"I need strength. What are my options?" Ryu asked the system. "Also, is there a chance you have a name I can call you? Since we're conspirators, calling you 'System' doesn't reflect our bond."
"Simple. Just call me Akatsuki," replied the mechanical, feminine voice.
"Great. Call me Ryu. We should at least be on a first-name basis—you are in my head, after all," Ryu said with a soft laugh.
"Noted. Ryu," she said.
"As for your question, you have many ways to grow stronger. One is mastering jutsu and obscure shinobi techniques. That alone will increase your chakra reserves. And since you're the host of the Akatsuki Shinobi System, you possess extreme aptitude. Every single elemental release is within your grasp. The path you walk is limited only by your imagination."
"My imagination, huh…" he mumbled. "Since I have the Sharingan of the Uchiha, does that mean I'm one now?"
"Do the Uchiha have access to all nature releases?" Akatsuki countered. Unlike the denizens of Divine Star Continent, you don't have a single-element body or a singular bloodline. You could say… You have all of them. You are Uchiha, Uzumaki, Senju…"
She continued, rattling off a list of legendary clans.
Ryu's eyes widened. Wasn't this just blatant cheating?
He shrugged. Should he care? If his opponent lays down four aces and he holds a royal flush, does he pity their loss?
"In that case… the Rinne-Sharingan must be just around the corner," he said, grinning like the Cheshire Cat.
An interface appeared in his mind. He navigated to the Rinne-Sharingan tab.
"It's blacked out."
"Yes. You must meet the prerequisites. Currently, you possess a basic-stage Sharingan—two inverted magatama. With it, you gain the following abilities:
- Eye of Insight -
You can see the chakra, giving it color to distinguish its composition and source. Unlike the Byakugan, this does not grant full penetration through obstructions, but you can detect chakra even behind some barriers. You can also sense irregularities caused by genjutsu.
Your perceptive clarity allows you to read lips, mimic movements, and analyze fast-moving objects. With three tomoe, you can predict enemy movements by muscle tension alone.
You may enter a target's mind and explore their memories through eye contact.
- Eye of Hypnotism -
Genjutsu: Sharingan.
If there's one thing you don't need to fear in this world, it's illusionists. Your eyes crown you king of illusions.
Eye contact lets you implant suggestions, extract information, or control others. Note: if you exert full control, your Sharingan pattern will appear in the target's eyes.
Madara Uchiha famously controlled the Nine-Tails with his eyes alone. If he could command a tailed beast with infinite chakra, what's stopping you from taming these magical beasts?
"Sweet!" Ryu exclaimed. "Just let me collect all the eyes!"
"Each requires a prerequisite. Once you unlock the three-tomoe Sharingan, you can spend currency to select a Mangekyōlineage."
"Can I get them all?"
"You'd need to master each one, obtain their Eternal versions, and then… check the store for the price," Akatsuki replied matter-of-factly.
"Always something," Ryu muttered. "If my spiritual root hampers me, how do I cultivate?"
"I'm glad you asked," she said. "Because of your body situation, you don't lack a spiritual root; your innate root is different. Further training in chakra will refine your body, and rediscovering your uniqueness will be in your grasp. Fortunately, you cannot cultivate using the standard methods of this world; chakra is far superior."
"However, you won't fall behind. Your transmigration triggered a metamorphosis. Your body now possesses the highest aptitude for chakra manipulation. While it'll take time to prime your network, you'll surpass even this world's so-called geniuses."
Akatsuki continued proudly. "You've noticed, right? Your exquisite looks? That's no accident—you were handsome in both lives."
Sweat rolled down Ryu's back. In a cultivation world, good looks didn't guarantee fortune. Even men could suffer because of beauty.
"They cast incantations to use magic. You need hand seals and chakra control. Once mastered, you'll wave your hand and unleash jutsu at will!"
Ryu sweat-dropped. "That's… something to be thankful for, I guess." He rubbed his neck. "So… can others become ninjas too?"
"Only those fortunate enough to be exempt from this world's essence-based limitations," she said.
Ryu pictured a chibi cheerleader version of Akatsuki—tiny, cute, and screaming in support even if the team was down twenty points.
"Ouch!" he yelped. Pain stabbed his head.
"Akatsuki must be brought forth," the system said smugly. "Host has no choice. If you fail, penalties will be severe—possibly fatal."
"Bullying me now?" Ryu cried, clutching his head as pain worsened. "Gah! Mercy! Uncle!"
"Hmph! I'm not a bully. You're the bully." He felt a light slap on the back of his head.
"Threatening my life just because I don't rebuild the Akatsuki—where's my justice? I need a lawyer!" Ryu shouted.
"Keep your voice down," Akatsuki warned. "You're not home. You're in a forest full of apex predators. Unless you want to become magical beast fertilizer, hush."
Ryu immediately shut up and looked around.
"…My bad. Thanks for the reminder."
"Water under the bridge," she replied.
"As I was saying. You must form Akatsuki. It won't be easy, but the system will support you as long as you try. I'll hold your hand, guide your feet. I want this, too."
"These lucky individuals," she continued, "the dregs of society… those who've tasted true pain… they will shine brightest."
"How do I find them?" Ryu asked. "Do I need to master Medical Ninjutsu and examine every poor soul I find?"
