LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 9: Chapter 9
Kakashi finally returned home. How long had he been on his last mission? Three months! Three freaking months spent building relations with those damn Mist-nin, even though it was obvious to everyone that it was a complete waste of time! What kind of relations can you have with a country torn apart by internal strife?
Damn elders! How long has he been on missions like this, away from the village? Yeah, pretty much since the Nine-Tails attack. Everyone understands the situation, but it's so infuriating. Fine, a short rest, and then he should visit the teacher's son. The last time he managed to find time for that was two years ago! Two whole years! If the chance ever comes, I'll personally wring those old geezers' necks!
His thoughts of a warm bed and proper sleep on something soft—not in a damp room or somewhere on the road—were interrupted by a knock at the door. As the proud representative of the Hatake clan opened the door, before he could even step back, he was greeted by a fellow ANBU operative wearing a badger mask.
"You have a new mission. Five minutes to prepare," said the shinobi curtly, handing Kakashi a scroll before disappearing with a Shunshin.
His dreams were shattered. Kakashi's eye started twitching. He wanted to rage, to smash things, and—most of all—to cry!
That's it. If I ever get a peaceful period in my life, I'm going to annoy everyone by being the slowest, laziest, most habitually late shinobi ever! I've had enough. I've accrued more unused vacation time than I've earned from all my A-rank missions!
The proud student of the Fourth Hokage and bearer of the Sharingan couldn't take it anymore and leaned his head against the wall. Anyone who could see him now would be surprised to notice his shoulders trembling. It had been a long time since he'd been this stressed out. Visiting the teacher's son? He hadn't even spent three full minutes in his own home after reporting back to the Hokage!
Meanwhile, at the hospital.
"Ah-choo! Must be some pretty girl thinking about me," I said with a shrug, brushing off the sudden sneeze.
Now, back to system notifications!
First of all, every hit from that bastard and his buddy—who could probably join a church choir now—leveled up my Masochist skill by at least five points per blow. Though I have to admit, they really hit hard. Even that clash of fists counted as damage and gave me three levels in the skill. Plus, seven levels in Iron Fists.
And yeah, I didn't just gain a level—I leveled up like crazy. Not quite on Sasuke's level, but not bad—almost level 14 now. Considering academy graduates are usually around level 20, a bit lower for non-clan kids and a bit higher for clan members, I could technically skip to the final year based on my level alone.
So, the stats are now as follows.
Name: Naruto Uzumaki
Life: 1880
Chakra Reserve: 585
Chakra Control: -249
Level: 13
Experience: 1240/1300
Class: Light Disciple.
Parameters:
Strength: 75
Dexterity: 33
Stamina: 89
Intelligence: 21
Free Points: 110
Feature: "Demon", "Jinchuriki", "Uzumaki", "Orphan", "Novice Rescuer", "Player+".
Passive skills: "Stealth - lvl62", "Butler - lvl12", "Masochist - lvl69", "Cold Look - lvl17", "Strong Fists - lvl41", "Observation - lvl9".
Skills: "Singing - lvl83", "Narutotherapy - lvl12", "Eloquence - lvl8".
The special highlight was that I was only six HP away from death in that park. According to the logs, I was very fortunately saved. But looking at the imbalance that this event gave me, I felt sick somehow! Well, the Rescuer is fine, the quest itself notified me about it. But that's later. What was worse was that my two most outstanding skills now... I wanted to cry from them! And if I am to blame for singing, there was no point in singing in the shower, then you will pay for such an increase in the levels of a masochist! If at least someone ever sees this disgrace, I will simply cut myself! Urgently pump up stealth and fists! And I don't care that both skills barely rise outside of such force majeure. I don't even care about the Light Acolyte! With my behavior and Narutotherapy, it was hard to expect anything else. And one step closer to a paladin.
Chakra growth and slightly increased control... by one, and that's still at a very negative value. It was explained simply, my body instinctively nourished itself with chakra, which caused its growth in the body, but they didn't give me the skill. Because I don't know how to control it and I can't repeat it!
