Tetsuya Naruto was feeling very tired after having to deal with the last day of middle school. Having wrapped up everything and passed his finals very well, he said his last goodbyes to his teammates.
The Generation of Miracles.
Even if most of them were technically cold and weren't into the whole sentimental things. (Aomine and Midorima to be exact), it was nice to spend one last time at their hangout. The local mini mart where everyone for the first time brought in cash to buy the ice lollies. With everyone having their own box of the treats, they discussed where they'd go after high school. Most of his friends said they'd met with recruits already asking for them to attend their school and much to no one's surprise, Naruto had no offers.
To him it was no big deal, sure he wasn't well known and the fact his timid persona made him almost invisible didn't help his case.
Naruto was lost and as he remembered what Aomine asked him, he sadly couldn't find an answer.
Flashback:
"You mean to say you didn't get any offers?" Aomine stated as he couldn't believe what he was hearing. "Yep." Naruto replied casually. "Man that's brutal. You're a member of the Teiko basketball club Narutocchi...how come you didn't get recruited?" Kise asked.
The sun had begun to rise in the background and all the basketball players stood outside the store. "It's pretty simple Kise." the one to speak was Midorima, the most superstituous player they ever knew. "Passing is a skill with no worth in this game."
The entire group went silent at this since, they all knew that Naruto and Midorima never looked eye-to-eye. Even though Midorima was out of line, Naruto seriously didn't have any other tricks. On offense he only had passes and on defense he had steals. He was a two trick pony and, even the fact he wasn't that great at all the other fundamentals for basketball so his reel tape wasn't that eye catching.
"He's a platoon player, one that will play as an off the bench guy in high school." Midorima added as he looked down on Naruto, who much to his annoyance just smiled. "Wow you really believe that much in me, Midorima? You think I'd actually make the basketball team. That like the most nicest thing you've ever told me." the moss haired shooting guard just grint his teeth, as he flicked up his glasses.
"As always your positive. You didn't even get my message." he finished as he took up his bag. 'Oh he got it loud and clear, Midorima.' both Aomine and Akashi thought in unison since even if Naruto had a strong will. That jab of him being useless in other aspects hit hard.
End Flashback
'The fact Midorima is right.' Naruto thought as he currently stood in his home shower. Having finished washing himself, he was just rinsing away the soap as the memory returned making him clench his fists in anger. 'The fact he was right.' Naruto was having a mental breakthrough, as now he began thinking more and more about the situation.
'I am a two trick pony.' Naruto thought realising how even his own tricks literally relied on his ability, misdirection. Not only that he was always held back by a certain time limit due to his stamina problems.
'My stamina, was one of the reasons I got put on the bench.' he thought remembering how easily Kise took his spot. 'My own body and skills are the ones holding me back.' Naruto couldn't help but throw his fist straight into the tiled wall of the shower. "RAAH!"
Hitting with great impact, Naruto watched as slowly his knuckles seeped out blood. 'Why am I so bad?' he was lost in thought. 'The first one at practise, the last one to leave. The weekends I spent working hard...the morning drills I do before school...how am I still bad?' he couldn't understand. Naruto couldn't even comprehend what exactly he was doing wrong. 'I don't understand Kami...how can I still be this bad? Was all my hard work done for nothing?' Naruto was lost with his resolve shattered. His dream to one day play on the biggest stage of them all, the NBA was fading.
'I had the work ethic, the drive, I was unselfish but that still wasn't enough...why Kami...why?'
The young teen was left to ponder on what he did wrong but in the end he had no answer, all he could do was just cry on how useless he was and the fact all the hours he spent were nothing but a waste.
Eventually he got out of the shower and wrapped a towel over his lower body. His eyes were puffy as he opened the medicine cabin and patched up his right hand. "Ow." Naruto hissed as he cleaned the wounds, once done he wrapped tape around it and closed the cabin.
[Congratulations, Naruto Tetsuya! Due to your struggle in life and your plead on how unfair it has been to you. For you amazing devotion and patience, the man in the sky, Kami has decided to help you reach your goal!]
"WHOA!" Naruto hissed feeling startled by the out of the bloom, translucent grey texted box which appeared in thin air. "Wait...did this thing just say, Kami decided to help me?" he asked himself and much to his surprise, the text box was quickly erased and filled with another message.
