Chapter 09: Mission accomplished

[Previously:]

Author: So, what do you think about the recent events in your life?

Fugaku: Well, it's definitely interesting. I mean, look at me – I'm a badass Shinobi on a secret mission, yet here we are having a conversation.

Author: Yeah, that's true. But what do you think is the purpose of your life?

Fugaku: Hmm, that's a tough one. I suppose it depends on who you ask. Some people might say it's to conquer the world, some might say happiness, some that I should fuck every woman in this world, while others might say it's to improve the world. But you, you will say it is for you to earn an income and stop being a poor sod.

Author: Well, that last one hurt, you bastard! What about you? What do you think?

Fugaku: Honestly, I'm not really sure. I mean, I was sent down here for a specific purpose – to be a HellSpawn in your book – so I guess you could say that my purpose in life is to entertain your readers, and get Souls for Bailed.

Author: That's one way to look at it. But do you ever feel like there's something more to life than just existing to serve a purpose?

Fugaku: Not really. I mean, I'm perfectly content with my existence. Plus, I don't really have much of a choice in the matter – I'm just a bunch of words on a page, after all. But even so I am more awesome than 100% of people in your world.

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Despite the adrenaline still coursing through his veins from the encounter, Fugaku remained alert and vigilant, knowing that he needed to stay focused in order to successfully extract any information that the Ame Shinōbi might possess.

In the heat of the moment when Fugaku killed the two Ame Shinōbi Genin, three lines flashed in his mind. However, due to the urgency of the situation, he didn't have the time to read them.

[Greetings my faithful Hellspawn,

I am pleased to see that your hard work and dedication are paying off. Your success in carrying out my orders has brought us one step closer to our, well actually my, ultimate goal.

I congratulate you for a job well done. You have shed your first blood and your loyalty and commitment to my cause is truly commendable.

With every successful kill, I will gift the life force of your enemies to you, and add it to your Philosopher's Stone. This will slowly give you more power, and make it easier for you to survive.

P.S.: You can use Life Force for regenerating yourself, or by using Alchemy if you keep on working hard I might even be willing to send you the necessary knowledge.

Yours truly,

Bailed the failed god]

[You killed an enemy and earned three points of LifeForce.]

[You killed an enemy and earned three points of LifeForce.]

After reading the messages, Fugaku was surprised to feel a surge of energy flowing into him.

He realized that the life force of the fallen Shinobi was being transferred to him, thanks to the power of his philosopher's stone. He knew that he had been gifted with a unique ability to absorb the life force of his enemies and use it to strengthen himself.

As he sat by the fire, looking at the unconscious Ame Shinobi Chunin, Fugaku couldn't help but wonder how much life force he would gain from each kill.

He speculated whether the amount of energy absorbed would be based on the victim's strength, age, or perhaps some other unknown factor.

Despite the questionable ethics of his actions, Fugaku couldn't deny the benefits he was receiving. His mind was filled with new ideas and possibilities, and his body felt stronger and more resilient than before. He couldn't wait to see what other powers he might unlock with the life force of his enemies. The thought made him feel invincible, and he vowed to continue his path of carnage, conquest, and domination.

As the Ame Shinōbi lay there, seemingly unconscious, Fugaku watched her closely, waiting for any sign of movement. When she finally moved slightly, he quickly grabbed her by the neck and lifted her up, forcing her to stop pretending. Despite her struggles, she was powerless to resist him with her limbs still tied. Fugaku squeezed her neck harder, causing her face to turn red and swell, a sign of the lack of oxygen to her brain. She tried to gasp for air, but it was no use as he kept on choking her.

Fugaku was determined to find out if the Ame Shinōbi had any valuable information that could be of use to him.

The Ame Shinōbi continued to struggle, hoping for a chance to break free. However, Fugaku's grip only grew tighter, making it difficult for her to think clearly. Despite her fear and discomfort, she knew she couldn't give up. She had to find a way to escape and warn her comrades about Fugaku.

As Fugaku continued to squeeze her neck, the Ame Shinōbi's thoughts became more and more clouded. She wondered how much longer she could hold out.

Fugaku's eyes glinted as his 3-Tomoe Sharingan appeared, and his grip on the Ame Shinobi's neck relaxed, causing her body to go limp. With lifeless eyes, she stared at Fugaku, waiting for his next move. "Tell me everything you know about the Suna Shinobi infiltrating the Land of Rain," he demanded, she tried fighting back his mental intrusion.

But it was only some wasted effort on her part, as she eventually succumbed.

The Ame Shinobi, still struggling to catch her breath, managed to respond. "Most of the Suna Shinobi's activities have been concentrated near the Land of Wind. The Iwa Shinobi are currently engaged in battles there. I've heard that only a select few elite Shinobi from Suna have been tasked with hunting down and eliminating targets in other parts of the Land of Rain."

Fugaku's gaze grew colder as he processed the information. It seemed that his suspicions were correct, and the Land of Rain was indeed becoming a battleground for the various factions. With a nod, he released his grip on the Ame Shinobi's neck, allowing her to fall to the ground. "Thank you for your cooperation," he said while still holding unto her neck. The Ame Shinobi lay there, gasping for air and wondering what fate awaited her at the hands of the blood-eyed Uchiha.

Fugaku nodded in response to the Ame Shinobi's information.

It seems the Wind and Earth countries have already begun their fight, adding to the ongoing small-scale skirmishes between the Land of Fire and the Land of Rain. As he considered this, Fugaku's fingers tightened around the Ame Shinobi's neck, causing her to gasp for air again.

In his mind, he remembered the text he had read earlier about gaining Life Force from killing the two Genin, and he wondered how much strength he could gain from killing a Shinobi of higher rank.

The thought excited him, and he squeezed harder on the Ame Shinobi's neck, eager to add more power to himself.

[You killed an enemy and earned thirty points of LifeForce.]

"Fascinating! A tenfold increase in their worth?!" Fugaku exclaimed, his eyes widening with excitement.

The question remains: what is the actual value of a point? And more importantly, how can one translate these points into a measurable form of power?

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