The moment the chest opened, the earrings automatically materialized on his ears. They weren't heavy or anything. He wasn't really into wearing them, but Maki was someone who was grateful for the gifts he received. Nemuri liked how they complemented his appearance, and he could tell she was really jealous of them.
Which caused him to smirk at her pouting face every time she tried to touch them—but couldn't.
In the Naruto category, he received three draws as well:
1. Explosive Tags (Kibaku Fuda) ×1: Scraps of paper with magical script that explode after a set time or upon remote command.
2. Flying Raijin Kunai: A specialized, custom-designed weapon famously used by Minato Namikaze, the Fourth Hokage, to facilitate his legendary Space-Time Ninjutsu. Unlike a standard kunai, this version is heavier and features a distinct three-pronged blade design, making it more aerodynamic for long-distance throwing and more effective for parrying swords in close combat.
3. Manda (Manda II): The undisputed King of Snakes and the most powerful inhabitant of Ryūchi Cave. He is not just a pet but a temperamental, high-maintenance deity of the serpent world. Kabuto Yakushi used the original Manda's cells to create a "better" version.
Features:
Color: Deep purple
Temperament: Bloodthirsty, egotistical
Manda II has claws/arms, making it resemble a traditional dragon more than a standard snake.
Tattoo Summoning: By wiping blood over the tattoo, the user can summon snakes instantly without performing the five hand seals.[Updated for the user]
After receiving it, he felt a burning sensation on his arm. He rolled up his sweater sleeve and saw a tattoo forming. The details about this thing were shallow; it didn't give him many explanations. He only knew that he would be able to summon the snake using the tattoo.
His mind wandered back to his hometown. He remembered watching a movie about an anaconda that ate people whole, where the characters would get swallowed and try to kill it from the inside. It barely made sense—but he remembered it clearly.
Still, he recalled that the little girl had told him that everything he drew would never hurt him. So, like Samehada, there was no need to worry about being devoured or anything like that.
The tattoo on his arm wasn't dark ink—it was dark purple.
Then the itchiness vanished, and the tattoo settled into place. It looked like a thick, winding snake or a series of intricate geometric patterns forming a seal around his wrist. Unlike the original version that extended up Orochimaru's forearms, Maki's was more compact. It coiled neatly around his wrist, almost like a bracelet.
After the Naruto category draw—where he received good rewards and a "pet" he planned to rename soon—he moved on.
From the Bleach category, he received several interesting draws:
1. Tentōken (Heavenly Flying Mantle): A Shihōin family heirloom. A specialized cape that grants the user the ability to fly at high speeds without using their own spiritual energy, preserving their power for combat.
2. Jackpot Knuckle: A pair of brass knuckles that manipulate the probability of luck. One hit can trigger a "jackpot," causing improbable events—like a pillar collapsing or a weapon breaking—against all odds.
3. "B" — The Balance… The Shield of Balance: Freund Schild [Essence Can Be Absorbed]
He examined the last reward. The first two had some details, but the third only displayed the name of a shield and the note that its essence could be absorbed—nothing more.
"Balance…" he read again.
After pressing it, an orb flew toward his forehead. In his mind, he saw a fragment of memory: a man holding a shield that could protect him and return damage. That was the best way he could describe it. Just like before, the orb transformed into a shield—but then it suddenly cracked and crumbled into white particles that his body absorbed.
There was no physical shield left.
He had absorbed The Shield of Balance: Freund Schild, and it blended into his very being.
He didn't fully understand what had happened. To him, it was just a protective shield ability—nothing more. He was completely ignorant of its deeper implications and simply forgot about it.
Instead, he moved on to the Jackpot Knuckles, which interested him more, and the mantle that allowed flight—something any man would want to try.
Overall, he had received many interesting and high-quality draws, unlike the first panel, which mostly gave normal items. But he noticed something: the price of the second panel was rising. The points required for each draw increased by 100 each time.
The first draw cost 100 points. When he returned, it became 200. After opening the Lucky Box for three days, the cost had risen to 500 points per draw.
He double-checked the rewards he had received. He couldn't complain—he was gaining these things unconditionally just by existing in this world.
And today was the final day of the examination.
Honestly, he felt like he had cheated. He hadn't fully experienced the survival theme of the test.
His mind wandered again.
He shook his head in disbelief. He wasn't unfamiliar with the idea of a man having multiple wives. The elders in his hometown often talked about historical context—how, before missionaries and colonial laws, Inuit society had social structures designed to preserve their population. Polygyny, while rare, was permissible. A successful hunter—a great provider—could support multiple wives and children, which helped the community survive in harsh Arctic conditions. It was also a sign of high status and exceptional skill.
But now, he thought bitterly, many women became pregnant without even knowing the face of the man responsible.
His mother had always lectured him about such things. She told him never to abandon responsibility. She warned him not to act cowardly but to take accountability as a man. She advised him to choose a woman who would stand beside him as his future wife—not just anyone without standards. She taught him how to treat his future wife, how to build a family, and reminded him never to follow his father's example.
She often used his father as an example of what not to become.
Remembering those old memories brought a small smile to his face.
!Σ(×_×;)!