I reached the orphanage in time to eat lunch. After eating, I made my way to my room and sat on the bed.
I took out the leaves I collected outside and put one on my forehead. Then I started trying to inject my chakra there. After some hardship and a minute of pushing, I managed. Then another window popped up.
You Learned Leaf Sticking Exercise!
Leaf Sticking Exercise 1/80
o Leaf sticking is an exercise shinobi use to hone their chakra control. Every level in this exercise gives .5 CC.
o Uses 5 CP/min. Experience gained is equal to (20%) of chakra used successfully.
I looked at my CP. It was sitting at 10 with 1.5% Chakra Control. 'I can use only 1.5% of 10 CP so I have 0.15 CP. Great. I can only use it for one second and even then I will get one-fifth of the experience. Then I have to wait for ten minutes for my CP to fill.'
I sighed and pressed the leaf on my forehead. I used Leaf Sticking for a second, then dropped the leaf. 'This will take time. What else can I do? I can get in the backyard and start running or stay here and do push-ups or something like that.' I sighed. 'I don't want others to wonder what I am doing.'
I got off the bed and started a cycle where I use Leaf Sticking for a second and doing push-ups and squads for ten minutes. After the second cycle,
You gained 1 Strength.
After the fifth cycle, I got another one.
You gained 1 Strength.
I got another one after the tenth cycle.
You gained 1 Strength.
I was very excited since I could feel the improvement but I was spent also. I put the leaf on my forehead one last time before sleeping and used the leaf sticking for one other second. Then there was another window.
Leaf Sticking Exercise is Leveled by 1.
'Great. Time to sleep.' I was out in a second.
I woke up in the middle of the night. I quickly calculated how long I could keep the leaf sticking and found the answer to be 2 seconds. I smiled at the improvement and used Leaf Sticking again. After that, I didn't have anything else to do. I looked at the body's memories and found something good. The orphanage had a small library that contained everything from academy books to novels that belonged to kids who stayed there before. I got out of the room in the dark and started sneaking towards the library.
"Where are you going?"
I jumped and quickly turned to the voice. There was a tall figure. Though I didn't see her face, I knew from her voice that this was indeed Rena. Rena cleared her throat but opted to wait. I sighed. 'Why am I acting guilty? I was only trying to look at the books.' I gathered my courage and said, "I was going to the library to read books."
Rena hummed. She then said "You can't get out of your room at night. Even if you go to the library, it's forbidden to turn on the lights so there is no way for you to read it. Do you understand?" I nodded. "Good. Back to your room."
I nodded again and got back into my room. "Nothing else to do. Time to make use of my free time." Quickly, I started the cycles again waiting for the window telling me I gained a point of Strength but another window popped up.
Achievement Unlocked: First Day.
You gained 1 Skill Point. You can access your Skill Points from your Skill List.
I quickly opened my Skill List and found the Skill Point. I focused on it and there was another window.
Tutorial: Skill Points.
o Skill Points are one-time tokens used to get special or mundane Skills.
o Skills with higher base usefulness and variability will have lower potential, or vice versa.
After closing the Tutorial, there was another window.
Skill Creation
Describe the Skill you want to create.
'Now what should I pick? Maybe some kind of skill to increase my available CP.' I shook my head. 'I will have enough CP when I level up and leveling Leaf Sticking Exercise is not that hard. So I must think of a Skill with the best long-term usefulness. What are the important attributes of a ninja? Chakra, physical strength, tactics. Hmm. Maybe some sensing Skill or something to do with affinities. Yes getting another affinity would be good and maybe make the Skill so it increases my affinities. It is too useful though, it might give me a useless amount.'
"Oh, what am I thinking? It will be useful in any case." 'Real problem is, what affinity to take? I have lightning so it could be better to get water to make the combo but there is always wind. I just can't eliminate the possibility to fly for other elements and I already took lightning.'
'How about this. The Skill is a Jutsu with a high amount of signs but easy to use. It has usefulness in close range albeit low at lower levels. This Jutsu has both wind and lightning components. This Jutsu increases both lightning and wind affinity with a set amount.'
