Hayashi lay on his bed, excitement coursing through him. His heart raced as he raised his right hand and opened his virtual panel.
[Host: Uchiha Hayashi
Location: Land of Fire
Age: 6
Overall Strength Index: Invincible existence in the Ninja Academy
Chakra: Level 4 (0/4000)
Taijutsu: Level 5 (0/6000)
Shuriken: Level 4 (0/4000)
Hand Seals: Level 3 (0/2000)
Ninjutsu: Level 3 (0/2000)
Genjutsu: Level 4 (0/4000)
Wind Affinity: Level 2 (0/1000)
Fire Affinity: Level 3 (0/2000)
Lightning Affinity: Level 2 (0/1000)
Water Affinity: Level 0 (0/100)
Earth Affinity: Level 0 (0/100)
Yang Affinity: Level 0 (0/100)
Yin Affinity: Level 0 (0/100)
Remaining Ninja Points: 27,100]
Even though he had seen the numbers before, the sight of so many points still made his blood surge.
Not long ago, he only had 600 points. But after defeating opponent after opponent, his total had skyrocketed to 27,100.
Then came the system's voice:
[Congratulations, Host. You have completed the mission to enter the top three of the academy-wide trial. You have earned the title "Surpassing the Crowd."]
[Reward: 5,000 Ninja Points. In addition, since this was the first mission completed, you are granted a bonus of 3,000 Ninja Points.]
[Your current balance is 35,100 Ninja Points.]
A grin spread across Hayashi's face. Missions truly were the fastest way to gain points. Without them, saving up enough for even small upgrades would have taken years.
He didn't hesitate. He immediately poured points into Taijutsu.
[Congratulations, Host. Taijutsu has reached Level 6. Stamina, speed, perception, and understanding of Taijutsu have greatly improved.]
"Not enough," Hayashi muttered, adding more.
[Congratulations, Host. Taijutsu has reached Level 7.]
Satisfied, he spent another 8,000 points to raise both Shurikenjutsu and Genjutsu to Level 5. With gritted teeth, he pushed Chakra, Hand Seals, and his three main affinities—Wind, Fire, and Lightning—to Level 4 as well.
The panel now displayed:
[Host: Uchiha Hayashi
Age: 6
Overall Strength Index: Comparable to a skilled genin
Chakra: Level 4 (0/4000)
Taijutsu: Level 7 (0/12000)
Shuriken: Level 5 (0/6000)
Hand Seals: Level 4 (0/4000)
Ninjutsu: Level 4 (0/4000)
Genjutsu: Level 5 (0/6000)
Wind Affinity: Level 4 (0/4000)
Fire Affinity: Level 4 (0/4000)
Lightning Affinity: Level 4 (0/4000)
Water Affinity: Level 0 (0/100)
Earth Affinity: Level 0 (0/100)
Yang Affinity: Level 0 (0/100)
Yin Affinity: Level 0 (0/100)
Remaining Points: 100]
Balanced distribution was key. Specializing too heavily left openings. Hayashi nodded, satisfied with the spread. Still, the feeling that points were never enough lingered, just like how money was never enough in the real world.
"When will I ever have enough to spend freely?" he sighed. "Maybe I should put up a missing-system poster: 'My system is stingy. I'm young, talented, and in good health—looking for a better system to sponsor me.'"
Shaking his head at his own joke, Hayashi noted his Taijutsu was only 12,000 points away from Level 8. For a second-year student, that wasn't far. The pressure of the system's earlier threats had eased, and for the first time, he felt he could breathe.
"Hmph, System. I'll slip out of your control soon."
[Don't worry, Host. Once this mission is done, there will be others.]
"…So despicable," Hayashi muttered.
[Please call it foresight.]
Ignoring the reply, he pulled on his trench coat and stepped outside. Training could wait. His body was still young; overworking it would do more harm than good. Even prodigies like Itachi had suffered from overtraining at a young age. Balance mattered.
The night air was cool as he walked toward the village center. He avoided the bustling commercial streets, instead taking the quieter path toward the Hokage Rock. The view there always cleared his head.
But as he walked, his steps slowed.
Standing at the intersection ahead was a familiar figure—Hyūga Himeji.
Clad in the Hyūga clan uniform, she stood silently, her pale eyes fixed on him. Under the moonlight, the sight was unsettling, her presence deliberate.
"…Himeji-san. What a coincidence," Hayashi greeted lightly, though his chakra had already surged through his body in preparation.
His stance looked casual, but every muscle was coiled, ready to react. Had she come for revenge after losing to him earlier that day?
Himeji's blank stare didn't waver. For a long moment, silence hung between them.
Finally, Hayashi tried to break it with a forced chuckle. "Really now, what kind of coincidence would lead us both here, on this lonely path?"
"It's just a coincidence," Himeji replied flatly.
"Stop lying. A coincidence in a place like this?"
Her gaze remained fixed on him, cold and unyielding beneath the moon's glow.
Hayashi's laugh trailed off. This was no coincidence at all.
____
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