I'm not sure how long I've been running, but at the very least, the Training Quest is keeping up by noting down the distance. As I finally arrived at the forest, I started sprinting to start my quest faster while looking for a good place to meditate and train. From what the quest is saying, I already crossed 7 kilometers, so I can simply run back and fully complete the physical quest with no issue.
However, I'm starting to feel tired. I used to be able to fight for months on end without any breaks. It feels pretty pathetic to see how low I've fallen, but it's better in the long run. There's no Stamina bar, but from what the Guide told me, increasing my Body gives me better stamina.
Body and Training Quests should be my priority right now, then switch to Spirit until I get enough for Ki Flight and a few other techniques. Once I feel comfortable with what I have, I can aim for a transformation.
Specifically…
[Ikari] – Transformation
Unleash the power of the Oozaru without transforming into the cumbersome form. Your power will increase by tenfold while this is active, and won't suffer any speed or mobility loss, but your Ki will decrease slowly.
Requirements: Level 35 Spirit, Level 30 Body, Level 20 Mind, Age 5
AP Cost: 10,000
Well, a year is enough to finish up all of my current goals and reach the requirements. Not a big deal really, I learned how to be patient. Might even skip it and aim for Super Saiyan instead, even if it's really, really expensive.
[Super Saiyan] – Transformation
The ancient form of myths, only spoken about in children's stories. The angry warrior with a majestic golden aura and exploding power that rivals the worst of the worst in the galaxy. Your power will increase by fifty times while this is active, but your Ki will decrease gradually.
Requirements: Level 190 Spirit, Level 175 Body, Level 150 Mind, Age 6
AP Cost: 50,000
Really expensive, and I'd have to wait for two years to buy it instead of one. Ah well, a lot can happen in two years- might even find a way to abuse Zenkai Boosts somehow and get the Super Saiyan forms easily.
Once I have the first level, I doubt a lot of worlds will pose much of a threat. Unless Akane threw me in an especially high-level one. I'd appreciate it if she did. I welcome the challenge, aside from it being good for my growth.
I stop my sprint, my breathing getting slightly heavy as I look around a clearing surrounded by the forest, as well as a large mountain next to it. There's a river also flowing nearby- well, frozen more like it, but this seems like a good place to start training.
It's pretty quiet too. I can only hear some birds chirping. It's still morning from the looks of it. Perfect.
I jump over the river, walking towards the mountain wall before gazing around me. I don't have a Ki Sense skill, so I might not be able to handle surprise attacks very well. Thankfully, it only costs fifty AP, so I should be able to get it soon.
Turning around, I tilt my head at the… scratch marks on the rocky wall of the mountain. Some animals live here then, predators. I think bears? Oh well, food is food. Might even have use for the pelt if I can butcher it right.
I turn my glance down at the seamless snowy grass, then take off my coat, sunglasses, and scarf and set them aside. It's really cold, but I can't train well while wearing this stuff. On the bright side, that'll help my body get used to the freezing weather.
If the system doesn't mind that happening.
It left a lot of things out of the guides. Like perks, how do I get those? I can't buy them with AP, but I know they exist. Do they come with quests? Or when my stats reach a certain level like the old system? Do a certain thing constantly until I'm given a perk for it?
I lie down, pushing my body back as the snow covers my hands, making me unable to feel them. I shiver slightly but force myself to train. I've dealt with way worse than this. I'm not giving up that easy.
"One…" I mutter.
I'll think about the perk thing when I have the time, or just wait until I get one so I know how they work. I have a long day ahead of me.
(Hours later…)
Once in a while, a tiny village will call for the Samurai's help when terrorized by bandits or animals. It's a standard procedure at this point- Shinji and his team saw many of the same issues being raised by the villages in Land of Iron, to the point of it being monotonous.
It was their job, though. Mifune-sama dispatched them to aid the village to the far north of the Land of Iron. A village by the sea is slightly more important, seeing how it's one of their biggest sources of fish. There are other villages and outposts, sure, but they should be able to handle this easily.
