Michio stood at the base of a tree, staring up like it had insulted his mother.
It was early—sun barely peeking over the horizon, dew still on the grass, birds chirping like they didn't know pain existed. And Michio? He was already drenched in sweat, breathing hard from his morning run.
> Ultra Gainz System Notification:
Daily Workout Progress:
Push-ups: 0/100
Sit-ups: 0/100
Squats: 0/100
Run: 3.1/10km
New Skill Focus: Chakra Control Challenge – "Tree Walking"
Reward: +3 Chakra Control, +1 Agility
Bonus: Complete while doing air squats every 3 steps for 2x EXP
Penalty for failure: Mild concussion and bruised ego
Michio muttered, "Of course there's a bonus. And of course it involves squats. Sadist system."
Still, he couldn't lie—he felt stronger. His chakra was flowing more smoothly now, and his body, though aching constantly, was starting to respond like a proper shinobi's. It wasn't just grind for stats anymore. It was transformation.
He remembered how it went in the show: mold chakra to your feet, stick to the bark, walk up, and try not to fall on your head.
Easy in theory. Brutal in practice.
He stepped forward, focused on his feet, channeled his chakra...
...and immediately slipped like a greased potato.
THUMP.
"Ow. Okay. Tree wins round one."
---
Later that day at the Academy, Iruka was walking the class through basic chakra theory again, but Michio was zoning out, scribbling workout notes into the margins of his notebook.
"—and that's why too much chakra output will make you bounce off the tree. Too little, and you fall. You need control."
Naruto was balancing a pencil on his nose, completely checked out.
Sasuke, of course, was sitting there like he already knew everything, which—he probably did.
Michio leaned over to Naruto. "Hey, tree walking after class?"
Naruto perked up. "Heck yeah! Bet I can get higher than you this time!"
"You sure? Last time you faceplanted into a squirrel nest."
"That squirrel had it coming."
---
After class, they returned to the training ground. This time, Sasuke trailed behind, arms crossed, watching from a distance with his usual mix of judgment and curiosity.
Michio faced the same tree again, eyes narrowed. Time for redemption.
He took a breath. Focused. Molded chakra.
Step.
Step.
Air squat.
The bark held beneath his sandals. A grin crept across his face.
Step. Step. Air squat.
> Tree Walking 20% Mastery
+0.5 Chakra Control
+0.2 Agility
Glutes feel mildly blessed.
Ten steps up—and then he slipped.
But he twisted, pushed off the tree, and landed in a controlled roll.
Naruto gasped. "That was SO COOL. Do it again!"
Michio coughed. "Later. Legs are dying."
Sasuke walked up, eyes narrowed. "You're weird. Who squats on a tree?"
Michio stood up, cracking his neck. "It's called modern training. You'll catch up someday."
That earned him a classic Uchiha scoff.
> DING!
Taunt Successful.
+1 Infamy (Sasuke)
Sasuke now considers you 0.8% worthy of his attention.
Naruto clapped Michio on the back. "Alright, Mr. Buff Brain, next challenge: walk the whole tree without falling once!"
Michio grinned, despite the soreness.
"Let's go."
This was more than just chakra control. This was leveling up—mind, body, and spirit.
One squat at a time.