Quest: "Novice Rescuer, Part X" completed!
Reputation with the Uchiha clan +5000
Reputation with Maya Uchiha 16% (explanations in Player+)
Reputation with Saya Uchiha 89%
Reputation with Aya Uchiha 89%
Due to the completion of the chain of ten rescues, the prize eleventh became available! The status of Novice Rescuer and the class of Light Acolyte were also received.
10% chance to become one of the Baywatch in the next life!
You have made an indelible impression on the clans with your actions. And even on clanless shinobi +700 reputation with all Konohagakure factions.
In connection with your heroic actions and completion of a chain of ten tasks, the system gives you the opportunity to choose a reward from the presented ones (the reward remains with you even after the restart):
1) Overcomer - increased endurance x2, a chance to get into trouble and start overcoming 50%. A chance to seduce saved 80% (f) and 20% (m).
2) Early awakening of chakra - start training with chakra earlier than your peers. +200 to chakra control. A chance to receive the title of Genius of Ninjutsu in the future +5%. A chance to interest Root +67%. A chance to displease the elders +89%. Difficulty of combat mode.
3) Beginner Li Shu Wen - a chance to live to seventy +2%. Obtaining the knowledge of the great Li Shu Wen will allow you to use chakra in the manner of Chi! Reputation with the Green Beasts of Konoha +2500. Provides knowledge on mastering Chinese Martial Arts (other BAs are blocked forever). Provides two active skills. Chance to trample the glory of the One-Hit Man +1%. Increases resistance to genjutsu by 5%. Makes learning genjutsu more difficult by 65%.
There was no need to think about it. The first option? The line about seducing certain "M" individuals put me off completely. Pass. The second option? Tempting, but the last three sentences were outright terrifying. The third? Who cares about losing access to other fighting styles or the inability to master genjutsu properly? That first line won me over! A 2% chance to live longer—not just longer, but to actually grow old! Damn it, I don't know who you are, Li Shuwen, but you're my idol now!
So, I made my choice immediately and went straight to the reputation window. I was curious to see how my relationships with everyone stood, especially those "Green Beasts." Maybe I could even get a few lessons from them? For my age, my endurance and strength are decent! Sure, it's nowhere near Sasuke's nearly 200 strength and 150 agility, but at least my endurance is higher. That damn cheater! I want someone's reincarnation buff too! And if little Uchiha isn't considered a genius, how terrifying must his brother be? Brr, even thinking about it gives me chills.
When I looked at the reputation screen, I froze. Part of it felt familiar, but only partially. The way relationships with girls were displayed now scared me. Five empty hearts. Well, not for everyone. Ino had one full pink heart and 3% on the second one. Unexpected. Let's check this "memory" feature—it appears when you click on a female character's name. Let's start with Ino.
A layout appeared with empty slots, the first of which was filled with a picture. It showed my dumb face from the side and Ino kissing me on the cheek. Oh, this is from the moment I saved her—I remember that clearly. Below, it said, "Event completed." Great, I feel like the protagonist of a Japanese visual novel.
The twins, on the other hand, had "Event not completed." So, there's more to it? Though the remaining 6% likely doesn't hide anything too crazy. Still, it's odd that what I've done so far wasn't even enough to fill one heart!
On the other hand, the first event in most visual novels, from what I remember as a former translator of such games, is almost always standard. Meaning, I should expect a kiss on the cheek. But why hasn't it happened yet? Oh, right, they visited me with Ino. Question answered.
In Ino's tab, I can even replay that event in a player. Free video, amusing. But this new system? Terrifying.
On the bright side, I've been told that intelligence no longer affects chakra—it's now just intelligence. Chakra in its awakened state is calculated from endurance and spirit. Though, for some reason, my spirit stat is locked.
But none of this shocked or scared me as much as one specific line in the reputation section.
Inuzuka Tsume – 6%.
How? When? I've only seen her twice, when Kiba invited me over, and even then our communication never went beyond "hello"!
I'm kind of scared to visit my best friend now!