Uchiha Tatsuno rubbed the muscles in both legs, a look of surprise spreading across his young face.
That power surge just now—especially in his legs—had been completely unprecedented. The sheer strength and speed caught him off guard, and he'd been thoroughly humiliated by his own body.
"This power… it's way beyond anything I've felt before," he muttered, still stunned. "I could've beaten ten of my old selves."
He used to think he was decent. Turns out, he'd just been a rookie with confidence issues.
Was this one of the Three Great Illusions of the ninja world?
"I'm strong."
"I'm special."
"I'm the main character."
He shook off the thought and tried to objectively assess the situation. His earlier physical prowess had been average—maybe slightly above average—compared to his peers at the Academy. But just now, after the chakra-boosted movement, it was clear he'd reached a new level.
The move he used was from a scroll left behind by Uchiha Kagami—the famed second-generation Uchiha who once fought alongside Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzo during the Warring States aftermath. Tatsuno had been practicing the technique for a long time, but the results were lackluster. Before today, he could barely dash a couple of meters using chakra propulsion, and doing so drained all his energy.
But this time, not only had the distance more than doubled, the speed had leapt to another level entirely.
More importantly, even though his body was fatigued, he didn't feel that familiar "chakra burnout" sensation. That meant he still had plenty left in the tank.
Just one level-up, and already a leap like this?
The pain from his crash began to subside. Tatsuno slowly stood, dusting himself off, a smile forming in his obsidian-black eyes.
"Try again!"
But this time, he decided not to repeat the property damage in his room.
His finances were...let's just say, ramen-tier.
He quickly stepped outside into the courtyard. Once again, he gathered chakra into his legs—this time being careful to regulate the flow. The result was smoother. He didn't lose control.
Unfortunately, he only managed to cover about three meters. His stamina was clearly taxed from earlier.
"I still don't have enough chakra reserves…"
He frowned. The scroll had described this technique as a short-range burst step, something akin to a beginner's Shunshin no Jutsu, though not as refined. The technique required not only chakra but complete control over one's body. Without that control, it was like trying to launch a rocket using a firecracker.
He gave it another go. Slightly better. But after that, his chakra supply was basically tapped out.
Ding!
"Host has exercised diligently. +1 Ninja Point. Remaining Ninja Points: 890."
Hearing that mechanical voice in his head, Tatsuno unexpectedly broke into a grin.
"Points really are art."
After catching his breath, he headed back inside. He had to report to the Ninja Academy tomorrow morning—no chance of training all night like Might Guy.
Time to rebuild some stamina.
---
Growl.
"Pff—so hungry."
Tatsuno clutched his stomach. The chakra expenditure had clearly eaten into his reserves.
Luckily, there were instant noodles in the fridge.
At this rate, he was going to turn into Naruto.
---
While slurping noodles, the system chimed in with that familiar deadpan cheeriness:
"Congratulations, Host! You have successfully upgraded a single attribute on your first day. You are now one step closer to becoming the strongest ninja on the planet!"
"Releasing new mission—"
"Before graduating from the Ninja Academy, the host must upgrade at least one of the thirteen attributes to Level 8."
"Success will bring great rewards. Failure will result in full attribute reset, point wipeout, and… a 6-month mandatory crossdressing penalty."
"Good luck, Host."
Tatsuno choked.
"WHAT?! Level 8?! That's Chūnin-level! I'm five years old! You want me to be a mid-tier ninja before I even graduate?! And the punishment is cruel and unusual! You degenerate system!"
"Are you possessed by Naruto? Or worse—Konohamaru?!"
---
To clarify:
Level 0 → Level 1 requires 100 Ninja Points.
Level 1 → Level 2 = 500 Points
Level 2 → 3 = 1,000 Points
Level 3 → 4 = 2,000
Level 4 → 5 = 4,000
Level 5 → 6 = 6,000
Level 6 → 7 = 9,000
Level 7 → 8 = 12,000
Level 8 was no joke—it meant command-level ability. Someone capable of leading squads. Even Neji didn't hit that until the Chūnin Exams.
Tatsuno's current highest stat was Taijutsu, sitting at Level 3.
To reach Level 8? 33,000 points.
And at his current pace, having saved just 2,000 in one year, it would take him five years to hit the requirement.
And he couldn't just pump points into Taijutsu. He wasn't Might Guy.