When Naruto returned home and broke down crying, the system inside Toji Lee quietly updated in the background.
Blackening System Interface
Host: Toji Lee
Target: Uzumaki Naruto
Soul Value: 5/40
Blackening Percentage: 1.6%
Blackening Points: 7,800
System Shop: Locked
This was the system Toji Lee had carried with him after waking up in this world. A "Blackening System" meant to corrupt the heart of Naruto Uzumaki—bit by bit—until his innocence was gone and darkness took root.
The system was simple: it allowed Toji to occasionally tap into Naruto's consciousness and even control his body if needed. The stats were straightforward. The "Soul Value" measured Naruto's spiritual strength and willpower. Most adults averaged between 8 and 10. Naruto's current value was just 5, but the system showed he had the potential to reach 40 as he grew older and matured.
That also meant one thing: the stronger Naruto became, the harder it would be to blacken him.
Before coming to this world, Toji had read Alot of theories from Naruto fans online. Some thought Danzo might've used Shisui's Kotoamatsukami—his mind-control genjutsu—to brainwash Naruto into being unnaturally cheerful and forgiving. But after spending time in this world and seeing Naruto's life unfold firsthand, Toji didn't think that theory held water.
Naruto had shown signs of being overly optimistic even at age two or three. Danzo didn't get Shisui's eye until Naruto was about like six. The timelines just didn't match.
No—if anything, it seemed like the soul or chakra of Asura, one of the Sage of Six Paths' sons, was still lingering in Naruto. That made more sense. Asura's spirit was naturally filled with compassion and love, and it had probably been influencing Naruto since birth.
But that didn't matter.
What mattered was that Toji finally saw proof: the plan was working.
The system showed that Naruto's blackening percentage had gone up—from 0% to 1.6%. It had earned Toji a solid 7,800 Blackening Points in one move.
And those points? They were everything.
They could be used to buy anything the system shop had to offer. Techniques. Bloodlines. Kekkei Genkai. Even legendary powers like the Rinnegan or Sage Mode. As long as he had enough points, nothing in this world would be out of reach.
The Six Paths Madara?
Kaguya?
Obito?
Eventually, they'd all be beneath him.
but that was just an illusion for now
So, for now, Toji didn't spend any points. It wasn't the right time. The most valuable thing he gained tonight wasn't the reward—it was confirmation that his strategy worked. That years of patience and planning weren't wasted.
He backed out of the system and focused back on Naruto—who was still crying, still questioning everything.
"Wuwuwu~"
"But... didn't the Grandpa Hokage say that if I work hard, I'll be accepted one day?"
"Did I not work hard enough…?"
Hearing Naruto say that made Toji grit his teeth. He cursed under his breath: Good job, Asura. The kid's faith in people really was tough to shake.
But that was okay.
He'd break it, piece by piece.
So, he replied quietly in Naruto's mind:
"Grandpa Hokage, huh?"
"You still believe him, even now?"
That stunned Naruto for a moment. Even through the tears, he blinked in confusion. But he didn't argue—he was too hurt for that.
"...Is Grandpa Hokage wrong too?" Naruto whispered. "Is... is there no way to change this?"
"Am I really just going to live alone like this forever?"
Just as despair was about to completely swallow him, Toji dropped the hook.
"Actually… it's not impossible to change."
Naruto's eyes shot open.
He lifted his head, heart pounding. He wiped his face, snot and tears smearing across his cheeks.
"You mean… I can change it?"
"You know how?!"
"What do I have to do?!"
Toji hesitated just long enough to build tension.
"There's a way… but it won't be easy. You'll have to face truths even more painful than what you've seen so far. Are you ready for that?"
Naruto didn't hesitate. His voice was firm.
"Yes!"
"I want to know! Please tell me!"
Toji didn't smile, but if he had a face right now, he would've. He knew Naruto well. This wasn't just some random village kid. This was a boy who had been alone his whole life—no family, no friends, no warmth. Just walls. Empty silence. And pain.
There was no internet in his apartment. No games. No phone. No books. Just four walls and a mattress.
Even Toji, who used to be a shut-in back in his original world, couldn't have lived like this for long.
He leaned in closer, voice calm, almost kind.
"You don't need to work yourself to the bone just to prove your worth."
"You're already a hero."
"The one who saved this village… was you."
Naruto's lips parted in disbelief. He thought it was a joke.
"...That's not funny. I mean, thanks for trying to cheer me up and all, but... I'm not a hero."
"No."
Toji's voice cut in, firm now.
"I'm not trying to cheer you up."
"I'm telling you the truth."
"The Fourth Hokage—Minato Namikaze—the man who everyone talks about in the village who sacrificed his life to save everyone from the Nine-Tails..."
"He's your father."