The Gacha reveals: Jutsu Scroll "Unsealing Technique"

Huh, first spin and I pull a jutsu. Not a high-ranking one, but at least it's a jutsu, right? I go to my inventory and salvage the scroll.

Jutsu Scroll "Unsealing Technique" has been successfully salvaged! "Unsealing Technique" learned.

Alright, that is pretty exciting. My first jutsu. Admittedly, it's a fuinjutsu and I have nothing to use it on unless I buy it. With status points. Which I don't have. Damn it. Oh well, you win some, you lose some. Now apparently I can actually draw with blood, somewhat, as Gamer's Body can selectively allow me to temporarily sustain injuries provided it is in conjunction with some sort of skill, but that would only really help me if I had gotten the enclosing technique as opposed to the unsealing one. Nothing I can do, I guess. I sigh. That was not how I expected my first Gacha spin to go. Isn't this normally the part where I get some sort of mega useful or broken power that forever cements me as the chosen one? I suppose I have my Mangekyo Sharingan and the The Gamer skill, so I shouldn't be too greedy. After all, while you may be nothing without natural talent, natural talent isn't everything. If you want to get somewhere in life, you have to train your talents and build on it. And while I never had anything even closely resembling a talent, aside from a somewhat unreliable ability to predict the future due to the Tsunade-levels of luck and intimate relationship with Murphy's law I used to have, that has changed now. Heh, maybe this is what brought me here in the first place? My luck coming full circle and actually working in my favor in an amazing way?

I mean, I was even lucky enough to be reincarnated or transported or whatever into a body with clothes, so that has to count for something. Admittedly, I still can't speak Japanese, so I'm effectively a deaf mute, but that's still a step up from my past life. Plus, I now have the ability to make my own luck! Or at least the ability to put points into it.

I push the thought aside for now. There's little point in thinking about the future if I can't even make do in the present. So I look around for some enemies, my only source of XP in these dark, quest-less times. I'm not exactly sure if the enemy spawns are on a timer or if they have another set of conditions that causes them to happen, but regardless of the why and how of it, I sure don't want to be caught off guard when they happen. Talking about being caught off guard...

"What in the world?" I ask out loud as I look at the bodies of the Kaguya-Clan members. Or rather, at what is happening to them. The ground is slowly swallowing them up, no, slowly disintegrating them. I can feel a cold sweat form on my face as I realize how lucky I am that the Instant Dungeon doesn't see me as food as well, otherwise I wouldn't have survived sleeping in here. Which, in retrospect, was not a good idea. I mean, really, sleeping in an unknown place? In the world of Naruto? You know, the place where being too much of a hippie, or one with the world or whatever you may want to call it, can turn you into stone? That has the words 'bad move bud' basically written all over it!

As I watch the bodies sink in, I get an idea. I may not be able to separate the bones of the Kaguya normally, but the Instant Dungeon can evidently dissolve them. So what if I just let it absorb everything but the blades? I go on to test my idea immediately, and fortunately it works out: The ground consumes them slowly as I lower them down until it reaches the end of the upper arms. Then I lift the two blades of bone up from the ground and voila, I am now the proud owner of two Kaguya-Scytheblades. I put them into my Inventory before repeating the process. Weapons get!

Now that we got that out of the way, it's time to scout. To go out into this weird dungeon world and find a new adventure. And with that, I'm off. And I walk. For a few hours. In just one direction. Climbing out of the crater, I walk further. A part of me is surprised that there is no such thing as a walking skill or fatigue resistance, because I can already feel my muscles getting tired. Can that please be a thing?

{! #%§~?}

What is that? My head hurts. My eyes hurt. Don't I have Mangekyo Blindness Immunity? Isn't that supposed to stop stuff like this from happening? Gamer's Mind doesn't try to stop the pain either. I fall down. I vomit. Everything goes dark.

I have no idea for how long I was out. Could've just been a few minutes. Could've been a few days. Maybe years? Not like I need food or anything. What greets me upon awaking is a blue rectangle. What it says is surprising to say the least.

You slept and regenerated!

Unknown parameters identified. Gamer's Body has been successfully updated. Gamer's Mind has been successfully {! #%§~?}. Mangekyo Blindness Immunity removed.

I... What now? I quickly check the skill in question.

