AN: A new chapter of my new story: Young Man, your fate is to become a sugar baby!
Enjoy~
Young man, your fate is to become a sugar baby
Chapter 2: Red Hot Habanero . . . System?
Uzumaki Kushina felt like dying inside. She has never felt more ashamed in her whole life.
The strange looks, swapping their target in quick alternation between her and the boy she may have thought had pretty eyes, made her want to burrow in her quilt and writhe in agony until the end of time.
. . . Or until her tummy may have a word with her stupid decision, more probably.
In the past, she had scoffed every time she heard her gossipy late mother fire about how this clansman or that clanswoman screwed up big time and was not experiencing social death.
Was there any reason to make such a fuss over a bit of shame? Kushina had blamed it all on their weak character.
But now, when her tiny shoulders had to bear the uncomfortable weight of close to forty pairs of dumbfounded and judging eyes boring into her very soul . . . she felt her mother may have been onto something.
Even the boy who she now suspected was the recipient of her bold confession was now staring at her with a coked eyebrow, an incomprehensible look on his face.
She knew that the way she expressed her feelings — non-existent at this point, mind you— was pretty unconventional and more than a little masochistic, but . . . there had been no other way for her.
A sad smile, that was more pity-inducing than a crying face, settled on the tiny redhead's features as the reason for her apparently eccentric behavior swam for the umpteenth time in her mind.
After all—
'—that mean System threatened to break granny Mito's leg if I failed the quest!'
The previous evening. The Senju housing compound.
"Why do I have to be the one to take in that stupid fox!"
One Uzumaki Kushina — ramen connoisseur and one of the fieriest personalities back in her hometown — was decidedly in a bad mood.
The revelation that she was scheduled to become the next jinchūriki of the most hateful of all bijū into existence . . . would have thrown even the gentlest and meekest girl into a searing rage. To say nothing of Kushina who was neither gentle nor meek.
Her disposition hadn't been all that rosy even before.
Two weeks ago, the oh so wise elders of Uzushio kindly announced to her that she was about to get shipped to their long-standing allied village — Konoha.
On what grounds did they decide it was a good idea to send a young girl all alone to a such foreign place?
Cultural exchange of all things.
On what basis had she been selected?
Because she was conveniently an orphan, thus she won't have anyone to miss.
The moment those esteemed elders had finished their explanation and asked her about her thoughts, she had naturally expressed her disagreement with their plan and their stupidity to even consider she would agree to such lunacy . . . in the most colorful language she had inherited from her mother.
She had attempted to do just that after the first words had left their toothless months, but, unfortunately, her repeated interruptions hadn't been taken too kindly by them. The second time she had started curs— . . . trying to let them see some sense, she was rewarded by a combo constituting of a full body bind and a mouth gag. Uzumaki edition.
Well, anyway.
After freeing the girl from all restrictions, they had been nice enough to listen to her entire argument, nodding all the while. She had even managed to fish out the true reason she was to be sent off!
With bright smiles adorning their wrinkled, yellowed faces, they had told her that they were more than happy to get rid of the menace terrorizing their grand-grand-grand-grandchildren and grand-grandchildren and grand-grand-grandchildren.
Kushina once again called that bullshit and apprised them that she was being slandered unjustly. She swore that not even once had she bullied any of their grand-[insert the desired number of grands here]-kids. Sacrificing the skin of her knuckles was a selfless act meant to train both their defensive and instant reacting abilities. She was no bully.
The elders then one by one smiled understandingly and told her that they didn't buy it — she was going to Konoha and period.
That civil discussion ended with a righteous 'Not even over my dead body, you filthy old shits!' shout from the redhead and her storming the room out and . . . that was it.
The next time Kushina opened her eyes, it was a few days later and to the beautiful visage of a crimson-haired woman, with twin buns as her hairstyle of choice.
She learned two crucial things from her that day.
One: she had safely arrived to Konoha.
And two: granny Mito was not to be messed with.
"Damn . . ." Kushina cursed in a low voice and kicked every pebble that had the misfortune to enter her sights. "Cultural exchange my ass . . ."
She was furious at her elders for having abandoned her so readily.
She was furious at Konoha for selfishly imposing their sick plans upon her.
And, most of all . . . she was angry at herself for not being able to resist either.
