The Game Merchant Who Started from the Ninja World

Chapter 37: Naruto vs. Sasuke

The Drowned Ghost set provided +5 to all attributes and an additional +20 to physical defense.

It was a purely defensive set.

Wearing it, even cadres from the Arlong Pirates would struggle to harm Nami in a short time.

It still wasn't enough to take on Arlong directly, but for the first time, Nami saw hope.

Feeling herself grow stronger through the game, Nami took a deep breath.

"Everyone, I can save you—all I have to do is keep playing this game!"

She had asked the mysterious giant,

and learned that these were just the lowest-tier items. The game shop offered all kinds of skills and tools, and with enough reward points, defeating Arlong would be no problem.

In just half a day, she had gone from a thief barely stronger than a regular human to someone capable of fighting Arlong's top men. That was proof enough.

Meanwhile,

Uchiha Sasuke stood proudly in the center of the trial ground.

He had spared no cost in deaths and revivals, hunting Wraiths with reckless abandon until he reached the top of the leaderboard.

[Congratulations! You have received a Newbie Gift Pack ×1]

Opening it, he found two Beginner Experience Pills. Consuming them granted doubled EXP for five hours.

There was also a newbie-exclusive gear set, giving +3 to all stats.

The Newbie Aura included five free revivals per day and one instant revival at no cost.

The pack also contained a Newbie Reincarnation Jar (5-day duration). Killing monsters charged the jar, and once full, it could be opened for free. It would expire after five days.

…

New players didn't quite understand the value of the gift pack yet.

Veterans like Asuma, however, were green with envy. If they had received something like that back when they started, it could've halved their grind time and expenses.

And Sasuke, being the top scorer, also gained the title: [Trial King], which granted +5 attack power.

"Uchiha Itachi… soon I'll have the power to kill you with my own hands. Just wait."

By sunset, Sasuke logged out.

He sprinted to the edge of the village, to the forest training ground, and called out his teammate from Team 7—Naruto Uzumaki.

"Sasuke, it's almost dark. You really want to fight now?"

Naruto had actually planned to spend the rest of the evening hunting two more Wraith Guards before bed.

"Right now. What, are you scared?"

"I'll be honest, Sasuke. You're no match for me right now."

Naruto scratched his head. He wasn't itching for a fight.

Since becoming a Reincarnation Game player, his strength had skyrocketed. According to Captain Asuma, he was already on par with elite Chūnin.

And that wasn't even counting the gear he hadn't yet certified.

Once his full equipment was certified and began strengthening his body in the real world, he might even be able to go toe-to-toe with jōnin.

Bam!

Without warning, Sasuke launched a punch at Naruto.

It came fast and heavy, splitting the air.

Naruto crossed his arms to block but still felt the sting—his arms rattled from the force.

He stumbled back two steps from the impact.

"Sasuke, you…"

"Shut up. Show me your true strength, loser!"

"You arrogant jerk… still the same cocky Sasuke!"

Naruto had no plans to fight.

But being called a loser lit a fire in him.

He reached into his inventory and pulled out his certified newbie iron sword, activating his class skill—Whirlwind Slash.

It was the first skill he'd learned as a warrior.

Its power was immense, easily capable of splitting stone walls.

He had already leveled it up to Lv.4. If he used full power, he could probably break through even the sturdy defensive barriers at the village outskirts.

Naruto held back a little, worried Sasuke wouldn't be able to take the hit.

Boom.

To his surprise, Sasuke pulled out a short sword and met the attack head-on.

Their weapons clashed.

Sasuke managed to completely block the spinning iron blade and stop the Whirlwind Slash.

Naruto stared in disbelief. "No way…"

"Nothing's impossible."

Sasuke smirked, pleased to have the upper hand.

He now knew Naruto was a player too—one of the first batch chosen by the mysterious merchant. That's how he'd grown so strong, so fast.

But now he was a player too. That gap no longer mattered.

Naruto might be a higher level,

but Sasuke had inherited the Uchiha clan's treasure trove, converting it all into high-grade equipment—certified in the real world.

Even if his level was lower, he could still fight toe-to-toe.

"You're a Reincarnation Game player too?"

Naruto finally noticed the familiar newbie sword and exclaimed with his usual slow-witted timing.

Sasuke pointed to his forehead protector and grinned. "Your observation skills are as bad as ever, Naruto. I'll surpass your level soon. Then you won't even be worthy of touching my forehead."

"Damn it, you smug bastard!"

Naruto snapped.

He took a deep breath, and a powerful aura erupted from his body.

Falling leaves were blasted away by the surge.

Warrior—a class known for explosive close-range power.

Rage Armor.

Crimson energy solidified into armor, wrapping around Naruto and massively boosting his attack and defense.

"Don't lose focus, Naruto!"

Sasuke crouched low and kicked off the ground with explosive speed, lunging at him.

Raging Blade – Armor Break.

Naruto swung his sword, crimson energy pouring into it, creating a vicious scarlet slash.

Crash!

Sasuke was blown back and smashed into a tree. Blood trickled from his lips.

"You okay?"

Naruto ran over, worried, and tried to help him up.

Raging Blade – Armor Break was a high-penetration skill, capable of slicing through a Wraith Guard's armor. In the real world, it would leave a Chūnin in critical condition.

Sasuke staggered to his feet.

Seeing Naruto's concerned face, he smiled ever so slightly—where Naruto couldn't see it.

Then he slapped away the outstretched hand.

"I don't need your help, Naruto. Don't be so self-important."

"Ugh! Who wants to help you, you poker-faced jerk?!"

Naruto shouted angrily.

Sasuke turned away, ignoring him.

Once Naruto left, Sasuke stared at his back in silence.

In a way…

that loser was one of the few friends he acknowledged. There was a bond between them—even if he couldn't quite understand it.

Naruto had lived surrounded by hate all his life.

Sasuke was one of the few people he could truly call a friend.

But they were different.

Naruto had never known family, so he believed effort could win him love.

Sasuke had tasted love—and the agony of losing it. He'd struggled, fought, and failed. He had fallen into despair.

That blend of envy and grief made Sasuke want to destroy Naruto's naïve optimism.

"...Naruto."

He whispered.

He remembered what Uchiha Itachi had once said—

to awaken the Mangekyō Sharingan, you had to kill your closest friend.

"I'll never awaken that cursed eye your way. I'll find my own path!"

Sasuke inhaled deeply, clearing his thoughts.

He looked around at the wreckage from their fight, feeling excited.

As long as he kept hunting monsters in the Reincarnation Game,

he would grow stronger—stronger than Naruto, stronger than Kakashi.

And one day… he'd kill that man.

Brushing the dust off his clothes, Sasuke left the training ground.

Just as he disappeared, a masked ANBU ninja quietly sprinted toward the Root base.

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