He was wrong. Very wrong.
Surprisingly, a bear was the thing causing trouble in the village. From what the folk said, it would usually attack in a violent manner, destroying buildings by ramming into them while devouring men and women alike with one chomp. A very big bear from what he gathered.
No matter, he's dealt with worse. Four Samurai can easily hunt down a bear. Sure, the rest of his team are immature and inexperienced, only graduating from the academy a few weeks ago, but come on, it's just a bear!
Shinji did not know what's gotten into him, underestimating an enemy like that, even if it's a simple animal. Well, it's not really simple, especially with how terrifyingly large it is. At least 15 feet tall, with one of its paws being four times bigger than his head. Nothing they threw at it managed to even make a scratch,
Yama-Oroshi is what the villagers called it. A horrifying beast that slaughtered his team and severely damaged him, before running off somewhere else. He tried to escape, but with his armor being almost crushed and missing a leg, he wasn't sure he'll be able to return to the town alive.
Shinji knew in his heart that he had no chance. The blood will attract more and more beasts, and that'll be the end for him. Even if not, he'll simply bleed out before reaching the village. The beast might even follow and kill him along with more villagers.
Shinji gasped, trying to keep his breathing under control as he lifted his helmet off, throwing it away. He leaned against a tree, his sword to his right but farther than he can reach. His Chakra felt low, his heartbeat ringing in his ears, and his vision began to blur and darken.
The Samurai knew that what he's doing now, trying to survive, is only prolonging his suffering. He won't be able to survive- there's no way of that ever happening… but maybe, just maybe- a sliver of a chance of him somehow living through all of this made him push forward.
"Forgive me, Mifune-sama…" He mumbled. "I've… failed you…"
Even when death was approaching him, Shinji's only regret was failing his master and general. Death by bleeding out or slaughtered by a beast- none of them hold the honor in death. Pathetic ways of getting killed, with no chance to redeem himself or beg forgiveness.
It hurt him way more than anything that monster can do. A missing leg, broken ribs, fatal wounds- none of them compare to the hopelessness of failing one's master. Had he been slain in the battlefield against the beast, protecting the young ones, then maybe his lord may forgive him.
Such is the Way of the Samurai.
With a quiet yet resounding sound of a nearby bush being rustled, Shinji grunted as he forced his eyes to open up, scanning his surroundings as his gaze finally landed on the bushes in front of him.
This is it. The beast will jump out and deal a swift blow that'll instantly kill him, or take its time as it rips him apart limb by limb, relishing in his agony. It matters not, he thought, closing his eyes slowly as he accepted his fate.
A few seconds later, nothing happens.
Instead, he heard the quiet noise of footsteps against the snowy grass. Shinji opened his black eyes, freezing at the well-dressed child in front of him. White hair, white coat, white scarf, large red-tinted sunglasses over her or his head, and captivating crimson eyes that gazed right into his soul.
This blank look… it felt wrong. As if she was gazing at a mere insect instead of a human being- no, it almost felt…
The Samurai shook his head. No way a child like this is dangerous. His blood loss must be messing with his head.
"H-hello there." He greeted warmly, in contrast to the freezing weather. "C-could you lend me a hand?"
The child merely tilted their head at him, prompting him to clarify.
"T-the blade, right there." He pointed at his Katana. "Please, hand it over."
If he can get the sword, he might be able to use it as a crutch. The child shouldn't be able to hold it from how young they looked, but pulling it to him shouldn't be difficult. He should be questioning where the kid came from, but there's no time. The beast might strike again soon, and he needs to get them to safety.
The child glanced at the sword, walking towards it painfully slowly. They crouched, gripping the handle before… holding it up without any issues. Well, their balance seemed to be slightly tilted to one side, but they don't seem to be struggling when holding it.
That… is a strong child. Shinji thought, but then quickly shook those thoughts of amazement away.