If only she had enough power to deter the world and its egocentric residents from messing with her fate . . .
[Ding!]
[The installation of the Red Hot Habanero System has been successfully completed.]
[Best regards, Host!]
". . ."
Kushina blinked. Then she blinked again. And one more time after.
Vigilantly glancing around, she couldn't spot anyone — the once thriving Senju compound was now nothing more than a miniature ghost town. None of its pitiful number of inhabitants was around.
Then . . . if she hadn't finally snapped from all the stress and fear that kept gnawing at her heart for the last two weeks . . . there was only one possibility.
"Dispel."
The redhead muttered after joining her hands into the form of the tiger seal. Outwardly, nothing seemed to happen. Inside her body, though — inside her chakra meridians more specifically — a storm started raging, her abundant chakra attempting to flow in more than twenty directions at the same time.
The most basic way to get rid of an illusion — stirring up your chakra.
Completely sure that whatever genjutsu ailing her mind couldn't have escaped the rage of her energy reserves, Kushina again peeked around, extreme alertness leaking from her beautiful violet orbs — whoever may have cast the technique should be around, ready for a chance to strike.
". . ."
. . . Or maybe not.
She was still the only one standing in the big courtyard.
"Am I really going crazy?!" The girl's eyes widened dramatically and dread engulfed her heart. "I'm too young to go crazy!"
[Don't worry, Host. By my calculations, you are 93% sane.]
". . . I give up," Kushina sighed. If she was crazy, then she was crazy. Having an extra voice inside her head shouldn't bring her too much trouble, right? "What do I call you? Kushina 2?"
[Host, I've already stated that I am the Red Hot Habanero System. Also, your naming sense sucks.]
A blue vein popped up on the girl's smooth forehead. It was one thing to get a second voice inside her head, but now it had the gall to insult her too?!
". . . What's that supposed to mean?" Kushina asked through gritted teeth — her titanic attempt at being reasonable. In the small chance she was not yet . . . mentally disturbed, getting into a fight with the voice inside her head would shatter all her hopes.
[Exactly what I've said, Host.]
"Elaborate. I don't know what a System is."
[Alright, Host. I won't think any less of you just because you're a country bumpkin. In layman's terms: I give you tasks, you complete them, and then I issue some rewards, helping you get stronger.]
"You can help me get stronger?!" Kushina gasped loudly, selectively ignoring the light jab. A hint of hopeful yearning lit up her features. "Why didn't you say so earlier?!"
[It is common knowledge. That's what systems do.]
"Then! Then! What are you waiting for?! Task me!"
Bouncing up and down in excitement by now, the redhead couldn't contain her giddiness. Her mind was in overdrive, dreams of a bright future flashing about. In them, no bad old men were abandoning her oh so readily and no monkey-looking village leaders trying to stuff demons of mass destruction inside her tummy!
In them, she saw an older, beautiful, and kind Kushina, who no one dared to take lightly!
And thanks to the lovely System, that dream was about to become reality . . .!
[Very well, Host.]
[Ding!]
[The main quest has been issued: Within twenty-five years, become the wife of Uchiha Akira.]
[Reward upon completion: Happiness.]
[Failure penalty: Untimely death or a life filled with desolation.]
". . ."
Kushina felt like a basin of cold water doused over her, washing away all her hopes for a glamorous future.
The main task was . . . what?!
Marry someone?!
Here she was looking forward to a future where she was the master of her own fate and now this . . . this . . .
Bitter tears of frustration started trickling down from her eyes whilst a hand seemed to grasp her heart in the most torturous way possible.
". . . If this is your attempt at making a joke, you've failed miserably."
Too choked up to utter anything besides a few inarticulate whimpers for a few minutes, Kushina's voice came out extra gelid when the ability to speak returned to her.
She should have known better than to trust someone so easily. Even if that someone was her own mind.
[I assure you this is not a hoax, Host.]
"Alright," the crimson-haired girl relented. "Then, if you're not trying to pull my leg, then . . . pray tell me. How is marrying that Uchiha whatever helping me get stronger?" She couldn't see it. "Or what? Are you saying that he is — or is gonna be — someone amazing and he'll take me as his trophy wife, ridding me of all my earthly troubles?"
[Host. You're supposed to be a rash, impulsive heroine, with a predisposition for thinking with your fists — sarcasm and analytical judgement don't suit you.]
