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Judging by the clothing, this person definitely wasn't a Hidden Leaf ninja.
Harper activated [Stealth] and cautiously crept closer.
He stopped at a safe distance. [Stealth] was useless against enemies significantly higher level than him; they would see right through it.
And since this guy was wearing a forehead protector, he was a real ninja. Even if he was just a Genin, a Level 5 player like Harper stood no chance against an NPC ninja.
[Smoke Ninja Genin]
Level: 15
Attack: 90
Defense: 50
Chakra: 200
HP: 600
Skills: [Intermediate Shuriken Mastery], [Intermediate Kunai Mastery], [Clone Jutsu], [Substitution Jutsu], [Smoke Style: Wildfire]
Status: [Critically Wounded] (All stats reduced by 50%)
"A Genin?!" Harper's eyes almost popped out of his head. "Wait, Smoke Ninja? Is there even a Smoke Village?"
He racked his brain. Then he remembered—it was a filler episode around episode 101 of the original series. These guys were total cannon fodder.
But even cannon fodder was still a Level 15 Ninja!
They weren't like the Rogue Scouts or Bandits who just threw rocks and swung knives. This guy had Ninjutsu. Actual elemental Jutsu. With Harper's current stats, one hit from Smoke Style: Wildfire would probably incinerate him.
"Why is a Smoke Genin here?" Harper wondered, backing away slowly. "Forget it. He who fights and runs away, lives to fight another day."
Just as he turned to leave, his brain caught up with his eyes.
Wait. Did I see a status effect?
[Critically Wounded]: All stats reduced by 50%.
Harper spun around and re-checked the stats.
A wicked, greedy grin spread across his face. He licked his lips.
At full power, this guy was a monster. But at 50%? He was barely stronger than a Rogue Scout.
Harper did a quick gear check.
[Leather Boots] (Bronze): Defense 18, Agility +5, Speed +2%
[Sharp Kunai] (Bronze): Attack 16-32
[Rogue Scout's Leggings]: Defense 6, Constitution +1
[Beast Skin Bracers]: Defense 3, Constitution +2
[Rogue Scout's Vest]: Defense 8, Constitution +2
Since hitting Level 5, he had equipped all the Bronze gear he got from the Bandit Leader.
His current stats: Attack 48, Defense 35, HP 210.
"I can take him."
To be safe, Harper cast [Clone Jutsu]. He sent his clone forward to test the waters.
Hearing footsteps, the Smoke Genin looked up in panic. He saw Harper approaching.
No forehead protector. Not even a ninja.
Normally, he could crush a bug like this with one finger.
But not today.
The Smoke Genin panicked. He threw four shuriken at Harper to cover his retreat, then scrambled to his feet and ran in the opposite direction.
Seeing the ninja run, Harper's confidence skyrocketed.
A ninja has pride. If he's running from a nobody, it means he can't fight.
Harper was hyped.
To his eyes, the Smoke Genin wasn't a person; he was a walking, running treasure chest filled with gold and gear.
"Hey! Where do you think you're going?!"
Harper roared and burst out of his hiding spot, chasing after the ninja.
The Smoke Genin didn't even look back. He just ran for his life.
But thanks to the [Critically Wounded] debuff, his speed was halved. Harper watched the distance between them shrink, his excitement growing with every step.
The Smoke Genin was humiliated.
"Disgrace! Absolute disgrace!"
To be chased by a civilian? It was the ultimate insult. And looking back, he saw the kid drooling like a pervert chasing a skirt. It made him want to vomit blood.
Whiz!
Suddenly, the sound of tearing wind came from behind.
The Smoke Genin turned just in time to see four shuriken flying at his back.
He pulled out a kunai to block, deflecting two of them.
But the other two hit home.
One of them buried itself in his thigh. If it had been a few inches to the left, the Smoke Ninja clan would have ended with him.
"ARGH!"
He screamed in pain and rage, ripping the shuriken out. He glared at Harper, who was grinning like a maniac.
Gritting his teeth, he swallowed his pride and kept running.
Harper kept chasing, throwing shuriken and shouting: "Stop right there! Drop your weapon and surrender! The Hidden Leaf treats prisoners of war humanely!"
After a few hundred meters, another shuriken caught the ninja in the leg. He stumbled and crashed to the ground.
"Die!"
Harper charged in with his kunai raised.
"Wait! Wait! Hold on!"
Knowing he couldn't run anymore, the Smoke Genin rolled over and held up his hands.
Harper stopped a few feet away, suspicious. "Any last words?"
The Smoke Genin saw hesitation and seized the chance. His eyes darted around. "Brother, look. Do you want Ninjutsu scrolls? If you let me go, I can give you a secret scroll as a reward!"
Ding!
[System]: Triggered Hidden Scenario: [A Tempting Choice].
"A Ninjutsu scroll?" Harper scoffed, looking down at him with disdain.
If it were anything else, maybe he'd consider it. But Ninjutsu scrolls?
"Sorry, pal. I'm full up on those."