Lv 1 (Max) Gamer's Body (100%)

This skill allows its user to perceive his own life like a standard RPG Video Game. He does not require food, air, sleep or water, may freely modify his abilities within certain set limits, reflects his status as opposed to taking visible damage and can regenerate while sleeping. In conjunction with [Gamer's Mind], this may also override certain debuffs, such as fatigue, advanced aging or strain on certain body parts.

After searching in my skill-list for a bit, I find no trace of Mangekyo Blindness Immunity and no change to Gamer's Mind. So much for that discount. However, it's loss is more than made up for with the new piece of knowledge I just gained: The Gamer can respond to me. Maybe not just me, maybe certain triggers in environment will do, but that was just a direct response. My question concerning fatigue was directly taken into consideration, it's even specifically named in the description. The strain on certain body parts thing seems to subsume the whole Mangekyo Blindness Immunity thing. I wonder. It does say, right in the text, that I may freely modify my abilities within certain set limits. Was that one of those modifications I can make? How did I do that? I really wish that my skills were a little less vague sometimes...

...No? It was worth a shot.

I check for other changes, but I find none. Everything is still the same, at least from what I can see. I guess the notifications got a tad less obnoxious, but I'm not sure if that's them being actually less intrusive or if that's just me imagining things. There's some additional things in the shop now, but they are locked. Why are they locked? Not grayed out with conditions or anything, but flat out locked. The other thing of note is that some Kekkei Genkei Nature Transformations now have a small note that tells me that other people can unlock them when certain conditions are met. It notes some other stuff too, about how Kekkei Genkei can lock you into using only a small part of what your nature transformation is capable of. Unfortunately, it also flat out tells me that I cannot actually get Kekkei Genkei via special conditions, so that options is straight out for me. I guess it's nice that it at least mentions that people can awaken to a bloodline by means outside of being born with it? Sure, that's a given really, what with Orochimaru and Kabuto doing their experiments, but a part of me feels like there's more to that than the shop lets on. The upside of the whole thing is that my inability to obtain Kekkei Genkei without properly buying it means that I will never only get locked into using only a small part of any bloodline. On the downside I have to acquire it in the shop. For lots of status points.

I'm slowly but surely getting the feeling that those status points are going to be the primary limiting factor. I'd like to believe that I can just level up infinitely by grinding, but it mentions that it is like a standard RPG Video Game, and those almost always have a level cap. Even Disgaea calls it quits at level 999, even if you can squeeze out more power by resetting. I also don't know where that limit would be. Is it like Disgaea where I can go all the way up to 999, like Fallout where 50 is the limit, or is it Pathfinder-style with a limit of 20? Maybe I already inevitably messed up my character? That would be sad.

New quest unlocked!

Blitzing It

Beat the boss on your first try.

Reward: +10000 XP!

Failure: A solid thrashing by said boss, death (potentially)

New quest unlocked!

Manifest Destiny

Beat the boss of level 1 once.

Reward: +300 XP, one related item from the shop, [?]!

Failure: Death (potentially)

Two quests? That's a first.

Wait.

Ten thousand experience? That is a lot of experience. I look around for the boss with my Sharingan, and am rewarded after about half an hour of search.

Hulking Undead

Lv 5

The boss of the undead in this area. Possesses immense physical power, but can neither use chakra or its brain.

So this is the boss. It's level five. Two levels above me. This is gonna be a hard fight, I can already tell. I ready myself and get out two of the Kaguya-Scytheblades. They have no grip, so it's almost impossible for me to properly wield them, but I make due by grabbing the edgeless side of the blade. Looking at it, the best thing I can do would be to just take out the legs first to restrict it's mobility. I rush at it with that plan in mind, fully preparing myself to dodge the first swing of its mighty fist.

-80 HP

Sharingan leveled up!

And I am quickly reminded of the fact that even with my now roughly human Dexterity status, there's still things that are superhuman, and this monstrosity appears to be on that level by sheer size and rotting musclemass alone, not to mention that it moves faster than it has any right to. I grit my teeth.

"Damn it."

That one hit took off almost 80% of my health! However, that isn't enough for the monster. It decides to commit to a charge itself. I want to dodge, but am well aware that there's no way I can escape the attack. I use the Scytheblade to try and block. Just in time as well as another first smashes against it. The blade takes it, but I am unable to hold my own against the strike's force and am blown off my feet with the blade landing a few feet away. I doubt I can get it in time before the undead boss gets to me. Not like it would save me even if I manage to get to it.