"Just answer my damn question!"
[Sheesh. What got your panties in a twist, Host?]
"Answer. Question."
[Very well. The reward for completing the main quest is just that. It won't make you stronger.]
"Then—"
[No. Even if you wanted to become a trophy wife, this System wouldn't agree. You'll become stronger by completing subquests.]
What the heck?
"If that's how it goes, can't I just complete the subquests and ignore the main one?" the girl queried, her confusion and hope equally vigorous. "Happiness or whatever — I can get that by myself."
[Yes. Although pointless, the Host can do that.]
Kushina perked up, "That's good! As long as I can get strong and don't have to marry some random guy, all's good in my books. Give me that subtask!"
[Ding!]
[The first subquest has been successfully issued: Tomorrow, during your self-introduction at the academy, give Uchiha Akira a heads-up about your dream to become his wife.]
[Reward upon completion: Permanent doubling of your chakra pool — no side effects.]
[Failure penalty: During the next two days, you'll experience a moderate bout of bad luck.]
[Bonus: In front of your whole class, tell Akkun that you want to have his babies and you'll get a mysterious reward.]
". . ."
. . . So that's why it said it would be pointless.
Such a confession was already more than a couple of steps in on the road of 'completing' the main quest. And doing that in front of a classroom full of people . . .
Kushina liked to consider herself a bold person.
One didn't have to know her all that well to reach that same conclusion.
However!
. . . Bold didn't mean shameless. Her cheeks started heating at the mere thought of complying with the quest's requirements.
But the reward . . .!
Being an Uzumaki with an untainted pedigree meant her chakra reserves were already impressive despite her relatively young age.
Doubling that . . . slurp.
Kushina had to wipe a hint of droll leaking from her mouth, the beautiful prospects having left it agape. No matter how much chakra one was blessed with . . . there was no way they couldn't get greedy for more.
"No!" A sharp squeal of denial left her lips as her benefits-addled mind woke up with a start. There was no way she would sell herself — no matter how enticing the promised reward was. "I'm not confessing to a boy I don't even know!"
[Are you sure about your choice, Host?]
"Yeah," Kushina nodded vehemently. "Some bad luck won't kill me and two days will pass in a jiffy."
[Alright. Then, before I officially declare the Host's quest as having ended in failure, there's one warning I am compelled to deliver.]
"?"
[This bout of modern bad luck will greatly shorten the time until the Host becomes a jinchūriki. Given the Host's reluctance on the subject, I considered you should be notified before making a decision.]
Kushina visibly stiffened at those words. She hadn't expected to be delivered a blow straight to her sore spot. "Ha ha ha. You jest, right? There's no way some bad luck would do that, right? Right?!"
[Ordinarily, it would be so.]
"Then—!"
[But I have to remind you that bad luck is called such for a reason. The peak of this bout of misfortune will be the main factor favoring this curtailment.]
The redhead didn't consider herself a superstitious person. Not in the past, and certainly not now. It was childish and more than a little foolish.
Unfortunately, though, as much as she didn't want to admit it, Kushina was a child, and never had she been accused of being the brightest cookie in the jar.
As much as she had scoffed at her elders during the times she had caught them acting all high and mighty while preaching about those fallacies, she couldn't shake a feeling of unease prodding at her confidence, making her ask herself . . . What if?
". . . How so?"
Disappointed in herself as she was for most probably biting a false bait, Kushina still found herself asking. The stakes were too high for her to simply ignore the matter.
[It's quite simple. Tomorrow, after school, you will get into an inevitable accident involving one Uzumaki Mito. While you will get out of it unscathed, the same thing can not be said about her. She will break a leg. Literally.]
The girl recoiled incredulously, "How could simply breaking a leg shorten the time of the transfer?!" That implied the accident would take some of the woman's remaining time. She almost roared at the lunacy of it all. "Granny's an Uzumaki! Recovering from that would be a breeze for her!"
[Certainly, Host. Some twenty years ago, when she was neither this old nor had she had to use her chakra to the point of depleting her vitality for maintaining the seal of the Kyūbi.]
"But . . . But!" A feeling of despair was starting to overtake the redhead. "There are many elders much, much older than her back in Uzushio! Granny said so herself! There's no way she will go away so soon . . ."