"Give it here." He said. "Please hurry, or the Yama-Oroshi will return."
The child paused. "Yama-Oroshi?"
"A horrible beast that stalks these woods." He explained. "Quickly, child. We must return to the village soon."
"...Where are we?"
Shinji froze, his face contorting into a frown. "P-pardon?"
The child looked at him with the same, empty, unblinking eyes as before, the white scarf hiding half of their face. They stepped forward, the blade in their hands as they repeated what they asked.
"Where are we?" The white-haired child questioned softly.
Some primal part of him- an animalistic instinct demanded him to comply quickly. "L-Land of Iron, far north of it."
"Land of Iron?" The child tilted their head.
Shinji got a hold of himself, shaking his head. "Enough of that! Give me the blade. We must leave this place. Now."
"...Answer me this first." They persisted. "Does the word Konoha mean anything to you?"
"W-what-"
"Answer the question, and I'll give you the sword back."
Shinji scowled, his patience rapidly running thin. "What does Konohagakure have to do with anything?!"
"So you do know…" They muttered to themselves. "Okay then, I'll give it back."
"Ah…" Shinji smiled. "You have my thanks. Please… wha- what are you doing?"
The child didn't move an inch from their spot, which seems to be out of reach for the Samurai. Instead, the child tightened their grip over the blade and aimed the pointy end at him. The dead look in her eyes made it clear- Shinji realized what this ominous feeling of dread around this child was.
Pure bloodlust.
Yet, he wasn't quick enough to realize what's happening until the blade dug deep into his throat, going through his neck and into the tree behind him. He didn't die quickly- no, far from it. He gurgled and choked as blood exploded from his throat and mouth, his eyes turning bloodshot as his survival instincts took hold.
He began to claw at the sword, trying to pull it away somehow even if it ultimately meant nothing. Tears began to form at the edges of his eyes as more and more blood stained his armor and snow under him. Seeing the edge of the blade right into his throat as he gazed down was horrifying, but nothing compared to the sheer agony he was in.
It felt like an eternity- as if this was his own personal hell, and as he gazed at the child's lifeless eyes with a hint of catharsis in them, he thought that this was his own jailer.
"W...h...y…"
That was the last thing Shinji gurgled as his eyes rolled into his skull, the last bit of life finally leaving his body.
(Zenith)
Enemy (Injured) defeated! +30 AP!
…This is strange.
I didn't really understand how getting AP from kills worked, or what "defeating powerful foes" really meant. I can tell that this man is a warrior, an experienced one too, so killing him as I am now should give a bunch of AP… if he wasn't injured, right?
Hm, maybe that's why the system noted as such. I assume killing/defeating injured enemies reduces the overall AP gained unless I'm the one who inflicted the wounds…? I'll go with that right now- I can figure it out later.
After I finished my physical training barring the 10 Kilometers run – I planned on finishing it as I go back home – I spent time meditating even with sore legs and arms, finished said mental practice, then tried to head back… until I heard some fighting in the distance.
I got too interested so I followed the noise. Yells, shrieks, roars, swings, explosions- there were different kinds of noises, but I ran after them anyway. I thought I might at least figure out where I am if I saw who was fighting who, and turns out I was right.
Multiple bodies were scattered around a small empty patch in the forest I'm in. All of them wore strange yet familiar armor, and three of them were dead. The last one was on the verge of dying himself, but he kept hanging for dear life.
I didn't care about who or what did this to them as much as I did knowing about the world I'm in. The only thing I know about this assailant is its name. Yama-Oroshi, and that it's a beast of some kind. Is it a bear perhaps? I've been seeing claw marks over many trees on my way here.
Most importantly though, I'm in Naruto, not sure which time period, but it's a decent world regardless. At least, in the power department. There are many skilled fighters in the world, like Madara or Hashirama, Kaguya, or endgame Naruto. All of them should prove decent punching bags for me.
