Three days later, still at that remote location, Aoha's exclusive little world.
"Windmill!"
A small figure suddenly leapt high, using waist and hip power to drive the body. The entire person instantly rotated once, then, leveraging this momentum, viciously kicked the wooden post's 'head'!
Bang!
The sturdy wooden post violently shook from this forceful, momentum-laden kick.
Simultaneously, after landing, Aoha's expression brightened, involuntarily revealing excited emotions.
Because just after kicking that strike, he heard the long-awaited system notification sound.
His [Hakuda] successfully advanced to LV1!
Moreover, without relying on any external force, depending purely on his own diligent training, step by step cultivating it to this level.
This also proved his conjecture was correct. Without depending on the system, he could still upgrade abilities!
Moreover, compared to the damn system constantly forcing him to court death, he preferred this down-to-earth feeling of gradually growing stronger.
Though countless times slower, victory lay in safety and no danger!
Just things went contrary to wishes. The damn system couldn't possibly remain so low-key forever. Regarding this point, he was certain, definite, and positive!
Examining those already-completed death-courting missions, which time didn't involve crazily testing death's boundaries!
Success meant abundant rewards!
Failure meant quickly wondering whether there'd be another transmigration opportunity!
"Perhaps before school starts, I can raise [Hakuda] to LV3, even higher! However..."
Aoha's originally excited expression suddenly became extremely melancholic.
Because the medicinal ingredients he'd purchased ran out three days ago. Sixteen days of medicinal baths cost him a full eighty thousand ryo!
The remaining money was spent on training equipment and daily food. So much so that now he only had two sets of clothes. Today, wearing this set, washing it clean tonight, then tomorrow changing to the other set. Such repetition.
Now he only had several thousand ryo left. Forget continuing to buy medicinal ingredients; even eating would become a major problem.
However, fortunately, tomorrow was the month's beginning. Mikawa-jonin's side should deliver relief funds, solving part of his urgent need.
"Sigh, money. Why on Earth, I worried daily about how to earn money, and arriving in this world, I still worry daily about how to earn money!"
Aoha felt extremely depressed right now. Seemed no matter where he went, being penniless meant being unable to move a single step.
Moreover, poor literature, rich martial arts. Wanting to become a ninja inevitably required substantial expenses.
No wonder civilian ninja were never valued, only occasionally producing geniuses, while major prestigious clans almost monopolised outstanding talents.
Nothing else to say, people with equal talents, one eating and living well daily, training needs completely worry-free, only needing to peacefully train.
While another ate chaff and vegetables daily, lacking even basic nutritional supplements. Buying a kunai to train throwing techniques required half a day's hesitation.
What results would appear?
The result was the latter's talent completely unable to materialise, while the former could become a genius in others' eyes!
So this led to civilian ninja rarely producing those dominating powerhouses.
As for exceptions, of course, there were. For instance, becoming Sannin, even nearly sitting in the Hokage position, super-strong Orochimaru and Jiraiya.
But look at their teacher!
Sarutobi Hiruzen!
The dignified Third Hokage!
Who was their teammate?
Tsunade!
First Hokage Senju Hashirama's granddaughter!
Absolutely a super-rich young lady!
Having this starting point completely erased their civilian origin gaps.
Of course, Orochimaru and Jiraiya's efforts couldn't be erased.
Then there was the current Fourth Hokage, Namikaze Minato. Also, a civilian-origin ninja without background or bloodline limits.
But his teacher was the already-famous Sannin Jiraiya.
Moreover, Minato's talent, even placed throughout the entire ninja world, was a top-tier existence!
After the Second Hokage's death, nobody could train the Flying Thunder God. He learned it as said, and moreover surpassed his master. During the Third Ninja War, he made the 'Yellow Flash' reputation. Forcing major ninja villages to issue orders: if encountering Konoha's Yellow Flash, their ninja were allowed to abandon missions and immediately flee. Such talent plus a calm mind was absolutely one in ten thousand!
As for Gai, needless to say. Truly relying on nobody, using the most ordinary talent and strongest willpower, through unimaginable effort by ordinary people, ultimately achieving overtaking on curves. Not only shocking everyone, but also vindicating his father!
Of course, current Gai was still a reckless youth.
Walking on Konoha's prosperous streets, Aoha constantly looked around everywhere.
During the Third Ninja War, Konoha re-established its hegemon status. Fighting until now, only Kumogakure stubbornly persisted. Could say the war is temporarily concluded.
This made Konoha's people's faces show smiles again. Moreover, a new baby boom was brewing.
Everything seemed back on track, developing in good directions.
But Aoha was fretting about where to obtain another huge sum of money.
"How about going to the Uchiha compound for a stroll? Earn more medical fees?"
Ptui, ptui, ptui!
Aoha immediately suppressed this tempting idea. After all, he still had some face!
Of course, more importantly, he feared the damn system issuing another death-courting mission attacking the Uchiha compound. Or some Uchiha finding him unpleasant, truly acting to kill him. That would be truly tragic!
The path of scamming Uchiha wouldn't work. Itachi also had no news. So long without finding him, probably grounded.
Then what other money-earning methods existed?
Finding work, this path he'd abandoned. After all, several thousand ryo monthly already wasn't in his eyes. Now he was already Shinomiya, I'm Just Arrogant, So What, Aoha!
Working hard for a whole month couldn't even earn one medicinal bath. Why waste this effort?
Honestly, the training, wasn't that nice?
Borrow from Mikawa-jonin?
This was indeed a method. Mikawa-jonin should be quite wealthy.
Just after thinking, he still began shaking his head.
No other reason. Mikawa-jonin already sufficiently cared for him. Even the several times he caused trouble, ultimately Mikawa-jonin helped him plead, helped him clean up messes.
Owing so many favours, Aoha truly didn't know how to repay well. How could he have the face to ask again?
So thinking repeatedly, seemingly only the highest-risk method remained.
That was relying on the medicinal bath formula in his hand to profit!
After all, this formula's true effects he'd already personally experienced. Incredibly good!
Using it to build children's foundations could definitely lead to the starting line!
Wasn't there such a saying? Children's and women's money is easiest to earn!