The Academy loomed ahead, just as iconic as it looked in the anime—simple, solid, and somehow full of nostalgia and chaos. Kids were already flooding in, some walking, others jumping from rooftop to rooftop like showoffs.
Our MC jogged up the dirt road, still mentally adjusting to his tiny body and the sensory overload of actually being in Konoha.
> Ultra Gainz System Reminder:
0/100 Push-ups
0/100 Sit-ups
0/100 Squats
0/10km run
Failure to complete today's workout will result in soreness equivalent to getting hit by a Rasengan. Twice.
"Yeah, yeah, I get it," he muttered, glancing around for a quiet corner where he could start grinding before class.
But before he could find one—
SPLAT.
His foot hit something squishy. Something… white.
"Ew—what the—?"
A glob of glue exploded under his sandal, locking him in place. Just ahead, laughter rang out as a kid with bright blonde hair and orange goggles pointed and cackled like a maniac.
"HAHA! Gotcha! That's prank number five today, dattebayo!"
Naruto Uzumaki, in the flesh. Loud, messy, chaotic—and exactly as the MC remembered him.
Naruto dashed off before the teacher nearby could catch him. The MC sighed and yanked his foot free.
"Of course it'd be Naruto. And of course, I'd be the one who steps in it."
Inside the classroom, he took a seat near the back, sizing up the crowd. There were the usual suspects—Sasuke brooding in the corner, Shikamaru sleeping already, Ino and Sakura fighting over nothing. And Naruto? Still gloating about his "genius prank."
> DING!
[New Side Quest Unlocked!]
"Out-Prank the Prankster!"
Outsmart Naruto in a public prank battle.
Reward: +1 Intelligence, +5 Respect (Naruto), +10 Infamy
Penalty: Public humiliation. Probably.
He narrowed his eyes. "This system really wants me to get into it, huh?"
Class started, but he couldn't focus. His eyes kept drifting to the daily workout counter. He had to knock out at least some of the routine if he wanted a chance at keeping up.
Lunch break hit.
While the others ran out for food or more chaos, he ducked behind the building and dropped into the dirt.
Push-up 1.
Push-up 2.
Push-up 3.
> +0.01 Strength Gained
"Wait—it gives partial progress?" He grinned. "Alright then."
Push-up 4. Push-up 5.
That's when a voice called out.
"Oi! Weirdo! What are you doing? That's not training, that's just flailing on the ground!"
Naruto stood over him, half a rice ball in his hand, the other half already smeared on his face.
"Push-ups," the MC said flatly.
"Push-what?"
"You'll understand later."
Naruto blinked. "You're weird. I like it. Wanna hang out?"
The MC raised an eyebrow. Befriending Naruto early? That could seriously change things. Not a bad idea at all.
"Sure. But you're doing 10 push-ups first."
Naruto scoffed. "Easy!"
He did four.
Collapsed on the fifth.
"This sucks!"
"Exactly," the MC said with a grin. "But that's how you get stronger."
Naruto groaned, rolling over into the grass. "You're even crazier than I am."
> System Update:
Progress:
Push-ups: 22/100
Sit-ups: 0/100
Squats: 0/100
Run: 0.8/10km
+0.4 Strength
+0.2 Chakra Control
Not bad for day one. And he had a feeling tomorrow would be even harder—but way more fun.