The smile had only just begun to spread across Uchiha Yan's face when it froze midway.
Something was wrong.
Very wrong.
Why did this system feel so… abstract?
For a second, he thought he had misheard it. He rolled over and jumped to his feet, pacing back and forth while trying to reason with the voice in his head.
"There's been a mistake, right?"
"System, this is Naruto. The world where ninja run with their arms behind their backs!"
Halfway through his explanation, a possibility suddenly struck him. His blood surged, and his eyes lit up.
"Wait…"
"Could it be that the rewards are cultivation techniques? Magical artifacts? Something from the Cultivation Realm?"
His imagination ignited instantly.
He saw himself crushing stars with one hand, suppressing the Ōtsutsuki clan with a casual gesture.
The Uchiha massacre?
Trivial.
When he snapped out of his fantasy, a smug expression crept across his face.
He glanced toward the red-and-white Uchiha clan emblem in the distance and snorted dismissively.
"Forget the Mangekyō Sharingan."
"I'm done with that."
"From today onward… I defy the heavens."
The system, however, appeared to lack conversational ability. It offered no explanation, only a floating interface resembling a game panel.
[Status]
[Achievements]
[Inventory]
[Quests]
Without hesitation, Yan tapped on [Status].
Name: Uchiha Yan
Age: 6
Cultivation: None
Technique: None
Physique: None
Spirit Stones: None
Line after line of "None."
It felt like mockery.
Fine. No techniques, no cultivation level. He could accept that.
But not even "Uchiha Bloodline" under Physique?
Every word seemed to sneer at him, as if declaring that in the Cultivation Realm, he was nothing more than an ant.
"It's fine," he muttered.
"One bite at a time. One step at a time."
Even a thousand-mile journey begins with small steps. Weak today didn't mean weak forever. One day, he could ascend and stand at the peak of the world.
After all, it was a cultivation system. It looking down on ninja power made sense.
As for physique…
It was probably waiting to unlock something like an Innate Dao Body or some ancient sacred constitution.
Yes. The system was clearly impressive.
He moved on.
When he clicked [Achievements], a dull notification sounded.
[This function will unlock after obtaining your first achievement.]
Yan nodded calmly.
If it unlocked too easily, he would have doubted its value. A little difficulty only meant greater future potential.
Next, he opened [Inventory].
Inside the thirty-by-ten grid of slots sat a single golden gift box, shining brightly.
[Beginner's Gift Pack. Unlockable at Qi Refining Level One.]
His grin faltered.
He took several deep breaths before steadying himself.
"No problem."
"Qi Refining shouldn't be hard. In novels, you usually just complete your first mission and receive cultivation infusion."
"Advancing to Qi Refining Level One shouldn't be difficult."
After adjusting his mindset again, he moved to the [Quests] tab. Before clicking it, he began guessing what his first task might be.
A beginner mission…
Challenge Naruto Uzumaki?
Defeat Zabuza Momochi?
Or perhaps defeat Itachi Uchiha?
That last one was unlikely. Approaching Naruto Uzumaki right now was politically sensitive for the Uchiha clan.
…Actually, challenging Sasuke Uchiha would be perfect.
He could just wait until Sasuke fell asleep, wrap him in a blanket, and give him a beating. Mission complete.
Yan closed his eyes and prayed earnestly to every deity he could remember. For extra safety, he even washed his hands thoroughly before returning to tap [Quests].
The panel flickered.
[Upon first entering the Cultivation Realm, even mortals must possess the courage to seek the Dao. Even ants must dare to shake the heavens. Humble origins are no shame. Flexibility is the mark of a true man.]
[Beginner Quest Triggered!]
[Quest: Large numbers of Heaven-Splitting Demonic Dogs have been detected nearby. The people suffer under their harassment. Teach them a lesson. Defeat 10 Heaven-Splitting Demonic Dogs to deter surrounding evil.]
[Reward: Improve physique. Increase Qi Refining breakthrough success rate by 100%. Increase Foundation Establishment success rate by 50%.]
Uchiha Yan: ?
He reread the quest.
Then again.
His expression darkened visibly.
Slowly, he walked to the stone table in the courtyard and sat down.
He lowered his head and began contemplating existence itself.
From the origins of humanity to hypothetical alien invasions.
After a long while, he inhaled sharply.
"What exactly did you detect?"
"When has the Hidden Leaf Village ever had something called Heaven-Splitting Demonic Dogs?"
"I'm in the Naruto world! An Uchiha descendant!"
"Where am I supposed to find these terrifying creatures?!"
"You—"
A voice cut in beside him.
"Why are you slacking off again?"
Sasuke Uchiha appeared at his side, wearing a blue shirt and black pants, his small face stern with disapproval. He looked down at Yan, who was sitting there in a daze, and frowned as though he were an elder lecturing a junior.
The only thing undermining his authority was the small puppy cradled in his arms.
"As sons of the Uchiha Clan Head, we must train diligently and uphold the clan's glory!"
Yan stared blankly ahead, eyes dull and unfocused.
"Is the clan's glory wetting the bed?"
The casual tone hit like a blade.
Sasuke's face flushed red instantly.
"That was— That was just water I spilled last night!"
"I did not wet the bed!"
He shouted so loudly it seemed he hoped the volume alone would erase the memory.
Passing by in the hallway, Mikoto Uchiha overheard the exchange. She covered her mouth with a gentle smile and glanced knowingly at Yan.
It had been Sasuke who wet the bed. Yet this morning, Yan had gone to her and claimed responsibility.
Mikoto understood her son well. Yan would never do such a thing. He had simply taken the blame to protect Sasuke's fragile pride.
Such a thoughtful child.
She quietly headed toward the kitchen to prepare tea for Fugaku Uchiha and Itachi Uchiha, who were speaking in the living room.
"Go play somewhere else."
"I'm not in the mood today."
Yan waved him off, still preoccupied with questioning his absurd system.
"Uchiha Yan!"
"I don't need you to play with me!"
Sasuke shouted, though his voice wavered with hurt.
Clutching the puppy, he turned away, shoulders slumped.
"Wait."
Yan suddenly snapped back to attention.
"Sasuke… what are you holding?"