("Ranger or Ninja?") Xavier thought to himself
For basically a year now, the Ranger class had been his domain. He knew its every skill, every possible build, every hidden trick to maximize its potential. It had carried him to the title of the world’s strongest player. But now, the game itself had presented him with a choice—a unique Ninja class, tailored by the game’s AI, offered exclusively to him. It was an opportunity that no other player had ever been given.
("But was it worth giving up everything he had mastered?") Zero questioned himself
“Penny for your thoughts?” A familiar male voice spoke up
Xavier turned to see Mr. Jefferson, his teacher and mentor, taking the empty seat beside him. The man had an uncanny ability to read people, and Xavier knew there was no point in brushing it off.
“It’s about Your Fantasy again, isn’t it?” Jefferson asked with a knowing smirk.
A month before they came to Japan for the program Mr. Jefferson signed him up for. he told his history teacher all about the things that been going on with Your Fantasy. His teacher didn't mind talking about it. He's actually a player himself.
Xavier sighed. “Yeah. Big decision.”
“Tell me about it.” Mr. Jefferson says
So, Xavier did. He explained the dilemma, weighing the comfort of familiarity against the thrill of something new. Jefferson listened intently, nodding at all the right moments before offering his wisdom.
“You know, the samurai and shinobi weren’t so different in some ways. Both had their own codes, their own skills, their own ways of fighting. But in the end, adaptability determined survival.”
Xavier thought about that. He had always prided himself on being the best, but how could he claim to be the strongest if he wasn’t willing to evolve?
By the time the bus pulled into their next stop, he had made up his mind.
A few days later after coming back from Japan he arrived back home early that morning, Xavier wasted no time logging into Your Fantasy.
As his avatar materialized in the Dojo of his in-game home his fingers hovered over the inventory menu. There it was—the Ninja Scroll. The item pulsed with an eerie glow, as if aware of the significance of his choice.
With a deep breath, he selected it and confirmed his decision.
A rush of energy engulfed his character, the world around him dissolving into shadows. A notification flashed across his vision:
[Class Change: Ninja Scroll Activated. Transferring to the Shinto Realm…]
The darkness faded, replaced by a vaulted chamber filled with relics of the ninja’s craft. Kunai, shuriken, smoke bombs, and enchanted garb lined the walls, waiting for him to claim them. A series of rapid notifications pops up into his view.
[ Congratulations! You have Unlock The unique Hidden class
[Your Race has Evolved from
[Combining both 《Wisdom》 and 《Intelligence》stat. creating a new unique stat for your character 《Soul》.]
[ You have obtained the unique passive skill
[ Your Racial Skill
[ A strong Synergy has been detected! Combining The unique skill
[A strong Synergy has been detected! Combining The racial skill
[A strong Synergy has been detected! Combining The skill
[You Have Unlock the unique passive skill
!]
[You Have unlocked The class Skill
[You Have Unlock the class skill
[You Have Unlock the class passive skill
[You Have Unlock the class passive Skill
[You Have Unlock the class skill
[You Have Unlock the class skill
[You Have Unlock the class skill
[You Have Unlock the class skill
[You have Unlock the class skill
[ You Have Unlock the class skill
[You Have Unlock the class skill
[You Have Unlock the class skill
[You Have Unlock the class skill
[Congratulations! You have obtained the unique Title
[Congratulations! You have obtained the unique Title
!]
After looking at all the notifications he could as there were still some popping up. Showing old ki skills evolved into Chi skills like instead of the skill showing
It shows
"Whoa..." Zero says in awe at his new race. He even feels different like there was a block on his character and now it's gone. making him feel alive and free and most of all stronger.
Zero looking at his hands and clutching them. Feeling this new energy basically pouring out of him. Than he heard a whisper. It was low so low that if his ears wasn't so keen he wouldn't have heard it. He walks towards the voices and saw a pair of twin Tānto's.
One had the color scheme of red & gold it radiate An Aura of pure Dominance like Royalty. The other Tānto was the opposite the color scheme of black & white. With an equal aura of the other weapon just this one was more Silent deadly a looming doom that will come for you eventually.
Zero couldn't help but use his new unique eye skill
[Item Name]: ?? Amaterasu ??
[Item Level]: 0
[Item Type]: Tānto
[Item Rating]: Growth-type
[Level Requirement]: 0
[Requirement: Ninja class]
[Attack Power]: 10
[Durability]: 100/100
[Weapon Skills]: ?? "First weapon Skill will be unlocked at level 5"
[Bio]: "Once was known to be the strongest goddess of the Shinto Realm. But was defeated by The "Heavenly Shinobi Kusanagi" who sealed the powerful goddess into a weapon.
