Shiratori's expression was complex, his eyes filled with one-third anger, one-third indifference, and one-third helplessness.
"So... this is what hopelessness feels like? Damn, not a nice feeling."
Did he even have a choice anymore?
The system remained silent for a moment before displaying new information.
"..."
He gave up resisting.
He couldn't be bothered to argue with an automated system anymore.
"What can you even do? If you're useless, just shut down."
His eyes were dull, his tone indifferent as he spoke.
[System functionality confirmed.]
[Auto-termination: Not permitted]
[Analysis: Host motivation levels suboptimal.]
[Initiating assistance protocols.]
[System designation: Cursed Spirit Mother Support System]
[Primary function: Support host in cursed spirit management and development]
[Secondary function: Emotional energy conversion and optimization]
The system could at least provide clear information, even if it couldn't solve his bigger problems.
"..."
He had no time to admire the interface design. He was more concerned with another issue.
Interrupting the system's data display, he asked with a frown, "Why does this say 'Cursed Spirit Mother'? I'm a guy."
Wouldn't Cursed Spirit Father make more sense?
[Gender designation irrelevant to system function.]
[Term 'Mother' indicates primary caretaker role for cursed spirit entities.]
[Linguistic precedent: Earth designated as 'Mother' regardless of gender associations]
Shiratori begrudgingly accepted the system's logic. After all, the terminology didn't really matter as long as the abilities worked.
"So what exactly can you do? A bit more info would be nice."
[Primary function: Extract emotional energy from human interactions.]
[Secondary function: Convert extracted energy into cursed spirit nourishment.]
[Tertiary function: Monitor cursed spirit development and host ability progression.]
"Sounds kind of useful."
He nodded.
So basically, all he had to do was find someone and let the system extract their emotions?
[Clarification required: Emotional energy must originate from interpersonal connections with host.]
[Parasitic cursed spirit Rika requires specific emotional input: Affection/Love energy.]
[Energy source must be individuals who harbor positive feelings toward host.]
Shiratori took back what he said earlier.
"You really are useless."
In the end, it all came down to his own effort.
[Error: System utility confirmed. Host assessment inaccurate.]
"What happens if I keep insulting you?"
He stared at the digital screen in front of him with dead fish eyes.
The system had already mentally exhausted him, so what if he vented a little?
[Response: System functions unaffected by verbal input.]
[Recommendation: Focus energy on productive objectives.]
"..."
He really wanted to punch something, but there was no point attacking a hologram.
"Cursed spirit entities... does that mean there's more than just Rika?"
He kept questioning the system.
[Confirmed: Multiple cursed spirit entities available for activation.]
[Requirement: Corresponding emotional energy threshold must be reached for each entity.]
"What does cursed spirit development mean? Is that the same as upgrading?"
He recalled what the system had mentioned earlier.
[Confirmation: "Development" and "upgrading" refer to identical processes.]
[Activation threshold: 10,000 units of corresponding emotional energy unlocks 10% base functionality.]
[Progression: Additional energy input increases manifestation strength up to 100% capacity.]
He nodded in understanding, but a moment later, he frowned.
Jujutsu Kaisen and Naruto were completely separate worlds with distinct power systems
The power scaling was clearly different too.
Even a special grade cursed spirit might not be able to beat some of the stronger ninjas in the shinobi world, right?
"Is there a power comparison between cursed spirits and ninjas from the Naruto world?"
[Power scaling algorithm: ACTIVE]
[Cursed spirit manifestation strength correlates with ninja energy signatures in local dimension.]
[10% activation = Genin to Chunin equivalent combat capability]
[50% activation = Special Jonin equivalent combat capability]
[100% activation > Jonin equivalent combat capability]
[Note: Actual performance varies by cursed spirit type and emotional intensity.]
[Additional: Host possesses innate abilities identical to Okkotsu Yuta specifications.]
"Which abilities exactly?"
"Copy? Reverse Cursed Technique? Black Flash? Domain Expansions?"
"I get all of those?"
He was already thinking about how to put these abilities to use.