[Yes! Due to your struggles, we have been tasked by Him, to give you a helping hand!]
"My struggles?" he was confused.
[Indeed! Your struggles moved the man and seeing how it was seriously unfair on how you constantly worked hard at basketball while those you played with, weren't as motivated as you were. He wanted you to be a pioneer to show the world that hard work always pays off.]
Reading this Naruto pondered. Obviously whatever this thing was. He'd never seen it before, and seeing how it just came out of nowhere he couldn't seriously explain it...all he could conclude, that maybe it was a miracle?
"Okay, so how exactly do you intend to help me?"
[Well my purpose is to make your dream of being in the NBA a reality, and so forth I was tasked to implement a system fit for that exact purpose, BEHOLD!
The MyPlayer Career System!
The system was inspired by the featured mode from NBA 2K, the game series created by 2K Sports.
'2K?' Naruto thought since he'd always played the games on his Playstation, especially MyPlayer. 'Though now that I think about it...that system was really OP. To just go from a bench warmer to a hall of famer with the swipe of a card. I'd literally steamroll over anyone who'd face me.'
[Sorry to inform you, but online transactions won't be permitted with your new system. If you want to be a hall of famer, you will have to build your way to the top, like everyone else.
But unlike everyone you have Kami's blessing! You lucky duck are one of the few people to get that honour.]
"I feel...honoured. I guess?" Naruto honestly wasn't sure what was going on, everything was moving very fast.
[I am about to start the tutorial so please listen carefully, so please and follow carefully.]
Naruto having finished reading decided to take a seat on the toilet as the system began explaining.
[With the acquiring of the gamer system, you Naruto Tetsuya have a A+ potential when it comes to playing basketball which in short means you are a guaranteed 'Sure thing' when it comes to the sport.
The system will help you by giving you skill points that you'll use to upgrade your attributes and take your game to the next level. Like 2K you can also collect badges, which will increase the chances of the success of your skills.
The journey to the top of the basketball world, will be a long and arduous one, and you will need to show passion all the way from high school till you Hall of Fame induction. Do you think you can handle this?]
On instinct, Naruto didn't give it a second thought and accepted, since what was being offered was something even in his wildest dreams he wouldn't believe.
"I accept the challenge."
[Very well initiating download. Please go to your bedroom and lay on your bed.]
Quickly drying himself, Naruto got out of the bathroom and entered the hallway. His home was a two story townhouse, and with him being an only child there we're three other doors on the second floor. His parents room was on the other end of the hall with his room beside the guest room which separated the two rooms.
Going into his room, he quickly changed into his pyjamas and layed down his bed, looking up to the cealing. An alarming ping was then heard as a new text box appeared.
[Download sequence initiated: 10 seconds till installation
Please remain calm while you wait for the installation and we warn before hand that a sharp pain will be felt in your brain]
"Wait WHAT-" Naruto felt the excruciating pain, as his brain felt like it was being scrambled. He felt like clenching his head but his arms were to heavy to lift. His voice couldn't scream out in pain, as to his surprise he began to slowly see darkness creep up to him as soon enough everything was dark and quiet.
[Download complete! System check up: ROM (Present), RAM (Present), User (Present), all required components in 100% working condition- initiating Basketball World Simulation]
"Ugh...my head." Naruto winced in pain as he slowly fluttered up his eyes. Currently he felt himself resting on something hard as his eyes looked up to the sky, which had a few patches of clouds. Slowly bringing his back up, Naruto looked around and to his surprise he was at a basketball court. The court seemed to be located in a park as he could see the benches and many footpaths.
A few people we're walking around with others having their children accompanied. "Where am I?" Naruto asked himself as he got up and looked down to himself. To his surprise he had on a brown shirt, denim jeans and white low top sneakers.
"Why did my clothes change?" he thought confused as he heard a chime over his head and looking up, he saw a brown bar over his head, reading it's contents he easily recognized it.
Naruto Tetsuya
OVR: 7
NBA Team: None- He's a bone a fide fan
Team Importance: Ball Boy
"Okay you didn't have to roast me like that system." he muttered as when he looked at his overall in truth, he was seriously trash. 'Wait is it even possible to be a 7?' he couldn't believe it, since that was seriously very low. In 2K if he remembered you'd start at 60 overall so why was he a 7?