[That is also true, Host. However. There is an inherent difference between her and those elders. Uzumaki Mito has an ability that would allow an individual — be it herself or someone else — to almost instantly heal from even the most grievous of injuries. During her youth, she had greatly abused this ability, thus leaving her nothing more than a husk of what she should have been.]
". . . No way."
The despair got thicker. Leaving aside the prematuration of her doom, Kushina didn't want the older woman to leave early. The time they had spent together was short at best, but even so . . . she had come to hold the woman dear, genuinely thinking of her as her real grandmother.
While she had never met her biological ones, she believed they should have been just like her. The woman never tried to hide her fondness for the girl, after all.
Always kind, even when scolding her for her usual mischiefs — definitely warranting more than the light pat on the wrist she was getting.
Telling her exciting stories of her youth whilst never forgetting to point out the litany of mistakes she had made, for fear that she would unknowingly follow in her wake.
Even today, when Mito confessed to her the actual reason for her abrupt delivery, Kushina didn't fail to notice the conflicting feelings storming her eyes. The reluctance she had seen in them . . . wasn't any lower than her own. Not to mention that one morose gaze she had caught when the older woman believed she was not paying attention. The guilt she had glimpsed during that one fleeting moment was enough to permanently engrave Mito's figure in her heart.
She didn't want her granny to die. She was her last anchor in this world.
". . . I don't have a choice, do I?" Kushina sighed self-deprecatingly. Not when the System phrased it that way. "Alright, I accept the quest. Under two conditions, though."
[Fire away, Host.]
"First: prove to me that you can truly award me."
[Ding!]
[A mock quest has been successfully issued: Do fifty push-ups.]
[Reward upon completion: A slight increase in your laughable knowledge of Mathematics. Understanding of the said knowledge.]
[Failure penalty: None.]
". . ."
Kushina silently threw herself to the ground and began doing push-ups honestly.
By no means had she expected a freebie.
A simple quest like this one — for fifty push-ups were nothing to an amazing kunoichi such as herself — was just right to at last get her proof that her mind was not simply pulling her a fast one.
That the reward sounded so sweet was all the better! For all her greatness, she had never been able to see eye to eye with that particular subject — hence her meager accomplishments in Fūinjutsu.
Despite the art being but a practical application of a very old runic language, the number of calculations one had to complete to get even the minor jutsus working had never failed to send her head spinning.
So yes.
The reward seemed really tasty!
"— 48, 49. And . . . 50! Done!"
Kushina jumped up whilst dusting her palms in the process. Her eyes were shining with the light of expectation.
And, as she would come to understand very soon, the System was not one afraid to reward success.
[Ding!]
[A quest has been completed. Issuing rewards.]
No sooner had the words rang inside her skull, and a flood of information started to fill up her mind — knowledge of Mathematics and the required understanding to apply it.
"Wow . . ."
By no means was the reward something special, for it was knowledge even her soon to be kōhais had already mastered. . . .But for our resident studying scumbag. . . the light of heavens seemed to warmly shine upon her as a moved tear trickled down her face.
". . . To think the day I would finally understand what a prime number is had come . . . System . . . you're amazing!"
[I'll graciously accept the compliment, Host. Now, if you would please, the second matter.]
"Yes . . . yes . . ." the redhead nodded absentmindedly, lost in her contemplation of the heavenly secrets imparted upon her. "The second matter . . . yes . . . Ah!" She woke up with a start. "The second matter! Why do I have to marry that Uchiha Akira especially?! Why choose him?!"
To be honest, this was the question she most wanted to be answered. Of all the people in the world, why choose him? What set him apart from the rest?
Couldn't the System have picked someone else?
Was there something about him that even it could not ignore?
Inside one courtyard of the now deserted Senju compound, a young girl stood. Her eyes were gleaming with unspoken curiosity as she waited with bated breath for the voice residing in her head to speak up once more.
[Uchiha Akira is an irregularity, Host.]
"Yes," Kushina concurred with a nod. He had to be at least somehow irregular, otherwise, the System wouldn't have had a reason to select him. "And . . .?"
[And what, Host?]
"He's an irregularity, annnd . . .?"
[That's it, Host.]
". . ."