Copy... was that the same as copying ninjutsu?
That would be amazing!
[Correction: Ability access limited by cursed spirit development level.]
"..."
His beautiful fantasy got cut off halfway.
"Of course there's a catch."
[Current limitation: Host abilities synchronized with primary cursed spirit Rika.]
[Rika manifestation level: 10% - Initial Stage]
[Host ability access: Beginner level only]
[Upgrade requirement: Increase Rika's energy reserves through love-based emotional input.]
"..."
He was a complete stranger who had just arrived in this world, where the hell was he supposed to find someone who loved him?
Was this some kind of cruel joke?
[Recommendation: Access personal status interface for detailed capability assessment.]
Shiratori looked closely and actually noticed a profile icon in the upper right corner of the blue screen. He tapped it, and a comprehensive display appeared in front of him.
---
[Personal Status Interface]
Name: Shiratori
Identity: Okkotsu Yuta / Cursed Spirit Mother
Age: 8 (23)
Gender: Male
Primary Cursed Spirit: Orimoto Rika
Available Cursed Spirits:
- Orimoto Rika (Activated - 10%)
- Sukuna Ryomen (Locked)
- Choso (Locked)
- Jogo (Locked)
- Mahito (Locked)
…[Expand for full list]
Host Abilities:
- Copy (Active - 10% capacity)
- Black Flash (Locked)
- Reverse Cursed Technique (Locked)
- Domain Expansion (Locked)
Shiratori selected the "Copy" section.
Copy (Current Progress: 10%): Basic ninjutsu replication capability
Available Technique Templates:
- Inumaki Toge: Cursed Speech (Locked)
- Gojo Satoru: Six Eyes (Locked)
- Gojo Satoru: Limitless (Locked)
- Gojo Satoru: Hollow Purple (Locked)
- Gojo Satoru: Domain Expansion (Locked)
- Geto Suguru: Cursed Spirit Manipulation (Locked)
- Fushiguro Toji: Heavenly Restriction (Locked)
…[Expand for additional options]
---
Shiratori tried his best to control the corners of his mouth from rising.
How delightful!
Looks like the system isn't completely useless after all!
"How do I activate Copy?"
He cracked his knuckles, ready to go all out.
[Insufficient data for detailed instruction protocols.]
"..."
That's it?
"A support system is supposed to support, isn't it? You're not exactly living up to your name here."
Whether lucky or not, his situation was complicated.
The system had a lot of functions, but unfortunately, it was also limited in its responses.
[System entering low-power mode to conserve resources.]
[Status: OFFLINE]
"..."
His mouth twitched.
Forget it.
According to the system's rules, activating Copy and cursed spirits likely required him to collect human emotions directed toward him.
His most urgent task now was to find a place with people.
Snapping out of the terrifying death crisis and his frustration with the unresponsive system, he finally noticed a hard object on his back.
He reached behind to feel it.
A glint of realization flashed in his eyes.
It was his katana.
He hadn't expected the sword to come with him as well.
Back when he was his normal height, the katana fit nicely on his back, now, it looked like it was almost longer than his body.
He unfastened the sword and laid it on the ground.
Though the blade wasn't sharpened, he had poured a lot of effort and money into it. He was reluctant to just abandon it here... But carrying it on his back was risky.
In the end, he still strapped it to his back.
Life was precious, but that €1200 was even more precious!
Carrying his beloved katana, he stepped into a puddle, gradually distancing himself from the mountain cave he had been hiding in.
There were two dead ninjas in the cave. Judging from their headbands, they were likely from one of the five great ninja villages. Their tragic deaths were bound to attract attention.
This place was no longer safe.
He had to relocate.
Although he still didn't know what time period in the Naruto world he had landed in, or even where exactly he was, heading toward a populated area would surely help him gather the information he needed.
Moreover, Rika was in a state of hunger and could no longer fight.
According to what the slain ninja had said, this was a chaotic time of war. To avoid falling into another desperate situation like before, he had to do as the system suggested, find someone who loved him, earn their affection, and help Rika break free from her hunger and grow stronger.
