Shane dispelled the shadow clone.
Instantly, the clone's memories flooded back into his mind. It was a strange sensation—like experiencing events firsthand while also watching from a god's-eye view.
Confirmed.
The system recognized the shadow clone's heartbeat, but only the heartbeat. The clone didn't have its own system interface.
"I wonder if the system counts the clone's spending. If a clone can spend money and earn me points, that would make them the perfect tool."
Poof.
Shane summoned another shadow clone and handed it the bank card, sending it out to spend some cash.
After the clone left, Shane recovered his chakra for a bit, then stood and walked toward the wall.
One step.
Two steps.
Three steps.
Just as he was about to hit the wall, he lifted his leg and placed his foot against it. Chakra gathered at the sole, adhering firmly to the surface. Then he lifted his other foot.
"Yes!"
His body tilted away from the floor, both feet planted securely on the wall. Shane grinned like an idiot.
Tree climbing. Water walking. These were the simplest and most effective methods for training chakra control, and they were fundamental ninja skills.
In Naruto, this ability seemed unremarkable. But in the real world, it had endless applications. Most obviously, any environment became traversable terrain—skyscrapers, oceans, lakes. Anywhere his eyes could see became a flat road.
A while later.
Knock knock knock.
Someone rapped on the door.
Shane walked down from the wall and opened it. Outside stood his shadow clone, holding a shopping bag.
Before Shane could speak, the clone shoved the bag into his hands.
Poof.
It vanished.
Out of chakra.
The clone's memories returned. Shane frowned slightly, shook off the disorientation, turned around, and closed the door.
The bag contained items the clone had bought from a nearby supermarket. After leaving the hotel, the clone had wandered a large area, essentially scouting the neighborhood for him. Unfortunately, it was late at night, and most places suitable for big purchases were closed. With limited chakra, the clone had settled for a quick shopping spree at a supermarket before heading back.
He hadn't spent much money, but the test yielded results.
The clone's spending didn't count toward his own.
In other words, the money was spent, but he earned no points.
Shane felt the system's boundless malice toward him. It was clearly trying to turn him into a useless bum whose only skill was burning cash.
Making money? Shadow clones.
Fighting? Shadow clones.
Chores? Shadow clones.
All he had to do was focus on one thing and one thing only: spending money.
"This lifestyle is way too unambitious, isn't it? I've got ninjutsu now. I'm in a world full of supernatural threats. And all I'm supposed to do is spend money?"
After complaining while reaping the benefits, Shane decided to try a different approach tomorrow. If the clone spending directly from his card didn't generate points, what if he withdrew cash and gave it to the clone as a gift or payment?
Investment, gifts, and consumption all generated points. If a clone spending his money didn't work, then surely gifting money to the clone first would, right?
Shane tossed the shopping bag aside and resumed practicing—not tree climbing, but wall walking.
He kept going until he was exhausted and his chakra nearly depleted. Only then did he drag himself to the bedroom and collapse into sleep.
The next day.
Bright sunshine. A gentle breeze.
For Shane, this was the start of his new life—a day brimming with energy and anticipation.
After waking up, he took a shower, ate breakfast in the hotel restaurant, checked out, and headed straight to the nearest ATM. He withdrew ten thousand dollars in cash.
Then, in a secluded spot, he summoned a shadow clone and gifted the ten thousand dollars to it.
He opened the system panel.
Shane smiled.
Just as he thought—the clone spending his money directly didn't generate points, but gifting money to the clone did. That action met the system's criteria and produced points.
However, once the ten thousand dollars belonged to the clone, whether the clone spent it or Shane spent it, it wouldn't generate additional points.
In other words, spending someone else's money didn't count. The system wouldn't recognize it.
"Go find somewhere quiet and practice chakra control," Shane said, taking the ten thousand back and shooing the clone away to train.
"That's my money," the clone protested.
"What does a shadow clone need money for? Can you eat with it? Drink with it? Buy things? Your chakra runs out, and poof—everything's gone. So remember: your money is my money, and my money is also my money."
Clone: I may not be human, but you're a real dog.
Shane ignored the clone's scornful glare. After trolling himself and pulling off a classic money-shuffling trick, he stepped out of the alley.
He glanced around and walked into a nearby fast-food joint.
"Hi, what can I get for you?"
A young blonde waitress approached his table with a menu.
"Large Coke, please."
Shane pulled a hundred-dollar bill from his pocket and handed it to her. "I don't have change. Keep the rest as a tip."
"This… this much?" The waitress froze. A Coke only cost a few dollars. "Thank you so much for your generosity, but this is way too much. Why don't you order something else?"
Shane waved off the menu she offered. "Do you have a minute? I'd like to ask you something."
"Are you trying to hit on me?" The waitress blinked, then smiled teasingly.
A hundred bucks for a Coke, keeping the change as a tip, and wanting to ask questions—it was easy to mistake it for a pickup attempt. Especially since the waitress was pretty attractive.
Shane chuckled and shook his head. "You're beautiful, but I'm not looking for a relationship right now. So…"
"So I misunderstood?" The waitress laughed good-naturedly, completely unbothered. "Even if it was a misunderstanding, your generosity still made my day. Thank you. If you don't mind, I'd like to pass this happiness along to others."
Shane raised an eyebrow. "How?"
"I'll use the leftover money from your bill to buy a few combo meals and give them to people who need them. Let them have a great day, just like me."
Give them to homeless people?
That positive?
Shane asked with genuine curiosity, "I don't mind, but I'm curious—are you always this kind and generous?"
The waitress shrugged. "Well, you only ordered a Coke, you're not trying to date me, and you gave me way too much money. If it were just a few bucks, I'd pocket it. Trust me, I'm not that generous. I'm broke too!"