Chapter 4: The Pay-to-Win Game

After careful deliberation, Naruto decided to choose Option A.

He did not understand this world and could only make choices based on his own experience. Of the three options, B was the first to be eliminated. To his understanding, "Infinite Chakra (Limited)" was equivalent to infinite mana. But without corresponding "divine abilities," having infinite mana alone was useless. Compared to A, it lacked infinite room for future growth, and compared to C, it lacked immediate combat power. Therefore, Naruto decisively abandoned this option.

In the end, he had to choose between A and C. Originally, Naruto leaned more toward Option C simply because it offered immediate combat power. However, he ultimately chose A: SSSSSS-rank Talent (Unique). As for C, Summoned Beast: Nine-Tails (Fully Awakened Version) (Limited), it was certainly good. Although Naruto didn't know what this battle pet was, its "Limited" rarity indicated it was powerful. But a battle pet did not represent his own strength; with it alone, Naruto himself would remain a weakling. Furthermore, perhaps because he didn't play many games, Naruto preferred to have his strength under his own control rather than relying on a pet to fight. In short, he was a bit reckless.

Beyond that, the straw that broke the camel's back was the rarity. In any case, [Unique] definitely trumped [Limited]. Having lived with a roommate who loved gaming for several years, Naruto understood a concept: in a game, "Unique" meant something was extremely rare and hard to obtain, while "Limited" could be acquired through events, extra tasks, or spending money. The choice was self-evident.

Actually, Naruto had a more profound and simple reason. If he were in his twenties, he would have chosen C without hesitation. The point was that he was only three years old—the perfect age for adventure—and a growth-oriented talent was just what he needed. As for the potential danger to his life? Naruto knew that was just his own anxiety. He had managed to survive until the age of three without being assassinated, which meant some kind of rule must be protecting him; otherwise, he would have been killed long ago. As for potential accidents? Well, his "golden finger" had just arrived. Life always finds a way.

After making his choice, a dazzling screen popped up.

[You have chosen: Option A]
[You have received: SSSSSS-rank Talent (Unique)]
[You gain the following bonuses:]
[1. You have automatically acquired Chakra of the seven attributes: Fire, Water, Wind, Lightning, Earth, Yin, and Yang.]
[2. Proficiency +1500 for all mastered Chakra attributes.]
[3. When learning Ninjutsu, any technique consistent with its theoretical principles is guaranteed to be learned successfully.]
[4. When learning Ninjutsu, proficiency +3600.]
[5. Chakra growth rate +5000%.]
[6. Chakra recovery rate +2000%.]
[7. Talent cap +400%.]
[...]

Counting them up, there were 32 entries in total. Although he didn't understand some of the content, the advantage of the written language was clear; he could guess the meaning from the literal characters. Naruto was stunned. Was this the power of an SSSSSS-rank talent and a [Unique] rarity?

"Looking at it this way, this game is incredibly strong!" The stronger the golden finger, the stronger he was. Naruto solved that inequality instantly.

With a joyful heart, Naruto closed the page and entered the main game interface. He couldn't wait to see this treasure. When he was stuck on the novice screen earlier, the main interface had already finished loading—he wondered if it had finally connected to the server. As soon as he entered the main interface, his personal attribute panel popped up, occupying his view.

Attribute Panel:
[ID: Uzumaki Naruto]
[Faction: Land of Fire, Hidden Leaf Village]
[Level: None]
[Status: Yang-Nine-Tails (Sealed) (Recyclable)]
[HP: 100%]
[Chakra: 52/52 (D)]
[(Increase: 20 (Infant) x (1 + 200% + 5000%) = 1060/day)]
[(Recovery: 1% (Infant) x (1 + 200% + 2000%) = 23%/hour)]
[Chakra Attributes:]
[Fire: 1500/2000 (Mastery) (Shape transformation unlocked, power +220%, consumption -20%)]
[Water: 1500/2000 (Mastery)]
[Lightning: 1500/2000 (Mastery)]
[Earth: 1500/2000 (Mastery)]
[Wind: 1500/2000 (Mastery)]
[Yin: 1500/2000 (Mastery)]
[Yang: 1500/2000 (Mastery)]
[Ninja: 150 points (C)]
[Hand Seal Speed: 50/500 (100 + 400 = 500 point limit)]
[Jutsu Understanding: 50]
[Chakra Control: 50]
[Tai: 150 points (C)]
[Muscle Burst: 50]
[Nerve Reflex: 50]
[Stamina: 50]
[Gen: 150 points (C)]
[Mental Strength: 50]
[Chakra Interference: 50]
[Suggestion Implantation: 50]
[Kekkei Genkai: Uzumaki Bloodline]
[Skills: None]
[Titles: None]
[Badges: None]

"Uzumaki Bloodline?" Naruto noticed this immediately; it was his surname. "So, the surname Uzumaki represents some kind of bloodline?" Naruto was quite puzzled. Could a surname or bloodline actually provide a bonus to strength? If he wasn't mistaken, the extra 200% to his Chakra came from this... Kekkei Genkai? Was this a game setting, or was the real world like this?

He looked closer. "Kekkei Genkai: Uzumaki Bloodline." This was likely something inherited through blood relations. "A caste system?" The term popped into his mind, but he quickly dismissed it. It wasn't something he needed to worry about right now; it didn't increase his immediate combat power, and since he already had an SSSSSS-rank talent, he was here to find things that would boost his current capabilities.

Naruto closed the attribute panel and quickly checked the other game functions, but the more he looked, the more something felt off. "Big brother, this doesn't smell right." Whether it was because it hadn't connected to the server or because the game was just like this, besides the personal attribute module and a useless task module, there were only four system functions in total: [Shop], [Skill House], [Training Ground], and [Duel Arena].

Naruto took a quick look. The [Shop] was quite good; it sold health potions, stamina potions, and all sorts of items. Even the Nine-Tails battle pet he hadn't chosen could be bought there. Not just the Nine-Tails, but from the One-Tail to the Ten-Tails—as long as he had money, he could buy them all. It even had revival coins, perfectly solving his worries. The [Skill House] was also great, offering all kinds of Ninjutsu, Taijutsu, Genjutsu, and Sealing Jutsu. Once learned, his current crisis could be resolved instantly.

But this game didn't seem friendly to a poor person like him; both of those sections required payment. This was a pay-to-win game! Naruto looked at the 16 ryo left in his pocket and shed the tears of a pauper.

Wait. "I've transmigrated, where would I even get real money?" Thinking of this, Naruto opened the shop again. "How do you top up?" Seeing the large "Top-up" option on the page, Naruto was confused. He took out his remaining 16 ryo and tried silently reciting the word "Top-up" in his mind.

To his amazement, the money in his hand vanished. Was that a successful transaction? He checked again, and the shop balance indeed showed 16 ryo.
[You have topped up 1.6 yuan.]
So the conversion was 1 yuan = 10 ryo? To be able to top up directly using the currency of this world—there had to be a bug here. But for him, this bug was a great thing! A very great thing.

He looked at the shop again. His meager funds didn't seem to buy anything other than shuriken, kunai, or rice balls. Wait, what was this? A "First Purchase Gift Pack"?