Or a fuckton of AP when I personally deal with them. It's a decent first world in any case, that's if I can actually world hop into other universes. I doubt Akane got rid of that ability.
I glance at the tiny light blue tome in my hand, pocketing the Senzu Bean I got from the quest. As soon as I open the tome, it de-materializes into light blue particles as it goes through me. I blink, feeling magical energy coursing through my chest and arm.
I aim at the Samurai corpse and shoot a single ice needle as I smile slightly. Another pool of energy I can use if I want to save Ki for more costly attacks.
Oh, and I have over fifty AP, meaning I can unlock Ki Sensing. I'll spend the rest on Body. As soon as I finish the Physical Training, it'll reach level 3, making the training easier a bit.
Once I unlock the skill, I freeze as I feel something near me- slowly approaching from behind to be exact. Its power is several times bigger than mine, akin to comparing a pond to a puddle. I quickly realize that I don't have much of a chance against this enemy.
Yet.
I slowly look behind me, blinking at the gigantic polar bear growling at me. I don't have Observe to tell me its specific stats, but I can tell that it's not that fast. Well, when it's not charging me to be more accurate.
Is this Yama-Oroshi? The beast the Samurai was talking about? I can see how he and his friends got slaughtered by it. It's not a regular bear by all means.
I aim my hand towards it, releasing a Ki blast that landed right in its face.
But I really don't care how strong it is. I can't beat it now, but I sure as hell can use this opportunity for my own benefit.
It charges at me with an angry snarl, but I quickly roll out of the way and release two more Ki blasts. They barely even graze its fur, but they at least hurt it a bit. I evade its lunge once more, switching to ice magic to riddle it with needles.
It manages to shrug it off easily, making me smile slightly. Knew it wouldn't do jack shit, but this is assuring. I need to somehow avoid being mauled or one-shotted. A single light hit even has a chance of instantly killing me, but I need to risk it to live.
I very much doubt I can outrun a bear at my level.
I keep dodging and evading its attacks, using my tiny body to my advantage as it has difficulties in actually landing a solid hit. A graze here and there that doesn't even damage me – only my outfit – is not enough to keep me down.
Trying to find an advantageous place instead of this empty patch, I run towards the place I trained in, the bear follows me as it roars and growls in anger. I think I pissed it off. Good.
Yama-Oroshi rams into trees and boulders without even flinching as it catches up to me quickly. I launch a few more Ki Blasts and Ice Needles, hoping to hit its eyes to impair its vision, but my aim is admittedly not that good. Still not used to the body to keep my balance straight while running.
I miss flying.
I turn right sharply, making the bear almost lose its footing as it slides before running after me again. It didn't take very long for it to catch up, this time anticipating my sharp turns as it finally gets right behind me. I only very barely manage to roll out of the way of its lunge, but I had no time to evade its other attack.
With movement faster than anything it showed previously, it raises its paw up and swats me away, breaking multiple ribs as my right arm is sent flying away. I tumble and sprawl over the snowy grass, coughing and hacking blood as my vision gets rapidly gets darker.
I think… my ribs pierced my heart. I'm dying- my HP dropping extremely quickly.
But I'm still alive.
I use every ounce of my strength to pull out the Senzu Bean from my pocket, my lips stretching into a satisfied grin as I bring it to my mouth, crunching and swallowing it a second later. As quickly as my HP dropped with that hit, it restored to full alongside my KP and MP, my body feeling absolute rejuvenation as I quickly flip and stand on my two legs.
Zenkai Boost! +500 AP!
I quickly invest most of my points into Body and Spirit, and a tad bit on Mind, reaching 10 in the first, eight in the second, and three in the third. My body feels much lighter than it used to be as my Ki reserves skyrocket. I bring up my stats, quickly glancing at them before turning my gaze back at the bear.
Name: Zenith
Age: 4
HP: 1500/1500
MP: 700/700
KP: 1300/1300
Body: 10 (0/?)