-20 HP

Despite blocking, I took a load of damage and am near death. What can I do? Slowly, the boss walks towards me, the stench of rotting flesh intensifying the closer it gets. I have to get up. I have to get out of here. Sadly, there is no way for me to escape. Except, of course, one. ID Escape. If I use that, I can flee, but I'll be exposed to whatever is outside of the dungeon, and if Kaguya catches wind of me, I die. I knew from the show that she'd come around a bit, allowing humanity to at least exist below her for her amusement. It's the only choice I can make. I risk death by going out, sure, but my death is guaranteed if I get hit by another attack.

"ID Escape!"

Before the huge fist of my enemy can end my life, the world around me changes.

Quest failed: Blitzing It

I am not surprised that this happened. Ten thousand experience were too good to be true. For what it's worth, at least the other quest didn't fail as well, meaning that I can challenge it again. I quickly get up and check my surroundings. I appear to be in a forest. That is not a problem. What is a problem are the sounds of battle coming from a place a lot closer than I'd like. I slowly but surely make my way towards it. Something draws me to the sound of clashing blades. After walking for a minute, I get close enough to see the spectacle. It's a bandit attack, and the bandits are winning. How are bandits here? Did Kaguya already release some people? How long was I out for when Gamer's Body updated. I continue to observe. Talking about Observe, it doesn't give me much information. Just a basic description of who's a bandit, who's a bodyguard and who's a trader. Talking about the bodyguards, they are doing a terrible job, because the last trader just went down. He's not yet dead, but he's bleeding out. That goes for most people involved in this really. There's surprisingly few actual causalities. Only three, two bandits and a body guard, lie dead. The only people still in the race are a bandit and a bodyguard. The other notable thing was that, well...

Bandit

Lv 5

A no-good person hellbent on making a living by maker other people's lives miserable. High chance that the bandit life chose him as opposed to him choosing the bandit life, but true empathy for those less fortunate than you isn't practical to have.

The last bandit standing is level five. The same level as the undead in the Instant Dungeon. He doesn't look as strong, but that's probably because the undead only improved physical stats as opposed to being an all-rounder. That and the fact that while the bandit looks less strong, looks could be deceiving. The guard is only level four, but is far less injured compared to his opponent, though equally out of breath. Then, they move. The speed they go at is faster than mine, but not by as much as I would have expected. My Sharingan can easily keep track of their movements. Part of me really wants to take a look at their stats, but that's not something I can do. Not yet, at least. Maybe Observe's later levels will grant me that ability?

The two circle each other. The wounded bandit charges and slashes at his opponent who sidesteps it before lashing out with his blade as well. Blood flows as the bandit isn't fast enough to dodge the strike at his back. He reacted quickly enough to avoid the worst, sure, but the rapidly growing bloodstain on his side more than makes clear that the hit will likely prove fatal. He slumps down where he stands. The guard is moving closer to finish the job. That was a mistake. The bandit strikes out one last time, and his blade buries itself into the guard's guts. Screaming in rage, the now wounded guard rams his blade between the bandit's eyes, finally changing the information observing the bandit's body gives me. It's a corpse now. The guard won. Sorta. Said guard just fell down and is bleeding out. He doesn't appear to be unconscious, but I doubt he'll be able to stand up. What should I do? Should I help? It depends on who you ask. Someone who would have the best interest of the guard or trader in mind would yell at me to rush to their aid, for sure. Unfortunately for them, the only one who seems to respond to my unasked question is far less benevolent.

New quest unlocked!

M is for Murder

Kill you enemies.

Reward: The spoils of battle are reward enough!

Failure: New Perk "Pathetic Wuss"!

I suppose that's fair. Gamer's Mind already made sure that I won't shy away from blood, and ultimately there's no benefit to me saving them. Even if I did, if they see my eyes, talk and the Sage of Six Paths realizes that it's a Sharingan, I am done for.

My body moves almost mechanically to the scene of battle. The guard is on the ground, screaming for help. I suppose I will make the pain go away at least. I tear the blade from the bandit's skull and walk over to the guard. He looks up to me. His eyes show only one emotion. Fear. Rightfully so. I bring the blade down, stabbing it through his right eye.

