The Game Merchant Who Started from the Ninja World

Chapter 38: Konan the Talisman Master

Root.

Inside a vast cavern hidden within a mountain, rows of moss-covered alcoves lined the stone walls like honeycombs.

This was one of Konoha's secret bases, a special organization personally sanctioned by the Third Hokage—an offshoot of the assassination unit.

Root.

A Root ninja knelt before an elderly man wrapped head to toe in bandages.

"I didn't expect such a surprise. Even the Uchiha brat was chosen by the Reincarnation Game?"

Danzo showed no expression, but his mind was already racing.

Ever since Sarutobi Hiruzen had decided to fully support Asuma and invest large sums into the Reincarnation Game, the rift between them had only deepened.

If only he had stepped forward back then,

their master would have passed the title of Hokage to someone more capable of protecting Konoha—himself.

Hiruzen was nothing more than a spineless fool, forever indecisive.

Danzo said calmly, "Go. Avoid ANBU surveillance and bring Uchiha Sasuke to me."

The Uchiha were cunning rats. Even a seemingly harmless orphan might one day threaten the village's foundation.

Better to kill the danger while it was still a seed.

Since Sasuke had come into contact with the Reincarnation Game, he would only grow stronger as long as he stayed alive.

And if he ever uncovered the truths buried deep in Konoha's history, it might spiral out of control.

Better to drag him into Root and brainwash him—turn him into a loyal sword for the Leaf.

"It's all for the village."

Danzo sighed inwardly. Every time he saw Hiruzen's confused expression, it filled him with frustration.

You bask in sunlight, loved by all.

I am the root in the dark, sacrificing everything for Konoha.

One day, our master will realize who truly loved the village. He'll regret his decision.

"Yes."

The Root ninja vanished, heading straight for the Uchiha compound.

…

Amegakure. Rain fell without end.

Drizzle poured like the sky had been torn open, a wound that never healed.

Konan stood blankly in the rain, letting it soak her from head to toe.

After a long time, she blinked slowly.

She raised her pale hand. Countless sheets of paper fluttered out.

They finally gathered into a single talisman with a flame pattern.

"It's not genjutsu. It's all real."

Konan stared at the flame talisman and casually tossed it.

At her command, the flying talisman ignited like a bundle of explosives, releasing a burst of powerful flames that blew apart an abandoned house.

Flame Talisman—a low-level spell tag.

Originating from another world of Taoist exorcists, they could be crafted using spiritual power to unleash countless unique abilities.

"Stronger than an explosive tag…"

Konan mused.

After browsing through the shop's vast catalog, she found a power perfectly suited to her.

Talisman Master.

It combined seamlessly with her Paper Release, granting terrifying destructive power.

All her life,

she had been troubled by her limited strength. While she had great talent for manipulating paper and ninja tools, without the deep traditions of Sunagakure, she couldn't learn puppetry. And paper was too fragile.

Even turning them into explosive tags only gave her limited options in high-level battles.

But the Talisman Master class allowed every piece of paper she controlled to become a deadly weapon.

Not just Flame Talismans and Freeze Talismans—comparable to high-rank ninjutsu—

but also defensive ones like Iron Armor Talismans and Golden Armor Talismans.

Even support talismans: Wind Spirit for buffs, Spring Rejuvenation for healing, and summon-style talismans for beast contracts.

"I don't need to worry about money. As long as I level up, I can exchange for skills directly."

With better options now, she had no reason to waste funds crafting explosive tags.

Konan murmured, "To bring peace, we don't just need overwhelming strength—we need a way to dispel hatred."

Her heart ached.

Nagato, who held the Rinnegan, stood at the very top of the ninja world. But after speaking with Fang Yi, Konan saw the Akatsuki's flaw clearly.

They had power.

But they lacked the ability to resolve hatred.

Yahiko had once had that power.

Gentle but not naive, even while drowning in Amegakure's endless rain, he radiated warmth like the sun—lifting everyone around him.

He had always made the right choices.

His sincerity dispelled others' hatred, giving rise to the Akatsuki's original ideals.

He created the rules, developed the plans, and raised the Akatsuki from obscurity into a name known across the land.

Konan suddenly understood. "So this is what Jiraiya-sensei meant by the child of destiny…"

No one said there had to be just one child of destiny.

Nagato, with invincible power. Yahiko, who inspired hope in others.

Together—they were the true twin children of fate.

"Maybe we were all wrong, Nagato."

Konan's gaze grew firm. "Becoming enemies of the ninja world might bring temporary peace—but it's just a castle in the sky."

"Real peace needs reform. We have to overturn the entire system and carve a new path forward."

"Not just for ninjas, but for civilians, nobles, and merchants. To untangle the mess, we must speak with them directly. Sitting on a god's throne will never let us understand or resolve their hatred."

The rain evaporated into steam under the rising heat.

A veil of white mist cloaked the area, and soon Akatsuki members rushed over.

"Lady Konan?"

They stopped when they saw the strange ninjutsu and bowed respectfully.

To them, the angel-faced Konan was a beacon of hope.

She always helped civilians whose homes were destroyed, or wounded shinobi. Cold on the outside, warm within—she was the goddess of the Rain Country.

They admired her even more than the unseen god.

Konan said casually, "Nothing. Just testing a new jutsu."

The Akatsuki ninja looked at her in awe, thinking: no wonder she's our angel.

Konan's eyes lingered on one of them.

He was young, but his face was lined with scars. His arms and legs showed signs of lingering injury.

In the past,

she would have ignored that gaze of admiration.

But now, she asked softly, "Ichiro, if peace really came… what would you want to do?"

The question caught him off guard. He murmured, "Peace? I guess… I'd still be a ninja."

Konan smiled. It was like a flower blooming in the rain.

Even Akatsuki members had never considered a peaceful future. She and Nagato had gotten it all wrong.

But it wasn't too late.

"Whatever happens, I'll always stand beside you, Nagato."

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