Mind: 3 (0/20)
Spirit: 8 (0/45)
Tech: 2 (0/15)
Charm: 1 (0/10)
AP Stored: 5
Power Level: 51
This should be enough to deal with the bear.
I take off my coat and scarf, ignoring the biting cold as I get into a stance. Yama-Oroshi starts to slowly circle around me, most likely feeling the sudden shift in power, but I don't give it a chance to find an opening as I rush it with a speed that far exceeds what I was capable of.
I land a direct jab at its nose, pushing it back from the sheer strength of the strike. It howls, but without wasting a second, I deliver a hook to the side of its head, then quickly flip back to dodge a sweep.
I extend both of my hands, releasing Ki Blasts significantly stronger than before. The bear can't even retaliate against the barrage of Ki until it decided to run through it anyway, this time incredibly faster than before.
However, with my sharpened reflexes, I'm able to simply jump over it, landing on a nearby tree branch. The bear looks around for me, and with this golden chance laid out before me, I drop and axe-kick it right in its head.
It resisted the attack, bringing up its paw to smack me away again. I quickly get on my feet, glancing at my dislocated shoulder before popping it back in place forcefully. The defense increase is fairly incredible. From having my arm flown off to a simple dislocated shoulder.
Even my health didn't drop as much as it did. Only 300 instead of 650.
And I can feel it, it's much weaker than what it was at the start of the fight. A check at my KP told me it's at 550, meaning I should probably start getting close, especially when it's weakened.
With that in mind, I rush forward, ducking under its paw before delivering a brutal uppercut. With its body raised a bit higher, I get under and barrage it with a flurry of punches and kicks, pushing it up more and more until it's on the two of its legs. I charge at it, forcing it to fall on its back.
I get on top of it, striking each side of its head with hooks repeatedly. One, two, one, two- and with each passing second, it loses a bit of strength, making it easier for me to deal more and more damage. Blood painted my fists as its teeth and fangs flew off- as I crack its skull little by little until gray matter starts to soil the earth under us.
Even when it stopped moving, I did not hold back. I made sure to completely smash its skull until nothing remained, until every part of its brain is out of its body. Why? Because I've seen a lot of enemies getting back up even after a brutal beating that should've left them utterly destroyed.
I'm just making sure it stays dead.
It was the message of the system that made me finally stop. The bear didn't have a head anymore- only a smear that dyed the ground, my face, and my fists red.
Enemy defeated! +150 AP!
"Hm…" I get off from the corpse, heading towards my stuff. "Lots of AP."
Dunno what to spend them on. Body says zero out of ?, and looking through the notifications, I spot a Limit Break Quest. So at level ten, I get my first ever Limit Break Quest. My Ki is at eight, and I'd have to spend 95 points to level it up to 10.
I'll do that. Ki and Body are the most important stats anyway, followed closely by Mind.
Body Limit Break: Shatter a boulder with a single punch ten times [0/10]
Spirit Limit Break: Cut down a tree with a single Ki attack five times [0/5]
Simple quests, but the Spirit one is a little annoying. I'm gonna need to unlock something other than a simple Ki Blast to actually do it. I'll scroll through the list to see what can complete the quest once I get back home.
I put on the coat and scarf, gazing at the bear. It's gigantic, meaning a lot of food. I've never had bear meat before, and I don't know how to skin something either. I'll figure it out later.
I'll just bring this with me. I can use the fur for… something, I guess. Maybe a blanket or something, I dunno.
I'm definitely hungry enough to eat a bear though. I don't think I've eaten anything the moment I got here, and that's too long for me to go without food.
Wonder what it tastes like…
It took me a while to get back home, but I did my best to butcher the bear when I arrived. I searched the shack I woke up in some more and found a few useful tools hidden. A fairly sharp knife, a really, really big pot, bowl, and a bag of coal. I put the corpse outside, then looked around for some branches or something so I can cook the damn thing.