". . . That's it?" Kushina blinked confusedly at the wanting reply. Her curiosity was far from sated. "Nothing else?"
[There's nothing else the Host should concern her pretty head with.]
A pair of beautiful violet orbs narrowed in distaste at that, "What do you mean?" Kushina pursed her lips and asked. "If you want me to chase after him, you should at least give me some more info on his person, no?"
[The system disagrees with that, Host. You should get to know Uchiha Akira by yourself. It wouldn't be fair for him if you knew everything about him when the opposite doesn't hold true also.]
'The fuck . . .?' A couple of blue veins bloomed on the redhead's brow. "And how is it fair for me to have to marry him?!"
[No comment.]
"Then! At least tell me what makes him irregular!"
[No comment.]
"Why?!"
[Because the Host doesn't currently possess the necessary qualifications to obtain the respective information.]
". . . Qualifications?"
Just as abrupt as her flare in temperament, newfound calmness returned to the girl's heart. A thoughtful glint flashed through her eyes.
She soon spoke up.
"If I don't have them now . . . that means I can get them in the future, no . . .?"
[That's right, Host. Also, I have to admit that the way you occasionally use your brain greatly reassures my heart.]
Kushina rolled her eyes. Just because she didn't like to study and had a penchant for using her fists before her head didn't mean she was an idiot. "What requirements do I have to meet?"
[It's quite simple, Host. For a partial unsealing of the data regarding the said matter, reach a strength rating of Elite Jōnin.]
". . ."
If that was simple, then she was the reincarnation of Rikudō's mom.
"Alright."
Kushina grumbled in admittance. Although she was not happy with how the situation turned out, having a goal to strive for was already better than chasing after green horses.
She was not without confidence either. Even without the hopes the emergence of the System brought with it, she was optimistic about her chances to eventually become one of the strong ones.
. . . Although not before having to swallow the shit Konoha had intended for her.
"System," a self-confident smile lit up her face as Kushina whispered. "Just you wait. I won't take long before I make you spit out all your secrets."
[Very well, Host. I'll be waiting. Then, do you accept the subquest?]
"Of course," the violet-eyed girl nodded. "Still not happy I have to do it, though."
[You can worry about that latter, Host. I predict you'll have another thing to deal with in the immediate future.]
"Hmm? What is it?"
[Good luck explaining to your Granny Mito the reason you've spent half an hour talking to yourself.]
". . ."
As the implications of the System's warning unfolded in her mind, Kushina's eyes started to widen. She quickly swiveled her head around, looking for any trace of the old woman.
. . . She hadn't had trouble finding her. On one of the verandas the houses surrounding her sported, Uzumaki Mito stood silently, her outward beauty and youthfulness belying her advanced age.
In itself, this was not really a problem. She had caught the older woman quietly watching her more than a few times since her reluctant stay had begun.
The look of concern and suspicion adorning her face, though, didn't put the redhead's heart at ease.
". . . Crap."
That evening, Kushina didn't have any time to worry about her imminent confession.
She was too busy to ponder on such measly things — she occupied herself trying to reassure an old lady that no, she wasn't going crazy from sadness and despair . . . all the while cursing the so-called Red Hot Habanero System for failing to mention that she didn't have to talk aloud to it.
. . . She would have also preferred to have been notified about the physical impossibility to bring it up to other people.
The sudden halts in her speech really didn't plead her case.
"I'm sorry, Uzumaki-san. I might have misheard. Could you please repeat what you said your dream was?"
Back in the present time, Yamazaki-Sensei's croaky voice brought the reminiscing redhead back to reality.
She looked up at him in puzzlement for a couple of seconds before she brought it back down in an abrupt manner, her face flushing bright — she had remembered her confession.
"Well . . . um . . ."
A slight whispered stutter escaped her lips, her mind reeling at the thought of having to repeat herself.
Hadn't she expressed herself clearly enough?! Hadn't she made enough of a joke of herself already?! Why keep adding salt to the injury?
"The thing is . . . um . . . Akira . . . bride . . ."
"Speak up, Uzumaki-san. Your classmates won't hear you otherwise."
"I said . . . want . . . become . . . bride . . ."
"Lauder."
"I said . . . I want to have Akkun's babies . . . ah!"
She hadn't meant to say that!
". . ."
". . ."
". . ."
The stares pinning her down become even more astonished.