So far, the only method he could think of was to lie, cheat, and trick people into giving him affection.
It might be despicable, but it was effective.
He didn't know how long he had been walking, but despair began to set in. He estimated that he had traveled almost four kilometers.
Four thousand meters.
He hadn't encountered a single living person along the way.
All he saw were mountains and wilderness, no signs of life anywhere.
And the rain just kept falling.
Not a hint of it stopping.
No living people in sight, but he had seen plenty of corpses.
Thanks to Rika's brutal introduction, which involved ripping humans apart, Shiratori's mental endurance had reached a terrifying level.
After walking another two kilometers, he finally saw a cave where he could take shelter. At the very least, it would get him through the night.
He glanced up at the sky, which looked even darker under the thick clouds. He quickened his pace and hurried into the cave.
The moment he stepped inside, a wave of warmth greeted him.
Flickering firelight danced in his pupils.
There was a blazing campfire burning brightly.
And not just that, three children were sitting around the fire.
The moment he barged in, the three kids immediately stood up, eyes wide and filled with vigilance as they stared toward the cave entrance.
When they saw Shiratori's figure, the three of them froze for a moment.
And so, Shiratori stood at the mouth of the cave, locked in a wide-eyed stare-down with the three kids.
Among them were two boys and one girl. The boy standing in the middle had short, orange hair and looked the oldest. Beside him was another boy with unusually red, medium-length hair, his bangs long enough to cover his eyes.
The girl had blue hair tied into a bun with a paper flower pinned to it.
Shiratori's gaze swept over the three of them one by one, and in his heart, he was already certain of their identities: Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan.
He had actually run into their young versions?
Shiratori was full of surprise.
The three in front of him looked skinny and malnourished. Though their eyes held the wariness forged by the cruelty of war and hardship, they were still filled with innocence and immaturity.
Seeing them gave him a good sense of the time and place he was currently in within the Naruto world. It should be during the Second Great Ninja War, and the location was likely Ame.
"Who… who are you?" the orange-haired boy mustered his courage and asked, sizing up Shiratori from head to toe.
He stretched out his arms protectively, shielding Nagato and Konan behind him.
"...My name is Shiratori."
We're all orphans, no need for orphans to make things hard on each other.
"I'm Yahiko," the boy said, taking a couple of tentative steps forward.
He glanced around the cave. He seemed to be checking whether there were others behind Shiratori. Once he was sure there was no one else, especially no ninja, he breathed a sigh of relief. The wariness in his eyes faded noticeably as he asked, "Are you alone?"
Shiratori nodded. "Yes, I'm alone."
Konan ran up and tugged at Yahiko's sleeve, eyes filled with silent pleading.
Yahiko knew she was kind-hearted. He hadn't really intended to drive the boy out either. He turned to the rain-soaked Shiratori and said, "Then come on in!"
Shiratori walked over and sat across from them by the fire. He let out a long breath as the warmth embraced him, holding his hands out to absorb it.
Once he finally stopped shivering, he began wringing out his soaking wet clothes.
"Where are you headed?" Yahiko asked cautiously, eyeing Shiratori's clothing and shoes.
"I don't have anywhere to go," Shiratori answered with a smile.
Since he'd run into Yahiko and the others by chance, there was no reason to leave now. Children were generally easier to gain affection from than adults, especially war orphans.
"Did… your family also… die in the war?" Yahiko asked hesitantly, eyes wide.
He had his doubts. Shiratori didn't look like an orphan at all. His clothes were made from high-quality fabric. His shoes looked warm, waterproof, and were even made of leather.
No orphan could afford clothes like that.
But if the kid had recently lost his family in the war… that might explain it.
Shiratori simply nodded with no sign of sorrow. "Yeah."
Konan tugged at Yahiko's sleeve again.
Yahiko nodded at her, then turned to Shiratori and said, "We… we don't have any family either… If you don't have a place to go… you can stay with us…"
That was exactly what Shiratori had been waiting to hear.
He nodded immediately. "Sure."