Chiren's relentless taijutsu barrage wasn't landing. His eyes narrowed as he launched into the air, spinning rapidly to deliver a powerful spinning kick that tore through the air, aimed straight at Uchiha Hiko's face!
Hiko, a battle-hardened elite, arched backward to the limit, dodging the lethal strike like a steel bridge.
Seeing the attack miss and Chiren's back exposed, Hiko began, "That kind of move is too risky. Once it fails, your whole body is—"
Before he could finish, a sudden shift!
Chiren used the momentum of his kick, engaged his core, and whipped his upper body back. With a flick of his wrist, three shuriken shot out, targeting Hiko's vital points!
The move, hidden by his body, was lightning-fast, catching Hiko off guard.
He barely managed a clumsy roll to dodge and was about to counter when he saw Chiren, having twisted mid-air, lose balance and plummet to the ground.
Hiko wondered: Did he sprain something? He should've landed using hands and feet.
As Hiko pondered, Chiren, ignoring the pain racking his body, finished the final hand seal behind his back.
"Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!"
Boom!
Three or four massive fireballs, each adult-sized, engulfed Hiko's position with scorching heatwaves.
Chiren watched his opponent swallowed by the flames, but a warning bell rang in his mind.
He swiftly drew a kunai from his pouch, staying alert.
A Great Fireball wouldn't kill someone like Hiko!
Sure enough, a charred log fell from the air.
Substitution Jutsu!
As Chiren's attention flicked to the log, a large hand burst from the ground, seizing his ankle!
"I surrender!" Chiren, head barely above ground, said quickly.
Hiko had pulled him into the earth with Earth Release: Headhunter Jutsu and emerged, placing a short blade on his shoulder.
Chiren had no choice but to yield.
Hiko smiled, pulling Chiren out and brushing dirt off his shoulder. "Impressive. At six, I'd have been thrilled to have half your strength. Your chakra reserves outstrip your peers'. With time, you'll surpass me."
Obviously, I've got a system! Chiren thought.
He glanced at the system prompt:
[Failed in battle against Uchiha Hiko. Choose an entry to absorb: Chakra +1, Uchiha Basic Swordsmanship, Spiritual Power +2 (Sharingan activates at Spiritual Power 10)]
No question—Spiritual Power. With these 2 points, another fight with Hiko could unlock the Sharingan.
Then, his combat power would spike, boosting his odds in the Second Great Ninja War—and he could mess with Minato occasionally!
After the match, they returned to Uchiha Setsuna.
The old man handed Chiren a token and a one-million-ryo note, eyes full of expectation. "You did well, kid. I have high hopes for you."
Chiren took them, and as it was late, bid farewell.
Setsuna waved, sipping tea silently.
Chiren glanced at Setsuna's scarred face. Once fierce, it now seemed kind. He asked, almost impulsively, "Great Elder, can I visit you often on weekends?"
All for the elder's happy retirement—not the money or system rewards. For Uchiha's glory!
Setsuna chuckled, seeing through him. "Schemer. I can't give you a million ryo daily—that's yearly. Spar with Hiko if you want, and visit me sometimes. These old bones won't last long. Seeing you youngsters brings peace. Don't forget your words. If I see it, I'll rest easy."
Chiren knew he meant "whipping Tobirama's corpse" and nodded solemnly. "That day will come. I'll open his coffin and show everyone his true face!"
Tobirama's policies nearly doomed the Uchiha, and Chiren's parents died because of them. In his past life, as a neglected child, he craved family—only to lose it again here. This grudge was irreconcilable.
Seeing Setsuna nod silently, Chiren left.
Hiko asked quietly, "Elder, do you really rate him that highly? He's strong but young and reckless…"
"You don't get it," Setsuna said, eyeing the spilled tea from his earlier excitement. "Uchiha's legacy isn't just strength—it's pride! Tobirama used schemes, not daring to face us head-on!"
He sighed. "An Uchiha without pride is as good as extinct."
Hiko pondered, then said respectfully, "I understand. I'll train him diligently tomorrow."
Setsuna gestured for more tea. "You're lucky. This kid's strength at his age shows grueling effort. In a few years, you might be the one learning from him."
---
The next day, Saturday.
Chiren trained until midnight, woke naturally, and visited Setsuna's house.
After an "evenly matched, thrilling" fight, he felt Hiko's cold blade at his neck and surrendered cleanly. "I lose again."
Hiko sheathed his blade, exasperated. "You drag me into a fight first thing, then surrender in minutes. What's your deal, kid?"
Chiren didn't answer, secretly checking the rewards:
[Failed in battle against Uchiha Hiko. Choose an entry: Spiritual Power +2, Physique +1, Chakra +1]
Spiritual Power +2—Sharingan's in reach!
Overjoyed but calm, he said, "Just testing the gap. I've seen it, so I'm off. Got a date this afternoon."
Hiko gripped his sword tighter. "You know the gap, so train harder today! Wait… a date? No more training?"
Chiren stowed his kunai, righteous. "Train for what? I trained all night; my legs are shot. It's Sunday—give me a day off! I'm seeing cherry blossoms with friends. Gotta go."
With today's reward secured, he was off to see Kushina.
Hiko, confused, looked at Setsuna. Didn't you say he'd train diligently? Why's he like this?
Setsuna's teacup trembled as he made an excuse. "Balance is good."
Chiren didn't care what they thought.
Before the system, he slaved daily. Now, with it, why not relax? Otherwise, what's the system for?
--------------------------------------------
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