"No need. I can detect resentment. Leave the recruitment to me. You focus on staying alive."
"…Sure, whatever."
"If it were easy, a monkey could do it. These blessed souls can't sense their chakra on their own. They must be baptized by me, through you."
Ryu nodded.
In Naruto, everyone had chakra. It was Kaguya's divine fruit that birthed the shinobi world. Her children inherited the chakra and taught others to wield it.
In this world, beneath the sun and sky, Akatsuki was reborn. Aido Hwedo might have been the noble they saw, but within him… Ryu 'Jack' Baptise of Earth steered the wheel.
To the world, he would be Aido.
To his friends, Ryu.
To his enemies?
He would be Pain.
A scarlet Rinne-Sharingan spun invisibly in his mental space—ten inverted magatama orbiting its core.
Ryu lay on the grass, legs crossed, twirling his foot lazily as the system downloaded info directly into his brain.
"Relax. This is privileged information—only available to Akatsuki hosts."
"Wait… does this mean the Hwedo clan doesn't even have a Super Kage-Realm expert?"
"Possibly. Don't underestimate hidden forces. But remember—realms are endless. Don't assume you've seen the peak just because you can see the sky."
He had Aido memories, but was shocked to realize that this world and Naruto had similar rankings. The Six Path Stage was the only indicator of change, as here it was considered the Demi-God realm, but he knew that was what the Six Path Stage was, too.
"How many gods exist?"
"Don't ask questions you're not qualified to know.
"What about shinobi vs cultivators? Wouldn't a Genin lack against a traditional cultivator?"
Akatsuki chuckled. "The shinobi world is a Supreme-Tier universe. Don't insult it. Shinobi physiology eclipses dantians."
Ryu nodded seriously.
He remembered: the Hwedo clan had at least three hidden monsters. And if they were one of the Four Great Clans of the Holy Flame Land… there could be Sages—or worse—lurking.
His face paled.
Akatsuki noticed. "Don't lower your head. You insult me by doubting. Even if they had a multiple Kages… even a God… I'm still your ace."
That's right.
He would establish the Akatsuki. Create the world's first Hidden Shinobi Village. Build power—strike when ready.
He raised a clenched fist toward the sky, channeling his inherent hatred from what occurred.
"System, give me a breakdown of my options."
"Certainly."
Inheritance & Template System: Gain random shinobi powers. One free roll per Akatsuki core member obtained.
Ninjutsu System: Access all jutsu, including forbidden and secret techniques.
Store System: Buy anything—tools, weapons, even entire villages.
Dōjutsu System: Rare, powerful. Eye techniques. Expensive, but invaluable.
Summoning & Bijuu System: Get contracts and summon tailed beasts. But beware their wrath.
Mission System: Automated/random. Complete missions for rewards—fail and suffer.
"Dice? Fine. I was a winner on the streets of Chicago when it came to dice! Hand me the dice—let's roll my inheritance!"
"You've never rolled the dice on a Chicago street corner," Akatsuki teased. "You're from the suburbs."
"Ah—wait! I was lying! Just kidding! Please don't fry my brain!"
"Humph. The host need not embellish."
"How do I earn system cash?" He uttered, changing the subject quickly
Completing missions
Slaying magical beasts
Killing humans
"By default, you've been given a 100,000 balance."
"Sweet baby Jesus," Ryu muttered, rubbing his palms.
Later, he meditated, tapping into the surrounding chakra. A smile bloomed on his face.
"Congratulations," Akatsuki said. "You're now an Academy-level ninja."
Ryu cursed internally.
"I'd like to purchase the Akatsuki wardrobe," he asked sheepishly. "And the Tobi mask."
"No need. Standard gear is free while in good standing with the system. With that being said, please endeavor to remain favored."
Poof!
Smoke exploded in front of him, and the iconic black cloak with red clouds appeared.
"These robes represent the blood-soaked justice of Amegakure," he whispered reverently.
Time passed. He cultivated for 12 hours. His stomach rumbled. He ate, burped, and resumed browsing.
"System, let's roll the dice now."
"As you wish."
Two giant dice tumbled in his mental space—seemingly infinite-sided.
"Come on, Madara… or Hashirama…"
They stopped.
Ryu peeked.
His face turned pale.
"CHEAT!"
He reached for the dice—vanished.
"Noooo—this can't be happening!"
"Prepare. Inheritance is painful. Your body may change."
"Akatsuki! Please! Don't do this! How did I get this one?!"
"You got Kidōmaru. Sound Four. A spider-themed curse-mark user. Powerful. Formidable. And no Orochimaru soul taint."
Ryu paled further.
"I don't want to be a spider mutant! If this were Marvel and I were Spider-Man, fine! But girls here won't love me!"
"Oh? That's your concern?" Akatsuki scoffed. "You'll have six arms. Imagine the jutsu you could cast. It's broken."
She went on.
Stage 1: Two extra arms, chakra increase, strength, and speed buff
Stage 2 & 3: Physical transformation; final form like Kidōmaru vs. Neji
"…Well. I guess he was like a super-archer ninja or something…"
"You'll also receive his wardrobe and summoning contract. The boss spider may not like your earlier insults."
"Wait—" he began, but pain slammed into him.
And everything went black.