[Item Name]: ?? Tsukuyomi ??
[Item Level]: 0
[Item Type]: Tānto
[Item Rating]: Growth-type
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.
[Level Requirement]: 0
[Requirement: Ninja class]
[Attack Power]: 10
[Durability]: 100/100
[Weapon Skills]: ?? "First weapon Skill will be unlocked at level 5"
[Bio]: was known as the powerful moon God of the Shinto Realm in till defeated by The " Heavenly Shinobi Kusanagi" who Sealed him into a weapon.
("You finally Returned to us Kusanagi! How dare you leave a lady in wait!") Female voice full of authority spoke through his mind.
("Sister, why must you antagonize the one person in the entire realm that have sealed us in this Accursed form. Do you wish to spend another eternity stuck!?") This time A smooth male voice spoken up in his mind next.
("Uh...who are you two and how are yall speaking through my mind?") Zero questioned.
The two went silent than a booming voice of laughter burst out through his mind as Zero clutch his head in pain from it.
("HAHAHAHAHA!!!! the sheer balls of this guy am I right? After locking us up in this dusty cave for a millennium. He feigned amnesia! If I wasn't stuck in this form Kusanagi you bastard! I would-") the voice was cut off by another this time more calm and wise much older than the rest.
("Kusanagi is it truly you?") The older voice ask out.
("No, I am not this Kusanagi you speak of I am Zero. Why do I keep hearing and seeing this guy name since I arrived here in this vault?") Zero questioned getting a little frustrated.
The room went silent this time longer than before.
("Surely you jest right!? Come on please! Tell me your joking dear friend.") Says the smooth voice as Zero felt the voice on the edge of losing his mind.
Zero didn't say nothing not because he didn't know what to say but the irritation of these voices keep thinking he's someone. He's not.
("If your not Kusanagi. How are you even here? Only Kusanagi can enter this place.") The voice was a serous male tone.
("I was transferred here by a scroll. That mentioned this Kusanagi guy. And I also earn a title called Kusanagi's Heir.")
Everything went wild after he said that. As voices boom through his head like an alarm. Zero had to drop on both knees clutching his head. Than he yells over all the voices to "SHUT THE HELL UP!!! JESUS!"
Almost as if he turn the switch off. The voices went still no more talking to his relief.
("So that fool, finally kicked the bucket. oh how long I was waiting for this news hehehehehe...") a female voice spoke up with such a sinister tone zero almost jumped.
(" Mother! This isn't the time for your Foolish vendetta.") The Authority tone female voice says
("For once I agree sister, this devastating news we just heard means we are forever stuck like this. Father we look to you for guidance please.") The smooth tone male voice says that sounded like a plead for mercy.
("There is only one option for us now my dear wife and children...we must talk with our new friend here maybe he could be the help we are looking for.") The wise voice says as Zero brow furrowed with thought.
("So, you guys expect me to just magically unseal you guys from these weapons? How do I know if you all aren't a collective of evil entities") Zero says as heard a scoff coming from the sinister voice.
("Hah! There is only one evil entity you should fear boy! And that's-") the sinister voice was cut off by another this one more cooler and young full of energy.
("Hey! Dude! I'm just gonna tell you this and just keep it simple and short. All of us were once powerful gods in this realm like a pantheon or whatever. In till that evil bitch over there our mother. Had to kill off the family of the one mortal in the entire realm or possibly realms that is strong enough to defeat us and seals us here. We all have our past but that doesn't mean it could effect our present and future! You seem lost and new to this realm maybe we can all benefit from this...like you scratch our backs and we scratch yours what do you say, Zero?") The youthful voice questioned as Zero was actually almost convinced to say "yeah sure, bro!" But he just stay silent for a minute in thought.
Zero sighs and made up his mind.
("Okay...I guess I could give you all a shot. I doubt there is anything you guys could do to harm me since your all weapons.") Zero says as the same loud booming voice laughs again giving Zero another headache.
("The balls on this guy! Maybe you really are Kusanagi's Heir. No way just any mortal would dare say such things towards us!") The loud voice says with such pride and Arrogance.
("Plus how will I even be able to unseal you all I'm not that Kusanagi guy.") Zero says
("Ah, Of course! you think that we want you to turn us back to our original form. But to our fate it is very unfortunate that we cannot. We only wish to be unseal from this vault. But the only way is to be soul-bonded to a person. And you are the first person we have seen for a millennium.") The wise voice says
("Okay. So you all just want some fresh air?") Zero ask as all their voices scream out in unison "Yes!" Zero held his head and just sigh
("Okay...okay! How do I do this soul-bond mess?) Zero ask the wise voice explain telling him to just approach them and try to equip them.
