As the ability was selected,
Uchiha Haru's Sharingan opened instantly and uncontrollably.
His eyes turned blood red—redder, brighter, and more oppressive than usual.
After a short moment, they returned to normal.
[The ability was successfully solidified!]
The system issued a timely reminder.
The ability was solidified...
Interesting.
Haru clearly felt the strengthening of his pupil power and the subtle changes within himself.
This made him extremely excited. He quickly began the next simulation.
[The Uchiha Clan Extermination Night simulation begins!]
[Currently available abilities: Pupil Skills +100, Illusion Master, Ice Release, Taijutsu +50...]
As the newest abilities were revealed one by one,
Haru's eyes suddenly lit up.
The ability at the end of the optional list:
[Ice Release (Purple Ability): A kekkei genkai that combines Water and Wind Release to form ice directly.]
Ice Release!
A very powerful and extremely rare ability in the Naruto world.
Just acquiring this would significantly boost his strength, surpassing even what he had in the last simulation.
And this was only a purple-ranked ability?
Wouldn't a golden ability be so strong it defies common sense?
Haru couldn't help but feel a rush of anticipation.
He selected Ice Release, along with the previously retained abilities—Pupil Power +100 and Illusion Master—to complete the three-ability setup.
[Ice Release (Purple Ability): A kekkei genkai that allows the user to combine Water and Wind Release to directly manipulate ice.]
[Pupil Power +100 (Blue Ability): Sharply enhances eye power, improving perception and clarity.]
[Illusion Master (Blue Ability): Greatly enhances the effectiveness of all genjutsu.]
[Ability selection complete!]
[Starting simulation!]
Same room, same situation.
But Uchiha Haru was no longer the wide-eyed novice he had been the first time.
He jumped out the window,
Following the original escape route, vanishing into the shadows where few could spot him.
Last time, he failed because his fight attracted too much attention.
He'd drawn in Root operatives nearby.
But now, armed with the experience of his past failures, he was determined to try again.
Even if he couldn't completely evade detection,
At the very least, he would gain a deeper understanding of his enemies and sharpen his own combat abilities.
Anyone who's faced death knows how much you can grow from it.
Of course, the cost of failure is often too high.
Most people don't go out of their way to court death.
But Haru wasn't most people—he had the Extermination Night Simulator.
As long as it was active, he could face life and death scenarios repeatedly,
Training himself without risk.
This advantage was comparable to a purple, or even golden, ability!
After all, even the most overpowered skill requires constant battle to reach its full potential.
Naturally,
True growth requires facing enemies of similar strength.
If the gap is too wide,
It isn't training—it's self-destruction.
And Haru wasn't into masochism.
So when it came to facing Uchiha Itachi and Uchiha Obito—both at Kage-level strength—
He avoided them.
He had no interest in dying for nothing.
Right now, the elite but not invincible Root operatives were the perfect targets.
As for challenging Itachi and Obito?
That day would come.
And with the simulator helping him evolve faster than anyone else, it wouldn't be too far away.
Beneath the pitch-black sky,
Haru's face was calm, with a touch of excitement in his eyes.
This was his personal crucible of life and death.
Second simulation: failed!
Third simulation: failed!
...
Tenth simulation: failed!
...
Fifteenth simulation: failed!
...
Twenty-fourth simulation: failed!
...
Eventually, Haru lost track of how many times he'd run it.
Dozens? Maybe more.
All failures.
But with each failure came gains.
At first, fighting off three Root operatives was a struggle.
But gradually, Haru adapted.
Four enemies.
Then six.
Then seven...
In the latest simulation,
He killed more than ten Root operatives.
Sure, part of that came from system-optimized abilities and his accumulated understanding of the Root's jutsu and combat styles through repeated trials.
But even with that,
Killing that many elite assassins was no small feat.
It was clear the repeated brush with death had refined Haru's combat instincts and strength.
If Haru had been a standard three-tomoe Sharingan user when he first started,
Only reaching elite chūnin level thanks to system buffs,
Now, even without ability enhancements,
His strength surpassed that of an elite jōnin,
Thanks solely to his battle-forged experience.
His growth was nothing short of terrifying.
Indeed, nothing accelerates evolution like dancing with death.
Even though these were simulations,
They felt just as real.
The pain.
The scent of blood in the air.
The chill of the wind.
Identical to reality.
There was only one disappointment:
After so many runs,
He'd seen a few purple abilities,
But not a single golden one had appeared.
It was frustrating.
Still, disappointment aside,
The power he'd gained in such a short period was astounding.
Haru was satisfied.
"System, start simulation!"
Without any hesitation,
He quickly activated another run, not even thinking of rest.
[The Uchiha Clan Extermination Night simulation begins!]
[Please select three of the following ten abilities for simulation.]
[Currently available abilities: Flame Release Master, Chakra +800, Taijutsu +500...]
Haru's eyes scanned the list,
Reading quickly...