because I find that they're up to standard. This is not a premium novel, so suck it up and leave me alone.

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An unknown amount of time later, I woke up with a massive headache. Looking up, I noticed an unfamiliar ceiling.

"Where am… I?"

Suddenly, the System's tune played in my head.

[System Notification]

[Congratulations, Host has reached level 11.]

[Awarding 50 points.]

[Do you wish to open the shop?]

Surprised, I accepted and the shop's interface appeared before me, jogging my memory and making me remember.

Scenes of the battle started to flow through my mind, and I couldn't help but sigh in relief. I really got lucky this time.

The system was the one that stopped Shukaku, saving me. I don't know how happened, but it seems that this thing isn't as simple as I originally thought it was…

Although I'd like to know where I currently am, that can wait. The shop's rare openings take priority no matter the circumstances! It's a law I live by.

Over the years, I have learned quite a bunch of techniques, but along the way, I decided to focus on a few good ones. Right now these are the things I'm good at:

-Magnetic control. (Kekkei-Genkai)

-Fūton. (Wind Style)

-Doton. (Earth Style)

-Taijutsu.

-Fūinjutsu.

-Genjutsu.

(List is ordered from most to least proficient, ignoring the basics such as substitution.)

Of course, what I'm best at is using my sand… I usually combine it with wind style or earth style depending on the situation; The technique I use the most is definitely Wind-Style: Great Breakthrough.

I didn't waste my time and studied sealing as much as I could. I'm good at chakra control, so I want to become a proficient Sealing Jutsu user. I should also mention that training in this makes me better at control, and that just strengthens my other techniques as well.

My objective right now should be to focus on training my sand control, Fuinjutsu, and Taijutsu. Yes, that sounds about right.

Having cleared my mind of any doubts, I skipped straight to the B-Rank technique section with the hope that a useful technique would be available.

[//Shop//

B-Rank:

-Fūnyū no Jutsu (Enclosing Technique)『90p』

-Genso Mippei-Hō (Elemental Sealing Methods)『100p』

-Doton: Doryūkatsu (Earth Release: Earth-Flow Divide)『120p』

-Keiyaku Fūin (Contract Seal)『150p』

-Fūton: Atsugai (Wind Release: Pressure Damage)『200p』

]

"F*ck!"

I couldn't help but curse. What were those prices? Has the system gone insane? Calm down… Getting angry won't fix anything, instead lets carefully analyze these options.

"Show me the descriptions."

『Fūnyū no Jutsu (Enclosing Technique)

Using this technique, a wide variety of objects and even living things can be stored within scrolls and can be released when the scroll is opened or meets a specific condition. It is also possible to seal Ninjutsu into a scroll, with Ninjutsu of higher rank requiring more chakra and finer control.』

『Genso mippei-hō (Elemental Sealing Methods)

The user first readies a scroll that they've previously inscribed with a special sealing formula, which has a blank space left in its center. They then activate this technique, quickly sucking any nearby Fire, Wind, Water, Lightning or Earth Release into the blank space and sealing it there, signified by the appearance of the kanji for "seal".

Regardless of any special properties that the elements may have, such as those of Amaterasu, they will remain sealed until the user chooses to unseal them. The degree of efficacy depends on the user's proficiency in sealing and chakra control. 』

『Doton: Doryūkatsu (Earth Release: Earth-Flow Divide)

By flowing concentrated chakra from one's palms into the Dragon Veins[1] flowing underground, one can tear the earth apart, creating large chasms. The length, width, direction, and curve of the chasm are shaped and fashioned by the user. Manipulating the Dragon Veins requires fine chakra control, but if one has such skill, they can use this technique to divide the space between the enemy and their own team in two, destroy enemy camps or defenses, and even to attack. 』

『Keiyaku Fūin (Contract Seal)

When the user implements this Fūinjutsu on a summoner, it removes any direct control the summoner has over a summoned creature. Close contact appears to be required for the implementation of the seal.

Though the Contract Seal removes the summoner's ability to control its summon, it does not give the user of the Fūinjutsu the ability to control the summon in turn. Doing this, however, seems to negate the time limit that a controlled summoning creature is in the present place.』

『Fūton: Atsugai (Wind Release: Pressure Damage)

The user molds great amounts of wind chakra and concentrates it at a point, creating a mass of pure destructive potential. This tornado-like mass is compressed until it has a very high density before being released.

The blast can hit a vast range, inflicting massive damage on both the target and their close surroundings. This Jutsu is an advanced and more powerful version of the great breakthrough.』

…

It seems that the heavens are on my side.

These techniques are all incredibly useful to me. Pressure damage? Isn't that the technique that Kakuzu used to destroy an entire forest? It's a shame I don't have the points necessary to buy it…

Well, even if I learned it, the current me would not be able to fulfill its destructive potential. I'd be miles away.

Although terraforming sounds nice, I currently have a decent Earth-Style technique already. I want it to reach its maximum potential first.

That just leaves me with the sealing techniques. From what I have gathered, the elemental sealing methods are stronger when it comes to sealing the elements, obviously. But what I'm more interested in is the Enclosing Technique.

It's a medium-level form of sealing and could be considered at the bottom of B-rank. In my opinion, it's the best option for me here. As I train it, my sealing proficiency will rise and I'll become better and better at chakra control.

It's a win-win situation.

Having decided, I selected the technique and the system's sounds ringed in my head once again.

『 Thank you for shopping with the System. The shop will now close, only to be accessed when the user levels up once again. 』

『 The Manual for the desired technique has been placed in the System's memory function.』

As I was internally rejoicing, the door of the room I was in suddenly opened. It was none other than Shira.

"Gaara! You're awake!"

"Heh, barely."

With tears in his eyes, Shira ran up to me and tried to give me a hug. I reacted quickly and the only thing he caught was sand.

"I thought you were going to die man! Don't give me such a scare!"

Smiling, I shook my head and looked at him with a mysterious expression.

"Who do you think saved you after you passed out?"

"So it really was you."

Interrupting our conversation, Baki entered through the door, accompanied by Kyo. He had a serious look on his face, as if he hadn't slept well in a while.

"Do you mind telling me what happened after we passed out?"