The Leaf Village hummed with life, a vibrant tapestry of wooden rooftops and bustling streets woven beneath the watchful gaze of Hokage Rock. Two years had passed since Archon had pressed [Start], thrusting himself into this world as a Senju with white hair styled after Killua's sharp, electric aesthetic. At four years old, he was already an anomaly, training in a secluded clearing near the orphanage where the grass was worn thin from his relentless practice. The air carried the scent of earth and leaves, and the distant chatter of villagers reminded him of the legacy he'd chosen. Being a Senju in the Leaf was like wearing a crown—respect came easy, but so did expectation. Archon wasn't here to coast; he had a story to rewrite.
His small frame moved with precision as he channeled chakra to his feet, tackling [Wall Walking] for what felt like the hundredth time. The oak tree in the clearing loomed like a stubborn opponent, its bark marked with scuffs from his failed attempts. Senju blood gave him chakra reserves that dwarfed other kids his age—500 points, a monstrous amount for a four-year-old—but control was another matter. At 16%, his [Chakra Control] was improving, but not fast enough. He gritted his teeth, took a step, and felt the familiar buzz of chakra sticking to the bark. Halfway up, his focus wavered, and he slipped, landing in the dirt with a soft thud.
[Wall Walking: Lv 2 → Lv 3]
[Chakra Control: 16% → 17%]
"Getting there," Archon muttered, brushing dirt off his shorts. His [Status] screen floated before him, a blue holographic reminder of his progress. [Leaf Exercise] was maxed, giving him stamina far beyond his peers—125 points, enough to train for hours without breaking. [Chakra Strings: Lv 2] let him manipulate faint threads of energy, and [Observe: Lv 3], leveled up from spamming it on everyone in the orphanage, now revealed snippets of thoughts or intentions. Kuyama Api, the orphanage head, had been his first target. Her stern face hid a soft heart, and [Observe] had revealed her pride in his progress, tinged with worry about his obsessive training.
A new notification blinked into view, snapping him out of his thoughts. [New Quest: First Steps of a Prodigy] demanded he reach [Wall Walking: Lv 5] for 200 EXP and a new skill. The system's taunt—"Failure isn't an option"—made him smirk. "Challenge accepted," he said, cracking his knuckles. But his chakra was dipping, a flickering candle after hours of practice. He needed to pace himself, especially in the main timeline where Naruto, Sasuke, and countless threats loomed on the horizon.
"Archon!" Kuyama's voice cut through the clearing. She stood at the edge, arms crossed, her dark hair tied back in a practical bun. Her eyes held their usual mix of exasperation and concern. "Training's important, but so is eating. Get inside before dinner's gone." [Observe] pinged—she was proud, but her worry was louder today, like she sensed something brewing.
"Just a bit longer, Kuyama-san," Archon called, flashing a grin. "I'm close." She sighed, muttering about "Senju stubbornness," and left with a warning about missing seconds. Archon turned back to the tree, determined to grind out another level before nightfall. The system rewarded effort, and he wasn't about to slack off when Orochimaru and the Akatsuki were ticking time bombs.
A rustle in the bushes made him freeze. Instinctively, he formed the tiger seal, sending a faint pulse of chakra through his [Chakra Strings] to sense his surroundings. Something—or someone—was nearby. "Who's there?" he called, keeping his voice steady. A Senju didn't show fear, even if he was just a kid.
A boy stepped out, maybe six or seven, with spiky black hair and sharp, calculating eyes. His plain clothes belied a confidence that screamed prodigy. "Not bad for an orphan," he said, smirking. "Most kids your age are still chasing butterflies." Archon's eyes narrowed, and [Observe] kicked in.
[Name]: Shisui Uchiha
[Clan]: Uchiha
[Status]: Curious. Testing you.
Shisui Uchiha? Archon's heart skipped. The timeline was moving faster than he'd expected. Shisui, the future genius of the Uchiha, was already here, sizing him up. "And you are?" Archon asked, playing it cool.
"Shisui," the boy replied, like it was no big deal. "You're Archon, right? The Senju kid everyone's buzzing about." His tone was casual, but his eyes were sharp, like he was peeling back layers.
Archon shrugged, leaning against the tree. "People talk. Doesn't mean I listen." Shisui laughed, a bright, genuine sound that caught Archon off guard. "Fair," Shisui said. "But you're training like you've got a war to win. What's your deal?"
For a moment, Archon hesitated. Shisui was a wildcard—ally or threat, depending on how things played out. Getting on his radar this early could change everything. "Just living up to the name," Archon said finally. "You get it, right?"
Shisui's smirk softened, a flicker of respect in his eyes. "Yeah. I do." He stepped forward and tossed a kunai, embedding it dead-center in the tree. "Aim for that. It'll help your focus." Before Archon could respond, Shisui turned to leave, vanishing into the trees with a casual wave. "Keep up, Senju. The world doesn't wait."
A notification flashed. [Social Link Established: Shisui Uchiha] granted a 5% boost to [Chakra Control] when training near Uchiha. Archon stared at the kunai, then the fading light. "Well," he muttered, "that's one way to start a legend."
[Status]
[Name] Archon
[Health] 50
[Chakra] 500
[Chakra Control] 17%
[Stamina] 125
[Skills]
[Leaf Exercise: Max]
[Chakra Strings: Lv 2]
[Wall Walking: Lv 3]
[Observe: Lv 3]