Hayashi Ren quieted his thoughts and focused his mind. Inwardly, he asked the voice that had been speaking to him:
"If I accept the offer, will I get this month's salary immediately?"
"Yes," the combat spirit replied. "As soon as you agree to be employed, you'll receive the current month's salary right away. On top of that, there's also a signing bonus. You can choose one from the following three:
A full-element beginner Sage Body,
Mangekyō Sharingan,
Flying Thunder God Technique."
At those words, Hayashi Ren's eyes lit up.
That signing bonus was definitely tempting.
Flying Thunder God Technique.
An S-rank space-time ninjutsu—signature move of the Second and Fourth Hokage. It allows instantaneous movement to any location marked with the technique's seal and comes with a wide array of advanced applications. Incredibly powerful, no doubt about it.
Mangekyō Sharingan.
A powerful dōjutsu with extraordinary perception, the ability to copy most jutsu, enhanced genjutsu, and unique ocular abilities. It even allows the user to unlock the ultimate Uchiha weapon—Susanoo. It's ridiculously powerful.
Compared to those two, the Full-Element Beginner Sage Body seemed a bit underwhelming.
Sure, it granted all seven chakra natures—Wind, Lightning, Fire, Earth, Water, Yin, and Yang. It gave better chakra reserves, stronger recovery of both chakra and body, and sharper sensory abilities than most shinobi of the same level. But against stronger enemies, you'd still get wrecked.
Basically, you'd just be a slightly more durable punching bag.
But to Hayashi Ren, the Full-Element Beginner Sage Body was exactly what he needed.
His chakra pathways were blocked. He couldn't form chakra at all. Even if he were handed the Mangekyō Sharingan or the Flying Thunder God Technique, they'd be practically useless to him in that condition.
But the Sage Body was different—it could completely change the condition of his body.
So, without hesitation, Hayashi Ren mentally responded to the MOBA combat spirit:
"Alright. I accept your offer. Bring on the contract."
The moment he spoke, a golden contract appeared before his eyes—visible only to him. There was nothing problematic in the contract, just a few clauses and tasks to be aware of. After a quick read-through, Hayashi Ren signed his name at the bottom.
And with that, Hayashi Ren officially became a "working man"—a proud part-time employee—and claimed his signing bonus: the Full-Element Beginner Sage Body.
A stream of golden light flowed into his body, invisible to everyone else. Immediately, he felt a warmth spreading through him, like his whole body was being bathed in a comforting current.
A shiver of pure bliss coursed through him.
And then… clarity.
His body felt completely unblocked. No more congestion or discomfort in his chakra flow. For the first time in his life, his body felt light and free.
"What's going on with you?" Sako asked, turning to look at him.
She had noticed the brief shudder that ran through Hayashi Ren. Something about him suddenly felt different—though she couldn't quite put her finger on what it was.
It was strange.
Like someone you'd known all your life had suddenly grown taller. The familiarity was still there… but something subtle had changed.
Hayashi Ren gave her a soft smile. "It's nothing. I just suddenly remembered something. I'll go make dinner."
With that, he turned and walked slowly into the kitchen.
Once inside, he quietly reached out to the combat spirit again.
"Combat Spirit, I'd like to claim my monthly salary."
"Understood. Please choose five rewards to be placed on the prize wheel," the combat spirit replied.
In his mind, Hayashi Ren quickly made his selections:
Ashura's Wood Release,
One Sharingan from Ōtsutsuki Hagoromo,
One Rinnegan from Ōtsutsuki Urashiki,
Hidan's Immortality,
Guy's Eight Inner Gates.