For a woman to publicly announce her intention to marry a man . . . was already considered bold and quite inappropriate in their androcentric society — the countless examples of strong and successful women had yet to change the fact.
. . . For the girl to go even further than that and state that she desired a boy's babies . . . how shameless of her!
And how envious were they of her brazen and courageous unbosoming . . .!
The girls watching the shy redhead with wide eyes and secretly kyahing among themselves thought so.
Their newfound respect for the new girl . . . even managed to overwrite their slight dissatisfaction at the redhead's attempt to steal a march on one of their class' twin stars!
The boys' instead, were busy glaring at the recipient of the girl's confession, clicking their tongues in annoyance. Yet another cute girl was off the market, beguiled by the boy's disgustingly good looks.
"Well, uh, Uzumaki-san," Yamazaki cleared his throat, lightly shaking his head in disapproval. The kids nowadays . . . they were nothing like back then in his days. "Since you're already acquainted with Akira, why don't you take a seat by him—"
The man's words suddenly came to a halt, his attention drawn to the sound of someone standing up from their bench.
A quick glance over the classroom and his eyes identified the said someone as the boy of their talk — Uchiha Akira was on his feet, intense determination decorating his solemn features.
"What's wrong, Akira? Do you have something to—"
"Uzumaki-san."
The boy had no eyes for his teacher, his whole being centered on the squirming redhead. He failed to even realize he had interrupted the man, something he wouldn't usually do.
"Ye-Yesh?"
For all her brave nature, Kushina couldn't help letting out a squeaky response, the boy's passionate gaze doing funny things to her tummy. Her eyes kept averting from his, shyness taking hold of her heart.
. . . At least until she caught sight of his ninety-degree bow, a sudden bout of dread chasing all the bashfulness away.
Surely he was not about to . . .?
Unfortunately for the poor redhead, her fears were about to come true.
"I'm happy to receive your feelings, but I can't accept them. I apologize!"
". . ."
In the 2nd year classroom, only awkward silence remained.
No one was about to get in between the teary-eyed girl and the remorseful-looking boy.
AN: Quite the short chapter, this one is. But that's how I intend to have them for this story.
So . . . how is it? Have any of you expected Kushina to get a System?
Compared to the usual stories where the Gamer Systems take the spotlight, this one won't go that deep into all that shit. Meaning: no numerical values for stats, no levels, no gamer's body, no gamer's mind, no etc. — just quests, rewards, and punishments.
. . . Maybe a little more, but I'm not exactly sure about the details at the moment.
And now . . . the source of inspiration for this story! I decided against letting you know in my first post because, you know, I didn't want to spoil myself.
The story's name is 火影之她们有系统, with 无心码字 being the pen name of the author.
A Chinese story I managed to read by the grace of the almighty Google Translate (for web pages, of course)! Not to mention the story isn't exactly free so it took me ages to find pirated chapters!
I can't say the story is anything amazing or something, but, a few years back when I read it, I found the notion of the girls' getting their own systems quite endearing. I still do.
For those who have the necessary patience to read the messy translation that an MTL returns — and for those who know the language — I recommend reading the first 3-4 hundred chapters at least.
The story kind of goes downhill with all the new additions to the harem, but meh.
Okay.
Having finished informing you about the source, now it's high time to dish out some warnings.
First.
Akira gets a harem. Not a large one, but still a harem. For those who had hoped for a monogamous relationship between him and Kushina . . . well, sorry but I'm not exactly sorry? If this somehow heals your wounded heart, you can swear at me for liking Mikoto also — for example.
Second.
Contrary to the original story, Akira won't be getting a system. Sure, he'll get strong and stuff, but no System for him. He'll have to work his ass off by himself.
. . . Or with a bit of help from the girls, maybe . . .?
Third.
Sorry, gunzen. No trophy wives for Akira-kun. I don't like them — they boring!
That's about everything I wanted to say — or at least, everything I remembered I wanted to say.
Thank you for your kind reviews, Guest and AnimeMyWorld! Your support warms my heart!
I hope this chapter answered your question regarding Kushina's prior knowledge of the protagonist's name.
Until next time, any kind of feedback is much appreciated. Don't hesitate to comment or send me some PMs. I'll do my best to answer without spoiling myself. Too much.
Bye~