"It's cause you're trash, boy." Naruto turned to his side and much to his surprise, in front of him was a tall blond man, with a smirk as he held a basketball in his hands.
'Boston Celtics gear? Converse shoes...who is this guy?' Naruto was confused "Oh you'll find out soon." the man replied as Naruto looked shocked. "Wait you can hear my thoughts?!"
"Duh! I'm a fragment of your subconcious, dummy." hearing this Naruto was intrigued. "My subconcious? But I thought people were never expected to be in their subconcious."
"Well your not like any other person. Due to you molding with the MyPlayer system, your subconcious has become occupied and this city your in currently is the end result." the man concluded. "Wait an entire city!?"
"Ah huh, the park is called 'The Blacktop'." the man pointed at the logo at the centre of the court as confirmation. "But in order for you to be allowed to see the city, you must pass my test."
"Pass your test?" the man nodded. "You gotta get 10 points in streetball rules on me."
"Streetball rules?"
"In short, three pointers equal two points and everything inside the arc is one." the man finished.
"Oh, so then I just have to get ten points?"
"Just ten points."
"Cool." Naruto replied as the man smirked. "Since it's your first time I'll go easy on you." at that time a ping was heard and the translucent grey box made it's return.
New Basketball World Main Quest!
Condition: Defeat Larry Bird
Reward: New Badges and City Unlocked
"Wait...YOU'RE LARRY BIRD!" the man just smirked as he nodded. 'Now it makes sense, why he looked familiar.' at that time Larry Bird's player card appeared over his head.
Larry Bird
OVR: 95
Nickname: Larry Legend
NBA Team: Boston Celtics- Known for his rivalry with Magic Johnson in the 80s
Team Importance: NBA/Team Icon
"95..." Naruto was just speechless at this...how was he going to beat a 95 ranked player? "Alright let's get started. Check up." without wasting time Larry passed the ball to Naruto who was now on the offense. To say he was overmatched was an understatement.
The man was bigger than him and his short stature didn't have a chance of shooting over him. Not that it mattered since he was a 7 Overall! His shooting stats must've been bad. "Swipe!" Larry stated as he stole the ball from Naruto.
"Come on Naruto! Try harder!" Larry shouted as he began posting up on the youngster and he couldn't do anything. Getting under the basket, the older man dunked over the blond who dropped to the floor after the monster dunk. 1-0.
"You're too slow, Naruto!" Larry commented as Naruto had tried to reach in for a steal but Larry quickly zoomed past him for a monster one hand dunk. "You reach, I teach!" Larry shouted out as he hanged on the rim for a few seconds and finally dropped down. 2-0.
"You call that a block?" Larry questioned as Naruto had checked the ball up to him and on instinct Larry went to the air. Trying to stop him, Naruto jumped too late and Larry scored a three. 4-0.
"You look gassed Naruto." Larry pointed out as he was dancing on the youngster with his sick handles, constantly going left and right, changing direction like crazy, Naruto tried to keep up but his legs couldn't. Once Larry hit him with a crossover to his left hand and a quick fake that made him lean right, it was too late for him to react as his body stumbled to the floor. "Step back." Larry stated as he hopped out of the arc and sank a three. "Harden learnt that from me." Larry said with a grin as he added disrespect to the highlight ankle breaker. 6-0.
"Come on jump harder if you want the ball, Naruto!" he stated as he held the ball in one hand and raised it to the sky. Currently he teased Naruto about the fact he was small. "Man your an embarrasment. You don't even deserve for me to look at the hoop." Naruto watched as Larry closed his eyes and drained another three. 8-0.
"Last possession, Naruto." Larry declared as he got the ball. "I"ll be generous and give you an extra life." he stated as he begun to post up again, quickly making the blond retreat back as Larry quickly gained ground. Quickly bracing himself for the next shove, Larry made contact with the teen, as he went to the ground.
Charging foul!
The system called out as Larry looked at the teen. "A flop really?" Naruto just dusted himself off and without a word just went outside the arc. "Ball." he called it out and Larry chuckled. "What exactly do you think your going to do with the ball? Like what's the point of getting me a foul?" Naruto never answered as Larry chuckled.
"Your funeral, kid."