You learned Jutsu/Skill: Sharp Thunder Sphere
Sharp Thunder Sphere Level 0/160
· Sharp Thunder Sphereis a Jutsu/Skill with both lightning and wind natures. When used it will create a ball of wind/lightning chakra that's effective in close range.
· Base damage depends on the user's lightning and wind affinities.
· For every level of Sharp Thunder Sphere, the user gains 0.7% Affinity for both lightning and wind.
· For every level of Sharp Thunder Sphere,this Jutsu/Skill gains a multiplicative 5% bonus to damage and durability.
· Signs: … 24 Signs. Focus here to see the full list.
· Uses 100 CP/min. Experience gained is equal to (20%) of chakra used successfully.
'Well damn. I need to have at least 1.7 CP to use this for a second. Even then, I will need to use it on Leaf Sticking Exercise. It's obvious what my focus will be. I wonder if there is a way to increase CHA naturally. Maybe I need to use all my CP for that to happen. Anyway, time to grind.'
It turns out depleting most of my CP is enough to increase CHA. After the tenth cycle which is the twentieth for CHA, a screen popped up.
You gained 1 CHA.
'If it's this easy to increase my CHA, then I won't be needing to put my Points on it. It might get harder though. Then I will have to use my Points, maybe even a Skill Point.' I sighed continuing my push-ups.
You gained 1 Endurance.
I grinned wide. 'This is going great. Only if I knew Observe… Why don't I learn it? It should come with the package.' I held one of the leaves and whispered. "Observe." Then there was a window.
Leaf
Leaf from a tree.
You learned a new Skill: Observe
Observe Level 1/80
By using Observe, you can learn details about the objects or living beings you use it on. Higher the level, the higher the details.
'Great, another thing to grind.' I quickly started using observe on everything around me. Since the room was mostly bare, it didn't take long. 'Not even a level huh. I will make sure to grind this at the academy. Now it's time to stick leaf.'
I put the leaf on my forehead and waited for two seconds. Then another screen popped up.
Leaf Sticking Exercise is Leveled by 1.
'Success. Now I can use Leaf Sticking for three seconds.'
After the level up, I continued my cycles and in the morning, I had managed to increase following.
You gained 3 Strength.
You gained 1 Endurance.
You gained 1 CHA.
Leaf Sticking Exercise is Leveled by 1.
I quickly took shower and wore my clothes. Then I made my way to the dining hall. There, I ate my breakfast quickly and headed to the academy.
'I have an hour before class begins. What should I do? I still have very low Dexterity and Speed. I should work on them. I can increase my Dexterity by doing complex things with my hand in the class so I should work on my Speed.'
I reached the academy in a few minutes. I walked to the backyard hands in pockets, looking around, and using Observe on the kids. In the backyard, I started sprinting back and forth, as fast as I can manage. After three sprints I got the first increase.
You gained 1 Speed.
I didn't stop though, I continued running till the time for the class. When I sat on the desk, I was ready to sleep and recover, but I forced myself to stay awake since classes were good for my Intelligence and Wisdom.
I looked around and found Sasuke. Quickly, I used Observe on him.
Uchiha Sasuke
Rep: 20
Observe is Leveled by 1.
I used Observe on him again.
Uchiha Sasuke
o Rep: 20
o HP: 100
o CP: 1350
'Wow. Look at his CP. Sasuke is really a monster.'
"Alright class, quiet." I turned to Iruka and started listening. He started talking about Konoha's establishment and first Hokage. I listened all the while doing cycles between Leaf Sticking and coin bumping. Thanks to that I got:
You gained 1 Dexterity.
Leaf Sticking Exercise is Leveled by 1.
After the history lesson, Iruka took us out for another bout of taijutsu. Pairs were still the same, so it was no wonder I was looking at grinning Naruto. 'If he is grinning like that, it means he has a plan. That's bad. Good thing I got another quest.
Quest Alert!