"I guess I go with you two first." Zero says towards the two Tānto's as he see notifications pop into his view.
[To Equipped these Weapon you must form a soul-bond.]
[Do you wish to soul-bond With ~Amaterasu~]
[YES] or [No] ?
Zero mentally click yes. When he did he felt Amaterasu like she was apart of his soul he knew immediately that this was the Royal authority like female voice.
[The Bond with Amaterasu was successful!]
Zero did Tsukuyomi next and he knew Tsukuyomi was the smooth male voice
[The Bond with Tsukuyomi was successful!]
Next Zero looks at a katana that sheathe looks old and war-torn, with a blue & white scheme color tone. The Aura it was emitting was like that of a wild hurricane. he used his new skill
[Item Name]: ?? Susanoo ??
[Item Level]: 0
[Item Type]: Katana
[Item Rating]: Growth-type
[Level Requirement]: 0
[Requirement: Ninja class]
[Attack Power]: 15
[Durability]: 100/100
[Weapon Skills]: ?? "First weapon Skill will be unlocked at level 5"
[Bio]: known as one of the most powerful gods in the Shinto Realm. A God of sea and storms Susanoo was a wild and Arrogant person. He was defeated by The Heavenly Shinobi Kusanagi. And sealed inside a blade.
Even before he inspected Susanoo, zero knew he was the loud arrogant voice. now he look towards the bow. it was color scheme Red, gold, & black. he used
[Item Name]: 八幡神 Hachiman 八幡神
[Item Level]: 0
[Item Type]: Bow
[Item Rating]: Growth-type
[Level Requirement]: 0
[Requirement: Ninja class]
[Attack Power]: 15
[Durability]: 100/100
[Weapon Skills]: ?? "First weapon Skill will be unlocked at level 5"
[Bio]: Known to the Shinto realm as the powerful god of war he was defeated by the Heavenly Shinobi Kusanagi. and sealed inside a bow for eternity.
He knew Hachiman was the serious voice. zero bonded with Susanoo first even though the damn arrogant fool kept blabbing on about him being worthy to wield him and all his might. Than follow by bonding with Hachiman.
[The Bond with Susanoo was successful!]
[The Bond with Hachiman was successful!]
Next Zero walk towards an ancient old bamboo staff that emitted an aura of smooth calm like nature and wisdom that is as old as time he knew right away it was the old wise voice. and right beside it was a Kusarigama. which he learns recently from his trip to Japan was a weapon that ninjas used. it looks like a mini scythe attach with a ball & chain.
The aura the kusarigama was emitting. was so insidious and dark that it made zero pale for just even think about bonding with it, but he had no choice. he uses
[Item Name]: ?? Izanagi ??
[Item Level]: 0
[Item Type]: Polearm
[Item Rating]: Growth-type
[Level Requirement]: 0
[Requirement: Ninja class]
[Attack Power]: 20
[Durability]: 100/100
[Weapon Skills]: ?? "First weapon Skill will be unlocked at level 5"
[Bio]: Known as the God of creation Izanagi was one of peace and love. His wisdom shown no bounds as he was only sealed by the Heavenly Shinobi Kusanagi by not being defeated but surrender to help the Shinobi's journey.
[Item Name]: ?? Izanami ??
[Item Level]: 0
[Item Type]: Kusarigama
[Item Rating]: Growth-type
[Level Requirement]: 0
[Requirement: Ninja class]
[Attack Power]: 15
[Durability]: 100/100
[Weapon Skills]: ?? "First weapon Skill will be unlocked at level 5"
[Bio]: Known as the goddess of Death in the Shinto realm. she was the corruption of everything that was wrong in the realm. in till the Heavenly shinobi Kusanagi defeated her and seal the evil goddess into a weapon.
[The Bond with Izanagi was successful!]
[The Bond with Izanami was successful!]
Zero sighs in relief seeing that bonding with Izanami didn't turn him into a zombie. next he set his sight on the last weapon and from its energetic aura he already can tell it was the youthful voice. but he was surprised to see that this weapon was actually an Tessen aka an Iron fan. it's color scheme was green & White with small blades attach to it like bird talons.
("What shock that im a fan!? hah! i know a wind god becoming a fan joke of the millennium!") The Youthful voice says as zero use his
[Item Name]: ??Fūjin ??
[Item Level]: 0
[Item Type]: Tessen
[Item Rating]: Growth-type
[Level Requirement]: 0
[Requirement: Ninja class]
[Attack Power]: 10
[Durability]: 100/100
[Weapon Skills]: ?? "First weapon Skill will be unlocked at level 5"
[Bio]: Fūjin just like his twin Raijin was known as one of the fastest gods in the realm of Shinto. In till he was sealed away by the Heavenly Shinobi Kusanagi and now no longer held title of fastest as his twin was able to escape the Heavenly Shinobi.