Passing the ball to Naruto, the blond tried to protect it. Dribbling with his right hand, he tried to post up on Larry, but the man was a brick wall. No matter how hard he tried he didn't move at all. "Is that what you call a post up? Man your pathetic." Larry went in to swipe the ball as Naruto then tried to do a spin move but was stopped in his tracks again.
Blocking foul!
"Oh come on! How was I blocking?" Larry complained at the system as Naruto went outside the arc waiting for the ball. Larry turned to the bluennete and smirked. "Oh so your planning on fouling me out. Sorry to tell you kid, but that's not happening." he added as he picked up the ball bouncing it as he approached the teen "Looks like you got yourself another life." Larry passed the ball as he spread his legs and got his hands up. "Make it count."
Naruto tried to drive right, but Larry quickly shifted in that direction to block him. "Nope."
He tried going left but was blocked again. "Nuh uh."
He retreated back being in deep three range. "Don't even try, doing a three. You're not ready."
Naruto just looked at Larry with no fear in his eyes. "I've got no choice. It's impossible for me to get past you. You're just too strong." Naruto concluded as he jumped high into the air and shot for the hoop.
Much to everyone's laughter Larry watched as the ball feel right to the ground without even touching the hoop. "An airball?! Are you serious!"
"Atleast I tried." Naruto shrugged as Larry just escaped out of the arc and Naruto went up to him with his hands raised. "You're still coming for more? I call this the game winner." Larry shot a corner three as it was a complete dagger into the hoop. 10-0.
Winner- Larry Bird!
Try again next time player
Huffing and puffing, Naruto tried to catch his breath. Having shown strong will by never giving up, the teen received a green Gatorade bottle from Larry. "Not bad, squirt. You might be trash, but you sure got heart." Larry stated as he sat down next to him. "I like that in a player so consider yourself lucky. I Larry Bird will help teach you the fundamentals of the game." the Celtic legend offered much to Naruto's surprise.
"Really? But I lost."
"That you did. But instead of sulking you showed grit and determination. You knew it was impossible to beat me but you still came back. Baskeball has two sides physicality and mental fortitude. Your mentality is great but now it needs the physicality to make you a force to be reckoned with." Larry concluded.
[Larry Bird has offered you to be his student. If you accept you will be taught great things at the one month training camp with him. If not, you will be given 5,000 SP (Skill Points).]
"Learning from Larry Bird or getting 5,000 skill points...that's not even a debate. I'll learn from Larry." Naruto stated not needing a second thought.
[Apprenticeship has been accepted. Initiating system tutorial protocol.]
"Well this is where we separate ways, kid. See you later." Larry raised his hand as Naruto watched the world around him disappear into a black space with him floating around.
[User please take note of the current screen.]
Name: Naruto Tetsuya
Position: Point Guard
Height: 5'8"
Weight: 110 lbs/ 50 kgs
Current Acquired: 0
[This is the player information screen, where all your details can be found.]
Attributes
Overall: 12
Shooting: 3 [40 SP]
Passing: 21 [220 SP]
Dribbling: 9 [100 SP]
Defending: 14 [150 SP]
Skill Points Available: 2,000 Skill Points
[Use skill points to upgrade your attributes or buy gear from the Accessory Store, to give your stats boosts.]
Accessory Store
NBA Headband: Provides user with a +5 dribbling boost for five games (2,000 Skill Points)
2K Generic Shoes: Provides user with a +2 boost on shooting and passing (1,000 Skill Points)
[The store will be updated weekly, so make sure to come back more often to see if there's anything you want, available. Other than that, the system will constantly be updated with new systems implemented, so be sure to be on the lookout for our notifications.]
Once done reading everything Naruto ended up spending his skill points on his shooting and dribbling. 'I'll use a thousand on shooting and the other thousand on dribbling.' he thought as upon speculation he noticed that the cost for an upgrade would increase by ten skill points, thus meaning he'd never by an upgrade at the same amount twice.
[Transaction complete!]
Overall Increase: 12 to 17
Shooting: 14 [150 SP]
Passing: 21 [220 SP]
Dribbling: 19 [200 SP]
Defending: 14 [150 SP]
After transaction 100 SP, remain.
[Simulation complete! User can now leave for the real world.]
Fluttering open his eyes, Naruto stared at his ceiling. Sighing a bit, he got up from his bed and headed for his wardrobe. Taking out some casual clothes, he quickly dressed himself.
'This is going to be a crazy shift to high school.'