Win the spar.
You are paired with Naruto for a taijutsu spar. Win the spar and show everybody you know how to punch.
Success
o 50 Experience
o 5 Rep with Class 101.
Failure
o 10 Experience
o -10 Rep with Class 101.
'Rep award got lower. That means I won't be maxing kids' rep with taijutsu spars alone.' I sighed and looked back at Naruto. He was still grinning but I opted to ignore it and took my fighting stance.
"Begin!"
With the start, Naruto launched towards me like from a cannon, fist forward. I threw myself at the side quickly and with some luck, avoided Naruto's charge. Naruto slid when he was passed me, trying to stop but he failed spectacularly.
"Arata wins by ring-out."
"But sensei, he didn't even touch me!"
"Maybe, but the rule stands. If you are out, you are out." Naruto folded his arms and started pouting. I caught him murmuring something like 'stupid rules' and such.
Since I won the match, I gained another 50 experience which was enough to push me to level 1.
Your Level Increased to 1
You gained 5 Stat Points
'This means I now have 50 more Chakra to play with. Status.'
Name
Arata
Age
6
Level
1
Experience
0/200
HP
30
CP
60
Control
3.5%
CHA
13
CC.
3.5
Strength
7
Endurance
3
Dexterity
2
Speed
2
Intelligence
10
Wisdom
10
Stat Points
5
AFFINITY
Lightning
50%
My stats are rising nicely. Now that I have 60 CP, my effective CP is 2.1. Meaning I can hold Leaf Sticking Exercise for 25 seconds now. More CP, faster improvement. I can finally see myself having perfect Control.
"Hey, Arata."
I turned to the voice. It was Naruto. "What is it?" I asked putting my hands in my pocket.
Naruto scratched the back of his neck and asked "Wanna play after academy?"
I tilted my head. 'Where did that come from?' I shook my head.
"You don't want? Okay, I understand." Naruto said while looking down.
I held Naruto's arm. "Wait." He looked at me with some hope. "I need a training partner to improve my Academy Style. Do you want to be it?"
Naruto nodded with a big grin. Then frowned. "But no out of the ring rule."
I smiled. "That's fine. Just don't be too rough okay?"
Naruto nodded seriously. I nodded back and started watching other matches. The fourth match after me was between Choji and Sasuke. As soon as Iruka gave the signal, Sasuke dashed towards Choji with blinding speed and kicked his chest. While Choji was trying to balance himself, Sasuke punched him in the face and Choji was out like lights. "He's on another level. Sigh. I have a long way to go
After the academy, most kids went their own ways. That left me with Naruto. While we were waiting for the kids to file out, he was jumping in place, seemingly excited. 'That's bad for my face.' I sighed and waved my hand towards Naruto. He looked at me expectedly. I gestured to the ring and said, "Let's start. We don't have much time until evening."
Naruto nodded. "I will win this time. Believe it!" I just moved opposite of him.
I was about to start the match when someone talked. "Hey, Arata." I turned to the voice. It was Sara, the adorable girl from before. She looked at me and Naruto in order then said, "What are you doing?"
"We are going to fight! This time I will win and become Hokage, believe it!"
"You won't become Hokage just because you win against me Naruto." I said while chuckling then turned to Sara and said, "We will train our taijutsu."
Sara frowned. "To become a good ninja?" I nodded. She stepped inside the circle and resolutely said "I will train too."
"Okay, but we shouldn't fight like this. How about you step out of the circle and be the referee so Naruto and I start our taijutsu match. After we are done, one of us will fight you. What do you say?" I said to Sara smiling.
She looked at my face for a second, then to still giddy Naruto and nodded. She took a step outside and asked, "Ready?"
I nodded.
"More than ready! Believe it!"
"Start!"
As soon as Sara said 'start' Naruto took off like a bullet towards me. Like before the day, I jumped to the side and he sailed past me, outside the circle.
"Naruto lost by ring-out. Winner Arata."
"No! There is no ring-out."
Sara folded her arms and stared at Naruto. "There is. Now my turn."