[The Bond with Fujin was successful!]
"That take care of that. Now how do I get out of here?" Zero question out loud looking around for the exit.
("Hey! you're forgetting one! our silent brother over there!") Fujin yells out in his mind as zero looked confused. That's when he notices a pair of Dark brown gauntlets not too far from fujin. exuding an Aura of silent dominance, like a slumbering beast that's in hibernation.
Zero use his skill
[Item Name]: ??Okami??
[Item Level]: 0
[Item Type]: Gauntlets
[Item Rating]: Growth-type
[Level Requirement]: 0
[Requirement: Ninja class]
[Attack Power]: 10
[Durability]: 100/100
[Weapon Skills]: ?? "First weapon Skill will be unlocked at level 5"
[Bio]: Known as one of the most powerful gods in the Shinto realm Okami used his power over Earth and gravity to be a strong silent protector of his people. in till one day he fought against the Heavenly Shinobi Kusanagi and was defeated and sealed inside a weapon.
[The Bond with Okami was successful!]
"Now, is that everyone?" zero question as fujin confirms an excited "yes!" towards his answer
"Okay, now how do i get out of here?" zero ask
("Not too far from where from the center of the room you should see a vault door up the staircase. all you have to do is place your hand on it and the door should open for you, Young zero." Izanagi says as zero nods heading towards the door and doing what the old god says.
The door glows and then the whole world starts to shake. as the door cracks open with penetrating light blinding zero as he steps forward towards the light. he was greeted by a sight so beautiful he couldn't imagine he was still in Euphoria.
He stood at the edge of a high mountain path, with a sweeping view that nearly took his breath away. Below him stretched a mystical valley filled with verdant rice fields, winding rivers that shimmered like liquid crystal, and hidden villages nestled among flowering cherry blossom trees. Japanese fantasy creatures roamed freely—fox spirits danced through bamboo groves, massive carp swam through the air above the lakes, and distant dragons circled the peaks like eternal guardians.
Screenshot Saved.
The notification popped up as Zero instinctively captured the moment in his system interface.
Then another alert chimed.
New Quest Acquired: [Genin] – Join the Heavenly Shinobi Sect. Objective: Seek out and gain entry into the elite Shinobi order founded by Kusanagi himself.
Before Zero could ponder further, rustling came from the nearby woods.
Out stepped a raccoon-like beastman clad in sleek black ninja garb, a katana strapped across his back and a pair of gleaming goggles perched atop his head. His fur bristled, and his wide eyes locked onto Zero.
"What the—?! Who are you?! How did you get here? And... the vault... it's open?!"
-----------------------------------
[POV: Cooper]
"Stupid punishment... stupid mushrooms... stupid guard duty."
Cooper grumbled as he kicked a pine cone down the trail. A Chunin like him stuck doing Genin-level work? Just because of that one prank he pulled on Master Rinko during training?
He scoffed. "Not my fault she mistook her staff for a snake."
Still, punishment from the Heavenly Shinobi Sect was no joke. Guarding the oldest vault—the legendary Kusanagi Vault, of all things—was supposed to be an honor. But it was also boring. Nothing ever happened up here.
Until today.
The vault had opened.
A Yokai was standing outside. With Kusanagi’s weapons in hand.
Cooper’s heart skipped a beat. His instincts screamed that this was impossible. The vault was sealed by divine sigils, only to open if...
No. It couldn’t be.
Drawing his blade, Cooper stepped forward. "Who are you?!"
----------------------------------------
[POV: GrandMaster Jinzen, Kage of Heavenly Shinobi Sect]
The wind stirred gently across the peak. Beneath an ancient sakura tree, the turtle beastman known as Jinzen opened his eyes.
"So... the vault has opened," he murmured, leaning on his wooden staff carved with countless kanji.
In a blink, he vanished.
Reappearing between Zero and Cooper just as tension crackled, GrandMaster Jinzen’s presence was calm but commanding. His deep voice carried weight beyond words.
"Enough."
Both Zero and Cooper froze.
Jinzen’s wise eyes examined the boy with divine weapons at his side. "You have awakened Kusanagi’s legacy... yet you are not him. Who are you, heir of the vault?"
Zero stood tall. "I’m Zero... The system did named me Kusanagi’s Heir."
A silence hung between them before Jinzen nodded slowly.
"Then fate has chosen you. Join us, Zero. The Heavenly Shinobi Sect welcomes you... but know this, your journey is only beginning."
Quest Updated: [Genin] – Accepted into the Heavenly Shinobi Sect.