---
Rei's stomach growled so loudly it echoed off the alley walls.
"I get it, okay?" he hissed at his abdomen. "I'm hungry too."
It was almost midnight, and Musutafu's streets were emptying out. Neon signs still buzzed faintly above convenience stores and ramen shops, but Rei had exactly zero yen to his name.
His hoodie clung to his skin, still damp from earlier sweat. Every joint ached from his chakra training. He looked—and felt—like a washed-up extra in a sports anime.
He sat down in a shadowy alley behind a noodle shop, where the scent of pork broth tormented him like a Genjutsu.
"System," he whispered, eyes flicking to the light inside, "give me a money-making mission. Something quick. I need food and a roof before I die in a gutter."
New Mission Available.
---
[SIDE MISSION]
Title: Ninja Hustle
Objective: Use chakra to assist in manual labor or tasks.
Location: Takemura Ramen Shop (Owner: Elderly. Short-staffed.)
Reward: Dinner + temporary lodging (1 week)
Bonus Reward: Increase in chakra control
Note: Try not to scare anyone.
---
Rei blinked.
"…I'm about to Naruto my way into a part-time job."
He stood, brushed himself off, and casually walked to the side entrance. He peeked through the glass.
Inside, a hunched old man with a bandana was carrying a crate of broth with shaking arms.
Rei opened the door.
"Hey, old man," he said. "Need help?"
The man flinched. "Who're you supposed to be?"
"Just a guy down on his luck. But I'm strong," Rei said, rolling up his sleeve. "Real strong. Let me work, I'll clean, lift, whatever. Just give me a bowl and somewhere to crash."
The man squinted at him.
"…You look like you've been run over by a Nomu."
"I feel like I've been run over by three," Rei grunted.
The old man snorted.
"Fine. Mop the back. If you steal anything, I'll throw hot broth at you."
---
One Hour Later…
Rei slurped a steaming bowl of pork miso ramen, tears forming in his eyes.
"This is…" he sniffled, "…actual heaven."
Bonus reward unlocked: Chakra Control +1%.
"You're damn right," Rei whispered to the system, mouth full.
---
The Next Morning…
Rei woke up on a futon behind the shop, yawned, and stretched. It was basic—but dry, warm, and safe.
He sat cross-legged and meditated, pushing chakra through his limbs. His reserves had grown slightly. It wasn't much—but it was something.
"Alright," he muttered. "Now… how do I get into U.A.?"
---
[MAIN MISSION UNLOCKED]
Title: Path to Pro Hero
Objective: Enroll in U.A. High
Requirements:
Forge identity
Pass Quirk Appraisal
Enter General Studies or Hero Course
Reward: System Upgrade Option: [Ninjutsu Tree OR Taijutsu Tree Expansion]
Note: Caution—Pro Heroes may detect chakra anomalies.
---
Rei stared at the mission panel and rubbed his chin.
"Forge identity? You giving me Photoshop too?"
System does not endorse illegal activity. But hypothetically, if Host learned basic Henge Jutsu, documents could be 'adjusted.'
"…You're a bad influence."
Host is a broke ninja in a Quirk society. Get creative.
---
Later That Week…
Rei used his Shadow Clones to help at the ramen shop and trained at night in secret. After a few info-gathering runs through the city, he picked up two critical facts:
1. The U.A. Entrance Exam was 2 months away.
2. Pro Hero Present Mic had an open seminar for aspiring students.
It was time.
Rei tightened his hoodie, summoned a single clone, and headed into town. He had questions—and a carefully rehearsed fake Quirk story: "I can convert stamina into raw kinetic force. It feels like internal pressure, like 'chakra.'" Close enough to sound legit.
He just needed someone to vouch for him.
---
U.A. Hero Seminar — Downtown Gymnasium
A loud, energetic voice blasted over the microphone.
"YO! FUTURE HEROES! ARE YOU READY TO ROCK?!"
Rei winced as Present Mic's voice nearly blew his eardrums out.
The crowd of teens cheered.
Rei stood in the back, hands in pockets, scanning the scene. Near the front were familiar faces—Tenya Iida, Momo Yaoyorozu, and even a grumpy-looking Bakugo.
Rei leaned against the wall, eyeing the exit, when a quiet voice startled him.
"Are you here to apply too?"
He turned. A green-haired boy with freckles—Izuku Midoriya—stood beside him, clutching a notebook.
"Yeah," Rei replied casually. "Trying to figure out how to get in."
Midoriya nodded eagerly. "You look like you've trained a lot. What's your Quirk?"
Rei smirked. "I convert stamina into force. Kind of like charging up from the inside."
Midoriya's eyes sparkled.
"That sounds… efficient! Like storing kinetic chakra—or… uh, energy!"
Rei chuckled.
"Exactly."
-
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