+500 XP

Level up!

No Ryo, obviously, but the XP make more than up for it. I dump the three points each into Strength and Vitality, bringing them up to the same level as my Dexterity, sans Sharingan of course.

Str: 10

Vit: 10

The quest didn't complete. I know why. I move over to the unconscious traders. Blood splatters as I end their lives.

+100 XP

+100 XP

+100 XP

It's over. It's done. I should feel horrible, but it is situations like these Gamer's Mind is there for. I don't feel horrible at all. In fact, I feel great. I just leveled up. Yay me!

Quest Completed!

Reward: The spoils of battle are reward enough!

I move over to the guard's body and put it in my inventory. Then, I click salvage. The Kaguya's bodies mentioned that I couldn't salvage them because they were part of the Instant Dungeon. That implies, at least to me, that bodies normally give neat stuff. I am not disappointed.

Object "Eichi's Corpse" has been successfully salvaged! No biological material is currently considered useful. Biological materials destroyed. Due to the low level of the human corpse, no status points can be rewarded.

Now that was an interesting tidbit. No, not the fact that the guard's name was apparently Eichi, the other thing. Corpses, at least those of high-level humans, can yield status points. I suppose that was The Gamer's way of rewarding me for battle even after I've reached whatever maximum level there is?

For making an accurate observation, you gain +1 Int

That's one way for my theory concerning maximum levels to be confirmed. I go to the trader's wagon and take and salvage what I can. Unfortunately, most materials are automatically discarded upon salvaging. I could probably turn them into crafting materials if I had the crafting skill, but I don't have it, so I can't. Probably for the better given that my inventory can't hold that many different things. I pocket the five swords and put them into my Inventory. They are a lot more useful than the unwieldy Scytheblades. Not as sturdy or sharp, sure, but at least these come with a grip so I can actually swing them like swords. As for the money they had on them, it's not Ryo, but it can be converted to Ryo on a 1-to-1 basis. I just pocket it. It's around 3000 monies all things taken together, and while there were some neat items in the shop, I figure having money for the society outside of the Instant Dungeon is probably worth having.

With a sigh, I use ID Create again to disappear from sight. Wouldn't want to leave a trail that can be followed. After all, who knows what, or rather whose, attention I could draw to myself?

Notes: Oh boy this chapter was a lot harder to write than I thought. Most certainly not my best work. With the salvaging function's true purpose revealed, I sure hope this isn't gonna be a dealbreaker for a lot of people. Now, on to other things.

Now, as for why he can run despite being a toddler, I actually went to look it up. Toddlers can run from the age of two apparently, which I was not aware of. So I learned something new today, which is nice. I mostly wanted to make a point on how age matters little, what with Kakashi being a Genin at the age of five and whatnot, but it seems like I wasn't even being as insane as I thought I was...

I took the suggestions regarding the bolding (and the placement of commas and quotation marks) to heart and will fix that for future chapters.

Now, for some of the more story-related stuffs:

The "The Gamer" ability stems from the novel of the same name, which is why it's mentioned in the short description of the story. I put a slight twist on it by making it reliant on the Mangekyo Sharingan, but otherwise it's more or less the same thing you see in similar fanfictions or "System"-based LNs. As for how overpowered it is, well, I agree that it's crazy powerful. It's not the most powerful in the series, but it is strong enough to qualify as an endgame ability, and given what people are throwing around at the end of Shippuden, that is a lot of power we are talking about. For the way it works in universe, it's a skill based on Kamui and Izanagi, but that's all I'll reveal (for now). So yeah, it's as broken as the rest of what we see in lategame Shippuden. That is practically intended.

The bashing thing is one that, unfortunately, I don't think I can fully prevent due to it being a first person novel. Matsu, in character, will inevitably clash with other characters and their ideology in order for there to be a conflict in the story. As for who he will be opposed to, well, there's targets like Orochimaru (because) Human Experiments or Pain (due to his ideology of creating peace through suffering), but the most fitting person to clash against was simply Naruto. I do have a scene in mind for when he actually faces Naruto, though I am torn on how it'll turn out. Maybe he'll hate Naruto more, maybe less, we'll see when we get to it.