"There isn't! Arata, tell her!"
I sighed. "Sara, he is right. We decided that there are no ring-out." She pouted a little but nodded. I turned to Naruto. "Let's continue."
Naruto nodded, grinning, and started running towards me but not even close to how fast he moved before. He stepped into the ring and continued running towards me, fist cocked back. He threw a punch when he is close but I easily sidestepped his punch and kicked his side. He grunted and tried to sweep my feet under me but I jumped and kicked one of his legs. He threw a punch, again and again, I dodged. This time I didn't punish Naruto though. "Naruto stop."
Naruto stopped and looked at me questioningly. "What?"
I sighed. "You don't know how to fight properly. We can't continue like this."
Naruto jumped where he stood. "I can still go. I am not tired."
I shook my head. "Let's do katas today and practice later." I stepped down the ring. I looked at Sara, who doesn't seem to have any problems either way then turned to Naruto, who seemed a little downcast. "Naruto." I gestured called him beside me and did the first kata. He looked at me, I continued. "Stand before me and copy my moves."
"But that's boring!" Naruto whined.
"Do you want to beat me?" He nodded. "Then come here and do what I tell you." Naruto came, his face sour. He then took a position that resembles the kata I am doing. I walked to him and corrected his kata. "If you do it like this, you can do it easier and your form will be sturdier too."
Naruto looked at me oddly. "But Mizuki sensei told me to do like this."
I shook my head. "Don't listen to him."
"Why?"
"I know better than him."
"You don't." I just shrugged.
"How is my stance?"
I turned to Sara who was doing a good job. I corrected her by widening her left foot a little and nodded. "You are doing well." I turned back to Naruto and saw him doing the kata the way I told him to.
Then I showed them the next kata then another. We continued like that until the evening. When we finished, Naruto was drenched with sweat and Sara could hardly stand. Katas gave me a great workout too if my gains are anything to go by.
You gained 1 Strength.
You gained 2 Endurance.
You gained 1 Dexterity.
Academy Style Taijutsuis Leveled by 4.
While walking back with Sara to the orphanage, I continued to do Leaf Sticking Exercise. Since Sara was too spent after the training, we were walking very slowly. So I managed to do three-cycle which netted:
Leaf Sticking Exercise is Leveled by 2.
We went inside the orphanage to see kids eating their dinner. So I dropped Sara at a nearby desk where she promptly fell asleep and got us some food. I started thinking while watching Sara doing her best to eat her food like a defunct robot.
'Now the biggest question of all. What do I want to do, to change what happens? First of all, I would like to stop Uchiha Massacre but in order to do that, I must be much stronger and more resourceful. I must definitely have contact with Shisui or Itachi. And to that end, I must impress them somehow.'
"Arata."
"Hm?" I turned to the voice. It was Hana.
Hana smiled at me and said, "I heard you stood back with Sara to work on your taijutsu." I nodded. She sighed and continued. "Well done, well done. Not every kid is as hard-working as necessary when it comes to hard-to-do things."
I nodded. "Thanks. I want to be a powerful shinobi and being shinobi isn't an easy thing." Hana smiled but it seemed like there was something else she wanted to tell me. I raised an eyebrow at Hana. "Hana, do you want to say something?"
Hana sighed. "I- have. It's about your other friend." I nodded to indicate she has my attention. She continued, "His name is Naruto and you shouldn't be friends with him."
I frowned. "Why?"
Hana sighed again. "He's dangerous. Can you do that for me?"
I felt my frown deepen. "He is a kid Hana. He is not dangerous. But I don't think he is the one meaning to harm me." I looked at Hana carefully. She seemed regretful. "That means someone else will harm me if I become friends with him." Hana froze, open-mouthed, probably because I saw through her easily. Well, to tell the truth, it's easier to see something when you already know it's there.
Hana took a deep breath. So I raised my eyes to look at her. "If you continue to be friendly with him, people will harm you." With that, she stood up and returned to the kitchen.
'Ah, this complicat