I dug a hole inside the shack, the middle of it to be exact – a fairly big one too so I don't burn down the entire thing – then began butchering the bear. This is the first time I actually butchered something, so the pelt was damaged severely.
Oh well, not like I had a use for it. Besides, it's practice. I'll get better the more I butcher stuff.
I threw it away, then began cutting the meat into pieces and parts. I'm a Saiyan, and even with how young I am, I still eat a lot. The whole bear might be enough for only a single meal.
I cooked the entire thing into a stew though.
It tasted… alright, I guess. Could've used more spice. Can't really complain about it, especially when I got this in return.
You've eaten a horribly cooked yet hearty meal! +20 AP!
I can apparently gain AP from eating.
That is very Saiyan-like.
Eating Guide:
Eating has quite a lot of benefits in this system. Instead of giving simple buffs, eating great food is essential for quick growth. A Saiyan can't fight on an empty stomach, and you're no different.
Depending on the quality/quantity of the food you eat as well as the combination of different kinds of dishes, you can gain tremendous amounts of AP. Travel around and try out the best food the world has to offer. Simple snacks (chocolate bar, meat skewer, etc) will also give AP, but only a small amount.
Eating will also accelerate the rate of your HP, KP, and MP regeneration, but only by a small margin.
However, overfeeding is a thing. If the hunger gauge exceeds the limit, you'll suffer a loss in AP as well as a debuff that will prevent you from training and decreasing your overall stats. Be careful, and don't eat too much.
This is the best thing that came out of the system so far. It's almost perfect and would be if Akane got rid of the overfeeding thing. Oh well, I guess it would be pretty boring if I suddenly got god powers simply by trying out the cuisine of different worlds.
I like eating as much as fighting and killing after all.
But this proved something to me. The system or Akane never gave the whole guide when I first got here. Something's off- it's like they want me to figure it out on my own. Hell, the moment I got this guide, I unlocked the Hunger Gauge in my stat sheet.
Name: Zenith
Age: 4
HP: 1500/1500
MP: 700/700
KP: 1500/1500
Hunger Gauge: 100/100
Body: 10 (0/?)
Mind: 3 (0/20)
Spirit: 10 (0/?)
Tech: 2 (0/15)
Charm: 1 (0/10)
AP Stored: 85
Power Level: 57
I think my system still has a lot of secrets that I have to uncover on my own. There's no telling how much stuff I can miss if I don't keep my eyes open.
"Tsk…" I click my tongue in annoyance as I lean back on the pillow. "I hate secrets…"
At least food is a lot more beneficial in this system. Food being useless means it's just a desire thing. Fighting is a desire, but it's also helpful because I get stronger out of it. I don't do stuff like sex or booze or gambling or whatever.
They're useless, therefore there's no need to do them.
I don't know what I was thinking when I thought ruling an empire was a good idea. It's annoying as fuck. The whole thing with trying to keep the little morons alive pissed me off more than anything. Even being a tyrant didn't help. Yeah, it's funny to bully my worshipers and force them to do stupid shit, but really not worth it.
No more ruling or becoming god the traditional way. Hell, I don't even need to do it. I can literally buy the God Forms with AP, even if they cost a lot. I become a god without having morons piss me off simply by existing.
"Being Empress is annoying..." I yawn, my eyelids feeling heavier by the second. "I dun' wanna be one anymore…"
Hah, why do I feel so tired? Feels like I haven't slept for weeks somehow…
Oh… right, I'm a 4 year old. Need naps to function.
...Being a toddler is annoying too.
Wrote this in like, three days, so I feel pretty proud of myself ngl. Hope you enjoy the lil fight with the bear. Also, why I called it Yama-Oroshi? idk, I just stole the name from another bear.
Not good at naming stuff.
Zen being a high-risk high-reward player by almost killing herself just to get a Zenkai Boost. Expect more of the lil loli doing insane shit because she almost has 0 restraint, no filter, and destroyed brakes.
See you next chapter...